David Donald
Contributor - UK
Contributor - UK
Latest from David Donald
Aircraft
First HC-130J for the Air Force
On April 19 Lockheed Martin rolled out from its Marietta, Georgia, facility the first of a new batch of special-mission Hercules for the U.S.
Aircraft
Fire-X rotary-wing UAS launched
Earlier this week at the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition, Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter announced the joint development of a new high-capacity
First Modernized Tornado Delivered to Luftwaffe
Last month, EADS Defence & Security delivered back to the Luftwaffe the first Tornado to undergo the production ASSTA 2 upgrade program.
Aircraft
Upgraded AT-6 Takes to the Air
Hawker Beechcraft successfully completed the maiden flight of its second
First ‘Golden Eagle’ F-15C for USAF Air National Guard
The first Boeing F-15C to be upgraded with a Raytheon APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned antenna (AESA) radar was rolled out on April 12 at
Aircraft
UK Confirms Deal for Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint Sigint Airplanes
The UK’s Secretary of Defense, Bob Ainsworth, confirmed on March 22 that the Royal Air Force would receive three Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraf
Aircraft
India’s Light Combat Helicopter Takes Flight
HAL on March 29 made the first flight of its light combat helicopter (LCH) prototype, conducting hover tests for around 15 minutes at Bangalore, I
Aircraft
Romania Selects Used F-16s as a Stop-gap Measure
In late March the Romanian defense council approved the acquisition of used Lockheed Martin F-16s as a stop-gap measure to fill the air force’s ne
Aircraft
Technical Challenges Add to Lockheed Martin F-35 Problems, Say Auditors
The Lockheed Martin F-35 program is facing manufacturing inefficiencies, parts problems and at least six engineering technical challenges.
QF-16 Target Program Launched
For many years the U.S.
Rotorcraft
Korea’s Surion Helicopter Flies
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) flew the prototype of its Surion utility helicopter for the first time on March 10.
Northrop and Raytheon battle for F-16 AESA radar business
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are going head-to-head with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar programs to update F-16 fighters and other fight
Aircraft
Unmanned helos eyed for cargo carrying role
Unmanned air vehicles for cargo duties have been studied for some years, but the current difficulties being experienced by U.S.
‘Super’ Spike missile triples range
With the program having been declassified last November, the Rafael’s Spike NLOS weapon is being seen here for the first time at a trade show.
Aircraft
Chengdu’s J-10B Multirole Fighter on Trial
With J-10A production in full stride, Chengdu is working on integrating new technology, which may lead to an improved production aircraft.
Stratech Aero launched to take on UAV market
Singapore-based Stratech Systems Ltd.
AIM-9X missile aims at surface
Following a successful test last fall, Raytheon’s fifth-generation AIM-9X–the principal short-range air-to-air missile employed by U.S.
Final flameout heralds the last year of the ‘Pig’
There can be few finer sights in aviation than a General Dynamics F-111 bomber demonstrating the “dump-and-burn” routine.
Russian stealth jet takes flight
Years of speculation were brought to an end last Friday with the long-anticipated public debut of Russia’s new Sukhoi T-50 fighter, on the occasion of its
Aircraft
MC-21 spearheads Irkut’s future as airliner producer
Best known as a producer of the Sukhoi Su-30MK series of heavy fighters, Russia’s Irkut Corp.
Aircraft
Fish Hawk extends Poseidon’s reach
Here at the Singapore Airshow, Raytheon Missile Systems (Stand U01) is showcasing its Fish Hawk standoff antisubmarine torpedo. While the weapon has
Aircraft
Asian air forces scramble for more fighter firepower
Continued tensions in the Far East and southern Asia are ensuring that the region remains a major sales battleground for the world’s fighter houses.
Aircraft
Singapore’s F-15 fleet grows; Silent Eagle preps for flight test
The design maybe 40 years old, but there is plenty of life left in the F-15 Eagle fighter.
Airbus grooms five A400Ms for intense flight-test duties
With its first A400M in the air, Airbus Military is embarking on an intensive flight trials campaign, with the aim of clearing the baseline common standard
Aircraft
EADS forges ahead on two UAV programs
EADS is moving forward with its Talarion medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV, with an eye to flying it in 2014.
Five A400Ms groomed for heavy test duty
With its first A400M in the air, Airbus Military is embarking on an intensive flight trials campaign, with the aim of clearing the baseline common standard
Maiden Flight for A400M; Tough Negotiations Continue
As partner governments head for another showdown with EADS over the climbing costs and lengthy delays associated with the Airbus Military A400M, there was
Aircraft
Bombardier Maritime Patrol Aircraft for UAE Passes Critical Milestone
The Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the UAE passed its critical design review phase, keeping the program on schedule.
Aircraft
Indonesia Chooses Russian and Chinese Trainers
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Show flying display gives clue to UAE basic trainer selection
Following the selection in February of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master for its advanced trainer and light combat aircraft needs, the United Arab Emirates
