https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news ... ry-testing2Excel Aviation (Northampton) will convert its recently added first serviceable B757-200
into an Excalibur testbed aircraft
in partnership with Leonardo Aircraft
under a EUR134 million euro (USD145.9 million) contract with the multinational Global Combat Air Programme.
G-FTAI (msn 29308) was ferried from storage at Lasham to Norwich for further modification work on August 18, 2023.
The modified aircraft is expected to enter into service as a testbed unit in 2026.
Leonardo expects that it will continue to support the testing and certification
of a new sixth-generation fighter aircraft through its planned launch in 2035.
The ex-Titan Airways (ZT, London Stansted)
jet is actually the second B757-200 to be acquired by 2Excel Aviation,