U.S. Air Force commanders are sending several F-22A Raptor fighter jets and their aircrews to Europe, to take part in large-scale military drills in the region.

The Raptor and their aircrews from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., will be based at the Royal Air Force airbase in Lakenheath, England during the exercises, according to a U.S. Air Force statement.

"This F-22 training deployment is the perfect opportunity for these advanced aircraft to train alongside other U.S. Air Force aircraft, joint partners, and NATO allies," said General Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, said in the statement.

Gorenc noted the F-22A fighters based at Lakenheath will "forward deploy" to other British and NATO-run installations across Europe as part of the exercise. It is the second time Air Force officials have deployed the Raptor to the region.

"It's important we test our infrastructure, aircraft capabilities, and the talented Airmen and allies who will hostthese aircraft in Europe," said Gorenc.

"This deployment advances our airpower evolution and demonstrates our resolve and commitment to European safety and security," he added.

StandardAero to upgrade engines on C-130H aircraft
Scottdale, Ariz. (UPI) Apr 13, 2016 - StandardAero has received a U.S. Air Force contract to overhaul the engine compressor and turbine modules of Rolls-Royce T56-A-15 engines that power its C-130H transport aircraft.

The upgrade will be performed t the company facility in San Antonio, Texas, and will include the installation of the Series 3.5 engine upgrade hardware.

"StandardAero has been the USAF's T56 MRO provider for many years and has a proven track record of producing a product that maximizes performance and time on wing for these engines," said Terry Hastman, vice president and general manager of StandardAero Defense Services. "We are excited to have been selected by the USAF to continue this service and install the Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits with the expected benefit of extending T56 engine life and efficiency."

The contract is worth an estimated $43 million and will run through 2018.

The USAF T56 engine award to StandardAero is the second this year for the engine and airframe service provider. It received a U.S. Navy contract in January for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its fleet of T56 engines.

The engine upgrade kit for the engine that will be installed was developed by Rolls-Royce to improve fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, increase reliability and enhance performance.