Friday, September 30, 2005
Last fighter jets decommissioned
Philippines will retire the last of its 40-year-old F-5s, leaving the country without air defense fighters on Satuday.
The PAF will use five S211 trainers as makeshift air defence aircraft in the mean time.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded $38 Million U.S. Navy Contract To Integrate Additional Systems On MH-60 Helicopters
Lockheed Martin will test and integrate additional weapons, as well as communications and navigation systems into new production MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, and some existing MH-60S aircraft for the USN.
An additional pylon will be added to carry Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, or the shallow water Mk-54 digital torpedo.
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Prowler carries more jamming power to the fleet
The EA-6B Prowler aircraft equipped with the Improved Capability (ICAP) III System is beginning to enter the fleet.
The ALQ-218 receiver replaces the Prowler's ALQ-99 receiver in the ICAP III program.
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US military's 'Gateway to Europe' closes Friday
The U.S. Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt closed operations Friday as part of an agreement signed in 1999.
A formal closure ceremony is set for October 10.
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Building Your Own Air Force, One Mig at a Time
Don Kirlin of Air USA has two privately owned MiG-29 Fulcrums at a hangar in Quincy, Illinois.
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Human error blamed in U.S. chopper crash
The crash of a CH-53E Super Stallion in Iraq in January this year was due to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).
The crew became disoriented and flew into ground. A second helicopter that was supposed to provide updated weather information failed to do so. The pilot has been removed from flying status.
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AEW 12/AEWWINGLANT Commodores Mark Wing Disestablishment
The U.S. Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet has merged with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMAEWWINGPAC).
COMAEWWINGPAC will command all E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound squadrons from Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu, Calif., under the new title of Commander, Airborne Command, Control, Logistics Wing (COMACCLOGWING).
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U.S. Won’t Sell Global Hawk Spy Drones to Korea
During a joint Security Cooperation Committee meeting on Jun. 21, Washington told Seoul that it was “inappropriate at this time" to sell the Global Hawk to South Korea.
Washington is said to be unconvinced that South Korea needs the Global Hawks and is worried that important technologies will be leaked.
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More than expected achieved during Indo-US naval exercises: Smith
During the first phase of Malabar-05, Indian Sea Harriers and USN Hornets engaged in air combat under the control of E-2C aircraft and INS Viraat.
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C-141 makes proud final departure
The last C-141 Starlifter combat aeromedical evacuation flight was flown on Sept. 29.
The aircraft transported the injured servicemembers from Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, for treatment.
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Lockheed Martin signals more JSF contracts to Turkish firms (Free Registration)
Lockheed Martin has signaled that more sub-contracts for the JSF will be awarded to Turkey.
Some Turkish defense companies and officials have complained of low levels of Turkish participation in the multinational JSF program.
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Boeing, LM To Join Forces In SDB II Competition
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have decided to join forces for the second phase of the U.S. Air Force's Small Diameter Bomb.
Boeing will use the SDB I bomb design and match with an all-weather, tri-mode seeker that Lockheed Martin has been developing for the Joint Common Missile program.
Raytheon has also indicated that it plans to submit an SDB II bid.
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Search And Rescue Helicopters Temporarily Redistributed
Two CH-146 Griffons will deploy to eastern Canada due to the decreased availability of the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter.
They will assist in Search and Rescue operations.
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Global Hawk set to soar over Pax
NAVAIR's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles program is gearing up for the arrival of the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration System at Pax. River.
The Global Hawk will provide over-the-horizon reconnaissance to protect battle groups.
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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Air Vectors : The Westland Lynx
The Westland Scout, Wasp, & Lynx helicopter is featured in October's Air Vectors.
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Shepherds of the Sky
This Singapore Ministry of Defence video focus on the operations of RSAF's Flying Support Squadrons. It looks at various departments of FSS at Paya Lebar Air Base.
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Apache Aces Abroad
This reporter visit the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Peace Vanguard Detachment at Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana, Arizona.
Peace Vanguard flies the AH-64D Apache.
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Pentagon gives Osprey production go-ahead
The U.S. Department of Defense Acquisition Board has given the go-ahead to begin full-rate production of the V-22 Osprey.
Bell will deliver 360 aircraft to the Marines, 50 to the U.S. Air Force and 48 to the Navy.
Current low-rate production of 11 aircraft per year will increase up to 48 aircraft.
The V-22 recently passed its operational testing with flying colors.
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France, Morocco boost economic ties
Thales will upgrade about 20 Moroccan Mirages.
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Boeing says its refueling tanker would be low-risk
John Sams, Boeing's vice president of Air Force Systems, told Reuters in an interview that flight tests of a sixth-generation refueling boom and a new hydraulic probe and drogue will begin soon.
They will be tested as part of Japan and Italy's 767 aerial refueling tanker certification program.
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EADS and Thales to supply latest-technology missile warner to A400M
EADS Defence Electronics and Thales will supply 85 missile warning systems for the A400M.
It will be fitted with the Multi-Color Infra-Red Alerting Sensor (MIRAS).
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ACM Tyagi becomes first IAF chief to earn para 'wings'
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi became the first chief to earn para 'wings.'
He made his fifth jump in 15 days to earn the award. He will jump again on Oct. 2 with 73 other IAF personnel to commemorate the IAF's 73rd anniversary.
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Barksdale’s big bombers return
The B-52s that left Barksdale Air Force Base to avoid Hurricane Rita have started returning back.
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Roh Names New Air Force Chief
Lt. Gen. Kim Sung-il will replace Gen. Lee Han-ho as the new South Korean Air Force chief of staff.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers 50th F/A-22 Raptor to the U.S. Air Force
There are now 50 F/A-22 Raptors in the USAF. Lockheed Martin delivered the 50th Raptor yesterday.
It will join the 1st Fighter Wing’s 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base.
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Pilot of crashed Russian jet “made many mistakes” – Lithuanian DM
Lithuanian Defense Minister Giademinas Kirkilas has said that the pilot of Russia’s Sukhoi-27 fighter jet that crashed in Lithuania on September 15 had made "many mistakes."
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Army demonstrates Future Combat Systems
The U.S. Army gave a public demonstration of several Future Combat Systems technologies at Aberdeen Proving Ground last week.
Several UAVs were demonstrated.
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Nigeria to buy fighter planes from China
Nigeria will buy 12 F7NI and three FT7NI trainer aircraft from China.
The package costs US$251.3 million.
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C-130s damaged by tornado flying again
Three C-130s of the Delaware Air National Guard was damaged by a tornado last year. One year later, the planes are back flying again.
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After 52 years, former pilot wins $67,000 in compensation for WWII injuries
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to pay Col. Frank Fong $67,000 in back compensation.
The World War II fighter pilot lost sight in his left eye in a plane crash.
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All eyes turn to the Su-27’s black box
Four military experts from Ukraine are in Lithuania to help decode the black box of the Su-27 that crash.
The fighter’s four air-to-air missiles have been recovered as well.
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Indo-US joint naval exercise enters 2nd phase tomorrow
Malabar-05 will enter the second phase of full scale exercises today.
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F-16 fighter jets from Spangdahlem to patrol Baltic skies
F-16s from Spangdahlem Air Base’s 52nd Fighter Wing will begin patrolling the skies above three Baltic nations this week.
The F-16s will be stationed at Zoknia air base in Lithuania.
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India could get US invite for F-35 first flight
Washington wants to invite the Chief of Indian Air Force to witness the first flight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Fort Worth, Texas next year.
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“Pull!”
50 Canadian aircraft technicians pulled a CC-130 Hercules into the Guiness Book of World Records.
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F-15K, Welcome to Korea
Two of South Korea's F-15Ks will arrive in Korea for the first time Oct. 7 next month.
They will transit at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. They will land at Seoul Airport.
The fighters will make two air refueling on their way to Hawaii and Guam. Each fighter will be flown by a Boeing test pilot with a ROKAF pilot at the back.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Two New Books
Two interesting Tomcat books.
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Blair and Reid 'held secret talks with Saudis on £40bn arms deal'
While lobbying for London's Olympics bid in Singapore, Tony Blair drop in at Riyadh on 2 July to discuss selling the Eurofighter to Saudi Arabia.
Three weeks later, John Reid made a trip to persuade the crown prince to re-equip his air force with the Typhoon.
However the talks have stalled due to Saudi demands.
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Raytheon Awarded $5.3M Contract for CLAWS Development
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $5.3 million contract for the fifth and sixth production systems for the Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS).
CLAWS combines the AMRAAM with the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.
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Predators fly first four-ship sorties
The MQ-1 Predator is testing an upgrade to enable a single pilot to simultaneously control four Predator aircraft.
The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 4 flew two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties over a four-day period.
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Air Force national museum adds ‘Wild Weasel’ exhibit
An exhibit commemorating the accomplishments of the "Wild Weasels" during the Vietnam War was unveiled recently at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
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First Danish female fighter pilot continues training
Denmark's first female fighter pilot is going through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program with the USAF.
She will return back to her country to fly the F-16.
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Raytheon Nets $31.4 Million Contract for MTS-A on MH-60, Predator
Raytheon will provide the Multispectral Targeting System (MTS)-A for the Navy MH-60 helicopter and the Predator UAV (unmanned airborne vehicle) programs.
The AN/AAS-52 MTS-A provides electro-optic/infrared imaging and laser designation/illumination capability.
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Air Force reservists fly last C-141 mission to combat zone
The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 445th Airlift Wing will fly its last C-141 mission to ferry sick or wounded troops back from the Middle East.
The 445th is the last wing still flying the C-141.
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WWII fighter pilots' group holds final reunion
The 352nd Fighter Group had their final reunion at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
The group destroyed 776 enemy aircraft on 420 flying missions in Europe during WWII.
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Test pilots mark GLIC birthday
Russia's once top-secret Valery Chkalov State Flight Tests Center (GLIC - Russian acronym), marked its 85th birthday last week.
The center has tested every type of Soviet and Russian aircraft from the pre-WWII I-15 to the Su-30MKI.
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New MiG engine for India to be tested by Russian experts
Russia will being testing a new RD-33 engine for India's MiG-29K.
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U.S. blocked copter parts to Israel
Former Israel Security Agency director Avi Dichter said Washington blocked shipments of spare parts for Israel's AH-64A Apaches in 2000.
The embargo was lifted after 9/11.
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Turkey keeps options open for fighter buy (Free Registration)
Turkey said that it will no longer purchase the Joint Strike Fighter as its next generation fighter aircraft.
Turkey may buy the JSF alone, the Eurofighter or a combination of both aircraft.
Compared to the JSF, the Eurofighter partners are guaranteed a share of the work for their domestic defense industries. If Turkey becomes a Eurofighter partner, its local aerospace industry will benefit from it.
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US completes missile test
The U.S. have completed a successful test of its upgraded Alaska-based Cobra Dane radar for missile defense.
It successfully tracked a long-range ballistic missile launched from a U.S. Air Force C-17.
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Senate panel cuts back military space programs
The U.S. Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee has cut funding for the Transformational Satellite Program, the Space Radar program and the Space-Based Infrared System (SBRIS) High program.
The Joint Unmanned Combat Air System funding was cut by $200 million and $270 million for the Joint Strike Fighter program.
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Strategic ballistic missile launched in White Sea - Defense Ministry
Russia has successfully conducted the first in-flight test of a Bulava strategic ballistic missile.
The missile was launched from a Typhoon class ballistic missile submarine.
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New exhibit set to go down a storm
An RAF Tornado F3 will be become an attraction at the Museum of Flight in Scotland.
This Tornado carried out Combat Air Patrols during the first Gulf War.
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Six Stinger missiles seized near border
Pakistani paramilitary forces have seized six Stinger missiles near the Afghan border.
The CIA has offered 150,000 to 200,000 dollars for each missile in Afghanistan.
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Pan-blue lawmakers rule out buying Patriot missiles
Taiwan's Pan-blue legislators have indicated that they will not support the bill for the purchase of Patriot missile batteries.
They said that last year's referendum to boost missile defense failed to get the number of votes necessary to make a valid result.
Thus under Taiwan's referendum law, the arms bill cannot be proposed before March 2007.
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Retired Aircraft Carrier Survives Hurricane Rita Off Texas Coast
Retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany have survived Hurricane Rita's wrath.
The carrier had moved from Pensacola to Texas to avoid hurricanes this season.
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Mulford, Tata tour US warship in Malabar-05
U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford visit USS Nimitz which is currently taking part in exercises with INS Viraat.
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Ultra Electronics wins 15 mln deal to provide RAF Eurofighter targeting lasers
Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC will supply 20 Litening EF laser targeting pods for the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Cattle stranded amid flooding
The U.S. Army is using Blackhawk helicopters to search for humans as well as cattle affected by Hurricane Rita.
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小松基地でエース養成 Ｆ１５戦闘機パイロット 全国から選抜、指導者に
Thanks to Tengu for this article. The JSADF is conducting its first 'F15 military strategy course.'
The course will be similar to the USN's Top Gun course and take place at Komatsu Air Force Base. Training will be conducted at 'G Airspace' above the Sea of Japan.
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New weaponry on show at IDEF
The IDEF 2005 International Defense Industry Fair will see companies vying for Turkey's Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter competition taking part.
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Jet repair workers in Labour demo
Workers from the Defence Aviation Repair Agency at RAF St Athan are protesting the switch of maintenance work on jet fighters from Dara to another RAF base, in Norfolk.
The U.K. government has said the jobs move would mean better value for money.
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Russian general criticizes flight that ended in Su-27's crash
Chief Commander of the Russian Air Force, Army General Vladimir Mikhailov said if the German pilots who were on duty that day have scrambled earlier. They might have save the Su-27 from crashing into Lithuania.
He added that the flight exposed a weakness in NATO's cover as the fighter was in Lithuania’s airspace for over 20 minutes.
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Soldier Suspected of Vandalizing F-16 Released From Custody
The Israeli sergeant who was arrested on suspicion of vandalizing an F-16, was released due to the lack of evidence against him.
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Lithuanian Air Force commander dismissed in wake of Su-27 crash
Lithuania's Air Force commander has been fired as a result of the recent Russian Su-27 crash.
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Russia to exhibit new military helicopters in Turkey
Russia will exhibit the Ka-226 light multi-purpose helicopters at the IDEF-2005 international exhibition in Turkey.
Besides the Ka-226, the Mi-35M attack helicopters, Mi-17 transport helicopters, the Ka-31 AWACS helicopter and a modified version of the Ka-50 Black Shark will be displayed.
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Czech Ministry Clears Radar For Export To Pakistan
The Czech industry and trade ministry has granted a license allowing Pakistan to lease the Czech-made Vera passive radar system.
The Vera has already been sold to the United States, while Estonia and a number of other countries, including Malaysia and Egypt, have shown interest in the system.
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Eurofighter Typhoon War Plane Project
Giovanni Bertolone, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, wants Turkey to be the fifth partner of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Army Grilled Over Poor Management of Defense System
South Korea lawmakers say the only 77 out of the Army’s 128 UH-1H helicopters are combat ready.
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Monday, September 26, 2005
New Paya Lebar Air Base Runway?
I was going through
Google Earth again and I notice that on the east side of the base, an airstrip seems to be under construction last year.
The length is about 4100 feet and 90 feet wide. The orientation is same as the main runway at 02/20. In fact its almost similar to the closed 02R/20L but only half the length.
Click on the photo to zoom in.
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'I Had A Funny Feeling in My Gut'
Twenty-two years ago on this date, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov from the Soviet Union prevent World War III by ignoring the false warning given by his computerized early warning systems.
The computers had indicated that five nuclear missiles were launched from the United States.
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25pc of Services' helicopters are out of action
A quarter of U.K.'s fleet of 569 helicopters are either grounded for repair or unrepairable.
A high number of Merlins are out of service with one in three under repair.
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Pentagon: China's Anti-Aircraft Carrier Strategy Includes Ballistic Missiles
In the Pentagon's annual China report, it mentioned that China will use its ballistic missiles against U.S. aircraft carriers in any potential conflict with Taiwan.
Cuise missiles, special operations forces, naval mines and submarines are other options being explored by Beijing.
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Japan frets as cost of missile defence system with US triples
Washington has told Japan it will cost nearly three times more than previously estimated to develop a joint missile defence system.
The Japanese government may try to renegotiate its contribution to the project as its defence budget is freezed.
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Air Force's C-130E female crew flies in first combat mission
An all-female C-130 crew from the USAF 43rd Airlift Wing flew its first combat mission on Sept. 10.
They are with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flying cargo and troops in and out of Southwest Asia.
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Belly landing by WW II plane closes airport
A Yak-3M made a belly landing at Norfolk International Airport on Saturday.
The plane’s right landing gear had malfunctioned during an earlier landing attempt.
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Helicopter Crash Kills 5 Crew Members in Afghanistan
A CH-47 Chinook went down in southern Afghanistan while supporting operations against insurgents.
The helicopter had delivered troops to a village and was returning to base. The crash is most likely an accident.
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El Pasoan recounts fighter pilot life
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. William T. "Bill" Creech's memoir, "The 3rd Greatest Fighter Pilot," focuses on why a fighter pilot would relegate himself to the No. 3 position rather than the No. 1 ranking.
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US Prepared Nuclear Attack on NK: Documents
F-15Es belonging to the USAF 4th Fighter Squadron carried out a simulation drop of a BDU-38, a practise nuclear bomb, in Florida in 1998.
The objective is to simulate a nuclear bomb drop on North Korea.
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Sunday, September 25, 2005
Lithuanian find 4th missile from demised Russian fighter jet
All four air-to-air missiles carried by the Su-27 that crashed in Lithuanian have been found.
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Cherry Point Marines return
VMA-231 with their five Harriers return back to MCAS Cherry Point after six months in Iraq.
During that time they had a joint exercise with Israel and an exercise in Kuwait to train for the desert.
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Army unveils high-tech arsenal at combat expo
At the Heidelberg Land Combat Expo in Germany, the U.S. Army showcased its simulators that allow up to six Apache attack helicopter crews to “fly” together.
The simulators can be network with tank and Bradley simulators too.
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Beale U-2 goes to storm
A U-2 was sent to the Gulf Coast on Thursday to gather images of Hurricane Rita as it made its way toward land.
The idea is to see what happened on the ground before and after the storm hits.
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Barksdale evacuates B-52 bombers
Col. Dan Charchian, who took over command of the 2nd Bomb Wing only days ago, order his B-52 fleet at Barksdale Air Force Base to move to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to avoid Hurricane Rita.
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So long, big guy: You lifted spirits, too
Hawai'i Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron will switch over from the C-130 to C-17 next year.
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Saturday, September 24, 2005
米軍機、訓練区域外の海上に模擬弾落とす
The first Japanese news on Alert 5. This is a rough traslation of the story.
An F-16 from Misawa drop a practise bomb in the Pacific Ocean after the jet failed to release it at the Misawa Bombing Range.
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Typhoon in Singapore, satellite photo
I was browsing through
Google Earth and I came across two RAF Typhoons siting on the ground at Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore. This photo must have been taken last year and its showing up on Google Earth now.
To the north of the Typhoons is a RAF Tristar and west of it seems to be a 747. An RAF C-130 is south of the Typhoons. I'm not sure if its a bowser or a bus that is parked next to one of the jets.
Click on photo for a larger picture.
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Netherlands to host int'l aerial exercise
The Royal Netherlands Air Force will host exercise "Frisian Flag 2005" at Leeuwarden Air Force Base in the northern Netherlands on Monday.
F-18s from Finland, Saab Gripens from Sweden, German F-4 Phantoms and Jaguar fighter-bombers from Britain will take part.
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MALABAR 05 : Indian Navy - U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers To Conduct Joint Exercise
India's INS Viraat will conduct an exercise with USS Nimitz in the Arabian Sea from 25 Sep to 04 Oct 05.
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Audit identifies Orion delays
The Australian National Audit Office said a failure to understand the intricacies of the United States defence sales system led to a delay of AP-3 Orion aircraft for the RAAF.
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Military mobilizes for storm
The U.S. Air Force is preparing for Hurricane Rita to make landfall.
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SAAF's Gripen fighter ready for flight trials
Production of the Gripen multirole fighter destined for the South African Air Force has been completed and flight trials can now begin.
Two-seater deliveries will begin in January 2008 and conclude in late 2009, with single-seat aircraft to be handed over from 2009-2011.
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Pilots log 4,000 flight hours each
Lt. Cols. Jimbo Macaulay and Brady Glick completed 4,000 flying hours each in the A-10 aircraft on Sept. 1.
Both pilots are from the 47th Fighter Squadron.
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Moving Day At The Tulsa Air And Space Museum
Tulsa Air and Space Museum is moving its F-14 display to a new home.
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Soldier suspected of sabotaging F-16
A 21-year-old staff sergeant of the Israeli Air Force is suspected to have inserted screws into the engine of an F-16 fighter jet at the Ovda base in the south due to an argument with his commanding officer.
It is alleged that he inserted screws in the exhaust mechanism of the plane.
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AVIC II trainer jet ready for production
China Aviation Industry Corp II's L15 advanced trainer will finish final assembly at the end of this month and make its maiden flight before the end of this year
The trainer is expected to begin mass production in 2007.
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Oxygen loss linked to fatal MCAS jet crash
Oxygen deprivation was the likely reason a U.S. Marine pilot crashed his F/A-18 Hornet into the Atlantic Ocean last year.
Capt. Franklin R. Hooks, 32, was taking part in a training exercise on June 27, 2004, when he crashed south of the Azores, in the eastern Atlantic.
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If we're still here at Christmas, so be it …
Australia's longest-running strike is into its 114th day today with 28 Boeing maintenance engineers manning their picket outside the Williamtown RAAF base near Newcastle.
The workers maintain and upgrade the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet fighters based at Williamtown.
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Friday, September 23, 2005
Bell Boeing QuadTiltrotor selected for Joint Heavy Lift study contract
A low resolution picture of the Bell Boeing QuadTiltrotor (QTR) aircraft.
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Lithuanian premier says crash of Russian Su-27 jet was accidental
Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas has described the crash of Russia’s Sukhoi-27 fighter jet as an accident.
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Ex-Cold War Missile May Boost University-Built Satellites
The recently retired Peacekeeper missile might be use to deliver University-built space payloads into orbit.
U.S. Congressman Dennis Rehberg of Montana is spearheading the effort.
Orbital Sciences Corp. will take a three stage Peacekeeper missile and add a Orion 38 fourth stage, the new rocket is capable of lifting more than 1,750 kg into orbit.
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Hooligans’ namesake dies
Duane "Pappy" Larson former commander of North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Squadron, Happy Hooligans, has died at the age of 89.
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Japan to be part of US missile project
Japan will contribute the nosecone design for an interceptor missile in a joint project with the U.S. to develop a ballistic missile defence system
The Japanese has develope technology to make the nosecone split into two in the air and break off from the interceptor.
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Rescue crews making do with faulty choppers
Canada's search and rescue operations have continued despite problems with their EH-101 helicopters.
The Cormorants are currently restricted to test flights and rescue operations only.
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Air Force To Begin Long-Range Strike Study In October
The U.S. Air Force will begin its analysis of alternatives to modernize its long-range strike capabilities.
One of the options include modifying the YF-23.
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Lithuania Claims More in Damages
Lithuania wants to add environmental damage to the previously announced €3,000 it charge to Russia for the Su-27 crash.
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Boeing doesn't want to share tanker deal
Boeing is against sharing a U.S. aerial refueling tanker award with Northrop Grumman Corp. as it would increase the cost of the program.
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SA eyes unmanned-aircraft niche
The South African Air Force hopes that the development and operation of unmanned air vehicles will propel South Africa as a world leader in the field.
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Eglin warns of more flights, noise traffic from base expansion
The decision by BRAC to designate Eglin Air Force Base as the first training site for the F-35 will mean more flights, noise and road traffic.
There will be planes taking off or landing every two to three minutes based on a 10-hour workday in future.
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Korea to Develop Unmanned Stealth Plane
South Korea's Agency for Defense Development is developing stealth technology for its next-generation fighter jet and the stealth fighter project.
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Hawkeyes, Greyhounds among first to respond to Katrina
The U.S. Navy's E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound fleet responded less than 48 hours after Hurricane Katrina's hit the Gulf Coast area.
The E-2C from VAW-77 played an important role as a key command-and-control node.
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A Grounded Greyhound Flies Again
A completely rewired C-2A Greyhound finished its Service Life Extension Program recently at NAVAIR Depot North Island.
The Service Life Extension Program will give each Greyhound 36,000 landings and 50,000 flight hours.
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Indonesian delegation in Russia to look at fighters, missiles
Indonesian Air Force Vice-Marshal Pieter Wattimena is leading a 16-member delegation in Russia.
Indonesia hopes to add eight more Sukhois to the four currently in service.
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Northrop urges DoD to recompete troubled Army spy plane
Northrop Grumman wants the Pentagon to reopen bidding for the Aerial Common Sensor.
The company believes the recent stop-work order given to Lockheed is an indication that the Army is in a process to terminate the contract.
Northrop Grumman maintains that its proposal, using a different aircraft, wouldn't have encountered the weight, power and cooling problems that plagued Lockheed.
Program spokesman Henry Kearney countered that Northrop Grumman's proposal has a high risk of exceeding the maximum zero fuel weight of the aircraft.
Analysts said both the Army and the Navy feels that Lockheeds electronics are the best and will unlikely change contractor.
Labels: ACS
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USFK Fighting Strength Dwindles 23 Percent
The USAF has slashed the number of F-16s deployed in Korea from 76 to 60.
The AH-64 attack helicopters has thinned from 70 to 50, and the number of UH-60s and other transport choppers from 200 to 70.
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Thursday, September 22, 2005
VFA-11
The newest addition to the VFA-11 fleet.
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VF-101 last flight (Update)
Thanks to Alfonse, we have the photos of VF-101 #160's last flight after landing at Castle Air Museum.
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EADS, Raytheon see future in cargo
EADS and Raytheon will bring a CASA C-295 to Boeing's backyard as part of a 16-state, four-week tour.
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Kyrgyzstan: US forces can stay -- if they pay more
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev wants the U.S. to pay more rent to stay in his country.
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Former Navy Pilot Will Run for Neb. Post
Shane Osborn, the former U.S. Navy pilot who landed his damaged EP-3E on the Chinese island of Hainan, will seek the Republican nomination for Nebraska state treasurer.
He now works as an aviation insurance broker.
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Radioactive Wire Found in Jet Crash
Lithuanian officials found a slightly radioactive wire on the wreckage of a crashed Su-27.
Lithuania has demanded that Russia provide more information about any other potentially hazardous substances on the plane before they continue the investigation.
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Russian experts needed to decode Su-27 black box
Lithuania will not be able to decode the black box of the Su-27 Flanker fighter that crashed on September 15 without Russian help.
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2nd Bomb Wing command change Thursday
Col. Daniel J. Charchian will be the new boss of the USAF 2nd Bomb Wing.
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Russia and Kyrgyzstan sign $3 million military contract
Russia will sell Kyrgyzstan a Mi-8 Hip helicopter as part of a $3 million military contract.
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Oceana’s fate far from set; conversion would be costly
Oceana Naval Air Station will be useless to the USN if they are forced to shift the jets to Florida.
It would be cheaper for the Navy to move out and not convert the base for other type of missions.
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'The Indian Air Force wanted to fight'
The first and only Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, talks to Sheela Bhatt about the 1965 war with Pakistan.
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Ninth Boeing Ground-based Midcourse Defense Interceptor Emplaced
Ninth Boeing Ground-based Midcourse Defense Interceptor was lowered into its underground silo at Fort Greely, Alaska on Sept. 18.
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Air Force commendation
RNZAF Flight Sergeant Hank Hancock was awarded the Chief of Air Force Commendation for his work with preserving the Aermacchi fleet while waiting for sale.
He is the flight commander of the air combat force disposal unit.
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Air force hopes to barter for squadron of F-16s
The Thais want to barter their agricultural products for 16 second hand F-16s from the United States.
The cost for the jets is 20 billion baht.
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Pentagon official warns Taiwan on defense spending
Washington is sending Taipei a message that it must build up its own defenses against a growing threat from China if it expects the US to come to its aid in a crisis.
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Navy jet crash kills two in Florida
A S-3 Viking from VS-32 went down near Jacksonville Naval Air Station while attempting to land in a storm.
Both crew were killed.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
RSAF TV Commercials
Here are some more RSAF TV Commercials for those who like them.
Mission Ready 24/7
Set your Sights Higher
Above All
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Boeing Says Strike Could Have Impact On Tanker Program
Boeing's 767 tanker program could be affected by striking machinists because of potential production delays.
James O'Neill, Boeing (BA) vice president for tanker, said the delivery of planes for modification to tankers will be delayed.
He also added that the recent commercial orders for the 767 meant that Boeing do not have to worry about closing the line.
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US Army speeds up schedule for Future Cargo Aircraft programme
The U.S. Army will award the contract for its Future Cargo Aircraft in June 2006.
The Alenia C-27J, Boeing's YC-15 prototype and Casa’s CN-235 and C-295 are serious contenders.
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US Army picks Joint Heavy Lift concept vehicles
The U.S. Army has awarded five contracts to develop a vertical take-off and landing rotorcraft that can transport a roughly 20t vehicle about 250nm.
Sikorsky was selected to study a coaxial rotor-powered vehicle called the X2 Technology Crane and the X2 Technology High Speed Lifter.
Boeing will study a tandem-rotor helicopter concept.
Bell-Boeing will explore a Quad Tiltrotor with 275kt speed.
Frontier Aircraft will study a 310kt, optimum-speed tiltrotor concept.
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USAF wants competition for F-15E Strike Eagle radar upgrade
Raytheon will have to compete against Northrop Grumman for a contract to upgrade the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle’s radar with an active electronically scanned array.
Raytheon's APG-63(V)3/4 will face the Northrop’s APG-77.
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Going Dangerously Astray
The Su-27 that crash in Lithuania was part of a seven plane formation sent to Kaliningrad to reinforce the exclave's garrison.
The seven fighters were protected by an A-50 early warning plane. The fighters were armed with missiles to defend themselves as part of the exercise.
The exercise was to test the deployment of fighters from Russia with the radars and air traffic control capabilities in Kaliningrad destroyed by NATO air attacks.
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Global Express could replace ERJ-145 as ACS airframe
Bombardier’s Global Express that is being used by Raytheon Systems’ Sentinel R1 could replace the Embraer ERJ-145 for the Lockheed Martin Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) programme.
The U.S. Army has requested information about the capabilities of the Sentinel R1 from U.K. Ministry of Defence and Raytheon.
Labels: ACS
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Russian jet jangles Baltic nerves
The Russian Su-27 crash in Lithuania has renewed friction between Russia and its Baltic neighbours.
Baltic newspapers criticized the poor response by NATO jets during the incident and question the usesfulness of the NATO air umbrella.
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Peacekeeper era ends with a whimper
Vandenberg's 576th Flight Test Squadron had hope to launch a Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile this year to mark its retirement.
Budget cuts by the USAF led to the cancellation of the final test flight.
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Harris Corporation's Low-Cost Weapon Data Link Used In Successful JDAM Moving Target Demonstration
Harris Corporation has successfully tested a low-cost, UHF network-capable weapon data link for the JDAM on a F/A-18 Super Hornet to hit moving targets.
The Super Hornet was able update the JDAM with the position of the moving target using its onboard senors and trasmitting it to the bomb using the aircraft's existing communication system.
The JDAM was also able to transmit real-time weapon status back to the host F/A-18 for a two-way data link.
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NASA's revitalized plans for manned moon missions could revive LI's space industry
Northrop Grumman Corp.'s facility in Bethpage hopes to get back into the moon business by building the crew exploration vehicle for NASA.
Bethpage build the first (if man does go back to the moon again) lunar lander.
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Pentagon Will Pay Uzbeks for Air Base
Uzbekistan will be paid almost $23 million for past use of its Karshi-Khanabad air base by the U.S. military.
The base was part of U.S. combat and humanitarian missions in Afghanistan over the last four years.
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Russian pilot did not intend to intrude into Lithuania
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said the Su-27 crash was not staged to test Lithuania's air defense system.
He said only an idiot would be willing to lose a plane to do reconnaissance.
He also stress that the pilot was under immunity according to international law.
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Russian Su-27 Crash May Have Been Planned — Lithuania
Lithuanian Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas was quoted that the Su-27 crash may have been planned in advance on Monday.
However on Tuesday, he dismissed the news reports.
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Pilot tops 3,000 hours flying in F-16
Maj. Jack “Jocko” Thompson joined a small number of pilots who have achieved 3000 hours in a F-16 on Monday.
He is with the 178th Fighter Wing from Springfield Air National Guard Base.
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RAAF set to fight piracy from the air
Australia and New Zealand have offered aircraft to joint the "Eyes in the Sky" air patrols over the Straits of Malacca.
The patrol started recently with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand participating.
Lloyd's of London has placed the Straits as a high-risk region for war and terrorism on par with Iraq.
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Bulgaria Prepares to Upgrade MiG Fleet
Russian Aircraft Corp. MiG will have a second shot at upgrading Bulgaria's MiG-29 fleet to NATO standards.
They lost the first contract in 2004.
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Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Secret Cold War Spy Satellite Program Declassified by U.S.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Security Agency (NSA) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have declassified a series of satellites was orbited from 1962 through 1971, designated POPPY.
The satellites were used to collect radar emissions from Soviet naval vessels.
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Air Force says farewell to most powerful ICBM
The USAF has retired its Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile on Sept. 19.
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Space too small for 3 satellite operators
Orbimage Inc. has agreed to buy larger rival Space Imaging Inc. for $58.5 million.
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. put Space Imaging up for sale earlier this year after the company failed to win one of two $500 million Pentagon contracts.
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Hart Aviation Video
By Gerry ClarkeFor those of you who are not aware of the high quality DVD’s produced by Hart Aviation Video (Paul and Jeff Hart) I recommend you get your last demo visceral delights by purchasing their 2005 NAS Oceana Air Show DVD when it hits their site
I met Paul and Jeff this year before the opening day of the show and had the privilege of hanging out with them and shooting some photos. They do some amazing stuff with their video techniques.
I don’t buy DVD’s of air shows because I see so many so clips and movies (Yawn!) for me to say that I am going to purchase their 2005 video means that their 2004 DVD was excellent and I don’t mind spending another $22.00 for the 2005 NAS Oceana Air Show.
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Boeing sees China needing 2,600 jets worth US$213b
Boeing said in its 2005 market outlook that China will require more than 2,600 new airplanes over the next 20 years.
1,678 out of the 2,600 aircraft will be single asile.
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Ministry eyes rice-for-planes trade deal
Jakarta hopes to barter 250,000 tons of rice from Thailand in exchange for CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Royal Thai Navy.
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VF-101 last flight
VF-101 flew their show bird to Castle Air Museum yesterday, its expected to arrive at Castle on Tuesday at noon. If you happen to be there and taking photos, I hope to post them in the gallery to complete the story.
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He’s not flying in shows yet, but Blue Angel rookie isn’t complaining
When he is not narrating the Blue Angels's show on the ground, rookie Lt. Cmdr. John Allison takes invited guests up for a spin or two.
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Lithuania Refuses to Hand Over Pilot
Lithuanian has denied Moscow's requests to hand over a Russian pilot that crash his Su-27 in Lithuania.
The country will also seek help from NATO to study the Su-27 fighter's flight recorder to determine the cause of the crash.
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Four Russian helicopter gunships removed from Sierra Leone
Four Russian helicopter gunships that were deployed for a UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone have return home.
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Bell-Boeing gets $3.45 million Army contract
Boeing Co. and Bell Helicopter have been given a contract to do conceptual design and analysis of the Quad TiltRotor aircraft for the U.S.Army's Joint Heavy Lift Program.
The Quad TiltRotor is a tandem-wing, four-proprotor aircraft with a large cargo fuselage and a rear-loading ramp.
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Cowboys back in the saddle to test new technology
USMC's VMFA-112 will be in England taking part in Exercise Urgent Quest.
The squadron will bring four F/A-18A+ Hornets and eight pilots.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $50 Million Contract for Laser-Guided Bomb Kits
Lockheed Martin has received a $50 million contract to supply the USAF with GBU-12 laser-guided bomb kits next year.
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GSDF chopper crashes at air show
A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force AH-1S Cobra crashed Sunday while performing a low-altitude flight demonstration for the public in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.
The main rotor scraped the ground while the helicopter was trying to make a right turn flying at low altitude.
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NASA Dryden Chief Engineer Marta Bohn-Meyer Dies in Airplane Crash
Marta Bohn-Meyer, the first female crewmember and the second woman to fly in the SR-71, has died in an aerobatic plane crash.
She was chief engineer at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base and an FAA-certified flight instructor.
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Castro requested Soviet missiles in 1981, book says
Fidel Castro asked the Soviet Union to redeploy atomic weapons in 1981 to counter U.S. cruise missiles in Europe.
He made the proposal to a senior Soviet army general visiting Havana.
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Korean Anti-Air Missile to Debut
South Korean anti-aircraft missile system, "KP-SAM," will enter the military after passing a trial test successfully.
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Sky-high ambitions for woman who became Navy pilot
Kendra Kaufman is one of 311 female pilots in the U.S. Navy and one of just 13 female Naval aviators who fly the C-2A.
She is attached to the USS Nimitz.
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An EADS CASA C-295 aircraft belonging to the Spanish Air Force flies non-stop for more than 10 hours over the Pacific Ocean
A Spanish Air Force CASA C-295 flew a non-stop flight, without auxiliary fuel tanks, from Sacramento to Honolulu. This flight is part of a four-week tour around the U.S. to promote the C-295 and CN-235.
The flight took ten hours and 40 minutes over 4000km.
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B-29 group plans tour of air base
The B-29 All Veterans Memorial Committee is planning a driving-walking tour of the Pratt Industrial Airport, Kansas, the first training base for B-29s in World War II.
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Canadian Forces Snowbirds Celebrate 2,000th Show
The Snowbirds celebrated their 2,000th show Saturday, September 17 in Reno, Nevada.
The Snowbirds are also celebrating their 35th anniversary season in 2005.
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Panel convenes to ponder ways to keep jets at Oceana
Officials from communities around Oceana have form a group to tackle how to retain the base.
Virginia Beach City Council wants to do an economic analysis to determine the costs of accepting or rejecting the BRAC ultimatum.
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Former Edwards chief joins honorees
Doug Pearson, the former F-15 pilot that fired an anti-satellite missile in 1985, is inducted into Lancaster's Aerospace Walk of Honor.
He was also the former commander of Edwards Air Force Base.
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Boeing and Bell Helicopter Deliver First Production CV-22 Osprey
The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of the first production CV-22 Osprey at the Bell Helicopter production facility in Amarillo, Texas.
The CV-22 is the U.S. Air Force Special Operations variant of the V-22. It has a flight engineer seat/crew positions in the cockpit.
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Monday, September 19, 2005
"Acoustic Stealth"
Boeing is modifying an ANA 777 to reduce airplane noise on landings and take-offs. The modified engine exhaust has a slight resemblance to the B-2 exhaust. No relation to military aviation but its interesting to look at though.
Boeing Phantom Works is also involved in the project so there might be some technology borrowed from the military world though.
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Pakistan buys four planes from Indonesia
Four CASA CN-235s have entered service with the Pakistan Air Force. Six refurbished C-130 from U.S. will arrive by December.
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Okinawa town objects to jet noise
The Kadena Town Council has passed a resolution protesting the temporary move of Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-4s to Kadena Air Base.
The jets are transfered from Naha Air Base as the runway there is being repaired.
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SAF tanker aircraft returns after Gulf mission
RSAF's KC-135 tanker has returned back to Singapore after a three month deployment to the Gulf.
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Choppers just don't cut it
One year after grounding its 15 EH-101 Cormorant helicopters due to a flawed part, the Canadian Forces have yet to fix the problem.
No solution have been found yet to prevent the tail rotor half hubs from cracking.
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USAF Continues Push to Field LAIRCM
The USAF is continuing its efforts to outfit more of its transport aircraft with the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system.
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Russian planes violate Estonian airspace
The Su-27 that crash in Lithuania was part of seven Russian planes that flew to Kaliningrad and violated Estonia’s flight rules.
While they were authorised to fly within Estonia’s flight information region. The transponders were turned off.
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2 air-to-air missiles found on Su-27 crash scene in Lithuania
Two air-to-air missiles were found five meters under the Su-27 crash site in Lithuania on Sunday.
The missiles were unarmed.
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SAAF air show 'flies in the face of poverty'
The South African Air Force sent 14 aircraft to an air show marking the 25th anniversary of the Zimbabwean Air Force last week.
Four Cheetah fighter jets, a Boeing 707 refuelling tanker, a Rooivalk combat helicopter, one Oryx helicopter, a C-130, a Casa C212 light transport aircraft, a Cessna Caravan and four Pilatus PC7s were involved.
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Many in Jacksonville fight plan to reopen Cecil Field base
7,000 to 10,000 residences living in Jacksonville will be under the noise zone of Cecil Field Naval Air Station if the jets are moved there from Oceana.
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Russian experts head for fighter crash site in Lithuania
Russian military investigators have visited the Su-27 crash site in Lithuania.
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Ellsworth B-1 Bomber Fire
A fire badly damaged a B-1 at Guam. The fire started in the landing gear as it was landing.
The crew managed to escape unhurt.
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Sunday, September 18, 2005
Thales In French Corruption Probe - Sources
Thales is being investigated by the French national financial crime investigation unit for corruption and favoritism.
The authorities are looking for irregularities in the French city of Tours and in the overseas territories of Tahiti and La Reunion.
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Airbase poised for extra aircraft
RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire will accomadate the Tristars, VC10s and C17s from RAF Brize Norton as the runway is resurfaced.
The planes are expected to stay for four months.
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4th ID helicopter makes emergency landing
An Apache Longbow helicopter made an emergency landing on Fort Hood Friday afternoon according to 4th Infantry Division.
One of the engines failed.
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Shifts in Pacific Force U.S. Military To Adapt Thinking
The U.S. military is realigning in the Pacific to counter the rising military might of China.
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Commission for Su-27 crash investigation arrives in Vilnius
A Russian investigation team for the Su-27 crash has arrived in Lithuania.
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Iraq, Afghan Commitments Fuel U.S. Air Base Construction
The U.S. military has more than $1.2 billion in projects either underway or planned in Southwest Asia.
Bagram air base north of Kabul is getting a new runway. Balad air base in Iraq is expanding its ramp spaces.
In Qatar, a state-of-the-art, 104,000-square-foot air operations center is taking shape.
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Lithuania estimates Su-27 crash damages at 2,900 euros
Lithuania has estimated damages of the Russian Su-27 crash at approximately 10,000 litai (2,900 euros).
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Russian fighter that crashed in Lithuania had four missiles aboard - Lithuanian radio
The Russian Su-27 that crashed in Lithuania Thursday was carrying four air-to-air missiles according to Lithuanian national radio.
Major-General Sergei Bainetov, the head of the Russian Air Force safety service, said that the missiles had not exploded during the crash and could be found amid the wreckage.
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New ‘Hercules’ slowly replacing Corps’ inventory
The KC-130J is slowly replacing the older C-130 models in the USMC.
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Saturday, September 17, 2005
Rafale combat aircraft flies configured with Meteor missiles
A Rafale carried out a flight with Meteor beyond visible range air-to-air missiles on Sept. 7.
The Meteor was carried on both the wings and fuselage carriage points.
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Army Sees At Least $500 Million Spy Plane Cost Growth
The U.S. Army said Friday that changes to the Aerial Common Sensor program are likely to add 50% to the cost of the system-design phase.
The Army will decide whether to keep or terminate Lockheed Martin's within 30 days after receiving Lockheed's recommendations to fix overweight problems.
Edward Bair, program executive officer for electronic warfare, said the Army could choose another plane, buy sensors without a dedicated airplane, or join forces with an existing Air Force or Navy program.
Labels: ACS
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Army inactivates oldest air defense battalion
The U.S. Army's oldest air defense battalion was inactivated Sept. 15.
The history of the 4th Batallion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment began in 1794 as the 3rd Company, 4th Battalion Corps of Artillerists and Engineers.
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Negroponte Strips Intel Satellite Work From Boeing
U.S. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte will likely strip Boeing from working on electro-optical satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Boeing will remain as contractor for radar imaging satellites. The work will now go to Lockheed Martin instead.
The cost for the classified program has soared from $6 billion to more than $15 billion.
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Lithuania agrees Russian fighter crash accident but keeps pilot
Lithuania tentatively agreed with Moscow that the crash of a Su-27 was an accident caused by a navigation equipment failure but said it would keep the pilot until the end of investigation.
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Downsized, quickly built Nago offshore base eyed
Japan and the United States are considering trimming an offshore military-civilian runway off Nago, Okinawa Prefecture from 2000 meters to 1,300 meters.
The runway is meant for replacing the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan.
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Hellfire: ‘Last orders’ called on RF missile
The Hellfire RF missile will end its production soon if there are no further orders according to Lockheed Martin.
The demand for RF version has dropped as the nature of the conflict in Iraq requires the pilot to visually identify targets before engagement.
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Airborne Laser Program Eyes More Tests Near End Of Decade
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) program plans to begin tests against medium- and long-range ballistic missile targets in 2009 and 2010.
The first intercept attempt against a short-range ballistic missile will occur in 2008.
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Live Webcast of Oceana Air Show Sept. 16-18, 2005
TV Worldwide, a web-based global TV network, in cooperation with the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will produce a live webcast of the 2005 Oceana Air Show.
The live webcast begins at 7:00 PM (ET) on Friday, September 16, with the Twilight Air Show.
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BrahMos missile enters production this month
Work have started on fitting the BrahMos cruise missile on the Su-30.
The modified design of BrahMos will be lighter than the current version.
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Nimitz Sailors Spend, Sightsee, Slam Dunk in Dubai
USS Nimitz made a visit to United Arab Emirates city of Dubai from Sept. 1-6.
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'Pirates' Beware: 31st MEU is Ready From Sea and Sky
The 31st U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit is practising Visit, Board, Search and Seizure procedures off Okinawa's coast.
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Indian Navy holds talks with British firm
The Indian Navy is holding talks with British Aerospace for 18 to 22 Hawk advanced jet trainers after the Indian Air Force refused to “share” with it the 66 Hawks they acquired.
The Navy need the Hawks to train their MiG-29 pilots.
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Thunderbirds returning to Idaho after 2003 crash
The USAF Thunderbirds will return to Idaho this weekend for the first time since 2003, when a solo Thunderbird crash when it run out of altitude during a loop.
The Thunderbirds will perform the same loop again but with an increase of 500 feet to the plane's altitude.
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IAF's best warplanes in exercise in Turkey
The Israelis are sending five F-15Is and five F-16Is plus 2 C-130s to Turkey for the Anatolian Eagle joint air maneuvers.
This is the first time the F-16I is participating.
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Russia Loses a Jet to NATO
According to the Russian version of the Su-27 crash in Lithuania, the pilot became disoriented after the navigation equipment failed.
He then flew in circles to use up fuel before ejecting from the aircraft.
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V-22 clears congressional hurdle (Free Registration)
A 4-year-old congressional restriction imposed on the V-22 has been lifted.
V-22 production has been limited to the "minimum sustaining rate" of no more than 11 or 12 per year under restrictions from Congress.
The lifting of the restriction will improve the chances that an upcoming Pentagon review board will give the go-ahead for full rate production.
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Estonia accused Russia of violating flight rules
Estonia complained that a Russian A-50 and two Su and MiG jets violated its airspace Sept. 15.
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Friday, September 16, 2005
High Mark 2005’s first phase concludes
The first phase of High Mark 2005 has ended with a live firing demostration by the Pakistan Air Force.
F-7PG, Mirage, A-5 and Cobra helicopters took part bombing and staffing operations.
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Two CSAR-X Competitors Make Opposite Pitches
The Bell-Boeing team emphasize that the CV-22 can travel twice as fast as a helicopter making it more suitable for the USAF search and rescue helicopter replacement program.
The HH-47 team pitch the combat experience of its helicopter over its rivals.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Global Hawk Disaster Relief Study Presaged Hurricane Katrina
Two weeks before Hurricane Katrina, Northrop Grumman studied a hypothetical scenario in which one of the company's Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles was deployed from Edwards Air Force Base in California to assist with disaster relief following a powerful hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast of the United States.
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Lockheed Martin To Issue Draft RFP For Initial JSF Production
Suppliers for the F-35 will soon be asked to formally bid for work on the program's first production jets.
There are five jets for the first low-rate initial production (LRIP 1) batch and 18 jets for LRIP 2. 10 STOVL variants will be build in LRIP 2.
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Father of the Spitfire immortalised at last
RJ Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire was honoured with a statue in London's Science Museum.
Mitchell's son, Dr Gordon Mitchell, and the American billionaire, Sidney Frank, were there to witness it on Battle of Britain Day.
Mitchell died of cancer one year after the Spitfire flew in 1936.
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Australia in Five Power Defence exercise
Nine F/A-18 Hornets, a 707 tanker, two AP-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the RAAF and an Army RBS70 unit will take part in Exercise Bersama Lima held in Malaysia and Singapore.
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Simulators make fighter pilots of civilians
Flightline Flight Simulation Center in Irvine, California offers flight simulators to the public for $40 an hour.
The cockpits are build from actual F-15 parts and the simulation software is based on Jane's USAF.
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Flying Tigers reunited
Forty-four former Flying Tigers reunited with their China counterparts after 60 years.
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P-8A Blazes the Acquisition Trail with Live-Fire Testing
Engineers are testing fire suppression methods for the P-8A so that the results can be incorporated in the design of the aircraft.
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Dassault says no to Gamesa acquisition rumours
Dassault Aviation's chairman and chief executive Charles Edelstenne said that strong political pressure from Washington was part of the reason Rafale lost in Singapore.
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CJCSC Gen. Ehsan begins China Visit: Will Review Progress On JF-17
Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Ehsan Ul Haq is visting China and he will review the progress on JF-17 with Chinese officials.
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Strained by war, Marines bring old helicopters back from retirement (Free Registration)
Civilian maintenance workers at Cherry Point's Naval Air Depot have started work on getting three MH-53E Sea Dragons back to flight status.
The whole process could take 20 months and is a difficult process as the aircraft had been in storage for 10 years and during the model have undergone upgrades over the years.
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Minot airmen returning from duty around the world
Six B-52s are back home after a deployment to Southwest Asia.
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Turkey: “Eurofighter Typhoon” Will Appear On Show in Ankara
The Eurofighter Typhoon will make an appearance at the Defense Industry Fair in Ankara from September 26-30.
A JSF model will also be on display.
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Russian Fighter Plane Crashes in Lithuania
A Russian Su-27 fighter bomber crashed in Lithuania while on a flight from St. Petersburg to Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
The Russian pilot, Major Valery Troyanov, ejected from the aircraft safely and was not injured.
Two NATO F-4s were scrambled after the Sukhoi entered Lithuanian air space but did not reach the jet before it crashed.
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Thursday, September 15, 2005
Airbus tanker bid is no problem, says Boeing executive
Boeing Co.'s chief financial officer is not concerned about competition by Northrop Grumman and EADS to replace USAF aerial tankers.
"We have the most capable, most advanced tanker built today," Bell said.
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Oceana Air Show 2005
Check here for the latest weather forecast if you are going to the show this weekend.
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Raytheon Awarded $38.8 Million Contract for Marine Corps CH-53E FLIRS
Raytheon Company will provide 83 AN/AAQ-29A Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imaging systems for U.S. Marine Corps Super Stallion CH-53E helicopters.
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Boeing Announces Tandem Rotor Entry for Combat Search and Rescue Vehicle Acquisition
Boeing will offer the advanced HH-47 CSAR-X for the U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue aircraft program.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Empty place honors POW/MIAs
Friday is POW/MIA Recognition Day, a Missing Man Table will be setup to honor the prisoners and missing service personnel from all U.S. wars.
The tradition was started by fighter pilots during the Vietnam War.
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Vandenberg launches Minuteman III
The USAF carried out its last unarmed Minuteman III launch of the year from North Vandenberg Sept. 14 at 1:01 a.m.
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U.S. working on agreement with JSF partner nations
Rear Adm. Steve Enewold, program executive officer for the F-35 fighter, said two more meetings were planned with the global partners of the JSF to iron out a new partnership agreement.
He conceded there was some risk that one or two countries would opt out of the program instead.
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Flying gas station trains over Vermont
A group of Bangor Daily News employees went onboard a KC-135E from Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing as part of an orientation program offered by the base.
The KC-135 was on a training mission to refuel a New Jersey-based KC-10.
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Boeing flexible on tankers
Boeing Co. has backtrack on its claims that the 767 is the best aircraft to replace the USAF's tanker fleet.
Boeing is now willing to build a new tanker based on any of its airframes, including the 787 Dreamliner.
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No need to recover sunken Su-33 fighter - vice admiral
Vladimir Dobroskochenko, first deputy commander of the Russian Northern Fleet, said that special identification equipment onboard the Su-33 that crash has self-destructed.
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Global Hawk: Flameout Led To Automatic Afghan Alternate
More details have emerged on the engine
flameout of a Global Hawk in Afghanistan.
The Global Hawk carried out an autonomous hands off recovery mode on a pre-determined flight path to do a dead stick landing in Afghanistan.
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Final Farewell for Australian RAAF Lancaster Crew
The RAAF held a military funeral for four World War Two RAAF Lancaster bomber crew in Hanover War Cemetery in Germany.
Lancaster PB290 from No. 463 Squadron was shot down during a night raid on the German city of Geissen on 7 December 1944.
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RAAF C-130s fly 1000th mission in Middle East
Australia’s C-130 Air Force Hercules detachment in Iraq flew their 1000th mission recently.
Two RAAF C-130s are deployed.
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Senators working to "BRAC-proof" Ellsworth
South Dakota's congressmen wants to introduce new missions for Ellsworth Air Force Base to prevent it from closure in the future.
Sen. John Thune is talking to the USAF to bring unmanned aerial vehicles or the airborne laser to the base.
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Police tight-lipped about Kolossi crash
Cyprus police and the Defence Department have refused to comment on media speculation that the PC-9 crash on Saturday was due to the pilot who wanted to put on an aerobatic show for his fiance.
The plane strayed from its regular course and circled over a village twice before clipping a church bell tower, two houses and then crashing into a field.
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Russia offers sale of naval planes to India
Russia is offering India naval surveillance and anti-submarine airplanes to counter the United States offer of eight P3-C Orions.
The Chief of Indian Navy did not disclose which Russian model aircraft is being considered.
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AF, Marine jets diverted due to brief Kadena runway closure
U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft were temporary diverted to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Tuesday due to a temporary closure of Kadena Air Base’s runways.
Kadena’s runway was closed after an E-3 AWACS aircraft made a precautionary landing at 10 a.m.
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Grim Reaper comes calling for F-14 training unit
VF-101 Grim Reapers will retire Sept. 14 after 63 years of service.
Retired Rear Adm. James H. Flatley III whose father Vice Adm. James H. “Jimmy” Flatley Jr. established the squadron in 1942 will be a keynote speaker.
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Sikorsky set for Air Forcecopter test
Sikorsky Aircraft has prepared an HH-92 Super Hawk at the company's Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida for the USAF to flight test.
It will begin demonstration flights once the Air Force issues a formal RFP to buy 140 combat search-and-rescue helicopters.
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Osprey passes Pentagon tests, takes aim at Air Force bid
The V-22 Osprey is on track to reach combat-ready status in 2007, said Bob Carrese, Bell's executive director of V-22 business development.
The Pentagon will decide on Sept. 27 whether the program can enter full-rate production.
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US Army Gives Lockheed 60 Days To Make Spy Plane Case
The U.S. Army has given Lockheed Martin 60 days to find a bigger plane for the Aerial Common Sensor program.
The Army stop short of terminating the program. It was reported here that the Army wants to cancel the program.
Labels: ACS
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Wednesday, September 14, 2005
M-311 set to face pilot scrutiny
Four RSAF pilots will travel to Aermacchi’s headquarters at Venegono, near Milan, next month to evaluate the M-311 demonstrator.
Two RAAF pilots will observe the trials.
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Typhoon Fatigue Testing Hits 1000 Hours
The full scale fatigue test for the Eurofighter Typhoon has now completed 1,000 test hours.
The next major milestone will be 3,000 hours of testing equating to approximately 1,000 hours of flight clearance.
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Nimrod Development Gathers Pace
The third Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft has entered testing.
This aircraft will test the whole of Nimrod MRA4’s mission systems.
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BAE Systems Seeks Helicopter Landing Breakthrough
BAE Systems in Australia is developing a new landing aid sensor to help helicopter pilots land in poor visibility conditions.
The system will use 3D synthetic vision to enhance the BAE Systems laser radar based Eagle-OWL obstacle warning sensor.
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Japan wary of Chinese spy plane, ships
Kyodo News reported that a Chinese spy plane was spotted twice last month over the East China Sea south of mainland Japan's southern island of Kyushu.
The plane was carrying out sigint.
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Troops find ‘spy drone’ in Al Qaeda hideout
Pakistani troops seized an unmanned drone aircraft during a raid on a suspected Al Qaeda hideout near Afghanistan.
The Chinese-made vehicle is used to spy on security forces before attacking them.
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Oceana Air Show 2005 Pre-Show Notes
By Gerry Clarke
I received a phone call last night from Dave Linnly in regard to the latest internet rumor; that rumor that Dale Snodgrass et al are going to purchase a dozen retired F-14 jets. Being a F/A-18 Super Hornet fan myself I replied with super indignation ”Just a rumor can’t happen, won’t happen, just another internet rumor.” A dozen F-14s would be far too expensive to maintain let alone fly…mental note to self “if I see Dale Snodgrass around base I will ask him to put this rumor to rest”.
At 1000 hours Tuesday, I ask Capt Dale Snodgrass USN (retired but still working) if there were anything to the rumors that he was looking into getting a dozen mothballed Tomcats. Dale immediately and infatically replied "NO, we are trying to get 16 Tomcats that would be maintained by NGC and stored at St Augustine Florida." (damn you Dale Snodgrass you might just get this to work). If anyone is going to have their own Air Force I guess it might as well be Dale Snodgrass. I have always enjoyed his air show demonstrations. His ability to put his aircraft in close proximity to my camera lens and in the perfect light has resulted in some of my best photos.
Dale says that obtaining the remaining available F-14s and finding sponsorship to maintain the aircraft will be very difficult. He feels that there is only about a 25% chance that his efforts will be successful but he is willing to make the effort. I am sure if anyone can pull this off it will be Dale Snodgrass and his associates.
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Northrop Grumman Receives Navy Mine-Detection-Pod Production Contract
Northrop Grumman recently received a $124.5 million U.S. Navy letter contract for the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System for use on the MH-60S helicopter.
ALMDS uses a light detecting and ranging blue-green laser to detect, localize and classify near-surface, moored and floating sea mines.
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U.S. Air Force moves to reopen bomb competition
The U.S. Air Force will seek new bids for the second phase of its Small Diameter Bomb program.
The new competition could result in a new bomb with a different bomb body, seeker and data link, depending on which contractor wins.
The USAF initially wanted to just get a new seeker and datalink that would be adapted to the 250-pound bomb body designed by Boeing under the first phase of the program.
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U.S. Tour to Demonstrate the CN-235 and C-295 Airlifters' Capabilities for the U.S. Army's Future Cargo Aircraft Mission
The CN-235 and C-295 transports have embarked on a four-week U.S. tour to highlight the medium-sized airlifters' capability to meet U.S. Army mission requirements for its Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA).
The tour, which began Sept. 11, will cover 16 states.
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440th's last C-130 due in from war (Free Registration)
The last C-130 from the U.S. Air Force Reserve 440th Airlift Wing will return from Southwest Asia.
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MIG Aircraft Company cuts its staff by 40 percent
The MIG Aircraft Company plans to cut by 40 percent its managerial staff by the end of the year.
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Officials now say Otis will stay open
The final report from Base Realignment and Closure Commission to U.S. President Bush last week that recommends the Otis Air National Guard Base be realigned, not shut down.
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Predator’s combat flight hours off the charts
The MQ-1B Predator has flown 27,000 hours this past year supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
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"Eyes in the Sky" initiative launched for Malacca Strait security
At RMAF Subang Air Base in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, the "Eyes in the Sky" multinational maritime air patrols was launched.
Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand will conduct up to 2 patrols per week along the designated sectors of the area of operation.
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RAAF crew drug users
Three RAAF air crew from the 34 VIP Squadron have been busted for drug use. A fourth has been sacked for refusing a test.
One junior officer and two junior non-commissioned officers were involved the RAAF said.
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Botswana air wing in Zimbabwe show
The Botswana Defence Force’s Air Wing took part at the one-day Air Force of Zimbabwe air jamboree at Charles Prince Airport outside Harare on Saturday.
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The launch of the Eye in the Sky initiative to patrol the Malacca Straits
K S Balakrishnan, a Security and Foreign Policy expert at the University of Malaya, talks to Melanie Yip of Radio Singapore International on the "Eye in the Sky" maritime patrol of the Malacca Straits.
Click to listen to interview.
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Cause of fatal F-16 crash still unknown
The cause of the Belgian F-16 crash last week has yet to be established.
The plane was part of a four ship formation when it disappeared during climbing manoeuvre.
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Mediterranean offers smooth sailing for Carrier Strike Group 2
The earlier than planned deployment of USS Theodore Roosevelt did not cause much disruption to the Carrier Strike Group.
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Terror Briton jailed for 47 years
Hemant Lakhani, a British businessman, was sentenced to 47 years in prison for trying to smuggle shoulder-launched missiles into the U.S. to aid terrorists.
He was convicted in April.
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Stolen Raytheon trailer contains missile-testing equipment
Raytheon lost a trailer full of missile testsing equipment.
The equipment belongs to the Department of Defense, though it's not classified as secret or top secret equipment.
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U.S. Air Force Eyes Demo Program On Anti-Ship Weapons
The U.S. Air Force plans to launch a program in early 2007 to examine weapons that could be adapted to destroy large, heavily defended ships at long ranges, an industry official said Sept. 12.
Lockheed Martin's Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile is a potential candidate.
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Global Tanker Team to Deliver Boeing Advanced Aerial-Refueling Tanker
Boeing and the industry Global Tanker Team currently working on aerial refueling tankers for Italy and Japan has agreed to partner should the Pentagon and the U.S. Air Force determine a new aircraft is the best solution for replacing the KC-135.
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65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Canada's Air Force and the Air Force Association of Canada will commemorate the 65th anniversary Battle of Britain this Sunday.
Flypast by a Spitfire, a Mustang, an Avro Lancaster, Canadian Forces CF-18 fighter jets, CP-140 Aurora, CC-144 Challenger.
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Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Oceana Air Show 2005
Aircraft are flying in for the show this weekend. Gerry has provided some photos of the birds that have arrived.
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Kennedy, India and China
U.S. President John F. Kennedy wanted to provide India with an air defense umbrella together with Britain and some European powers after China invaded India in the 60s.
British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was reluctant as this would offend Pakistan.
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Dogfights and duels
Lockheed Martin and Gripen International have made their first public presentation to the Bulgarian Government to supply 20 fighters.
Lockheed Martin offered the F-16 C/D Block 50/52 fighters at a price of $45 million for each unit. It will cost $70 million if the fighter is fully equipped.
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Athens diving in air race against Ankara
Currently Greece has 7.8 aircraft for each of Turkey’s 10. In five years’ time, Greece will have 5.1 to every 10.
Greece is expected to make another purchase next year to keep up with Turkey.
Greece ordered 30 F-16 Block 50s in July.
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End of an era for Terry and his beloved Canberra
This article have a picture of the last Canberra T4 flight.
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Demand increasing for drone operators trained in southern Arizona
The Army's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle training center at Fort Huachuca is in overdrive to produce enough soldiers to pilot unmanned drones.
The center turned out about 80 graduates a year in 2001, officials said. The number is now at about 360 a year.
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Book details Atlas Missile development
Chuck Walter and Frank X. Marshall will release on book on America's first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the Atlas.
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Surplus aircraft sold
RNZAF Skyhawk and Aermacchi fleets have been sold to Tactical Air Services, Inc. for around $155 million.
New Zealand will get back about $120 million after deducting agents' fees, storage costs, the cost of getting the Skyhawks back into flying condition and shipping costs.
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Govt according top priority to country’s air defence: PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said boosting the country's air defense is top priority for the government.
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Missiles in Exchange for Wheels
In exchange of supplying Belarus with 24 S-300PS launchers, Russia will get M3KT-79221 eight-axle undercarriages for its RS-12M1 Topol-M.
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Missiles in Exchange for Wheels
In exchange for supplying 24 S-300PS launchers Belarus, Russia will get M3KT-79221 eight-axle undercarriages for its RS-12M1 Topol-M.
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Bittersweet end in sight for Tomcat, Navy’s ‘muscle car’
'Tomcatters' of VF-31 and 'Blacklions' of VF-213 are on their final deployment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
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BAE SYSTEMS Receives Contract to Develop Joint Strike Fighter Engine Control
GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team has selected BAE Systems to develop a full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) for the F136.
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PAF Jets undertake landings on Motorway
Pakistan Air Force jets carried out landings on a motorway as part of High Mark-2005 Exercise.
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At South Block, a US-US rivalry
You need to scroll down middle of the page to read this article. The Indians were amused when the USAF and USN gave breifings on their aircraft to the IAF last week.
The USAF team requested that the Navy team stay outside the room during their briefing, the Navy team responded in kind when it was their turn.
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Lockheed looking to dump Embraer for spy plane-WSJ
Lockheed Martin may drop Embraer as the plane supplier for the Aerial Common Sensor after the U.S. Army is skeptical that the untested bigger model is suitable for military use.
Wall Street Journal said LM is talking to Raytheon as a supplier.
Labels: ACS
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Retired NASA test pilot lands an honor
Former NASA test pilot Ed Schneider who pioneer work on the F-18 High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle will be inducted into Lancaster's Aerospace Walk of Honor.
Schneider flew about half of the program's 385 research flights over a nine-year period.
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Oregon Airshow crowds watch planes dance on air
Pictures of the recently held 2005 Oregon International Air Show at the Hillsboro Airport.
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Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Move Closer to Initial Flight Testing of New Radar Antenna for B-2 Stealth Bomber
Northrop Grumman Corporation together with Raytheon Company has reached three milestones in a program to modernize the B-2 stealth bomber's radar system with an advanced, more reliable antenna.
The B-2 radar-modernization team passed a final design review by the U.S. Air Force; delivered the first test model of the radar for integration, test and software development and completed a suite of tests that proves the hardware and software work together as one subsystem.
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Republic of Korea Aircrew Completes Boeing Flight Training
Eight Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) aircrew members are now ready to fly the Boeing F-15K Strike Fighter.
The four pilots and four weapons systems officers graduated September 9 from training in St. Louis after 15 months of training.
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Monday, September 12, 2005
Indonesian jet makes emergency landing due to navigation problems
Indonesia's Wings Air IW-8730 made an emergency landing on Indonesia's West Sumatra province Monday due to navigation problems.
The MD-80 landed on the Air Force's Tabing Airport which is located only 15 km from its original destination of Minagkabau Airport in the provincial capital of Padang.
The company said the plane was diverted there due to weather but reports said ambulances and fire trucks were present when the jet landed.
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Sea King survivor had no helmet: inquiry
Seaman Warburton and Corporal Scott Nichols who both survive the Australian Navy Sea King crash in Indonesia gave evidence at the defence inquiry on the crash.
Seaman Warburton said he was not given a helment.
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Test flight for latest fighter jet
The first of six Hawk Mk129 for the Royal Bahraini Air Force made its first flight recently.
The flight lasts 73 minutes.
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The Red Arrows Limited Edition Box Set
The Red Arrows is offering a limited (60) box set of 4 mounted prints on ebay to raise funds for charity.
Each set is signed by the artist Anthony Nicholls and all the pilots.
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Jack Real was pioneer in helicopter industry
Jack Real, 90, who helped develop the Apache helicopter has died.
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Two pilots revisit their 9/11
Two F-15 pilots who had been scrambled from Otis Air National Guard Base on Sept. 11 four years ago gave their most extensive interviews describing their doubts, frustrations, and personal emotions.
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Aerospace's top gun aiming high
Chung Hae-ju, president of Korea Aerospace Industries, is busy touring Central America to sell his military aircraft.
Costa Rica and Mexico is interested in KO-1, the armed variant of the KT-1.
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Pilot dies in PAF Mirage crash in Pakistan
A Pakistan Air Force Mirage crashed Sept. 11 morning due to bad weather.
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Sunday, September 11, 2005
RAF crew flying high after award
Two RAF airmen are to receive the Queen's Commendation for Bravery for containing a fuel leak and evacuating seven crewmen during a mission in Iraq.
They were refuelling a Nimrod when fuel began pouring from a spilt hose. The fuel created alot of smoke as the undercarriage was still hot after landing.
Despite being soaked in fuel, they disconnect the bowser to contain the fuel spill.
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IAI contracted to supply air force $50m. of drones
Israel Aircraft Industries will supply the Heron unmanned aerial vehicle to the Israel Air Force.
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Vintage airplane damaged in forced landing
A T-6 Texan was forced to make an emergency landing at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport due to a undercarriage problem.
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Revealed: secrets of the spies in our skies (Free Registration)
From 1961 to 1965, three U-2s and four JB-57s flew from RAAF base at East Sale for "Operation Crowflight."
The flights were to collect a rare gas called krypton-85 with which the US hoped to calculate the size of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal.
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SDF to upgrade, deploy new radar to detect missiles
Japan will install four new radars and upgrade seven others by fiscal 2009 to detect ballistic missile launches in North Korea.
EPS-3 radar system will be upgraded will the four new units will be the newly developed EPS-XX system.
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Two dead from military plane crash
A Cypriot army PC-9 crash Sept. 10. The trainer was taking part in a three-day annual National Guard exercise code-named 'Dimitra'.
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'Battle of Palmdale': Sound, Fury and 1 Lost Plane (Free Registration)
Peter Merlin, an archivist and historian in the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center history office, recently stumbled across a little-remembered aviation incident.
Back in Aug. 16, 1956, a U.S. Navy Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat pilotless drone went out of control and headed toward Los Angeles.
Two USAF Scorpion interceptors scrambled to shoot down the plane and fired more than 200 rockets at it. The rockets missed the drone and instead damaged property and set off a string of brush fires across northern Los Angeles County.
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Contract signed on delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Belarus
Russia and Belarus signed a contract on Saturday morning to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Belarus.
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Uncertain Future Painted for Boeing's C-17 Assembly Line
Boeing may be forced to close the C-17 assembly line in Long Beach because there are no more orders for the plane after 2008.
The Pentagon can't order additional C-17s until the Pentagon finishes a planning review early next year.
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US will begin shipment of F-16s next year: Rao
Pakistan Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said 75 new F-16s will be delivered next year.
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Air Force committed to F-35: Geren (Free Registration)
Acting U.S. Air Force Secretary Pete Geren reaffirmed the service’s commitment to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 joint strike fighter.
He dismissed recent reports that the Air Force’s version of the F-35 will be cancelled.
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Australian pilot's cool under fire wins DFC
Major Scott Watkins, an Australian Army Officer on secondment to the British Black Watch regiment, is to be awarded Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery.
He was flying a Lynx helicopter south of Baghdad last November when machine-gun fire hit the pilot Captain Keith Reesby.
Watkins took the controls and flew the helicopter through heavy fire for six minutes to get back to base.
It is rare for the Distinguished Flying Cross to be given to an army officer.
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Settling the tanker scandal?
Boeing is in talks with the U.S. Justice Department to pay a fine and avoid criminal charges over the Air Force tanker scandal.
The fine could reach $500 million which could be the biggest ever imposed on a U.S. defense contractor.
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US General to India: Make up your mind on missile policy
Lt Gen Jeffrey B. Kohler said that India must first define its vision on missile defence before deciding which missile system to purchase.
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Air Force investigating report of Misawa F-16s flying too close to plane
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Beechcraft pilot complain that F-16 fighter jets assigned to Misawa’s 35th Fighter Wing flew too close on Sept. 1.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan commander, promised a full investigation.
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Deal done to sell Air Force fleet
New Zealand finally sold off its Skyhawk and Aermacchi trainer fleet.
Defence Minister Mark Burton refused to provide details. He hope to provide details later this week.
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Saturday, September 10, 2005
RSAF Helicopters Complete Hurricane Katrina Relief Operations
The four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Chinook helicopters deployed to Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina relief operations have completed their mission.
The stallions were deployed during the tsunami and now this time they are involved in hurricane katrina. This is the only squadron in the world to have been involved in major humanitarian missions over the past year.
Check out one of the
chinook in the gallery.
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JSF Radar Drops Excess Weight, Takes First Flight
Northrop Grumman expects its AN/APG-81 to reach its 244-pound weight by end of the year.
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Air Force Orions Deploy To The Middle East
An RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft fitted with self protection systems deployed to the Middle East Sept 8.
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Belgian F-16 crashes in Netherlands
Earlier it was reported that a Belgian F-16 crashed near the Dutch island of Vlieland. Belgian Air Force now confirms the pilot was killed in the crash.
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Indian Air Force peacekeeping contingent leaves for Congo
A 243-member Indian Air Force peacekeeping contingent left for Congo on Friday.
The contingent will have four Mi-25s, and five medium lift helicopters Mi-17s.
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Friday, September 09, 2005
ASDF F-15 jets collide in air over Hokkaido (Additional Picture and Video)
Thanks to Tengu, additional information is available on the F-15 collision in Japan. Both aircraft are from 203 Sqn and the aircraft involved are 900 and 926.
This picture shows the shattered cockpit of 900.
This is a video from a news station on the collision.
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F-16 crashes in Netherlands
An F-16 from the Florennes air force base in Belgium crashed near the Dutch island of Vlieland on Friday.
Three helicopters and four life boats are searching for the jet's crew.
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Capacity to Offer Next-generation Technologies to Determine Success in European Airborne Radar Market
Research by Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace & Defence Group found the size of European airborne radar market over 2005-2014 is likely to be $5.44 billion
AESA radars will have robust growth opportunities.
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Successful First Flights Conducted Using Northrop Grumman-Developed Radar for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Northrop Grumman Corporation has begun initial flight testing of the AN/APG-81 for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.
The radar was first flown on Aug. 23 and 25 on Northrop Grumman's BAC-1-11 testbed aircraft.
During the flights, the all-aspect search, air-track and synthetic-aperture radar mode capabilities of the radar were successfully evaluated against airborne and ground-based targets.
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Redstone surveillance planes to help assess storm damage
A Raven and a Shadow UAV from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems office at Redstone will join 10 UAVs at New Orleans Naval Air Station to assess damage done by Hurricane Katrina.
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Remains found near WII crash site
Bones have been found during
recovery operation at the scene of the crash of a British Halifax bomber.
The recovery operation is expected to continue for four weeks.
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Osprey Memorial Foundation holds “Poker Run” to raise money
The Osprey Memorial Foundation will host a motorcycle “Poker Run” Sept. 17 to help raise funds to erect a monument at the Marine Corps Heritage Center for the eight Marines who lost their lives testing the MV-22 Osprey in 2000.
They hope to raise a minimum of $10,000.
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Bulava-M: still far from flying
The Bulava-M submarine-launched ballistic missile could make its first submarine launch in 2006.
The missiles will enter service with the G5 nuclear submarines. Each submarine will carry 12 Bulava-Ms.
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MQM-8G Vandal program: Final four shot end an era
The last four MQM-8G Vandals were launched on 27 & 28 July from NAVAIR's Point Mugu Sea Test Range.
The Vandals act as supersonic targets, simulating anti-ship missile threats. The U.S. Navy is replacing the Vandal with the GQM-163A Coyote.
Labels: SSST
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RSAF helicopters continue to help US hurricane victims
The four RSAF Chinook helicopters helping in Hurricane Katrina relief missions in the US, will be there for as long as they are needed.
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Singapore to contribute 2 Fokker planes for joint Malacca Strait patrols
Singapore will contribute two Fokker-50 patrols per week to patrol the Straits of Malacca.
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia will each contribute two aircraft.
Pictures of RSAF Fokker 50
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Fighter seeks buyer
Three single-seat Eurofighters will display their capabilities at an air show at the Tanagra air force base, Greece, next week.
EADS is working hard to convince Greece to purchase the Eurofighter.
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Combined force interoperability a step closer
A UH-60A, an F/A-18 C/D and an Air Force F-15E carried out ground testing of Link 16 to transfer precision targeting and supporting messages.
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Rear Admiral Venlet receives second star
Rear Admiral David J. Venlet, Gulf of Sidra veteran, was promoted to two star Rear Admiral on Sept 1.
He is now the Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft at the Pax. River Naval Air Station.
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Supreme Court turns down government's Bradley air base appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request from the Bush administration Thursday to close Bradley Air National Guard base in Connecticut.
Pentagon had wanted to remove all A-10 Thunderbolts from the base.
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Navy can do more work on landing field
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the U.S. Navy failed to properly consider the environmental damage a proposed jet landing field may cause in northeastern North Carolina. However the court allowed the Navy to do preliminary work at the site.
Those work include a wildlife and bird-aircraft strike study, as well as "efforts preliminary to land acquisition," and purchases of land from willing sellers.
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Robins depot first to win Shingo Prize
The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center won a Shingo Prize gold level prize for overhaul work on C-5 cargo aircraft.
Tinker Air Force Base and Hill Air Force Base won silver level.
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High rolling with an Angel
Seth Harkness, a reporter for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, got an hour-long ride in one of the Blue Angels jets.
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Tanker contract could land 100 jobs in Melbourne
If Northrop Grumman wins the contract to replace KC-135 tankers for the USAF, at least 100 local jobs will be created in Melbourne, Florida.
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Long-delayed military reshuffle approved
The Royal Thai Air Force underwent a reshuffle of its leadership this month.
Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk was the commander-in-chief. Air Chief Marshal Raden Puengpak was appointed as deputy supreme commander. Air Chief Marshal Thares Punsri was transfered out to serve as deputy permanent secretary for Defence Ministry. Air Marshal Sukamphol Suwannathat was promoted to the position of chief of staff and Air Marshal Sommai Dabphet was the commander of Air Combat Command.
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Elbit Hermes makes first flight of large UAV in UK
Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle flew above ParcAberporth, Wales Spet 8 as part of the UAV 2005 Exhibition.
The Hermes 450 is a part of WatchKeeper, a joint project by Elbit Systems and Thales.
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Turkey - Munitions and Aircraft Components for F-16 Aircraft
Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Spet 8 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of munitions and aircraft components for F-16.
- 215 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF);
- 203 Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT);
- 2 AGM-84H Joint Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response Exercise Missiles;
- 2 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Captive Air Training Missiles;
- 50 CBU-103 and 50 CBU-105 Bombs;
- Joint Direct Attack Munition Kits: 200 GBU-31 Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) kits, 200 GBU-38 kits, and
- 100 BLU-109; Joint Direct Attack Munition Integration Test Assets: 6 GBU-31 and 4 GBU-38 kits.
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Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Missile Successfully Destroys Tactical Ballistic Missile In Test
A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) Spet 8 during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range.
Two PAC-3 Missiles were “ripple-fired” at an incoming modified Patriot missile representing a short-range TBM.
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Thursday, September 08, 2005
Navy: Iraqis know MIA pilot's whereabouts
The U.S. Navy has concluded that Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher may have been captured by Iraqi forces, and members of the former Iraqi government "know the whereabouts" of the pilot.
The Navy board of inquiry reaffirmed his official status as "missing/captured."
The board also found that a March 2005 U.S. intelligence report on the Speicher case contained unanswered questions, and it recommended that a POW/MIA analytical cell continue its efforts to resolve those questions.
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Florida Pilots 'Counseled' for Rescues
Two U.S. Navy helicopter pilots were "counseled" after they rescued 110 hurricane victims in New Orleans.
They were suppose to return to base after delivering their cargo. They pick up a radio call from the Coast Guard asking for help. They were out of radio range to Pensacola, so they decided to fly their helicopters to New Orleans and join the rescue effort without permission.
The mission took place on Aug. 30, a day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. There were alot of people stranded then.
The CO praised their actions but reminded them that their supply missions was just as important.
One of the pilots was later temporarily assigned to a kennel in Pensacola for pets of military personnel who had been evacuated from hurricane-stricken areas.
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Su-33 fighters to remain on military service - Pogosyan
Mikhail Pogosyan, director general of the Sukhoi, said the Su-33 will remain in service despite the crash on Sept 5.
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China Buys 38 Military Transport Aircraft from Russia for $850M
MosNews says 38 Il-76TD will be sold to China for $850 million.
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FIGHTER PILOT: Operation Red Flag
IMAX film FIGHTER PILOT: Operation Red Flag opened at Omni-Theatre, Singapore Science Center on Tuesday. The timing could not have been better as Singapore selects the F-15. If you are undecided about watching the movie. Check out the
trailers first.
Amazon will be releasing the DVD on the 27th of this month. I've ordered my copy, have you?
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Air Force test launches unarmed missile
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launch at 1:53 a.m. on Wednesday.
The missiles’ two unarmed warheads hit targets at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in about 30 minutes.
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Europeans Favor Missile Defense by Margin of 71 Percent to 16 Percent
More than 71% of Europeans favor the deployment of a NATO missile defense capability able to protect the continent from attack by missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction.
The poll was done by George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies and Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.
Powerpoint slides of the results.
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RSAF Chinooks fly 61 sorties in US hurricane relief effort
The four RSAF Chinooks in Louisiana have flown 61 sorties to support relief operations.
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Crashed Russian fighter won't be raised - commander
Russian Naval Commander Admiral Vladimir Masorin told Interfax that the Su-33 that crashed on Monday will not be raised to the surface or blown up.
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Defence to boost spy planes
The RAAF's AP-3C Orion will have its communciations equipment boosted as missions in Iraq highlight the Orion's inability to send information to ground forces.
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Singapore in talks with Boeing to buy F-15 in Fighter Replacement Programme
Howie Lim from Radio Singapore International asks Alexei Muraviev from Curtin University of Technology in Australia why the RSAF pick the F-15 instead of Rafael.
Click to listen to interview
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$10 Wire Downs $30M Fighter
Nope, a $10 wire did not cause an Su-33 to crash in the North Atlantic. This article is written by RIA Novosti military commentator Viktor Litovkin on the possible causes.
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Turkey – AGM-154A/C Joint Standoff Weapons (PDF)
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 50 AGM-154A/C Joint Standoff Weapons.
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Electrical Power Flows Into First Lockheed Martin F-35
The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter came alive with electrical power Sept 7, as technicians at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth initiated “power-on.”
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Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Northrop Grumman to Compete in U.S. Air Force KC-135 Tanker Replacement Program
Northrop Grumman Corporation will compete as the prime contractor for the U.S. Air Force's next-generation air refueling tanker.
The KC-30 tanker will be based on the A330 military tanker.
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BAE SYSTEMS' Next-Generation Vertical-Takeoff UAV Performs Flawlessly in Fully Autonomous Flight Tests
BAE's IAV2 ducted-fan air vehicle has achieved its first autonomous, untethered flight.
The vehicle completed a course of 10 waypoints at BAE Systems' Southern California flight test facility.
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Dutch begin salvage of British bomber shot down in Second World War
The Dutch Air Force began salvaging the wreck of a Halifax Mk. III which was shot down in the early hours of May 25, 1944.
They hope to recover, identify and honour the remains of five crew members - volunteers from Canada, England and Zimbabwe.
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New row over Blairs' use of RAF planes
It has emerged that members of Tony Blair's family had travelled on a plane from the Royal Squadron without him.
Opposition leader, Chris Grayling, wants to know if the plane was meant solely for the use of members of the Prime Minister's family.
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Raytheon Awarded $19.9 Million Reconnaissance Pod Production Contract
The U.S. Navy has ordered six additional Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) systems.
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Boeing Leads Formation of "Alliance Shield" Team To Support NATO’s Theater Missile Defense Capability
Boeing has formed a trans-Atlantic team named "Alliance Shield" to compete for the upcoming NATO Theater Missile Defense Systems Engineering and Integration contract.
The team members include BAE Systems of the U.K., Finmeccanica of Italy, Havelsan of Turkey, Lockheed Martin of the U.S., MBDA of France, Italy and the U.K., Prezemyslowy Instytut Telekomunikacji (PIT) of Poland, and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., of the U.S.
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Boeing wins $1 billion fighter deal from Singapore
Singapore's selection of the F-15 will be good news to 1,000 St. Louis workers.
Without the Singapore deal, the St. Louis-made F-15 only had enough orders through 2008.
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Three Boeings for VVIPs to cost Rs 1,000 crore
India will purchase three Boeing 737-700 BBJs for long-distance travel by Very Very Important Persons.
The jets will replace two Boeing 737-200s. They will be fitted with self-protection suite to counter radar and infrared missiles.
The Boeings will be used for international flights while five Embraer Legacy jets are used for domestic duties.
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Raptor enters final phase of testing
The
Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) of the F/A-22 at Nellis Air Force Base allows testers to evaluate software and hardware upgrades intended to address deficiencies identified during initial operational test and evaluation earlier this year.
The F/A-22 failed to meet the required 85% mission-capable rate because of immature diagnostics and maintenance procedures and parts unreliability. There were also questions on servicing the low-observable characteristics of the Raptor on the flightline.
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Army copter test flights fill skies
North Alabama is experiencing more helicopter flights as the U.S. Army and Huntsville's Westwind Corp. have been improving and testing Army helicopters at Redstone Army Airfield.
The Blackhawks are getting improved fuel tanks, armor and countermeasures.
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Potential U.S. base in Turkmenistan alarming for Russia - expert
The U.S. Air Base in Uzbekistan may move to Turkmenistan. This is both an advantage and disadvantage to Russia.
By shifting to Turkmenistan, the U.S. will now have bases in all the countries bordering on Iran.
However, Russia can move in to Khanabad Air Base vacated by the Americans.
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Air Force Sends Helicopters to Assist United States Coast Guard
Canada's Air Force is sending two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 444 Combat Support (CS) Squadron, 5 Wing Goose Bay and from 439 (CS) Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville to assist the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in covering Boston.
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Lockheed Martin's Joint Common Missile Flies on AH-64D Apache Longbow
Lockheed Martin has successfully integrated and flown the Joint Common Missile instrumented measurement vehicles (IMVs) on the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter.
Further tests will be conducted on the AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopter, the MH-60R/S Seahawk armed reconnaissance helicopter and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
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Singapore eyes Global Hawk UAV
Singapore is interested in the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle and use it as an airborne early warning platform.
Flight International goes on to claim that Singapore had quietly selected the IAI developed Gulfstream G550 AEW solution.
Labels: CAEW
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Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Speech by Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, at BMT Graduation Parade
Singapore's Prime Minister said this today during a Graduation Parade "
We do not go for the most advanced or the most expensive equipment. Instead, we acquire what is cost-effective, what best meets our specific operational needs."
Does that mean the F-15T was selected because its 'cost-effective?'
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DASSAULT AVIATION : Rafale edged out in Singapore
Dassault has concede defeat in the Singapore competition.
The company said that the Rafale offered Singapore an opportunity to have another source for its air defense needs.
It gave two main reasons for defeat.
- the dollar's current weakness is a definite handicap for the economic competitiveness of the French offer;
- America's power might once again bore out the old Chinese proverb: Bamboo always leans the way it's pushed the hardest .
And I strongly agree with the second one.
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Singapore says in final negotiations with Boeing
Robert Karniol, Asia-Pacfic editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, said he is 'a bit surprised' by Singapore's selection of the F-15.
'I don't see the F-15 twenty years from now being particularly effective in that environment,' he said.
Karniol added that the selection process will be two phases and this decision is part one. Singapore will either buy some more F-15s in phase two or another type of aircraft. He believes Singapore would go for another aircraft in phase two.
He said the Rafale would have had 'longer legs' as the new-generation aircraft for Singapore.
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MINDEF Statement on Next Fighter Replacement Programme
In response to media queries on the status of the SAF’s Next Fighter Replacement Programme (NFRP), a spokesperson said that MINDEF is now in the process of seeking final clarifications and contract negotiation with Boeing.
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Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighters Fly in Bulgaria's Sky
Two F-16s represented Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. at the Fifth International Aviation Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's Air Force Chief, Brigadier-General Simeon Simeonov, spent almost half an hour in the cockpit of the F-16 during his visit.
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Air Force plane crashes, pilot dies
A Royal Thai Air Force AU23 plane crashed in the upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan Tuesday morning, killing the pilot.
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Hardware wasn't replaced
A defence board of inquiry in Sydney examining the cause of the Australian Seaking crash in Indonesia heard that a 5cm bolt was reinstalled when it was supposed to be replaced.
Another possible reason is that a split pin in the mixing unit was missing.
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F-111 workers reject compensation offer
Former RAAF maintenance workers have rejected the Federal Government's compensation package for illness they suffered while working on F-111s' fuel tanks.
They will now go to court but have yet to decide if they will pursue a class action or individual claims.
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Case opened into September 5 Su-33 crash
A criminal case has been opened into a Monday incident where a Su-33 fighter crashed in the North Atlantic.
Interfax says the plane's braking system failure was the cause of the incident.
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ASDF F-15 jets collide in air over Hokkaido
Two Japanese F-15 fighter jets collided above the Sea of Japan during a training exercise.
Both planes, which were lightly damaged, made emergency landings at Chitose Air Base on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido about 30 minutes after the collision.
The incident happened at 10:10 a.m after the two started an air combat exercise.
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Edwards tests production Global Hawk for possible deployment
The U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's Detachment 5, the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and the 452nd Flight Test Squadron will soon determine if the Block 10 Global Hawk is ready for deployment.
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An eye in the sky that saves lives
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Finch became an unmanned aerial vehicle pilot after a UAV saved his squad in Afghanistan.
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Truman Flight Deck Ready in Record Time
USS Harry S. Truman has having its flight deck non-skid coating replaced when the ship was tasked to sail to support relief efforts off the U.S. Gulf Coast.
14,000 square feet of the 150,000-square-foot flight deck still lack the non-skid coating when the order came.
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Air Force Joins Thai Boomerang Exercise in Thailand
Nine RAAF F/A-18 Hornets have deployed to Korat in Thailand to participate with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in Exercise Thai Boomerang.
The Hornet crews will practise air-to-air missions with their RTAF counterparts in F-16s.
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Air Force paints planes black
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has decided to repaint its Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft black instead of its current yellow-white scheme.
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Major Boost To The F/A-18 Strike Capability
Australia’s F/A-18 Hornets will be getting the Northrop Grumman Litening pod.
ATFLIR and Pantera were evaluated and rejected. The pods will be operational by early 2007.
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Su-33 Landed in the Bottom
An Su-33, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Korneev, was landing on the deck of the Admiral Kuznetsov on Sept 5 at 1627 when the arresting cable broke. The plane fell into the sea and sank to a depth of 1,100 meters.
The pilot ejected and was rescued by a Ka-27 PS rescue helicopter five minutes later.
The Russian Navy will search for the fighter and destory it with depth charges as the plane contains sensitive technology.
Last year, an Su-25UTG also had an accident on the Kuznetsov.
Admiral Kuznetsov is currently conducting exercises with the Baltic fleet.
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Manila, Kuala Lumpur hold air force training
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will participate in a five-day joint search and rescue exercise.
The PAF will mobilise two Huey helicopters, an F-27 Fokker Plane, and a B250A1.
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Late plane exposes secretive Afghan mission
A U.S. Air Force C-17 flew into Perth on Sept. 5 at 7 a.m. to ferry the Australian Special Forces Task Group to Afghanistan.
Because the cargo plane arrived three hours late, the sensitive operation was carried out in daylight.
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Fighter's flight recorders on aircraft carrier - commander
A Su-33 fighter from Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier crash on Sept 5 at 4:27 p.m.
The flight recorders onboard the fighter have been recovered.
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IAF to induct low level radars
Indian Air Force Eastern Command will introduce low-level radars for detecting helicopters flying at low altitude.
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India, US to stage air exercise in November
This year's Cope India will take place at West Bengal's Kalaikunda airbase.
The 10-day long exercise will see India deloy its frontline fighters.
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Air Marshal FH Major takes over as AoC-in-C Eastern Command
Air Marshal FH Major, on Monday took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AoC-in-C), Eastern Air Command, Indian Air Force.
He is a helicopter pilot.
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Flight fans find plenty to see at Misawa air show
150,000 people flock to the Misawa Air Festival on Sunday.
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Bulgarian army to modernize jet fighters
The Bulgarians want to modernise their MiG-29 and get a new squadron of 20 aircraft.
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Air force considers unmanned jets
Canadian Air Force is considering replacing the CF-18s with UAVs.
However, current pilots are skeptical of the idea as no air-to-air UAVs have been develop yet.
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Update on RSAF Deployment to Assist in Hurricane Katrina Relief Operations
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has send a fourth CH-47 Chinook helicopter from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief operations.
The RSAF Chinooks have flown 39 sorties thus far, transporting several hundred evacuees and security personnel, and more than ten thousand tonnes of equipment and humanitarian supplies.
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Concerns over RAF jet maintenance
A fairing fell off a RAF Tornado and report into the accident at RAF Marham blames it on inexperienced maintenance staff.
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Monday, September 05, 2005
"Like Nothing on Earth" (Fixed link)
Check out the RSAF's latest commercial featuring a few interesting shots of the F-16D Blk 52+. A copy of the video is available here.
320 x 240 ASF video
"Like Nothing on Earth"
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Pak has it... we are making one
India's Armament Research and Development Establishment is developing a JSOW type weapon.
The 450-kg (1000 lbs) Extended Range - Precision Guided Munition (ER-PGM) will have a 'tail' equipped with GPS-INS guidance and a 'glide kit.' The range is 100 km and accurracy is within 3-4 metres.
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Govt to send RFP for 126 fighter jets by year end: Pranab
The Indian government will issue a Request For Proposal for 126 fighter jets by the end of the year.
Four Request for Information were sent to Lockheed Martin for the F-16 Fighting Falcons, MiG RAG for MiG 29 M2, Dassualt for Mirage 2000-V and Saab for the Grippen fighter jets last year.
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Anglo-French tie-up talks to build aircraft carriers
Jean-Marie Poimboeuf, chief executive of DCN, said a report on a joint industrial strategy to build three British and French aircraft carriers would go to the two governments at the end of the month.
DCN found that the British aircraft carrier design meets the operational needs of the French navy.
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Small air force reserved for trip
When Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery visits Papua New Guinea later this month, five RAAF and army aircraft will accompany him.
He will be there to mark the 30th anniversary of PNG's independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in PNG.
A RAAF VIP jet, a RAAF Hercules and three army Black Hawk helicopters will support his trip.
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Indian airmen take training trip to Misawa
Two pilots, two controllers and two safety officers from the Indian Air Force visited Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 21-27 as part of a bilateral exchange.
Misawa and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa are gearing up to send the 35th Fighter Wing and 961st Airborne Warning and Control Systems to India. Misawa Air Base will send twelve F-16 CJs and Kadena will send an E-3 AWACS to Cope India Nov. 7-19.
Lt. Col. Ganapathiraju Srinivas, a wing commander and MiG-29 fighter pilot, got to fly in an F-16 during the trip.
At the same time, Misawa and Kadena each sent one airman to India. The two got rides in a Russian-made Su-30 fighter, one of the Indian officers said.
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Canadian Forces Snowbirds Return to the Skies
Snowbirds will resume flying in Thunder Bay, Ontario, following the accident that occurred August 24 prior to the Thunder in the Air air show.
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Army modernises aviation:to purchase 197 choppers
The Indian Army will acquire 197 light helicopters as well as light helicopter gunships in order to expand its aviation wing.
Currently Eurocopter and Bell Textron are completing their second and final round of summer trials in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan for selection.
The Army wants to buy 55 helicopters and the remaining 142-odd be built under licence at HAL.
Labels: Indian Army Light Helicopter
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Sunday, September 04, 2005
Boeing 'threatening security'
A RAAF F/A-18B Hornet, aircraft A21-109, has been damaged beyond short-term repair by inexperienced maintenance personnel hired by Boeing Australia.
Trained engineers have been suspended since May over their demands for a union-negotiated collective agreement.
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RSAF Air Force News newsletter (PDF)
July's issue of Air Force News. The only interesting stuff is the picture of UH-1Hs preparing to take off for its final flight at Sembawang Air Base.
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Red tape keeping much of military on sidelines
Complex relationships between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. military is hampering the rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
A difficult command structure inside the military does not help further.
FEMA must make a request before military assests can be deployed. The request will go to operations center at Camp Shelby which will later forward it to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs where officials of Northern Command will match it with specific units.
The package finally goes to the Pentagon to await the signature of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Only then can the unit be deployed.
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New strike threat for Rolls-Royce
The Rolls-Royce plant in Bristol is facing further strike action. Around 100 workers have been on strike at the plant since
23 August.
800 workers will vote on strike action in the next few weeks and a "yes" vote could mean a walk-out at the plant in October.
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Reports: TAM to Modernize Bulgaria’s SU-25 Jets
Pantiko Tordia, the Director-General of Tbilisi aircraft factory TbilAviaMsheni, has denied news reports that it will modernise twenty Su-25 Frogfoot jets of the Bulgarian armed forces.
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Pratt & Whitney unfazed by GE-Rolls entry into JSF engine competition
Pratt & Whitney spokesman Mark Sullivan said the company had to help GE/Rolls Royce from the beginning of the F-35 programme by making their engine interchangble with each other.
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HAL's Chetan creates history with Siachen landing
HAL's re-engined Chetan helicopter was cleared to a new service ceiling of 21,300 feet.
The older Chetak were restricted to 10,000 feet.
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Truman Continues Preparations to Aid Hurricane Relief
USS Harry S. Truman received 1.3 million gallons of jet fuel from USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) to support Army and Navy helicopters.
Seahawks and Blackhawks will fly to and from the ship with food, water and other supplies for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
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Raptor releases JDAM during first 'follow-on' evaluation mission
The first F/A-22 Raptor Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation mission was flown on Aug 29 and JDAMs were released.
A large portion of the missions will be to validate air-to-ground capabilities of the aircraft.
During the evaluation, testers are planning to shoot five missiles and release 16 JDAMs.
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Aircraft Become Lifelines For Katrinas Victims In What Could Become The U.S.' Greatest Natural Catastrophe
A variety of fixed and rotary military aircraft are providing crucial support for Katrina's victims.
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Scots aerospace industry to win £200m contract
Selex is in line for five contracts to supply its Seaspray radar system to the U.S. Defence Department and Department of Homeland Security.
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JAI delivers six Sama CH2000 aircraft to Iraqi air force
Jordan Aerospace Industries (JAI), has delivered the first batch of two-seater Sama CH2000 aircraft to the Iraqi air force.
A total of sixteen aircraft will be delivered.
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Saturday, September 03, 2005
B-52 Jammer Program Nears High-Level Review
A Pentagon high-level panel will consider whether the U.S. Air Force's B-52 Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) program is ready to begin its technology development phase on Sept. 26.
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General Mosley swears in as Air Force’s 18th chief of staff
Gen. T. Michael Moseley was sworn in as the U.S. Air Force’s 18th chief of staff in a ceremony on Sep 2.
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RM480m suit against Govt
Langkawi R&D Academy Sdn Bhd has filed a RM480 million suit against the Malaysian Government over breach of contract to upgrade F-5 jets.
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Carrier Roosevelt deploys for Persian Gulf
Aviators and technicians from VF-31 are aware that they are making history when they leave for their final combat deployment.
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Asia's missiles strike at the heart
Sudha Ramachandran an independent journalist/researcher based in Bangalore gives an insight on how India and Pakistan named their missiles after Gods and Kings.
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C-2A Given Back to Fleet in Record Time
A C-2A Greyhound went thru Service Life Extension Program which extends its lifespan by 20,000 flight hours in 287 days instead of an average of 372 days.
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Grand old lady marks end of era
RAF's last Canberra T4 training aircraft made its last flight on Sep 1 by Sqn Ldr Terry Cairns, Wing Commander Clive Mitchell and Air Vice Marshall Andy White.
Sqn Ldr Terry Cairns, who has flown Canberras for 34 years, chalking up 8000 hours in the process, is believed to be the world's oldest operation military pilot.
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Typhoon Nabi shifts course, now heading to Okinawa
Typhoon Nabi is forecast to slam into Okinawa early Tuesday morning. Kadena Air Base's KC-135 Stratotankers and E-3 AWACs have flown out to safety.
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Beale's U-2 reconnaissance jets fly missions to survey situation
U-2 pilots from Beale Air Force Base are handling reconnaissance missions to aid the Hurricane Katrina relief effort as it would a mission in Afghanistan or Iraq.
The images gathered will go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist decision makers.
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Experts to check out air weaponry at one-day meet
The Aeronautical Society of India is organising a workshop today on ‘Futuristic Trends in Air Armaments’ to discuss and analyse the state-of-the-art air armaments in the world.
Both foreign and local air weapons will be discussed.
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Private grief before public inquisition
The inquiry into the crash of the Australian navy Sea King helicopter in Indonesia will begin its public hearings in Sydney on Tuesday.
The inquiry's hearings are expected to last six weeks.
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Former San Antonio air base to shelter thousands
Thousands of evacuees from Louisiana will be sheltered in a sprawling warehouse on what used to be Kelly Air Force Base.
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Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy Successfully Conduct First Flight of Navy's Most Advanced Aerial Target
The BQM-74F subsonic aerial target made its first flight on Aug. 29 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division sea range at Point Mugu, California.
The F model features an upgraded Williams turbo jet engine that provides 300 pounds of thrust, and a new swept wing and tail design.
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T-50 to Debut in Seoul Air Show
The T-50 Golden Eagle will make its public debut in the upcoming Seoul Air Show 2005 next month.
The air show will be held at the Seoul Airport, Sungnam, Kyonggi Province, between Oct. 18-23.
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'Top Gun' Planes Sent on Last Mission
The last two squadrons of F-14 Tomcats left Oceana Naval Air Station on friday to join the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.
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Northrop Grumman Delivers First Data-Link Plug-and-Play LITENING Advanced Targeting Pods to U.S. Marine Corps
Northrop Grumman has delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps 17 LITENING Advanced Targeting (AT) pods.
It uses standard data link and video/data recorder to pass data to ground- and air-based users.
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The sky is the limit at weekend air show...
South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum Air Show will take place at Zwartkop Air Field on September 17.
The show will celebrate the Air Force's 85th birthday and the 70th anniversary of the Dakota.
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Friday, September 02, 2005
Robotic ‘Penguin’ could hop on moon
Raytheon has unveiled an unmanned lunar explorer that borrows parts from its weapons program.
The Lunar Penguin would hop around on the moon using rocket engines from ground-based missile defense systems.
The 3 feet tall, 230 pounds, four-legged robot will be guided by a guidance system from a Tomahawk cruise missile.
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Contract awards for Walrus programme
DARPA has awarded funding to Lockheed Martin and Aeros Aeronautical Systems for the first phase of the Walrus programme.
The Walrus programme aims to develop and evaluate a heavier-than-air airship capable of carrying 500 tons, 12,000 miles in seven days.
Compare to earlier-generation airships, the progamme must prove that limitations such as off-board ballast can be overcome.
It will achieve this by generating lift through a combination of aerodynamics, thrust vectoring and gas buoyancy generation and management.
DARPA's PDF news release.
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bugmenot.com
I notice that few are willing to click on articles that requires free registration of an account. The need to register for an account may put some off and choose to skip reading the full article. There is a way to overcome that by using an account that is shared out kindly by the person who created it.
In order to take advantage of it. You need to go to the website BugMeNot.com and either key in the url of the website that requires login or use the plugins available to help login. In firefox, you just have to right click over the input box and select bugmenot. The plugin will retrieve a shared account and password and use it to login for you.
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RSAF celebrates 37 years of excellence
The Republic of Singapore Air Force held its 37th Anniversary Parade at Tengah Air Base.
Eight personnel were awarded the Best Airmen Award by Chief of Air Force, Major-General Lim Kim Choon.
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RSAF Deployment to Assist in Hurricane Katrina Relief Operations
Singapore has sent three CH-47 Chinook helicopters from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The helicopters arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana and they will be working closely with the Texas Army National Guard in their disaster relief operations.
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Three more ships deploy to gulf
USS Harry S. Truman left Norfolk to join relief efforts in Gulf Coast areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.
The carrier will serve as the Navy command center and afloat staging base in the gulf and will carry additional helicopters from Jacksonville Naval Air Station to support search and rescue operations.
Three E-2C Hawkeye will assist with aerial management of the numerous relief aircraft being deployed throughout the Gulf region. And two C-2A Greyhound cargo aircraft will be flying logistic support missions back and forth from Norfolk to Pensacola.
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The Guns of July 1950
USAF operational records seems to show that during the Korean War the Air Force saved South Korea by harassing and greatly slowing the North’s advance to Pusan.
This gave UN ground forces time to arrive and hold the Pusan Perimeter.
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Indonesia to produce missiles with China
All but four of Indonesia's F-16 fighter planes have been grounded since the United States started arms embargo six years ago.
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Pakistan Air Force's largest exercise-Highmark 2005 to begin from Sept-4
The JF-17 Thunder would not be participating in the Pakistan exercise Highmark 2005.
F-16s would fly in a air-superiority role, the French Mirages in an a ground support role and the Chinese A-5's would support the army.
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‘C-130 delivery delayed because of overhauling’
Delivery of C-130 planes from the United States to Pakistan has been delayed as the aircraft are being overhauled.
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Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to Supply Jointly With Elbit Systems UAV Systems to The Turkish MOD
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems will jointly supply the Turkish Armed Forces Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) systems.
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U.S. Air Force yanks tanker paper under McCain threat
The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday withdrew a request for information for aerial refueling tankers to replace KC-135 after pressure from Sen. John McCain.
Sen. John McCain sent a terse letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld saying the he would do all he could to see the document revoked if the service failed to do so.
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‘Old warrior’ B-52 gets call in Afghanistan
The B-52 Stratofortresses continue to provide air support for U.S., Afghan troops despite its age.
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Oceana under fire: Who takes the heat?
Virginia Beach city leaders and U.S. Navy officials are blaming each other for the encroachment of Oceana Naval Air Station.
Navy says the City Council voted at least 51 times to allow more homes and shops to be built near Oceana over the Navy’s objections.
City Council members say the Navy failed to buy enough land around the area.
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F-111 servicer attempts suicide
A former maintainece worker for the RAAF F-111 fuel tank program has attempted suicide after finding out the Government's compensation package.
The maximum ex-gratia compensation payment of $40,000 to him was degrading and demeaning, his wife said.
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U-2 in support of Hurricane Katrina relief
A USAF U-2 was sent to collect imagery of Hurricane Katrina yesterday.
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Pakistan to upgrade F-16s from 2006
Pakistan will carry out Mid Life Updates on its F-16s from early next year.
Work has started on overhauling the F-100 engines locally too.
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Shepherd's pilot, downed plane finally found
Thirty-six years after Allen S. Shepherd was shot down during a reconnaissance mission in Laos in 1968, Pentagon finally found the remains of his crew mate, Air Force Col. Gregg Hartness, as well as the wreckage of their downed plane.
Hartness was the pilot and Shepherd took reconnaissance photos in a twin-seat Cessna O-2A "Skymaster."
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Boeing Completes First Airborne Test of Wedgetail Aircraft’s Radar
Boeing has successfully conducted the first in-flight test of the Northrop Grumman Multi-mode Electronically Scanned Array radar aboard the 737 Wedgetail.
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Lockheed Spy Plane Deal May Be Rebid (Free Registration)
The U.S. Army may terminate Lockheed Martin's contract for the Aerial Common Sensor and reopen it for new bidding.
Edward Bair, the official in charge of electronic warfare, said he would rebid the program if Lockheed couldn't convince him that it could provide a plane at a cost and schedule that met the Army's requirements.
Labels: ACS
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New Iraqi air force runs first military mission
Three Iraqi C-130s redeployed troops belonging to the 2nd Iraqi Division from the Kurdish city of Irbil to Tal Afar recently.
Two battalions of Iraqi troops were ferried.
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Foreign missile umbrella on Taiwan opposed
China opposes any attempt by any country to include Taiwan in its missile defence system.
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China says policy "not to use nuke weapons first" won't change
Zhang Yan, director of China's Department of Arms Control and Disarmament under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed China's long-standing policy of not being the first to use nuclear weapons.
He confirmed that nuclear weapons will not be used against Taiwan.
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Full text of White Paper on Arms Control
During a press conference in Beijing by China's State Council Information Office, a white paper on the Chinese government's policies and positions on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation was presented.
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Marine jets destroy weapons cache
U.S. Marine F/A-18 jets destroyed a train station in a town near the Syrian border Thursday.
The believe insurgents were using it to store weapons there. The building was destroyed.
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Air Expo '05 taking off this weekend
Air Expo '05 will take place this weekend at NAS Patuxent River.
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Thursday, September 01, 2005
Third Nimrod MRA4 Joins the fleet
The third Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft, PA03, took off for its first flight on Monday, 29 August.
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Lockheed Martin Presents Simulator F-16 in Bulgaria
Lockheed Martin could offer the Block 50/52 F-16C/D to Bulgaria.
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Defense ministry satellite to be launched into space Friday
A Russian Defense Ministry satellite is scheduled to be launched from the Baikonur space center on Friday.
The Kosmos satellite will be lifted off by a Soyuz-U rocket.
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Korean man jailed in US for China military sales
A South Korean man was sentenced to 32 months in prison by a U.S. District Judge after pleading guilty to exporting two Black Hawk helicopter engines to China without consent from the U.S. State Department.
Kwonhwan Park and his Malaysian company, SGS, claimed that the two engines were either for the Malaysian Army or the South Korean Army in an application to the State Department. The engines were sent to China from Malaysia instead.
He also tried to order four engines claiming they were for South Korean Army's S-70s.
Malaysian and South Korean military officials' signatures were forged for the engine applications.
Park was arrested at Washington's Dulles International Airport in April 2004, trying to board a plane bound for Beijing with an advanced night-vision goggles system in his baggage.
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Carrier project will go ahead – but at a price
U.K. defence secretary John Reid denied recent media reports that the multi-billion-pound Royal Navy carriers will be scrapped.
The carriers are expected to cost around £4bn instead of the £2.9bn originally planned by the Ministry of Defence.
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Air Vectors : The Dassault Mirage F1
The Dassault Mirage F1 appears in the September issue of Air Vectors.
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Air Vectors : Updates
The following Air Vectors articles were updated recently.
Petlyakov Pe-2 Peshka, Mitsubishi T-2 / F-1 & Kawasaki T-4, SEPECAT Jaguar, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Soviet Jet VTOL: Yak-36, Yak-38, & Yak-41, Mikoyan MiG-25 & MiG-31, Avro CF-105 Arrow and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
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Russia Planning More Military Exercises With China — Defense Minister
Russia is interested in holding new military exercises with China and Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes six countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
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Khrunichev center to stop SS-19 missile production - general director
The Khrunichev space research and development center will no longer produce SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
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Saving The Plane Known as Article 122
Former employees of the top secret Area 51 military base are banding together to try and save an A-12 known as Article 122.
Only 15 A-12's were ever built but Article 122 was special even for an A-12. Advanced composite materials were included in its titanium structure and because of other design changes.
The plane is now on display at USS Intrepid, New York and the salt water is damaging it.
The International Roadrunners organization, made up of former Groom Lake employees, are working hard to see Article 122 returned home to Nevada.
You can visit this webpage to see the damages done to it.
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Pentagon Has Sole Shootdown Say Over D.C. (Free Registration)
The U.S. Homeland Security Department aircraft will continue to respond to airborne threats above Washington but they could only shoot down a plane if ordered by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
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Korea’s Bargain Fighter Jet
Korean Aerospace Industries’ $22-million T-50 targets national air forces that want to replace aging fleets of U.S.-made F-5s and T-38s.
The A-50 could also appeal to nations with small military budgets shopping for so-called light combat planes.
Potential customers include Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Argentina and Turkey.
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National Guard unit excited about JLENS
North Dakota National Guard's 1st Battalion Air Defense Artillery soon will operate the Joint Land Attack Elevated Netted Sensor System.
JLENS mission involves using an aerostat and radar to detect cruise missiles.
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Georgia Guardsmen, helicopters, power crews head for Gulf
Three CH-47 Chinook helicopters of the Georgia Army National Guard were headed to areas hit by Katrina to assist with relief efforts.
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Lockheed cuts more jobs from its F-16 line (Free Registration)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. delivered layoff notices with 60-day advance warnings to about 60 workers at the F-16 factory.
Notices were posted in F-16 work areas indicating that more cuts are likely next year.
Lockheed will have cut about 950 positions from the F-16 program this year including this round.
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Langley jet's landing gear fails
The runway at Langley Air Force Base was closed for almost seven hours when the left-side landing gear of a F-15C failed.
Six planes had to be diverted to Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach.
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Police discover Igla missile system in weapons cache in Chechnya
An Igla anti-aircraft missile system has been discovered on the outskirts Grozny, the capital of Chechnya.
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Russia arms Belarus
Russia will supply S-300 SAM systems to Belarus.
The missiles would deploy on the western border, as part of a Russia-Belarus joint anti-aircraft defense system.
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U.S. spy satellites aid Hurricane Katrina recovery
The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which analyzes satellite images for the espionage community and combat troops, have been called into service to help federal emergency officials cope with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrin.
One of its contributions is to survey damage to regional transportation for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Air Force Reserve flies missions to storm-ravaged areas
U.S. Air Force Reserve Command people and aircraft are carrying out rescue work after Hurricane Katrina strike the Gulf coast.
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Misawa taking no chances with Sunday’s air show
The U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force practice a mass-casualty exercise involving a hypothetical demonstration jet crash into a crowd of bystanders ahead of Sunday’s Misawa Air Festival.
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Flyover to honor chief of staff change
An A-10 Thunderbolt II; an F-15 Eagle; and a P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre will perform a farewell flyover for the outgoing U.S. Air Force chief and welcome the new chief at a ceremony Sept 2.
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Northrop Grumman, EADS, and Indra Team to Pursue NATO Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Contract
Northrop Grumman Corporation, EADS and Indra have announced that they have formed an international team to pursue a systems engineering and integration contract that is a key part of the new NATO active-layered theatre ballistic-missile defence programme.
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Boeing Receives First Interference Cancellation Unit for EA-18G
Boeing has accepted delivery on June 30 the first Interference Cancellation (INCANS) engineering development unit for the U.S. Navy EA-18G.
The INCANS will allow the EA-18G to conduct voice communications with friendly forces while simultaneously jamming enemy communications, a feature not possible on the EA-6B Prowler.
Labels: EA-18G
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Final Gripen fighters delivered to Czech Air Force
Two dual seat Gripen were flown by pilots from the Swedish defence procurement agency, FMV, to the Cáslav Air Base in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Air Force will lease the 16 Gripens until 2015.
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