The Northrop Grumman-EADS North America team vying to produce the Air Force’s next aerial refueling aircraft says it is “ready immediately” to begin production. The team has just completed final airframe assembly on the first developmental KC-30. The aircraft would be ready for military modification in late November, according to a Northrop release. Boeing has offered its 767 aircraft for the KC-X competition, for which USAF expects to award the contract in October.
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…