News

815 NAS

Success for Royal Navy in Wildcat’s first air-to-air firing of Martlet missile

1st August 2023

In a recent series of trials, an AW159 Wildcat HMA2 multi-mission maritime helicopter from the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm’s 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, carried out the first successful test firing of a Martlet lightweight multi-role missile against an aerial target

Boeing

British Airways to receive more Boeing 787s in fresh order

1st August 2023

British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced a firm order for six Boeing 787-10s which will join the flag carrier’s fleet in 2025 and 2026.

Acquisitions

UK MOD criticised over E-7A Wedgetail procurement in damning new report

1st August 2023

The UK's decision to cut its order for Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW1 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from five examples to three has been described as an "absolute folly" in a damning new report by an influential group of MPs

Air-to-Air Refuelling

Travis AFB becomes sixth USAF base to welcome KC-46A Pegasus

1st August 2023

Boeing resumed deliveries of KC-46A Pegasus tankers to the USAF on July 28 following a hiatus that began in March, when a problem with the aircraft’s centre fuel tank was discovered

FlyPast September 2023

Swedish Air Force Museum re-opens

1st August 2023

The largest display hall at Sweden’s Flygvapenmuseum, based near Linköping, reopened to the public on June 16 following three years of refurbishment

Aero Vodochody

Local Legends 11: Aero Vodochody Ae-45 released

1st August 2023

Microsoft has announced Local Legends 11: Aero Vodochody Ae-45 and Ae-145 for MSFS is now available.

Bell 412

Norway postpones helicopter fleet recap, opts to partially upgrade ageing Bell 412s

1st August 2023

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has approved plans to partially upgrade its ageing Bell 412HP/SP utility helicopters and postpone the recapitalisation of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s special operations rotorcraft fleet by at least 15 years in a move that goes against the advice of the head of the nation’s armed forces

FlyPast September 2023

Presidential Lodestar progresses in California

1st August 2023

A group of committed volunteers at Chino’s Planes of Fame Air Museum are continuing to make good progress on the restoration of Lockheed L-18 Lodestar 18-2622

Hawker Sea Fury

Navy Wings to re-engine Sea Fury

31st July 2023

Single-seat FB11 may return to flight as early as next year with Pratt & Whitney engine

Acquisitions

Canada buys more CC-330 Husky tankers in bid to bolster aerial refuelling capabilities

31st July 2023

Canada’s Minister of National Defence Anita Anand announced on July 25 that the nation has purchased four new Airbus A330 MRTTs – along with a further three used A330-200s – for approximately CA$3.6bn (US$2.7bn), as it moves to recapitalise its air-to-air refuelling capabilities and enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to replace its ageing CC-150 Polaris fleet

Airbus Helicopters

Hungary welcomes first H225M helicopters to Szolnok

31st July 2023

The Hungarian Air Force formally welcomed the first two of 16 Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal medium-lift multi-purpose helicopters to Szolnok Air Base – home of the MH 86 Helikopter Ezred (HE; Helicopter Regiment) – on July 17

Aeroplane

Famous Mustang racer flies again

28th July 2023

‘Thunderbird’ stars during debut at EAA AirVenture show at Oshkosh

Asobo Studio

World Update XIV: Central Eastern Europe out now

27th July 2023

Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update XIV: Central Eastern Europe covers several countries in Eastern Europe: including Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.