The United Arab Emirates has let contracts to Boeing and Lockheed Martin for the purchase of four C-17s and 12 C-130Js, respectively, according to press reports emanating from this week’s IDEX defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Reuters news wire service reported that the C-17 deal is worth about $1.2 billion and the C-130J contract around $1.6 billion, citing a UAE defense official. Boeing announced yesterday that the UAE intends to acquire the C-17, but offered no specifics as to numbers and notional delivery dates. Instead, it said only, “We look forward to partnering with the UAE as it strengthens its airlift capabilities with the C-17.” Earlier this month, Boeing mentioned the UAE as one of several Middle East nations interested in the C-17. (For more, read yesterday’s Associated Press report).
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training mission in Michigan on Sept. 17. The fighter's sole pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
