Space shuttle ends last mission, American Airlines orders A320neos for first time, and F-35 pilot pilots start training

AVIONICS INTELLIGENCE REPORT, 30 July 2011. The Space Shuttle Atlantis completed its final mission, officially ending the U.S. space shuttle program -- without a new spacecraft ready to go. American Airlines made history by ordering Airbus planes for the first time in a large narrowbody aircraft order. In military aviation F-35 pilots saw their first F-35 production jet for training purposes land at Eglin Air Force Base. John McHale's Avionics Intelligence Report covers these subjects and provides analysis on the future of America's manned space program.For more, please see:More than 500 layoffs announced by Boeing in its Space Exploration divisionSpace shuttle retirement homes announcedAmerican Airlines splits big narrowbody passenger jet order between Boeing and AirbusFirst F-35 jet for pilot training arrives at Eglin AFBF-35 training jets funding approved by NorwayAirbus sets air show sales record at Paris, receiving commitments for 730 aircraft worth $72.2 billionTest of Orion navigation system made during latest space shuttle missionNASA budget remains flat, supporting commercial spaceflight as shuttle program winds down