Boeing may switch laser to 747-8
Posted on: Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 | Flight Global

Boeing has begun company-funded studies into using the new 747-8F freighter, instead of the 747-400F, as the platform for the US Air Force's Airborne Laser (ABL) missile defence system. Although a decision on whether to produce further ABL systems will not be taken until after a shoot-down test plan...

Northrop bid sees testbed role for B-2
Posted on: Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 | Flight Global

Northrop Grumman is raising the stakes in its bid to win the US Air Force's next-generation long-range strike aircraft contest by planning to use the B-2A bomber as a flying demonstrator.

100 Eurofighters delivered as test fleet logs flight number 5,000
Posted on: Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 | eurofighter.com

The handover of Eurofighter BS021 and BS022 to the Royal Air Force at BAE Systems' Warton site marks the delivery of the 100th Eurofighter production aircraft into service with the four partner nations and industry.

Air Force plans to cut Northrop radar program
Posted on: Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 | Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force plans to end a Northrop Grumman Corp. program to develop an airborne surface surveillance system and a radar system to defend against cruise missiles, defense analyst Loren Thompson of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute said on Monday.

X-45As to be Inducted into Smithsonian and National Museum of the USAF
Posted on: Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 | Boeing

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 02, 2006 -- After 64 unprecedented flights and numerous firsts in autonomous combat aviation, the two X-45A unmanned combat air vehicles designed and built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Air Force are heading to two...