Hide/Show Archive Navigation.

All News

January 11, 2008

First VH-71 Presidential Helos Begin US Flight Testing

Two Of Four Test Aircraft Now In Operation

Representatives with AgustaWestland told ANN Friday the first two VH-71 helicopters built for the President of the United States have entered the flight test phase with the US Navy and US Marine Corps at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD.

Investigation Shows Longeron Was Outside Specs

An investigation into what led to the in-flight breakup of an F-15C Eagle fighter in November 2007 uncovered structural beams in several aircraft that weren't up to spec, US Air Force officials said Thursday. Investigators also discovered one of the accident aircraft's four cockpit longerons, which support the fuselage during high-g maneuvers, was thinner that design specifications called for.

After bearing the pouring rain that "blessed" the ground-breaking of a new launch facility headquartered in the shadow of historic Space Launch Complex 40, Aero-TV's Jim Campbell got some rare one-on-one time with SpaceX honcho, Elon Musk. The new facility, which will someday launch Falcon 9 rockets for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) was dedicated early in November, during the World Space Expo. Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) is situated on the historic Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and will start serving as the primary launch site for SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch vehicle, beginning in late 2008.

More Videos

Navy 'Air Boss' Experiences, Discusses Future Of Helicopters

Takes Flight In Navy's Newest Combat Helo, The MH-60R

The Navy's "Air Boss" experienced firsthand the future of naval helicopter technology, and led roundtable discussions with the senior rotary wing leadership stationed at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in December.