Page 12 - AA 2018_11

Debrief News briefs from across aviation WRITER: JORDAN CHONG

Boeing’s clean-sheet design DEFENCE NEWS Boeing Defence Australia was the website, read. “The helicopter should
has been selected for the The Royal Australian Air Force prime contractor for delivering be capable of being fitted with simple,
USAF’s T-X advanced jet trainer (RAAF) has taken delivery of its ninth and operating Helicopter Aircrew proven, intelligence, surveillance and
program. boeing F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and the Training System (HATS) program reconnaissance (ISR) equipment and
first to be taken on strength by its (acquired under AIR 9000 Phase 7), weapons systems.”
first operational flying unit to fly the which sees Defence and Boeing –
jet, No 3 Squadron. F-35A A35-009 civilian instructors work side-by-side Boeing and Saab have emerged
was delivered to Luke Air Force Base, delivering pilot, AWO and aircrew victorious in securing the highly
Arizona where it was accepted by training for both the Navy and Army. sought-after United States Air Force
3QSN in early September. – (USAF) T-X trainer program worth up
– The Department of Defence has to US$9.2 billion. The USAF said on
The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) begun the process of acquiring new September 27 2018 Boeing and Saab’s
new Joint Helicopter School has light helicopters for Army special T-X trainer would replace the Air
graduated its first course of Australian forces support with the release of Education and Training Command’s
Navy and Army pilots, aviation a request for information (RFI). 57-year-old fleet of Northrop T-38C
warfare officers and helicopter “The helicopters are to be proven Talons. Currently, it plans to purchase
aircrew. The 28 graduates of No 1 (already in service) commercial or 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simulators
Pilot, Aviation Warfare Officer and military-off-the-shelf, optimised and associated ground equipment.
Aircrewman Courses were presented for operating in dense urban Looking further ahead, the USAF said
their wings by Commander Fleet Air environments, and capable of being the “indefinite-delivery/indefinite-
Arm Commodore Chris Smallhorn rapidly deployed by air transport in quantity contract” allowed for the
at Nowra on August 31, after 37 ADF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III purchase of up to 475 aircraft and 120
students comprising the first intake aircraft,” the RFI, released on the simulators.
began their training in mid-January. Australian Government’s AusTender –

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