Sunday, October 31, 2004
Vector Site:Dumb Bombs & Smart Munitions
Greg has updated another excellent article on his website. This article covers from dumb bombs to guided air-to-surface missiles and even targeting pods.
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Warplanes spark Malaysian reaction
Malaysia has called on Australia to respect its sovereignty after it was reported that Australia's newest warplane will have longer-range missile strike capability.
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Australia to get longer range missiles
Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill had revealed he planned to arm the JSF fleet with the new
long-range cruise missiles previously slated for shorter-range F/A-18 fighters.
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No decision yet on F-16s, US tells India
The United States has assured India that it has not yet taken any decision about selling F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.
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Bodies of army officers killed in chopper crash found
The bodies of three senior Indian Army officers, including a major general, who were killed when their helicopter crashed near the border with China were found Saturday, officials here said.
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Whidbey squadron coming home
The "Cougars" of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) will wrap up an almost six-month deployment in the western Pacific Ocean and return to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
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Apache pilot recommended for medal after rescuing downed fliers
A U.S Army Apache pilot is being recommended for a bravery medal for the rescue of a pair of wounded American fliers whose helicopter crashed in hostile territory south of Baghdad this month.
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5th China air show to open next week
The Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will open on Nov. 1 in Zhuhai, a city in south China's Guangdong Province. Five teams from Britain, France, Russia and China will take part in the flying display.
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Saturday, October 30, 2004
Ex Sindex 04 Video
There were requests from people who want to have a downloadable copy of the video. I have made one copy available here. Please do not post it on any other website, blogs or forums as I do not wish to get those administrators into trouble.
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BAE SYSTEMS Begins Delivery of Sensor Systems for U.S. Navy Helicopters
Following successful flight testing, the U. S. Navy has authorized BAE Systems for full production of Replacement Attitude Heading Reference System (R-AHRS) units that will be retrofitted to CH-53 and MH-53 helicopters.
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French groups Sagem, Snecma announce merger plans, privatisation
Two major French industrial groups, telecommunications equipment maker Sagem and aerospace engine manufacturer Snecma, announced merger plans that would lead to privatisation of the latter.
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Global Hawk arrives at Beale
A new chapter in Beale Air Force Base's history began Thursday morning when the first Global Hawk aircraft assigned to the base gently landed under a chilly October sky.
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RESTRUCTURED AIR FORCE UNITS COMMISSIONED TO UPGRADE AIR DEFENSE
Restructured Taiwan air force combat units were commissioned into service at Hsinchu, Chiayi, Hualien and Chingchuankang (CCK) air bases around the island Friday as part of the military's efforts to upgrade its air defense capabilities.
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Local aerospace group proposes new plane
Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation is considering a future cooperative effort with both AerMacchi of Italy and Boeing of the U.S. to make the M-346.
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Boeing To Get $200M Contract To Upgrade B-52 Communications
The U.S. Air Force plans to award a multiyear contract to the Boeing Co. in January for communications upgrades to the B-52 bomber.
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Tomcatters Return from Pacific Deployment
The �Tomcatters� of Fighter Squadron (VF) 31 will return to their home base at Naval Air Station Oceana Oct. 31, following a five-month deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The return of the squadron marks the final deployment of the F-14 Tomcat to the Pacific.
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NEW UPGRADED SU-27SK TO BE SHOWN FOR FIRST TIME AT AIR SHOW IN CHINA
Sukhoi will for the first time put on display its new upgraded Su-27SK fighter at the fifth international Airshow China-2004 at Zhuhai in China, Alexander Smelyakov, head of the public and media relations service of Rosoboronexport, told RIA Novosti on Friday.
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Friday, October 29, 2004
Air Vector:Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet & FMA Pampa
November's Air Vector features the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet & FMA Pampa.
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Into Tension
Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Timothy Stephenson, puts an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the Seahawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Six (VAW-126), into tension. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Craig R. Spiering
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First operational F/A-22 rolls out
Col. Frank Gorenc, 1st FW commander, addresses the crowd at Lockheed Martin's F/A-22 Raptor factory on Oct. 27 for the roll-out of wing's first operational Raptor.
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Turkish air force jet clips minaret
A Turkish F-4 jet accidentally clipped the top of a mosque's minaret Wednesday while on a practice aerobatics run over Ankara, the air force said.
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Naval Air Crewman Wins Combat �V� for Bravery in Iraq
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (NAC) Brad S. Tiefel was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for heroic action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, in a ceremony Oct. 21 at Naval Hospital Corpus Christi (NHCC). Tiefel was cited for heroic action March 21, 2003, in support of Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing. He distinguished himself by demonstrating valor and skill after he launched on an urgent mission for six critically injured Marines and Sailors wounded by enemy land mines in a remote area of southern Iraq.
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Singapore and India take part in joint air exercise
Radio Singapore International interviewed Dr Andrew Tan, who is Assistant Professor at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore and Mr Prashant Dikshit, who is Deputy Director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in India, and a retired Air Commodore in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force about the exercise. This is the transcript of the interview.
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Crash Fire Rescue trains Thai counterparts
The U.S. Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Crash, Fire, and Rescue unit bridged language and cultural boundaries to teach their counterparts from the Royal Thai Air Force on F/A-18 disarmament and securing procedures.
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Superfighter back on target
The largest military project in Australia's history, the $16 billion plan to buy the Joint Strike Fighter, is back on track after a series of serious setbacks, according to US arms giant Lockheed Martin.
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Avionics Integration for F-35 First Flight Shows Early Success at Lockheed Martin
Initial integration testing of the Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) suite for the first flight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has begun at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems Integration Lab (MSIL) in Fort Worth. The initial tests of the first-flight CNI suite verified the operation of UHF and VHF communication, radar altimeter, intercom, integrated caution and warning, and identification-friend-or-foe capabilities.
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Top Gun celebrates its 35th year
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of Top Gun.
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Thursday, October 28, 2004
Govt clears Mirage delivery, question mark over 124 more
The Indian Government has given the IAF the go-ahead to take delivery of 10 Mirage 2000-H fighters next month but has put a question mark on the proposal to purchase another 124 Mirage 2000-5 fighters.
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US Plans To Acclerate Deployment Of Aegis Warships For Missile Defense
The United States plans to accelerate the deployment of Aegis warships in waters off North Korea to serve as forward radars for a missile defense system that is being readied for operations.
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Bell to seek Army contracts to produce 2 new helicopters (Registration Required)
Bell Helicopter Textron outlined plans on Tuesday to pursue two major Army helicopter contracts that could give the Fort Worth-based defense manufacturer more than $3 billion in new business early into the next decade.
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Lockheed Martin Rolls Out First F/A-22 Raptor Bound for Langley Air Force Base
Lockheed Martin rolled Raptor 4041 out of its final production assembly facility, marking a milestone in the F/A-22 program. Aircraft 4041 is the initial F/A-22 for the Air Force's first operational, combat-ready squadron of Raptors.
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Helicopter UAV, Controlled By Another, Will Soon Do Live Fire Tests
A rotary wing UAV � the Vigilante � will be the first platform to fire weapons while being controlled by a nearby helicopter in flight. The UAV will fly alongside a specially equipped Huey (UH-1H) fitted out to take control of it.
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CBI arrests top HAL official for accepting bribe
CBI has arrested the chief manager of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a person.
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First single-seater Eurofighter takes off in Manching
The first single-seater production Eurofighter destined for operational service has completed its first flight at EADS Military Aircraft in Manching. The aircraft was aloft for 65 minutes.
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Raytheon Delivers 250,000th Paveway(TM) Laser Guided Bomb
Raytheon Company recently celebrated the achievement of delivering the 250,000th Paveway(TM) Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) to the U.S. Navy, Air Force and international customers.
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EDO to Provide Launching System for Joint Common Missile
EDO Corporation, as a key member of the Lockheed Martin team, has been selected to design and develop fixed-wing, dual missile launchers for the Joint Common Missile (JCM) on F/A-18E/F aircraft.
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Boeing Begins Flight Testing Upgraded Mission System Aboard NATO AWACS Aircraft
Boeing has begun mission system flight tests on the first of 17 NATO AWACS aircraft upgraded under the $1.3 billion Mid-Term Modernization program.
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Germany Expected To Approve New MEADS Phase In December
The German parliament is expected to approve the design and development (D&D) phase of the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) in December, clearing the last in a series of political hurdles for the new D&D effort, an industry official said Oct. 26.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2004
ROUTE TAKEN BY THE RSAF FROM SINGAPORE TO DIJON (FRANCE) AND FROM DIJON (FRANCE) TO GWALIOR (INDIA)
Maps showing the route taken by 6 RSAF F-16C/Ds, 2 KC-135 and 1 C-130 for Exercise Western Arc and Sindex.
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AERMACCHI: FIRST SF-260 FLIGHT FOR ITAF
The new EA version of the SF-260 Aermacchi (Finmeccanica) was tested for the first time.
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E-2C New Mission Computer Improves Reliability, Reduces Costs
The Navy and the Northrop Grumman Corporation introduced a Mission Computer Replacement (MCR) to the E-2C Group II aircraft in the fall, referred to as GrIIM RePr, the acronym carried by the program that produced the system (pronounced �grim reaper�).
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'War Eagles' Assist Interdiction of 41.5 Tons of Illegal Drugs
Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 �War Eagles� from Jacksonville, Fla., made a dramatic impact in the war on drugs in the fall, supporting three interdictions, totaling more than 41 metric tons of cocaine.
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MiG-29 planes to be flown at upcoming China air show
The acrobatics team of Russian Air force, Swifts, will fly at the Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (CIAAE) Nov. 1-7 in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province.
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SINGAPORE AND INDIA HOLD INAUGURAL BILATERAL AIR EXERCISE
A statement from the Singapore Ministry of Defense and photographs of the exercise.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Air Power Demo
Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), conduct an air power demonstration practice. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Stephen R. Neel.
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U.S., Foreign Officials To Review JSF In Australia Meeting
Government representatives from nine nations, United States and its eight international partners, are expected to gather in Australia in the coming days to review progress in the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
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Philippine Air Force Gets 4 More Huey Choppers
The Philippine Air Force received four more of the 20 refurbished UH-1H helicopters it ordered from Singapore Technologies Aerospace Engineering Pte. Ltd (STA).
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BAE sees Eurofighter deal by year-end
BAE Systems says it expects to sign a deal on the second tranche of Eurofighter fighter jets by the end of the year. BAE also refused to comment on a Sunday Telegraph report that the Ministry of Defence was close to finalising a 5 billion pound order for the combat aircraft, with a formal announcement due as soon as mid-November.
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Vandenberg Air and Space Show set to take off
This weekend Vandenberg Air Force Base will open its gates for the Western Air and Space Show, a two-day aviation and space fest.
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IAF to get multi-role fighters
The process of acquiring a new multi-role fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun said Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy.
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No middlemen involved in deal with Dassault: Air Chief
IAF's Air Chief S Krishnaswamy on Monday said no
"middlemen or agents" were involved when India had signed the deal for purchase of ten additional Mirage 2000 H fighters with French Company Dassault in Septmeber, 2000.
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Northrop Grumman Offers Next Generation Hunter II for U.S. Army UAV System Competition
Northrop Grumman Corporation has proposed using an upgraded version of the fourth-generation, in-production Heron medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the U.S. Army's new Extended-Range/Multi-Purpose UAV System.
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Jordan Mulls UAV Procurement
Jordan's air force could decide on the procurement of its first indigenous unmanned air vehicle in 2005.
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Camp Eagle helo repair troops off to Iraq
The U.S. Army in South Korea has deployed about 30 helicopter repair troops to serve a yearlong stint maintaining a National Guard unit�s AH-64 Apache helicopters in Iraq.
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Stennis CSG Returns Home from Western Pacific Deployment
The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (JCS CSG) will return from a deployment to the Western Pacific on Nov. 1.
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AWACS tests new identification system
A new AWACS Identification Friend or Foe, or IFF, demonstrator interrogator system was tested recently at Patuxent River. The interrogator transmitted a new waveform known as Mode 5. The Mode 5 Interrogator capability will provide significant additional identification performance over the current capability being used.
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Boeing Unveils Low-Cost, Versatile �Little Bird� That Can Fly Manned or as UAV
A Boeing proof-of-concept demonstrator, a modified MD 530F helicopter, known as the �Unmanned Little Bird�, has been flying since Sept. 8 and made its first autonomous take off and landing Oct. 16.
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MINDEF STATEMENT ON ONGOING EXERCISE SINDEX
The Singapore Ministry of Defense issued a statement to clarify an
Indian newspaper report on the ongoing Exercise SINDEX.
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Monday, October 25, 2004
F/A-18 Program Incorporates NAVRIIP Improvements
The U.S Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) F/A-18 and EA-18G program office (PMA-265) is integrating the Naval Aviation Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP) into many of its efforts.
Labels: EA-18G
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When 244 eager American fliers helped save Britain
Half-dozen of veterans gathered last weekend in San Diego for an annual reunion of Eagle Squadron pilots, American fliers who volunteered to fly in the British Royal Air Force, or RAF during World War II.
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CHIEF OF AIR FORCE'S INTRODUCTORY VISIT TO INDIA
Singapore's Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Lim Kim Choon will be visiting New Delhi, Gwalior, Jodhpur and Agra during his introductory visit to India from 24 to 29 Oct 04. MG Lim will also visit the ongoing exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Gwalior Air Force Station.
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Sunday, October 24, 2004
BAE gets go-ahead on �5bn Typhoon contract
A decision to award a �5 billion deal to build more Eurofighter Typhoons to BAE and its European partners is expected to be signed off by the U.K. Treasury this week, followed by an official announcement within a fortnight.
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Little Bird: Hybrid UAV/Helo Flies Hands Off Demo
Boeing recently showed off their unmanned/manned MD 530F �Little Bird� demonstrator to a reporter on only its fourth autonomously guided mission. The aircraft guided itself around a mountainous course to the north of Phoenix, demonstrated various turning and climb and descent manoeuvres and returned automatically to Boeing�s plant to make a perfect landing in gusty wind conditions.
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Boeing begins building next generation of electronic-warfare jet
Workers at Boeing Co.'s fighter-production plant in St. Louis began assembling the forward fuselage of the EA-18G Growler.
Labels: EA-18G
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Controversy erupts over Mirage deal
A Paris court has confirmed that the deal to acquire 10 additional Mirage 2000 jets in 1996 for the Indian Air Force was finalized through middlemen.
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Military displays Patriot missiles
The Taiwan defense ministry opened one of its three Patriot missile bases to reporters in a rare move apparently aimed at trying to win legislative support for the controversial US$18 billion special arms-purchase budget.
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Saturday, October 23, 2004
Don't fret if Pak gets F-16s
Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI jets are apparently outgunning American F-16s on "several aspects" at the ongoing Indo-Singapore air combat exercise in Gwalior.
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Modified F-22 jet engine completes AEDC tests; more tests planned
A Pratt & Whitney F119 engine that had some engine component changes made based on data from the engine's tests at the AEDC test center in 2003, has completed the first of a two-part test program.
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Raytheon Delivers Deployment STANDARD Missile-3 Rounds to Missile Defense Agency
Raytheon Company has begun delivering STANDARD Missile-3 (SM-3) initial deployment rounds to the Missile Defense Agency. SM-3 is a key element of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and builds on the existing fleet of Aegis cruisers and destroyers.
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Chief of staff awarded for heroism
Colonel James R. Braden, chief of staff, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions and heroism while participating in aerial flight as flight leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 12, 2003.
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U.S. Missile Defense Agency Shelves LRAD For Now
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has concluded it cannot afford for now to begin developing an interceptor missile to destroy long-range ballistic missiles in their final phase of flight, Defense Department officials said Oct. 21.
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Rolls-Royce sees eurofighter deal around year-end
British engine maker Rolls-Royce Plc said yesterday it expected a deal on the second tranche of Eurofighter fighter jets to be agreed upon around the end of the year.
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Italian Air Chief Due In Pakistan
Lt Gen Leonardo Tricarico, chief of staff Italian Air Force, along with his wife and two members delegation will be visiting Pakistan from October 22 to 24 on the invitation of Pakistan Air Force.
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Burger King, Pizza Hut Open Doors at Balad Air Base
A Burger King and a Pizza Hut restaurant run by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service opened for business at Balad Air Base, Iraq, Oct 10.
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Tanker Win Would Mean Another U.S. Facility, EADS Says
If EADS North America won a reopened U.S. Air Force tanker refueling contract, it would open another U.S. aircraft facility dedicated to that work but would choose another U.S. company as the prime contractor, according to EADS co-CEO Philippe Camus.
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Directed Energy Weapons Could Be 'Solution' For Capability Shortfalls, Military Officials Say
Directed energy weapons could be the next "leap" in technology, research projects such as the U.S. Navy's High Energy Laser (HEL) and the High Energy Laser Low Aspect Target Tracking (HELLATT) program, could be effective in defending ships against low-flying cruise missiles.
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Friday, October 22, 2004
SLAM-ER Launch Demonstrates Flexible Targeting Capability
A successful launch and control of a Boeing Standoff Land Attack Missile � Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) occurred recently at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, California.
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�Brain� in a Dish Acts as Autopilot, Living Computer
A University of Florida scientist has grown a living �brain� that can fly a simulated plane, giving scientists a novel way to observe how brain cells function as a network.
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Berlin to Spend Billion on Missile Defense
The german press reports that Germany plans to spend over �1 billion ($1.25 billion) on the development of MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System). The newspaper also reported that further development is planned on IRIS-T missiles.
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Korean War vets hold reunion in Holly Springs
Fifteen U.S. Navy veterans from VF-51, Screaming Eagles, recently had the group's 50th reunion.
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One Killed in Air Force Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan
An Air Force HH-60 helicopter crewmember was killed and two others were injured when their aircraft crashed during a medical evacuation mission about 11 p.m. Oct. 20 east of Shindand, Afghanistan.
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1st Production AH-1Z 'Kit' leaves for Texas
Following a five-month tear down, the first AH-1W Reuse and Modification Kit left the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 27 to complete the second half of its transformation into the Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z, at the Bell Helicopter's Amarillo, Texas production facility.
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JASDF chief of staff is awarded USAF Legion of Merit
The chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force received a top U.S. Air Force award Tuesday recognizing his leadership in humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and the Japanese military�s commitment to the war in Iraq.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $87 Million Contract to Provide Upgrade Kits for Jordan's F-16s
Lockheed Martin Receives $87 Million Contract to Provide F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) Upgrade Kits for Jordan's F-16s.
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Thursday, October 21, 2004
C-23 Sherpa: 'The aircraft that can' in Iraq
National Guard C-23 Sherpas at Balad air base carries cargo and people to airstrips around Iraq.
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Obituaries : Group Captain Mike Stephens
Group Captain Mike Stephens, DSO, DFC and two Bars, fighter ace, was born on October 20, 1919. He died on September 23, 2004, aged 84.
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IAF aircraft makes emergency landing following technical snag
An Indian Air Force IL 78 made an emergency landing at the Shanghumugham Air Base after developing a snag in its hydraulic system.
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Delivery of E-2T aircraft expected in early 2005
The Taiwanese Air Force will take delivery of two E-2T Hawkeye reconnaissance aircraft in the beginning of 2005, the Ministry of National Defense announced.
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Cracks in tail section force military to ground Cormorant helicopters: report
All but essential flights of Canada's new Cormorants military helicopters have been grounded because of the discovery of dangerous cracks on a tail rotor, Global News reported Tuesday.
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Pilots who played key role in Cambodia attacks during Vietnam reunite
Night Rustics, a squadron of U.S. Air Force pilots that fly small planes into Cambodia under the cover of darkness, find communist guerrilla camps and guide U.S. fighter jets in for a strike, is having a reunion after 33 years.
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Russia to deploy up to 20 aircraft in Tajikistan
The Russian air force unit to be stationed in Tajikistan will include up to 20 warplanes and helicopters, the Russian Defense Ministry told Interfax on Wednesday.
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'No Decision' on More RAF Typhoon Fighters
Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of Air Staff, Royal Air Force said that it was still too early to know whether the RAF would acquire its full complement of Typhoon fighters.
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Saab: Maiden flight of first Czech Gripen
Monday October 18 saw the take-off of the first Gripen fighter ordered for export. The aircraft, which will be delivered to the Czech Republic, was marked with Czech colors.
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First Flight to Demo STANAG 4586
Advanced Subsonics and Xiphos demonstrated the Grasshopper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a STANAG 4586 version of the VCS (Vehicle Control Station) at the annual Unmanned Vehicle Conference of Alberta Aviation at DRDC Suffield, Alberta.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Brazil denies Russian fighter jet-Embraer deal
The Brazilian government on Monday denied it was planning to buy 12 Russian Sukhoi fighter jets in exchange for 50 passenger aircraft built by Brazil's Embraer.
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EADS mulls U.S. plant for tanker
European defense contractor EADS said Monday it expects to win at least part of the Pentagon's refueling tanker contract and would partner with an American company if the United States reopens bidding for the Air Force program.
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Thales wins A400M flight management system contract
Thales has won the flight management system (FMS) contract for Airbus Military�s new A400M military transport. The FMS is the core of the avionics suite, handling aircraft flight control during flight operations and tactical missions, especially at low altitude.
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New technology may help protect Navy's reconnaissance aircraft
A new software dubbed Story Maker, designed for the slow-moving EP-3E electronic surveillance planes can identify more potential hostile targets faster and with fewer crewmembers, initial tests have shown.
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Australian contingent to participate in air combat exercise in US
Four F-111 strike bombers, six F/A-18Hornet fighters from RAAF will leave for the United States later this week to participate in an air combat exercise.
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Saab wins order worth over MSEK 500 for new tactical support and training system for Gripen
Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration signed a contract worth just over MSEK 500 for development and production of a tactical support and training system for the Gripen fighter. The concept can be used from basic training to advanced tactical training. The new concept is called PETRA (Planning, Evaluation, Training, Rehearsal and Analysis) and can be used for planning and evaluating missions, basic training and rehearsal exercises, mission rehearsal in training and analysis of tactical scenarios.
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Helicopter deal set to fly despite suit, Brison says
The Canadian government, which had agreed to hold off signing a multi-billion-dollar deal for 28 Sikorsky H-92 Cyclones replacement helicopters until the complaints of the losing bidder had been heard in court, is ready to move ahead, Public Works Minister Scott Brison says.
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Lockheed Martin Receives Additional C-130 Order
Lockheed Martin has signed a contract with the Royal Danish Air Force for an additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The new contract is the exercise of an option available under Denmark's original order for three C-130Js, placed in December 2000. The first three aircraft were delivered to Denmark earlier this year.
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Raytheon's B-2 AESA Radar Successfully Completes Major T/R Module Milestone
Raytheon Company's AN/APQ-181 radar for the B-2 "Spirit" stealth bomber, now being upgraded to include a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna, has successfully completed a production readiness review (PRR) for the transmit/receive (T/R) module at the heart of the array.
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Tuesday, October 19, 2004
IAF looking at post-Hawk AJT
The Indian Air Force (IAF) wants the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), which it will start inducting in 2007, to be replaced by an indigenous trainer in future.
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Russia to Sign Major Aircraft Deal With Brazil � Newspaper
Russia�s Ministry of Defense may exchange 12 Su-35 fighter jets for 50 Brazilian Embraer airliners. The deal consists of two contracts valued at $750 million each. The Brazilian planes may be acquired by the Russian airline Aeroflot.
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VF-103 Commanding Officer Relieved
The commanding officer of Fighter Squadron (VF) 103 "Jolly Rogers" has been relieved by the commander of the USS John F. Kennedy (JFK) (CV 67) Strike Group in October, following a liberty incident during a recent port visit.
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Monday, October 18, 2004
AESA Radar Eyed for F-15C Upgrades
The U.S. Air Force is planning the installation of an AESA radar in the F-15Es to fine-tune its precision bombing capabilities even for mobile targets hidden in ground clutter.
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US troops won't give up IAI Pioneer UAV
Britain's "Defense Systems Daily" is full of praise for the operational performance of Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in combat in Iraq with the U.S. Marines.
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Sunday, October 17, 2004
Air Force expands Link 16
U.S. Air Force officials will equip more aircraft with the old, slow but reliable Link 16 during the next five years because they cannot find a better and more secure high-capacity communications system, according to a top warfighting information technology official.
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Remembering Osprey crews
The widows and parents of eight Marines killed during Osprey test flights in 2000 want to build a memorial to the men they consider to be aviation pioneers.
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Saturday, October 16, 2004
Boeing Begins Flight Testing Upgraded Mission System Aboard NATO AWACS Aircraft
Boeing has begun mission system flight tests on the first of 17 NATO AWACS aircraft upgraded under the $1.3 billion Mid-Term Modernization program.
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Boeing's J-UCAS Efforts Are 'Coming Together'
The Boeing Co. has made significant progress building the first of three X-45C air vehicles it plans to assemble for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) demonstration program.
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Court tells Air Force to re-examine West Texas practice route
The U.S. Air Force must do another environmental study on a B-1 bomber practice route in West Texas.
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Lockheed offers F-16s to India
Lockheed Martin, the makers of F-16 fighter jets, has offered 40 planes to India while controversy rages over their sales to Pakistan after the US presidential elections.
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French experts� help sought on Mirage
After three Mirage-2000 mishaps within a month, the Indian Air Force has asked experts from Dassault, the French manufacturers, to visit the airbase at Gwalior.
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Friday, October 15, 2004
Two Up, Two down
Four F/A-18A Hornets assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, fly in formation over Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Devin Wright.
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Royal Maces Return, Ready with �Super� Capabilities
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 returned home to Naval Air Facility Atsugi Sept. 22 after participating in the squadron�s transition from the F/A-18C Hornet to the new F/A-18E Super Hornet.
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New Zealand MoD Awards P-3 Systems Upgrade Program To L-3 Communications
L-3 Communications announced Tuesday that the New Zealand Ministry of Defense has selected L-3 Communications Integrated Systems for a contract to upgrade mission and communication-navigation systems for New Zealand's 6 P-3K maritime patrol aircraft.
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Name change heralds new era at AF museum
The U.S. Air Force Museum has changed its name to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
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MoD Declares Initial Operating Capability for Apache Helicopter
Initial Operating Capability (IOC) has been declared for the U.K. Army�s new generation of Apache AH Mk1 Attack Helicopter.
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Denel appeals for funds to complete Rooivalk project
Denel, the South African state-owned arms manufacturer, says it needs government money to complete the development of its Rooivalk attack helicopter.
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Pacific carrier base still on table
U.S. Navy Secretary Gordon England said there is a "strong desire" to base an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, and Hawai'i and Guam continue to be the only locations looked at, but no decision has been made.
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Germany, Britain close to Eurofighter deal: press
The Handelsblatt newspaper said Thursday, in an advance extract of its Friday edition, that Germany and Britain are close to sorting out their differences over a second batch of Eurofighter jet aircraft.
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F-35 fix discussed (Registration Required)
Top military and civilian officials overseeing the F-35 program presented their plans for resolving weight problems to a Defense Acquisition Board, a review panel headed by Micahel Wynne, under secretary of defense for acquisition.
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US Reportedly Eyes Island Near Taiwan As Military Base
Three years after a Rand defense policy study recommended it, reports in Asian media suggest that the U.S. wants to move some U.S. Marine Corps assets from the Japanese island of Okinawa to the island of Shimoji-shima boasts a 10,000-foot runway.
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Greek warplane crashes
One F-16D crashed and another is missing at Mount Pilio, central Greece.
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Thursday, October 14, 2004
Helmet upgrades enhance air power
The U.S. Airforce 52nd Fighter Wing's F-16s are now equipped with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.
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Boeing Awarded $767 Million For Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems Capability Demonstration Program
The Boeing Company has been awarded $767 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue the X-45C portion of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) demonstration program over the next five years.
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Premier denies Taiwan making missiles, nukes
Taiwan is developing medium-range cruise missiles capable of reaching Shanghai or developing nuclear weapons said Taiwan Premier.
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IAI to build training jet with US firm
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. has entered into a joint strategic agreement with Colarodo-based Aviation Technology Group (ATG) for the design, development, and manufacturing of a new combat training jet, IAI said Wednesday. The new combat trainer will be called Javeline AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer).
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Okinawa assembly adopts resolution protesting F-15 accident
The Okinawa prefectural assembly adopted a resolution and a statement on Wednesday in protest of an accident earlier this month involving two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighters that clipped each other in midair off the coast of Okinawa.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Turks renew interest in Israeli UAVs
The Turkish Ministry of Defense is considering buying IAI and Elbit Systems-made UAVs for $100 million.
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Roche, Jumper 'wear test' Osprey
U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper flew in a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey recently. General Jumper served as pilot of one craft, and Secretary Roche as a passenger in another.
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Russian combat helicopter production stalled by lack of state funding
The development of the new Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter has not been funded by the state in the past two years, Sergey Mikheyev, director-general of the Kamov company, told a news conference at the State Duma, devoted to opening the Russia's Arms show.
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Pak hands over 8 trainer aircraft to Saudi Arabia
Pakistan today handed over first batch of eight locally manufactured Super Mushshak lightweight trainer aircraft to Saudi Arabia, marking commencement of the process involving delivery of 20 planes to the Saudi air force in batches.
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Navy Fighter Wing Closes its Doors
Another chapter was added to the F-14 Tomcat history book Oct. 1, when Fighter Wing Atlantic officially disestablished its headquarters at Naval Air Station Oceana, Vaginia. The F-14 squadrons will now be under the command of Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic.
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Stonecipher: Boeing Will Win U.S. Air-Tanker Deal In The End
Boeing Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher insists he's confident his firm will ultimately win out, and secure an air-tanker contract from the U.S. government.
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Lockheed Martin to Begin Next C-5 Upgrade Program With Delivery of First Aircraft
Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force recorded two major milestones in the C-5 Galaxy modernization effort last week. The first production aircraft modified under the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) was completed, and that aircraft was then delivered to Lockheed Martin to begin the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP).
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Military Helicopter Crashes in Indonesia
A Bell-2005 military helicopter crashed Tuesday in Indonesia's war-torn Aceh province, killing all eight soldiers on board, a military spokesman said.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada to provide rotor for Joint Strike Fighter engines
Pratt & Whitney Canada said Tuesday it will produce the F135 jet engine's fifth-stage high-pressure compressor rotor.
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Fighter jets on sale to public
Switzerland is to auction off its old and unusable Mirage III fighter jets, for a starting price of 3,000 Swiss francs ($3268) each.
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Mirage crashes during joint exercise
An IAF Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft crashed during an exercise with the Singapore Air Force in Gwalior on Tuesday. This is the first time the IAF has suffered a crash during an exercise with a foreign air force. The cause of the crash: engine failure.
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Tuesday, October 12, 2004
IAF, Singapore air force begin joint exercises
Six F-16 fighters of the Singapore Air Force today commenced joint exercises with the Indian Air Force in the skies over Gwalior, Kalaikunda (West Bengal) and Pokhran (Rajasthan) in which the IAF has decided to pitch in all aircraft in its inventory -- save the MiG-25s.
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Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group To Deploy
USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) deploys on Oct. 13 in support of the global war on terrorism.
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Pilotless Aircraft ''Lakshya'' test flown from ITR
The Indian indigenously built Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) ''Lakshya'' was successfully test flown from the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea
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Kwangju getting an additional Patriot missile unit
The U.S. Army will deploy an additional Patriot missile unit to Kwangju, South Korea, this month, combining it with missile units already on the peninsula to form a single Patriot brigade.
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India developing aerial version of BrahMos missile
India hopes to develop a version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from aircraft in the next two years, a leading defence scientist said here Monday.
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B-2 upgrades recommended
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is recommending the U.S. Air Force spend $2 billion to upgrade the B-2 stealth bomber to expand its capabilities while the nation develops new long-range weapons.
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Monday, October 11, 2004
Beale updates radar
A $200 million upgrade of Beale Air Force Base's PAVE PAWS radar that started last year should be complete by the end of next month, according a U.S. Air Force official.
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Lincoln ready to ship out
USS Abraham Lincoln will leave its home port in Everett on Friday for a four-month deployment in the western Pacific Ocean.
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Laser-Guided JDAM To Begin Flight-Tests Before Year's
End
The Boeing Co. plans to begin flight-testing a laser-guided version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) before year's end in hopes of fueling U.S. government interest in the weapon variant.
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Sunday, October 10, 2004
General leads team of jumpers from Osprey over Camp Davis
U.S. Special Operations Commander Army Gen. Bryan "Doug" Brown led a team of six Special Forces jumpers who parachuted from one of the tiltrotor Ospreys now based at New River Air Station. It was what's known as a high-altitude low-opening or HALO freefall jump.
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New helicopters need work: documents
Canada's newest Cormorants helicopters require much more maintenance than originally forecast and the extra work is costing the air force millions of dollars, newly released documents show.
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Crew Members Safe After Helicopter Mishap in Kuwait
An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 based in Jacksonville, Fla., crashed immediately after takeoff Oct. 7 at approximately 9 a.m., local, while conducting a routine logistics mission at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
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EP-3E Passes Operational Testing
The EP-3E Aries II Sensor System Improvement Program (SSIP) upgrade passed a review by the Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force in September.
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Saturday, October 09, 2004
William Tell competition resumes after eight-year break
The U.S. Air Force�s first William Tell air-to-air competition in eight years takes flight at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 8 to 19.
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Boeing loses out on tanker deal
A U.S. congressional committee voted to formally reject Boeing's deal to lease 767 jetliners to the Air Force as refueling tankers.
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Boeing, U.S. Navy and Industry Team Successfully Complete MMA Design Review
The Boeing 737 Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program passed a critical milestone on Sept. 30 with the successful completion of an in-depth three-day System Requirements Review (SRR) by the U.S. Navy.
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Thailand picks Swedish fighters over Russia's
Thailand has picked a Swedish/ British consortium over a Russian firm to replace its ageing fleet of 16 American-made F-5 fighters, a deal that could be worth $230 million, the Thai air force chief said on Friday.
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Stunning aerobatics by ALH mark IAF anniversary celebrations
Breathtaking aerobatics by the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters and a stunning display of air manoeuvres by jet trainers Surya Kirans, marked the 72nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
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Army says no one was hurt in chopper crash
U.S. Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker said an AH-64-D Apache helicopter made a hard landing yesterday.
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Indian body opposes any move by US to sell F-16s to Pak
An Indian American body today opposed any US move to sell F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan after the Presidential elections in November, saying it would be detrimental to furthering Indo-US ties and fuel arms race in the region.
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Fleet Week kicks off
The Snowbirds will perform in San Francisco Bay Area this weekend as part of Fleet Week celebrations.
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Friday, October 08, 2004
Navy Retires AIM-54 Phoenix Missile
After 30 years of highly accomplished service, the U.S. Navy retired its first long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-54 Phoenix, Sept. 30.
Lt. West McCall, an F-14 �Tomcat� pilot from Deland, Fla., and Lt. Kimberly Arrington, a Radar Intercept Officer from King, N.C., both assigned to the �Jolly Rogers� of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103), test fire a Phoenix air to air missile as part of the annual proficiency test during Exercise Mediterranean Shark. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts.
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Eurofighter Typhoon nations attend Defendory 2004 Exhibition
A very strong combined government and industrial delegation from all four Eurofighter Typhoon nations is visiting this week's Defendory exhibition in Athens. The defence procurement Ministers from Germany. Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom have been joined by the Chief Executives of the Eurofighter partner companies.
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PAF units, Malaysia hold war games
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (rmaf) recently launched a joint training program in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu as well as in Sandakan, Malaysia, to prepare for any possible accidents and sea mishaps for which they may be called upon to assist.
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Go-ahead 'imminent' for �9bn Eurofighter deal
A �9bn order for Eurofighter aircraft - the biggest pan-European defence contract in history - could be sealed within the next fortnight, one of the lead companies involved in the programme said yesterday.
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Pratt & Whitney Celebrates 25th Anniversary of F-16 Falcon European Participating Air Forces Program
Pratt & Whitney joins the countries of the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the F-16 Falcon EPAF program.
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F-15 flights resume at Kadena
The U.S. Air Force in Japan allowed the 12th Fighter Squadron to resume flights of its F-15C fighters on Thursday following a mid-air accident earlier this week that drew local protests.
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Global Hawk UAV Makes First Flight for the Navy
The first RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) slated for the Navy's Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program made its first flight from Palmdale, Calif., to Edward�s Air Force Base Oct. 6.
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Kadena shows F-15s damaged in collision during training
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa allowed members of the media to come on base Wednesday to view the damage to the two F-15 fighter jets that clipped one another in midair during training Monday.
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Iran appoints new air force chief
Iran appointed General Karim Ghavami, US-trained fighter pilot, as its new air force chief, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported today.
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Thursday, October 07, 2004
US101 HELICOPTER COMPLETES FIRST FLIGHT OF MORE POWERFUL GE ENGINES AND NEW COCKPIT DISPLAYS FOR MARINE ONE
Team US101 has for the first time flown a US101 medium-lift helicopter equipped with more powerful, FAA-certified General Electric CT7-8E engines and new, large-screen cockpit instrument displays. Both the engines and the improved cockpit displays will be used for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement (VXX) program.
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Lean Manufacturing To Cut V-22 Cost, Bell Says
The cost of Bell Helicopter Textron's V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft will drop from its current price of about $70 million to about $50 million within the next five years because of lean manufacturing, according to the head of Osprey program partner Bell Helicopter.
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Helicopter Firm Sale Set for Green Light
The U.K. Government today signalled the go-ahead for the �1.06 billion sale of helicopter maker AgustaWestland.
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IAF set to induct indigenous Sukhoi aircrafts next year
Indegeniously-built Sukhoi aircrafts will be inducted into the IAF from next year.
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Red tape binds IAF�s wings, hints Air chief
The IAF plans to begin �buddy� refuelling between Su-30 fighters by late next year. Some Su-30s are currently being integrated with the required refuelling systems.
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B-52 aircraft to use AFRL hydraulic fluids
A fire-resistant hydraulic fluid Air Force Research Laboratory experts developed will now be used in more than 90 percent of B-52 Stratofortress bomber components, increasing the aircraft's survivability and operational safety.
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Russia-China aerospace cooperation
Russia-China aerospace industry cooperation has been gradually (but surely) improving the knowledge and skills of Chinese engineers and technicians, turning them into potential competitors in the world markets.
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Missing pin caused copter crash: report
A missing cotter pin caused the U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crash on a university campus near the Futenma Air Station in Okinawa in August, according to a U.S. investigation report submitted Tuesday that laid the blame on poor maintenance.
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India looking to buy more jets for air force:
India is looking to induct more frontline fighter jets to bolster the capabilities of its air force, which is currently short of its sanctioned strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief said.
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Commander issues apology for F-15 mishap
The 18th Wing commander issued a brief statement Tuesday apologizing for Monday�s incident in which two Air Force F-15s made contact with one another while on a training mission more than 120 miles off Okinawa�s coast.
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USS Nimitz Operational, Underway
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to Naval Air Station North Island Sept. 24 after a successful Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualification (FRSCQ) five-day underway period.
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Seoul officials to get a look at Apache copters' capabilities
High-level South Korean defense officials are to visit the U.S. Army helicopter base at Camp Humphreys Thursday for a close-up look at the battle capabilities of the Army�s most modern attack helicopter, the AH-64D Apache Longbow.
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Helicopter crews hail new technology
SKMSS - Sea King Multi Sensor System, an infra red system is being installed on RAF Search and Rescue helicopters.
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Raytheon's Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System Intercepts Cruise Missile Drone
In its second guided flight test, Raytheon Company's Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS) successfully intercepted a BQM-74 surrogate cruise missile target at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. All mission objectives were met.
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Italian engines to power India's first air-defence ship
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier will be powered by Italian technology and design.
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Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Taiwan could buy HARM, says lawmaker
The United States government has agreed to offer High-speed Anti Radiation Missile (HARM) to Taiwan, a legislator has confirmed.
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Airmen use GBU-38 in combat
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons recently performed a simultaneous GBU-38 release on the same target in central Iraq. The bombs precisely hit a two-story building with minimal collateral damage.
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Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Successfully Completes COMPTUEX
The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group successfully completed its 22-day Composite Training Unit Exercise, (COMPTUEX) Oct. 2 in the seas off the coast of Southern California.
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Memphis Belle moves to Ohio Air Force museum
The historic B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber Memphis Belle will move to the United States Air Force Museum in Ohio.
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Dhruv to star in flypast
The IAF Sarang display team comprising three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv will do formation flying during the flypast on the Air Force Day on October 8.
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Hoon for joint defence projects
British Secretary for Defence, Geoff Hoon is in India for a three-day official visit. Part of the agenda is selling the Eurofighter Typhoon to India.
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Turbomeca�s keeps pole position in Europe
Turbomeca remains as the leader in Europe market, with 680 Turbomeca operators using 4,790 engines on 3,308 civil and military helicopters.
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New Mi-38 helicopter built in Tatarstan
The production of the new Mi-38 chopper will be launched in 2008.
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Mirage aircraft crash-lands at Mauritius airport
An Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000, part of a team of six aircraft flying home from South Africa after taking part in a joint exercise, crash-landed at Mauritius airport after taking part in an air show in Port Louis on Monday but the pilot escaped unhurt.
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Tuesday, October 05, 2004
SpaceShipOne Wins $10 Million ANSARI X PRIZE
SpaceShipOne and Mojave Aerospace Ventures, LLC. team reaches over 360,000 feet to win the $10 million ANSARI X PRIZE. Brian Binney, who piloted the flight broke the August 22, 1963 record set by Joseph A. Walker who flew the X-15 to an unofficial world altitude record of 354,200 feet.
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Chirac to discuss fighter jet orders with Singapore
French President Jacques Chirac is to hold talks with Singapore's political leaders this week about supplying French Rafale fighter jets to the country, Chirac's spokesman said on Monday.
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Raytheon wins deals worth �19m
Raytheon has won a design, development and production contract from Thales UK in Belfast, for the Starstreak high velocity air-defence missile. The company will be responsible for the weapon�s guidance electronic modules and optical receivers. Also, Raytheon will supply GPS Aided Inertial Navigation System for the Enhanced Paveway II guided bomb.
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JSTARS flies into Internet Age
An E-8C command and control aircraft will fly into the Internet Age this month, using a form of communication developed early in the last century � high-frequency, single sideband (HF SSB) radio.
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Ottawa delays signing helicopter deal
The Canadian government has agreed to hold off signing a multi-billion dollar deal for 28 Sikorsky H-92 Cyclones helicopters until the complaints of the losing bidder have been heard in court.
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Irkut Becomes MiG's Wingman
Legendary fighter jet maker MiG will merge with rival Sukhoi manufacturer Irkut, said Federal Industry Agency chief Boris Alyoshin. Under a proposed plan, which is backed by Alyoshin, privately controlled Irkut and state-run MiG, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Ilyushin would all be brought under one roof.
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Two F-15s make contact during flight; no injuries
Two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles brushed against each other during training in southern Japan Monday but landed safely, and there were no injuries.
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Top guns to show their stuff
The Blue Angels are in Marine Corps Base Hawai'i for the Kane'ohe Bay Marine Corps Navy Air Show this weekend
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Monday, October 04, 2004
Taiwan to test-fire cruise missile which could hit Shanghai: report
Taiwan is to test-fire a cruise missile which could hit the eastern Chinese city of Shanghai, it was reported on Sunday, after Taiwanese Premier Yu Shyi-kun threatened to retaliate should China attack the island.
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Sniper Targeting Pod Attacks From Long Standoff Ranges
The Sniper XR extended-range targeting pod is on a fast track to deploy with U.S. Air Force's combat forces as soon as possible.
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Sunday, October 03, 2004
First batch of Su-30 to be handed over to IAF next month: HAL
The first batch of multi-role Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft, would be handed over by their manufacturers Hindustan Aeronautical Limited over to Indian Air Force next month.
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Air chief wants a leaner, meaner force
Indian Air Force Chief of the Air Staff S. Krishnaswamy has called for the downsizing of the IAF.
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First 'Blue Angel' tells his story in new biography
Lt. Cmdr. Roy "Butch" Voris, a World War II ace and founder of the renowned Blue Angels flight demonstration team released his new biography, "First Blue," recently.
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Hurricane Hunters to fly new planes
The Hurricane Hunters next year will begin using the C-130J, however it would require improvements to the radar and propeller blades.
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Saturday, October 02, 2004
U.S. Navy To Receive First Global Hawk Next Week
The U.S. Navy is expected to take delivery of its first Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle next week, a spokeswoman for prime contractor Northrop Grumman said Sept. 30.
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The Airlift Gap
The U.S. Air Force faces an acute airlift shortfall. The U.S. Air Force requires a minimum of 222 C-17 strategic airlifters. USAF at present has only 180 such airlifters.
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Indian Air force gets first woman air marshal
The Indian Air Force gets its first woman three-star officer on Friday when Padmavathy Bandopadhyay was promoted to the rank of air marshal.
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Friday, October 01, 2004
USS John C. Stennis Visits Western Australia
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is in the port of Fremantle, Australia for the next several days.
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Tech Project Brings Innovation to EP-3E
A new technology project called Story Maker will bring critical improvements to the capability of the Navy EP-3E to identify potential hostile targets. The EP-3E is the Navy�s sole land-based signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft.
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Research lab experts test joined-wing demonstrator
Researchers at Wright-Patterson air force base, Ohio flew a 7 percent scaled Joined-Wing Technology Demonstrator for the first time Sept. 22, putting the future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft design through its initial paces.
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WC-130J team tracks hurricanes with improved radar system
Together with Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, a joint test team flew multiple times into hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne to test the WC-130J Hercules� improved weather-radar system.
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Officials release Predator accident report
Crew error caused an MQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash during a training mission June 14 at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nev., according to an Air Force report released Sept. 30.
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IAF to get 5th IL-78 refueller soon
A team from the No. 78 Squadron of the Indian Air Force left for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Monday to take delivery of the fifth Ilyushin-78 mid-air refueller for its squadron.
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Russian company repairing Indian anti-submarine planes
The Taganrog Aviation company (Tavia) is implementing a contract for repairs of the Indian Air Force's TU-142ME Bear long-range anti-submarine planes, Tavia Director General Nikolai Savitskikh said on Tuesday.
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AIRBUS HANDS OVER FIRST A310 MRTT AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING AIRCRAFT
The first two Airbus aircraft with air-to-air refuelling capabilities, A310 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) aircraft, were handed over to the German Air Force and the Canadian Air Force, during a ceremony in Dresden, Germany. A total of six A310 MRTTs, to be used both for passenger and cargo transport as well as for in-flight refuelling, are scheduled to be delivered to the German Air Force, which will receive four aircraft, and the Canadian Air Force, which will receive two.
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SpaceShipOne Completes X Prize Flight Despite Anomaly
Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne completed its first qualification flight to win the Ansari X Prize Sept. 29, reaching suborbital space despite an unexpected roll that caused pilot Mike Melvill to shut the vehicle's rocket engine off 11 seconds early.
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Pakistan Air Force F-16s Fly Off to Turkey for exercise
A contingent of six F-16s of the Pakistan Air Force has reached Turkey to participate in a multi air forces exercise code named 'Anatolian Eagle'.
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Helicopter test flight draws protest from Okinawans
The Marine Corps conducted a test flight of a CH-53D helicopter in Okinawa Thursday, prompting the local government to immediately file a protest with the Marines.
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German home for spacecraft
The Russian spacecraft, Buran, stranded in Bahrain for two years is expected to be shipped to a German museum by the end of the year.
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Ft. Bragg's Rapid Airfield Construction
The Joint Rapid Airfield Construction program aims to land aircraft in remote locations to deliver troops and supplies as quickly and safely as possible.
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Germany pressures UK over Eurofighter
German Defence Minister Peter Struck has urged his British counterpart Geoffrey Hoon to commit the country to a second tranche of Eurofighter jets, a letter obtained by Reuters shows.
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