Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Defense Agency seeks budget boost, 150 bil. yen for missile defense
Japan's Defense Agency is seeking 150 billion yen for missile defense in its fiscal 2006 budget. Japan's defense spending will increase to 4.88 trillion yen to fund for aircraft upgrades.
The agency is also seeking 5.8 billion yen for upgrading the antisubmarine capabilities of its P-3C patrol aircraft after a Chinese nuclear submarine intruded into Japanese waters last November.
Of the 150 billion yen for missile defense, 19.3 billion yen will be used to deploy the FPS-XX ground-based phased-array radar system to detect ballistic missiles and 85.2 billion yen for PAC3 missiles.
2.7 billion yen is needed to upgrade midair refueling capabilities of C-130s and a total of 960 million yen for research related to long-endurance unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
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ATG lands Javelin in Colorado
Aviation Technology Group (ATG) will setup production of its Javelin two-seat very-light jet at Front Range airport in Adams County, Colorado.
ATG also expects the military trainer version to be assembled at multiple sites overseas.
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Russia Resumes Production of World’s Largest Aircraft
Aviastar-SP is resuming series production of the An-124 Ruslan. 36 Ruslans had been produced in the last 20 years.
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Pakistan acquires U.S. P-3C surveillance aircraft
Pakistan said on Wednesday that it had acquired eight P-3C Orions from United States.
A Pakistan Navy statement said the aircraft were being provided free by the United States and would be upgraded with modern avionics and missions systems by Lockheed Martin.
The eight aircraft is worth up to $970 million.
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F-14 at Reagan Library
Thanks to William Barto, Historian, Grumman Memorial Park. The Tomcat at Reagan Library has been identified.
Its BuNo 162592 repainted as BuNo 160403, AJ101, the jet that Cdr Hank Kleeman and Lt Dave Venlet of VF-41 flew when they shot down a Libyan Su-22.
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Air Force guidelines discourage public prayer
The U.S. Air Force released guidelines for religious tolerance yesterday that discourage public prayer at official functions and urge commanders to be sensitive about personal expressions of religious faith.
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Bell trying to find way to meet call for more capable copters (Free Registration)
Bell officials say they are still not sure how to respond to the U.S. Army's contract for 322 light utility helicopters.
Bell was surprise by the Army's requirement for higher-than-expected performance capabilities. The Army requested that the helicopters be equipped and licensed for instrument flights at night or in bad weather, which can easily add $1 million to the cost of the proposed Bell 210.
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US controls over fighter sale: India to ask for details
Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had instructed his officials to make sure all issues related to U.S. arms controls are ironed out when Lt Gen Jeffrey B. Kohler arrives in Delhi on his technical brief for the F-16 and F/A-18.
The issues include the AESA radar on both aircraft, missiles and armament on offer with the two aircraft, and issues related to the Avionics Suite Source Code.
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Five local squadrons to join the Roosevelt
Tomcatters of VF-31 and the Blacklions of VF-213 will leave for the last Tomcat cruise when Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group departs for the Persian Gulf.
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Military plane makers to show off wares at Plovdiv air show
Lockheed Martin will bring their F-16s while Boeing and Saab will be represented by F-18 and JAS-39C simulators at Plovdiv air show, Bulgaria.
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Funeral for RAF crew, 61 years on
The lost crew of an RAF plane shot down over Berlin are being officially laid to rest - 61 years after they died.
The Halifax LW430 went down after high winds blew the formation of 1,000 planes off course and into the line of fire of night fighters.
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'Valiant' creatures (Free Registration)
Disney's animated movie, Valiant, tells the story of pigeons who helped the British war effort during World War II.
The story is based on true facts.
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Rumsfeld criticizes BRAC results
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld criticized a decision to spare several high-profile U.S. military installations from being shut down.
He said commissioners had focused on some bases’ economic impact instead of their military usefulness.
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Raytheon Company Names Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II Team
Raytheon will partner with Aerojet, Goodrich and EFW for the upcoming Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) contract competition this fall.
APKWS II will fill the gap between the current Hydra 70 unguided rocket
and the Hellfire missile.
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China awards aircraft production licence to Egyptian manufacturer
Egypt's A.O.I Aircraft Factory was awarded on Monday a production certificate by China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation for K-8E basic fighter jet trainer.
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F-16s force planes to land
F-16s forced four small planes to land after they flew into restricted airspace during President Bush’s visit to Southern California.
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Indonesian military to buy 10 light transport planes from local firm
Indonesia will buy 10 Cassa 212 from West Java-based aerospace industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
The Cassa 212 can seat 12 passengers and can be modified for paratroop regiment, maritime patrol and medical plane.
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Long U.S. Air Force role in Iraq seen
Gen. John Jumper, the U.S. Air Force chief of staff, that U.S. warplanes would have to support Iraq's security forces well after ground troops eventually withdraw from the country.
He predicted that U.S. fighter and reconnaissance aircraft would continue flying missions over Iraq for a long time till Iraq is capable of fighting insurgents on their own.
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ARH contract signing marks step forward in aviation
U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody took the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter out for a test flight after a contract signing ceremony at Bell Helicopter Monday.
Labels: ARH
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Guam bomber swap set for this week
Six B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base will swap places with B-2s on Guam this week.
F-15E Strike Eagles from Mountain Home Air Force Base’s 391st Fighter Squadron had left Andersen in early August.
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Mission earns Marine a medal
USMC Lt. Col. Mike Franzak was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" for valor.
The mission in Afghanistan that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross was in support of ground troops in southern Afghanistan.
He and his wingman stayed in the air for nearly five hours supporting the ground troops. They refueled three or four times from an air tanker.
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Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor Enters Follow-On Test and Evaluation, Achieves Another Milestone Toward Operational Fielding
The U.S. Air Force has officially began Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) of the F/A-22 at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada.
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Common air defense in Europe possible - Russian defense minister
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has proposed establishing a non-strategic ABM system in Europe.
Ivanov also said Russia could make a serious contribution to the European air defense system.
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Single headquarters controlled joint CIS Air Defense exercise
A single headquarters controlled the recent joint Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Air Defense exercise.
Another military exercise with Russian, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz armed forces will be held in Sary-Shagan, Kazakhstan in September.
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Seoul Launches T-50 Jet
South Korea began mass production of the T-50 Golden Eagle.
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Savannah worker injured by Marine Corps jet (Free Registration)
Aviation worker was injured from a USMC F-18 jet blast during a training exercise.
He was driving a golf cart near the jet when the F-18 started taxiing on the ramp. He swerved to avoid the blast and struck another F-18 parked on the ramp
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Connecticut Sues to Block Loss of National Guard Jets
Connecticut sued on Monday to stop the Pentagon's planned transfer and retirement of fighter jets from the Air National Guard base at Bradley International Airport.
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F/A-18 Airframe Logs 6 Million Flight Hours
The F/A-18 airframe design – which includes Hornet and Super Hornet generations – reached a milestone of having logged six million accumulated flight hours, Aug. 3.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots accumulated most of the flight hours, with help from the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland and Malaysia.
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Singapore closes in on next-generation fighter
According to Flight International, Boeing’s F-15T is the favourite to win Singapore's Next Generation Fighter competition.
Singapore’s Defence Science & Technology Agency has completed its evaluation of the F-15T and Rafale and is believed to be recommending the Boeing fighter.
Singapore must make its selection by the end of September for deliveries in 2008, however it can delay the acquisition until 2006 and settle for 2009 deliveries.
Another delay beyond September would require new bids from the manufacturers.
The Eurofighter was dropped from the competition in April.
Personally, I feel that Rafale should be selected instead. As someone in a local forum said, if the F-15 wins the competition. Singapore should renamed the competition as Last Generation Fighter competition. Singapore will remain at the mercy of the United States for spare parts for its frontline fighters.
Could Singapore have been lured by the weapons package offered? Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of sale to Singapore 44 AN/AVS-9(V) Night Vision Goggles; 24 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER CAT and Dummy Missiles. For 8 F-15s? Was the country eyeing the package for deployment on its F-16s as well?
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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Rally set to celebrate saving of air base
Niagara Military Affairs Council hosts a "Team Niagara Rally" to celebrate the saving of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
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BAE SYSTEMS Achieves First Flight of Its Next-Generation Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
BAE Systems recently achieved a successful first flight of its third-generation vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle at its Southern California flight test facility.
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B-1 bombers arrive for four-month stay
Two B-1s arrived at Andersen Air Force Base to begin a four month stay in Guam after a 15-hour, nonstop flight.
The B-2s currently there will be rotated out.
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Four grab Navy maritime surveillance work
Boeing Co., General Dynamics Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. all won contracts from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to study and proposal of solutions for an around-the-clock worldwide maritime surveillance capability.
Each contract is worth $1 million. After the initial five-month study, the Navy will down-select contractors to continue the study for another seven months.
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Pratt & Whitney Begins Assembly of First Flight Test F135 Engine for the Joint Strike Fighter
Pratt & Whitney has begun assembly of the first flight test F135 engine, a Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) variant.
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Taiwan monitored Sino-Russian war game: report
United Daily News said a Taiwan C-130 flew to Okinawa and landed at a U.S. air base. It was there to monitor the joint China-Russia war games.
This is the first time a Taiwan warplane has landed on Japanese soil and on a US military base in Okinawa since Washington recognise China in 1979.
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Aviation Transformation includes new aircraft, upgrades
The U.S Army's new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters will bring about many changes for Army Aviation.
The Future Cargo Aircraft will also replace the C-23 Sherpa.
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Audit: Paint stripped too often from Hill F-16s
Inspectors from the U.S. Air Force Audit Agency found that F-16s at Hill Air Force Base were stripped and repainted so often that “the structural integrity of the aircraft may have been compromised.”
Hill officials countered that recent studies have shown the stripping process, which uses a high-powered stream of small, soft plastic beads, is safer than inspectors assume.
The Agency fount that the planes were stripped and repainted every time during scheduled maintenance because customer wings “wanted aircraft to look new when they returned.”
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Pilot gets to fly fighter jet home
Kelly Ladd a USN fighter pilot gets to fly a Super Hornet home for the weekend as part of a promotional activity.
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Monday, August 29, 2005
'Delaying Attack Chopper Project Will Open Defense Gap'
South Korea's National Assembly’s Budget Office reported that a delay of plans for attack helicopters could open a four-year hole South Korea's fighting strength after 2012.
The report mention that if attack helicopters are developed only once the transport chopper project is judged successful, their actual deployment would not happen until 2016. Most of the attack choppers currently in service retires in 2012.
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Keeping Cannon now means finding new mission
Local officials are confident that a new mission can be secured before the Dec. 31, 2009 dateline for Cannon Air Force Base.
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Guard found errors, saved C-130 unit
Delaware Air National Guard's 166th Airlift Wing was saved because they discovered that the USAF had made serious errors when calculating the military value of the unit and its base.
They discovered that the Air Force personnel who had calculated the estimated cost savings of moving the 166th's aircraft had used wrong assumptions.
The Air Force assumed the crew would move to a new location like regular Air Force units when in reality the pilots, navigators and air crews would have to be retrained.
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India to keenly watch PAF's `coming of age'
Pakistan Air Force's war game next month is being seen by the Indian Air Force as “coming of age” of the PAF's tactical air doctrine.
The exercise will involve 350 military aircraft and 20 air bases, including those on the frontier with India.
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Bigger French role against terrorism signals better ties
French Mirage-2000 fighters have been flying alongside U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs to assist American and Afghan ground troops again.
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'Mustang Ace' did what he had to do during World War II
Robert Goebel shot down 11 German planes during WWII but he never forgot the one flier whose parachute didn't open.
Goebel tracked down the German fighter group the pilot had flown with and found out his name.
Goebel wrote a letter to his surviving niece a few months ago, apologizing for the pain he had caused her family. She wrote back in German: Both you and Herbert were trying to do your duty.
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Yemeni military plane crashes
A Yemeni MiG-29 crash in al-Duha near the Red Sea.
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A legend in the air
Former Blackbird pilot, Brian Shul, talks to a group about his 24 years of experience flying the SR-71 at the Wah Chang Northwest Art & Air Fair.
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Sikorsky wins U.S. approval to sell helicopter without export clearance
Sikorsky can now export their helicopters overseas without special export clearances required for military aircraft.
The ruling could free the company to sell the S-92A to China, which is building up a maritime search-and-rescue fleet.
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Snowbirds cancel two shows, crash investigation continues
The Snowbirds have cancelled two of their upcoming shows while investigators continue to probe why one of the team’s CT-114 jets crashed earlier this week.
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Sunday, August 28, 2005
Unidentified drone crashes in Iran, ministry says
An Iran Interior Ministry official said that an unmanned “drone” aircraft has crashed into mountains in the central Iranian province of Lorestan.
The spokeman added that the drone has not been identified yet.
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Japan, U.S. eye Iwakuni Megafloat
Yomiuri Shimbun said that Tokyo and Washington are considering building a giant floating runway on the sea off Iwakuni.
This will allow U.S. forces' to carry out night-landing practice in an effort to reduce noise pollution.
About 70 fighter jets aboard the USS Kitty Hawk are being considered to move to the facility.
The Megafloat structure is to be built about four kilometers from a new offshore runway at Iwakuni Air Station.
Japan tested a one-kilometer long Megafloat off Yokosuka in 1999 and 2000.
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Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
Ok, no more BRAC news. If you want to know more, go to the BRAC website and click on the two pdf files, Air Force Reserve Aircraft Laydown - Commission Recommendation and Air National Guard Aircraft Laydown - Commission Recommendation that will show the changes.
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OTIS dealt critical blow
Otis Air National Guard Base will close and 18 F-15 Eagles should be redeployed to Barnes Air Base in Westfield.
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Panel votes to keep Niagara Falls base open
BRAC strips the 107th Air Refueling Wing of its eight KC-135 tankers but keep the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station opened.
The commissioners also rejected the move of 914th Airlift Wing's C-130s to Little Rock Air Force Base.
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Guard tankers escape U.S. ax
117th Air Refueling Wing will stay in Birmingham after BRAC rejected Pentagon's recommendation to disperse it.
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Langley to get 18 F-15s
Langley Air Force Base will get 18 additional F-15s instead of 24.
The Pentagon had recommended giving Langley 24 planes but the BRAC decided to give six of those planes to the Air National Guard.
Some of the planes will come from Elmendorf Air Force Base.
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Air Guard may get replacement F-15 jets
Montana Air National Guard will trade in their F-16s for F-15s.
The F-15s are coming from Lambert Field in Missouri and the Portland International Airport Air Guard Station in Oregon.
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183rd losing its jets
Base Closure and Realignment Commission agreed to transferring the 183rd Fighter Wing's F-16s from Springfield to Fort Wayne.
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148th to keep flying mission
Duluth's Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing gets to keep their F-16s.
BRAC voted 8-0 to reject the U.S. Air Force recommendation to mothballed the 15 aircraft starting as early as 2006.
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Lawyer for missile plot defendant claimes juror was coerced
The lawyer for the Briton convicted of trying to smuggle shoulder-launched missiles into the United States is asking a federal judge for a retrial.
He argued that the 70-year-old British businessman's conviction came after 11 jurors coerced a lone holdout.
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Israel envisions missile strikes from 2 fronts
Israel's military has begun to prepare for the prospect of missile and rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
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Commission OKs realignment of Beale mission
BRAC has approved the realignment of the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale Air Force Base.
The wing's eight KC-135 air tankers will be divided between Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan and the Tennessee Air National Guard.
The tankers would remain at Beale until at least October 2008.
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China's navy prompts US concern
Admiral Gary Roughead, commander of U.S. Pacific fleet, is interested in learning what ships and aircraft the Chinese and Russians had deployed during the recent war games, how they operated together and how they integrated their commands and communications.
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Defense minister visits Russian weapon show
Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan Friday visited an exhibition of Russian military equipment that had been used in the just-concluded China-Russia joint military exercises.
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Third time’s a charm for new boss at Shaw
Col . James Hyatt will return to Shaw Air Force Base for the third time in his 25-year-long career.
This time he will assume command of the 20th Fighter Wing. Hyatt will be responsible for largest F-16 base in the U.S. Air Force.
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Former flying tiger still excited about China trip
Former flying tiger veteran, John Richard "Dick" Rossi, will be in Beijing early September to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Rossi scored 6.25 kills during his combat operations against Japanese Air Force planes as a flight leader of the American Volunteer Group.
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‘Mr. Navy’ Display Begins CV 41 Story
The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum unveiled the first display focusing on the USS Midway (CV 41) story Aug. 3.
The display highlights Ichiro Masuoka, who was senior secretary to the Japanese Speaker of the House and a naval enthusiast who strongly supported and negotiated for homeporting an American carrier in Japan.
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New Cold War Museum highlights U-2 spy case
Francis Gary Powers Jr. wants to create a museum devoted to his father Francis Gary Powers Sr. who was shot down over the Soviet Union.
The museum will be located at the former Lorton Nike Missile Site, off State Route 123.
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Air Force says pilot error caused fatal helicopter crash (Free Registration)
Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk to crash.
Bad weather and a general complacency among the three-member crew contributed to the crash.
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Northrop may protest spy plane program
Scroll down the page and its says that Northrop Grumman may protest to the U.S. Army that it could have avoided the plane weight problems of ACS by selecting it instead of Lockheed Martin.
The U.S. Navy also has launched a review of the Aerial Common Sensor program to make sure it's been properly handled.
Labels: ACS
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'Iran had designed N-capable cruise missiles'
A prominent Iranian dissident on Friday claimed Tehran had reverse engineered the Kh-55 cruise missile.
Alireza Jafarzadeh said the 12 weapons were now in the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
Two Kh-55 were obtain illegally from Ukraine.
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Lockheed plans new export version of joint strike fighter
Lockheed Martin is laying plans for special export version of the F-35 joint strike fighter.
Originally the U.S. and export versions of the plane were to be the same.
However Lockheed is working on a version to be released to foreign partners that will take account of the technical constraints imposed by Washington's export policy.
The design, called the SDD-Delta, should be finalised by December.
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Saturday, August 27, 2005
Russian air force equipment exhibition in Qingdao
Pictures of Russian Air Force Equipment Exhibition held following the Sino-Russian "Peace Mission 2005" military exercises, in Qingdao.
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Eielson spared: Base would lose A-10s, but stay open year-round
BRAC voted to leave the F-16s at Eielson Air Force Base, while approving the move of A-10s to Moody Air Force Base.
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"...Cannon Stays Alive;" Will Be Open 5 More Years in Much-Reduced Form
BRAC accepted the Pentagon's recommendation to move Cannon Air Force Base's three F-16 fighter squadrons elsewhere. It stopped short of closing the base.
It voted 6-1, with two abstentions, to put the base in a backup status and tasked the Pentagon to find new missions for the base.
If a new mission is defined by Dec. 31, 2009, Cannon can be designated an active base again; if not, the Department of Defense can close it.
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F-15 fighters will stay
Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing will not have to move 15 F-15 jets to Air Force bases in New Jersey and Louisiana.
Eight KC-135 tankers flown by the Air Force Reserve 939th Air Refueling Wing will stay too.
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Four Boeing Small Diameter Bombs Dropped in Final Development Test
The full capabilities of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) was tested recently when four SDBs were released from two separate carriages on a U.S. Air Force F-15E.
The test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was conducted at an altitude of 15,000 feet, approximately 20 nautical miles from four separate targets.
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Uzbeks step up pressure on U.S. to leave air base
Uzbekistan on Friday put further pressure on the United States to withdraw troops from an air base near the Afghan border.
The Uzbek senate voted to demand U.S. forces leave the country.
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Judge sides with Pa. in base closings suit
U.S. District Judge John R. Padova ruled that Pentagon does not have the authority to deactivate the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
He sais that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should have gotten consent from Gov. Ed Rendell for the move.
The lawsuit didn't challenge the Pentagon's authority to close Willow Grove, only whether the federal government could deactivate the 111th Fighter Wing based there.
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RAF avoids low-fly ban
RAF can continue to conduct low level flying at Lake District National Park.
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Army begins Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter initiative with Aug. 29 ceremony
The U.S. Army and representatives of Bell Helicopter Textron will sign the contract for the Army’s new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter on Aug. 29.
Labels: ARH
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Jet fighter purchase to raise state debt, worsen trade balance
Czech Statistical Office claims that the loan of 14 JAS-39 Gripen for the Czech air force will increase government debt by CZK 10.3 billion.
The office switched from regarding the aircraft lease as financial leasing instead of operational leasing.
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Russia's Northern and Baltic fleets to conduct drills in late August
Russia's Northern and Baltic fleets will conduct joint exercises in the Northern Atlantic in late August.
Northern Fleet's aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will be participating.
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Bush considering special session on Cecil Field reopening
Gov. Jeb Bush is considering a special legislative session to make it clear Florida is ready to put up money to help reopen Cecil Field.
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BRAC Commission: Grand Forks AFB can keep air tankers until 2011
BRAC agreed with the Pentagon to realign Grand Forks Air Force Base. However they decided to allow the base to keep some of its air tankers until 2011.
The USAF wanted to move the air tankers by 2009, BRAC says that there is a possibility of Grand Forks getting new generation of tankers in 2012.
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Redstone wins again
The headquarters of the USAF Space and Missile Defense Command will move from Washington, D.C., to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.
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Russia to continue developing sea-based missile system
Russia will continue to develop the Bulava sea-based missile system.
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City will use grant to buy buffer land near base
The city of Tampa is using a $450,000 state grant to buy land around MacDill Air Force Base to create a buffer zone.
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Friday, August 26, 2005
Panel votes not to close Ellsworth Air Force Base
BRAC voted 8-1 not to close Ellsworth Air Force Base. It is home to half the USAF's fleet of B1-B bombers.
The commission found that closing Ellsworth wouldn't save any money over 20 years, and that it actually would cost nearly $20 million to move the planes to Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
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Morphing UAV rivals shape up for DARPA windtunnel examination
Lockheed Martin’s morphing unmanned air vehicle has entered windtunnel testing while NextGen Aeronautics’ rival morphing UAV will meanwhile enter tests in the NASA Langley transonic dynamics windtunnel next month.
Full-scale semi-span models of the morphing wings will be tested at speeds up to Mach 0.85 and altitudes up to 50,000ft.
The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works vehicle has a wing that folds upwards and inwards to reduce span and increase sweep for the high-speed dash.
NextGen’s wing has a scissors-like articulating structure, covered with a flexible silicone skin reinforced with metal mesh.
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KAL chases Black Hawk assembly
Korean Airlines (KAL) Aerospace has begun discussions with Sikorsky over fuselage production for the UH-60L Black Hawk utility helicopter.
Sikorsky hopes to outsource manufacturing of components for the UH-60L to create space at its Connecticut facility to produce new UH-60Ms.
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EADS North America to Offer the UH-145 for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Mission
EADS will offer the UH-145 for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) mission.
The UH-145 is a version of the twin-engine EC145 helicopter.
For additional information see the website at: http://www.uh-145.com.
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Minuteman 3 missile launched in test at Vandenberg
A Minuteman 3 missile was launched early Thursday hitting a predetermined target at the Kwajalein Atoll.
The test launch was to verify the integration of a Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle into the existing Minuteman 3 .
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Boeing a threat to alliance: Beazley
Boeing has hit back at claims that a lengthy industrial dispute at its RAAF Newcastle maintenance plant is damaging relations between Australia and America.
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Prosecutors suspect corruption at US air base
German prosecutors had expanded an inquiry into possible corruption during construction work at the U.S. air force base at Ramstein.
They found out that construction companies had been paid supplements that took the final costs 20 to 25 per cent higher than the tenders and these surcharges could not be explained by design changes.
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JFK faced India-China dilemma
President John F. Kennedy and his advisers pondered the feasibility of a nuclear strike against China if it attacked India for a second time.
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Excalibur 2005 winners announced
These are the results of Excalibur 2005. Top Gun is Maj Rich Murray, 23rd Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem.
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Fierce tail winds most probable cause of Afghan crash, Bono tells Congress
Spanish Defense Minister José Bono told Congress representatives that high winds, rugged terrain and a low-level flight path probably caused the fatal crash of a Spanish army helicopter in Afghanistan last week.
The pilot of a second Cougar flying behind mistaken the explosions from the crash as an attack and took evasive action. By swerving left, the second helicopter also met the wind and crashed.
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Air Force's smaller bomb is more versatile
The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb will be available to U.S. Air Force wings late next year.
The F-15E is the first aircraft to get the bomb, but it eventually will be given to the F/A 22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The F-15E is now able to carry four times as many bombs per mission due to the smaller size and weight. It can also be launched 40 miles from the target instead of the current 10.
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Islamabad to buy 22 more K-8 trainers
Pakistan has decided to buy 22 K-8 jet trainers from China. Pakistan has earlier purchased 12 jet trainers from China.
The tandem-seat advanced jet trainer has been designed and produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra and China’s Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company (NAMC).
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Kh-29L guided missiles launched successfully
At the first Russian-Chinese joint military exercises, Chinese Su-30s and Russian Su-24s fired the Kh-29L semi-active laser guided air-to-surface missiles.
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EADS obstacle warning system for Royal Thai Air Force
Two Bell 412 EP helicopters of the Royal Thai Air Force, which are being deployed for transporting VIPs, were equipped with the HELLAS (Helicopter Laser Radar Warning) obstacle warning system.
The HELLAS helicopter laser radar is the only operational warning equipment in the world that can protect helicopters reliably against obstacles such as high-voltage transmission lines. It scans its surroundings with a laser beam, which is not harmful to the human eye and detects even thin wire at a great distance and with high precision.
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CAE to provide C-130H part task trainer to RNZAF
CAE has been awarded a contract by SPAR Aerospace to provide a C-130H part task trainer (PTT) and three CAE Simfinity™ C-130H flight management system trainers (FMST) to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
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Arkansas heat stifling to British crews
RAF C-130 crews spent five days at Little Rock Air Force Base last week in a joint training effort with American C-130 aircrews.
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Thursday, August 25, 2005
Agency seeks foreign fighter jets to replace F-4s
Japan has abandoned plans to develop its own fighter jets and will instead select foreign aircraft to replace its F-4s.
Six types of aircraft from the United States and Europe has been selected as candidates. They are the F/A-22, F-35, F-15E, F/A-18 and the Eurofighter. Most probably the other candidate is the Rafale.
The Defense Agency had planned to develop domestic fighters based on its F-2, but a flaw in its radar system scuttled that plan.
Labels: Japan FX
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Pakistani jet plane crashes, pilot ejects safely
A Pakistan Air Force Mirage crashed on Thursday and the pilot was able to eject safely.
The Mirage was on a routine flight when some technical fault occurred.
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Deal gives Oceana last chance
The Defense Base Realignment and Closure commission voted 7-0 with two abstentions to keep Oceana open with conditions.
The city of Virginia Beach must buy and eliminate homes, shopping centers and other development around the base. They must spend at least $15 million annually to buy land in high risk areas.
The move spells a death knell for Oceana as it leave the U.S. Navy no choice but to move its jets from Virginia Beach to Cecil Field.
City of Virginia Beach has neither the legal authority, the money, nor the political will to fulfill any of the commission’s conditions.
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Lockheed Martin Develops Technique to Integrate Advanced Weapons on Current Aircraft, Sooner and at Lower Cost
After sifting thru the marketing jargon in this press release, you will find what this article is trying to say is that LM has modified the operational flight program software of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) so it responds to the F-16 aircraft’s existing Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) interface.
Basically, the aircraft “thinks” it is carrying and launching a JSOW from its wing.
The same existing weapon interface has been used for integrating the Wind Corrected Muntions Dispenser (WCMD) on U.S. Air Force F-16s.
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Training of trainers of Intermediate Jet Trainers
The Indian Air Force has entered into a contract with British Aerospace Systems, for training of 75 IAF pilots on the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley, UK.
Each Hawk AJT training includes 12 courses with 6 to 8 IAF trainees in each course. Each training course is of a duration of 45 weeks.
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Pakistan offers military goods to Qatar
Pakistan has expressed strong interest in purchasing Qatar's fleet of Mirage 2000-5 fleet.
India had earlier indicated that it is interested in acquiring the Mirages. However they are put off by the high price.
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chase away stTaiwan Withdraws Budget for U.S. Arms
Taiwan's Cabinet on Wednesday withdrew a special budget for a massive U.S. weapons package.
A key item was to move the Patriot missile allocation of more than $3 billion from the special budget to the regular defense budget.
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Eagle to protect Gripens
Nope, the F-15 Eagle will not be protecting JAS-39 Gripens. A single golden eagle will join falcons and hawks at Czech air base in Caslav to chase away birds from the airport.
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Pa., Pentagon Argue Over Base Cut Plans (Free Registration)
Attorneys for Pennsylvania and the Pentagon faced off in a federal court Tuesday over plans to close Willow Grove Naval Air Station.
The outcome of the case could affect National Guard units nationwide as the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania National Guard is based there.
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Northrop Grumman to Supply Additional Navigation Systems for F/A-22 Raptor
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin Corporation to supply up to 108 additional global positioning inertial navigation systems (GINS) for the U.S. Air Force's F/A-22 fleet.
The GINS is part of Northrop Grumman's LN-100 inertial navigation system product line.
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Northrop Grumman Uses New In-Country Reprogramming Tool to Train Republic of South Korea's Air Force on Electronic Countermeasures System
Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed In-Country Reprogramming Tool training for representatives of the Republic of South Korea Air Force and Boeing Company on the operation and programming of its improved ALQ-135M electronic countermeasures system.
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Labor slams F-111 payouts
Australia's Labor Party critised the government's guidelines for compensation payments to former RAAF F-111 maintenance workers.
Labor said the guidelines were arbitrary. For example, the compensation is based on the days exposed to toxic chemicals while working. Those would are exposed to less than 30 days might have experienced more intense exposure than those who satisfied it.
And the difference between 29 days and 30 days exposure is $30,000 in payouts.
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RAAF crew treated after gas scare
An RAAF C-130 Hercules aircrew were taken to hospital in Sydney after a gas scare during a flight.
They were on a training mission in western New South Wales when the crew detected a faint smell of fumes.
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Japan to develop rocket for joint defense system
Japan is to develop a rocket engine and the United States a warhead for the joint sea-based missile defense system.
The system will use the enhanced SM-3 missile, fired from an Aegis-equipped destroyer.
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MTC Awarded $45 Million Contract for Air Force F-16 Aircraft Commercial Fire Control Computer
MTC Technologies, Inc. has been awarded a $45 million contract to modify the Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Reserve Command (ARC) F-16 Block 25/30/32 aircraft with a Commercial Fire Control Computer (CFCC).
MTC's subsidiary, OnBoard Software, Inc., will re-host the original software for the Operational Flight Program and adapt it to the new CFCC.
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Balancing Act
Rear Adm. Michael L. Holmes, commander of USN's Patrol & Reconnaissance Group gave this interview to the Sea Power Magazine.
Radm Holmes is reponsible for manning, training and equipping the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissanc forces.
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Falcon finally lands at Misawa museum
An F-16A Fighting Falcon dating to 1978 — one of the first F-16s in the U.S. Air Force inventory — was officially dedicated to the Misawa Aviation Science Museum on Tuesday morning.
Brig. Gen. Bill Rew, 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base commander, who flew the plane as a young Air Force pilot at Hill Air Force Base helped cut the ribbon.
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IAF short of fighter pilots, admits govt
The Indian government admitted that Indian Air Force was short of 341 fighter pilots.
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Air Marshal AK Nagalia takes over as deputy chief of air staff
Air Marshal AK Nagalia has taken over as Deputy Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.
Air Marshal Nagalia is a graduate fo the first Experimental Test Pilot course in India and has served as test pilot.
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Snowbird jet crashes at Thunder Bay, Ont - pilot safe
A Snowbird jet crashed on its way to an airshow Wednesday in Thunder Bay, in northwestern Ontario.
The pilot Capt. Andrew Mackay ejected safely. A local resident Dennis Trevisanutto Jr., drove the pilot to a hospital.
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GE, Rolls-Royce To Pick Assembly Site For JSF Engine In Mid-2006
General Electric and Rolls-Royce plan to pick a site in mid-2006 to assemble F136 engines for the U.S. Defense Department's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Sites under consideration include Evendale, Ohio; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Bristol in the United Kingdom.
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F-16 accident report released
The failure of a high-pressure turbine rotor in a F-16D engine cause it to crash in a marsh adjacent to the Ashley River near Charleston, S.C., on April 18.
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Military Photographers Reunion 2005
Canada's retired and serving military photographers will have their 10th Milfoto Reunion at 8 Wing Trenton.
128 retired members and 36 serving members have registered to attend.
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Its midnight here in Singapore, the BRAC will vote in a few hours whether to close Oceana. For those working and living there, good luck.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Northrop Grumman's Viper Strike Added to the AC-130 Arsenal
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Viper Strike has been selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command to be develop as a stand-off precision-guided munition (SOPGM) on the AC-130 gunship.
The first phase of the contract will demonstrate the use of the SOPGM from the gunship. The second phase will demonstrate and assess the military utility of the SOPGM Weapon System on the AC-130.
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Elbit Systems and IAI to bid in $100m Indian Air Force tender
Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries will be invited to bid in a tender for setting up a command and control system for the Indian Air Force.
The tender is likely to test the U.S. veto power on Israel’s exports of weapons and technology to sensitive countries or regions.
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Lockheed uncertain over spy-plane airframes - WSJ
Wall Street Journal reported that Lockheed Martin was unsure the viability of its proposal for the U.S. Army Aerial Common Sensor before it secured the multibillion-dollar contract to build them.
The newspaper said a source close to the program said a Lockheed manager told him the company ultimately decided it was too late in the bid preparations to switch the plane, but that Lockheed would consider options if it won the contract.
Labels: ACS
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Singapore Yet To Choose Between Boeing, Dassault Jets
A spokeswoman for the Singaporean Defense Ministry clarified in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the ministry hasn't decided whether to buy the F-15 or Rafale for its NGF competition.
The announcement followed notification by the Pentagon to the U.S. Congress on Monday of a possible sale of $741 million in F-15 weapons, equipment and training support to Singapore.
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Turbulent times hit Oregon Guard's airborne rescue crews
Oregon Army National Guard's 1042nd Medical Company Air Ambulance is feeling the strain from the war on terrorism while carrying out its duty at home.
Four of its Black Hawk helicopters and one-quarter of its soldiers are deployed to Afghanistan for six months.
Inadequate funding has prevented the unit from buying much of the necessary survival equipment, medics bought their own equipment.
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Colorado is hub for hush-hush aerospace industry (Free Registration)
Aurora, a 144-square-mile city in Colorado is home to an aerospace-defense industry whose work are mostly classified.
Not even its Mayor Ed Tauer knows what's going on inside his city's borders.
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Survivors recall tragic Silmido uprising
After 34 years, survivors still remembers the uprising of Unit 684, a South Korean airforce special operations unit.
24 South Korean espionage agents killed 18 of their trainers in Silmido island. They escaped from the island, hijacked a bus to Seoul and ended a fierce gun battle with government troops by blowing themselves up with grenades. Four were captured and later executed.
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F-14 Tomcat joins Reagan Library
Rear Adm. David J. Venlet, RIO of Fast Eagle 102 that shot down a Libyan Su-22, unveiled an F-14 Tomcat at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Monday.
Thefighter was placed by a crane between the library's Peace Plaza and the new Air Force One Pavilion as a military band played "Anchors Away." Two F-14s gave a flypass to mark the occasion.
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Retired admiral says Oceana is best for the Navy
Retired Rear Admiral Fred Metz has come out to support Oceana from closing.
He argued that air encroachment around the Cecil Field is more severe than at NAS Oceana.
This is a copy of his statement to the BRAC.
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Panel sees feasibility of Oceana closure
The BRAC seems poised to close Naval Air Station Oceana.
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Orbital Successfully Launches Second Target Rocket For U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s CMCM-1 Progra
Orbital Sciences Corporation has successfully launched the second of two medium-range target vehicles that supported the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Critical Measurements and Countermeasures Program, Campaign 1.
The second medium-range Castor IVB target vehicle was launched from Kauai Test Facility on the Pacific Missile Range Facility, on Thursday, August 18.
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Navy seeks payment for air base land
The U.S. Navy may want money in exchange for turning over the remaining land at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station for development.
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Special ops commander says Oceana is only option
U.S. Army Gen. Bryan D. Brown, who heads the U.S. Special Operations Command, said in a letter that Oceana Naval Air Station is the only airfield that can meet the needs of his command.
Oceana has a classified role in supporting special operations forces, including Navy SEALs.
His letter contradicts testimony at a hearing Saturday that the special operations forces mission could be moved to another base in the Norfolk region.
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Airshow brings $1bn in contracts
Russian pilots set two flying records for the Su-27 during MAKS 2005.
Alexander Pavlov flew at a speed of 1,510km per hour on a circle route of 100km, and Anatoly Kvochur flew his jet at 1,644 km per hour on a 1,000km long circle route.
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Singapore, Brunei air forces hold bilateral air defence exercise
The Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Royal Brunei Air Force are conducting Exercise Airguard for the eleventh time.
This is the first time the exercise is held in Brunei.
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894 make it to shortlist for first Malaysian astronaut
A Malaysian will get to enjoy a six- to eight-day trip to the International Space Station as part of a package that Russia provided after the purchase of 18 Sukhoi Su-30 MKM by RMAF.
Those who want to be selected will have prove their physical fitness.
894 applicants will have to run a 3.5km course within 20 minutes to remain in the selection process.
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Six more Gripen fighter jets delivered, last two to arrive soon
Six more single seat JAS-39 Gripen fighters have arrived in the Czech Republic, the last two twin seaters will follow soon.
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Government funds firm selling missile components to US
A New Zealand company Rakon manufactures quartz crystals for use in GPS guided weapons.
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Hellfire Thermobaric Warhead Approved for Production
The AGM-114N version of the HELLFIRE II missile has been approved for an accelerated full-rate production run.
The thermobaric warhead also known as metal augmented charge (MAC) have already been combat-proven in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Missile programs face critical tests
Boeing's Ground-based Mid-Course Missile Defense and Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system will undergo critical tests in the coming months.
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Missile programs face critical tests
Boeing's Ground-based Mid-Course Missile Defense and Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system will undergo critical tests in the coming months.
THAAD will have its first major test since 1999. It can be maintain by any soldier using 30 standard tools and complete it in under 30 minutes.
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Kitty Hawk Concludes Successful Summer Underway Period
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) returned to its forward-deployed operating port of Yokosuka, Japan, Aug. 20, after a three-month summer underway period.
Kitty Hawk and CVW-5 took part in Talisman Saber 2005, the third annual Orange Crush and Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) 2005 exercises.
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US aircraftHelicopter fleet 'not grounded': govt
The Australian govt. has rejected claims the Navy has grounded its entire helicopter fleet.
Defence Minister Robert Hill says there had been only a "pause" in operations related to a maintenance issue detected on one type of helicopter operated by the Navy.
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Russia's strategic bombers to carry non-nuclear cruise missiles in joint exercise with China
Russia's Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers would be carrying cruise missiles during the Russian-Chinese Peace Mission 2005 joint exercise.
The cruise missiles will have conventional warheads and include ones that had been tested recently and observed by the Russian president.
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Chinese, Russian troops conduct maritime blockade drill
Chinese and Russian fighters provided air cover for Russian and Chinese warships conducting a maritime blockade drill in the sea area to the southeast of the Shandong Peninsula.
The drill allows the Chinese to evaluate Russian weapons for possible use in the blockade of Taiwan Straits.
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Singapore – Weapons and Logistics/Training Support for F-15 Aircraft (PDF)
This Defense Security Cooperation Agency's document reveals the weapons Singapore requested for possible sale together with the F-15T.
The list includes AMRAAMs, JDAMs, Joint Standoff Weapons, AIM-9Xs.
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S.Africa state arms firm Denel says must reform
South African state-run arms firm Denel's new chief executive said the firm must be overhauled completely as it faces record losses with its business plan not viable.
Denel would switch away from developing products from scratch such as the Rooivalk attack helicopter and work with international companies to produce individual components instead.
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Pentagon announces possible fighter aircraft sale to Singapore
Melanie Yip of Singapore's 938 radio channel asks Dr Paul Mitchell, Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, how would the United States' benefit from its proposed aircraft and weapons sale to Singapore.
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Europe's EADS to make 'major' announcement on US helicopters
EADS is set to make a 'major announcement' on the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter, the company said.
EADS North America chairman and chief executive Ralph Crosby scheduled a conference call for early Wedneday to discuss the helicopter program.
Augusta is offering its A-109 while Lockheed Martin teamed with MD Helicopters to offer its MD Explorer.
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Navy rescues helicopter crash survivor
Indian naval marine commandos on Tuesday rescued one survivor and located a major portion of the crashed Kamov-28 helicopter.
Four of the crew members have been confirmed dead, and the search is still on for the sixth member.
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U.S. Air Force Believes It Is Making Progress In QDR
Director of U.S. Air Force strategic planning, Maj. Gen. Ronald Bath, is pleased with the pace of the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review.
He says the USAF is making progress promoting its views and the Air Force is winning appreciation for its ability to provide global mobility, persistent surveillance and precision strike.
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Minister of National Defence flies with the Snowbirds
Canada's Minister of National Defence, Bill Graham, went on a familiarization flight in a CT-114 Tutor belonging to the Snowbirds demonstration team.
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Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Thales, Boeing submit joint bid for UK MoD deal worth 10 bln stg
Thales and Boeing have submitted a joint bid for the U.K. Ministry of Defence's Military Flying Training System programme.
The winner of the contract will have to provide aircrew training for personnel of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Army from basic flying to operational conversion.
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RAF plane clocks up rescue record
An RAF Nimrod that was sent to
search for a yacht south east of Greenland is believed to have set a record for the furthest distance an aircraft of its type has been sent on a rescue mission.
Controllers at the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss believe it to have been the furthest distance a Nimrod has been deployed on a rescue.
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Russian defense minister to attend joint exercises
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov will join his chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan and the defense ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at Qingdao, China to observe the Russian-Chinese Peace Mission 2005 military exercises.
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Fighter Jet Conference
Alert 5 is helping
IDGA feature its Fighter Jet conference on November 17 - 18, 2005 at Georgetown University Conference Center, Washington, DC.
This is the list of speakers who will be speaking at the two day conference.
- Colonel Louis M. Durkac, USAF Assistant Director of Requirements
Air Combat Command
- Captain Jeff Penfield, USN
Deputy PM for Systems Development, F/A-18 Strike Fighter
Naval Air Systems Command
- Colonel Mike Williams, USAF
Commander
Fighter/Attack Systems Wing
- Captain James G. Wallace, USN
Director of International Programs
PMA-265
- Colonel Bruce A. Litchfield, USAF
Commander
Agile Combat Support Systems Wing
- Lieutenant Colonel Rich Hyde, USAF
Program Manager
JDAM
- Colonel Richard D. Justice, USAF
Commander
Miniature Munitions Systems Group
- Lieutenant Colonel Joel C. Rush, USAF
Director of Operations
7th Fleet Squadron
- Colonel Jimmy R. Clark, USAF
Chief
F/A-22 System Management Organization
- Bill Sweetman
Aerospace Author and Writer
Jane's Defense Weekly
Click for a PDF brochure of the event.
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Crippled Finnish Air Force Chieftain lands at Tikkakoski airport
A Finnish Air Force Piper Chieftain on Monday landed safely at Finland's Tikkakoski airport with only one of its engines running.
The engine was shut down due to a fault in the fuel system.
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CIS air defense drill enters final stage
CIS air forces will hold the final stage of exercise Combat Partnership 2005 at the Ashuluk firing range, southern Russia.
S-300, S-125 and C-75 air defense systems, and some 40 planes are taking part.
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Belarus to purchase new combat aircraft after 2010
Belarus will start purchasing new combat aircraft after 2010. The country is interested in the Su-30.
Belarus also intends to purchase Il-76MF to replace earlier Candids. The An-74 is to replace An-26.
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Kamov, Rolls Royce sign engine contract
Rolls-Royce will supply 50 RR-250 engines for Kamov's Ka-226 helicopters.
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Iran Claims Ability To Fix Military Aircraft
Iran claimed it has the ability to repair and overhaul military aircraft.
Iran said it could overhaul more than 20 engine models, 80 fixed-wing aircraft and eight helicopters, both military and civilian.
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Northrop may source Hawkeye parts from India
Northrop Grumman team was recently in India scouting for suppliers of components and capabilities that could be used in the company’s Hawkeye 2000 aircraft.
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Rolls-Royce strike action starts
Workers at Rolls-Royce in Bristol have begun striking following the sacking of an Amicus union official.
The workers have earlier voted to strike over the sacking.
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Jumper: BRAC decisions needed to continue transformation
U.S. Air Force Chief Of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper told the Base Realignment and Closure Commission that decisions related to base closure are needed to allow the Air Force to continue to transform to meet the war-fighting demands of the 21st century.
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Northrop Grumman Unveils Newest Target for U.S. Navy
Northrop Grumman Corporation has unveiled its BQM-74F which is the U.S. Navy's next-generation subsonic aerial target.
The BQM-74F can fly twice as far, 15 percent faster and has a 70 percent increase in endurance over the E model.
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Thunderbirds continue their season after mishap
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are continuing their show schedule after reviewing their procedures following a mishap Aug. 20 at the Chicago Air and Water Show when two aircraft touched in flight.
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Fighter jet makes emergency landing at Lambert
A Boeing F-15K on a test run made an emergency landing Monday morning at Lambert Field.
A warning light illuminated signaling problems with the anti-skid brakes and as the pilot was about to land, he could not confirm that the landing gear was all the way down.
The pilot then make a fly past where experts could observe the plane. They determined the gear was down and it was safe for the plane to land.
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Pentagon preparing munitions deal to support possible F-15 sale to Singapore
The Pentagon notified the U.S. Congress of plans to sell Singapore up to US$ 741m worth of weapons, equipment and training as part of a proposed sale of F-15 to Singapore.
Singapore will purchase the airframes and engines commercially if the F-15T wins the competion.
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Czech Republic Chooses Finalists To Provide Personnel Carriers
You have to scroll down this article to read about aviation news. Czech Defense Minister Karel Kuehnl said 21 of Czech's obsolete Mig-21 fighters were sold for only $100,000 to an unnamed Czech company.
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France and India Discuss Missiles for Indian Fighter Aircraft
France and India are discussing the integration of Armament Air-Sol-Modulaire (AASM) range of precision-guided weapons on the Indian air force's Sukhoi Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
The Su-30MKI likely would carry six AASM weapons on two triple-store launchers. The MiG-29 would be fitted with 4-6 rounds. Russia would qualify the weapon.
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GE, Rolls-Royce win $2.5B F-35 contract
General Electric Co. and Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command for six F-136 test engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
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USAFE airmen to join NATO training at Bulgarian bases
Air forces from 14 NATO nations will take part in the Cooperative Key 2005 exercise in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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Former RAAF officer wins compensation
Former RAAF Air Vice Marshal, Peter Criss, won a five year battle for compensation from the Australian government.
He was as air commander in 1999 but reasons for his dismissal have never been made public.
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Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests Loitering Attack Missile Warhead
Lockheed Martin together with Raytheon Company recently performed four successful tests of the Non-Line-of-Sight – Launch System (NLOS-LS) Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator (MEFP) warhead.
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RAF Nimrod in longest ever rescue bid as yacht sinks
An RAF Nimrod is leading an international effort to save the crew of a sinking yatch off Greenland.
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Monday, August 22, 2005
Shop
The online shop has been setup for those who wants to buy the Tomcat posters. I'm printing only 10 posters. These are printed on heavy coated paper on a Canon large format printer. If the posters are popular I'll print another batch of 10 else I'll cease production.
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Air Marshal Joshi is Strategic Forces chief
Air Marshal Avinash Joshi is the new head of India's Strategic Forces Command.
He will be in charge of India's nuclear forces.
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Fighter pilots compete for 'gloating rights'
The USAF in Europe and the Royal Air Force recently concluded Excalibur, a fighter jet competition.
The competition tests the pilot's bombing and strafing abilities.
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Dyess AFB demonstrates B-1B's upgrades, combat capabilities
Two B-1B Lancers recently drop a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile as well as three dissimilar weapons from the same launcher on Jul 25 over the White Sands Missile Range.
The tests also validate the new offensive avionics software designated as Sustainment Block 10, it allows the Lancer to load more than one type of weapon in each of the it’s three weapons bays.
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New runway opens possibilities at Balad
A new runway is operational at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
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Object falls from jet, cuts short city air show
Two USAF Thunderbirds F-16s touched while in a diamond formation, causing part of a missile rail to dislogde and fell into Lake Michigan on Saturday.
The Thunderbirds season is suspended till investigations are completed.
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Polish air force chief dies in private plane crash
General Jacek Bartoszcze, the chief of Poland's air force, died in a crash on Saturday.
He was doing aerobatics with an unnamed Belgian friend in a two-seater plane.
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N.C. aircraft mechanics help Marines with helicopter shortage
Civilian maintenance workers at the Naval Air Depot at the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station will start restoring three mothballed U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragons into the Super Stallion.
The Marines have been forced into taking the extraordinary step because they have only 150 of their only heavy-lift workhorses left in their fleet.
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Pakistan cruise missile not supersonic: Indian expert
A scientific advisor to India's Defence Minister said that Pakistan's Hatf VII Babur was subsonic only.
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Admiral evaluating ideal spot for carrier
Adm. Gary Roughead says Oahu's traffic problem could influence the decision on basing a nuclear aircraft carrier at Pearl Harbor.
The rest is of the article is an interview he gave to Star-Bulletin.
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Biannual ‘Buddy Wing’ training goes monthly at Osan
U.S. fighter pilots who currently train twice a year with their South Korean counterparts have found it so rewarding they plan to do it monthly.
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Irksome Firm Nearly Ejected From Air Show
Aviakonversia, which manufactures GPS jamming equipment, was asked to leave the MAKS 2005 airshow by Russian officials.
Agents from the Federal Industry Agency and the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control charged that Aviakonversia had not received clearance from the Defense Ministry to showcase its product.
GPS jammers made by Aviakonversia were effective against U.S. GPS guided weapons during the Iraq war in March 2003.
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Taiwan in talks with US firms on military copter deals - report
Taiwan and Bell Helicopter-Textron have launched talks on co-manufacturing UH-1Y Huey light utility and AH-1Z King Cobra attack helicopters, according to Jane's defense weekly.
UH-1Y is needed to replace Taiwan's fleet of Bell UH-1Hs, which are nearing the end of their service life after 32 years.
Sikorsky has proposed its UH-60 Black Hawk while Boeing is proposing the AH-64D Apache Longbow to fulfil the attack helicopter requirement.
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MAKS 2005 air show ends with firework on airdrome runway
A huge fireworks display on the runway of the Gromov Flight Testing Institute ended the Moscow International Aerospace Show MAKS 2005 Sunday night.
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Cunningham plans legal defense fund
Vietnam Ace Randy "Duke" Cunningham is planning to get a legal defense fund set up.
Federal authorities and a grand jury have been probing Cunningham's relationship with defense contracting firms MZM Inc. and ADCS Inc.
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Sunday, August 21, 2005
Russia to offer MiG-35 to Indian Air Force
The MiG-29OVT will now be marketed as the MiG-35. It will be offered to Indian Air Force to replace its ageing MiG-21.
The MiG-35 will have all the features of the MiG-29M/M2. This will lay to rest the rumours that 1.42 is to be named MiG-35.
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Over 500,000 people visit MAKS-2005 air show in five days
More than 500,000 people visited the MAKS-2005 airshow.
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General lends helping hand to Ellsworth effort
Retired Gen. Mike Loh, former head of Air Combat Command, will provided crucial support for Ellsworth Air Force Base.
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Florida, Virginia spar over Oceana
During last Saturday's testimony before the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Florida and Virginia call on facts and figures to bolster their cases.
Virginia argued that planes landing at Cecil Field would pass over 26 schools, as opposed to the seven at Oceana.
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Scots firm to develop anti-missile defence for US airliners
Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems, based in Edinburgh, is partnering Northrop Grumman to compete for a $10 billion U.S. govt. contract for a laser-based system for passenger planes.
Northrop Grumman contracted Selex SAS because the firm helped develop a missile defence system for U.K. military aircraft in the early 1990s.
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Army: Weather caused Afghanistan copter crash that killed 18
The U.S. Army has a CH-47 Chinook that crash in Afghanistan in April was caused by several weather-related factors.
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Runway trip in nuclear bomber is ultimate thrill for plane enthusiast
Andre Tempest owns a Handley Page Victor bomber. However he is unable to fly it because of Civil Aviation Authority rules relating to safety.
What he did was to run the bomber up and down the runway at the Yorkshire airfield where it is kept.
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Rough and risky but it’s rewarding
Royal Malaysian Air Force’s combat air rescue units face danger whenever they fly out on missions, even in peace time.
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Second phase of Russian-Chinese war games begins in China
The second phase of Russian-Chinese military exercise codenamed Peace Mission 2005 began on Saturday in China. The current phase includes a major air exercise.
Russian and Chinese strategic, frontline and interceptor jets will be doing joint training flights.
A Russian Il-78 will repeat the midair refuelling of Chinese Su-30, which it first did on August 16.
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442 Squadron Buffalo and Cormorant Medevac Seriously ill Woman from Cruise Ship
A Canadian Cormorant helicopter and Buffalo aircraft came to the aid of a seriously ill 74-year-old woman from the cruise ship off the West Coast of British Columbia.
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First Production MH-60R Delivered
Sikorsky Aircraft celebrated the delivery of the first new production MH-60R helicopter on Aug 19.
The aircraft will be flown to Owego, NY where the mission equipment package will be installed by Lockheed Martin, the mission systems integrator for the MH-60R.
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Andersen answers call for help
Eight commercial aircraft with more than 830 passengers were diverted to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam when a 747 with a collapsed nose gear forced the closure of Won Pat International Airport on Aug. 19.
Airmen and local custom agents and authorities worked together to process passengers on eight airliners.
Airmen directed the passengers from the aircraft through customs and onto airport chartered busses. The buses then took the passengers from Andersen to Won Pat International Airport.
U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III
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Saturday, August 20, 2005
Northrop Grumman vies for Air Force contract
Northrop Grumman will be competing against a team composed of Boeing Co. and BAE Systems to upgrade the B-52's defense electronics.
Paul Nisbet, a defense analyst says that Boeing could get the contract but then subcontract work to Northrop Grumman.
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HMLA 267 Marines help secure Texas border
USMC HMLA-267 deployed their FLIR-equipped AH-1W and UH-1N to the El Paso sector of the U.S.-Mexico border to assist the U.S. Border Patrol.
The border missions provided the Super Cobra and Huey aircrews with a realistic opportunity to develop and refine the FLIR reconnaissance skills which will be handy in Iraq.
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Galena predicted to close
Local officials and Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens predict the U.S Air Force base in Galena will be close by the BRAC.
The airstrip there is used by F-15s from Anchorage’s Elmendorf Air Force Base for training and emergencies.
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First Chinook arrives at G.I. base (Registration Required)
The first CH-47D Chinook flew into the Nebraska Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility on Thursday.
It will be the first of six Chinook helicopters to be stationed in Grand Island.
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Fighter Deals on the Way
Russia hopes to resume exports of its fighter jets next year. The bulk of this year's export are ships and submarines.
Negotiations are going on with Thailand, Indonesia and Algeria for export of Sukhoi fighters.
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8-year-old boy enjoys being pilot for a day
8-year-old Stoyan Pontius became an honorary second lieutenant at the 910th Airlift Wing under the "Pilot for a Day" program.
The program offers 7- to 16-year-old children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to tour the base.
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Iraq seeks to rebuild air force
Aljazeera looks at the new Iraqi Air Force being rebuild slowly with veterans of vast experience.
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Security breach
A hacker broke into the U.S. Air Force’s Assignment Management System and may have stolen the personal records of 33,300 officers and 19 airmen.
The breach occurred in the May-June time frame.
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HAL ranked 51st in the world
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has reached the 51st position in a list of the world's top 100 defence companies compiled by Defense News.
It also rank fourth position in the Asia Pacific region.
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Friday, August 19, 2005
Russian Air Force Museum on fire
The Central Russian Air Force Museum in Monino caught fire today. No other information given.
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Former workers declare 'war' over F-111 compo
Australia will give payout to hundreds of RAAF workers exposed to toxic chemicals when they were cleaning fuel tanks on F-111.
About 400 people will be able to claim $40,000 for working inside the tanks, while another 200 people will be eligible for a $10,000 payment for being involved in the project in other ways.
But the workers say the $40,000 payout is just enough for the legal action they will now have to take.
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The pilot who didn't know 6ft of wing was gone
This dude claims that he flew 2 hours in a C210 without realising that almost 6ft of his port wing and the wingtip tank is gone!
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IAF in 'dogfight' with Army over helicopters
The Indian Army Aviation Corps feels that attack and utility helicopters must come its command rather than the Air Force.
The Army also wants to replace its ageing fleet of light-utility Cheetah and Chetak helicopters with medium-lift utility helicopters.
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Jordan interested in buying Russian air defense systems
King Abdullah II of Jordan said at a meeting with editors-in-chief of Russian media outlets that his country is interested in getting Russian helicopter gunships and air defense systems.
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Historical road marker honors U-2 pilot
A highway marker was unveiled honoring U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers.
The marker is at the intersection of U.S. 23 and Business Route 23.
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Time slipping away for barrier-breaking pilots (Registration Required)
At the 34th annual convention of the Tuskegee Airmen, Retired Lt. Col. Eldridge Williams of Miami read out the names of of each airman who had died in the past year.
Members estimate that about 200 remain of the nearly 1,000 fighter pilots who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Base in Alabama.
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Bhavnani is new Vice Chief of Air Staff
The Indian Air Force has a new Vice Chief of Air Staff. He is Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, currently Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command.
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IAF welcomes Indo-Russian aircraft deal
Indian Air Force chief welcomes the licensed production of the AL-55 for use on the HAL's Intermediate jet.
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Drones heading to Ellington boost hope for keeping F-16s
12 Predators will be based at Ellington Field as part of the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Fighter Wing.
This could help offset the possible loss of F-16s under the Pentagon's base realignment program.
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A global balancing act for Marine Corps aviation
The USMC is migrating from a fleet currently comprising 13 different aircraft types/models/series to just seven types in future.
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RSAF C-130 aircraft arrive in Pekanbaru to help fight forest fires
Two RSAF C-130s delivered equipment and firefighters to Indonesia to help put out the forest fires there.
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Pilots adapt in an unconventional war
Strike fighters in Iraq are using their planes not to kill insurgents with bombs or rockets.
They are being used to pinpoint the locations of insurgents so that ground troops can move in to detain and interrogate them.
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U.S. Aircraft Security Handled Differently at Moscow Air Show
USAF Airmen from 48th Security Forces Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath protecting U.S. aircraft at MASK-2005 are not armed.
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Unmanned aircraft capabilities expanding in war on terrorism
In the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030, released on Aug. 4. The Pentagon is changing from using the terminology Unmanned aerial vehicle to Unmanned aerial systems.
Unmanned aerial systems denotes that much more than just the vehicle is needed to make such systems useful to warfighters.
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Amarillo gives Bell $27 million for helicopter project
The Amarillo City Commission will give $27 million to Bell Helicopter Textron to build an assembly facility for presidential helicopters.
The building will be separate from existing facilities on Bell property due to high security standards.
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RAF Boulmer delivers 2,500 fish and chips meals to VE/VJ war veterans
Besides delivering bombs, the RAF proved that it can deliver fish and chips as well.
A Sea King and a truck delivered 2,500 fish and chip meals to VE/VJ war veterans celebrating the 60 th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
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Lockheed Martin Successful in Boosted Penetrator Test
Lockheed Martin has demonstrated a boosted penetrator warhead with a long-range cruise missile that can be used against hard and deeply buried targets.
In operation, the missile would carry the warhead from long ranges against a target. In the terminal phase, just before reaching the target, the warhead would be expelled from the nose of the missile, when a booster would ignite to propel the warhead to high velocity and impact on the target.
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Boeing gets $8.3 mln contract for Growler work
Boeing has received an $8.3 million contract modification for work on the EA-18G Growler aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
Labels: EA-18G
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Thursday, August 18, 2005
IAF to place order for 20 LCAs soon: Mukherjee
The Indian Air Force will soon place orders for the first tranche of 20 Light Combat Aircraft with the HAL, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.
Additional orders for another 20 LCA will be at a later stage.
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Flight International exposed hoax photos
Flight International has exposed hoax photographs purporting to be pictures taken from the cockpit of a Greek F-16 as it intercepted the Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 as high-quality fakes.
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Russia Grounds Mi-8 Helicopters After 2 Crashes Kill 4, Injure 3
Two Mi-8 helicopters crashed on Thursday morning in Russia within four hours. Three pilots were injured in the first accident and four were killed in the second one.
The first Mi-8 belongs to the military and it suffered a reduction gear problem in the tail rotor.
The second Mi-8 belongs to Argo airline. The helicopter was performing an inspection flight over a pipeline.
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Diamondbacks
An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 prepares to conduct an in-flight refueling operation. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jarod Hodge.
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Airport land boom cleared for takeoff
Queensland plans to develop land near the RAAF Amberley Air Base into "Australia's premier aerospace park".
It hopes that park will be an ideal location for firms doing outsourcing work for the RAAF.
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South Texas leaders set to push for Ingleside
South Texas leaders will try to convince three visiting BRAC commissioners that Naval Station Ingleside should take over Oceana.
They argued that South Texas has 18,000 square miles of sky virtually free of commercial jets, and Ingleside's deep-water port can host a carrier.
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Air Force pilot honored for perseverance following leg amputation
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Lourake was honored by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits his perseverance to return to the air after having one of his legs amputated.
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Carrier Air Wing 8 change of command set
Captain William G. Sizemore II will relieve Captain Stephen J. Laukaitis as commander, Carrier Air Wing 8.
As CAG, Capt. Sizemore will lead the last two remaining operational F-14 Tomcat squadrons on their final deployment.
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New Russian Cruise Missiles Can Be Used Against Terrorists — Putin
Russian President Putin said he did not rule out using new cruise missile armed with conventional warheads against terrorists.
He saw the missile in action on Tuesday after one ws fired from the TU-160 bomber he was flying in.
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BAE SYSTEMS' F-35 JSF Electronic Warfare Systems Completes Flight Tests
BAE Systems has successfully completed the first flight test of its Electronic Warfare (EW) system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.
The F-35 JSF EW suite was installed on a T-39 twin engine business jet.
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U.S. to restart arms technology transfers to Israel
Washington announced that it will resume arms technology transfers to Israel that were curbed as a result of Tel Aviv's weapons sales to China.
Israel has agreed to adopt controls outlined in the 1996 Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.
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Pranab denies converting Prithvi into anti-missile
Indian Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said that there are no plans to integrate the short range surface-to-surface Prithvi missile with Israeli Greenpine radar as a missle shield.
His reply assumes significance amidst reports that Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working on a project to develop an anti-missile shield.
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Pentagon team plans Delhi visit next month
Pentagon’s Defence Cooperation Security Agency (DSCA) chief Lt General Jeffrey B Kohler will visit India next month to make a classified technical presentation on the PAC3 system, F-16 and F-18 fighters.
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Co-pilot says landing cargo plane on its belly 'like a big sled'
USN Lt. Mike Zaiko and his co-pilot, Lt. Mike Newton talks about their
gear up landing of a C-2A at Norfolk Naval Station.
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BRAC or not, missile jobs ahead
Huntsville could gain about 2,200 Missile Defense Agency jobs if the Pentagon's recommendations to move MDA research and management jobs there is approved.
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Australia and US to develop new radar technology
Australia and the United States signed an agreement to further develop Australian active phased array radar technology.
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Unmanned Vehicles offer new Defence capabilities
Australia’s future military operations will be supported by forces of robots and unmanned vehicles, Defence Minister Robert Hill said.
Research into this area is being conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) under its Automation of the Battlespace Initiative.
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Copter: Minister believes accident
Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono believes that the helicopter crash in Afghanistan is most likely an accident.
He made the comments after visting the crash site in western Afghanistan.
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Pressure on Northrop Grumman over EADS link
Northrop Grumman said that some lawmakers have been putting the company under pressure over its intention to team with EADS to offer a tanker for the USAF.
Northrop said it is still examining the business case for participating in the tanker program and assessing the political environment.
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5th Air Force vice commander set to retire after 30 years
The U.S. 5th Air Force vice commander, Brig. Gen. Bradley Baker, made his final flight in a C-130 last week.
Gen. Baker has more than 5,000 flying hours and entered active duty in March 1976.
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No Sukhoi Fighters to Be Delivered This Year
Sukhoi will not be delivering any fighters abroad and just 11 Su-27SM fighters will be sold to Russia's Air Force.
Russia will also delay the launch of its fifth-generation fighter program because of financing problems.
Labels: Russian 5th-generation fighter
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EADS to buy 10 pct stake in Russia's Irkut for over 50 mln eur
EADS will pay 'over 50 mln eur' to acquire a 10 pct stake in Irkut Corp.
The two companies also finalised the formation of a joint venture to market Irkut's Be-200 seaplane.
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U.S. Review Keeps Tanker Contest in Holding Pattern
The U.S. Defense Department said it would take two months to review a study on replacing the USAF's fleet of refueling tankers before making any decisions.
Rand Corp. delivered the report Monday. The Institute for Defense Analyses will also review the Rand study.
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Vladimir Putin Has Landed
Kommersant’s special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov followed Russian President Vladimir Putin on his flight on a strategic bomber Tu-160 to understand why he did it.
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Northrop Grumman Flies Modernized Firebee Aerial Target for U.S. Navy
The latest version of the BQM-34 Firebee aerial target has made its successful first flight.
The target has an enhanced integrated avionics unit serving as the vehicle's autopilot.
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Northrop Grumman Delivers Bid for Air Force Electronic Attack Requirement
Northrop Grumman has delivered its proposal for the U.S. Air Force B-52 Stand-Off Jammer System.
A winner is expected to be announced in early October 2005.
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Boeing Delivers First AH-64D Apache Longbow for Kuwait
The U.S. government, on behalf of the Government of Kuwait, accepted Kuwait’s first AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopter from Boeing
This is the first of a 16 Apache foreign military sales order with the U.S. Department of Defense for the Kuwaiti government.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Russia to sell two Il-76MF aircraft to Jordan
Jordan purchased two Il-76MF from Russia on Wednesday during the MAKS-2005 airshow.
King Abdallah II of Jordan was present during the signing ceremony.
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Singapore offers Indonesia help to tackle haze
Singapore will send a C-130 to Indonesia by the end of this week to do cloud seeding to induce rain.
This is to help Indonesia in combating the haze from the Sumatra Island.
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Bush Nominates Navy, Air Force Secretaries
Michael W. Wynne has been pick by U.S. President Bush for the post of U.S. Air Force secretary. Bush has also chosen Donald Winter to become the Navy's secretary.
Wynne was one of a half-dozen top Pentagon and Air Force officials responsible for failed Boeing tanker program according to the Pentagon's inspector general.
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Parts delivered to Texas
Lockheed Martin Palmdale has delivered the first set of two flaperons for the F-35 to the company's Fort Worth, Texas, facility.
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Modernized antiaircraft missile system displayed at MAKS-2005
The OSA-AKM modernized antiaircraft missile system was shown at the MAKS-2005.
A day-night electro-optical finder and special devices to protect the vehicle from HARM missiles were introduced.
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Singapore hosts multi-national anti-WMD maritime exercise
Six maritime patrol aircraft will join ten ships from 13 countries in Singapore for a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise.
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Guam monument honoring B-29s’ ‘last mission’ unveiled
A monument to the “last mission” of World War II was unveiled in Guam on Monday.
143 B-29B Superfortress bombers were returning from bombing the oil fields in Akita, Japan when Japan surrended.
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Fifth-generation fighter enters new stage
Alexander Klementyev, Sukhoi's deputy director general, said development of a fifth-generation fighter has entered an advanced stage.
Labels: Russian 5th-generation fighter
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CF-18 Crashes near 3 Wing Bagotville
A CF-18 from 425 Alouette Tactical Fighter Squadron crashed during a training mission.
Pilot, Capt Colin Marks, safely ejected and was recovered by a Search and Rescue crew from 439 Combat Support Squadron.
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Greyhound pilot praised for ‘textbook’ emergency landing
Mike Maus, spokesman for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Force, said the gear up landing by pilot of a C-2A Greyhound was perfect.
Both were veteran instructor pilots with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120.
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Putin Breaks Sound Barrier
Russian President Vladimir Putin flew onboard a Tu-160 strategic bomber to a war game. The bomber broke the sound barrier enroute.
The bomber and an accompanying Tu-160 then fired a cruise missile each. The plane also flew a low-level pass 200 meters above ground at a speed of 900 kilometers per hour.
Putin sat in the commander's seat while being flown by Anatoly Zhikharev. Putin's Tu-160 was also refuelled in midair.
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Jumbo carrier off Goa
USS Nimitz will be deployed off the coast of Goa, India in last week of September.
This will give the U.S. a chance to showcase the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet which Washington has offered to India.
INS Viraat will join the eight days drill as well.
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Podcasting a first for Air Force
The U.S. Air Force News team will podcast its radio news for the first time.
Podcasts are broadcasts of Internet audio programs, usually in an MP3 format. People can then subscribe to receive the audio files
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P-8A Design Review Slated For Last Week In October
The U.S. Navy's P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program has scheduled its preliminary design review (PDR) for the week of Oct. 31-Nov. 4, according to an industry source.
Canada has ended negotiations with the United States on potential participation in the program. Cost is believed to have influenced Canada as each foreign partner have to contribute about $300 million to the development program.
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Northrop Grumman Completes Joint STARS Computer Upgrade
Northrop Grumman Corporation recently completed Block 20 upgrades to the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft.
The Block 20 E-8C configuration features an integrated commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computing and signal-processing architecture that can be easily upgraded in future.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris
Robert Wilcox wrote the biography of Butch Voris in his book,
First Blue. They were good friends and this is a memorial Bob wrote.
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Afghan crash kills Spanish troops
17 Spanish soldiers had been killed in a Puma helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
They were part of the NATO-led international security force.
Another Puma helicopter also made an emergency landing at the western city of Herat near the crash site.
A sandstorm hit the area shortly before the incident.
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Spy Satellites Are Under Scrutiny
U.S. Director of National Intelligence, John D. Negroponte, is reviewing two multibillion-dollar spy satellite programs.
One is a new class of stealth satellites, whose estimated costs have nearly doubled to $9.5 billion in recent years. Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence have criticized it, saying its not effective against terrorist networks.
The other is a new generation of non-stealth space vehicles as known as the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA).
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Navy transport plane belly lands in Norfolk
A U.S. Navy C-2 made an emergency belly landing at Norfolk Naval Station on Monday because its landing gear had malfunctioned.
The pilots noticed that the aircraft’s landing gear was not working properly after it took off from Norfolk Naval Station while heading for a training mission in Pensacola.
After circling the airfield for more than two hours trying to get the gear to work, the pilots choosed to do a belly landing. They shut down the starboard engine so that its propeller would not strike the runway.
Video on King5
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US Air Force averts funding halt for C-130 program
The U.S. Air Force narrowly avoided a funding shortfall that threatened to halt work by Boeing Co. on upgrading the cockpit electronics of the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
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Fighter pilots don't fit the bill to land airline jobs
Transport pilots of the Indian Air Force find it easier than their fighter counterparts in securing jobs in the airline sector.
Fighter pilots also lack the mandatory requirement of 15 hours of flying on a recognised multi-engine aircraft.
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Russian company to supply engines for Indian jet trainers
Rosoboronexport and HAL will sign an agreement at MAKS-2005 to supply 250 AL-55 engines for IJTs.
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Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout UAV Demonstrates Communication, Imagery-Relay and Logistic Capabilities
Northrop Grumman Corporation's MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has completed data and image relay, video transmissions and supplied delivery to a remote location during tests.
The Fire Scout flew numerous missions using the U.S. Army's One System ground control station, proving that the UAV can be fielded using existing Army ground control stations.
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A Supersonic Fighter for Just $100?
South Korea is selling its F-5A/Bs at $100 per unit to foreign nations.
50 F-5A/Bs will retire after 40 years of service at the end of this month. Half of the fleet will be used for educational and demonstrational purposes. The remaining half will be sold to foreign nations.
The sale is part of a sales strategy to export KT-1 and T-50 supersonic trainers developed and produced by KAI to the foreign nations.
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US experts to inspect Bryansk-based strategic weapons disposal plant
Pentagon experts will monitor the disposal of a Russian three-stage solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
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Two face aircraft fraud trial
Two former employees of Anco-Tech Inc. will stand trial accused of falsifying test results for titanium tubes for the V-22 Osprey.
The USMC grounded the entire V-22 fleet and removed all Anco-Tech tubing at a cost of more than $4 million after tests showed that 25 percent of tubes failed.
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Fla., Va. to vie for airbase
Virginia and Florida have one last chance to compete for the U.S. Navy’s largest East Coast airbase.
Florida officials will be given a chance to make an on-the-record case for moving Oceana’s fighters to Cecil Field.
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3,000 police to maintain security at MAKS-2005 air show
Over 3,000 police will maintain law and order at the 7th international air and space show MAKS-2005 in Zhukovsky, near Moscow.
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AN-70 military transport jet banned from MAKS-2005 air show
The Antonov-70 has been banned from participation in this year's MAKS-2005.
Organizers decided to ban it after one of the plane’s engines stopped during a test flight on the eve of the event.
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Monday, August 15, 2005
MiG-29 OVT Demo Video (WMV)
The MiG-29 OVT was demonstrated at Zhukovsky recently. This is a video of that demonstration.
The memorable parts of the video was a wing over during the flight and a demonstration of its all-axis thrust-vectoring nozzle on the left engine on the ground.
A local copy can be downloaded here.
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Minister justifies spending R10bn on aircraft
South African Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota said that buying the A400 military transport aircraft is necessary as the C-130 aircraft in service is heading towards the end of its operational life in 2015.
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Northrop Grumman Completes Update of Navy Group II E-2C Aircraft with Avionics Technology Upgrade
Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed the E-2C Group II Mission Computer Replacement Program.
The new mission computer has a mean time between failure rate of more than 8,000 hours, reduced hardware weight from 700 pounds to 105 pounds, lowered heat dissipation from 1,700 watts to 80 watts and decreased central-processing-unit load time from more than 2.5 minutes to less than 30 second.
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Saab wins 1 billion SEK order for Radar Warning Equipment for German Tornado aircraft
Saab Avitronics has received a production order from EADS Deutschland GmbH for series production of Radar Warning Equipment for German Tornado aircraft.
Deliveries of production units will start by the end of 2006 and continue until 2009.
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Analysis: Missile test will fuel arms race
Pakistan's test firing of a cruise missile last week is likely a reply to India`s own supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, Indian defense analysts said.
Islamabad is sending a political rather than military signal to New Delhi that Pakistan had joined those select countries that have the capability to develop a cruise missile.
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India To Shoot Down Hijacked Planes
The Indian government has adopted a policy allowing it to shoot down hijacked passenger aircraft if they are convinced the plane would be used as a missile.
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Iraqi pilot buried at Arlington cemetery
An Iraqi pilot and four U.S. airmen who were killed aboard an Iraqi Air Force plane when it crashed in May were buried together this week in Arlington National Cemetery.
Iraqi Air Force Capt. Ali Hussam Abass Alrubaeye, 34, was the first Iraqi ever buried at the United States' premiere military cemetery.
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Plane Spotters Descend on City
The Seventh Moscow Aviation and Space Show, MAKS 2005, kicks off Tuesday at the Zhukovsky airfield.
The Russian Knights, Patrouille de France and Italy's Frecce Tricolori will be in the daily five-hour flight program.
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Reagan library to get jet fighter as display
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum will get an F-14 Tomcat as one of its permanent display in a Aug 22 ceremony.
Rear Adm. David Venlet will make a speech during the ceremony. Venlet took part in the shooting down of two Libyan Su-22 aircraft in 1981, marking the first combat kills for the F-14.
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Sunday, August 14, 2005
U.S. military planes arrive at MAKS air show
The F-15Es and F-16Cs participating MAKS-2005 aerospace show have arrived.
They were followed by a KC-10 and a KC-135 later.
The B-1Bs have not arrived yet due to technical reasons.
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VFA-143 Safe For Flight
VFA-143 got their safe for flight certificate. Lots of pictures available on the event.
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RAF winchman hurt in mast fall
An RAF rescue helicopter winchman has been injured on an exercise 15 miles off the north Wales coast.
He became snagged in the rigging of a fishing boat, and fell from the mast while being winched down during a routine exercise.
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Herseth: Ellsworth odds have improved
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth said Friday that the odds of Ellsworth Air Force Base staying open have improved substantially since it was targeted for closure.
She believes that three of the nine BRAC commissioners would vote to remove Ellsworth from the closure list.
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Cruise Missile test prompted by India's weapon plans: Shaukat Sultan
Pakistan is worried that India's plan to acquire certain weapon systems from Israel and other countries could tilt the balance of power in its favour. This prompted Pakistan to test fire its cruise missile.
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Pak says no obligation to inform India of cruise missile tests
Pakistan has said that it did not inform India during testing of the Haft VII ‘Babar’ cruise missile, as India had rejected Pakistan’s suggestion for including cruise missiles in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the pre-notification of missile tests.
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Four generations reflect on work at RAFB
Four generations from the Brantley family have served at Robins Air Force Base.
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Defense ministry rejects missile deployment story
A spokesman from the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense yesterday referred to a
media report claiming that locally-built cruise missiles have secretly begun to be deployed on the island as a "sheer fabrication."
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Calling on the USS Nimitz
Liz Price wrote this article The Star newspaper on their trip to visit USS Nimitz during its stay at Port Klang, Malaysia.
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Lawmakers say Cannon would be good home for F-35
State officials say Cannon Air Force Base, targeted for closure will be a good future home for the Joint Strike Fighter.
Lawmakers wrote in a letter sent Friday to BRAC Chairman Anthony Principi, that Cannon is a cheaper alternative to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for training F-35 pilots.
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Spangdahlem pilots take part in air-to-ground weapons competition
The USAF's 52nd Fighter Wing’s 81st, 23rd and 22nd fighter squadrons took part in a air-to-ground weapons competition in Belgium.
Nearly two dozen people from the base went to the weapons rage to watch the action from the ground.
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Aviator held world speed record for single-engine jet
Col. Joseph "Whistlin' Joe" Rogers, a fighter pilot in three wars who holds the world record for flying the fastest single-engine jet, has died.
He flew an F-106 Delta Dart at 1,525.95 mph over Edwards Air Force Base on 1959.
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Raytheon seeks local partners
Raytheon Co. is seeking partners among Taiwan companies and plans to set up a maintenance-repair center on the island.
Raytheon is among 18 overseas and 56 local exhibitors participating at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition.
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Saturday, August 13, 2005
Pakistan will get two F16s by December
Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, said that Pakistan would get two F16s by December.
He also added that Pakistan is looking into getting 75 new F-16s to boost its fleet.
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Predator B Having Typical Development Problems, General Says
The U.S. Air Force's new MQ-9 Predator B is having a few developmental problems but is expected to overcome them, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper.
One problem involves the undercarriage which is unable to handle the loads and the other problem is icing on the wings.
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RAF Coltishall pilot fined over stunt
A RAF Jaguar pilot has been fined after flying his aircraft so low during a stunt that his wing clipped a floodlight tower.
The incident happened at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in July 2004.
He and two other pilots to "buzz" the airfield, with the intention of thanking ground crew before leaving for the UK.
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Lockheed looking at Embraer, Boeing for spy plane
Lockheed Martin Corp. is favouring the Embraer 190 as its choice to replace Embraer 145 for the Aerial Common Sensor program.
Judith Gan, spokeswoman for Lockheed's integrated systems and solutions unit, could only say that Embraer 190, Boeing Co. 737, Gulfstream G550 and the Bombardier Global Express are in the running.
Defense analysts howver said the U.S. Army and Navy might choose different planes.
The USN could select the 737 since its using the plane for the MMA program.
Labels: ACS
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Carmakers owe success to warplanes
Japan's automobile industry owes its success to the engineers who helped develop military aircraft during World War 2.
Unemployed after the war, the country's top engineering talents migrated to the fledging auto industry, bringing with them a slew of vital technologies.
One such engineer was Tatsuo Hasegawa, chief designer of the Ki-94, who became the chief engineer of the first Toyota Corolla.
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Airmen test new small diameter bomb system
Ground crew from the USAF 366th Maintenance Group tested the new GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb on the F-15E. U.S. Air Force photo.
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Images from Exercise Kakadu
Images from multi-national maritime
Exercise Kakadu 7 held in northern Australia.
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Justice Department sides with DoD in Air Guard dispute
The U.S. Justice Department has concluded that State governors’ consent isn’t needed for the military to move Air National Guard units.
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Are missions of Japanese kamikaze and suicide bombers similar?
Japan's wartime kamikaze pilots understand the mindset of the modern suicide bombers in killing themselves solely to take more lives.
However they find it offensive to equate their military missions with suicide bombings against civilians by modern-day Islamic militants.
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Sales grow at defence firm Thales
French defence giant Thales has reported a 3.8% increase in first-half sales, driven by growth in its missile electronics and air defence businesses.
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Lockheed Martin waits for copter's final bid documents
The U.S. Air Force will pilot the US101 through a series of maneuvers designed to test the aircraft's suitability as a search and rescue craft in mid- to late-October.
The test is to be conducted at the vast Nellis Air Force Base.
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Is China building a carrier?
Chinese shipyard workers have been repairing the ex-Russian Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag.
The carrier has been repainted with the markings and colour scheme of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy (PLAN).
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Taiwan begins deploying cruise missiles on mobile launchers
According to
China Times, Taiwan has begun deploying cruise missiles on mobile launchers that are capable of hitting major military targets in southeast China.
The newspaper added that the Hsiung Feng missiles have been deployed across the island.
Labels: Hsiung Feng 2E
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Russian experts give Pakistani missile test mixed reaction
Russian Academy of Military Sciences member, Konstantin Nikolsky, thinks Pakistan's firing of a nuclear capable cruise missile can be regarded as its application for membership of the nuclear club.
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King of Jordan to attend Russian air show
King Abdullah II of Jordan will attend the MAKS 2005 air show in Zhukovsky.
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Congressman says new missile system vital to defense
Rep. Roger Wicke said during a missile defense conference at Mississippi State University that the Kinetic Energy Interceptors defense system represents "weapons of mass protection" in an uncertain world.
Wicker is a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.
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Sanusi defending ‘Top Gun’ title
Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Major Sanusi Saad will be defending his title as "Top Gun" pilot in RMAF.
He is one of the 16 top RMAF pilots who are participating in the Jaguh exercise.
In the exercise, a pilot who collects the most points in all aspects of air operations, including air-to-air fight and air-to-land strike, will win the "Top Gun" pilot category.
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No injuries following in-flight emergency on B-52
A B-52 declared an in-flight emergency after fumes were discovered in the cockpit on Thursday night.
The plane landed without any problems at between 8 and 8:30 p.m. and the fumes were determined to be from an electrical problem.
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Construction on track for new ‘Tiger’ facilities
Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill says construction is ahead of schedule to build new facilities to house a fleet of 17 ‘Tiger’ armed reconnaissance helicopters with the 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin.
He said the majority of construction will be completed by the end of the year to enable elements of the 1st Aviation Regiment to relocate to the new facilities in early 2006, prior to the arrival of the Tiger helicopter fleet.
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EADS to supply self-protection electronics for Eurofighter
EADS Defence Electronics has received a contract to supply EuroDASS self-protection system for the 236 aircraft of Tranche 2 Eurofighter.
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End of an era
The USAF's T-38A flew into sunset on Thursday. It will be eplaced by the T-38C.
Class 05-13 is the last batch of USAF graduates trained in the “A” model T-38.
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England: No decision made on F-35 (Registration Required)
Acting U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England dismissed
reports that he is planning to order major cuts in future purchases of the F-35 joint strike fighter.
England said senior Pentagon officials will await completion of the Quadrennial Defense Review now being conducted before making decisions.
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More cuts may be on tap for F-35 (Registration Required)
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said in a memo date Aug 4 that he has hired an outside consultant to study how the United States can increase the effectiveness of its combat aircraft.
Loren Thompson, vice president of the Lexington Institute, believes that the outcome of the study is to cut the numbers of F-35 purchase.
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Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman Begin Ground Tests
Pratt & Whitney and Northrop Grumman Corporation have begun ground testing the engine for the X-47B.
The engine is a modified version of the Pratt & Whitney F100-220E.
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Yokota to get new, sleeker fleet of C-130s by fall of '06
Yokota's 36th Airlift Squadron is getting C-130Hs to replace their C-130Es.
The C-130Es now at Yokota are between 30 and 40 years old.
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Landowners Around Cannon Base Agree To Sell
In an effort aimed at preventing Cannon Air Force Base from shutting it down. Property owners around the Base have agreed to sell land to enable the base to nearly double in size.
This would allow the U.S. Air Force expand Cannon without cost to itself.
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Advance Construction Begins for CVN 21
Construction of the newest class of aircraft carrier, CVN 21, has started Aug. 11 at Northrop Grumman Newport News' shipyards in Virginia.
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U.S. military set to take part in Moscow air show
Two F-15E Strike Eagles, two F-16 Fighting Falcons, a KC-10 Extender, a KC-135 Stratotanker and two B-1B Lancers will participate in the Moscow International Air Show 2005.
The B-1B will perform an aerial demonstration during the air show.
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Jumper set to retire, new chief of staff sworn in
Gen. John P. Jumper will retire as USAF Chief of Staff on Sept. 2 at Andrews Air Force Base.
Gen. T. Michael Moseley, currently serving as Air Force vice chief of staff, will be sworn in as the 18th Air Force chief of staff.
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Friday, August 12, 2005
F-16 squadron heading for Iraq (Registration Required)
The USAF 457th Fighter Squadron, based at Naval Air Station Fort Worth, will deploy to Iraq in October.
The U.S. Air Force reservists will deploy for 40 to 50 days.
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Nimrod MRA4 completes Italian job
BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 has successfully completed its first overseas deployment.
The aircarft was at the Italian Air Force facility in Sigonella, Sicily for a ten day visit to the Mediterranean for a series of hot weather trials.
The deployment to Sicily was conducted by a joint BAE Systems – RAF crew.
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Northrop Grumman to Equip U.S. Marine Corps's Expeditionary F-18s with LITENING AT Targeting Systems
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Marine Corps to begin outfitting their F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with LITENING AT pods and pylons.
The contract calls for the delivery of 24 pods and associated mounting pylons and spares.
The LITENING AT pods being supplied to the Marine Corps will be installed on pylon station four, the same location that the current pods are installed on F/A-18C/Ds.
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VFA-143
VFA-143 took their CAG and CO birds up for their 1st flight yesterday.
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Original Blue Angel pilot dies at age 86
Capt. Roy "Butch" Voris, USN, died at his home in Monterey, California. He was 86.
In 1946, Adm. Chester Nimitz hand-picked Voris to form the Blue Angels.
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Aidc To Develop Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) announced Thursday that it will cooperate with two local companies to develop unmanned aerial vehicles.
The UAVs to be developed by the AIDC can be used in military anti-landing operations.
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Dutch F-16's Intercept Delta Boeing 767
On August 10th at 12:14Z, two Dutch F-16s (Alpha Juliet 33 and Alpha Juliet 54) were scrambled to intercept a Delta Airlines Flight 73 from Istanbul to New York after it failed to contact Maastricht Euro control UAC.
The Delta aircraft is a Boeing 767-332, N195DN.
MP3 file of the radio transmissions during the intercept
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JASEX ‘05 Demonstrates U.S. Commitment
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group began activities Aug. 7 in support of Joint Air and Sea Exercise
(JASEX) 2005.
The exercise, which lasts until Aug. 13, will be conducted in the vicinity of Okinawa and Guam.
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Government has approved the first stage of the $2 billion Amphibious Ships project
The Australian Government has approved the first stage of the $2 billion Amphibious Ships project.
Each ship will have six helicopter landing spots and provision for a mix of troop lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters.
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Tactical UAVs: redefining and refining the breed
The definition of different UAV classes is fluid and rapidly changing.
In particular, the concept of a 'tactical' UAV (TUAV) is hard to define.
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Landing Oceana’s jets won’t be easy for Florida
Florida's plan to base jets from Oceana Naval Air Station is facing more obstacles than winning the BRAC's favour.
Reopening Cecil Field would be a long and complicated process.
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State of the art technology helps create hi-tech hangars
Advanced building technologies is helping to speed the construction of two maintainence hangars for RAAF's Wedgetail AEW&Cs.
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North Carolina joins other states bidding for Oceana's jets
North Carolina has come up with a third proposal in two weeks to replace Oceana Naval Air Station.
The new proposal ask the BRAC to consider moving jets from Oceana to Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station. Fighter jets from Beaufort could then be consolidated at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.
Earlier, North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole asked the panel to consider shifting four squadrons - about 50 planes - from Oceana to Cherry Point.
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Battle over Oceana could be bad news for Cherry Point
The fight to base Oceana's 250 aircraft by several states could result in Marine Corps' air station at Cherry Point gaining more jets, or losing two squadrons of F/A-18 due to arrive in two years.
If the jets were to move to another state, they could take the two squadrons along.
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Harriers remain a potent force in Afghanistan
RAF Harrier GR7As have played an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan.
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Conrad: Review poses risk
A recent Pentagon review may recommend reductions in the nation's 500 intercontinental ballistic missiles, and shifting the role of some missiles from nuclear to conventional.
50 missiles could be taken out of Malmstrom AFB near Great Falls, Montana to Vandenberg AFB in California as conventional missiles.
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Rolls-Royce ballot backs strike
Workers at a Rolls-Royce aerospace engine test plant at Bristol have voted to strike over the sacking of an union official.
The Bristol factory produces and services engines for military aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Hawk and the Harrier.
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Russia to conclude test flights of Su-34 fighter-bomber
Russia is about to complete test flights of the new Su-34 fighter-bomber.
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Lighter saves 'lost' man
An RAF Sea King from 202 Squadron saved a man trapped in a patch of dense gorse.
He alerted the public by waving his lighter.
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Chilton takes reins of 8th Air Force
Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton took command of the U.S. 8th Air Force in a simple and brief ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base on Wednesday.
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Test pilot, astronaut shares in-flight experiences
Joe "Reb" Edwards, former astronaut and F-14 test pilot, shared his experience of landing a Tomcat back on a carrier after the radome flew off, smashing the canopy and injuring him.
The accident smashed his arm and collar bone. Glass from the canopy sliced the cornea of his eye blinding him, and the impact of debris collapsed his lung.
He lost his oxygen, lost all communications between him and his RIO and the ship, and lost all his instruments except for engine instruments.
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Mass. contends 'no savings' in reassignment of 102nd wing
Massachusetts' Senators contend that the Pentagon used flawed analysis in determining a $336 million cost savings over two decades by transferring the 102nd Fighter Wing from Otis Air National Guard.
They argue that there would be instead a $163 million cost to taxpayers.
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First batch of Russian missile air defense systems sent to Vietnam
Russian company Almaz-Antei has completed its first delivery of the S-300PMU1 missile air defense system to Vietnam.
Equipment sufficient for two battalions will be delivered.
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States Opposing Plan to Shutter Air Guard Bases (Registration Required)
The U.S. Air Force's plan to retire aging aircraft from many Air Guard units, close or consolidate some of their bases is becoming the most contentious issue in the Pentagon's larger plan to close, consolidate or realign hundreds of military sites nationwide.
State officials argue that the plan would leave them vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Illinois and Pennsylvania have gone so far as to file suit in federal court contending that the Defense Department cannot move Air Guard units without the consent of the state governors, who share authority with the president over use of the units.
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BRAC panelist: Combining Navy, Air Force grad schools makes sense
Samuel Skinner, a member of BRAC, said that the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Air Force Institute of Technology should merged.
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Jet scare: RAF 'sorry'
A low level flying RAF Tornado "buzzed" Glasgow city center.
The jet was preparing for Sunday's VJ Day flypast.
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Pak missile is made in China
Experts believe that Pakistan do not have the technological expertise to develop cruise missiles.
They concluded that the cruise missile is most likely of Chinese origin.
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Russian Air Force to China and India in military exercises
The Russian Air Force will deploy to India for exercises as well.
IndRo-2005, will be conducted in India in October 2005, and will involve the air force units from both countries.
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US missile off target
A bomb from a USMC F/A-18 strayed off target and hit the ground near a military control building during exercises in Australia.
The incident occurred during the annual exercise, Southern Frontier.
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Thursday, August 11, 2005
Northrop Grumman Signs Contract with United Kingdom for E-3D AWACS Support Programme Valued at Approximately GBP665 Million
Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed the contract to provide aircraft-maintenance and design-engineering support services for RAF's fleet of E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
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Northrop Grumman to Deploy Two More Global Hawks in Global War on Terrorism
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to deploy two production RQ-4A Global Hawk aerial reconnaissance systems early this fall.
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Port taxes debate could keep USS Reagan from docking in S. Barbara (Registration Required)
Santa Barbara's Navy League chapter wants the waterfront fees, estimated at up to $30,000, to be waived for USS Ronald Reagan's visit next week.
The league says the visit would be an economic boon to the city.
Without the waiver, the league may not be able afford to pay the company that shuttle crew members between ship and shore and could go bankrupt or be forced to cancel the visit.
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Lockheed Martin shows high-tech
The 8th Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition opened today in the Taipei World Trade Center.
Lockheed Martin's representatives will be available at booth A508 to talk about the PAC-3 Missile and the P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft.
The show ends on Sunday.
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Pakistani cruise missile tested
Pakistan has test fired its first cruise missile, named Babur, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads.
It has a range of 500 kilometers, and was fired early Thursday.
Pakistan did not inform India, as an agreement formalized between the two countries over the weekend on pre-notification of missile tests does not cover cruise missiles.
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Lockheed, Army To Pick New Plane For Sensor Program Soon
Lockheed Martin Corp. said Wednesday that it and the U.S. Army soon will pick a new aircraft to house the Aerial Common Sensor.
Embraer ERJ 145 was initially selected to be the platform.
Brazilian newspapers reported last month that Embraer is now out of the running for the program.
Labels: ACS
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Blue Angels Perform For Nearly 500,000 in Seattle
The Blue Angels, performed for nearly half-a-million people at the annual Seattle Seafair Keybank Air Show Aug. 5�7.
Crowds of civilians and military gathered around Seattle�s Lake Washington to watch the Angels fly over the water with a view of Mount Rainier and Mercer Island in the background.
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Two Boeing X-45As Complete Graduation Combat Demonstration
Two Boeing X-45A unmanned aircraft successfully completed a graduation exercise when they flew their most challenging simulated combat mission at Edwards Air Force Base.
The X-45As' mission involved identifying, attacking and destroying pre-identified ground-based radars and associated missile launchers before they could be used to launch surface-to-air missiles.
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Bagram runway reopens after C-17 incident
A C-17 Globemaster III rolled off the runway while landing Bagram, Afghanistan on Aug. 6, damaging its nose and right main landing gears.
Quick action and creative thinking by Air Force and Army engineers had the closed runway fully active again in less than 30 hours.
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Red Flag With a Difference
Many veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even the 1991 Gulf War reluctantly admit that their Red Flag experience in the skies over Nevada was tougher than anything they faced in actual combat.
This spring, a new version of Red Flag was held in the U.S. Air Force�s vast training ranges north of Nellis AFB, and at dozens of other sites nationwide.
Some 6,500 missions were virtual sorties �flown� on a simulator.
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Last man out of a B-52
Capt. Myles McTernan was the last man to bail out of the last B-52 shot down during the Vietnam War.
During Operation Linebacker II, Capt. Myles McTernan was a navigator aboard the B-52 Ruby Two.
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India all set to fly high in Dubai air show
Seventeen Indian firms wil be at the Dubai air show in the United Arab Emirates this November.
However the largest company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is not among the participants as it has not decided yet.
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NATO to send plane to protect Pope in Germany
NATO will send an AWACS surveillance aircraft to help protect Pope Benedict during his visit to Germany this month.
The Pope plans to attend an event to celebrate World Youth Day in Cologne from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21.
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PM shows his hand in Boeing dispute
The Australian Prime Minister has backed the Boeing company's refusal to negotiate a collective agreement with some of its workers.
Thirty-one workers at a Boeing maintenance plant at the RAAF base at Williamtown have been on strike for 71 days over its refusal to negotiate a collective agreement or accept arbitration.
The employees maintain the RAAF's F/A-18.
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Russian Strategic Missile Force to practice combat flight launches
The Russian Strategic Missile Force will practice ten combat flight launches in 2005 and ten in 2006.
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RAF help ambushed soldiers in Afghanistan
Two RAF Harrier jets came to the rescue of 50 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
The jets made a series of dangerous low-level passes in a nine-hour battle after a group rebel Taliban fighters ambushed the Americans.
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Report: Stabilator failure caused F-15 crash
The failure of one of an F-15 Eagle's horizontal stabilators caused its pilot to lose control of his aircraft and crash during a training mission March 25, an Air Combat Command Investigation Board report on Aug. 9.
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Final farewell for RAAF disaster victims
After 60 years, the last victims of the RAAF's worst single air disaster have finally been laid to rest.
The Dakota A65-61 crashed in the Carstenz Ranges on September 18, 1945, in what is now Indonesian West Papua.
29 passengers and crew were killed. An RAAF team with Indonesian air force support recovered the last of the remains of those killed in June this year.
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EADS lobbies French govt to prevent Thales/DCN tie-up
European Aeronautics Defence and Space Co (EADS) hoping to acquire Thales and has been lobbying the French government in recent weeks to prevent the latter's expected tie-up with state shipyard DCN.
Although the French government is not enthusiastic about the suggestion, it is willing to back a merger of EADS and Thales defence electronics businesses.
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Russia moving air force troops for joint exercise with China
Russia has started deploying its air force to China on Wednesday for a joint military exercise later this month.
Seven Il-76 military transport planes took off Wednesday and another six Il-76s will join them soon.
An A-50 reconnaissance plane, an Il-78 tanker aircraft, an upgraded Su-24M attack plane, a Su-27SM fighter jet and a Tu-154 plane have also flown out to the maneuver area.
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Wednesday, August 10, 2005
VF-143 Pukin Dogs Poster
Yesterday, Gerry delivered this poster to the CO of VFA-143 that we have created for the crew.
This poster is possible thru the combined effort of Gerry Clarke, Mike Stephens who contributed the photos. The poster shows the last flight of F-14B BuNo 162926 from NAS Oceana to New England Air Museum.
We might sell a smaller size of this poster to the public. If you are interested, please leave a comment.
Click on the picture for a 1024 by 768 view of the poster.
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Boeing Delivers "Spirit of California," First C-17 to be Based in California
Boeing delivered the first C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to be based in California to officials from March Air Reserve Base.
This aircraft is named "Spirit of California" and flown by by California citizen airmen.
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Northrop Grumman Conducts First Flight of Modernized, Multi-Mission Hunter UAV
Northrop Grumman Corporation has conducted the first engineering flight of an enhanced, multi-mission variant of the current RQ-5A air vehicle called the MQ-5B.
The MQ-5B Hunter has a longer wing span, longer maximum endurance, and higher operating altitude. The new air vehicle also features modern, dual-redundant avionics and a diesel engine.
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Russia, Belarus observers start inspection flights over Latvia
Russian and Belarussian began observation flights over military facilities in Latvia on Tuesday.
An An-30B reconnaissance plane will be used for the flights which ends on Aug 12.
At the same time Finnish Defence Ministry specialists will make an observation flight over Russia and Belarus on a SAAB 340 plane.
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Iran Says Shihab Can Reach Nearly 2,000 KM
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said that its enhanced Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile can strike targets at distances of nearly 2,000 kilometers.
He added that the liquid-fuel Shihab could also be fitted with a nuclear warhead.
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ERMP Contract Announcement
The U.S. Army has awarded a contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for system development and demonstration of the Extended Range Multi Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system.
The deal is a blow to Northrop Grumman, which already supplies the Army with its Hunter drone.
Northrop offered its Hunter II for the competition.
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Lawmakers want to save 12th carrier
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw said Monday they want to save the USS John F. Kennedy and renovate the Mayport Naval Station to accommodate nuclear aircraft carriers.
The carrier was saved from decommissioning this year by a proposal pushed by Crenshaw, Martinez and Sen. Bill Nelson, requiring the Navy to keep 12 aircraft carriers.
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Czech military to keep 48 Russian helicopters
The Czech air force plans to keep 48 Russian transport and combat helicopters out of the current 60 in three years.
Two-thirds of the transport helicopters will be the modern Mi-171Ss.
As for the combat helicopters, the military will have 18 modern Mi-35s.
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Three bid for KAI utility helicopter
AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter submitted bids at the end of last month to assist Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in the Korea Helicopter Programme.
The programme aims to replace South Korean Army's 200 utility helicopters.
Seoul seeks a new design, but the proposals submitted on 29 July do not fully comply with this requirement.
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Raytheon to show new hostile radar detector
Raytheon's Advanced Tactical Targeting Technology (AT3) system has successfully pass its critical design review in July.
AT3 is designed to allow a package of three aircraft to locate the source of enemy radar transmissions much faster and with more accuracy than even digital radar warning receivers.
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Navy explores MH-60s, EH101s
South Korea�s navy is looking to acquire at least eight airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) helicopters for delivery early next decade.
The navy is considering purchasing the Sikorsky MH-60S, however AgustaWestland is trying to convince Seoul to also consider the AMCM variant of the EH101.
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Philippines seeks upgrades and life extension for light attack fleet
The Philippine air force has begun an engine upgrade for part of its Rockwell OV-10 Bronco fleet.
Boeing and local maintenance company Asian Aerospace is offering the air force a package of structural enhancements and new avionics.
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JASSM success
The Lockheed Martin AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) completed two test flights on 2 August.
Both missiles were launched by Lockheed F-16s.
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Engine glitch grounds US Global Hawk fleet
An engine in-flight shutdown in late July prompted the U.S. Air Force has suspended flying of production Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air vehicles
Few details about the nature of the engine shutdown that led to the stand-down have been released.
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RAAF to declare new F-111 missile operational shortly
The Royal Australian Air Force will soon declare the Rafael AGM-142 Raptor air-ground missile operational.
Two launch tests in July using a General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark were successful, and two more tests are scheduled in October.
The weapon is to become the main air-ground system of the upgraded fighters.
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Osprey forced to land
A V-22 Osprey was forced to abort its test flight and make a landing in a field Monday afternoon.
The pilots made a precautionary landing in a field near Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport after a fire warning light went off in the cockpit.
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Australian Army Scores a Bulls-Eye With First HELLFIRE II Launched From a Eurocopter Tiger Helicopter
Lockheed Martin and Eurocopter have completed a successful live firing of the HELLFIRE II missile from Australia's Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH).
The Tiger is the first non-U.S. platform to integrate the HELLFIRE II missile.
The first of six firings paves the way for the ARH to carry the HELLFIRE II family of missiles.
An additional round of five firings is planned for later this year to clear for use in operational missions.
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Lockheed Martin and MD Helicopters Form Team to Enter U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter Competition
Lockheed Martin and MD Helicopters Inc. have joined forces to compete for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program.
The team will offer the MD Explorer twin-engine helicopter with the NOTAR no-tail-rotor anti-torque system.
322 new LUH helicopters would be needed between 2006 and 2015.
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Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Russian air force apologises for breach of Finnish airspace
The head of the Russian air force's press service, has apologised that a Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft of the Russian navy strayed into Finnish airspace.
The Tupolev Tu-134 military transport jet had violated Finland's airspace Aug 5.
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Ten-gallon hat tossed into ring for Oceana jets
Texas Gov. Rick Perry offered the U.S. Department of Defense $365 million in grants, infrastructure improvements and loans to upgrade three naval stations near the Gulf of Mexico to attract Oceana�s fighter jet squadrons.
Last week, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush lobbied to reopen Cecil Field outside of Jacksonville to accommodate the Virginia Beach-based fighter squadrons.
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BAE SYSTEMS ALE-55 Fiber Optic Towed Decoy Completes Development Testing
BAE Systems and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed developmental testing of the AN/ALE-55 Fiber Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) on the Navy�s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
The Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Block 3 program, which includes the AN/ALE-55 FOTD, will now begin formal development and operational testing. A contract award for the Low Rate Initial Production of the ALE-55 is planned for early 2006.
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Upkeep for F-111s may go private
RAAF's ageing fleet of F-111 fighter-bombers might serve out their years being maintained by private contractor.
The industry is being asked to provide F-111 engine maintenance.
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Orbital Successfully Launches MDA Target Vehicle
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that it successfully launched a medium-range target vehicle.
The launch of Orbital's medium-range Castor IVB(R) target vehicle originated from Kauai Test Facility at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on August 4, 2005.
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Jeppson: 'It was a devastating thing'
Morris "Dick" Jeppson for many years did not speak publicly about his role as a crew member aboard the Enola Gay, mostly out of concern for his family.
But in recent years, Jeppson, now 83, has stepped forward to ensure his place in history and share his views of the events of 60 years ago.
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Monday, August 08, 2005
Northrop Grumman's Infrared Countermeasures System Chosen to Protect CV-22 Aircraft Under $125 Million Contract
The U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to supply directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems for its CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.
The initial units delivered will be small, multiband laser-transmitter assembly variations of Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24 (V).
Later deliveries will be based on next-generation infrared countermeasures system, derived from the AN/AAQ-24 (V) DIRCM.
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Site Changes
I've made some changes to the design of the web page. When you click on the title, it no longer bring you to the source of the news. Instead it goes to a new page, clicking the title on this page will direct you to the source of the news. If you wish to go directly to the source, click the "Read more" link at the bottom left corner of the post.
The motivation behind this change is to allow me to write a longer post of the story. Using the old layout will result in a very long page. The main page will now display the first paragraph of the story. The rest of the article is available in the new page.
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Korea Bets on Satellites in Space Race
South Korea will launch two advanced satellites equipped with high-resolution cameras in 2008 and 2009.
The Arirang II will have a high-resolution camera with a 1-meter resolution. In an emergency, Arirang II can descend to an altitude of 150 kilometers, increasing its resolution to 25 centimeters.
The Arirang V will use an even more advanced synthetic aperture radar.
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Phantom of the sky
Jeff Hass has a special room in his home devoted to his collection of F4-Phantom memorabilia.
Among his prized collections is a restored rear seat from an F-4G Wild Weasel credited for two radar site kills during the first Gulf War.
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Jetmaker MiG Displays Latest Maverick Engine
The latest version of the MiG-29, the MiG-29 OVT, was demonstrated at Zhukovsky on Friday with a new all-axis thrust-vectoring nozzle. It is this version of the MiG-29 that Russia will be offering to India in a tender for 126 fighter jets later this year, MiG chief Alexei Fyodorov said.
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EDO Receives Contract for Sonobuoy Lanucher
EDO Corporation has been selected to design and develop the sonobuoy-launcher system for the U.S. Navy�s new P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft.
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Learning to fly the Osprey
Pilots learning to fly the V-22 at U.S. Marine Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 (VMMT-204), have three Osprey simulators to help them. They will log 26 flights and 52 flight hours on the Osprey simulator during the 100-level series of courses.
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Ma says he is not against arms deal
The incoming Chinese Nationalist Party chairman, Ma Ying-jeou, will not oppose the arms procurement package to buy six PAC-III Patriot anti-missile batteries, eight diesel-electric submarines, and a squadron of 12 P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
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Former MP's chopper takes off - with no pilot
TGR Helicorp is developing a sophisticated unmanned military attack helicopter. The pilot-less Snark diesel-powered helicopter can fly from New Zealand to Australia and back. It has a payload of 680kg or 1500lbs.
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Aviators of change
Due to declining numbers, the Tuskegee Airmen will hold their last exclusive annual National Convention next week in Orlando.
This is their 34th convetion. In the future, they will attend reunions with other black aviators who followed in their path, both military and civilian.
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Lockheed Martin, MND simulate war at Taipei defense show
Lockheed Martin will be exhibiting its wares at the 2005 Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense will have a special display simulating a cross-strait war.
Visitors will be able to participate by pretending to command the deployment by handing down orders during the "war" and then make a post-war report.
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'Ex-service officials can enrich workforce in civil sector'
Air Marshal (Retd) B K Pandey, former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Indian Air Force's Training Command, said in the latest issue of 'Indian Defence Review' that 6,000 aviation officials who retired from service annually could enrich the work force in the civil sector.
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Rising above its past
Two questions remains to be answered about the future of the V-22 program.
Will the Pentagon Defense Acquisition Board approve a ramp up to full production of V-22 aircraft on Sept. 27? And will Congress appropriate the money, estimated at close to $50.5 billion, to build all variants of the V-22?
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Joint Statement By Surviving Members Of The Enola Gay Crew
Surviving members of the Enola Gay crew, in observance of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, last week issued a joint statement reaffirming that none of them regret having dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.
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Peshawar airport closed for 24 hours
The Peshawar International Airport was closed for flights after a Pakistan Air Force fighter jet made crash landing on Friday damaging the runway.
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Illustrious to visit Malta for CHOGM
HMS Illustrious will visit Malta in November for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), accompanied by the destroyer HMS Exeter.
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Historic squadron returns home
RAAF's No 77 Squadron, which was formed in Western Australia more than 60 years ago, returned to Pearce to take part in two weeks of training exercises off the West Australian coast.
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Sunday, August 07, 2005
F/A-18 Hornet brake problems
I went thru the Alert 5 archives and found these two Hornet accident articles related to brake failures.
Hornet Mishap in San DiegoOceana-based Hornet crashes in Colorado; pilot safe
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NFTC newsletter (PDF)
The summer 2005 issue of NFTC's newsletter is out. This is a special anniversary issue to commemorate five years of flying training.
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131 pilots in training
The South African Air Force is currently training 131 new pilots to supplement the 31 operational pilots.
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Russian military Tu-134 violated Finnish airspace
Finland's Ministry of Defence told the Finnish News Agency (STT) on Saturday that a Russian Tupolev Tu-134 military transport jet had violated the country's airspace on Friday afternoon.
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India, Pak agree on text of N-use deal
India and Pakistan formally agreed on Saturday to notify each other ahead of ballistic missile tests. The deal comes at the end of two days of talks aimed at building military trust and avoiding an accidental nuclear war.
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Sahara flight strayed into Pak, Mirage III fighters flew to intercept
An Air Sahara Boeing 737 was almost intercepted by Pakistani Mirage III fighters when it strayed into Pakistan airspace near Amritsar on June 6.
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Tornado to strike at Portrush show
The Tornado F3 will be on display at the Northern Ireland Air Spectacular at Portrush in September.
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IAF radars miss plane straying into Nepal
A private plane, flown by an Austrian pilot, strayed into Nepal's airspace where it was intercepted and forced to land in Kathmandu. The incident happened because the Indian air force station at Bagdogra did not monitor the flight and allowed the plane to stray into Nepal.
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Delay in work clips Kaveri wings
India�s first indigenous jet engine, Kaveri, is having problems with its development. The engine is still not ready after spending more than Rs 1,300 crore.
The engine has so far undergone development tests of more than 1,200 hours. The scientists are planning to send the K9 version of the engine for Flying Test Bed trials in December 2005 or early January 2006, in Russia.
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Saturday, August 06, 2005
JAGUARS
A new engine testing facility for Jaguars has been installed at the Indian Air Force S Station in Ambala.
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Opposition to nuclear aircraft carrier in Japan pushes U.S. Navy into corner
Masahiko Goto is running a campaign to prevent the U.S Navy from replacing the USS Kitty Hawk with a nuclear-powered one.
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Air guard says finding new mechanics at Memphis is slow
The Tennessee Air National Guard is finding it difficult to recruit mechanics to work on the C-5.
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Senators ask that Cannon receive aerial laser program (Registration Required)
New Mexico's senators urged U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to consider locating the Airborne Laser program at Cannon Air Force Base rather than closing it.
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Navy urged to swap warship for jump jets
A Thai politician asked the navy to trade its aging Naka-class warship for a squadron of the U.S. Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier jump jets.
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Oceana may keep its jets (Registration Required)
BRAC chairman Anthony Principi said Thursday that Naval Air Station Kingsville was not "an attractive option" to replace Oceana.
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Russian strategic bomber carries out training launch of cruise missile
A Russian Tu-160 launched a cruise missile on Friday hitting a target at a northern shooting range near Vorkuta.
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Greshik inducted into Air NG Hall of Fame
Brig. Gen. (Ret) James H. Greshik was recently inducted into the Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame.
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CNO: Oceana cannot close
Adm. Mike Mullen, chief of naval operations, says its is impossible within the six-year time limits of the base-closing process to replace NAS Oceana.
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Edwards, Eglin combine testing on next-generation F-16
Five F-16 from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin joined two 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16s to combine operationally testing the M4.2-plus core avionics suite upgrade to the F-16.
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Report: Failed pilot bearing caused Predator crash
A failed pilot bearing caused an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash in South West Asia on March 30.
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AMC answers call to help rescue Russian sailors
A C-5 Galaxy was diverted to Naval Air Station North Island, California, to pick up a team of Sailors and two unmanned rescue vehicles. It will rushed them to Russia nonstop to assist in the rescue effort to save seven Russian sailors stranded aboard a submarine off Russia's Pacific coast.
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Controversy Still Hangs Over Display of Hiroshima Bomber
Sixty years after dropping the first atomic bomb, controversy still surrounds the Enola Gay.
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Marine air squadrons to deploy Sunday
U.S. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-266 and Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-167 from North Carolina are scheduled to deploy Sunday for duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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3rd MAW commanding general relinquishes reigns
Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's commanding general, will relinquish command to Maj. Gen. Samuel T. Helland.
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Two Aircrafts Delivered To Air Force
Aermacchi has delivered the first two SF-260EA training aircrafts to the Italian Air Force.
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Al-Qaeda's 'Chinook video' aired
An Arabic TV station has aired video footage which they say shows the June gunning down of a U.S. Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan.
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Friday, August 05, 2005
AP: Navy Jet Has Severe Brake Problems
Military documents obtained by The Associated Press show that the F/A-18 is suffering from brake failures. The problem have been traced to a $535 electrical cable that controls the jet's antiskid brakes. The cable can chafe or break, since it runs close to where heavy tie-down chains secure the jets to a carrier deck.
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Lockheed Martin Ceremony Commemorates First F-16 Produced for Oman
Lockheed Martin held ceremonies at its Fort Worth, Tex., facility Aug 4 to celebrate the delivery of the first F-16 aircraft to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO). Oman purchased eight single-seat F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds, all Block 50s.
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First Production MH-60R Takes Flight
The first new production MH-60R took to the skies July 28 at the Sikorsky Aircraft facility in Stratford, Connecticut.
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Submarines take on new technology
The first-ever launch of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from a surfaced submarine on July 20 was a great success.
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General responds to worker questions
The following is the first in a series of articles in which Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, answers questions submitted by those who attended his Commander�s Call June 22.
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Hiroshima bomber keeps legacy of pride
Paul W.Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay, hopes the destruction he witnessed 60 years ago never happens again.
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T-38C model 'Talons' boost flyer skills
Lt. Col. Om Prakash, operations officer for the 87th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, believes the T-38C would help students learn �sensor integration� techniques.
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SDF ship, 2 P3Cs to participate in intl drills
Two Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft will participate in multinational joint drills to be held in Singapore starting Aug 15.
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Ceremony greets new navy flagship
HMS Illustrious became the Royal Navy's new flagship and sole remaining aircraft carrier yesterday. The recent refit allows her to carry the GR7 and GR9 Harrier.
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First Super Hornets being readied for electronic battle
An article on the EA-18G developmental aircraft. This one got a picture of the birds.
Labels: EA-18G
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Former astronaut to speak today
Joe 'Reb' Edwards, former F-14 pilot, TPS graduate and astronaut spoke at the Association of Naval Aviation luncheon yesterday.
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Ground Target Detection Challenges AF Researchers
Air-to-Ground Radar Imaging system is being developed to aid pilots in the airborne detection and tracking of certain targets on the ground.
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Elbit to receive �300m share of UK Watchkeeper contract
Elbit Systems stated that it expects to receive around �300 million from the Watchkeeper program.
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Wing challenged by aging F-16s
Maj. Gen. Mike Haugen, the North Dakota Guard commander, said keeping the 119th Fighter Wing at full strength has been a challenge.
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Thales sees new Watchkeeper sales of 400 mln stg over next 10 yrs
Thales SA said its Watchkeeper surveillance system should generate at least 400 mln stg of sales over the next 10 years.
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Canadian Auroras join 14 other nations in Scotland
Canadian CP-140 Auroras are at RAF Kinloss for Exercise "Neptune Warrior".
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Handy inducted into Order of the Sword
Gen. John W. Handy was inducted into the Order of the Sword at a ceremony at Scott Air Force Base.
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Memorial tribute to be held for pilot killed 42 years ago
The family of Capt. William D. Richardson, who was killed when his F-106 crashed 42 years ago, will be coming to Minot Air Force Base for a ceremony on Aug. 12 to pay tribute to him.
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Florida steps into Oceana fray, offering defunct base
Florida officials are making a late but energetic bid to offer Cecil Field, a major naval airfield near Jacksonville that was shut down in 1999, as a replacement for Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach.
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Boeing Rolls Out First SLAM-ER for Republic of Korea
The first Boeing Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) rolled out recently during a ceremony at Boeing's Weapons Enterprise Capability Center.
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Thursday, August 04, 2005
Navy desperately seeks spy planes
India, with its 7,516-km coastline, 1,197 islands and a 2.01 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone, desperately need eight modern long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
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LAN Airlines� order keeps Boeing 767s aloft a bit longer
The South American airline order will help Boeing's negotiations for the KC-767.
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Lockheed getting defensive? (Registration Required)
14 key Lockheed Martin Aeronautics employees had left the company recently to join Bell Helicopter.
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Russian firm to show new-generation aircraft engines at MAKS-2005 air show
Russian engine maker Saturn will present an engine for the Sukhoi planes at the MAKS-2005 air show.
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Fighter jets share S.L. airport with passenger planes during base repairs
The F-16s of Hill Air Force Base's 419th Fighter Wing will be using Salt Lake City International Airport for several weeks while their runway at the base is repaired.
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Aircraft carrier on a friendly mission
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash said in Singapore that INS Viraat's presence "is a gesture to reach out" to the countries in this region.
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Peacekeeper's last month
The Peacekeeper, or LGM-118A, is being phased out and the entire Peacekeeper squadron will be deactivated by mid-September.
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Russia to Scrap More Missile Launchers in 2005
Russia has promised to scrap four more rail-based missile launchers and 18 Topol missile launchers by the end of 2005.
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France deploys jets in C.Asia before Afghan polls
France has deployed Mirage fighter jets and C-135 FR refuelling planes in Tajikistan to boost security during a September parliamentary election in Afghanistan.
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Taiwan stages military drill simulating Chinese blockade
Taiwan has held a military drill off a major naval base in southern Tsoying city with US-built and French-built warships along with F-16 jet fighters.
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Lockheed Martin-Developed Airborne Laser Beam Control Fire Control System Completes Initial Flight Testing
The Airborne Laser' Beam Control Fire Control system has completed initial flight testing during more than 20 flights aboard the YAL-1A aircraft.
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Pilot error major cause of aircraft accidents in Indian Air Force: Minister
Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Upper House of Parliament that pilot error constitutes approximately 43 percent of aircraft accidents in the Indian Air Force.
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Northrop Grumman Selected to Upgrade RC-135 Aircraft Navigation System
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to provide 30 high-accuracy LN-120G stellar navigation systems for the RC-135 fleet.
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Old enemies' wargames send a powerful message to the US
The joint exercise between Russia and China this month will give Russia a chance to show off its modern bombers to China. Tupolev TU-95MSs and TU-22M-3s will carry out long-distance bombing runs and cruise missile attacks.
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263 Services pilots join pvt airlines
The Indian Air Force lost 263 pilots between 2002 and 2004 to commercial airlines.
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Virginia lawmakers get last chance to salvage jet base
Virginia's congressional delegation is gearing up for a critical public hearing Thursday to save NAS Oceana.
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$100m flies into Victoria from airshow
The recent Avalon International Airshow pumped almost $100 million into the local economy.
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T-38 �Talon� training undergoing change
USAF Class 05-13 will receive their silver wings next week. They are the last group of trainees in the �A� model of the T-38. A formation of T-38As will carry out a farewell flyover over Laughlin Air Force Base too.
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Senators Call For Rethinking Raptor Procurement Cut
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch and Sen. Saxby Chambliss is asking the Pentagon to rethink planned Raptor cuts.
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U.S. Air Force May Launch Study On Replacing B-52 Radar
The U.S. Air Force could buy a new radar to replace APQ-166 on B-52H Stratofortress as the existing radar is obsolete parts and reliability problems.
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Wednesday, August 03, 2005
The Lady
The "Lady of the Lake" is what remains of a WB-29 Superfortress weather reconnaissance aircraft that rests in a water-filled gravel pit.
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NASA outlines plans for moon and Mars
NASA will shun the Atlas and Delta rockets used by the USAF for its crew and heavy lift requirements to take man to the Moon and Mars.
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Airbus can help us put Concorde back in air
The Save Concorde Group is trying to get a Concorde serviceable for the 2012 London Olympics.
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'Eternal planes' to watch over us
Former UK defence research lab QinetiQ hopes to build a new high-altitude long-endurance UAV that can stay in the air day and night.
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Raytheon Receives $10 Million Award for New Radar Warning Receiver Technology
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $10 million contract for an advanced concept technology demonstration of Advanced Tactical Targeting Technology (AT3). The technology will be demonstrated in 2007 on three F-16 Block 30 aircraft using Raytheon's digital radar warning receiver, the ALR-69A(V).
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German Parliament Impedes Missile Sale to South Korea
A parliamentary debate in Germany is casting some doubt on the $420-million sale of Patriot missile systems to South Korea.
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Anniversary marked for famous spy plane
At a U.S. Air Force Plant 42 hangar in Palmdale, Lockheed Martin workers and guests, including civic leaders and former pilots and engineers gather to marked the 50th anniversary of the U-2's first flight on Aug 1.
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2nd Bomb Wing command change ahead
Col. Michael R. Moeller, commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, will become deputy commander of the Plans and Programs section at Air Combat Command later this month.
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JSF delivering high value jobs to Australian industry
Australian industry has won more high value work on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced.
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Air patrols set for Straits of Malacca
Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore agreed Tuesday to start coordinated air patrols over the pirate-infested Straits of Malacca by September.
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Two Super Hornets await conversion to electronic attack
Two F/A-18F Super Hornets were recently rolled unfinished from Boeing�s St. Louis assembly line into a separate hangar for conversion into the Navy�s two planned EA-18G developmental test aircraft.
Labels: EA-18G
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R600m needed for Rooivalk
A further R600m is required to complete the development of South Africa's Rooivalk attack helicopter according to a report released to the Parliamentary defence committee.
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Bell ARH (Quicktime Required)
Bell video showing the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter doing its stuff.
Labels: ARH
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Northrop Grumman to Expand Capabilities for F/A-22 Raptor
Northrop Grumman Corporation has begun work on an F/A-22 modernization program that will add capabilities to the aircraft's communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system including the Link 16 capability.
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International air show MAKS-2005 to be held in Russia
MAKS-2005 airshow will be held in Zhukovsky from August 16-21 displaying Russian military and civilian aircraft. United States will bring is B-1b to the show.
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Local fighter wing deploying to Iraq
The 147th Fighter Wing based at Ellington Field will deploy its F16Cs to Iraq as part of Air Expeditionary Force 5.
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8th Air Force leader change back on track
USAF Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson's promotion to full general and command of the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is back on track.
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Japan to speed up missile defence
The Japanese Government is trying to bring forward by up to a year the deployment of a two-tiered ballistic missile defence shield against the threat of North Korean and Chinese attacks.
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Russian general: Country�s nuclear
Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov, head of the Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, said Soviet built nuclear missiles remain fully combat-ready and will continue to form the core of the nation�s strategic forces for at least another decade. The RS-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, known in the West as the SS-18 Satan, had served more than 2 1/2 times longer than their designated lifetime, could remain on duty for another 10-15 years.
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Northrop Grumman Global Hawk Team Efforts Recognized by U.S. Air Force Two Months in a Row
The U.S. Air Force has again recognized a combined Air Force/Northrop Grumman Corporation maintenance team for its support of a Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle deployed as part of the global war on terrorism. The team was named "Maintenance Team of the Month" in April and May.
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Governor Asks BRAC To Reopen Cecil Field
Florida Governor,Jeb Bush, has asked BRAC to visit Jacksonville as they consider reopening Naval Air Station Cecil Field to replace Naval Air Station Oceana.
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Pakistan to get largest supply of F-16s from the United States
Pakistan's Foreign office spokesman Naeem Khan said the Bush Administration would be providing the largest supply ever of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
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BRAC chairman offers encouraging words for Oceana
The chairman of BRAC gave backers of Oceana Naval Air Station a boost Monday when he said that he sees improved cooperation between local officials and the Navy over encroachment issues around the crowded base.
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Longbow Limited Liability Company Receives Apache Block III Radar Electronics Unit Contract Worth $17.6 Million
The Longbow Limited Liability Company (LBL), a Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation, has been awarded a contract worth $17.6 million to begin work on the Fire Control Radar Electronics Unit (REU) as part of the U.S. Army�s Apache Longbow Block III modernization effort.
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PAC-3 Missile Could Get More Customers Within A Year
Germany and Taiwan, are seen as strong candidates to acquire the Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor.
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Indian aircraft carrier leaves RI
The Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat left Indonesia on Monday morning.
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Tuesday, August 02, 2005
VF-32 F-14B Tomcat in retro colors.
This VF-32 Tomcat was repainted to the old color scheme. It will be doing a demo flight at the Oceana Air Show.
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India eyes more Il-38 surveillance aircraft and Patriot missile systems
India plans to acquire an additional two Ilyushin Il-38 surveillance aircraft from Russia and has also asked the USA to release technical information on the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air missile system.
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USAF advances F-15 fleet upgrade
USAF�s Boeing F-15 fleet will getting a wideband digital radar warning receiver. This will give the F-15 a limited electronic-attack role.
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Lockheed ready for morphing UAV tests, but waiting for FAA approval
Flight testing of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works morphing unmanned air vehicle is being held up awaiting approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration to fly the radio-controlled subscale model.
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Government Eyes Used Saudi Fighter Jets
The Government of Kenya may buy 10 F5Es and four F5Fs fighter jets from Saudi Arabia if negotiations between the two countries are concluded.
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WWII flyers to be laid to rest in Europe
Four Australian members of a World War II bomber crew will be laid to rest in Germany next month, 61 years after their Lancaster was shot down.
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Navy defends Oceana base
Four members of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission took a helicopter tour of the Virginia Beach base Sunday morning. They were told that the U.S. Navy has found no better location for a master jet base than Oceana Naval Air Station.
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Finnish Air Force to outsource basic pilot training to Patria
The Finnish Air Force is to outsource its elementary pilot training to the defence and aerospace equipment supplier Patria.
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HMS Invincible retired
Sea Harriers, Sea King helicopters, the Lynx Pairs Display Team and a RAF Chinook helicopter took part in a flypast as HMS Invincible docked for the last time before it is to be decommissioned.
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Bulgarian military eyes pricey U.S. jets
Bulgaria has requested price and availability information for 16 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
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Floating radar station prepares to sail for Adak
The Sea-Based X-band Radar will sail soon to Adak, a remote island in the Aleutian chain.
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N. Korea: U.S. planes flew 160 spy missions in July
North Korea�s official Korean Central News Agency said U.S. spy planes flew at least 160 missions over North Korea last month.
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Land swap proposed for Luke AFB
A land swap deal is being put together that would swap parcels near Luke Air Force Base for other valuable West Valley real estate away from the military installation.
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Israel Asks Ukraine to Withdraw Illegal Cruise Missiles From Iran
Israel has asked Ukraine to demand that Iran return 12 Kh-55 long-range cruise missiles purchased during the tenure of the previous Ukrainian government.
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Black Hawk makes emergency landing at Jamboree
A Black Hawk helicopter carrying several photographers made an emergency landing at the National Boy Scout Jamboree because of a mechanical problem Sunday afternoon.
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Trials and tribulation on vintage weekend
500,000 people turn up at the Sunderland International Airshow on Sunday.
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Defense Spending to Rise in 2006
Russia will increase spending on domestic arms by 20 percent in 2006.
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Rumsfeld Uses 'Flying Pentagon' To Communicate During Trips
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld uses an Air Force E-4B aircraft to stay connected to events on the ground when he flies overseas to visit with troops and confer with U.S. and allied military and civilian officials.
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DRDO talks tieup to get Kaveri going
M Natarajan, chief executive of India's DRDO, says the LCA engine - Kaveri, had �serious problems� and needed outside help.
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ARH: Bell Says Award Is A Phased Process
Mike Cox, Bell's communications VP, explains why there are two versions of the the announcement concerning Bell's contract award from the U.S. Army on the ARH.
Labels: ARH
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Pratt & Whitney's Hypersonic Engine to Be Tested at Mach 5 Flight Conditions
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Space Propulsion recently completed fabrication of a hypersonic Ground Demonstration Engine which will be tested at Mach 5 at NASA-Langley Research Center.
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Eurocopter Deploys Linux Networx Cluster System to Speed Helicopter Design Simulations
Eurocopter has deployed a linux computer cluster consisting of 40 AMD Opteron processors, with a total of 160 GB of memory.
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USS Carl Vinson Arrives in Norfolk
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived at its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk July 31, after completing a seven-month trip around the world.
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Decision Nears On Assembly Sites For Missile Defense Targets
A decision could soon be made on where Lockheed Martin will do its assembly work as the prime contractor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's targets program.
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Spangdahlem pilots fly missions in Romania
About 160 Airmen from the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, recently conducted the first Air Force fighter training mission in Constanta, Romania.
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Monday, August 01, 2005
Chinook helicopters to take centre-stage at this year's National Day Parade
Singapore's Chinook helicopters will take centre-stage at this year's National Day celebrations where it will fly the national flag across the Padang as the national anthem is played.
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Last journey for aircraft carrier
A flypast will greet HMS Invincible as she sails into Portsmouth for the last time on Monday. A decommissioning ceremony will be held on Wednesday.
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After 50 years, U-2 spyplane delivers the goods
Reuters had a rare visit to the USAF 5th Reconnaissance Squadron inside Osan air base south of Seoul. The BlackCats fly the LM U-2.
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ORI team gets Vance�s �house� in order
A team of some 120, both military and civilian, USAF officials will scour Vance Air Force Base ,making sure personnel are complying with Air Force instructions and Department of Defense regulations.
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IAF pilots off poachers� net
The Indian government has rejected requests from over 20 air force pilots to resign after air headquarters expressed concern that a demand for aircrew from domestic private airlines could take a toll on the armed service.
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Derring-do runs in EAA family�s genes
Louis Martin, who flew a P-40 Warhawk in World War II, cheered as his grandson made several low-passes in his F-16 as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association�s AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh.
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Policy pilots missed their chance at Miramar
A group of 735 county residents near Miramar Marine Corps Air Station wants to convert Miramar into a civilian airport or joint-use airport serving military and commercial aviation.
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Reid orders secret review of defence industry
U.K. Defence Secretary John Reid has asked Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson to carry out a secret and sweeping review of Britain's defence industry.
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Guard asked for alternative to air base cuts
The U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard are attempting to reach a compromise over controversial proposals that would strip aircraft from one-third of Guard units nationwide.
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Jakarta in missile deal with Beijing
Indonesia's defence minister, Juwono Sudarsono, said on Sunday that China will help Jakarta develop propulsion and guidance systems for land- and ship-based missiles with a range of up to 150km.
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Fighter jets to simulate air warfare over Darwin
Exercise Kakadu, which open on Jul 26, will see the fighter jets taking to the skies on Aug 1.
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Russian Commander Paints Rosy Future for Air Force's Transport Planes
Gen Vladimir Mikhaylov, commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force, said the Il- 76 will be the main military transport up to 2020.
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Nautilus First Nuke Aircraft Carrier? Aviators Say Yes
Two former naval aviators are claiming the credit for making the first aircraft landing on a nuclear-powered warship when they landed their helicopters on the deck of the USS Nautilus Aug. 4, 1955.
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Ex-pilot dedicates ground for F-14 at Grissom
U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Altman, veteran of both Tomcat and space shuttle flights, dedicated the resting place of a decommissioned F-14 Tomcat on Saturday during a ceremony at Grissom Air Museum.
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Laughlin's 'Talons' chasing the future
The T-38C is replacing the T-38A at Laughlin Air Force Base. The new aircraft bring important changes in aircraft performance, training regimes, and routine maintenance.
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Russia-China exercise no source of concern: Russian defense minister
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said the Russian-Chinese military exercise planned for next month which involves Russian air refueling and early warning aircraft, Su-27SM fighters should not be viewed as a source of concern for other countries.
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Bagotville�s 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron Retires with Dignity!
Canadian Force's retired the 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron for the third time in its 62 year history.
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Pakistan 'to receive F-16s soon'
Reports in Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said that Pakistan should be able to take the
two F-16s by early October.
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