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Aviation News

NAVAIR signs CH-53K LRIP Lot 4 contract for six rotorcraft

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Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has signed an approximately $550 million contract with Sikorsky Aircraft for six CH-53K helicopters under the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 4 contract.

The CH-53K King Stallion successfully plugs into a funnel-shaped drogue towed behind a KC-130J during aerial refueling wake testing over the Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Erik Hildebrandt.

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RCAF unveils AWACS wings

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Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) AWACS qualified Aerospace Controllers (AECs) and Aerospace Control Operators (AC Ops) are now able to wear a new ‘wings’ badge that was officially rolled out on Oct. 23.

The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lieutenant General Alexander Donald Meinzinger, along with the RCAF Command Chief Denis Gaudreault visited 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base North Bay in order to present the newly approved Airborne Warning and Control System (AW&CS) wings.
Image by: Cpl Rob Ouellette 22 Wing North Bay, North Bay ON © 2020 DND-MDN Canada

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Chinese unmanned helicopter crashes meters away from spectators during competition

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The 7th Zhejiang international unmanned aircraft competition took place on Oct. 24. Unfortunately, an unmanned helicopter from   Hangzhou XingJi Helicopters crashed just meters away from the spectators less than three minutes into its demonstration.

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Posted in UAV

First AC-130W to record combat kill is now retired as ground instructional trainer at Sheppard AFB

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The first AC-130W gunship to record a combat kill, # 1303, has been flown to its final home at Sheppard AFB, Texas whereby it will become a ground instructional trainer for ammo and armament students in the 363rd Training Squadron as well as crew chief student in the 362nd Training Squadron.

An AC-130W Stinger II gunship, Tail No. 1303, takes off on the runway at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., for its final flight prior to retirement Oct. 19, 2020. As a gunship, Tail No. 1303 made its claim to fame by being the first gunship to record a combat kill on Feb. 9, 2011. It then went on to achieve another milestone by having the distinction of being the first 105mm cannon-installed whiskey to confirm a 105mm kill in December of 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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