Boeing updates

GE to power USAF Boeing F-15EX’s

The US Air Force has awarded GE a $1.58 billion firm-fixed-price contract to supply F110 engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II. This selection makes GE the sole propulsion provider for the US Air Force’s entire planned F-15EX fleet. GE is currently delivering Lot 1 engines for the F-15EX, including two test aircraft currently undergoing flight testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

1st KC-46A tanker for Japan

Boeing has delivered its first KC-46A tanker to the Japan Air SelfDefense Force (JASDF) marking the programme’s first delivery to a customer outside the United States. The Japan KC-46A is capable of refueling JASDF, US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps aircraft. Globally, the KC-46A has already completed more than 5,000 sorties and transferred more than 50 million pounds of fuel to other aircraft through its boom and drogue systems.

Sikorsky-Boeing deliver FLRAA proposal

The Sikorsky-Boeing team released the following statement on the early submittal of the proposal for DEFIANT X for the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). “Continuing a 75year partnership with the US Army, providing and sustaining the iconic BLACK HAWK, Chinook and Apache, the Sikorsky-Boeing team looks to the future with the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft - DEFIANT X. Today, Team DEFIANT completed and submitted the proposal for the US Army’s FLRAA competition, offering low-risk, transformational capability that delivers on an

Army critical modernisation priority and advances the future of Army aviation. DEFIANT X delivers speed where it matters, survivability, unsurpassed power, maneuverability, superior handling in any environment and lower lifecycle costs – while operating in the same footprint as the BLACK HAWK. We are confident that DEFIANT X, supported by our longstanding Army industrial base suppliers, is the best choice for delivering overmatch on the Multi-Domain Operational battlefield in INDOPACOM and across the globe.”

Boeing uncrewed teaming aircraft advances flight testing

Boeing Australia has expanded its flight-test programme of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, with two aircraft successfully completing separate flight missions at the Woomera Range Complex. The first Loyal Wingman aircraft developed with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) demonstrated a range of key characteristics during the test flights to continue to expand the flight envelope. A second aircraft also successfully completed its first flight mission.

Throughout the flight-test missions, the teams gathered aircraft performance data that will be used to inform and refine the digital twin of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, with the view to accelerate the aircraft’s development where possible. The digital twin models the system’s entire lifecycle, from design and development to production and sustainment, and contributes to speed and firsttime quality.

Loyal Wingman project achieves milestones

The landing gear of a Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft has been raised and engaged for the first time during a flight mission at Woomera in South Australia. This was the highlight of several major milestones the project recently achieved, which included the maiden flight of a second aircraft. Head of Air Force Capability Air Vice Marshal Cath Roberts praised the efforts of the team involved in achieving these results.

Boeing delivers 1st P-8A Poseidon to Norway

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has accepted the first of five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that will be operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). Norway’s first P-8A aircraft, named Vingtor, was delivered to the NDMA during a ceremony at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. The milestone comes four years after the NDMA entered into an agreement with the US Navy for the P-8A, and two years before the new aircraft are scheduled to begin taking over maritime patrol duties in Norway’s high north.

The delivery to Norway also marks the 142nd P-8 aircraft delivered to global customers, including the US Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. First deliveries to New Zealand, Korea and Germany will take place in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Additional Chinooks for US Army Special Operations

Boeing will build six more MH-47G Block II Chinooks for the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command as part of a $246.48 million contract. Delivery of these aircraft are scheduled to start in 2023. With this additional order, Boeing is now under contract for 30 MH-47G Block II Chinooks, four of which have been delivered to date. These aircraft will be the first to include the new Active

Parallel Actuator Subsystem (APAS), a mission system that helps pilots execute more difficult maneuvers while improving safety and reliability of flight. The MH-47G Block II Chinook also features improved structure and weight reduction initiatives like new lighter weight fuel pods that increase performance and efficiency.

New Honeywell T55 engine for US Army Chinooks

Honeywell has reached a significant milestone with the US Army by being the first engine to test (FETT) as part of its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for the next-generation engine for Chinook helicopters. The CRADA programme and testing of the T55-714C engine is planned over a two-year period to validate the benefits and ease of integration of the new engine variant onto the Chinook platform. This will allow the US Army to evaluate the capabilities of the newest rendition of Honeywell’s battle-proven T55 engine.