The United Kingdom accepted the first international Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II aircraft in a ceremony today with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Military aircraft
MPA aircraft for Turkey
Thales has completed delivery of initial standard maritime patrol aircraft under the Meltem II programme for Turkey, with four aircraft entering service between February and June 2012.
Rafale at Clermont-Ferrand
On 12 July 2012, the first Rafale fighter landed at the Aeronautical Industrial Workshop (Atelier Industriel de l’ Aéronautique, AAI) at Clermont-Ferrand.
First flight of the second P-8I
The second Boeing [NYSE: BA] P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy completed its initial flight on July 12, taking off from Renton Field at 3:29 p.m. and landing two hours and 14 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle.
J-15 tests at sea?
People’s Daily Online reports that China’s aircraft carrier has set out from Dalian in the northeastern province of Liaoning on sea trials that will last 25 days, the longest yet, and experts say domestic J-15 fighters may be involved in landing and takeoff exercises.
P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy began its official flight test program
Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] first P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy began its official flight test program July 7, taking off from Boeing Field in Seattle at 9:15 a.m. and landing three hours and 49 minutes later after demonstrating flying qualities and handling characteristics. The flight went as planned with all test objectives met.