Sunday, April 30, 2006
USS Abraham Lincoln at Changi Naval Base, Singapore
CVN 72 is currently in Singapore and I had a chance to go on board the ship yesterday. This is a write up by David Boey who kindly arranged the trip. Pictures in the gallery as well.
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Sonic boom could land pilots in hot water
A U.S. Marine Corp F-5E Tiger II jet and an F/A-18 Hornet inadvertently broke the sound barrier on Wednesday afternoon causing a panic among residents of Yuma, Arizona.
The pilots were told not to go supersonic within 30,000 feet [altitude] or 30 miles from a residential area and investigations found that they were at 14,500- to 18,000-feet when they hit Mach 1.
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Fighter jet takes off to new heights
The Xiaolong/FC-4 ("Fierce Dragon) fighter jet made its first flight Friday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China.
It flew for 16 minutes.
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Pakistan to Cut Lockheed F-16 Purchase to Fund Earthquake Costs
Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan told reporters at the State Department in Washington that his country scale back its planned purchase of F-16 fighters to help pay for the relief costs of last year's devastating earthquake.
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RMAF to use Indian helmets
The Royal Malaysian Air Force has chosen the French MSA Gallet LA100 flight helmet and Ulmer ECT-76VD oxygen mask as the standard equipment for its 18 SU-30MKMs.
The French combination was earlier picked to replace the Russian Zsh-7AP/KM34DII sets used by the RMAF’s MiG-29N fleet.
Related Article
Top guns to get French helmets?
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Missile explosion kills 2 people at air base near Moscow - 1
A Russian Air Force officer and a serviceman was killed instantly when an air-to-air missile exploded on Friday at an air base outside Moscow.
They were disposing some missiles by explosion and one exploded prematurely.
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Civilian Leaders Wowed by USS Ronald Reagan's Capabilities
Civilian opinion leaders participating in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference was on the USS Ronald Reagan's flight deck and watch F-18 Hornets take off for missions supporting ground troops in Iraq.
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Sword of command handed over at Ohakea
Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton retired on Saturday after 35 years of service.
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EDO and Terma to Develop F-16 (PDF)
EDO Corporation and Terma A/S have entered into a teaming agreement to jointly develop an Enhanced Smart Triple Ejector Rack (ESTER) to be used on the F-16.
ESTER will improve the capability to carry "smart" precision-guided weapons and
individually target and release each one. These include the 500 pound-class JDAM
(Joint Direct Attack Munition) and EGBU-12 (Paveway) weapons, and similar stores that
operate on the military standard 1760 interface.
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N. Korea alleges 160 U.S. spy flights in April
North Korea claimed that the United States conducted about 160 spy flights against the country this month.
The flights reached its peak between April 21-24 when the two Koreas held high-level talks in Pyongyang.
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Pakistan stages new missile test
Pakistan on Saturday test-fired its longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz watching the event.
The test was conducted to validate additional technical parameters beyond those that were verified in the last test fire in March 2005.
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Saturday, April 29, 2006
House Panel Boosts F-22A Spending
The U.S. House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee authorized an additional $1.4. billion for the Air Force to procure 20 F-22A Raptors in fiscal year 2007.
The USAF had wanted to buy those planes in fiscal year 2008 in a move to stretch the production of the F-22A to 2010 when the first F-35 enters production.
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Tyndall receives F-22 maintenance trainer
A F-22A came to the end of its service life as a test aircraft when it was turned over to the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit new ground instructional trainer.
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Pratt & Whitney Awarded First Production Contract For Joint Strike Fighter Engines
Pratt & Whitney has been awarded the first production contract for F135 engines to power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
The contract is for long lead-time hardware for six engines supporting the first five production F-35 aircraft covering Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
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Country Briefing: Russia - austere deterrence
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the upgrade and slow production of the Tupolev Tu-160 bombers armed with Raduga Kh-555 and Kh-101 extended-range cruise missiles in January.
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Senate considers allowing Navy to retire aircraft carrier
U.S. lawmakers are on the verge of passing an amendment to the fiscal 2006 supplemental appropriations bill that would allow the Navy to retire the USS John F. Kennedy.
Armed Services Chairman John Warner is pushing the amendment due to budget concerns. He had earlier supported the move to block the retirement.
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UGV/UAVs: Combined Attack Demo Planned By US Arrmy
The U.S. Army plans to bring UAVs and UGVs (umanned ground vehicles) together for a combined demonstration at Ft Benning in 2007.
The tests will use Yamaha R-Max UAVs as the UAV elements, together with DARPA supplied vehicles, type as yet undetermined.
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Turkey – AGM-84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (PDF)
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 50 AGM-84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER).
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Friday, April 28, 2006
Air Force test team launches 'overhauled' Iraqi aircraft
Airmen from several U.S. Air Force bases spent two months preparing, disassembling, rebuilding and testing an Iraqi Air Force Comp Air 7SLX
The Iraqi government had requested for assistance in flight-testing this aircraft after one suffered a crash in May last year.
Related Articles
Iraqi pilot buried at Arlington cemetery
Iraqi Aircraft Crashes; Americans on Board
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Israel: Iran Missiles Can Carry Nukes, Hit Europe
Israel's military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, was quoted on Thursday that Iran has received a first batch of BM-25 surface-to-surface missiles, putting Europe in range.
The North Korean missiles have a range of 2,500 kilometres and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
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Missile defense radar returns to Pearl Harbor for repairs
The Sea-Based X-Band Radar was forced to return to Hawaii for repairs four days after it depart for its home port of Alaska on Mar. 31.
It suffered damage when water leaked through its ballast piping, a few communication antennas also suffered minor damage during transport.
Repairs won’t be completed until at least next week.
Related Article
Giant missile defense radar leaves Pearl Harbor for Alaska
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Efforts to recover F-16 wreckage end
Investigators have ended efforts to recover wreckage of an F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base that slammed into the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
Naval divers recovered the ejection seat equipped with a second flight recorder and classified gear aboard the fighter.
Related Articles
Air Force reviews video of F-16 ocean crash site
Flight data recorder found in F-16 crash
Shaw to begin search for downed F-16
Fighter pilot broke legs, wrist after ejecting
F-16 crashed in Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina coast
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France's Thales keen to upgrade Mirage 2000 fleet
Thales is keen to upgrade India's fleet of Mirage 2000 fighters. The company will make a formal proposal to the Indian government next month for a mid-life upgrade to the Mirage fleet.
UAE, Greece and France have opted for upgrades from Thales.
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Seized MiG-29 to remain in Hong Kong custody indefinitely
The Ukrainian MiG-29 seized in Hong Kong earlier this month would remain in the country until an investigation is completed.
Related Articles
MiG-29 detained in Xianggang was sold to USA as museum piece
Stripped fighter jet seized
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2 die in Chad chopper crash
A Chad Mi-17 helicopter crashed in the east of the country on Thursday. The helicopter came down shortly after take-off on a non-combat flight in the Tissi region near the border with Sudan and the Central African Republic.
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China may collaborate with Russia in developing fighters
Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sergey B. Ivanov told reporters in Beijing that he does not rule out China purchasing the Su-34 bomber.
He added that China can join Russia in the development of a 5th generation fighter.
Labels: Russian 5th-generation fighter
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Estonia blocks illegal transport of fighter plane parts
Five men were arrested on Apr. 19 for attempting to export parts of Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 Flanker fighter planes from Estonia.
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House panel boosts sub production
The U.S. House Armed Services Projection Forces Subcommittee on Thursday approved $300 million to procure three additional C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes.
The subcommittee also agreed to prohibit the retirement of any B-52 bombers, except for the one flown by NASA.
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Snowbirds Commemorative Stamps Take Flight
On March 27, more than 35,000 Snowbirds souvenir stamp sheets took flight in two CT-114 Tutor jets.
During the 1-hour training mission, the stamps withstood up to 5 "G" and 120 degrees of bank.
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EADS achieves key milestones in Advanced Military Tanker aircraft development
The first A330 aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force’s Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) program has rolled off the production line and completed initial evaluations.
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Thursday, April 27, 2006
Rumsfeld's Travels: Taking the 'Silver Bullet' to Iraq
During his trip to Iraq yesterday, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld travels on a C-17 transport plane equipped with a "silver bullet" in the middle of the aircraft.
The silver bullet is a metallic box reminiscent of a 1950s Airstream trailer, where VIPs can have some privacy during the flight.
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Saudi Arabia: The Next Nuclear Domino?
This article tries to establish a link between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's nuclear program.
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House panel restricts missile defense
The U.S. House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee has eliminated funding for a third Missile Defense site in Europe.
The cut is part of an effort to slow spending on longer-term missile defense programs in favor of missile defense programs that promise a near-term capability.
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Aerial tanker search begins
The U.S. Air Force RFI for tanker aircraft requires the bidding company to disclose whether it receives government subsidies.
Analysts say the request will put Airbus in a difficult position.
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Armed Forces To Replace Steyr With Colt M4 Carbine
Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) would replaced its Pilatus PC-7 MKI turbo trainer aircraft with the PC-7 MKII aircraft.
Pilatus will deliver the first aircraft in 16 months.
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Lockheed misses out on missile contract
The U.S. Army has declared BAE Systems as winner of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II contest.
The new air-to-ground, laser-guided missile system, is dubbed Hellfire Junior.
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Blue Angles select new flight leader
Cmdr. Kevin Mannix is the next leader of the Blue Angels. He will be Blue 1 during the 2007 and 2008 season.
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Exercise lets Airmen prepare for real thing
At Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, aircrews are constantly tested by simulated surface-to-air threats.
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Bush taps ex-Lockheed Martin official for Air Force post
Sue Payton, a Pentagon official and former Lockheed Martin employee, is to be named the U.S. Air Force's top weapons buyer.
The post has been vacant since Darleen Druyun was found guilty in the Boeing tanker scandal.
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Boeing Employee First to Receive U.S. Marine Corps Defense of Freedom Medal
Todd Alexander, a Boeing employee, was awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Defense of Freedom Medal for injuries suffered during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Alexander was wounded Sept. 4, 2004 while working as a civilian contractor with The Insitu Group testing the ScanEagle vehicle in Fallujah , Iraq.
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Switzerland orders 20 EC635/EC135 for its Armed Forces
Switzerland has ordered 18 EC635 for utility and advanced training missions and two EC135 for VIP/parliamentarian transport missions.
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GPS-Guided Sherpas Provide Safer Supply Drops
Sherpas 1200 GPS-guided parachutes are helping the U.S. Marines deliver cargo in Iraq with pinpoint accuracy.
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Fighter pilots escape crash
A Greek RF-4 Phantom crashed while on a training flight in Larissa, central Greece on Tuesday.
Both pilots ejected safely.
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Boeing-produced U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Fleet Passes Two Million Flight Hour Mark
The U.S. Army AH-64 Apache combat helicopter fleet has logged more than two million flight hours.
Nearly one-third of all flight hours have occurred in the past four years.
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A day in the life of Canada’s Air Force
Military photographers from the Canadian Air Force celebrate the 82nd birthday with pictures from the various units.
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Experiment will help special forces, ports
At Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006, the USAF will experiment with a helium or hydrogen balloon that can climb to an altitude of above 90,000 feet to act as a communications relay post for special forces.
This will give Special Forces teams scattered in mountainous regions like Afghanistan the ability to use radios.
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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Israeli spy satellite launched to watch Iran
A Russian Start-1 rocket launched IAI's
Eros B satellite into orbit on Tuesday from a mobile pad at the Svobodny Cosmodrome in the Far East. The satellite is expected to be used to monitor Iran's nuclear program.
The Eros-B satellite will be deployed into a solar synchronous orbit at an altitude of 600 kilometers.
The satellite has a Charge Coupled Device/Time Delay Integration (CCD/TDI) camera with a resolution of 0.82 m for pan chromatic and 3.28 meters for multi-spectral (color) images.
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A new approach to 39th Maple Flag
The 39th Maple Flag exercise at Cold Lake will depart from a very fighter orientated exercise to include joint operations with other Canadian Forces.
For the first time, CP-140 Aurora Maritime patrol aircraft, and a squadron of CH-146 Griffon will be involved.
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USAF tests internet capability over Link 16
The U.S. Air Force, with BAE Systems and SRA International has found a way to transform a Link 16 terminal to become a node in an IP-based network.
This will make it easier to network existing combat aircraft.
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Sukhoi's Spare Parts To Arrive Before Planes
Spare parts for Malaysia's Sukhoi Su-30MKM jet fighters will be delivered before the jets arrived in the country.
The maintenance crew will be trained by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd as the Indian Su-30 is the same except for Israeli avionics.
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South African Super Lynx 300 First Flight
South Africa's first of four Super Lynx 300 helicopters took to the air for the first time on Apr. 24 at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil factory.
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Harrier jets stay in Afghanistan
Six RAF Harrier GR7 jets that is suppose to end their deployment in Afghanistan in June will extend their stay till the end of March next year.
The planes are from No 1 Squadron based at RAF Cottesmore.
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‘Black Sunday’
On Apr 16, 1944 the U.S. Army Air Force greatest non-combat aviation loss during the war to a tropical storm over Papua New Guinea.
54 men were lost and the storm destroyed 37 planes.
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Scots Tornado pilots set to star in new TV series about their lives
"Meet The JetSet" is a Scottish TV series that follows a team of eager young RAF men training to fly the Tornado GR4.
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Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Pictures: Pilot trapped for 5h in cockpit of USAF's new $135m F-22A Raptor after canopy jams
A F-22A Raptor, 03-041, suffered a canopy failure with a pilot inside on Apr. 10. Firefighters had to cut open the canopy with a chainsaw to free him after 5 hours.
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UK to boost Hercules safety ‘within months’
British C-130s will have better self-protection capabilities after the loss of an aircraft in Iraq last year.
Wing-fire inerting systems will be installed on the Royal Air Force’s C-130J/Ks and potentially to additional transport types.
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BAF trainee pilot killed as aircraft nosedives
A Bangladesh Air Force PT-6 crashed on Monday with a trainee fighter pilot on board, he was fatally injured.
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KAI offers upgraded versions of KT-1 in bid to extend production
Korea Aerospace Industries has offered a new variant with upgraded avionics and promoting an armed variant for drug interdiction missions in Latin America.
KAI must secure new export orders for the KT-1 this year or at least temporarily close its production line in early 2007.
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WWII air ace Johnny Checketts dies
New Zealand World War II ace, Johnny Checketts, has passed away. He shot down 14 and a half German aircraft, two V1 flying bombs, and destroyed two German E boats.
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Sikorsky offers S-70 line to Taiwan for UH-60 deal
Sikorsky will shift S-70 production to Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) if Taipei agrees to select UH-60 Black Hawk derivatives for several of its new helicopter requirements.
Taiwan is shopping for helicopters for firefighting and search and rescue duties. Sikorsky is offering its S-70A Fire Hawk for firefighting.
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Road to Helmand
Flight International visited Afghanistan in early April to witness preparations for the U.K.'s three-year, £1 billion ($1.7 billion) Operation Herrick.
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Air Force is no longer 'Chair Force'
The U.S. Air Force has gone macho. Long ridiculed by rival services as the "Chair Force," recruits at Lackland Air Force Base now have to go through combat skills training to prepare them for assignments in the Middle East.
The Air Force plans to add two weeks to its training schedule to include more familiarization with weapons and a week of intensified exposure to field tactics from next year.
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CIA rendition flights 'used German air bases'
Human rights activists claimed that United States used air bases in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany and Turkey to take terror suspects to Cuba.
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Newer workers must yield their jobs
There were some hostility at the C-17 assembly plant as lay-off workers had to trained seniors from the Boeing
717 line that has closed.
C-17 workers are not happy that instead of laying off the 717 workers, they were transferred to the C-17 program and the C-17 workers are put off.
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PAF helicopter wrecked after emergency landing, no injuries
A Philippine Air Force 520MG helicopter gunship suffered heavy damage when it crash-landed in San Ildefonso town some 55 kilometers north of Manila on Monday.
It was escorting a UH-1H Huey helicopter when it crash-landed at around 1245hrs.
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Tanker bidders coy on alternate types
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are unwilling to revealed what other alternatives they may offer to the USAF for the upcoming tanker contest.
Boeing could be forced to offer the 777 if the Air Force seeks a larger aircraft.
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Northrop studies future USAF lift
Northrop Grumman is the other company that won a contract to develop the AMC-X tanker/transport for 2012 demonstration. Lockheed Martin got the other contract.
The aircraft will combine short take-off and landing (STOL) with high subsonic speed.
The AMC-X is a family of aircraft that could begin replacing the Lockheed C-130 Hercules some time between 2015 and 2025.
Related Article
AFRL partners with Lockheed Martin to develop next generation strike tanker
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Russian bombers flew undetected across Arctic - AF commander
Russian Air Force's Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov claimed that his Tu-160 Blackjack bombers and Tu-95 Bears flew through the U.S. airspace undetected during a recent exercise.
During the April exercise, Blackjacks and Bears successfully carried out four missile launches as well.
Related Article
Strategic Air Command maneuvers end in Russia's Far East
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New fuel tanks ordered for aging B-52s
The U.S. Air Force's venerable B-52 bomber will be getting new polyurethane fuel tanks.
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Battle rages for US small bomb deal
Increment 2 of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) program could produce a whole new weapon, Graham Warwick reports.
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Malaysia to buy two Russian fighter jets
Malaysia will buy two MiG-29s to replace two that were lost over the years. Malaysia currently has 16 MiG-29 fighter jets.
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Surface-to-air missiles lost in Bolivia : Argentine Intelligence deeply concerned
Argentine Intelligence officials are highly concerned on the news of the loss of three surface-to-air Bolivian missiles that may have been smuggled into Argentina.
The CIA however doubt the accuracy of the evidence.
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Russia Tests New Missile Designed to Overcome U.S. Defenses
Russia fired a K65M-R missile on Saturday to test out a new warhead that will be used on the Topol-M land-based and Bulava sea-based ballistic missile.
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Pratt & Whitney F135 Program Reaches 5,000 SDD Test Hours, Remains On Track To Support JSF's First Flight
Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine program has achieved more than 5,000 hours of System Development and Demonstration (SDD) ground testing.
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Turkey offering defence cooperation through F-16 jet fighter maintenance
Turkey on Monday offered to help Indonesia maintain its F-16 fleet in an effort to enhance defense ties between the two countries.
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Dutch target new F-16 upgrade
Dutch F-16AM/BM fighters will be upgraded to an M5 software standard in the 2009-10 timeframe.
This will push the service life of Royal Netherlands Air Force’s F-16s until at least 2020.
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Gripen International eyes Latin American sales
Gripen International has target Brazil and Chile as potential market for the JAS-39 Gripen fighter.
Ecuador and Argentina are promising as well.
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Two F-14 Tomcats to fly into history at Air & Sea Show as plane is retired
The F-14 Tomcat will make one of its last public, perhaps the last, air show appearance at the 2006 McDonald's Air & Sea Show on Fort Lauderdale Beach from May 6-7.
Lt. Rob Ceravolo will pilot one of the two Tomcats making high speed passes on both days.
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Monday, April 24, 2006
F-16 tops agenda of talks in Washington
The Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group will meet in Washington on April 30 to discuss security issues, including procurement of F-16 jets.
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Saudi deal flies to rescue of Eurofighter exports
Saudi Arabia is expected to sign a contract by the end of June for 24 Eurofighter Typhoons.
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Explosions rock air base
Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan came under attack from two 107-mm rockets. No damage were reported.
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Second X-50A Dragonfly Demonstrator Lost In Crash; Program In Doubt
The second X-50A Dragonfly demonstrator was destroyed in a crash at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona last week.
The mishap occurred at 7:46 a.m. Mountain time April 12. That was the only prototype left after the first X-50A prototype crash in March 2004.
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CF-18s Conduct 1st Northern Sovereignty patrol for Canada Command
On Good Friday, two CF-18’s from 4 Wing, Cold Lake conducted the first ever, aerial sovereignty patrol in Canada’s North for Canada Command.
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Sunday, April 23, 2006
George Hall
George Hall of Check Six photography recently underwent a quad by-pass surgery which he did not survive. One of his achievements was the aerial still photography during the making of the movie Top Gun. Its ironic that he passed away just as the movie is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
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Authorities remove wreckage of Crossfield's plane
Wreckage of Scott Crossfield's Cessna 210 has been removed on Friday. The wreckage was strewn in three 'debris fields' over a quarter-mile area.
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U.S., Australian forces team up in realistic training
Three U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancers recently flew more than 7,000 miles and 16 hours to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force’s Aces South exercise.
During the exercise, the B-1 flew as simulated Red Air bombers conducting anti-ship strikes off the southeast Australian coast. The RAAF F/A-18 Hornets and F-111s flew as Blue Air.
For many aircrews, this is the first time they flew 16-hour plus missions.
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Saturday, April 22, 2006
HMS Illustrious Sends Birthday Message To Her Majesty The Queen
The sailors of HMS Illustrious took time out to spell out "Happy 80th" on the 200m flight deck for Queen Elizabeth's birthday.
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Flight of the X-15
This Time Magazine article was published in Jun. 22, 1959 on the first X-15 flight by Scott Crossfield.
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Picture: Lockheed Martin delivers F-16 to Oman, taking total to record 4,300
Lockheed Martin roll out its 4,300th F-16 Fighting Falcon from its Fort Wort facility in Texas Apr. 21.
The aircraft is part of an order for 12 Advanced Block 50 F-16s destined for Oman.
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MBDA, Raytheon offer anti-aircraft missiles for Estonia
MBDA Missile Systems and Raytheon have offered to supply Estonia with anti-aircraft missiles.
Estonian's government will make a decision on the purchase of short-range anti-aircraft missiles in June.
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Equipment cut to pay for V-22s
Critics say that money from the recent emergency appropriations to cover the war in Iraq and Afghanistan should not be used to fund 'toys' like the V-22.
The Senate Appropriations Committee gave $230 million in unrequested funds to buy three V-22 Ospreys recently.
Related Article
Senate Appropriators Boost Funding For C-17, Osprey
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Cost Could Scuttle Airborne Laser
Airborne Laser could still be cancelled even if it proves to be a technical success as it may be too expensive to operate.
A recent GAO report said the program could experience a cost overrun of between $43.8 million and $231.7 million.
The Airborne Laser aims to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles with a directed-energy laser aboard a Boeing 747.
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BAE SYSTEMS to Upgrade F-16 Software and Hardware for Republic of China Air Force
BAE Systems will provide upgraded software and hardware for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) F-16 aircraft.
The Foreign Military Sales contract covers upgrades to 185 central processing units and 170 backplanes on the AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver systems currently on board ROCAF F-16s.
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F-22 CTF tests missile noise, vibration
The F-22 Combined Test Force flew an F-22A Raptor with an AIM-120D missile in its weapons bay to test the effect of noise and vibration on the missile recently.
The AIM-120D, the latest version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, is still being developed at Eglin Air Force Base.
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Lockheed Martin's Advanced Electro-Optical Sensor Suite Selected for Republic of Singapore Air Force
Lockheed Martin will supply advanced electro-optical sensor suites for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SGs.
The electro-optical sensor suite includes Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, Tiger Eyes Navigation Pods and an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system.
The key difference between the F-15SG and the F-15K is the replacement of Tiger Eyes' targeting pod with the Sniper AT.
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Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Achieves Initial Operational Capability With New York Air National Guard
Lockheed Martin and the New York Air National Guard 174th Fighter Wing celebrated the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) Apr. 21.
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Afghans Report IEDs; Afghan Aviators Complete Historic Mission
Afghan National Army aviators completed their first combat-support mission April 15. Two Afghan National Army Air Corps crews arrived at Bagram Air Base and then flew supplies aboard their Mi-17 Hip helicopters to Afghan and U.S. forces in Jalalabad.
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Last F-14 to Fly Combat Mission Comes to NAS Pensacola
The last F-14 Tomcat to fly a combat mission made its final flight to Naval Air Station Pensacola April 13.
The Tomcat will be immortalized at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
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First train with S-300 missile systems arrives in Minsk
Russia began delivering S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems to Belarus on Friday. The delivery came as a report claimed the weaponry was destined for Iran.
Related Articles
Russia Denies Reports on Missile Systems Transfer to Iran
Belarus: Lukashenka courts Tehran
Labels: Iran S-300
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Hillier's aircraft plan in doubt
The Canadian government is strongly considering buying up to six Boeing C-17s. This will give Canada a strategic lift capability.
The previous Liberal government had wanted to spend $4.6-billion on 16 short-haul tactical transport planes.
Sources say the government would announce it plans to buy a fixed number of strategic aircraft by a certain date and one requirement will be that the aircraft must also have tactical capability, which the C-17 does.
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Air Force One subject of Internet hoax
An Internet video that shows someone spraying graffiti on Air Force One is actually a hoax.
The pranksters from Marc Ecko Enterprises rented a 747 cargo jet in California and painted it to look almost exactly like Air Force One.
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Elite special forces unit set up
Britain has set up an elite force, Special Forces Support Group (SFSG), drawn from the Royal Marines, Parachute Regiment and the RAF Regiment to strengthen counter-terrorism and support special forces.
The SFSG will train with special forces to be deployed around the world at short notice.
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JSF - Hidden problems of stealth
Pentagon's theatre commanders-in-chief wanted a single JSF configuration with low-observable (LO) signature for coalition allies.
But the LO community itself - covering JSF, F-22 and other programmes - opposed this view, fearing technology compromise.
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US ready to finalize Kyrgyz airbase talks
Washington signalled that it is ready to finalize talks on the use of a military airbase in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.
This came after Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Wednesday threaten to shut down the base if talks failed.
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Japan scrambled jets more than 100 times to intercept Chinese spy planes, general says
Gen. Hajime Massaki, Japan's chairman of the Joint Staff Committee, said JASDF has scrambled fighter jets a record 107 times this year to intercept suspected Chinese spy planes approaching Japanese air space.
There was only 13 scrambles last year and it marked an eightfold increase. Most of the scrambles occurred over the East China Sea where Chinese Y-8MPA maritime patrol aircraft are believed to be conducting surveillance missions. The two countries are feuding over gas deposits and an island chain in the area.
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Osan helicopter crew braves weather on hospital run
A South Korean woman having a heart attack on an island off South Korea’s west coast was rescued by a U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Osan Air Base.
The helicopter from Detachment 1, 33rd Rescue Squadron took the rescue assignment because its HH-60s make it the only peninsula unit equipped to handle the kind of low visibility the forecasters thought the pilots might face
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Friday, April 21, 2006
Scott Crossfield (1921-2006)
Scott Crossfield, the first man to reach Mach 2, has died in a plane crash in Georgia. His Cessna 210A was found Thursday in the mountains about 50 miles northwest of Atlanta.
This picture shows Scott Crossfield (in blue jacket) with Terry Queijo at the wing tip of the 1903 Wright Flyer replica at Wright Brothers Memorial, Kill Devil Hills on Dec. 14 2003. They were doing a reheresal for the replica's flight on Dec. 17.
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Oriskany On Course for Sinking in Gulf of Mexico May 17 (Video)
Decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-Oriskany (CVA 34) is scheduled to be sunk on May 17 and the USN hopes to submerged it on an even keel with south-facing orientation.
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Lockheed bids for $1 bn jet deal with India
Lockheed has submitted an offer to sell 16 MH-60R helicopters to India together with another bid for 8 upgraded US Navy P-3.
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Air Force endorses Boeing C-130 upgrade; marines unsure
The U.S. Air Force supports Boeing's C-130 AMP despite technical difficulties and recent efforts to trim the program but the USMC have not decided whether to join the program.
The Marine Corps has 28 KC-130 tankers and the Navy has 20 which needs to be upgraded.
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MiG Clears Debts
MiG Aircraft Corp. officially announced yesterday it had settled the debt with the Russian Finance Ministry.
The $293 million debt was due to an unaccomplished deal for shipping MiG-29 fighters to India in the 1990s.
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Raytheon Delivers First Aircraft Self Protection Security System
Raytheon recently delivered to the U.S. Air Force the first prototype of an Aircraft Self Protection Security System.
(ASPSS).
The four-sensor version of ASPSS is a low-cost, portable system that provides electronic perimeter security for aircraft parked on the tarmac of an airfield or in a field location.
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IAF to station MiG-29s in Tajikistan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is to deploy 12 MiG-29 fighters at the airbase at Aini, Tajikistan by the year-end.
India's quasi-military Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is currently constructing three hangars, two for the IAF and one for Tajikistan Air Force.
The IAF also plans to station trainer aircraft at Aini.
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F-22s could mean more sonic booms
Bringing the F-22A fighter to Holloman Air Force Base will require several changes to existing air space and altitude allowance and result in more sonic booms.
The F-22s would also release chaff and flares during flights.
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Boeing Awarded Contract to Upgrade B-1 Bomber Radar
The Boeing Company has received a $180 million contract to upgrade the fire control radar on the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 67 B-1B long-range bomber aircraft.
Boeing will deliver modification kits under the Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Program (RMIP) to replace the bombers' receiver and processor beginning in 2011.
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PAF fighter crashes in Karachi
A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage fighter crashed near Karachi on Thursday.
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Thursday, April 20, 2006
VF-213 Final Tomcat Flights (Update 5)
There is one Blacklions Tomcat still flying!
March 29 - 211-159629 – Kenner LA
April 08 - 210-163897 - McClellan AFB
May 30 - 206-163893 - Arnold AB TN
April 12 - 207-161166 - Charlotte NCApril 13 - 204-161159 - Pensacola FL
April 13 - 205-161163 - Bloomington IL
March 28 - 200-164347 - AMARC
March 28 - 203-164348 - AMARC
March 28 - 213-164602 - AMARC
April 05 - 212-164349 - AMARC201-164341 To VF-31 Tomcatters
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Spitfires in Singapore
Peter Giddens was a pilot fresh out of training flying the Meteor when he was posted to Singapore to fly the Spitfire for No 81 Squadron at RAF Seletar. This is the account of his first flight on a Spitfire Mk XVIII on Jan. 12 1952.
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Doolittle Raiders celebrate 64th reunion
Eight of the surviving 16 Doolittle Raiders raise their goblets for their fallen brothers during their 64th reunion in Dayton, Ohio, Apr. 18. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.
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NAVAIR UAV Chief Says New Strategy Needed For Joint Development
Rear Adm. Timothy Heely, the head of the Navy's strike weapons and unmanned aviation program, question why the Pentagon wants to have joint development programs when there are few success cases.
He cited the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program as a recent example.
The J-UCAS program was a joint effort to develop strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of fulfilling both Air Force and Navy requirements. The Air Force pulled out after deciding to develop aircraft for long-range strike instead.
Related Article
Boeing shifts unmanned jet program to Navy
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TNI had no plan to buy "sidewinder" Missiles, says chief
Indonesian Military Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto clarified that his country has no intention of purchasing any Sidewinder missiles.
He made the statements in connection with the recent arrest of three Indonesians in Honolulu, Hawaii for trying to export 245 Sidewinder missiles to Indonesia together with a Singaporean.
He added that one of the three arrested was supposed to be sourcing F-5E radar parts for TNI.
Related Article
Singaporean arrested in US over $4.8m arms deal
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Bern asks Ankara to play fair in aircraft deal
The Swiss Foreign Ministry has intervened for Pilatus on the sale of PC-21 trainers to the Turkish Air Force.
Ankara has barred the Swiss aircraft maker from a tender to supply trainers for its Air Force due to a diplomatic rift between the two countries.
Related Articles
Turkey bans Swiss from defense contracts
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Russian fighter jets may make debut on Air Force
Thai Air Force chief ACM Chalit Pukpasuk hinted strongly that Thailand may buy Sukhoi Su-30MKs.
Defense analysts however feels that Thailand is more interested in boosting exports to Russia than bolstering its air defense.
Related Articles
Chalit about-face over Russian jets
Panel set up to study Russian jets
Chalit delays fighter choice to meet the govt half-way
ACM Chalit, govt at odds on Russian jets
PM says no jet deal with Russia yet
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Czech fighters help Vietnamese plane in distress
Two Czech JAS-39 Gripens came to the aid of a Vietnamese Boeing 737 which lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Czech Republic.
The airliner was escorted from Pardubice, East Bohemia to Karlovy Vary, West Bohemia, where the Boeing established contact with German air controllers.
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Jet fighter costs go skyward as price of rival nosedives
The Australians looked at the recent Pentagon 2005 December Selected Acquisition
Reports and concluded that the F-22A Raptor is about the same price as the first batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
They took US$506.6 million and divided it by four (the number of additional Raptors that was ordered recently) and arrived at the figure of $US127 million for each F-22A.
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Saudis scupper French hopes of fighter deal
Dassault hopes to sell 48 Rafales to the Saudi Arabia with an option of another 48 aircraft is fading fast.
Although negotiations are being finalised for up to 72 Typhoons, there is still a chance that cash rich Saudi might still order the Rafale or some other military equipment to compensate Paris.
Related Articles
Saudi Arabia says Eurofighter deal with Britain on course
Saudi Arabia commits to Eurofighter Typhoon deal
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'Germany's Merkel to push Eurofighter at India talks'
The Berliner Zeitung newspaper said in a report to be published today that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to press Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to consider buying the Eurofighter when Singh visits Germany next week.
Merkel plans to make a pitch for the Eurofighter during Manmohan Singh's three-day visit to Berlin and the Hanover trade fair from April 22 to 25.
Wolfietrich Hoeveler, Eurofighter's vice president for communications in Germany, said his company appreciates her efforts but cannot confirm it.
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Air Force eyes 80 new helicopters
The Indian Air Force wants to add 80 more Mi-17 helicopters to its fleet. While Sikorsky's product was considered, IAF decided to stick to Mi-17s because buying the Sikorsky would required a tender.
IAF also felt more comfortable using the Mi-17 which it currently has.
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Wednesday, April 19, 2006
New Paya Lebar Air Base Runway? Update 2
Google Earth has updated its photos and a clearer picture has emerged on the 'airstrip' on the east side of Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore.
The length is about 8000 feet and 80 feet wide. New structures have emerged on the northern part and the souther part joins a taxiway back to the aircraft shelters and main runway.
Click on the photos to zoom in.
Related Article
New Paya Lebar Air Base Runway?
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You've heard about guns and butter. How about plants and planes?
Boeing Co.'s defense unit hopes that by helping Malaysia's plant science industry, it could secure an order for eight F/A-18 Super Hornet.
GEMPUR WIRA folks will be excited about this.
A delegation from Malaysia visited St. Louis to learn more about the area's biotechnology efforts last week. The trip included a tour of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
Boeing has funded a study with the Danforth Center to define the biotech opportunity in Malaysia.
Last week, Flight International reported that Malaysia’s 2006-10 budget did not allocate funds for the Super Hornets.
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Old Hercules face axe
Boeing has powered up the first Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules to be modified under the Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP) as the USAF considers retiring the C-130Es instead of upgrading.
82 out of the 170 C-130Es are either grounded or restricted because of centre wing-box cracks.
11 AMP test aircraft are planned with H models, Combat Talon special-operations variants and one E model.
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‘Warriors’ surpass safety milestone, reach 100,000 mishap-free hours
USMC's HML/A-167 reached 100,000 mishap-free flight hours March 10. The last 6,500 hours were all combat hours flown in Iraq; both day and night.
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F-15Es to field urban strike weapon
USAF wants Boeing to develop a version of its Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment 1 weapon with a composite-cased warhead to reduce unintended casualties in attacks on targets in urban areas.
The bomb case will break into fibres when exploded, limiting its lethal range, while it will also release a dense metal powder that will lose energy quickly, reducing the blast radius.
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$3b Sikorsky deal
USMC Lt. Gen. John G. Castellaw told Sikorsky Aircraft workers on Monday that the new CH-53K being developed will have no shortage of missions.
He said the war on terror won't end with Iraq and Afghanistan and the new helicopters are needed immediately.
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Adm. Carl Seiberlich; Commanded Aircraft Carrier (Free Registration)
Adm. Carl J. Seiberlich, the only naval aviator qualified to land blimps, airplanes and helicopters aboard an aircraft carrier, died March 24 at Reston Hospital Center.
Adm. Seiberlich took command of the aircraft carrier Hornet in 1969 and oversaw the retrieval of Apollo 11 that July and Apollo 12 that November.
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U.S. Air Force Modifies F-22 Raptor for New Era
The USAF 309th Maintenance Group has started modifying an F-22 Raptor for the first time.
The first modification is night air-to-air refueling designed to enhance the boom operator's night vision and receptacle location while performing in-flight refueling.
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CIS member states to hold air defense exercise April 25
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will hold air defense exercises from April 25.
The exercise will involve up to 70 aircraft.
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US, Japan to ink $2 billion missile defense deal
David Altwegg, operations director of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, said Washington and Tokyo are about to sign a $2 billion co-development pact for an advanced sea-based missile defence system based on the Standard missile.
Both countries will develop, test and produce an enhanced version of the Standard Missile-3 interceptor, or SM-3, to be ready by 2014.
The planned new SM-3 Block 2, with a 21-inch diameter, would add a capability to shoot down incoming warheads in their downward flight path before reentering the Earth's atmosphere.
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Rafael seeks canister launcher for Skylite B
Rafael is exploring the canister-launched and air-launched option for its Skylite B mini-unmanned air vehicle.
A canister-launched Skylite B is seen as also having great potential for naval surveillance applications when launched from a small patrol vessel.
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DARPA outlines 2007 blueprint
Defense Advanced Research Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to launch several aircraft programs next year.
One of the program is the Dual Mode Small Gunship, an existing low-cost small aircraft modified to carry sensors and weapons that can be controlled either remotely from the ground or by an on-board crew.
A heavylift STOL/VTOL transport concept will be studied as well. The optionally manned aircraft will be able to carry a 20t payload over a radius of at least 400nm at more than 200kt.
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JSF delay could trigger series of after-shocks
Italy, Spain and the U.K. will face problems if the F-35B is delayed, USAF Chief of Staff General T Michael Moseley said.
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Misawa contractor information leaked over Internet
A Japanese civilian translator leaked information on Japanese contractors at Misawa Air Base, including more than 100 names, some vehicle information and base pass numbers on the Internet.
The information was leaked through file-sharing software called Winny that is widely used in Japan. She had brought home spreadsheets and contractor reports on a floppy disk and stored them on her computer.
The Japanese police is investigating the case.
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China celebrates 16,000 warbirds output
At the Commission of Science Technology and the Industry for National Defense conference yesterday in Beijing, it was announced that China's aerospace industry has supplied more than 16,000 combat aircraft, 60,000 engines and 20,000 missiles to the Chinese armed forces.
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Thailand to sign deal for MH-60S helicopters
Thailand has set aside funds in its budget for the fiscal year ending 31 September to acquire two MH-60Ss.
A letter of agreement for the aircraft will be signed in May. Plans are to acquire six aircraft using funding stretching over several years.
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Team tests pod at 'LITENING' speed
Three U.S. Air Force units have started accelerated testing of a LITENING-AT targeting pod to add ROVER capabilities to it.
ROVER, Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver, allows the video the pilot is looking at to be immediately, real-time downlinked to a ground station in the form of a laptop computer held by the joint terminal attack controllers.
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Raytheon Awarded $144 million Small Diameter Bomb II Risk Reduction Contract
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $144 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Air
Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to conduct risk reduction work for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II.
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Northrop Grumman Opens $13 Million Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Production Center, Mississippi Spreads Wings in Aerospace Manufacturing
Northrop Grumman Corporation has opened its Unmanned Systems Center production facility in Moss Point, where the MQ-8B Fire Scout, and portions of the RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be produced.
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90% of military aeronautic equipment developed independently
More than 90 percent of aeronautic equipment for Chinese army are developed independently according to a Xinhua report.
Liu Gaozhuo, president of China Aviation Industry Corporation I said at a conference marking the 55th founding anniversary of China's aviation industry on Monday that China is one of a few countries that has capability to independently develop and produce fighter, bomber, pilotless aircraft, aerial refueling tanker, helicopter etc.
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2005 confirms the qualities of the ASPIDE and ASPIDE 2000 surface-to-air missile
ASPIDE and ASPIDE 2000 missiles achieved 92% success rate in over 40 test-firing campaigns carried out around the world.
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Quebec Air and Space Hall of Fame inducts 425 “Alouettes”Squadron
Fondation Aérovision Québec inducted the 425 “Alouettes” Squadron into the Québec Air and Space Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony Apr. 18.
425 Squadron was a bomber squadron formed during World War II mainly for French Canadian airmen. Posted in North Africa and England, 425 Squadron served with honours and distinction, flying Wellington and Halifax bombers.
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Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Demonstrates Network Capability in Multiple JDAM Drop
Boeing has successfully demonstrated the capability of an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to provide targeting coordinates to other aircraft using the Raytheon APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system.
During the test at the Naval Air Weapons Center at China Lake, an AESA-equipped F/A-18F created a long-range, high resolution synthetic aperture radar map and designated four closely-spaced stationary targets. The aircraft then data-linked two target designations to non-AESA equipped Super Hornets, which successfully delivered four 2,000-lb. Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
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Boeing and Lockheed Martin Win SDB II Competition
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have won one of two U.S. Air Force contracts for the competitive risk reduction phase of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment II program.
As the prime contractor, Boeing will supply the air vehicle -- a derivative of SDB Increment I -- as well as the data link system. Lockheed Martin, the principal supplier, will provide the multi-mode seeker that fulfills the U.S. Air Force and Navy requirement of hitting moving targets.
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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Panama helicopter downs aircraft in drugs chase
A Panamanian air force helicopter on Sunday pursued and shot down a light aircraft suspected of hauling drugs bound for the United States.
The pilot had earlier refused a request by aviation agents to remain on the ground at a regional airport close to the border with Costa Rica.
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CVW-17 Completes Training at Pinecastle
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 completed three days of training and exercises at the Navy’s Pinecastle Bombing Range in Florida April 10.
The Florida Air National Guard, flying F-15C Eagles, participated in both an air wing strike as well as air combat training with VFA-11 and VFA-81.
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Tuskegee Airman Eagleson dies at 86
Wilson V. Eagleson, an original member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, died Sunday. He was 86.
Eagleson was credited with two combat kills in 1944 while a member of the 99th Fighter Squadron.
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Missile Defense Agency Conducts Successful Data Collection Flight (PDF)
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency launched a Orbital SR19 rocket from the Kauai Test Facility, Hawaii on Apr. 13 to test U.S. missile defense sensors.
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Singaporean arrested in US over $4.8m arms deal
A Singaporean man has been charged in the United States for trying to buy 245 Sidewinder missiles and other arms to be exported to Indonesia through Singapore.
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Iran shops for weapons in U.S. Brokers and 'greedy' businessmen used to thwart export ban
Tehran has step up efforts to illegally obtain spare parts for its Air Force fleet in the United States.
It has been looking for assembly kits for F-14 Tomcat; and a range of components used in missile systems and fighter-jet engines.
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Japan, U.S. aim to set night exercise air base in FY09
Japan and the United States have agreed to relocate the site for U.S. carrier-based aircraft for night landing practice in 2009.
With carrier-based aircraft at Atsugi Naval Air Facility in Kanagawa Prefecture moving to Iwakuni Air Base, Washington wants a new location nearer to Iwakuni.
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Rolls-Royce engine hits new milestone on legendary aircraft
The Rolls- Royce AE2100D3 engine that powers the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport fleet has achieved the milestone of one million flight hours.
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Pakistan to discuss Chinese defence purchases
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will be in Beijing to discuss the purchase of arms from China including the J-10.
The J-10s are the most sophisticated military purchases by Pakistan from China in four decades.
Related Articles
Pakistan to shop for U.S. and Chinese warplanes
Pakistan set to buy F-16s from US
Chinese fighter jets to be inducted into PAF
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JSF Team Finishes F-35 Structural Testing Early, Begins Ground-Vibration Testing at Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team has successfully completed structural coupling testing five days ahead of schedule on the first F-35.
The testing concluded on April 2 and measured the aircraft's structural response to specific flight-control movements.
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Russia Denies Reports on Missile Systems Transfer to Iran
The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that the S-300 missile systems supplied to Belarus could later be transferred to Iran.
It said that under current agreement, the missiles cannot be supplied to third countries.
Labels: Iran S-300
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New Navy Air Ambulance Company Provides MEDEVAC Support
The U.S. Navy's first Air Ambulance Company has already completed 65 aero medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions in support of the Army and Marine Corps in Iraq.
The Navy established and deployed the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in November.
The 2515th consists of three MH-60S Knighthawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 in Guam, three HH-60H Seahawks from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Program slashes maintenance time for the B-2 fleet
B-2 stealth bombers that are configured with Alternate High Frequency Material have their mission capability rate increased due to efforts by engineers from the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.
Tape covering access panel gaps and fasteners are replaced by AHFM. When the material was scaled-up for fleet-wide implementation, consistent batch-to-batch performance could not be obtained.
Engineers identified AHFM manufacturing problems as the cause and implemented solutions.
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Monday, April 17, 2006
China Defense Blog AWACS
Photo from China Defense Blog showing two indigenous Il-76 AEW&C. The radar on the fixed, dorsal 'rotodome' uses three fixed transceiver arrays arranged in a triangular configuration to provide 360º coverage in azimuth.
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Missing Mirage’s wreckage found
A Greek Mirage 2000 crashed on Friday shortly after taking off from Tanagra air base, north of Athens. The pilot reported flight data computer problems in his last communication.
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No change in premature retirement policy, says air chief
India's Chief of Air Staff S.P. Tyagi has dismissed rumors that the morale of his officers was low.
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Time's up for F-111s
Moves are under way to retire Australia's F-111s in 2008 instead of 2010. Officials are concern with rising costs and increase risks to aircrews.
Tens of millions of dollars are being spent every month so that 28 F-111s can stay in the air. This amount is eating into the RAAF budget.
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Sunday, April 16, 2006
A Few Good Women
Women could be allowed into the Indian Air Force fighter cockpits as weapon systems officers.
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Nimrod plans ensure future for RAF base
British Defence Secretary, John Reid, will soon announced the on ahead for the production of Nimrod MRA4.
Ministry of Defence procurement chiefs recommended a go-ahead at a meeting last month.
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Air Force ready to restart process to acquire tankers
Kenneth Krieg, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, ordered the U.S. Air Force on Thursday to "begin the requirements and acquisition process for tanker recapitalization."
The Air Force is expected to start a competition as early as Monday that will pit Boeing against EADS for tankers.
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Bloomington museum to display F-14 plane
A four-man Navy crew is working on AJ 205 at the Prairie Aviation Museum to demilitarise it.
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Air Force reviews video of F-16 ocean crash site
The U.S. Air Force is reviewing the video taken by Navy divers of the crash site of an F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base.
Officials will use the video to determine whether the plane can be salvaged from the ocean and to learn more about the crash.
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Pakistan back in market for F-16 jets
News of Pakistan buying new F-16s is generating excite at Lockheed Martin which hopes that a new order can help extend the production line beyond 2009.
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Halliburton to spin off aircraft carrier firm
KBR, the American company helping to manage the construction of the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers, is to split from parent company Halliburton.
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Farewell, the MiGnificent flying machine
The Sunday Express became the first news organisation in India ever to be given exclusive access to the MiG-25 Foxbat squadron, its pilots, technicians and maintenance hangars.
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Fighter aircraft down in flames over central Vietnam
A Vietnamese MiG-21 crashed in the central Vietnam province of Binh Dinh on Wednesday, the pilot was injured.
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Navy pilot donates flag in thanks for Jupiter Academy students' letters
Lt. Commander Daniel Sullivan from VF-31 donated an American Flag that flew in his F-14 Tomcat over Iraq to Jupiter Academy, Florida.
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E2K成軍 雷虎小組戰技操演
A flypast of 39 aircraft from the RoCAF was conducted at Pingtung Air Force Base for the commissioning of the E-2K Hawkeye.
F-5Es, F-16s, IDF, Mirage 2000 and C-130H were involved in the flypast.
The E-2K designation is actually given by the Taiwan press, 2K is the short hand for 2000.
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What's on the table in the realignment negotiations
David Allen from Stars and Stripes looks at the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
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New jet fighters could cost $18 billion
Peter Goon from Australian Flight Test Services, whose company provides military flight test and aerospace engineering services, said Australia could pay up to $18 billion for 100 Joint Strike Fighters.
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Saturday, April 15, 2006
205 at Bloomington
F-14D (former F-14A) BuNo 161163 (AJ-205) arrived at the Prairie Aviation Museum/Challenger Learning Center in Bloomington, IL, on 13APR06 at 1200. After two touch-and-goes and a landing, it ran at idle for approximately 40 minutes until the fuel was exhausted. All photos taken by LT Mike Zwierko, USN.
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Belarus: Lukashenka courts Tehran
Jane’s Intelligence Digest has found out that reason behind Belarus purchase of the S-300SP surface-to-air missile system from Russia is to export it to Iran.
By using this supply route, Russia will have less to explain to the rest of the world on how Tehran managed to obtain the latest generation of S-300PSs.
Related Articles
Russia to export first S-300 missile systems to Belarus in March
Missiles in Exchange for Wheels
Contract signed on delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Belarus
Russia arms Belarus
Labels: Iran S-300
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Flight data recorder found in F-16 crash
U.S. Navy divers have found the Shaw F-16's flight data recorder and it has been sent to Air Force Safety Center in New Mexico for review.
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Textron's helicopter contract in jeopardy
The U.S. Navy has told Bell that its H-1 upgrade program may be canceled next month unless the company addresses "major concerns" with the project.
The Navy is concerned if Bell can contain the cost overruns. The projected cost has risen to $8 billion compared with its goal of $3.5 billion 10 years ago.
Related Articles
Overruns on military contracts proving costly to Bell Helicopter
AH-1Z/UH-1Y pass 2,000 flight hours
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No D.C. flight for Boeing defense chief
Boeing Co.'s defense chief Jim Albaugh recently considered moving his office from St. Louis to Washington, D.C.
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Common Airframe for New Bomber, Gunship?
America's next long-range bomber could share the same airframe with a future gunship that will replace the AC-130.
The fleet of gunships is so small that developing a new airframe for it will be expensive.
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Doolittle Raider remembers historic mission over Japan
Retired Col. Dick Cole, a Doolittle Raider, recalls his mission 64 years ago.
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Strategic Air Command maneuvers end in Russia's Far East
Russian Strategic Air Command has concluded a series of exercises in the Far East. Four cruise missiles were launched during the exercises.
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IAF to get AWACS aircraft next year
The first of the three Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft which India had ordered will arrive in India by December 2007.
Plans to purchase six refuelling tankers have been approved as well.
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Network passwords will soon be a thing of the past
The U.S. Air Force expects that nearly 80 percent of its Airmen and Air Force civilians will use their Common Access Card to log in into their internet accounts at work by July.
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Disaster plane wreckage flown to Nairobi for probe
The Kenyan Air Force Y-12 that crashed recently has been flown to Nairobi for investigations.
A team from the Kenya Air Force and China will examine the wreckage.
Related Article
Chinese plane used worldwide (Free Registration)
Kenyan plane crash kills 14
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Survivors describe crash of C-5 (MP3)
A MP3 recording of a call to Kent County 911 Center reporting the crash of a C-5 near Dover.
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Friday, April 14, 2006
建軍空窗期 二代半戰機 F-16升級 F-15出局
The China Times is reporting that Taiwan wish to buy 40 to 60 F-16 C/D Blk 50/52s and deploy the Joint Strike Fighter in 2020.
Plans to buy used F-15s from United States have been shelved as deploying them will be maintenance intensive.
If the F-16 Blk 50/52s are deployed, Taiwan intends to withdraw the local made IDF fighter from the front line and deploy them as trainers due to high fuel consumption and to prolong their lifespan. The F-5 Tigers will be retired and could be sold to South-East Asian countries.
Related Article
空軍完成採購規畫 三代戰機 須有垂直起降能力
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General: No Air Force planes lost in Iran
Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, the deputy commander of U.S. Air Force operations in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters, denied that American UAVs have been shot down in Iran.
Iran on Sunday claims to have shot down a UAV along its border with Iraq. Military analysts say the UAV could still be from an intelligence agency or flown by a non-coalition military.
Related Article
Iran shoots down spy plane from Iraq – report
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NATO's AN-124s: A Russian Solution to the Airlift Problem... And More?
Defense Industry Daily looks at the NATO program to lease 6 Antonov An-124-100 strategic air lifters.
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Despite Denials, U.S. Plans for Iran War
The U.S. Central Command has been preparing for a full scale war with Iran since at least May 2003.
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Korean Government Gives Final « Go Ahead » for Korean Helicopter Program (KHP)
The South Korean government has given the green light for the acquisition of 245 utility helicopters to be developed by Korea Aerospace Industries Limited in partnership with Eurocopter.
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Eurocopter to deliver 12 BO 105 helicopters to the Albanian Defense Ministry
Eurocopter will deliver 12 modernized ex-German BO105 helicopters over a 3 year period.
The helicopters are a gift from the German Government to the Albanian Government.
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Pakistan to shop for U.S. and Chinese warplanes
A document obtained by the Business Recorder newspaper shows the Pakistan is buying 36 J-10s from China and 62 F-16s from the United States.
The U.S. order consists of 26 F-16s A/B, and 18 F-16s Block 50/52 C/D with options for 18 more.
Pakistan will purchase 300 SD-10 (PL-12) BVR missiles as well.
Link to the original Business Recorder article.
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Army's ARH-70A Mission Equipment Package Prototype Surpasses 70 Flight Test Hours
Bell's ARH-70A Mission Equipment Package (MEP) risk reduction prototype aircraft has surpassed the 70 hour flight test mark.
The Bell 407 MEP allows Bell to mount ARH mission equipment in the aft cabin as well as the Target Acquisition Sensor System for in flight testing and component integration.
Labels: ARH
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BrahMos aircraft version trial next year
The first trial of the air-launched BrahMos cruise missile will take place next year.
A few Su-30 MKIs will be modified to carry the missile.
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Pakistan to buy American F-16s, Chinese FC-10 fighter jets - minister
There were questions being asked if Pakistan had bought FC-1s instead of FC-10s from China. This Forbes article mentioned, "FC-10 fighters and some JF-17." While Flight International says its
FC-1s.
The JF-17 is also known as the FC-1.
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Raytheon Awarded $47 Million Contract for Patriot Upgrades
Raytheon has been awarded a U.S. Army contract valued at more than $47 million to upgrade Patriot PAC-2 missiles to the latest GEM+ configuration.
GEM+ upgrade allows existing missiles to achieve near PAC-3 performance for a fraction of the cost.
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Lockheed Martin gives life to old planes
Modernizing old planes could keep Lockheed Martin's Marietta workers busy for the next decade.
Workers could look forward to upgrading the C-5 and re-wing the P-3.
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RAF war objector jailed for eight months
The RAF officer who refused to serve a third time in Iraq has been sentenced to eight months in prison and dismissed from the RAF.
Related Article
RAF officer faces jail over ‘illegal war’
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Tax probe call over Blair flights
There are calls to investigate if British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other ministers enjoyed tax benefits by using the Royal Flight.
Conservatives also accused Tony Blair for using an RAF helicopter for election campaign purposes.
Related Article
Ministers' RAF flights revealed
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Australian F-111 makes emergency landing in NZ
A RAAF F-111 makes an emergency landing in New Zealand while practising for a major military airshow at Wanaka this weekend.
The plane landed safely in Christchurch and technicians will repair the aircraft in time for its scheduled appearance on Saturday.
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Famed Navy Tomcat Program Draws to an End
Pax River's Tomcat program (PMA-241) will host a disestablishment ceremony in Pax River's hangar 2133 April 27 at 2 p.m.
Rear Admiral David Venlet, NAVAIR's Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft and a Tomcat aviator, will speak at the ceremony.
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Carrier Strike Group 8 Begins COMPTUEX
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Naval Station Norfolk April 12 and began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
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Top Missile Designer Says Russia's Covered
The designer of Russia's intercontinental ballistic missiles dismissed a warning that Russia was falling behind the United States in the number of active nuclear warheads it has.
Yury Solomonov, head and chief designer at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, said his Topol-M and Bulava missiles would serve as a sufficient deterrent until at least 2040.
Related Article
Russia should make 20-30 ballistic missiles a year - expert
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Boeing Submits Proposal to Indian Navy for Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Boeing has submitted its proposal to develop and deliver eight P-8A to the Indian navy.
Boeing's proposal includes the development of a unique Indian navy P-8 configuration, significant participation for Indian industry, test and certification activities, and eight aircraft delivered over a four-year period.
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French Fighter Drops Bomb Near Chad Rebel Column
A French Mirage fighter dropped a bomb near a column of Chadian rebels. The bomb did not cause any casualties.
The rebels are heading for the capital N'Djamena to overthrow President Idriss Deby.
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French jet fighters carry out reconnaissance
French fighter jets carried out reconnaissance missions over Chad to assess threats and and better protect the 1500 French citizens living there.
The reconnaissance missions were carried out on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Final flight
A C-141C Starlifter, tail number 67-0166, made its final flight at Scott Air Force Base.
It will become an exhibit at a heritage airpark being built at Scott.
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Unmanned aircraft set for July takeoff
Malaysia's first prototype unmanned aerial vehicle will make its first flight in July.
Related Articles
M'sia Planning To Procure UAV, Says Army Chief
Three to develop mini-UAV
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Thursday, April 13, 2006
Three carriers to take part in Pacific exercises
Three U.S. aircraft carriers will gather off Guam this summer for exercises. This is the first time since the Vietnam War that so many of the ships have operated in the Pacific Ocean together.
Analysts say Washington is sending political messages to Iran and North Korea that it has resources at its disposal in the event of a military confrontation with either country over its respective nuclear program.
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F/A-18F guns down F-22A (Update 2)
I looked at my logs and I noticed that since the 2 photos were put up, I got a jump in the number of visitors from Lockheed Martin, 134 unique visitors in fact. And new info seems to suggest that it was
VFA-103 that scored the kill.
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Turnaround before C-5 crash signals 'immediacy'
A thrust reverser problem on the number 2 engine lead to a series of events cumulating in the crash of a C-5B in Dover.
Veteran pilots closely following the accident investigation cited landing approach errors and new cockpit displays as possible causes as well.
A problem with thrust reversers caused the crash of a C-5 in Germany in 1990.
Related Article
C-5 accident survivor gives account of crash
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Air Force Considers Air Command on Cheju
The RoKAF is considering establishing a strategic air command base on Cheju Island.
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Retired general had idea for turboprop
Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Jones has joined hands with businessman Ray Williams to develop a new military turboprop for Third World Allies.
They intend to call it the A-67. Jones said it is similar to the Raytheon T-6 and the Embraer Tucano.
The tandem seat aircraft has a 35-foot wingspan and a 1,200 horsepower Pratt & Whitney turboprop engine.
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U.S. Navy base faces labor strike
The largest Japanese labor union at Yokosuka naval base threatened to strike unless their labor demands were met.
The strike could affect the operations of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.
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No-Fly Zone Duty Prepared Pilots for OIF Missions
American pilots who patrolled the skies of Iraq under the Northern and Southern Watch missions put that experience to use during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
They had a deep understanding of Iraq's anti-aircraft systems, their location and incorporated it into their training.
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Air Force extends Pennsylvania Guard flight ops
The U.S. Air Force and the National Guard Bureau have directed the 111th Fighter Wing to extend their mission until 2010 at Naval Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.
The 111th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard unit that operates the A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II.
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Surface-to-Air Missile Project to Begin in June
South Korea will start a project to develop mid-range surface-to-air missile dubbed "M-SAM," this June.
The missile will be co-developed by about 15 Korean defense firms and Russia.
The M-SAM is to replace the HAWK missile.
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RMAF Beechcraft Gets RM30.4 Million French Touch
Thales and AIROD Sdn Bhd will jointly upgrade and retrofit the two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Beechcraft B200T.
The aircraft will be used under the "Eyes in the Sky" maritime patrol of the Straits of Malacca.
One tactical command system, one Master Search Radar and one Forward-Looking Infra-Red system will be installed in each aircraft.
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Pak-French navy exercises
French and Pakistani fighters fought simulated dogfights over the Arabian Sea on Tuesday at the start of naval exercises.
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Moseley Considers Options For Future Force Reductions
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley told a group of reporters at a breakfast in Washington April 11 on the service's future plan.
One idea is is a full rewinging and re-engining of the A-10 fleet. Moseley also wants to keep the F-16CJs in the fleet for as long as possible.
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Boeing Apache and Unmanned Little Bird Demonstrator Test Expands UAV Control
An AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter has demonstrated for the first time the ability to control an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weapon payload.
The test conducted in February at Mesa, Arizona involves an Apache Longbow and a A/MH-6 Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) UAV.
The next level of testing involves controlling the UAV's sensors and employing its weapons.
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Real life 'Charlotte Gray' honoured for war heroics
92-yr-old Madame Pearl Cornioley received her operational Parachute Wings from the RAF 63 years after she first parachuted behind enemy lines during World War Two.
Madame Cornioley lead a French resistance group during the war.
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Northrop Grumman Delivers Sixth RQ-4 Global Hawk to U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of another RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
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中国“猎鹰”第三代高级教练机研制成功 (Pictures)
Hongdu's L-15 trainer flew its second flight on Apr. 3. The first flight was achieved on Mar. 13.
The landing gear was down for the two flights.
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Wednesday, April 12, 2006
AFRL partners with Lockheed Martin to develop next generation strike tanker
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Lockheed Martin has completed 200 hours of wind tunnel tests on a next-generation tanker concept model.
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Pilot burial solves two mysteries
Delegates from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. attended the memorial service for USAF 2nd Lt. Robert Upchurch, who was killed during his first mission in China 61 years ago.
An embassy representative read a letter from man who witness the recovery and burial of the pilot in Guidong County, Hunan, China.
For many years, the people of Guidong County had tended the grave of Lieutenant Upchurch whom they considered a hero.
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US Air Force decides not to upgrade oldest C-130 planes
The U.S. Air Force has decided that its C-130E fleet will not undergo the AMP program. This could pave the way for more C-130Js orders.
The AMP program is currently facing delays and technical problems.
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Air Force One data removed from Web
The USAF has finally removed the Air Force One data that contains sensitive information about the aircraft from a website on Monday afternoon.
Related Article
Web site exposes Air Force One defenses
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F-15C roadmap explores use of digital radar
The USAF is planning the roadmap to upgrade 196 F-15Cs that will complement the F-22As with AESA radars.
Similar studies will be conducted for the F-15E Strike Eagles as well.
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Bush hints at accepting Futenma plan
U.S. President George W. Bush indicated that he is willing to accept a deal struck last week between the Japanese government and local authorities for relocating an air base in Okinawa.
The deal changes some construction plan that Tokyo and Washington agreed in October to relocate Futenma air base within Okinawa Prefecture.
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Ministers' RAF flights revealed
British opposition leaders are angry over the high number of flights take by Prime Minister Tony Blair and his cabinet on RAF flights.
A Downing Street spokesman countered that Tory prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major had always used RAF flights for their holidays.
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F-16 crashes near Luke; pilot safely ejects
The USAF has lost its fourth F-16 in a month. An F-16 from 56th Fighter Wing crashed two miles southwest of Luke Air Force Base Tuesday.
Eye witnesses reported seeing the plane flying at low level with another F-16 before it crash.
Related Articles
F-16 crashed in Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina coast
Fighter Jet Crashes Near Utah's Salt Lake (Video)
U.S. Air Force F-16 crashes in Yellow Sea
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Helicopter service facing change
The British government may merge the search and rescue helicopter services of the Coastguard, Royal Navy and RAF.
The RAF and Royal Navy operate a fleet of Sea King helicopters which will be due for replacement in the future.
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Strict rules to govern premature retirement: IAF
Faced with an exodus of pilots from the Indian Air Force to private airlines, Air Chief S P Tyagi said the he would allow premature release of fighter pilots only on extreme compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
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Romania could host U.S. anti-missile shield
Romania is willing to allow the United States to deploy a ballistic missile defence base on its soil.
Defense Minister Teodor Atanasiu said the offer was extended to other countries, he did not named the countries.
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Russia should make 20-30 ballistic missiles a year - expert
Alexei Arbatov, head of the international security center at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Russia needs to produce up to 30 ICBMs a year to maintain a strategic nuclear balance with the United States.
At the rate of 6-8 Topol-M missiles a year, it will take 10-15 years to have 150 missiles.
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Two E2-K aircraft to go on display in show
The RoCAF will commission two E-2K into service this Saturday at Pingdong Air Base. President Chen Shui-bian is likely to grace the event.
The Air Force's Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team will put up a display during the ceremony and members of the public can view the aircraft on Sunday.
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Executive Overview: Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems
A Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems overview of the global Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) market including those from China.
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C-5 accident survivor gives account of crash
Paul W. Kath, a retired Navy senior chief petty officer, and his wife gave their accounts on board the C-5B that crash in Dover.
The couple was seated in the rear troop compartment and heading to Germany. They said the engines lacked power shortly after take off.
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Chinese plane used worldwide (Free Registration)
The Kenya Air Force Y-12 that crashed on Monday was among six Y-12 aircraft bought from China five years ago.
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Vietnam heroes hand down colors
The U.S. Army 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, of the 159th Aviation Brigade was reactivated after 34 years.
Nearly 30 Vietnam War veterans of the 7-17th attended the ceremony at Fort Campbell Monday.
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Turkey bans Swiss from defense contracts
Pilatus has been barred from tendering for a contract to supply the Turkish Air Force with trainers due to political reasons.
Ankara is upset over Swiss parliament's 2003 adoption of a resolution condemning the Ottoman Empire's "genocide" of Armenians during the First World War.
Embraer, Korea Aerospace Industries and Raytheon are currently in the Turkish competition.
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Venezuela presses for Spanish military deals
Venezuelan Navy commander Vice Admiral Angel Eduardo Lopez said Venezuela will go ahead with the purchase of 10 C-295 transport aircraft and two CN-235 maritime patrol planes from Spain despite Washington's protest.
EADS-CASA must find replacements for U.S.-made technology in those planes.
Related Articles
EADS Venezuela deal in jeopardy
US bars Spain from selling planes to Venezuela
Venezuela signs Spain arms deal
Defying US, Chavez pushes for Spanish military deal
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Environmental Assessment Planned for F-22s at Holloman
The U.S. Air Force will conduct an environmental assessment at Holloman Air Force Base to path the way for deploying the F-22A there.
The Raptors would replace the F-117A Nighthawks stationed there. The F-117s are expected to start phasing out in 2008.
Related Articles
F-22 squadrons slated for Hawaii, New Mexico
Bush proposal suggests phase-out of F-117s of HollomanAFB
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Stennis Hosts Last Viking Carrier Quals
The last two Category 1 S-3B Viking pilots successfully completed their carrier qualification (CQ) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in March, marking the last initial CQ in an S-3 aircraft.
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Abraham Lincoln Wraps Up Hong Kong Port Call
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (ALCSG) wrapped up a port call in Hong Kong April 10 after four days of liberty.
The ship pulled into Hong Kong April 6, after successfully completing the Reception, Staging, Onward-movement & Integration and Foal Eagle 2006 (RSOI/FE 06) exercises off the coast of South Korea, March 31.
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Bell Helicopter unsure how many 412s they have made - 747 or 750?
Bell Helicopter announced completion this week of their 747th Bell 412. The 412 is contending for the U.S. Army’s new Light Utility Helicopter Contract.
But if you count the first three Bell 212s that were modified to become 412 prototypes, Bell has completed 750 412s then.
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Fourth Globemaster III arrives at Hickam
The fourth C-17 Globemaster III to arrive at Hickam Air Force Base marks the transition from training to execution for the 15th Airlift Wing and the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing.
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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
X-37 Flies At Mojave But Encounters Landing Problems
A new X-plane has flown. DARPA's X-37 made an autonomous landing after being dropped from Scale Composites' White Knight on Apr. 7 at 37,000 feet..
The X-37 then made a flawless landing at Edwards Air Force Base but rolled off the end of the runway and suffered heavy damaged to its nose landing gear.
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Wing Commander Tom Baker
Wing Commander Tom Baker, the lead navigator on the RAF's most audacious and dangerous low-level bombing raid during World War II, has died.
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Kenyan plane crash kills 14
A Kenyan Y-12 military transport crashed in northern Kenya on Monday. It was carrying government officials to a peace meeting.
Three of the 17 people aboard survived.
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U.S. Navy-Lockheed Martin Team Conducts First At-Sea Test of Aegis Open Architecture
The SPY-1D(V) radar on USS Bainbridge successfully demonstrated its ability to detect, track, and perform successful simulated Standard Missile engagements against a variety of targets in an adverse electronic counter measures environment.
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Raytheon Awarded $114 Million Contract for Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Thule, Greenland
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $114 million contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to implement the Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) program at Thule, Greenland.
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Raytheon Simulation Controls Multiple UAVs and an Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Raytheon Company has successfully simulated simultaneous command and control of two unmanned air vehicles (UAV) and an unmanned surface vehicle from a single common control system.
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Raytheon Awarded Rolling Airframe Missile Production Contract for Republic of Korea
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $17.4 million contract for production of the
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) for the Republic of Korea.
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BAE SYSTEMS To Protect Canadian Helicopters
BAE Systems has received a $10.4 million contract from General Dynamics Canada to provide 31 AN/ALQ-144A(V)5 countermeasure systems, spares, and integrated logistics support for Canada's 28 new CH148 Cyclone maritime helicopters.
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BAE SYSTEMS Receives $52 Million Contract to Protect Army Aircraft
The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $52 million contract to provide more than 200 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) to protect Army fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft against infrared guided missile threats.
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By some estimates, new carriers would be less expensive to build
U.S. Navy officials and executives of Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard told reporters that the new CVN-21 aircraft carrier $200 million less than than an additional Nimitz-class carrier.
Construction of the first ship in the CVN-21 series is scheduled to begin in 2008.
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Vikings prepared for Chilean campaign
The US Navy is offering its soon-to-be-retired Lockheed Martin S-3B Vikings to Chile to replace its Lockheed P-3B Orion maritime surveillance aircraft.
Argentina, Brazil and Peru have been briefed as well.
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Chile seeks improved networking for F-16s
Chile's new F-16C/D Block 50 has the ability to upgrade with conformal fuel tanks in the future.
Both the new and ex-Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s are also fitted with improved data modem (IDM) for networking with Chile’s existing air defence ground environment and Boeing 707 Condor airborne early-warning aircraft.
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IAF’s highly-decorated Tribe 20 to turn 50
Indian Air Force No 20 Squadron - The Lightnings - will celebrate their six-day golden jubilee from May 26.
The most highly-decorated squadron is also known as Tribe 20. The squadron currently operates the Su-30MKI at Lohegaon.
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Union OKs new Lockheed Martin contract
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 776 has accepted a new contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
The workers had earlier threaten to call for a strike on Sunday over health care costs.
Related Article
Aviation workers studying walkout
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Boeing Moves Up F-15 Delivery Schedule
Boeing will deliver six more F-15K to South Korea this year for a total of 14 planes. Eight were scheduled to be delivered this year.
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Malaysia plans helicopter contests
Malaysia is shopping for new combat search and rescue (CSAR) and training helicopters while it struggles to get the army’s new fleet of AgustaWestland A109 light observation helicopters into operation.
Flight International claims the Malaysia army has difficulty transitioning its first batch of pilots to the A109.
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Shaw to begin search for downed F-16
The USAF F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base that crashed in the Atlantic Ocean last week will be recovered as it contains classified equipment. The video below shows the rescue of the pilot by the Coast Guard and Navy.
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Lockheed Martin advances Pampa push in Argentina
Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina is expecting more orders for new-build AT-63 Pampa jet trainers from the Argentinian air force.
The Argentinian navy is expected to place an order for six aircraft as well.
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V-22 FADEC fix follows uncommanded take-off
To prevent another engine surge on the Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor, Rolls-Royce is to modify the full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) software used.
The aim is to cut the time from automatic switching from a malfunctioning FADEC to its back-up to less than 1s.
Related Articles
'Hard landing' prompts changes
Marine officials say they've found cause of V-22 accident (Free Registration)
Marines launch investigation into MV-22 Osprey ‘mishap’
Marine Corps' Osprey damaged in 'hard landing'
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Nancy Reagan on hand for missile defense complex dedication
Former first lady Nancy Reagan unveiled a plaque reading "Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site" at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Monday.
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Marine Corps attack pilots in Pacific now fully equipped
USMC AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets in the Pacific now have the JDAM available for deployment.
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Japan starts hunt for fighter replacement
Request for Information from Japan’s Air Self-Defence Force have been sent to France, the U.K. and the United States on new fighters to replace 91 Mitsubishi/McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kais from 2010.
The candidates are : Boeing F-15FX and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The frontrunner is Boeing as both of its fighters can be field in 2010. The Europeans will have to convince the Japanese government to buy a European fighter for the first time.
Related Article
Agency seeks foreign fighter jets to replace F-4s
Labels: Japan FX
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General: B-52 Modernization Foreshadows ICBM Changes
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Roger Burg said that modernising the B-52 with additional conventional weapons and systems while reducing the numbers is the correct approach to take.
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Italian industry hits out at JSF technology transfer
Another Joint Strike Fighter partner is unhappy with the technology transfers given. Alenia Aeronautica president Giorgio Zappa told this to New York Times.
Italy however got its request to host a second final-assembly and check-out facility for the JSF.
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Four killed as army helicopter crashes onto factory in Turkey
A Turkish army helicopter crashed into a factory in northwest Turkey on Monday. The incident occurred 120 kilometers east of Istanbul in the town of Uzunciftlik.
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Monday, April 10, 2006
F/A-18F guns down F-22A (Update)
A second gun camera photo from the Super Hornet vs Raptor dogfight has been found. The previous article has generated a heated debate among Air Force and Navy crew. Check out the comments left in the previous
post.
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Boeing pays $15 million fine
Boeing has agreed to pay a $15 million fine to settle a dispute with the State Department over the selling of a small gyrochip with military applications in its commercial aircraft.
State Department argues that the QRS-11 gyrochip comes under the Arms Export Control Act and requires approval for export. It charge that Boeing ship the gyrochip on 94 commercial jets between 2000 and 2003, including 19 to China.
The QRS-11 has since been reclassified as commercial items when integrated into commercial-jet flight boxes while remaining on the list of military items.
Related Articles
Airbus, Sikorsky tangled with export snag facing Boeing
State Department goes after Boeing
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Missile defense is inadequate: report
A study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that Taiwan does not have the means to defend itself from a missile attack by China.
It revealed that Taiwan's military is split on the decision to build a missile defence system. The Navy is for it, the Army opposed it and the Air Force split.
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Pilot sues Air Force over mistaken bombing
Maj. Harry Schmidt, the USAF pilot who accidentally bombed and killed four Canadians in Afghanistan, is suing the U.S. Air Force.
Schmidt claims that the military violated the federal Privacy Act by disclosing information about his military record without his permission.
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U.S.-Russian war center still stalled
Work on the Joint Data Exchange Center, a facility in Moscow where U.S. and Russian military planners could share early warning information on missile launches, has stalled over taxes and legal liability.
Washington wants Moscow to exempt American contractors from most Russian taxes and to limit the legal liability should U.S. or Russian construction workers or others be injured on the job.
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Iran shoots down spy plane from Iraq – report
Iran on Sunday claims to have shot down a UAV from Iraq in the south of the country.
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With 3 engines out and a load of A-bombs aboard, he had a problem
Ex-USAF Maj. Nicholas Firda describes flying a B-52 bomber loaded with atomic bombs across the Atlantic Ocean with only five engines working.
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The force is withering from the Air Force
After years of decline, the Indian Air Force will slowly rebuild its fighter squadrons from 26 to 45 from 2008.
One of the options taken is to ask Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to speed up the production of Su-30 MKIs. HAL has been asked to complete the production of 140 MKIs in 11 instead of 15 years.
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Pentagon Once Again Considers Merger of USAF, Navy Sigint
Top U.S. Air Force and Navy officials will have to decide this year on whether to merge their airborne signals intelligence programs and add unmanned options to their fleet.
Both services differ in their views in using the P-8 Multimission Maritime Aircraft as a sigint platform. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, feels that the 737 lack the space for adequate antenna separation to avoid interference.
Related Articles
Boeing signals intent to offer SIGINT development of 737
Boeing Introduces New 737 Signals Intelligence Aircraft
737 Spacious, Modern Replacement For EP-3
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緊急着陸 年間５７機／嘉手納基地
From Asagiri : A total of 57 aircraft made emergency landings at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa last year.
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空自の緊急発進2万回目＝最近は中国機急増－防衛庁
From Asagiri : The Japanese Air Self Defense Force has carried out its 20,000th scramble since May 1958.
The latest scramble occurred on Apr. 6 by an F-15 from Hyakuri Air Force Base.
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原因はエンジン損傷／伊計島沖Ｆ１５墜落
From Asagiri : The cause of a USAF F-15 crash in Okinawa on Jan. 17 has been determined. The right engine was damaged during the flight and the debris also affected the flight controls.
The pilot choose to eject after losing control.
Related Article
Kadena mayor critical of flight resumptions in wake of crash
F-15 crashes during training off Okinawa
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Sunday, April 09, 2006
Web site exposes Air Force One defenses
The USAF has accidentally posted specific information about the anti-missile defenses on Air Force One on one of its website according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The document also show the detailed interior maps of the two VC-25A. It also gives the location of oxygen cylinders which The Chronicle claims a terrorist with a high-caliber sniper rifle could hit to detonate the aircraft.
The PDF document can still be found on the internet and I've seen the document. It actually contains emergency rescue and mishap response information on a few USAF aircraft, including the VC-25A. Location of the IRCM windows are shown to warn rescue crew but not the model or type installed. After some thinking, I've decided not to post the link to the original document.
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Jet slides off runway at Stillwater airport
A T-1A Jayhawk overshot the runway at Stillwater Regional Airport during a routine training mission.
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Plane with U.S. officials was fired at House members say C-130's defenses repelled missile
A C-130 carrying a six-member delegation of the House Armed Services Committee was attacked with a SA-18 missile while they flew from Baghdad to Kuwait in January.
The plane's countermeasure systems defeated the attack.
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Weapons Are Far Over Budget
Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk and the NPOESS (National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System) are running 25 percent or more over budget and risk termination.
Under the Nunn-McCurdy law, the secretary of defense needs to certify that the programs are vital to national security, no alternatives exist, that costs are under control and that the management structure is adequate to keep costs under control.
Eleven other programs are more than 30 percent but less than 50 percent of their original "baseline" estimate. These includes the ATIRCM/CMWS (Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure/Common Missile Warning System), C-130 AMP (Avionics Modernization Program), F/A-18, JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile), JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System), JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) and MH-60S.
The PDF copy of the 2005 December Selected Acquisition Reports is available here.
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Russia to pull out of An-70 plane production
Russian Air Force Commander Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying that his country is pulling out of the joint program with Ukraine to produce An-70 cargo aircraft.
The Russian side is unhappy with the D-27 turbopropfan engines.
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U.S. military short on bomb teams in Iraq
U.S. Air Force and Navy bomb disposal teams are on the ground in Iraq to assist the Army in bomb disposal.
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Aviation workers studying walkout
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 776 could call for a strike a Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth factory if contract negotiations fail.
At stake is a Lockheed proposal to end insurance coverage in retirement for newly hired employees and an increase in health care premiums for current employees.
The union went on strike before in 2000 and 2003.
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German and Spanish Air Forces accept first ASTA Early Cockpit Trainer
The ASTA Early Cockpit Trainer (ECT) has officially been accepted by The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), German Air Force and Spanish Air Force.
It will primarily be used for procedural and basic flight training as part of the conversion to type for Eurofighter pilots.
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BAE eyes US as Europe's arms sector splinters
BAE Systems wants to
sell its stake in Airbus and the cash generated could be used to take over a large U.S. defense contractor.
Paul Nisbet at JSA Research speculates that the target is either General Dynamics or Raytheon. Other analysts think it could be L-3 Communications.
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Texas pilots train for Iraq in wake of copter tragedy
The loss of two Texas-based AH-64D Apache Longbows to combat fire in Iraq raises many questions as the Texas National Guard’s 36th Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to leave for Iraq in summer.
The brigade flies 24 Apaches, 80 UH-60 Black Hawks and 12 CH-47 Chinooks.
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F-35 program total now at $276.5 billion
The cost of the F-35 joint strike fighter program has risen by 7.7 percent or $20 billion.
It is now estimated that U.S. taxpayers will have to pay $276.5 billion to develop all three version of the F-35 for the three services. This amount is for the lifetime of the program.
Pentagon attribute the cost increases to higher materials costs and a change in inflation expectations.
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Saturday, April 08, 2006
F/A-18F guns down F-22A
This gun kill picture is from the HUD recorder of a
VFA-11 Super Hornet taken during a Red Air exercise. The black box on the top left is an event marker to show that the trigger was squeezed.
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Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk approved for full-scale production
Pentagon has approved the full-scale production of the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. The MH-60R will replace the SH-60B and SH-60F.
This comes after a positive review of the aircraft's operational evaluation carried out in September.
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Korea to Sell Light Combat Aircraft to Guatemala
Guatemala has expressed interest in buying fighter version of the South Korean T-50 supersonic jet trainer.
Guatemalan Defense Minister Francisco Bermudex told visiting vice defense minister Hwang Kyu-sik of their interest in the A-50 advanced light attack aircraft.
Besides the addition of armaments, the A-50 has an all-weather, day and night multimode fire control radar compared to the T-50.
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US steps toward F-35 fighter production
Kenneth Krieg, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, has allowed the F-35 program office to contract for "long lead" materials, such as titanium, for the first five F-35s.
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Scots RAF squadron marks 90 years
More than 120 former members of RAF's No 42 Squadron will join the celebrations in Kinloss to mark the squadron's 90th birthday.
Scotland's oldest RAF squadron was formed on 1 April 1916 at Filton near Bristol.
Its pilots have fought in both World Wars, the Falklands and Gulf wars, with several winning the Victoria Cross.
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Thailand – MH-60S Helicopters (PDF)
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Congress that Washington is planning to sell Thailand 6 MH-60S helicopters in a deal worth up to $246 million.
The deal includes 14 T700 engines and the helicopters will go to the Royal Thai Navy.
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Crews at SJAFB prepare for battle (Video)
News 14 Carolina interviews F-15E Strike Eagle pilots at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
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Bank Helped N. Korea's Ballistic Missile Program: U.S.
U.S. Undersecretary of Treasury Stuart Levey said Macau-based Banco Delta Asia is involved in North Korea's ballistic missile program.
He claims the banks was a key facilitator of the North's ballistic missile program.
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Iran has missiles to carry nuclear warheads
Detailed analysis by military experts has concluded that Iran's Shahab-3 ballistic missile has been modified to carry nuclear warheads.
By studying the recent test firings of the Shahab-3, the experts found that Iran has been able to modify the nose cone to carry a basic nuclear bomb.
The Shahab-3 is a modified version of North Korea's Nodong missile which itself is based on the old Soviet-made Scud.
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French, Pakistan Air Force to hold exercise on April 11
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will now head over to Pakistan for exercises with its air force on Apr. 11.
French pilots will join their Pakistani counterparts in attack and defence missions on the sea and over the land in the vicinity of Karachi.
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DoD signs off on multiyear procurement plan for F-22
Pentagon has given the green light for the USAF to release requests for proposal of a three year contract for 60 F-22A Raptors.
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Air Force: C-5 modernization program on track
The USAF's C-5 AMP program remains on track despite the recent crash involving one of the newly upgraded cargo planes.
There is no indication so far that the upgraded systems contribute to the crash.
The remaining 12 upgraded planes are scheduled to begin operational testing as early as next week.
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Air Guard to name C-130 for Carlisle
The Arkansas Air National Guard will dedicate a C-130 in honor of the City of Carlisle on Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Little Rock Air Force Base.
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Friday, April 07, 2006
'Hard landing' prompts changes
New emergency safety procedures and crew simulator training are being implemented by V-22 program officials to prevent another hard landing occurrence.
The new procedures aren't expected to impact flight operations or the V-22 fleet.
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Northrop Grumman Completes Upgrade Initiative for All U.S. LITENING Pods
Northrop Grumman has completed the successful integration of new target detection, acquisition and tracking capabilities into all 189 previously fielded U.S. LITENING pods.
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F-22 visits Hill for modifications
The first of 18 F-22As has arrived at Hill Air Force Base for minor modifications.
The Raptor was flown in by Maj. Evan Dertien who did a refueling stop at Whiteman Air Force Base. It is scheduled to depart May 11.
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F-16 motor assembled in Poland shows technical defects
The Polish Press Agency reported that one of the first seven F-16 engines assembled by Polish aircraft maker Rzeszow has defects.
The engines are tested by Polish No.4 military aircraft factory which is currently the only factory in Europe that can conduct the tests.
Once the engines passed its inspection, it will be shipped to Lockheed Martin in Texas for assembly with Polish F-16s.
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Second Sea Squa Missile Test Expected Before June
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will conduct the second test firing of its Sea Squa anti-ship missile before June after knowing the cause of the failure of the first test.
MBDA will in the mean time inspect all the Sea Squa missiles in RMN's inventory.
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USAF video showing insurgents planting an IED
This video taken from a Predator UAV last week near Balad, Iraq shows three people preparing a road side bomb. A Hellfire missile was later launched at them.
Original story is here
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EADS reveals details of Eurofighter Typhoon offer to Norway to replace JSF order
EADS has unveiled its Eurofighter Typhoon offer to Norway as a reply to a request for information from the Norwegian government.
The offer includes increased Norwegian industrial participation in the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft program as well as tailored delivery and payment terms.
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Japan, U.S. plan joint study on missile defense system radar
Japan's Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy will conduct a joint research program on advanced radar and command systems for a proposed missile defense system.
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DoD Official: Rudimentary Missile Defense System in Place
The U.S. Senate's strategic forces subcommittee was told that a rudimentary missile defense system is in place.
The system currently has the ability to intercept an incoming long-range ballistic missile. However it is not as capable today as they will be in the future.
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US black programmes: funding the void
Bill Sweetman gives his view on the rumors over the existence of the Black Star program.
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ASDF plans missile data network
Japan is building a mobile communications network to allow missile data detected by Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to be swiftly transmitted to Air Defense Command Headquarters in Tokyo.
The high-speed communications system will be completed by 2009 and allows transmission of large volumes of data. Seven radar sites in Hokkaido, Akita, Niigata, Kyoto, Shimane, Yamaguchi and Nagasaki will be linked by the network.
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Fighter pilot broke legs, wrist after ejecting
The F-16 pilot from Shaw Air Base who ejected off the South Carolina coast suffered broken legs, facial cuts and a broken wrist.
A Coast Guard helicopter found him about 40 minutes after receiving the call but they choose to call in a small boat from a nearby Navy vessel due to his broken legs.
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Sikorsky gets R&D contract for new copter
Sikorsky Aircraft has been awarded with a System Development and Demonstration contract for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.
The CH-53K will double the payload to 27,000 pounds. Maximum gross weight will increase to 84,700 pounds as well.
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RAAF game tests your military mettle
A total of 7278 people have so far downloaded the Australian Defence Force game ADF:Aviator which allows Australians to get a feel of what its like to be a pilot in the army, navy or air force.
You can download the game here.
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N.D., Louisiana senators asking Rumsfeld for future B-52 plans, gap study
Senators from North Dakota and Louisiana are preparing a bipartisan letter to send to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asking him about the future plans for the B-52 bomber.
They will request the Pentagon to conduct a bomber gap study and ask Rumsfeld what the prospect is for the Pentagon to realistically field a new bomber by about 2017.
The Quadrennial Defense Review recently called for the retirement of some B-52s and limit the fleet to 56 aircraft by fiscal year 2008.
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Navy Tomahawk program sees another first with recent test event
USS Boise (SSN-764) recently fired a Tomahawk Block III cruise missile in order to ensure that its Block IV fire control system is backward compatible with a Block III.
The test was conducted in the Gulf of Mexico. The Block III missile was launched from the submarine's vertical launch system while a Block IV cruise missile was launched for the first time from the torpedo tube.
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Raytheon Makes First International Joint Standoff Weapon Sale to Turkey
Raytheon Company has received the first contract for international sale of its Joint
Standoff Weapon (JSOW) to Turkey.
The contract is for JSOW AGM-154 A-1 with the BLU-111 warhead and JSOW AGM-154 C with the Broach warhead.
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Raytheon Loses Bonus From Boeing on Missile-Defense Contract
Raytheon Co. lost potential bonus pay for work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System led by Boeing Co. because of flaws in the management and production of its Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle.
A Missile Defense Agency audit found that the company couldn't ensure consistent production of reliable warheads.
As a result, the Missile Defense Agency will impose on Raytheon a new set of military standards for testing the weapon and its components, replacing the company's internal standards. The most important is that the components must undergo a thermal vacuum test, which simulates conditions in space.
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Defence contractors prowl for lucrative spoils
The politically safe choice for Ottawa now is to choose the Boeing C-17 and find a small fleet of refurbished H-model C130s to bolster the tactical fleet.
There will be no conflict of interest by selecting the C-17 and it can guarantee early delivery as well.
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IAF on full thrust to get 126 jets
The Indian Air Force is expected to issue the RFP for 126 new fighters this month, says Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Sumit Mukherjee.
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Thursday, April 06, 2006
IAF to "go slow" on joint combat manouevres
The Indian Air Force will deploy its Mirage 2000 and Jaguars to Singapore in December for joint exercises.
The RAF will deploy six Tornado, an E-3D airborne warning and control system and two VC10 flight refuelling aircraft to Gwalior from Oct. 2 to 13.
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Buy Raptor instead of JSF, says Labor
Australia's Labor party wants the Government to review its plan to buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and choose the F-22A Raptor instead.
Labor's defence spokesman, Robert McClelland, said the introduction of F-22As will fill the gap created by the retirement of RAAF's F-111 fleet in 2010.
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French to provide Afghan air-strike cover
Charles de Gaulle will be positioned off Pakistan's coast in May to provide air cover to NATO troops deploying in Afghanistan.
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GPS signal enhances navigation, timing
USAF is now able to provide Global Positioning System location and timing data over the network.
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MiG-29 detained in Xianggang was sold to USA as museum piece
Ukraine's state-owned Ukrspetsexport weapons trading company told Itar-Tass that the MiG-29 detained in Hong Kong was sold by Ukraine to the United States in 2005 as a museum exhibit.
Related Article
Stripped fighter jet seized
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IAF's spyplanes to be phased out on May one
India's last four MiG-25 Foxbats will retire on May 1 at a public ceremony. All former and current pilots will be attending the event.
The planes will be given to armed forces edcuational institutions like IAF Academy and Air Force museum.
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Sex in the air traffic control tower
Two female air traffic controllers from the Israeli Air Force is accusing their supervisor of using his position and influence in the control tower to coerce them into having sex with him.
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Pacifist Nuns Return to Missile Silo
Three pacifist nuns who were jailed for an October 2002 protest at a missile silo returned to the site, vowing to continue their nonviolent resistance to the nuclear armaments.
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CAE in $33M Australia Air Force deal
CAE Inc. will provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a A330 tanker simulator. The simulator is expected to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force Amberley in Queensland in 2009.
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F-16 crashed in Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina coast
A USAF F-16 fighter from Shaw crashed Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean about 35 miles off Myrtle Beach, the pilot was able to eject and was recovered at around 7:35pm.
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Marine officials say they've found cause of V-22 accident (Free Registration)
Investigators of the MV-22 hard landing in North Carolina last month say they now understand what happened but are not sure why it happened.
Investigation shows the FADEC suddenly sent fuel surging into the engines to increase power and the aircraft’s flight control computer automatically adjusted the pitch. This lifted the aircraft 6 feet above the ground. The backup engine controls sensed the problem, reduced power and the plane landed hard.
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Missile Defense Agency to Dedicate Missile Defense Site to President Ronald W. Reagan (PDF)
Missile defense facilities at Vandenberg AFB will be dedicated as the "Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site" to honor the 40th President for his commitment to the development of missile defense technologies.
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Ramstein among bases selected as Air Force's best
Ramstein Air Base has been selected as one of the winners of the 2006 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence on Tuesday.
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戰機海南墜最少1死
From Donny Chan : A PLAN J-7 crashed on Tuesday at around 2:30pm near Nan Yang Town, Wen Chang City, Hai Nan Province.
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Intruder is captured after chase at Selfridge air base
A man driving in a black 2005 Chrysler Sebring intruded Selfridge Air National Guard Base and led airmen on a high-speed chase around the installation late Tuesday morning.
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Senate Appropriators Boost Funding For C-17, Osprey
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $227.5 million for the procurement for more C-17s in fiscal 2008.
The committee included $230 million in unrequested funds to buy three V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as well.
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Third Boeing 767 for Italian Air Force Ferried to Naples
The third Boeing 767 destined for the Italian air force as a KC-767A aerial tanker is enroute to Naples, Italy.
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C-5 crew recovering as investigation starts
Two veteran pilots feel that the C-5 crew that crashed in Dover were fighting more than just a dead engine.
One eyewitness account suggests the aircraft may have been fighting a stall just before its tail hit the ground just south of the runway.
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McGuire commander to lead safety investigation of Dover crash
Col. Frederick H. Martin, commander of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, will lead the safety investigation into the crash of a C-5 cargo plane at Dover Air Force Base.
The investigation is expected to take about a month. Its factual findings will be turned over to an accident investigation board that will conduct a separate investigation expected to take two or three months.
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Boeing seeks international sales to keep C-17 line alive
Boeing is seeking international buyers for its C-17 cargo plane to keep the production line alive.
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Pakistan to continue missile development programme
Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told a press briefing in Islamabad that his country will continue its missile development programme as part of its efforts to maintain "minimum credible deterrence.".
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Pak N-missile leaves India stunned
Pakistan's recent testing of the Babur cruise missile has convinced India that cruise missile tests must also be notified in advance along with ballistic missile tests under the nuclear confidence building measure framework.
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Lockheed Martin, NetFires LLC Successfully Conduct Second Loitering Attack Missile Boost Vehicle Test
Lockheed Martin conducted a successful Boost Test Vehicle (BTV) flight test of its square body Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) recently at Eglin Air Force Base
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B-2 engineer awaits trial in secrets scandal
Federal prosecutors are preparing more charges against Noshir Gowadia, a former Northrup Grumman B-2 engineer.
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ATK and U.S. Navy Complete Successful Critical Design Review of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile
The Critical Design Review (CDR) of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) has been completed.
The AARGM will have a multi-sensor system design including an advanced digital Anti-Radiation Homing (ARH) receiver and conformal array antenna system, a Millimeter Wave (MMW) terminal seeker and a GPS/INS.
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U.S. Air Force Awards $32 Million to Lockheed Martin for JASSM Cruise Missile Weapon Data Link Development
Lockheed Martin will develop a Weapon Data Link (WDL) capability for the JASSM-ER to allow the stealthy conventional cruise missile to receive target location updates and changes.
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PAF F-7 fighter crashes near Pindi Gheb, pilot fatally injured
Pakistan Air Force lost a F-7 fighter while it was on a routine training mission near Dhok Pathan on Wednesday.
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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Fort Smith Arkansas Airshow
Bobby Dugger took these pictures at during an airshow at Fort Smith, Arkansas. This is the last time 188th fighter wing will display the F-16 before they transition to the A-10. Thanks Bobby.
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Raytheon's SeaRAM to go aboard General Dynamic's Littoral Combat Ship
Raytheon Company will install the SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense weapon system on General Dynamics' Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
SeaRAM combines the Phalanx Block 1B close in weapon system with the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) guided missile weapon system.
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Chavez gets Russian helicopters
Venezuela has taken delivery of three Mi-17 helicopters at a ceremony on Monday.
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Asian states to boost patrol fleets
Malaysia is close to selecting Thales to supply its Amascos mission system for two of its air force’s four King Air 200 maritime patrol aircraft.
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Some Say Iran's Weapons Come From Russia (Free Registration)
Defense analysts are skeptical about the recent Iranian claims over the successful testing of homegrown missiles.
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Eight F-7 BG fighter aircraft added to BAF fleet
Bangladesh inducted eight F-7 BG fighter aircraft on Tuesday. A total of 16 aircraft have been procured from China.
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Langley Based F-15 Incident In Chile
A USAF F-15C fighter was forced to make an emergency landing at Santiago, Chile after developing a landing gear problem.
The aircraft was returning to Langley Air Force Base after taking part in the FIDAE 2006 airshow. The tail number is 84-0008.
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Raytheon delivers 300th JPATS trainer
Raytheon has delivered the 300th T-6A Texan II aircraft to the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday.
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Northrop Grumman Proposes Space Missions to Go ... in 48 Hours or Les
Northrop Grumman has proposed a hybrid space launch concept to the USAF. The system would allow the Air Force to launch satellites or deliver special purpose payloads in as little as 48 hours.
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Turkey to award defense deals worth $12 billion this year (Free Registration)
Murad Bayar, Turkey's chief procurement officer and head of the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry has indicated that Turkey might opt for a mix fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and Eurofighter.
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Air Force chief says new plane calls old plans into question
The USAF may choose not to upgrade its older C-130s if the Joint Cargo Aircraft program is successful.
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Captains of the high seas
Admiral Anup Singh from the Indian Navy and Admiral Xavier Magne from the French Navy speaks to Mumbai Mirror on exercise Varuna 2006, currently being conducted off the coast of Goa.
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US finally looks beyond the B-2 for long-range strike capability
Bill Sweetman examines the USAF plans to develop a long-range strike by 2018.
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WWII ace tells his story
World War II fighter ace Clayton Kelly Gross has published his
memoir about his adventures shooting down six German fighters as a P-51 Mustang pilot including a Me-262.
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Wings-level landing might have saved C-5 crash survivors
A veteran C-5 Galaxy pilot said all 17 people survived the April 3 plane crash at Dover Air Force Base mainly because the pilot did a wings-level landing.
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Congressional Study Looks At Long-Range Strike Alternatives
A Congressional Budget Office study found that the missile-firing large cargo aircraft, like the C-17 is the cheapest option as a future long-range strike option.
It would also have the shortest reach as it is vulnerable to enemy air defenses and would have to launch from secured airspace.
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Stripped fighter jet seized
Hong Kong customs authorities found a MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal after a routine check revealed the shipment was missing an import license.
The fighter was from Ukraine and was heading for the United States.
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Lockheed Martin Completes Testing on Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Upgrade
Lockheed Martin announced the successful completion of land-based testing for the next enhancement to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System.
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Lockheed Martin Begins P-3C Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Upgrades for Pakistan
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $6 million Foreign Military Sale contract to begin upgrades to P-3C aircraft for Pakistan.
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Tuesday, April 04, 2006
米軍ヘリ４機が臨時着陸 普天間所属、１機不具合
A formation of four USMC CH-46 made an emergency landing at Ooita airport, Kunisaki City Apr. 3 after one of CH-46 developed problems. They were on their way from Iwankuni Air Base to Futenma Airbase when the incident happen.
A pair later departed at 13:55 for Kanoya JMSDF Base and the other pair will fly back to Iwakuni.
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9 Army Scout choppers heading to Alaska early
The U.S. Army will move nine OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters from Wheeler Army Airfield to Alaska two years earlier than scheduled.
The helicopters belong to the 25th Infantry Division's 6th Squadron (Attack), 17th Cavalry Regiment.
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FIDAE 2006: Santiago revives helicopter acquisition plan
The Chilean Armed Forces is in the market for 70 new and used military helicopters to replace aging helicopters.
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Exchange Pilot Assignment Strengthens Australia, U.S. Ties
RAAF Flight Lt. Trevor Wright is one of two Australian exchange pilots assigned to the USAF 93rd Air Refueling Squadron.
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Gripen targets Nordic JSF states
Gripen International has proposed direct industrial participation by Denmark and Norway in ongoing spiral development of the JAS39.
Gripen International hopes that Norway can improve the ommunications and data transfer systems and develope an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role for the aircraft. Denmark can play a part in upgrading the electronic warfare and sensor capabilities.
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Chinese fighter jets to be inducted into PAF
Pakistan is interested in getting China's latest fighter, the J-10. Two squadrons of aircraft will be acquired.
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was given a demonstration of the J-10 during his visit to China in February.
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Successful first flights of the new EADS Air Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)
EADS CASA has completed six successful flights of the ARBS (Air Refuelling Boom System) in stowed position.
The flights were conducted from Mar. 16-30.
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Air force chief pushes user group for JAS39
The Swedish air force wants to create a Saab JAS39 Gripen user group to take advantage of shared resources to drive down costs.
So far Hungary, Czech Republic and South Africa has selected the Gripen.
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Maintenance Eyed in V-22 Probe
Pentagon and service sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Inside the Navy that last week's MV-22 Osprey mishap happened as the pilot switched modes for the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) from automatic to manual.
The aircraft had also undergone an "engine change" prior to the mishap.
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FIDAE 2006 Show report: Chile examines UAV options
Chile may buy a family of unmanned air vehicles for its Army.
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Red tape hampers UAV operations
Manufacturers have warned U.S. Congress that delays in getting Federal Aviation Administration COAs are affecting testing and training.
Thomas Cassidy from General Atomics said the first of two Predator B unmanned air vehicles for the U.S. Navy cannot fly as they are waiting for their COAs.
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Officials Describe Rescue Scene of F-16 Crash
The crew who rescued the F-16 pilot that crashed in Utah last week described the event.
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Raytheon and EADS CASA North America's Team JCA to Build CN-235/C-295 Joint Cargo Aircraft in Mobile, AL
Raytheon with EADS CASA North America -- has chosen the Mobile Regional Airport as the final assembly and delivery site for its proposed CN-235/C-295 solution for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) requirement.
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BAE Systems Proposes New Hawk For M'sian Airforce
BAE Systems sent a proposal to Royal Malaysian Air Force last October for 12 new Hawk Advance Jet Trainer.
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Jet was an upgraded C-5B model
The C-5B that crashed in Dover AFB was an upgraded AMP model. Three Lockheed Martin employees were on the plane. Serial number is 84-0059.
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17 Airmen survive Dover C-5 Galaxy crash
A USAF C-5 Galaxy crashed short of Dover Air Force Base while making an emergency landing. 17 people survived the crash.
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Egypt Likely First Customer For Chinook CHAPS Sale: Boeing
Boeing says Egypt could be the first customer for the Chinook Cargo Helicopter Alternate Procurement Strategy (CHAPS) program.
Under the CHAPS plan, third parties can buy U.S. Army CH-47Ds marked for remanufacture into CH-47Fs at about half the price of a new-build CH-47D. The money from each D-model aircraft sold, plus the Army funding budgeted for the CH-47F remanufacture, will buy the Army a brand new CH-47F.
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Northrop fires back at GAO report
Northrop Grumman has responded to a critical Government Accountability Office report on its Global Hawk by citing the aircraft's performance over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Related Article
US budget watchdog calls for suspension of Northrop Grumman RQ-4B UAV full production
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German Army NH90 TTH Achieves NAHEMA Qualification
NAHEMA, a NATO Agency, has officially granted the first qualification of the German Army NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter - TGEA Variant.
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Saudi Arabia says Eurofighter deal with Britain on course
Saudi Arabia said that its on course to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon after technical committees from both countries signed relevant documents on Mar. 28.
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Australia – C-17 GLOBEMASTER III Aircraft (PDF)
The Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency has approved a possible sale of up to four Boeing C-17 cargo planes, up to 18 Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines and up to four AN/AAQ-24V(13) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Systems.
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Monday, April 03, 2006
VF-213 AJ210 Final Flight
210 arrived at McClellan on Saturday afternoon.
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JASDF T-1B #856
From Asagiri: Photos of JASDF T-1B #856 at Tokorozawa Aviation Museum, Tokorozawa City, Dasaitama Prefecture.
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Accountability Office Finds Itself Accused (Free Registration)
Subrata Ghoshroy of the Government Accountability Office accussed his agency of covering up scientific fraud in contractors' report of the Missile Defense System.
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Army raising a special BrahMos missile regiment
The Indian Army will equip its new BrahMos missile regiment with three batteries of six-road mobile autonomous launchers each.
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India, France hold joint naval exercises
Two Indian Navy Sea Harriers landed on French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle yesterday.
This is the second time Indian Sea Harriers have landed on a foreign carrier.
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Government in secret talks about strike against Iran
Senior British defence chiefs and government officials will hold a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Defence today to dicuss possible military strikes against Iran.
Gen Sir Michael Walker, the chief of the defence staff, Lt Gen Andrew Ridgway, the chief of defence intelligence and Maj Gen Bill Rollo, the assistant chief of the general staff, will meet officials from the Foreign Office and Downing Street.
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No injuries in Navy training helicopter crash
A U.S. Navy TH-57 training helicopter crashed around 11:35 a.m on Friday during a routine training mission.
The crew were uninjured.
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U.S. air power offers a ‘God’s-eye view’
The support role of the U.S. air power in Iraq has shifted from providing fire power to a "God's eye view" for the troops.
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Will U.S. air power remain in Iraq?
As the new Iraqi Army stands up to replace the Americans, it is unlikely that the USAF will provide the Iraqis with any air support in the short term.
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Aircraft Carrier Group Pushes Spending On Hill
The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition is pushing Congress to go ahead and authorize CVN-21-class flattops in fiscal 2008, 2012 and 2016.
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Formation of first operational Typhoon squadron ushers in new era for the RAF
The first operational RAF Typhoon squadron, No. 3(Fighter) Squadron, form up at RAF Cottesmore on Mar. 31.
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Snowbirds prepare for a exciting 2006 season
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will put the polishing touches on their 2006 show in Comox, British Columbia, from April 3 to 20 in preparation for the upcoming air show season.
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Northrop Grumman Receives ICBM Award for Reentry Vehicle Upgrade
Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a contract last week to begin the full-rate production phase of the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle (SERV) program.
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Two U.S. Helicopter Pilots Killed in Iraq
Two pilots were killed when their AH-64D Apache Longbow went down at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Iraq.
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Sunday, April 02, 2006
Plan will tackle C-130 wing box problems
Robins Air Force Base has come up with a plan to replace the center wing boxes on aging USAF C-130s.
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US helicopter down near Baghdad, no word on crew
An Iraqi insurgent group has claimed that it shot down a U.S. military helicopter southwest of Baghdad on Saturday.
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Iran's stealthy ballistic missile
Reports by mainstream media over the recent test firing of an Iranian Fajr-3 missile may have been overhyped. Looking at the database from Global Security, the missile has a range of only 45km and not the 1,200km claimed by most reports.
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Flypasts mark RAF base's closure
A RAF Tornado, a Harrier and a Jaguar flew a flypast to marked the final day of operational flying at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk.
Plans to involve a Spitfire and Hurricane in the flypast was cancelled due to high winds which prevented them from taking off.
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India’s top war jets on Google
India might lodge a formal complaint with Google after images of key installations, including Su-30 MKI fighters at their base, was published on Google Earth.
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Indo-French joint Naval exercises off Goa coast
Indian Navy's Sea Harriers will operate from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during exercises off Goa this week.
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Cities worry about crowding air base
Leaders of the communities living around Naval Air Station Fort Worth has form a committee to look into possible encroachment around the base.
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Air Force expects to choose tanker contractor by mid-2007
A replacement tanker for the KC-135 Stratotanker will be selected in by mid-2007.
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Korea - HARPOON Block II Missiles (PDF)
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress on the possible sale of 42 AGM-84L (air-launched) Harpoon missiles to South Korea.
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Giant missile defense radar leaves Pearl Harbor for Alaska
The Boeing Sea-Based X-Band Radar has left Pearl Harbor on Friday for its new base in Alaska.
It will be station at the town of Adak, a former naval station about 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage.
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X-Band radar given OK by Japanese officials
Officials from Japan's Aomori and Tsugaru prefecture has given their approval to deploy the new Forward-Based X-Band radar at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Shariki Base.
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New F-16s instead of F-4 upgrades (Free Registration)
Turkey could scrap its plans to upgrade 48 F-4 Phantoms and buy a new fleet of 30 F-16s instead.
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Turkey takes over NATO mission policing Baltic skies
A Turkish NATO contingent with four F-16s has began patrolling the Baltic states. The contigent includes the first female pilot.
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Saturday, April 01, 2006
Hungarian Gripen ceremony
Swedish Defence Minister Leni Bjorklund formally handed-over the first five Hungarian Gripen fighter aircraft to her Hungarian counterpart, Ferenc Juhász, Hungary’s Minister of Defence on Mar. 30.
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Helicopter machine gun 'fell off'
A machine gun barrel from a British Apache helicopter fell off during an exercise earlier this month.
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The Fall of Lima Site 85
John T. Correll, former editor in chief of Air Force Magazine, contributes this article on the fall of Lima Site 85. A secret USAF radar facility in Laos that uses a TSQ-81 bombing radar to aid the bombing of Hanoi.
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India to make 20 more Jaguars
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has received an order for 20 more Jaguars for the Indian Air Force.
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IAF may phase out Canberra jets by 2007
India could phase out its Canberra bombers as early as next year.
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New RAF fighter jet grounded by faulty air con
A RAF Eurofighter Typhoon that was suppose to fly a display during an official ceremony to launch No 3 Squadron was grounded due to a fault with its environmental control system.
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N-Powered U.S. Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Korea
USS Abraham Lincoln is off the coast of South Korea now for its first visit.
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Man enters guilty plea in terrorism case
A Pakistani man has pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Diego to supply four Stinger missiles to al-Qaeda.
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Iran Test-Fires Missile Able to Duck Radar
Iran on Friday claim it successfully test-fired a Fajr-3 missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads.
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Pilot error blamed for flare release over Kadena Air Base
A USAF F-15C accidentally release a training flare over Kadena Air Base on Thursday. The incident was cited as pilot error.
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RAAF head warns of risk of old F-111s
The RAAF chief, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, said any move to extend the F-111's life beyond 2010 could cost up to $8 billion.
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Pierre Clostermann Dies at 85; Ace French Pilot in World War II
Pierre Clostermann, World War 2 ace fighter pilot who flew for de Gaulle's Free French forces, died March 22.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers New F-16 for Poland Peace Sky Program
The United States Air Force contractually accepted the first new F-16 aircraft for the Poland Peace Sky program on March 30.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers First Fully-Integrated New-Production MH-60R to the U.S. Navy
Lockheed Martin has delivered to the U.S. Navy the first new-production MH-60R helicopter fully integrated for its anti-submarine and surface warfare missions.
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Fighter Jet Crashes Near Utah's Salt Lake (Video)
An F-16C from 388th Fighter Wing's 412st Fighter Squadron crash in Utah on Thursday, this is the video of the crash site.
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German 'won't shoot down' 9/11-style planes
Germany's defence minister said he will only authorised to shoot down an aircraft in a 9/11-style suicide attack if all the people on board were "terrorists."
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U.S.-UK tech transfer issue being worked out-Rice
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters on Friday that differences with Britain over defence technology transfers are still being worked out.
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Navy bans Sea King passengers
The Australian Navy has banned all passengers, including essential duty personnel, on its Sea King helicopters.
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Pentagon meets on Lockheed F-35 production
Kenneth Krieg, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, chaired a session on Friday to discuss a timeline for initial production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
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Outside View: Joint Strike Fighter blues
Winslow T. Wheeler, director of the Straus Military Reform Project at the Center for Defense Information, gives his view on why the F-35 will be delayed and expensive.
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Turkey could be 'out in the cold' on JSF work
A Turkish defence industry official has said that the Turkish aviation industry is so dependent on JSF work that it will suffer if it does not get access to a greater potential share of subcontracts.
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最強の戦闘ヘリ アパッチ・ロングボウ初号機を受領
From Tengu : The acceptance ceremony of the first JGSDF AH-64D Apache Longbow at Fuji Heavy Industries production facility in Utsunomiya, Japan. Pictures included.
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Md. Guard Using Highly Sophisticated Weapon (Video)
Maryland National Guard showed a video from their Shadow 200 UAV of a strike against insurgents in Iraq.
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Why fighter pilots wear a Typhoon Grin
Thomas Harding from Telegraph is the first journalist to fly in an operational Typhoon fighter from RAF Coningsby. This is his report.
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Lightning hits B-1 bomber
Lightning struck a B-1B bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base Wednesday night shortly after takeoff.
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F-111 workers says compo program a mess
The former RAAF F-111 maintenance workers who were promised compensation in Dec. 2004 are still waiting for the payouts.
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Favors Found in Air Force Contracts
Former U.S. Air Force procurement official Darleen A. Druyun was found to have favoured Lockheed Martin during the purchase of F-16 flight simulators in 2001.
Pentagon's inspector general found that she approved the contract in which Lockheed collected an extra $41.6 million in return for a benefits package from the company that was of minimal value.
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Selfridge Air Museum opens Saturday for 2006 season
An F-14 Tomcat will join the outdoor displays at Selfridge Military Air Museum at Selfridge Air National Guard Base next month.
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EADS Military Air Systems delivers first A400M components on schedule
EADS Military Air Systems (MAS) has handed over the first rear fuselage section shells of A400M to Airbus Bremen on 31 March 2006 at Lechfeld/Augsburg.
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