(U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at Balad Air Base, Iraq, after conducting a mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The F-16s and aircrews currently assigned to the 22nd EFS are deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged multiple enemy combatants and structures with a guided bomb unit-12, a GBU-38, a general purpose 500-pound bomb, and cannon rounds near Deh Rawod. The enemy combatants were engaged with coalition forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

During the same mission, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s used Enhanced Paveway II munitions, general purpose 540-pound bombs, and rockets against the enemy. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles also engaged the combatants with GBU-38s. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions as successful.

French Mirage 2000s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity in Asmar. The mission was reported as a success.

In Asadabad, GR-7s used Enhanced Paveway II munitions, a general purpose 540-pound bomb, and rockets against an enemy mortar position, enemy combatants, and an enemy structure.

During the same engagement, Air Force B-1B targeted an enemy structure with a GBU-31 and GBU-38s. Enemy combatants were engaging coalition forces in the area. The missions were reported as successful by the JTAC.

Enemy combatants were targeted with cannon rounds by F-15Es in Tarin Kowt. Shows of force were also performed to deter enemy actions in the area. The JTAC deemed the mission as a success.

An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper engaged enemy combatants with a GBU-12 in Asadabad. The enemy combatants were engaging coalition forces in the area. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

An F-15E conducted a show of force near Musa Qala. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed an Al Qaeda safe house with GBU-38s in Babil. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Mosul. The JTAC deemed the mission as a success.

In Yusufiah, F/A-18Cs destroyed an enemy structure with a GBU-12, a BGU-38, and a GBU-51. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

An F-16 conducted a show of force in Samarra to deter enemy activities. The JTAC assessed the mission as successful.

A show of force was performed by an F/A-18C to deter enemy activities in Baghdad. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 56 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty five Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown, 698 tons of cargos were delivered and 2,531 passengers were transported. This included approximately 38,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, Japan, and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Nov. 22, U.S. Air Force, French, and RAF tankers flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 210 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix

The ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle is recovered from flight aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79). Oscar Austin is en route to the Central Command area of responsibility to support maritime security operations in the region as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

USS OSCAR AUSTIN, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), completed a robust testing phase of the ScanEagle, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Nov. 17, en route to the Central Command area of operations as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations.

This is an unprecedented employment of a UAV aboard a multi-mission (anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare) surface combatant.

Oscar Austin is an element of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG).

"The particular UAV we are flying here is known as the ScanEagle," said John Nicholson, ScanEagle team leader, and The Boeing Company field representative. "In the past and still today, we have operated ScanEagle on various ship platforms like the LHAs and LHDs (amphibious assault ships), LPDs (amphibious transport dock ships), LSDs (amphibious dock landing ships), and high speed vessel ships."

The primary mission of the ScanEagle UAV is to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to the Oscar Austin and HSTCSG.

"ScanEagle is an incredible asset not only for this ship, but the Navy too," said Oscar Austin’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Eric Weilenman. "It gives me great [subject awareness] on what’s around the ship and allows me to keep my visit, board, search, and seizure teams aware of their environment because the UAV provides positive identification on vessels of interest, which allows me to pass accurate security information to my Sailors as they prepare to board."

While in flight, ScanEagle provides live, high-quality video that helps develop and maintain a Recognized Maritime Picture and further enhances Maritime Domain Awareness.

Contractors operate the UAV while Navy intelligence specialists and flight deck crew work side-by-side with the civilians.

"Based on data collections, I task the UAV operators with what to target and where to look," said Chief Intelligence Specialist (AW) Roger Whittington, the intelligence officer aboard Oscar Austin. "Our role is intelligence, while their role is to fly the plane."

ScanEagle is four-feet long with a wingspan of 10-feet, and offers a variety of features that differentiate it from other UAVs.

The UAV has the ability to go as high as 10,000-feet, the capability of flying for more than 20 hours both day and night, and it’s quiet, "making it difficult to detect from the surface of the ocean," said Nicholson.

Whether it is operating by day or night, ScanEagle can carry either an electro-optical or infrared camera, allowing the operator to easily track both stationary and moving targets.

Navy reservist and Ensign Scott Hamann, a ScanEagle pilot operator assigned to Boeing explained the launch and recovery process of the UAV.

"ScanEagle is launched by a pneumatic wedge catapult launcher and flies off pre-programmed computerized files or operators (like myself) to initiate the mission," said Hamann.

"When retrieved, we use what is called a ’Skyhook ’ system, where the UAV catches a rope that is hanging from a 50-foot high pole," Hamann added.

Whittington said the prospect of helping to develop a machine that can potentially save lives is an honor.

"I’m really excited about being [a part of] this ground breaking moment in naval history," Whittington said.

Weilenman has high hopes in store for the UAV and wants to raise the bar during this deployment. The last ship that deployed with ScanEagle, USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), completed 19 missions and 933 flight hours.

"We are going to try to beat those numbers," said Weilenman. "It’s all mission dependent, depending on where our missions are going to be and what we are going to be doing, but it is very possible we will exceed those results."

(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)

Capt. Travis Keenan taxies an F-16 Fighting Falcon to the runway for a mission on Thanksgiving Day at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts combat missions in support of ground forces operating in Iraq.

Captain Keenan, a 22nd EFS pilot, is deployed from Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force with flares in Oruzgan. The demonstration caused the enemy to cease fire.

French Mirage 2000s in Orgune struck enemy combatants with guided bomb unit-38s. The strike supported friendly troops engaged in hostile contact against the enemy. In addition, a show of force was conducted over a coalition convoy’s position. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission as successful.

Cannon rounds from A-10s were used to strafe enemy combatants in hostile action against coalition forces in Oruzgan. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31 munitions against enemy combatants in Nangalam. During the same mission, the aircrew dropped a GBU-31 and a GBU-38 against enemy combatants in Deh Rawod. A JTAC assessed the mission as successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles deterred enemy activities during shows of force demonstration in Ghazni and the southwest area of Kabul.

Shows of force with flares were conducted by F-15Es to deter enemy activities in Orgune. The mission was deemed as a success by a JTAC.

A JTAC confirmed the destruction of enemy rocket positions in Khowst during a strike conducted by F-15Es using GBU-38s.

A show of force was performed by an A-10 to deter enemy activities in Sangin. The mission achieved the desired effect by a JTAC.

In total, 38 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon successfully destroyed a bridge used by al- Qaida in Baghdad with GBU-38s, said a JTAC.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on a house rigged with an improvised explosive device in Salman Pak. The strike destroyed the intended target successfully, said a JTAC.

Shows of force with flares were conducted by F-16s to deter enemy activities on a checkpoint located northeast of Al Kut area. The mission was declared as successful by a JTAC.

An F-16 conducted a show of force over a town north of Samarra. The demonstration achieved the desired effect as enemy hostile activity was deterred, a JTAC said.

An F-16 achieved a successful show of force with flares to deter enemy activities on a coalition position west of Amarah, a JTAC said.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 135 airlift sorties were flown; 514 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,894 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Nov. 24, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 238 receiving aircraft.

Toulouse, 26 November 2007 TAP Portugal has signed a firm contract for 12 A350XWBs, plus three options, and a letter of intent for an additional eight A320 Family aircraft.

The Lisbon based airline herewith converts its initial order for the A350, placed in December 2005, into the new A350XWB, and has, simultaneously, increased the number of aircraft ordered, from 10 to 12. At the same time TAP is taking delivery of its first directly owned A330-200.

In announcing the transaction, TAP’s Chief Executive Officer, Fernando Pinto, said: "We have thoroughly re-evaluated our initial A350 order and the result clearly demonstrated that the XWB is the winner in all areas. This aircraft will meet TAP’s requirements to cater for passenger traffic growth across the Atlantic and our plans to serve further destinations. The A350XWB offers outstanding passenger comfort thanks to its wider cabin, and unmatched operating costs, fuel consumption and environmental friendliness. The further additional A320s is a natural choice for our expansion plans, as the A320s perfectly fit our need for efficient single aisle aircraft offering the best possible comfort for our passengers".

"We are particularly honoured by this renewed mark of confidence from TAP, one of Europe’s major airlines. This order is also a further endorsement of the new A350XWB programme. " Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy said." I am confident the A350XWB will deliver on its promises and that it will be the right aircraft to accompany TAP’s future growth strategy, together with our market leading A320 Family aircraft. "

TAP currently operates a fleet of 51 Airbus aircraft, including 17 A319s, 15 A320s, three A321s, four A340-300s, five A310-300s and seven A330-200s, and is Airbus’ largest customer in Portugal. The A350XWBs will in time replace the A340-300 and A330-200 fleet, and support TAP’s network expansion.

The A350XWB (extra wide-body) is Airbus’ response to market demand for a medium capacity long range wide-body family available in three basic passenger versions, the A350-800 which can fly 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 which is designed for 350.

The A350XWB will benefit from the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort in this market segment. It will also offer the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in that category. The Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns in that market segment.

With TAP’s order, total firm orders for the A350 XWB programme stand at 288 aircraft.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ash Severe

A member of the Bangladesh Army helps unload bags of purified water from a CH-46 Sea Knight assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

BANGLADESH (Nov. 26, 2007)

A member of the Bangladesh Army helps unload bags of purified water from a CH-46 Sea Knight assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are providing humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Sidr, which tore through Bangladesh Nov. 15. The Department of Defense effort is part of a larger United States response coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development.

© Eurocopter

Full Flight & Mission Simulator (FFMS)

One of the world's most sophisticated aircrew training systems has received official certification by Australian accreditation authorities and recommended as suitable to begin training pilots and Battle Captains for the Australian Army’s new fleet of hi-tech armed reconnaissance helicopters.

The Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) Full Flight & Mission Simulator (FFMS) has been granted FSD-1 Level 5 accreditation - equivalent to Europe’s Level D - the first time a flight simulator with two coupled domes has attained what is the highest level of certification worldwide.

This Full Flight Simulator simulates all aspects of the Tiger’s operation and environment, and will be used to train pilots and other flight deck crew, as they are in the commercial aviation sector.

The Tiger FFMS is part of the Australian Tiger acquisition program (Air 87). The Army has an order for 22 Tiger ARH helicopters which are being assembled at Australian Aerospace’s assembly plant in Brisbane. Nine aircraft have already been delivered to the Army.

The Tiger FFMS, which is located at the Army’s Aviation Centre in Oakey, Queensland, replicates the Tiger’s two separate cockpits - one for the pilot and the other the Battle Captain - and can be operated either coupled as one virtual aircraft, or independently.

Formal accreditation of the FFMS was granted to Australian Aerospace by SIMULINC, a Canberra-based specialist group retained by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to advise on flight simulator standards and accreditations.

When announcing accreditation of the Tiger FFMS, SIMULINC observed that it was: "one of the best presented simulators SIMULINC has been involved with, and one we are confident will prove to be a useful and valuable training aid".

The team which prepared the FFMS for accreditation comprised representatives of Eurocopter and Australian Aerospace (Test Pilot/software/project management), Thales (simulator manufacture), Kellogg Brown & Root (courseware) and HELISIM (accreditation consultant).

Commenting on the achieving of accreditation, Joseph Saporito, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Aerospace, said: "The integrated Eurocopter/Australian Aerospace project management team ensured that the Tiger Test Pilot and Design Office experts became fully immersed in the assessment of the simulator’s fidelity and its comparison with flight reality, thus helping towards accreditation.

"This accreditation will permit the teaching of the whole transition course necessary for the training of the first squadron of Tiger pilots without limits, before Initial Operational Capability (IOC)". The simulator will officially be handed over to the Australian Army next month.

Picture: SAC Andrew Morris

A C130 Hercules aircraft being unloaded at Camp Bastion - the aircraft’s movements are controlled by 1 ACC

27th Nov 07 From a corner of Camp Bastion in Helmand Province a specialist RAF unit is winning the battle to control the skies over Afghanistan. Report by Simon Mander.

Around-the-clock, personnel from No 1 Air Control Centre (1 ACC) are the eyes and ears of NATO forces battling the Taliban. Equipped with the latest mobile surface-based radar this unique unit provides air surveillance, and command, control and communication capabilities across southern and western Afghanistan, in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.

Officer Commanding 1 ACC, Wing Commander Neal Dewar, said:

"1 ACC is the RAF’s only, and one of the world’s very few, deployable ground-based air surveillance units capable of high tempo operations of the type we see here. It’s quite high-tech; the radar we use allows us to provide 3-D coverage of the airspace across the whole of southern and western Afghanistan."

Close air support is much in demand by coalition forces. The link between aircraft and a ground-based Forward Air Traffic Controller operating with coalition troops engaged with enemy forces on the ground is vital - and 1 ACC provides that link.

Since deploying on operations in December 2006 the unit, which is normally based at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire, has been using its Type 101 long-range search radar to produce a continuous real time picture of traffic in the skies above Afghanistan.

Then, using a variety of ground-to-air radios and satellite communications the unit co-ordinates aircraft within the area. A significant proportion of the unit’s output is focused on enhancing air safety.

Afghan airspace can become very congested with fast jet aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aircraft all requiring airspace in which to conduct their missions.

In addition, NATO coalition ground forces require airspace to fire mortars, artillery and rockets, or for bomb disposal tasks. And civilian airliners continue to use Afghan airspace providing revenue for the Afghan Government.

By ensuring all these users are kept separate from each other 1 ACC personnel play a vital role in enabling NATO forces on the ground and in the air to target the Taliban while steering clear of friendly forces and civilians.

Senior Aircraftsman Michael McCaffrey from Bridlington, North Yorkshire, is one of a close knit team of 32 personnel whose job is to ensure RAF and other aircraft can operate effectively and safely within the target area:

"We help the aircraft get into position to help the troops on the ground a lot quicker than they would if we weren’t here. The troops on the ground love us out here," the 27-year-old Air Surveillance Operator explained.

Lance Cheung

A C-130 from the West Virginia Air National Guard arrives at Boeing Support Systems’ San Antonio, Texas facility

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 27, 2007 The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] yesterday inducted the third U.S. Air Force C-130 into the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) at company facilities in San Antonio, Texas, where it will receive a fully integrated, night vision goggle-compatible digital glass cockpit and a new digital avionics system.

The aircraft, assigned to the West Virginia Air National Guard’s (ANG) 130th Airlift Wing, is the third of more than 200 C-130 aircraft that Boeing Support Systems will modify under the AMP initiative.

"We are very excited about starting the modifications on the third aircraft," said Mike Harris, Boeing vice president and C-130 AMP program manager. "We have learned a lot from working on the first two AMP aircraft, and we are ready to apply those experiences as we start work on H3 (the third aircraft)."

The first two C-130 AMP aircraft, H2 and H2.5, are currently at the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where they continue to undergo ground and flight testing. Testing on those aircraft is currently more than 10 percent ahead of schedule.

The second aircraft flew Sept. 25 at the test center following the installation of Core Complete 1 software. The software upgrade provides a fully functional Flight Management System aboard the AMP aircraft, eliminating the need for the navigator position in the cockpit.

Before delivering the aircraft to Boeing, the West Virginia ANG crew spent a few days at Boeing’s Long Beach, Calif., site to better understand what AMP will bring to the platform.

"The crew was able to spend some time in our Systems Integration Lab and see for themselves how AMP will improve their aircraft," said Harris. "Our focus is on our customer. This was a great opportunity to talk with them and for them to better understand what AMP looks like and how it works."

Boeing’s C-130 AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that significantly increase situational awareness for the warfighter. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the AMP contract in June 2001. The AMP upgrade commonality brought to the fleet of C-130 transport aircraft also offers additional flexibility in assigning aircrew, regardless of the model design type.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Suzanne M. Jenkins)

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle

11/29/2007 - ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed Nov. 29 at approximately 11 a.m. local time. The crash site was in an unpopulated area.

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1’s primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets. When the MQ-1 is not actively pursuing its primary mission, it acts as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander-owned theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of the Joint Forces commander.

A board will be convened to investigate the incident.

Toulouse, 29 November 2007 Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., Hawaii’s largest airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for six Airbus A350XWB-800s and six A330-200s, selecting Airbus aircraft for the first time in their history.

Hawaiian Airlines will begin receiving the new A330-200s starting in 2012 while A350 deliveries will begin in 2017. Both will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines.

The aircraft will be deployed within the airline’s Pacific network, which currently extends from Hawaii to nine cities in the Western United States and three cities in the South Pacific. The extended range and capacity of the aircraft allows for growth in the future.

President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Mark Dunkerley, said this order is a progressive decision for the airline. "These aircraft will help build on our success and enable us to provide our passengers with extraordinary travel comfort. We are committed to investing in the most modern technology and operationally-efficient aircraft, and Airbus meets our needs with the A330-200 and A350-800."

"We are very pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen both the Airbus A330 and A350 to enhance their long-haul fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer-Customers. "These aircraft will allow our new customer, Hawaiian Airlines, to respond efficiently to the increasing demand for travel to its business and holiday destinations, and expand to new ones in the future."

With a true wide-body fuselage allowing very high comfort standards, the A330-200 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit the diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 6,750 nm / 12,500 km with a full passenger load. Its large under-floor cargo holds can also carry standard pallets and containers side-by-side. It also has the excellent operational flexibility necessary to serve a wide range of route structures, providing operators with very low operating cost per seat. Its proven record of economy and superior passenger comfort provides operators with a significant competitive advantage in the market today.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers. The A350 Airbus meets our needs with the A330-200 and A350-800."

"We are very pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen both the Airbus A330 and A350 to enhance their long-haul fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer-Customers. "These aircraft will allow our new customer, Hawaiian Airlines, to respond efficiently to the increasing demand for travel to its business and holiday destinations, and expand to new ones in the future."

With a true wide-body fuselage allowing very high comfort standards, the A330-200 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit the diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 6,750 nm / 12,500 km with a full passenger load. Its large under-floor cargo holds can also carry standard pallets and containers side-by-side. It also has the excellent operational flexibility necessary to serve a wide range of route structures, providing operators with very low operating cost per seat. Its proven record of economy and superior passenger comfort provides operators with a significant competitive advantage in the market today.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers. The A350 has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. Powered by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines delivering each up to 92,000 lbs of thrust, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns.