Saturday, March 05, 2005
Boeing’s Newest Fighter Aircraft Makes First FlightThe Boeing Company's newest fighter aircraft, the F-15K Strike Eagle, made its first flight in St. Louis. Flown by Boeing Chief F-15 Test Pilot Joe Felock and Chief Weapons Systems Officer Rick Junkin, the F-15K completed an aggressive speed run easily surpassing Mach 2, accomplished both engine shut-downs and restarts, and breezed through instrument and avionics checks of primary backup systems.
|
Former crew sad Navy to sink USS AmericaThe U.S. Navy plans to sink the retired carrier USS America in explosive tests this spring. These explosions, both underwater and above the surface, would presumably simulate attacks by torpedoes, cruise missiles and perhaps a small boat suicide attack like the one that damaged the destroyer USS Cole in Yemen in 2000.
|
Report examines Patriot missile problemsA report authored by a task force of the Defense Science Board, which advises Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld on a range of issues, cites a number of problems with Patriot missile defenses and related systems which contributed to three friendly fire deaths during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The report nonetheless says the Patriot was a "substantial success" during the fighting.
|
Northrop Grumman's LITENING Targeting System Nears 10,000 Combat Flight Hours on Marine F/A-18sThe U.S. Marine Corps' fleet of F/A-18D Hornet aircraft is nearing 10,000 combat flight hours with LITENING AT targeting and navigation systems produced by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
|
Two events to make debut at Lima’05The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2005 in December will feature two new events – the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) show and an exhibition of corporate jets and tour ships.
|
RMAF plans to sell seven of its F-5E fighter jetsHalf of the RMAF's existing fleet of 14 F-5E fighter jets will be disposed of, the remaining seven were being upgraded.
|
Birkholz to be new H-1 program managerCol. Keith Birkholz will assume leadership of the Marine Corps' light and attack helicopter program at Patuxent.
|
Lynx crashes during Gulf exerciseA Royal Navy Mark 8 Lynx helicopter from 815 squadron at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, crashed into the sea while on exercises in the Gulf. The three crew members survived the crash and were rescued by helicopter. The crash happened at 0400 GMT on Thursday, 0800 local time, around 120 miles east of Oman.
|
IAF trainer aircraft crashes, pilot killedAn IAF Flight cadet, on just his second solo flight on the HPT-32 aircraft from the Indian Air Force Academy at Dundigal, suffered "fatal injuries" in a crash that took place around 11.30 am near Hyderabad on Friday morning.
|
Lockheed Martin's JASSM Successful in Flight TestA Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), the world’s first stealthy cruise missile, was successfully launched Thursday from an F-16 aircraft and precisely navigated through its first verification flight test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The missile successfully struck the target as planned.
|
C-130 Hercules cargo planes still face restrictionsC-130 Hercules cargo planes still face restrictionsThree weeks after the U.S. Air Force put 60 its C-130 Hercules planes on restricted flying status and grounded others because of structural concerns, it is still unclear whether the restricted planes will be able to fly with the same cargo loads as before.
|
Nuclear Bunker Buster Revived in BudgetThe Bush administration is pushing Congress to support a $4 million Department of Energy study for enabling nuclear warheads to penetrate deeper underground before exploding. The U.s> Air Force is also asking for $4.5 million in the Pentagon’s latest budget request to help conduct the study.
|
Air Chief Marshal Tyagi to review IAF projects in BangaloreThe IAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, is in Bangalore to review the progress on Tejas, the homegrown Light Combat Aircraft being built by ADE and the Kaveri engine for Tejas by GTRE and NAL's Saras, the passenger aircraft project.
|
Friday, March 04, 2005
Aviation history has been made!After 67 hours and 2 minutes of flight, Steve Fossett set a great aviation world record for speed around the world solo, non-stop and non-refueled.
|
Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Weapons Drop from New Medium-Altitude UAV PrototypeNorthrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated the ability to release a weapon from a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator during flight-testing conducted Feb. 24 over Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
|
Air Force to Lift Boeing Ban: OfficialsThe U.S. Air Force is set to lift an order that suspended Boeing Co. from getting satellite launch contracts since mid-2003, defense officials said on Thursday.
|
Korean Crews Train On F-15 At Seymour JohnsonEight South Korean pilots and weapons systems officers have attended classes on flying the F-15E and will be at Seymour Johnson Air Force base until July, officials said. After that, the crews will receive training from Boeing instructors who will teach them about flying the new F-15K.
|
US Navy Chooses General Atomics for Advanced Arresting Gear ProgramThe US Navy has selected a team led by General Atomics (GA) to perform the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) Program. The AAG system will replace the current hydraulic arresting system used on aircraft carriers to capture tailhook-equipped aircraft landing on the deck.
|
Northrop Grumman Delivers First Radar for F-35 Joint Strike FighterNorthrop Grumman Corporation has delivered the first AN/APG-81 fire-control radar for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to prime contractor Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
|
Biggest plane to land on carrier joins Pensacola naval museumThe U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 which made 21 full-stop landings aboard the USS Forrestal in 1963 is the newest addition to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola. The pilot, retired Rear Adm. James H. Flatley III, says the U.S. Navy is showing renewed interest 42 years later.
|
Singapore delays $1 bln fighter contract until Q2Singapore is delaying a $1 billion contract for 20 combat jets by up to three months, people close to the talks said.
|
Lincoln goes cruisin'206 civilians took a "tiger cruise" onboard USS Abraham Lincoln. Tiger cruises give families and friends of sailors a chance to experience Navy life at sea, and are usually done between U.S. ports.
|
Flying was a lifelong aim for two soldiers killed in copter crashThe U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division on Tuesday identified the two soldiers killed in
Saturday’s crash of an Apache helicopter belonging to 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment.
|
Reports undercut F/A-22, JSF (Registration Required)The U.S. Government Accountability Office told a congressional committee that the original argument for the F/A-22 is "no longer valid," and schedule delays and increases in development costs render the mid-1990s business plan for the JSF "unexecutable."
|
Daimler's Schrempp Says EADS-Thales Merger `Doesn't Make Sense'DaimlerChrysler AG Chief Executive Juergen Schrempp, whose company is the biggest shareholder in European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co., said he opposes any merger between EADS and Thales SA.
|
Bangladesh to purchase 8 more Chinese F-7 fightersThe Bangladesh government has finalised plans to purchase eight China made F-7 MG fighter planes for its air force.
|
Defense Agency to upgrade fighter jets at Naha baseJapanese Defense Agency decided Thursday to replace in 2008 F-4 fighter jets at the Naha Air Self-Defense Force base in Okinawa Prefecture with F-15 fighters. Twenty-four F-4 fighters are expected to be moved from the Naha base to the Hyakuri base in Ibaraki Prefecture.
|
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Airborne network to link sensors, shooters, decision makersUSAF Electronic Systems Center officials are working on a new airborne network that will revolutionize airborne communications and bring network-centric warfare to the air.
|
Aircraft-carrier theme park goes bustMinsk World Industries Co Ltd, a company built around the commercial exploitation of a retired aircraft carrier, Minsk, from the former Soviet Union, declared bankruptcy at the request of the Construction Bank of China, one of the company's creditors.
|
Carrier's cost rises $869.9 millionThe George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier needs $869.9 million between 2006 and 2008 to cover cost overruns and other increases encountered during the ship's construction, according to details of the budget proposal President Bush recently submitted to Congress.
|
Scientists working on smart material for ALHScientists at the Indian Institute of Science and public sector aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are working on a way to reduce vibrations in the advanced light helicopter (ALH) using smart materials.
|
Blackhawk damaged, three escape injury, in Fort Rucker accidentA U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was damaged but three aboard escaped serious injury when it came into contact with an electricity transmission tower and guy wires during a training flight
|
Brunei’s Defence And Military Officials Tour Nuke-Powered US CarrierPehin Datu Singamanteri Col Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin, the Permanent Secretary at Brunei's Ministry of Defence, and other senior officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Air Force and Royal Brunei Navy were invited to visit the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson off the coast of Brunei.
|
Hooper man's firm fixes helicopter enginesNebraska Gas Turbine Inc., diagnose and repair engine problems in commercial and industrial helicopters for the U.S. Navy, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the armies of Mexico and Thailand.
|
Chinese air force commander leaves for three-nation tourQiao Qingchen, commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, left Beijing Tuesday afternoon for a three-nation tour.
|
Joint South Korea-U.S. drill to be scaled downU.S. Marines will not be taking part in the korean peninsula's largest annual U.S.-Korean military exercise this spring. The aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk, the largest and oldest carrier strike group in the U.S. Navy, will be deployed in South Korean waters during the training.
|
Saab and Airbus signs contract for avionics equipment for A400MSaab has received an order from Airbus for development, production and support of the High Lift Control & Monitoring System for the A400M military transport aircraft. The contract could be worth 45 MEURO, depending upon the export potential of the A400M Aircraft.
|
SAIC Demonstrates Live-Fire From Vigilante(R) VTOL UAVScience Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Mar. 02 announced the successful live-fire of four 2.75” unguided rockets from its Vigilante® VTOL UAV (Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system during flight testing conducted at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground on December 13 and 14, 2004.
|
100th Eurofighter fuselage centre section deliveredThe 100th fully-equipped Eurofighter fuselage centre section has left the assembly station at EADS Military Aircraft's Manching site. Dietmar Schrick, Head of Programmes at EADS Military Aircraft, officially handed over the centre section to the Spanish partner EADS CASA.
|
High-tech weapons help Europe to close military gap with USThe European Union is to develop unmanned drones, new armoured vehicles and advanced communication systems in a strategy to become a military superpower and close the defence technology gap with the United States. The programme involves setting up a joint EU fighter-pilot training programme and co-ordinating the testing of military equipment on proving grounds and in wind tunnels.
|
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Lockheed Martin Laser Guidance Systems Facility Wins Shingo Prize for Manufacturing ExcellenceLockheed Martin’s facility in Archbald, PA, with products including laser guided weapons systems for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, was selected as winner of the 2005 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. BusinessWeek magazine call it the “Nobel prize of manufacturing”.
|
Israeli air force training for long-range bombing missionsThe Israeli air force is training its crews for long-range bombing missions, the wing comannder of an F-16I fighter-bomber group said Monday.
|
Cubic Delivers Next-Generation Electronic Warfare Simulation System to the Royal Danish Air ForceThe Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) has become the first military to deploy a next-generation electronic warfare simulation system developed by the defense segment of Cubic Corporation. The High Density Signal Simulator (HIDESS) accurately tests an aircraft’s ability to tackle practically all known radar threats that allied forces might face in actual combat.
|
Northrop Settles B-2 Suit for $62 MillionNorthrop Grumman Corp. has agreed to pay the U.S. government $62 million to settle allegations that it overcharged the U.S. Air Force on a contract involving the B-2 stealth bomber, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday.
|
Air Force receives third OspreyEdwards Air Force Base, received their third CV-22 Osprey test aircraft Feb. 26 to join their Integrated Test Team.
|
SGI Supports F-16 Mission Training Center Night Vision Goggle Simulation CapabilitySilicon Graphics has integrated the prototype night vision goggle (NVG) simulation image generation hardware on the Lockheed Martin F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC) program for the U.S. Air Force.
|
Officials break ground for F/A-22 maintenance training centerSheppard Air Force Base is set to become the premier training center for F/A-22 Raptor maintenance professionals, officials said Feb. 18 during the ground breaking ceremony here for a $19.7-million training facility.
|
General: Public should lobby for more C-130JsMaj. Gen. William Wayne Hodges, director, Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force for Acquisition, told a community council that they must carry the fight to keep C-130J production going.
|
Israel, India agree to develop 3 new UAVsIsrael and India have signed an agreement to develop three models of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to be produced in India, “Defense News” reports in its latest issue.
|
French minister queries Asia bribe case leaksFrench Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie raised questions Tuesday over "leaks" about a bribery case involving a Singaporean allegedly claiming to represent European aerospace giant EADS. She said she also discussed the Rafale fighter issue with the Singapore officials.
|
Perry urges Air Force to put pilot school in TexasTexas Gov. Rick Perry is urging the U.S. Air Force to consolidate its primary flight training in Texas.
|
Army investigates fatal Apache crash near DMZU.S. Army military officials continued investigating the weekend crash in South Korea of an Apache, which is part of 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.
|
Russian defense chief boasts about new missilesRussia will develop missiles impervious to any defense, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday in an apparent allusion the nascent U.S. missile defense system.
|
Predator reaches initial operating capacityThe MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle was officially declared IOC March 1 by Lt. Gen. William Fraser III, USAF Air Combat Command’s vice commander.
|
Commander, Carrier Air Wing 1 RelievedThe commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Capt. Mark E. Mills, has been relieved of his command by Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group 12. Stevenson cited a “loss in confidence in the ability to command.”
|
Wedgetail Aircraft Heading to Australia for First-Ever VisitBoeing announced that an airborne early warning and control aircraft for Australia’s Project Wedgetail will make its first visit to Australia at the Australian International Air Show in Avalon beginning March 15.
|
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Air Vectors : UpdatesThe following Air Vectors articles were updated recently. The Martin B-26 Marauder (v1.1.1),The Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor (v2.3.0), The AgustaWestland EH101 & NHI NH90 (v2.0.3), The Agusta Mangusta & Eurocopter Tiger (v1.0.2), The Antonov Giants (v1.0.2).
|
Northrop Grumman Awarded $142M Airborne Laser and Sensor Contract By U.S. Missile Defense AgencyThe U.S. Missile Defense Agency has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $142 million follow-on contract for systems engineering, planning and logistics support for its Airborne Laser boost phase missile defense program.
|
BUSINESSMAN HELD FOR ALLEGEDLY SUPPLYING MISSILE COMPONENTS TO LIBYAA Taiwan businessman was taken into custody by local district prosecutors Friday for allegedly supplying key Scud missile components to Libya.
|
V-22 cleared for flight testingThomas Laux, the U.S. Navy’s program executive officer for air, anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs, gave his approval last Thursday for the V-22 to enter operation evaluation (OPEVAL).
|
Lockheed Martin Workers Prepare to StrikeLockheed Martin Corp.'s union employees in a 1,240-602 vote are preparing to strike, saying they are displeased with the proposed contract the company offered its employees.
|
B-2 bombers headed to GuamU.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers left Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Friday en route to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of an Air Expeditionary Force deployment, according to a Pacific Air Forces news release.
|
Overseas airlines may use RAF tankerAirTanker is sounding out continental European airlines about taking some of the "reserve" A330s aircraft on long-term leases. These planes will only be needed by the RAF in wartime.
|
UK MoD launches public service regarding low flying military helicopter activityThe U.K Ministry of Defence will start a new freephone advisory service for members of the public enquiring about low flying military helicopter activity.
|
Pak to get F-16 planes for sure: MinisterPakistan firmly believes the Unites States will supply F-16 aircrafts to it once the negotiations between two countries on the issue conclude, said Maj (Retd) Habibullah Warraich, the state minister for defence.
|
EADS-led AirTanker selected as Preferred Bidder for British Tanker Aircraft ProgrammeOn Monday, EADS welcomed the announcement by Geoff Hoon, the U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, that AirTanker has been selected as Preferred Bidder for Britain’s Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (“FSTA”) programme.
|
Monday, February 28, 2005
Tomcat Bone YardIt's sad to see the last U.S. Navy big fighter being phased out of service. Gerry has documented these birds that we are so familiar with waiting to be cut up as scrap metal.
|
Air Vectors : The Alenia-Aermacchi-EMBRAER AMXAir Vectors features the Italian-Brazilian joint venture AMX light strike and reconnaissance aircraft for the month of March.
|
The CIA's Air Force Is Back in OperationThe U.S. Air Force is not flying its unmanned reconnaissance aircraft over Iran, but the Central Intelligence Agency is, say military and aerospace industry officials.
|
Air Force said to waste $1M on equipmentA U.S. Defense Department report says the U.S. Air Force wasted $1 million on unreliable hand-held chemical agent detectors that could have put at risk any airmen who depended on the equipment.
|
BAE demands immunity on US sanctionsBAE is pushing the British government to split with Europe and negotiate a special exemption to spare the UK from American sanctions over arms sales to China.
|
Senior Navy Adm. Takes Helm in PacificAdm. William J. Fallon has assumed leadership of the U.S. Pacific Command, the nation's largest military command.
|
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Burr says funds for C-130J likelyU.S. Sen. Richard Burr said Friday he is optimistic about the prospects in 2006 for funding C-130J to replace Pope Air Force Base's Vietnam-era C-130E airplanes.
|
Keeping bombs on target (Registration Required)USAF Luke Air Force Base's sensor shop, which has 23 employees and stays open 24 hours a day, five days a week maintains the LANTIRN targeting pods used by Luke's F-16s for air-to-ground bombing, and it makes sure the laser guidance system is in perfect working order.
|
Army Crash Kills Pilot, Hurts AnotherAn Apache helicopter belonging to the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division, went down near Paju, a South Korean town.
|
Only 40 Percent of Air Force Planes OperationalIndonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Djoko Suyanto says that only only 40 percent of the Air Force's planes are working.
|
Japan deployment introduces Cannon AFB pilots to whole new kind of flyingNearly 40 fighter pilots from USAF Cannon Air Force Base are currently deployed to Misawa Air Base, Japan.
|
