X-51A Waverider test flight ends in failure

The US Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) third test flight of the Boeing/Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne X-51A Waverider hypersonic test vehicle on 14 August has ended in failure.

Though the test article was successfully launched from a Boeing B-52 bomber near Point Mugu, California, the vehicle developed a fault after only 16s of flight-- before the X-51A separated from its rocket booster. When the X51A did separate from the booster rocket 15s later, the USAF says it could not maintain control of the vehicle due to a faulty control fin.

The X-51A subsequently crashed.

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First Dutch F-35 flies around Fort Worth

The first Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter built for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has been spotted flying near the company's plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

The aircraft, marked F-001, first flew on 6 August and has flown several company check flights subsequently. Known internally as AN-1, it flew again on 10 August and 13 August, indicating an imminent delivery.

However, Lockheed is not able to comment on the matter and referred all inquiries to the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The Netherlands government did not respond to inquiries


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India receives its first EMB-145 AEW&C aircraft

India has received its first Embraer EMB-145 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.The first of three aircraft was delivered at Embraer's São Josė dos Campos headquarters, says the Brazilian airframer.

The aircraft has undergone ground and flight tests, meeting targets set by Embraer and the Centre for Airborne Systems unit of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Following the integration of DRDO mission systems, the aircraft will subsequently be handed over to the Indian air force. India ordered the three aircraft under a $208 million deal in 2008.
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