Monday, October 31, 2005
Canadian troops to carry miniature spy planes on their backs by August
Canada's military is buying miniature spy planes that soldiers can carry on their backs .
They will be deployed with the troops in Afghanistan next year.
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Airbus Expects A400M Major Contract
Malaysia may announce its decision to purchase the A400M from Airbus at the Lima '05 in December.
Chile is also interested in getting three A400Ms.
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Human error cause of crash of Cyprus military aircraft
The crash of a Cyprus National Guard PC-9 on
Sept. 10 was primarily due to human error.
The crew diverted from the planned flight path and flew past a village at low level, it it a church bell tower and crash.
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Air Force’s tech chief to command USAFE
Lt. Gen. Tom Hobbins, Chief Information Officer of the USAF, will be promoted to general and become the new commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
He is an F-15 pilot.
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Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Enticing ROK Air Force
Lockheed is keen to sell the F-35 to South Korea when it decides which aircraft to buy after 2008.
David M. Scott, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s international business development, compared the F-15K's price of $100 million per unit to the F-35's $45 million per unit as a selling point.
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Pentagon, Industry 'Working Hard' To Reverse J-UCAS Cut
The USAF, the USN, DARPA, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Boeing and Northrop Grumman are all working together to defeat a proposal by Congress to slash funding for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems program.
The U.S. Senate proposed to slash $200 million from the Bush administration's $350 million request for J-UCAS.
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Israel, Romania seal F-16 sale deal
Washington has given the green light for Israel to sell its old F-16A/Bs to Romania for $150mil.
Elbit Systems which has upgraded Romania's MiG-21 in the past will oversee the upgrading and maintenance of the fleet sold to Romania.
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Sunday, October 30, 2005
Pentagon resists air base cash demands
United States is unwilling to pay Kyrgyzstan $80m for the past use of it Manas air base.
The Pentagon has already paid the former regime for fuel and supplies but the new president alleges were siphoned out of the country.
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Lithuania Hands Over to Russia Crashed Fighter Jet Black Box
The black box belonging to the Su-27 that crashed in Lithuania has been returned to Russia.
The plane's armament, four air-to-air missiles, an aircraft gun, cartridges were returned on Oct. 26.
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Yokosuka expresses outrage at aircraft carrier deployment
Residents living at Yokosuka, where the U.S. forward deploys an aircraft carrier, are angry that the Japanese government allowed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the USS Kitty Hawk.
Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi said that the Washington has assured Tokyo that safety measures will be strictly enforced when the carrier docks.
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Nelson 'confident' military needs will temper drilling
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida said that the need for training fighter pilots and testing missile systems will prevent oil and gas drilling near the coast.
The House Resources Committee recently adopted a budget amendment to permit drilling within 125 miles of Florida's coast.
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CBI starts preliminary probe into two defence deals
India's corruption watchdog CBI is opening a preliminary probe into the purchase of Israeli Barak anti-missile system.
The Barak is deployed on the carrier INS Viraat.
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German Air Force Air Defense Center gets new commander
The German Air Force Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss, Texas has a new commander. Col. Klaus Habersetzer transferred command to Lt. Col. Uwe Haenel.
Fort Bliss is the location of U.S. Army's Air Defense Artillery Center and School.
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Kadena F-15 drills to be transferred to five ASDF bases
USAF F-15s in Japan will move some of their training to the following JASDF bases : Chitose, Hokkaido; Hyakuri, Ibaraki Prefecture; Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture; Tsuiki, Fukuoka Prefecture; and Nyutabaru, Miyazaki Prefecture.
This will reduce the noise levels at Okinawa Island.
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AESA radar sale: US decision on Nov 21
The Bush Administration will reveal at a meeting on Nov 21-22 at the Pentagon whether to allow India to have the APG-79 AESA radar.
The radar will come togther with the F/A-18 Super Hornet that is being offered to the Indian Air Force.
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1st EMS Troops Build Joint Direct Attack Munitions for First Deployment of Langley F/A-22s
The USAF 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron is helping the 1st Fighter Wing return back to an air-to-ground role.
The squadron send 10 airmen together with the 27th Fighter Squadron to Hill AFB. There they help deploy the 1,000 pound JDAM the first time for the Air Force.
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Air Force gives hope to Air NZ engineers
The RNZAF is willing to hire
Air New Zealand engineers that could lose their jobs as a result of the airline moving maintenance jobs overseas.
RNZAF has been hiring ex-RAF staff in an attempt to recover from long-term staffing shortages.
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Mobility Study Would Cap Buys Of C-17, C-130J By Decade's End
The Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J could end their production run by the end of the decade under a Mobility Capability Study from the Pentagon.
Closing the lines could also cede the military transport market to the A400M.
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Saturday, October 29, 2005
Singapore Light Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus
Singapore unveiled the world's first heli-portable 155mm howitzer with a self-propelled capability. Pictures show it in action with an RSAF Chinook helicopter.
The ground crew prepares the howitzer to be underslung by the Chinook.
The Chinook takes off and drop its at a new location.
The crew disembarks to deploy the howitzer.
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'Terrorists' planned missile attack on planes in France: report
French Islamic extremists planned to attack passenger airliners in France with SA-18s in 2003.
French newspaper Le Figaro reported that two SA-18s were reported missing in Europe and the missiles came from Chechnya.
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Bush admin. drops 'bunker-buster' plan
The Bush administration has stopped research for a nuclear bunker buster and will develop one using conventional solutions.
The nuclear bunker buster's funding has been dropped from the Energy Department's fiscal 2006 budget.
Last April, a National Academy of Sciences panel concluded that an earth-penetrating nuclear device would likely cause the same casualties as a surface burst if the weapons are of the same size.
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Wynne confirmed as Air Force secretary
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michael Wynne as the next Air Force secretary. He will replace acting Secretary Peter Geren.
Wynne, who served as the acting undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
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Raptors return with insight, information
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron has completed their deployment to Hill Air Force Base, Utah and is returning back to Langley Air Force Base.
The F/A-22s flew their last sortie over the Nevada desert on Oct. 26 against the simulated surface-to-air sites there.
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Greek defence ministry under fire over F-16 fighter purchase
The Greek government is under fire from the main opposition party over the cost of a planned purchase of
40 F-16s.
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Air Force choppers flex their wings
The Indian Air Force held its first helicopter aircrew competition at the Sarsawa air force station.
Eight helicopter units were tested in the following operations : hovering, search and rescue, under-slung operations, low level navigation and spot paradropping.
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General says Iraqis aren't ready to support their own fighter aircraft
Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan, commander of U.S. Air Forces, Central Command, said the Iraqi air force is not ready to have their own fighter aircraft.
What the Iraqis lacked is the logistical capabilities to support fighters. The Iraqi Air Force will eventually have light attack capabilities but there are no plans to give the Iraqis MiGs or Mirages, he said.
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Rural area was site of FBI search
Noshir S. Gowadia, the engineer who sold secret B-2 information, may have given the data to eight foreign governments.
He also claims to be the father of the B-2's infrared suppressing propulsion system.
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Maiden flight for Hungarian Air Force Gripen
The first Hungarian dual-seat Gripen made its first flight in Sweden on Thursday. This is one of the two Gripen trainers Hungary will lease.
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They are flying high on Nat Geo
Three men and two women will take part in a reality show by National Geographic Channel to experience life in the Indian Air Force.
One person will get to fly in a fighter jet.
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'Friendly fire' pilot tells author he's victim of Pentagon coverup
USAF Maj. Harry Schmidt said in a new book that he is a fall guy in a coverup after accidentally bombing Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
Author Michael Friscolanti said the USAF realised that its command and control structure will be open to scrutiny and they needed a scrapegoat.
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Kalaikunda set for Indo-US exercises
IAF's Kalaikunda Air Force station is ready to welcome the USAF's F-16s from Misawa and Kadena Air Base for Cope India 2005.
Air Commodore A Saikia, commanding officer of the base, said that besides U.S. and Singapore, the U.K. is in discussions to bring their jets there for training as well.
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Friday, October 28, 2005
VF-143 Pukin Dogs Poster (Update)
This poster was created as the result of a collaboration between 3 people living at different locations, communicating via email. Yesterday it came back to me after traveling across the pacific ocean, across the west coast to the east coast of United States to NAS Oceana. Thirteen pilots from VF-143 signed the posters for Mike and me with the help from Gerry. Both Mike and I would like to thank Gerry and the PAO of Pukin' Dogs for making it possible.
Yank relinquish his command of Pukin' Dogs recently and we were lucky to have his signature on it.
We still have 8 copies of the same poster left for sale
here.
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F-117 Nighthawk tail no. 782 to retire after Edwards Open House, Air Show
F-117 Nighthawk, tail number 782 retires after flying at the Edwards Open House and Air Show.
782 was one of the five prototype F-117s that were hand-made in the ‘80s before full scale production.
782 was the first with a complete avionics suite and the first to be fully equipped with an Infrared Acquisition and Designation System.
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AMRAAM, KEI Imperiled By Hill Budget Proposals, DOD Says
Pentagon says that a reduction in fiscal 2006 funding by the U.S. Senate could affect the development of the AIM-120D.
The Air Force's Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) will have to be restructed as well.
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U.S. Navy Announces CVN to Replace USS Kitty Hawk in 2008
Japan has allowed the U.S. Navy to deploy one of its Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in Japan to replace the USS Kitty Hawk.
The USS Kitty Hawk will return to the United States in 2008 to be decommissioned.
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Powerful and effective flyer
Two South Africa's Rooivalk attack helicopter proved its mobility recently in exercises.
They self-deployed over nearly 1 000km to a forward refuelling point, flew 100km from there to support a landing operation, and then launched an attack against a target 360km away from the refuelling point.
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P-8A MMA team members honored for excellence program continues on schedule
Two members of the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Program team were honored Sept. 21 for their exceptional performance in engineering.
Lt. Cmdr. Scott Ledig was named NAVAIR's Avionics Architecture and Systems Engineering Division (AIR-4.5.1) Military Engineer of the Year for fiscal 2005.
Mike Van Wie, P-8A software engineering manager and mission computing and display subsystem lead, was named the AIR-4.5.1 Civilian Engineer of the Year for fiscal 2005.
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IAF may follow US Air Force
The Indian Air Force wants to evolve itself into an 'expeditionary force' similar to the USAF.
While it does not have the ability to rapidly deploy and operate anywhere in the world, it will soon be able to deploy and operate from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca.
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Flying to a new high
Women pilots in the Indian Air Force are doing an outstanding job and in certain cases they outperform men.
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F-16 flys again — thanks to Hill group
A retired USN F-16 is stripped for parts so that two USAF F-16s can fly again.
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Israel weighs going straight to combat UAVs
Israeli Ministry of Defense officials and Israel Air Force commanders are considering alternatives to the F-35 as Pentagon still refuses access to the development.
One option is to go straight ahead and develop unmanned air combat vehicle (UCAV) and the other one favored by low-level officials is to purchase the Eurofighter.
However senior officials rejected the purchase as Israel has always depended on United States for its fighter needs.
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RAF Chinooks Ready For Action
The three RAF chinooks in Pakistan are ready to carry out their humanitarian missions on Saturday.
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“Gear Dogs” Hook Up TR With New Milestone
Lt. Jay Haddock, flying an S-3B Viking made the 160,000 recovery on USS Theodore Roosevelt.
The recovery was completed at 7:23 p.m. Oct. 25.
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N.C. base to be home to F-15E demo team
The U.S. Air Force F-15E demonstration team will be based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base from November onwards.
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New processor makes Strike Eagle more lethal
The USAF F-15E Strike Eagle will be getting a new core processor next year to replace its original 1988 computer.
The first 15 aircraft should receive the upgrade by Sept. 30, 2006. The remaining jets will get the system by Sept. 30, 2010.
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B-2 Designer Accused of Selling Secrets
An engineer with Northrop Grumman Corp. from 1968 to 1986 and had helped design the B-2 gave classified information of the aircraft to a foreign country.
He faxed a document detailing infrared technology to a foreign official in 2002.
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Gripen fighter aircrafts ready for take off
South Africa's first Gripen will be making its maiden flight soon. The
two-seater will remain in Sweden until mid-2006.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $76 Million U.S. Navy Contract to Integrate Mine CounterMeasures Onto MH-60S Helicopters
Lockheed Martin has received a U.S. Navy contract to complete the integration and flight testing of five airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) systems with the MH-60S helicopter.
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Thursday, October 27, 2005
F-16s deal is on, says FO
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has clarified that the purchase of F-16s from United States is still on but it will be delayed.
Earlier reports indicated that Pakistan may reconsider the purchase after the earthquake.
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Tuskegee Airmen return to war zone
Five Tuskegee Airmen visit the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, home of the Tuskegee Airmen’s alma mater, the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
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Enterprise Crew Brings on the Ammo
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed a two-day ammunition on-load Oct. 24 from USNS Arctic.
1,173 lifts of ammunition was conducted with the help of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 11.
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Grand Forks base tankers ready to return
The runway restoration of Grand Forks Air Force Base has been completed and the base's 319th Refueling Wing will return with their KC-135 on Sunday.
A FAA plane will check out the runway's instrument landing system today.
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RAF pilot grounded by driving ban
An RAF Nimrod pilot caught speeding at 109 miles per hour has been given a reduced driving ban of one month instead of the ususal four.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said the ban was reduced as it would cause inconvenience and could compromise the effectiveness of the Nimrod search and rescue team.
He also considered the fact that giving him a longer ban will bar him from driving operationally when the pilot deploys to the Gulf.
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Chinese exporter linked to missile scheme
U.S. federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have linked a Chinese state-run export company, China Xinshidai Group, to a conspiracy to sell surface-to-air missiles in the United States.
The firm wants to illegally export Chinese missiles to the United States through organized crime groups.
China Xinshidai Group owns China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp. which manufactures the HN-5.
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Indian Army on the process of evaluating bells LRH
The Indian Army is evaluating Bell's helicopters for its Light Reconniance Helicopter program.
Labels: Indian Army Light Helicopter
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Draft details realignment of U.S. forces
A draft Japan-U.S. agreement obtained by the Yomiuri Shimbun revealed the movement U.S. military aircraft under a realignment process.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force will open up some of its bases for USAF F-15s to conduct training exercises.
Planes from USS Kitty Hawk will be based at Iwakuni Air Station. U.S. Patriot missiles will be deployed in Japan as well.
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F-15 part falls, damages carport, SUV
A USAF F-15E Strike Eagle had a TFOA during a mission on monday over South Carolina.
The 6-inch piece of metal tore a hole through a woman’s carport and damaged her Chevrolet Tahoe.
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Greece - F-16C/D Block 52+ Aircraft (PDF)
U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece of 40 F-16C/D Block 52+.
Other equipment include : 42 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; 40 AN/AVS-9 Generation III Aviation Night Vision Goggles; 48 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT); 3 Link-16 Ground Stations; 10 LANTIRN Targeting pods; 11 Reconnaissance pods.
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E-X Project Down to Two Bidders Again
Its down to Boeing and Elta
again for the South Korean E-X airborne early warning system.
Sources said Boeing's price was lower than last year while Elta raised its price a little, but the price difference between the two bids remains significant.
Boeing is more expensive but also more capable an Air Force insider said.
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Pilots eject after MIG 21 crashes
Two Indian Air Force pilots ejected from their MiG-21 trainer at the Bangalore airport Wednesday.
The jet crashed while it was on a take-off roll.
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Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States - Missiles and Pilot Training Program (PDF)
U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taiwan of 10 AIM-9M Sidewinder Missiles and 5 AIM-7M Sparrow Missiles.
It also requests continuation of a pilot training program and logistics support for F-16 aircraft. The missiles will be used in live fire exercises at the Luke Air Force Base. These missiles will be drawn from the U.S. inventory if needed.
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TIPS industries submit results of NATO AGS study
TIPS industries have submitted a study on the overall system and radar sensor development for the Alliance Ground Surveillance program.
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Serb discusses 1999 downing of stealth
The man that orchestrated the shooting down of an F-117 in 1999 speaks to the Western media for the first time.
Col. Zoltan Dani was the Serbian commander of an anti-aircraft missile battery during the 78-day NATO campaign over Serbia.
The stealth fighter was shot down with a modified SA-3 Goa surface-to-air missile from his battery. They modified the warhead's guidance system that involved 'electromagnetic waves.'
James O'Halloran, editor of Jane's Land-Based Air Defense, said the Serbs could succeed because the stealth fighter was not design to be invisible to old long pulse duration radars.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
RAF Chinook helicopters deploy to Pakistan
Three RAF Chinooks from 27 Squadron will be operational tomorrow in Pakistan to support relief efforts.
They were transported to Pakistan in C-17s and are undergoing local testing before deployment.
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'Defensive' tactics to hem in N Korea
In June this year, an Iranian cargo plane landed in North Korea to pick up missile parts. Washington responded by asking nations in the area to deny the plane the right to fly over their territory.
China and at least one central Asian nation agreed.
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Four Tuskegee Airmen stop in Ramstein on route to Iraq
Four Tuskegee Airmen on their way to Balad Air Base in Iraq drop in at Ramstein, Germany to have lunch with airmen station there.
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Pilot says navy's aging aircraft dangerous, ineffective
A Taiwanese S-2T pilot, Hsu Koei-jui, said in a press conference that only 16 out of the 26 S-2Ts are serviceable.
He added that most S-2T pilots consider the aircraft dangerous to fly. Rear admiral Ma Jien-chung said the S-2T cannot fulfill its mission of detecting submarines and monitoring unknown vessels.
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Pakistan said re-thinking US F-16 deal
Pakistan is reconsidering its plan to buy the F-16 after the devastating earthquake that hit Kashmir.
The deal will have a big political and economic impact if it goes ahead as plan.
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Strategic Missile Troops to switch over to Topol-M's in 2006
The Russian Strategic Missile Troops' will switch to Topol-M land-based mobile missile early next year.
The first Topol-M mobile missile will go to the strategic missile regiment in Teikovo in Ivanovo region.
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Army activates third air and missile defense command
The U.S. Army's 94th Air and Missile Defense Command was activated at at Fort Shafter, Hawaii on Oct. 14.
This is the third Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Two are active units and one is reserve.
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Military crash report urges redesign of damage-prone helicopters
The report by Canada's Air Force Flight Safety Directorate on its CH-146 crash two years ago urged the FAA to relook into the certification of the Bell 412 series helicopter.
The tail rotor on the CH-146 failed in flight and there were four more cases of tail rotor failure four years after the accident.
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Italian Navy's air command plots flight path to renewal
The Italian Navy's air command is beginning the renewal of its fleet with the introduction of the EH-101 to replace the Sea King.
Other aircraft to be inducted includes the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and NFH-90 helicopter.
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Dutch look to downsize JSF order
Netherlands is considering buying only half the originally intended number of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The plan was to buy a single order for 85 aircraft. It now seems that the order will be split into two batches with the second batch to be decided at a later date.
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Boeing looks to Asia for military bookings boost
Jim Albaugh, Boeing Integrated Defence Systems chief, is looking at the Asian fighter market to increase its revenue.
India, Japan and South Korea are possible markets with the F/A-18 in competition in India and interest in the F-15 and F/A-18 in Japan.
Labels: Japan FX
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Kitty Hawk Gets Underway as Upkeep Period Ends
USS Kitty Hawk left its forward operating base in Japan to commence its fall underway on Oct. 24.
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USS Ronald Reagan, Carrier Strike Group 7 Begin COMPTUEX
USS Ronald Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed San Diego Oct. 17 and began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
COMPTUEX is an 18-day exercise designed to train the ship, embarked air wing and other vessels that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force.
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Fly-by-night training
The USAF 310th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB is redesigning the syllabus for the F-16 night vision goggles training to include the use of simulators.
Simulators will cut the risk to inexperienced pilots when they do night flight with NVGs and also save money by reducing the number of actual flights.
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Hybrid refueler truck could cut energy use
The USAF is introducing the R-11 hybrid electric refueling truck as a way to save fuel and energy.
It uses the same hybrid electric found in commercial cars today to save fuel.
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Boeing C-17 has a short runway
"If it doesn't fund ... we're done," C-17 Program Manager David Bowman said in an interview to the Post-Dispatch.
The Pentagon does not have any order for the C-17 beyond 2008. If the 2007 defense budget request doesn't include money for post-2008 production of the GlobeMaster III, Boeing will begin to shut down the plant next year.
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US Navy confirms V-22 incident, denies danger (Free Registration)
The U.S. Navy is denying a report by Project On Government Oversight watchgroup that the engines of a V-22 stalled or that the crew was in danger when it flew through clouds recently.
A CV-22 on its way to Edwards Air Force Base when some ice was sucked into the engines as it navigate through severe thunderstorms and icing conditions.
This cause the engine controller to cycle the engines through several recovery modes but the engines never stalled according to V-22 program office spokesman James Darcy.
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Lockheed Martin Will Dominate the Airborne ISR Market Over the Next Decade, Closely Followed in Total Funding by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman
Teal Group's Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Market Forecast found that Lockheed Martin will have the biggest share of the $43 billion future market.
The Sniper/PANTERA the F-35 JSF EO/IR will help Lockheed Martin dominate the market.
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Flight Safety Investigation Report for July 2002 Crash of Griffon Helicopter
This is the final report for the crash of Canadian Forces Griffon helicopter CH146420 on July 18, 2002.
The aircraft was returning from a cancelled Search and Rescue mission when the tail rotor failed due to a fatigue crack.
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India may clinch copter sale with Chile
Chile may order a dozen of Dhruv advanced light helicopters from India when Indian defence minister Pranab Mukherjee visits Chile.
Last year then Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy led a high level delegation to Chile to demonstrate the Dhruv.
This is not the first time that news on the purchase of Dhruvs by Chile are floated.
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Boeing EA-18G Modification Moves to Next Phase
Boeing is installing the first radio frequency (RF) cables in the EA-1 aircraft as it continues production of the first two EA-18G flight test aircraft.
RF cabling will connect the electronic attack avionics in the EA-18G. The EA-18G will have more than 2,500 feet of RF cabling, about five times the amount installed in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Labels: EA-18G
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Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Birds Of Mercy Again
I'm very surprised that no one click on the story of the U.S. Army's 50th Medical Company mission in Iraq. I considered that the best story among the rest posted yesterday. In fact it was one of the best this month.
Being part of a medevac crew is not an easy job. The crew have to on constant alert and sometimes they land to pick up wounded during a fire fight. The helicopter is not armed due to the Geneva convention and one third of medevac missions do not have fire support from Apache gunships.
Most of the time, the cabin of the helicopter will be stained with blood and the smell fills the interior. These men and women risked their lives to save other lives.
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The US Navy: lost in space?
A National Research Council’s report highlight the U.S. Navy's lack of direction in their space program.
It gave the navy a "red" for effectiveness.
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RAF probe ejector seat cock-up theory after £20m jet crashes
An RAF Tornado F3
crashed on Oct. 14 during a training exercise. There is a story that a passenger behind had accidentally ejected both himself and the pilot.
The passenger is a RAF sergeant who was granted the flight as he is retiring.
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Northrop Grumman Announces Mobile, Ala., as Site for KC-30 Tanker Production Center
Northrop Grumman Corporation selected Mobile, Alabama as the site for the production of the KC-30.
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UK accepts first Typhoon trainer
The RAF as received its first synthetic training device for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Emulated Deployable Cockpit Trainer will enable pilots to conduct simulated training sorties and to maintain currency while away from frontline bases.
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US forces make contingency plans for aerial sensor
A summary of Jane's report on the Aerial Common Sensor progress. Nothing much new since similar stuff has been covered
here and
here.
Labels: ACS
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Air force plans massive fighter upgrade programme
The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade its combat jets and transport aircraft to keep them flying longer.
The MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 will get the upgrades while upgrading the MiG-21 is not confirmed yet.
The An-32 and Mi-17 will be modernise and midair refueling capabilities could be added as well.
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India to get six more midair refullers
The Indian Air Force wants to purchase six more Il-78 tankers to boost its refueling fleet to 12 planes.
The IAF currently has six Il-78s purchased from Uzbekistan.
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Defense Purchases Adjusted to the New Budget
Sukhoi is expected to modernise another lot of Su-27SMs for the Russian Air Force next year.
Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant is also expected to modernize the Russian Navy’s Su-33s.
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Introductory flight training undergoing changes
The USAF will introduce a new program called initial flight screening for selecting specialized undergraduate pilot training.
The selection will move from civilian flight schools around the United States to a single location in 2006.
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US wants deal on moving Japan air base before Bush visit
Washington hopes that talks on the relocation of the Futenma US Air Base in Okinawa could be completed before George W Bush visits Tokyo next month.
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Monday, October 24, 2005
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
These photos were posted on China Defense Blog recently. The top photos shows the RoCAF's
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung. Home to 3 squadrons of IDF fighters and the army's airborne and special operations command. Bottom photo shows a replica of the air base in mainland China's ganxiao province.
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Osprey cleared for production
Hear what the critics have to say about the V-22 when it entered full production recently.
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Air Drops Dummy Rocket for Darpa's Falcon
AirLaunch's novelty approach to launch a rocket with a 1,000 lb. of payload into orbit is attractive enought for DARPA to fund it under the Falcon small launch vehicle (SLV) project.
AirLaunch's Quick Reach I rocket weighting 72,000 lb. will drop out from the rear of a C-17 at 33,000ft for an air launch.
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Going Postol (Free Registration)
This story is about MIT'S Ted Postol and his quest to prove the missile defense does not work now, and will not work in the conceivable future.
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Otis F-15s, pilots may head West
Barnes Air National Guard Base is ready to welcome the F-15 from Otis Air National Guard Base across the state.
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Rough Landing
This is a more detail account of a story reported
here on Apr. 21. An F-16 right main landing gear collapse during its landing at Burlington International Airport .
The Vermont Air National Guard F-16 was attempting to land in low visiblity and the pilot came in too low on his third attempt. The right landing gear was damaged when it hit some lights.
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Chopper crashes in Afghanistan; 13 soldiers escape serious injury
Thirteen U.S. soldiers walk away from a crash that destroyed their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a combat operation in Afghanistan on Saturday.
The aircraft, part of Task Force Storm, was supporting a special operations mission to clear Taliban fighters from several remote villages.
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Idaho base could host new jet
Mountain Home Air Force Base could be home to the F-35 according to a new report sent to Congress.
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Emergency Landing at W.K. Kellogg Airport
A U.S. Navy E-6 made an emergency landing at the W.K. Kellogg Airport on Saturday night after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit.
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Birds Of Mercy
Leslie Sabbagh of Popular Mechanics followed a UH-60A medevac helicopter from the U.S. Army's 50th Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division on a mission to airlift an injured soldier in Iraq.
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Dumpster eyed for dud drones
The Canadian Forces is considering scrapping the Sperwer UAV from French firm Sagem if the air force's tests proves that its not up to the job for deployment to Afghanistan.
The Sperwer had alot of problems in Afghanistan during its first deployment there.
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RAF Lakenheath begins night flying operations
The USAF 48th Fighter Wing began its yearly night flying operations at RAF Lakenheath last week.
The F-15Cs and F-15Es are taking advantage of early darkness to mett their night-flying requirements.
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Huntsville firm developing UAVs
Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc. is developing Prospector, a lightweight, quick response unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, for the U.S. Army.
It is transported by trucks and can be launched in a few minutes. The design is not new and is based on a UAV used by the German Army.
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Plans bring Global Hawks closer to landing on Guam
The Global Hawk could be coming to the Pacific in 2009 if plans go smoothly as schedule.
Four Global Hawks will deploy to their Pacifc forward-operating location at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
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Greek Cypriots Test New Attack Copter
The Mi35 helicopter gunships made its first apperance at the Greek Cypriot military exercise on Friday.
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Raptor drops first bomb
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron drop its first JDAM from an F/A-22 Raptor on Oct. 18.
This is not the first time that JDAMs were released from the F/A-22.
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Sunday, October 23, 2005
X-31
Zoltan "neu" Pocza from
Carrierbuilders.net contributed these pictures of the X-31 taken at a musuem in Germany.
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Bush helps dedicate display for 707 at Reagan library
U.S. President George W. Bush dedicated the retired 707 Air Force One for display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Friday.
The 33-year-old plane had served seven U.S. Presidents with Ronald Reagan using it the most.
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Air Force pilots, crews finish Alaska training
Cope Thunder exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska came to an end on Friday with 87 aircraft taking part.
Missions were delayed or canceled after a snowstorm in the first week.
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New Chinese subs add to threat
Two new class of submarines will enter service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. One of them is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine armed with a new missile.
The JL-2 is a three-stage, solid-fuel sea variant of China's DF-31 ballistic missile.
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Bulgarian pilots get view of Basin
Five senior officers from the Bulgarian Air Force including deputy chief of training, Maj. Gen. Mladen Isaev Kazakov, flew orientation flights in F-15s flown by Oregon Air National Guard.
The flight was a highlight of a visit intended to show members of the Bulgarian Air Force's high command how the United States trains its air-to-air combat pilots.
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Kadena Takes 'Pride' in Revamping F-15 Fleet
Some of the F-15 Eagle fleet’s oldest jets are going thru an approximately 10-day overhaul.
Pentagon contractors and Airmen from the 18th Maintenance Group will inspect and replace systems, like flight controls, radar, tactical electronic warfare, electro-environmental and weapons.
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Hurlburt Field flying historic `Gooney Bird' built 62 years ago
The oldest aircraft the USAF operates is a C-47 transport, with a black question mark painted on its tail.
It is lease from Basler Turbo Conversions LLC and operated by the 6th Special Operations Squadron.
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Saturday, October 22, 2005
Spitfire heroine
The Spitfire will not be able to mark its 70th anniversary next year without the help of one Englishwoman, Lucy Houston.
In 1931, Lady Houston donated an unsolicited £100,000 to develop the aircraft and Rolls-Royce engine (the precursor to the Merlin) to compete in the 1931 Schneider air race.
The team that won that race went on to develop the aircraft into the Spitfire.
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V-22 will not compete for CSAR-X
Bell-Boeing will not submit the V-22 as their proposal or the US Air Force's CSAR-X combat search and rescue competition.
Both companies feel that the requirements of the competition are more suited to a traditional helicopter.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Base not safe yet, analysts say
Despite the collapse of Florida's attempt to reopen Cecil Field, federal officials and defense analysts said Oceana is not off the hook yet.
The U.S. Navy while content with the current base in Oceana, it is looking for a new base for its future needs.
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Army says spy plane needed despite troubles
U.S. Army acquisitions chief Claude Bolton said the Aerial Common Sensor is important to his service is anxiously awaiting suggestions from Lockheed Martin to save the program.
The Army is keeping all options open including, termination, losing some sensors to be able to stick with the ERJ-145, or moving to a larger aircraft.
U.S. Navy officials told the joint subcommittee hearing of the House intelligence and armed services committees that they are drafting contingency plans to use the P-8A instead.
Labels: ACS
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Co-pilot of navy chopper dies, two missing in crash
A Taiwan Navy S70C helicopter crashed while attempting to land on a warship during a training exercise.
All S70Cs are grounded while investigations are being carried out.
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Selfridge's 107th Squadron named 'best of the best'
Selfridge Air National Guard's 107th Fighter Squadron earned its second Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit Award.
It is also the only USAF unit equipped with the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System.
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UK SAS tests mini UAV
The UK's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment has carried out trials of a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ahead of an enhanced deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.
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Jacksonville withdraws effort to lure Oceana jets
Mayor John Peyton of Jacksonville, Florida has given up luring the USN master jet base from Oceana Naval Air Station to the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station.
This would throw the BRAC's plan into disarray as it wanted Virginia Beach to buy back land near Oceana or the jets will move to Cecil Field.
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Fit for a Fight?: Armenia and Azerbaijan flex military muscles, vow to not be overcome
Armenia recently bought 10 Su-25s from Slovakia at a cost of only $1 million.
The planes are at least 20 years old and were given to Slovakia after the breakup of Czechoslovakia.
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India dominant naval power: France
A senior French Navy official said that French and Indian aircraft carriers "most likely" will take part in a joint-naval exercise next year.
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Russia flies in missile components for trials
A Russian airforce transport aircraft flew to India on Friday carrying components meant for new variants of the BrahMos missile.
India and Russia are trying to integrate the BrahMos with the Su-30MKI.
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'Spy plane' found in Clark
Two Filipino workers carrying out regular maintenance work found a UAV belong to United States on the roof of a duty free shop.
The aircraft was reported missing during the US-RP joint military exercises at the Clark in February this year.
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Yokota C-130 makes precautionary landing at Fukuoka
A C-130 Hercules from Yokota’s 36th Airlift Squadron made a precautionary landing Thursday at Fukuoka International Airport.
The aircraft made the precautionary landing after the No. 4 engine failed.
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US Army seeks Northrop spy plane upgrade after ACS delay (Free Registration)
The U.S. Army wants to shift near-term funding into upgrading the Guardrail and Airborne Reconnaissance-Low spy plane systems.
The Army reached this decision after a Navy analysis found that the Aerial Common Sensor program could be at least three years behind schedule.
Labels: ACS
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U.S. forces level building used as insurgents' lair
On Wednesday, a VF-31 F-14
leveled an IED facility in Iraq. This is the story from the ground perspective.
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Friday, October 21, 2005
Latest photo of Varyag
This photo of the ex-Russian carrier Varyag was posted recently on China Defense Blog. This photo will renew the debate whether China is
getting an aircraft carrier.
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U.N.: Berlin-Type Airlift Needed in Asia
An airlift on the same scale as the Berlin Airlift is needed to save as many as 3 million people left homeless by the South Asian earthquake.
Jan Egeland, the U.N. relief coordinator, appealed to NATO and other countries to step in with an army of helicopters to fly in relief supplies and evacuate perhaps hundreds of thousands of people.
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Boeing and NEX1 Future Sign Memorandum of Agreement for Korea’s EX Program
Boeing will partner with NEX1 Future of Korea on the Republic Of Korea's EX airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program.
NEX1 will supply VHF and UHF radios for the Boeing proposed 737 AEW&C system.
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Fake Chinese incursion report on Net
A Japanese man posted a fabricated Kyodo News on a fake Yahoo News site saying that Chinese warplanes had intruded into Japanese airspace over Okinawa on Tuesday.
The fake article also claims that U.S. forces, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and Chinese forces had exchanged fire in Okinawan airspace.
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Israel calls off warplanes deal
Israel canceled a deal to upgrade Venezuelan F-16s after pressure from the Bush Administration.
Israel was suppose to install its own system into Venezuela's F-16s.
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Ramstein Air Base designated as hub for quake relief transport
NATO and U.S. military cargo aircraft will use Ramstein Air Base as an air hub to transport supplies to earthquake victims in Pakistan.
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Lithuania ready to pass fighter jet wreckage to Russia
Lithuania is ready to hand over the wreckage of the Russian Su-27 that crash in its territory.
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Raytheon's JLENS Completes Successful Systems Functional Review
Raytheon Company's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor
System (JLENS) completed a successful system functional review (SFR) late last month.
The JLENS provides a long-duration, wide-area cruise missile defense capability to the battlefield commander.
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BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Defensive System Deployed On U-2
BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) is now being deployed on U.S. Air Force U-2S.
The AN/ALQ-221 is an integrated Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Electronic Countermeasures system.
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Former US Navy Intelligence Officer Nailed for Arms Trafficking
A former U.S. Naval intelligence officer pleaded guilty to illegally exporting military aircraft parts.
He had illegally exported engine parts for the F-5, the T-38 and Chinook military helicopters to Malaysia and Belgium without the required export license.
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Media greets the F/A-22
Journalists from Utah and Virginia are converging at Hill Air Force Base to cover the F/A-22 deployment there.
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Senators meet with general
South Dakota’s U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson and Sen. John Thune spoke to Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, director of Strategic Security for Air and Space Operations about the future of Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Both men wants to enhance the B-1 missions.
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Industry briefed on new landing system
The Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) program hosted an industry day in Lexington Park Sept. 8 to update industry officials on progress of this new landing system.
The JPALS uses Global Positioning System to replace radar for launch and recovery guidance in all weather conditions.
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Taylor to lead V-22 through production, first fleet operations
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Bill Taylor will assume command of the V-22 Osprey program office today.
He will take over from U.S. Air Force Col. Craig Olson.
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China Offers Nuclear Assurance to Rumsfeld
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld became the first foreigner to enter the command headquarters of China's Second Artillery.
The Second Artillery operates China's arsenal of nuclear missiles.
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RAF Chinooks to help quake relief
Three RAF Chinook helicopters are being sent to Pakistan to assist in the earthquake relief operation.
The first of the Chinooks will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday in a C-17.
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RS-18 missile hits target on Kamchatka range
A RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) intercontinental ballistic missile was fired from Baikonur on Thursday and hit its target on the Kura training range in Kamchatka.
The test was to assess the design life of the missile.
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NAVAIR officer earns Greyhound of the Year
A Naval officer assigned to a program management office has become the first Naval officer to receive the Greyhound of the Year-Pilot/Shore Award.
Historically, the recipient is chosen as the most outstanding C-2 pilot serving in a non-deployable, shore-based squadron, command or staff position.
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Oceana-based Tomcats destroy IED facility near Baghdad
F-14Ds from VF-31 destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) production facility northeast of Baghdad on Wednesday.
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Kazakhstan, Russia discuss aerospace complex
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov meet MiG's general director Alexei Fyodorov to discuss the use of the MiG-31D to launch micro satellites.
The Ishim aerospace project aims to put a 160kg satellite into low earth orbit using a rocket carried up by a MiG-31.
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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Customer requests may lead to 787 tweaks
According to Herald Columnist Bryan Corliss, Boeing is preparing a 777 tanker for the USAF tanker replacement program.
Rumours are that the Pentagon wants a bigger tanker than proposed 767 tanker.
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China testing over 100 short-range missiles annually
China has been test-launching more than 100 missiles annually at its inland bases.
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Helicopter crashes, brigadier safe
An Indian Army brigadier general escape unhurt on Wednesday when the Chetak helicopter he was in crashed.
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Enterprise Flight Deck Open for Business
An S-3B Viking from VS-32 made the first landing on the USS Enterprise in more than a year.
The carrier is in the process of carrying out its flight deck certification.
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Lithuania claiming 30,000 euros for Su-27 crash damages
Lithuanian wants to claim 30,000 euros from Russia for damages caused by the Russian Su-27 crash in the Baltic state in September.
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Airport alert for RAF Tornado landing
An RAF Tornado make an emergency landing at Stornoway Airport on Oct. 18. The fighter was on a training exercise from RAF Lossie-mouth.
A cockpit warning indicated a possible serious overheating problem with the engine.
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Russia Develops Stealth Aircraft Using Plasma Screen Technology
Russian daily Novye Izvestia quoted Anatoly Koroteyev, the head of the Keddysh Research Center, that Russian aircraft industry has developed and will soon start producing stealth aircraft which uses plasma screens.
The Russian technology will reflect radar waves by means of a plasma screen created by a mobile plasma generator.
The generator emits powerful electron beams that ionize the air around the aircraft effectively creating a plasma cloud around it.
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First Japanese-assembled RTM322 engine delivered
The first Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft engine to be assembled by Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been delivered to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.
The RTM322 engine will power the JMSDF’s EH101 helicopter.
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Group of Tuskegee Airmen Flying to Iraq This Week to Meet with Soldiers
Seven Tuskegee Airmen will visit Iraq this week to meet U.S. soldiers and tour Balad Air Base.
The 332d Expeditionary Air Wing now at Balad is the descendant of the 332d Fighter Group, the original Tuskegee Airmen's unit.
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A Super Hornet's Nest
On Jan. 21, a Super Hornet buzzed the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport and executed a touch and go. The pilot's stunt got him into trouble.
Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet terminated his flying status and post him to a desk job in Qatar.
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Russia prepares document on common air defense system with Belarus
Russian defense officials are planning to submit a document to the government for a joint regional air defense system with Belarus.
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Weather, logistics delay relief missions out of Bagram Air Base
U.S. military airdrop missions out of Bagram, Afghanistan to Pakistan have been delayed due to weather and coordination issues.
The first and only airdrop mission so far from Bagram was Oct. 14 when a U.S. Air Force C-130 parachuted about 20,000 pounds of supplies into Pakistan.
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Mountain Home Air Force Base hosts international war games (Free Registration)
German Tornados and Canadian F-18s join American F-16CJs and F-15s for the biennial Tiger Meet at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Squadrons with a tiger or at least a big cat as their theme can take part in the exercise.
The winning squadron gets to host the next meet.
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Turbomeca tests Shakti engine for ALH
Turbomeca has completed the first ground run of its Shakti engine built for the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.
The engine will make its first flight in July next year followed by its certification in December.
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IAF combat fleet down by nine squadrons
The Indian Air Force has reduced its number of squadrons from 39 to 30. This is due to the ageing of the MiG-21s as well as MiG-23s and MiG-27s.
The IAF wants to increase the production of Su-30 aircraft from eight to 12 per year, create another MiG-21 BIS squadron, and also placed an order for additional Jaguar as replacements.
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SAAF receives replacements for ageing fleet
The South African Air Force has received the first four of 30 new Agusta A109 light utility helicopters on Wednesday.
They will replace the Alouette III fleet. Training for the piltos could start in February 2006 at 87 Helicopter Flying School in Bloemfontein.
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Boeing JDAM Wins Australian Competition
RAAF has selected the JDAM weapon system for its AIR 5409 Bomb Improvement Program.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2005
ShenZhou VI Launch Video (WMV)
Video of the first 30 mins launch of Shenzhou VI. In Windows Media Video format.
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Part of French military contingent leaves Tajikistan
Six French Air Force Mirages currently in Tajikistan will leave on Nov. 6. They were there to provide support of elections in Afghanistan.
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Despite Glitch, F/A-22 Begins First Practice Deployment
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron
deployed to Hill AFB with six F/A-22s instead of the planned eight aircraft.
Raptor 41 returned to Langley after a cockpit warning light indicated a malfunctioning avionics cooling system. Another F/A-22 accompanied it back as a precaution.
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Govt unsure aircraft carrier plan can meet deadline
Delivery of U.K.'s new aircraft carrier could be delayed as the Ministry of Defence has not finish assessing the costs and designs.
France will decide by mid-December whether it would build a carrier based on the same design, instead of mid-October as previously expected.
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ThalesRaytheonSystems Receives $120 Million to Deliver Advanced Command and Control Systems for the Swiss Air Force
ThalesRaytheonSystems will provide the Swiss Air Force with advanced Link-16 connectivity for their fighter aircraft.
The upgrade is part of the FLORAKO command and control program.
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T-50 Makes Its Debut at the Korea Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2005
The T-50 Golden Eagle made its aerial debut at the Korea Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, also known as the Seoul Air Show.
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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Former Navy flier pilots Calspan to forefront of flight technology
Lou Knotts, a former USN A-6 pilot, is now president of Calspan Corp., a firm that builds variable stability aircraft.
Calspan's variability stability Learjets are used by FAA to help train pilots how to recover from so-called "loss of control" incidents.
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Northrop Grumman cutting 400 at Linthicum site
Northrop's Electronic Systems division which makes radars for the F-16 will cut 400 manufacturing jobs.
Orders for F-16 radars have been decreasing and production of the new radar for JSF has not started yet.
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Edwards bringing back its air show
Edwards Air Force Base will have its first open house and air show in two years this weekend.
Gates will open at 7 a.m. and flying demonstrations will start at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Chuck Yeager will be doing a heritage flight in a P-51 with a F/A-22 Raptor and an F-16.
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JSF vital for Dutch innovation, says report
A study by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Tilburg University found that participating in the JSF programme will generate over 1 billion dollars for the Dutch economy.
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Breaking barriers, sinking stereotypes
Capt. Nora Tyson, the former commanding officer of the USS Bataan, could be the first woman to command an aircraft carrier.
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Mission system ties in Tigers
Australian's Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters will be getting a local mission planning system called the Ground Mission Equipment.
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Japan considers deployment of radar system to defend U.S. against ballistic missiles
Japan may allow United States to install an X-band radar at Shariki air station in Tsugaru as part of a defense system defending continental United States.
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Russian aircraft manufacturer opens office in China
Sukhoi has open an office in Beijing, China to provide maintenance and upgrade services to the aircraft it shold in that market.
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Russia denies role in alleged Iran missile deal
Speaking to journalists in New Delhi, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov has denied a
newspaper report that former members of the Russian military have been secretly helping Iran make long range missiles.
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Mini-plane Newest Addition to Unmanned Family
The U.S. Army recently began using the Tactical Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for surveillance and intelligence gathering in Iraq.
The 21-inch long Vehicle has a wingspan of 21 inches and can be stored in a 22 inch-long, five-inch diameter tube that can be carried on a soldier's backpack.
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Pilots say Raptor provides advantage
This reporter spoke to a few F/A-22 pilots to understand how they feel about their plane.
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Boeing Completes Successful Boost Test of HyFly Hypersonic Demonstrator
Boeing and DARPA successfully launched a hypersonic strike demonstrator vehicle called HyFly on Aug. 26.
An F-15E launched the vehicle over the U.S. Navy’s sea range at the Naval Air Weapons Center – Weapons Division at Pt. Mugu, California.
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Monday, October 17, 2005
Narrow escape for defence top brass, Russian minister
An Indian Air Force Antonov-32 transport air drop an anti-tank guided missile jeep just three metres away from the Russian Defence Minister who is viewing the Indo-Russian airborne exercise.
Sergei Ivanov praised the IAF saying it was a perfect drop, as the load landed neatly concealed between two dunes.
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High-flying competition
While Lockheed Martin's US101 is viewed as the frontrunner among the helicopters vying for the USAF CSAR mission, the CH-47 is another likely candidate.
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Russians help Iran with missile threat to Europe
Former members of the Russian military have been secretly helping Iran to build up its missile technology.
North Korea missile technology is channelled through Russia to Iran. Iran is trying to build a rocket with a range of 2,200 miles, capable of hitting much of Europe.
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Earthquake helicopter 'heroes'
Villagers in Pakistan are calling the helicopters that bring relief to them angels.
Pakistani pilots have been flying 12 to 16 hour days a day and sometimes at night.
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Quake helicopter crash kills six
A Pakistani Mi-17 helicopter crashed while returning from an earthquake aid mission.
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Rumsfeld likely to touch on arms sales
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is expected to tell Beijing that China's missile build-up against Taiwan as the cause of the increased arms sales to the island.
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US official urges switch to `defense'
Admiral William Fallon, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, urged Taiwan to upgrade its Patriot anti-missile defense system.
Buying defensive equipment will be less provocative to China he said.
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Russian air force to acquire new missile defense system
Russia's air force is to acquire the S-400 Triumph missile system. The first S-400's will go to the regiment of the First Air Defense Corps.
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Move of MSDF planes from Iwakuni to Atsugi eyed
Washington and Tokyo plans to move Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force planes at the Iwakuni Air Station to the Atsugi Air Base.
U.S. Navy aircraft the Atsugi will relocate to Iwakuni Air Station. The move will begin when a new runway being constructed in waters off the Iwakuni base is completed in 2008.
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Navy fighters from Norfolk-based carrier make air strikes in Iraq (Free Registration)
Tomcats onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt carried out air strikes in Iraq last week.
F-14 successfully hit a building in Karabilah while providing ground support. Later two Tomcats performed pre-planned air strikes in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
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Helicopter pilot honored for heroism in Afghanistan
1,000 people gathered at a hangar at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport for a memorial service for Oregon National Guard Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump and Staff Sgt. Tane T. Baum. Both were in a CH-47 that was shot down in Afghanistan recently.
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Harrier destroyed by Afghan rocket
A rocket attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan damaged an RAF Harrier and destroyed another.
The RAF has six Harrier GR7A jets in Afghanistan, one Harrier flew out of Britain on Friday evening to replace the destroyed one.
Colonel Jim Yonts, a spokesman for the U.S. military, told Reuters that both planes were damaged only.
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Colombia - UH-60L MEDEVAC BLACK HAWK Helicopters (PDF)
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Colombia of two UH-60L MEDEVAC BLACK HAWK helicopters.
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Jaguar Pilot Training Comes To An End
Flight Lieutenant Matt D'Aubyn become the last pilot graduate from the Jaguar training in the RAF on 10 Oct. 2005.
He was trained at No 41(Fighter) Squadron Jaguar Training Flight at RAF Coltishall.
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Sunday, October 16, 2005
Rumsfeld making first China visit amid U.S. doubts about Beijing’s intentions
U.S Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld hoped to visit Western Hills command center, China's national military command post, during his first visit to the country.
He will get to visit the administrative headquarters of the Second Artillery, home of China's missile forces.
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RAF officer faces jail over ‘illegal war’
An RAF unit medical officer could be court-martialled after refusing to go to Basra, Iraq as he feels the war is illegal.
He had served two tours in Iraq before.
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Google Satellite Photos Worry India Leader
Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is worried that Google Earth maps could aid terrorists in planning bomb attacks.
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'Thunder Chickens' recognized for safety
HMM-263 was awarded the 2005 Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award for an active duty squadron.
The squadron had flew 10,600 mishap-free flying hours while under the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Iraq.
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Russia eyeing serious chance for deal on MiG-29M : Ivanov
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said that Russia has a real chance to win India's order for 126 fighters.
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Another Chinese spy plane spotted near Japan in September
Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighters scrambled in September after a Chinese spy plane entered its designated air-defense zone.
It was suspected to be carrying out an ELINT mission.
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Jet Ranger fleet grounded after crash
Following Thursday's crash of a Jet Ranger that killed a senior Thai Army commander. The Thai Army's fleet of Bell 206 Jet Rangers have been suspended.
It is now revealed that 70% of Thai Army helicopters were grounded due to budget cuts.
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Saturday, October 15, 2005
Malaysia May Be Offered Updated Super Hornets
Boeing may modify its Super Hornet offer to Malaysia. It might offer the F/A-18F Block 2 to RMAF. Boeing offer the Block 1 to Malaysia two years ago.
Business Development Director for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' International Operations for Naval Systems David J. Schweppe said he was not sure if the updated version of the Super Hornets would cost Malaysia more.
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Futenma solution closer as two governments agree on relocation
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld decided not to visit Japan during his upcoming Asia visit due to a deadlock in discussions with the Japanese over the future of Futenma Marine Corps Air Station.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is to discuss the airfield plan with his Foreign Minister, Nobutaka Machimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda and Defense Agency Director Genral Yoshinori Ono within the next few days.
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Russia, NATO to create system for airspace monitoring
Russia and NATO have joined efforts to create a unified system for airspace monitoring.
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VFA-106 Pilot Rescued Following Ejection
An F/A-18C from VFA-106 crashed about 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14, 60 miles west of Key West, Florida while on a training mission.
The pilot was rescued by a Coast Guard search and rescue boat.
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Blue Angels Say Goodbye To A Pioneer
The Blue Angels flew a six-plane missing man formation flyover during a memorial service for first blue, Roy M. "Butch" Voris.
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Crew safe after RAF Tornado crash
An RAF Tornado F3 crashed into the North Sea on a training exercise at 5.45pm yesterday.
Both crew were rescued in less than an hour.
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Lockheed, Raytheon end feud
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. settled a legal dispute over the upgrade of Distributed Common Ground System.
The ground-station system is used to process intelligence photos snapped by such aircraft as the U-2, Predator and Global Hawk.
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Tanker blast at US Kandahar base
A big explosion rock Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan after eight fuel tankers blew up.
A bomb is suspected to as the cause of the explosion.
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Ace pilot is still just a Maitland boy at heart
David Walker is only the second Australian navy pilot to be flying with the Roulettes.
He used to fly Seahawk and Squirrel helicopters for the navy for eight years.
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Bodies in air crash recovered
In an update to yesterday's Thai Army helicopter crash, it is now confirmed that all four in a Jet Ranger 206 perished in a crash.
Commander of the First Cavalry Division, Maj-General Phairat Thongjattu, was onboard.
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Friday, October 14, 2005
VF-32 and VFA-32
From Gerry Clarke
Last pictures of VF-32 Swordsmen’s F-14 Tomcat Modex 100 BuNo 162916 and their long awaited replacement aircraft the F/A-18 Super Hornet (Modex 131, Cum 139 BuNo 166661). The weather was lousy but we managed to get a few passable photos which have been uploaded to the VF-32 Swordsmen folder. If it had not been for the following VF-32 Swordsman personal retrieving three portable xenon lighting units there would not have been any photos at all; those maintainers are ADC Chief Rodney Thayer, Airman Gibbon, Airman Lopez and Airman Wallace. Last but not least LCDR Maxwell who got permission for me to photograph these aircraft together.
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Raytheon's Joint Standoff Weapon Block II's First Captive Flight a Success
Raytheon's Joint Standoff Weapon Block II (JSOW Block II), successfully flew its first captive test flight Oct. 11 at Edwards Air Force Base on a U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft.
Block II is planned to reduce JSOW unit cost approximately 40 percent.
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Helicopter pilot is Cheney Award recipient
A U.S. Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopter pilot from Fort Bragg, N.C., received the Cheney Award for heroism.
Maj. John Groves brave enemy fire to rescue his downed wingman in Iraq.
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Boeing finance chief says he's staying put
Boeing's chief financial officer, James Bell, revealed that the 767 may not be Boeing's choice for the USAF refueling tanker program.
If the USAF's new requirements are close to the original specifications, the 767 will be the choice.
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NATO plane to ferry goods to quake area in South Asia
NATO dispatched a Boeing 707 on Wednesday to ferry supplies for victims of Saturday’s earthquake.
The 707 is a training aircraft that can be converted to carry cargo and/or passengers.
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India's ace missile to get leaner
India will test its Agni with a composite rocket motor next year. The new motor will reduce the weight of the missile.
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F/A-22 squadron deploys to Hill
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron with their Raptors are deploying to Hill AFB as part of the effort to achieve IOC.
The squadron wants to show that they are capable of a deployment from home , can travel to unfamiliar territory and effectively fly missions in a different environment.
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Nicaraguans to Rumsfeld:Soviet missiles secure
Nicaraguan military officials said their stockpile of about 1,000 Soviet-era surface to air missiles is secure, even though its destruction has been stalled.
Nicaraguan Defense Minister Avil Ramirez Valdivia gave his assurance to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld during a two-day conference.
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Dutch minister insists on cruise missile procurement
Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp wants to arm Dutch frigates with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
A majority in parliament is against the idea.
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Hurlburt Field air commandos get smaller cargo plane
The USAF 319th Special Operations Squadron flies six U-28As, a military version of the Pilatus PC-12, to support Army's Green Berets and Navy's SEALs.
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526th ICBM Systems Wing receives last Peacekeeper
The last Peacekeeper missile to be deactivated arrived at Hill Air Force Base on Oct. 6.
The 526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Wing held a ceremony to mark the event.
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PM’s day out, aboard INS Viraat
India's Prime Minister will will spend a day aboard aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Oct. 15.
Two Delhi-class guided missile destroyers, three Talwar-class figates, three Godavari-class frigates, one Betwa-class frigate and a Kilo-class submarine will provide escort to the Viraat.
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Army Reserve Sending Helicopters to Support Earthquake Relief in Pakistan
12 CH-47 Chinooks, from Bravo Co. of the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, will deploy to Pakistan to support humanitarian relief operations.
They were preparing for Operation Enduring Freedom when the order came to reassign the mission.
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Air Show plane overruns runway
Bill Reesman's Red Bull MiG-17 overshot the runway while preparing for the Miramar Air Show.
The plane was a spare and he was preparing for a Media day flight.
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Last chance to spy on Darwin-bound choppers
Reporter Vikki Campion had a ride on the Australian Army's Kiowa helicopter before it departs Townsville for Darwin.
The Tiger will replace the Kiowas at Townsville.
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Army helicopter in emergency landing
A Thai army helicopter made an emergency landing with a Major Gen. onboard. All onboard are unharmed.
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Russia Not Able to Provide Security for Jet Flights — Lithuanian MPs
The Lithuanian Seim (parliament) has passed a resolution saying Russia is not able to provide security for flights of its military planes.
They demanded that Kaliningrad be demilitarized to prevent further flights of fighters from Russia.
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Tokyo, Washington at crucial stage of talks on U.S. military base realignment in Japan
Tokyo and Washington are at odds over the relocation of Futenma air base in Okinawa.
U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer said Washington is against moving Futenma's functions to Camp Schwab, a U.S. Marine base.
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Resident's fears over plans for RAF base
Residents living near RAF Leeming is concerned that the Typhoons will be noisier than the Tornados that it will be replacing.
Leeming is one of five airbases being considered as potential locations for the Eurofighter.
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TEST FIRING SUCCESS FOR MBDA’S ASTER 30 MISSILE
MBDA’s Aster 30 missile undertook a successful test firing at the French DGA’s Centre d’Essais des Landes (CEL) test range on Oct. 12.
The objective of the test was to successfully intercept a pre-determined target, one of two Mirach 100-5 targets that had been launched.
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
J-10 pictures
These two J-10 photos were posted recently on China Defense Website.
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Soaring with 'Thunderbirds'
A C-130 Hercules leads U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during a flyover of downtown Little Rock, Ark. The Thunderbirds were in Little Rock for the base's 50th Anniversary Air Show on Oct. 7. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Steffen.
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V-22's combat readiness questioned (Free Registration)
The report on the V-22's operational testing masked some key questions about the V-22’s capability to perform in combat and real-world military situations that weren’t adequately answered during the tests.
The report highlights that little realistic testing was done at night and in severe dust environments. It also commented on the aircraft’s ability to conduct aggressive defensive manuevers.
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US Army considers Fire Scout for logistics role
The MQ-8B Fire Scout will be equipped with external cargo pods to ferry autonomously up to 800 lb (363 kg) of supplies deep into enemy territory.
Northrop Grumman is marketing the pods to the US Army, which is procuring the Fire Scout.
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Copters to Pakistan
USAF Transportation Command will airlift 21 CH-47 Chinooks from three Army posts in the United States to Chakala Airport in Pakistan.
They will join eight Chinooks flown in from Afghanistan.
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Officials visit Brunswick Naval Air Station airfield
Civilian officials are visiting Brunswick Naval Air Station to see if it could be transform into an airport.
BRAC voted in August to close the base in six years time.
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IAF steps up rescue, relief operations
The Indian Air Force will deploy 5 of its IL-76 to form an "airbridge" to ferry supplies to Jammu and Kashmir.
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IAF Il-76 conveys relief supplies to Pakistan
India is using a Il-76 to ferry a second consignment of relief supplies to Pakistan.
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F-16C rolls off runway, pilot unharmed
An F-16C from the USAF suffered damaged when it roll off the runway after landing at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
The incident happened on Sunday at 1:45pm. The fighter is from the 482nd Fighter Wing.
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Lithuania to return Su-27 wreckage to Russia after agreement on damages
Lithuania will return the wreckage of the Russian Su-27 as soon as an agreement on repaying damages is reached.
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Seoul Air Show 2005 to Be Biggest Yet
The Korea Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2005 could be the most profitable one since 1996.
The KF-16, F-4E, KT-1 and T-50 will be on display along with 40 aircraft from the USAF.
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No helicopters for earthquake-hit Pakistan: NATO
NATO will not deploy its helicopters in Afghanistan to support relief operations in Pakistan.
However NATO will continue to ferry supplies by airlift to Islamabad.
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RAAF could need 130 new fighters: report (Free Registration)
A study by retired Air Vice Marshal Peter Nicholson and Australian National University doctoral candidate David Connery said Australia could need up to 130 JSFs to counter threats in 2020.
The report recommends five squadrons with 16 aircraft each.
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U.S. keeps Israel out of new fighter-jet development program
Washington is still delaying Israel's participation in its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program until the Knesset passes new legislation relating to security exports.
Both countries recently resolved a crisis over Israel's technology transfer to China.
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TR CSG Offers OIF Air Support
VF-213 and VF-31 along with VFA-87 and VFA-15 flew the first combat mission for Carrier Air Wing 8 on Oct. 6.
More than half of the air wing’s personnel participated in flight operations involving missions over the land and sea.
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Malmstrom Could Lose Nuclear Missiles
Senators from Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota are working hard to keep the U.S.'s nuclear missile numbers from being cut.
A U.S. federal review is underway to assess the stock of nuclear armed missiles.
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Spanish Air Force to receive air-to-ground system Taurus
Taurus Systems GmbH has received the order from Spain for 43 Taurus missiles.
The missiles will arm Spanish F-18s and Eurofighters. Spain is the first export customer.
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VAQ-141 Supports Troops in Al Asad
VAQ-141 along with 13 officers and 50 enlisted men left USS Theodore Roosevelt on Sept. 24 to join Marine Electronic Attack Squadron (VMAQ) 1, based out of Al Asad, Iraq.
They return to TR on Oct. 6 after performing 37 combat sorties with a total of 165 hours of flight time.
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First "New Production" MH-60R Helicopter Arrives at Lockheed Martin
The first "new production" MH-60R helicopter for the U.S. Navy has arrived at Lockheed Martin in Owego.
Lockheed will fit the airborne sensors and electronics for the aircraft.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Raytheon Awarded $45.5 Million for Paveway(TM) Laser Guided Bomb Production
Raytheon has been awarded a $45.5 million contract for the U.S. Air Force's fiscal year
2005 procurement of Paveway(TM) II laser guided bomb kits.
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Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Autonomous System That Delivers Real-Time Surveillance Information to Military Forces in Urban Battle Zones
Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully led the first demonstration of a system that autonomously controls low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver real-time surveillance data to U.S. military forces in urban battle zones.
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EADS to make planes, missiles invisible to the naked eye
EADS is working on developing visual stealth technology Juergen Kruse, head of EADS's camouflage technology unit said.
The technology being investigated will prevent aircraft more than 800 metres away from being seen.
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Air Force steps back from 'code of ethics'
The USAF has withdrawn from use by its chaplain service a code of ethics issued in January 2005 after a lawsuit by a Jewish graduate of the Air Force Academy.
The graduate claims that senior officers and cadets illegally imposed Christianity on others at the school.
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Thales has ended search for business partner - report
Thales SA has decided to give up the search for a possible merger partner according to Handelsblatt.
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Air Force says some weapons programs may be cut
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley on Tuesday said certain weapons programs with "exponential" cost growth and ongoing schedule delays may be canceled.
He did not identify which programs will be canceled but asked if the Space Radar is under the microscope, he said no.
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Officials: Enemy fire caused copter crash in Afghanistan
A CH-47 that crash in Afghanistan on
Sept. 25 was shot down, according to U.S. Army officials.
It was initially thought that the crash was an accident. However early investigations suggests it was brought down.
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Military arrives in Pakistan to assist in earthquake recovery
U.S. Army helicopters from 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 6th Cavalry Regiment have arrived in Pakistan for relief efforts.
The United States is expected to send at least 25 to 30 helicopters to Pakistan.
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Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft engine qualified for NH-90
The Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (RRTM) RTM322 turboshaft engine has been qualified for the NH90 helicopter.
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Kyrgyzstan Says U.S. Can Keep Using Its Air Base for Afghan War
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has secured an agreement from Kyrgyzstan's newly elected president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev for the use of a key air base on its territory as long as needed to support the war in Afghanistan.
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A posh flight to the Nimitz
This Indian jornalist was lucky to board a C-2 for a flight onboard the USS Nimitz off the coast of India.
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IAF pilots to tackle high G-forces
The Indian Air Force will be getting a new human centrifuge for GLOCK training.
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Tuesday, October 11, 2005
U.S. Army Eyes Ground Tests For MERLIN Missile
The U.S. Army hopes to match a low-cost interceptor with the Surface Launched AMRAAM (SLAMRAAM) launcher.
The Multi-service Extended Range Low-cost Interceptor is a dual stage missile designed to destroy unsophisticated cruise missiles and UAVs.
The more expensive AMRAAM would be saved for more difficult targets.
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Boeing opens up Wedgetail interior to show workstations
Boeing has installed workstations in the Wedgetail AEW&C in the second test aircraft, YG202.
The aircraft is to fly to South Korea this month for the Seoul International air show as part of Boeing’s push to compete for Seoul’s long-deferred E-X AEW competition.
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Private finance issues delay Singapore decision
RSAF's acquisition of new primary and advanced trainers will be delayed by three months due to the complexities of a proposed private financing initiative.
Four shortlisted manufacturers have been asked to bring their primary trainers to Singapore in February for a newly added second evaluation in conjunction with the Asian Aerospace 2006 air show.
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Seoul ponders fourth-generation purchase over F-15Ks
South Korea has postponed the decision to buy a follow-on batch of 40 F-15Ks as its pondering a next-generation fighter purchase.
Lockheed is keen to offer the JSF for purchase and is bringing a mock-up and cockpit simulator to the Seoul air show.
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Malaysia looks to lease another two A109s
The Malaysian army has agreed to lease another two A109s from AgustaWestland.
This is to help train pilots for its new army fleet of 11 A109LOH light observation helicopters.
The first A109LOH is expected to arrive in Malaysia before the Langkawi air show in early December.
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Gov't to dispatch GSDF helicopters to Pakistan, provide $20 million in aid
Japan will deploy two or three UH-1s to Pakistan under Japan's international emergency assistance law.
Tokyo has dispatched Self-Defense Forces personnel abroad five times for disaster relief operation under the international emergency assistance law.
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Northrop Grumman Opens EA-18G Aircraft Electronic-Warfare Laboratory in New York
Northrop Grumman has opened a new electronic-warfare systems-integration laboratory that will be used to support the development of the airborne electronic-attack system for the EA-18G aircraft.
Using the lab, the EA-18G team will further develop the new electronic-attack technologies now in Northrop Grumman's ICAP III weapon system.
Labels: EA-18G
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Moscow Arms Assad with a Top-Flight Surface Missile
Syria has purchased 26 Iskander SS-26 "Stone" from Russia using cash.
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Chopper farewell
Australian Army's 162 Reconnaissance Squadron will depart Townsville for Darwin by the end of the month to transition to the Tiger helicopter.
The squadron has been based in Townsville since 1971.
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Combat aircraft decision may pivot on nuclear co-operation
Lockheed Martin's F-16s did not receive a RFP from the Indian Air Force for its 126 fighter purchase.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet will represent America. Indian officials were impressed by Boeing's presentation of their fighter.
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First C-17 with relief supplies arrives in Pakistan
The first C-17 carrying supplies for Pakistan's earthquake had arrived in Islamabad.
The cargo plane took off from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. A second C-17 departed from McGuire Air Force Base.
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Russia to Build Air Base in Tajikistan
Russia is to build an airbase outside the Tajik capital Dushanbe.
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Sand Puts Breaks on Aircraft Carrier
USS Enterprise was involved in an incident Sunday in Hampton Roads.
Tugs were turning it around when it came too close to a sand bar and suck in sand into its condensers.
The system automatically shut down to prevent damage.
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Monday, October 10, 2005
ASDF batteries to get advanced missiles by 2010
Japan intends to deploy 18 Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missiles in 2010.
32 missiles will deployed nation wide from 2011.
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New Mi-171S transport helicopter damaged by hard landing
A new Czech Mi-171S was damaged by hard landing during the recent exercise in Moravia.
The accident occured two weeks ago.
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Nighthawk Stealth Bombers Leave Korea
Fifteen U.S. Air Force F-117s based in South Korea have returned home last week.
The fighters will continue to be deployed in South Korea once a year for training.
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Tanker program under pressure
Budget crunch caused partly by Hurricane Katrina could force the U.S. Air Force to reduce the number of tankers required to replace the KC-135.
This could affect the number of jobs created by EADS if they win the competition.
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Korea’s new F-15s delivered
Star Bulletin interviewed the F-15K crew when they transit at Hawaii to deliver the jets to South Korea.
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Cannon language remains in Senate bill
A U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Bill prohibits the Pentagon from withdrawing any assets from Cannon Air Force Base until a new mission is found for the base.
The BRAC directed Pentagon to look for a new mission for Cannon in August.
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Saudi King reportedly approves 5 bln usd BAE contract; co denies deal struck
London-based weekly the Middle East Economic Digest reported that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has approved a 5 billion dollar plan to upgrade and replace 96 Tornados.
Saudi Arabia will upgrade 64 of the aircraft and replace another 32. It is not known what aircraft will replace the 32. But 5 billion is too little to buy Typhoons or Rafales alone itself.
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Sunday, October 09, 2005
Cope Thunder exercise begins
Cope Thunder has began at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.
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Edwards, DARPA explore new C-17 capability
A C-17 recently tested the extraction of a 65-foot mockup rocket at 6,000ft.
The rocket drop was the first of a series dubbed the Falcon Small Launch Vehicle program. It is designed to develop a new method of putting a 1,000-pound payload into low-Earth orbit.
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Moseley: C-17 'worth weight in gold' in Pacific
Gen. T. Michael Moseley, USAF chief of staff, said basing C-17s in Hawaii will boost Pacific Air Force’s airlift capabilities.
Eight C-17s will arrive in Hickam next year and will be the first overseas basing for the C-17s.
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Panhandle U2 pilot feared he'd be blamed for starting nuclear war
Richard "Steve" Heyser, a U-2 pilot, didn't want to go down in history as the man who started World War III.
The pictures he took over Cuba was used by President John F. Kennedy to declare a naval blockade over Cuba.
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IAF puts up spectacular show on 73rd anniversary
The Indian Air Force celebrated its 73rd anniversary with a flypast and aerobatic display by the 'Sarang' and 'Surya Kiran' teams.
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RAAF apologises for emergency F111 landing
The RAAF has apologised for any inconvenience caused by Friday night's unscheduled landing of an F-111 at Brisbane airport.
The fighter blocked the airport's main runway for more than two hours.
Flights were delayed and some passengers were stranded.
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Blue Angels to honor Voris
The Blue Angels will conduct a flyover at the chapel memorial service for First Blue Butch Voris at Fort Ord, Calif., on Oct. 10.
Lt. Garrett Kasper, Blue Angels team spokesman said, "It is our team’s honor to conduct a flyby, as our final salute to Capt. Voris, and the most fitting way we can pay our respects to the Voris family."
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Raytheon to seek Army cargo plane work
Raytheon together with EADS plans to bid for the Army's $1.3 billion Future Cargo Aircraft program. And that could mean creating extra jobs for Huntsville.
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Japan, U.S. see eye-to-eye on shifting marine unit
USAF F-15s at Kadena will conduct exercises outside Okinawa Prefecture to reduce the noise caused by take off and landings.
They will be based at JASDF bases to conduct joint exercises. The Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Tsuiki Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture and Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido are possible candidates.
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Saturday, October 08, 2005
Special: Military space projects on budget block
The U.S. Congress is battling cost overruns and schedule delays in the nation’s military-space programs by using budget cuts.
Rockets and satellites are costing two to four times more than first estimated.
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Marauders deactivate after 38 years of service
VFA-82 was retired at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Sept. 30.
Closing down VFA-82 is part of a tactical aircraft integration plan to combine Navy and Marine assets.
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Boeing Prepared To Tweak Super Hornet's Offset Programme
Boeing's Asia Pacific Integrated Defense Systems vice president of business development Mark E. Kronenberg said his company is willing to adjust the FA-18F Super Hornet offset program for Malaysia.
The offset programme include biotechnology, health and industrial collaboration between Malaysian industries and Boeing companies.
RMAF had last week indicated their continued interest for the Super Hornet jets but the only thing holding them back was lack of funds.
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Oceana planes unwanted in Fla.
Virginia officials are saying that Florida's aggressive campaign to move Oceana's jets to Cecil Field might be starting to unravel.
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IAF Jaguar crashes, no casualties
An Indian Air Force Jaguar crashed on Friday soon after take-off from Gwalior.
The first Indian Air Force Jaguar crash this year?
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Lithuania to Return Debris of Crashed Russian Fighter
Lithuania is ready to give the wreckage of the crashed Su-27 fighter back to Russia.
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Electronic eyes on wings and rotors: sensors improved for enhanced airborne early warning
China the newest entrant in the AEW market and is the least documented one.
It is carrying out indigenous designs based on the Il-76 and the Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft.
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American, Indian Navies Demonstrate Sea Partnership
Lt. Cmdr. Christian Kidder, Admin Officer VAW-117, said the Indian aircraft carrier operates much like the Americans.
VAW-117 took part in exercises with the Indian navy during MALABAR ‘05.
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Lockheed gets fat contract for F-35 fixes
The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $6.5 billion contract for the additional work required to solve early problems with the F-35.
Lockheed’s share of the F-35 development program is now at about $25 billion.
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Rssn Air Force pilot freed by Lithuania goes to Moscow
Russian Air Force pilot Valery Troyanov, whose Su-27 fighter jet crashed in Lithuanian last month is now in Moscow.
He was released on Oct. 6.
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Beale colonel promoted to general
Col. Larry Wells, commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, was speechless when he was told several months ago that he was being nominated for brigadier general.
Last week the Senate confirmed his normination.
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New Fighter Planes Arrive in Korea
The F-15Ks have arrived at Seongnam Air Base after crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Pictures of its air-to-air refueling over the Pacific are included in the news report.
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Friday, October 07, 2005
VF-32 #101 Update (Video link)
Swordsmen's #101 has arrived safely at Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
Jeff Dalatri and Mike Wallace flew the last flight.
Windows Video
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Tomcat cleared to drop 500-pounder on last deployment
Just days before the F-14's final fleet deployment, the Tomcat was cleared to carry the GBU-38. GBU-38 is the 500-pound version of JDAM.
When VF-213 and VF-31 approached Program Manager Air 241 to clear the GBU-38 for the Tomcat. They program managed to get pilots from VX-23 and VF-101 to clear the weapon.
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Mayor withdraws funding for Navy base reopening
Jasonville Mayor, John Peyton, is withdrawing a $50 million bond package for the reopening of Cecil Field as a Navy jet base.
This is to allow the City Council to study issues ranging from noise to encroachment to economic development.
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Shipping ID system flies high in Hawkeye
The USN will deploy the Universal Automatic Identification System on its E-2C.
It is a navigation aid commonly used by commercial ships exceeding 300 tons.
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Seven illegal aliens arrested for working at Mountain Home AFB
Seven undocumented workers were arrested at the Mountain Home Air Force Base by Federal immigration officials.
They were building housing on the air base.
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Senate Votes to Stop Payment to Uzbekistan
The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to block the payment of $23 million for past use of an air base in Uzbekistan.
U.S. senators wants the Uzbek govt. to be paid only when it shows that it is again willing to work as a U.S. partner.
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Korea, Russia to Start Joint Missile Development
South Korea and Russia has signed a deal to jointly develop medium-range missiles.
Russia will help Korea develop a K-MSAM medium-range surface-to-air missile that will replace its Hawk missiles.
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Boeing Awarded Common Bomber Mission Planning Enterprise Contract
Boeing has been awarded a $153 million Mission Planning Enterprise Contract (MPEC) delivery order for a common bomber joint mission planning system for B-1, B-2 and B-52.
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Bids for new helicopters sought
TheUSAF has release a request for proposals to bid for combat search and rescue helicopters.
141 aircraft will replace aging HH-60G Pave Hawks.
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Book soars into the wild blue yonder
Kim Ponders a female pilot who flew AWACS during the first Gulf War has written a book, "The Art of Uncontrolled Flight."
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Local National Guardsmen in Daring Rescue
An MC-130 of the California Air National Guard carried out a risky rescue at sea.
Three para-rescuers jumped from the plane into the sea and boarded a tanker to render medical help.
The MC-130 also refuel a Pavehawk that can along to pick up the rescuers and their patients.
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Air Force likely to cut number of F-35 purchases (Free Registration)
Tom Burbage, Lockheed's executive vice president for the F-35 program, said the USAF will likely cut the number of JSF it will buy.
However this will not increase the price of the aircraft.
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Lithuania Releases Russian Fighter Pilot
Lithuania has released the pilot of the Russian Su-27 fighter jet that crashed on its territory.
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British rescue team awarded medals by Russian President
The Russian President presented the Order of Friendship medal to RAF Squadron Leader Keith Hewitt who flew the C-17 that was involved in the rescue of Russia seamen trapped in a crippled submarine.
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Blue Angels homecoming announced
The Blue Angels will close the 2005 season at Pensacola Naval Air Station on Nov. 11 and 12.
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MAPS Air Museum
MAPS Air Museum was lucky to get an F-14 for display as several museums in the South were damaged by Hurricane Katrina and cannot take in the aircraft.
Brian Hodges and Ashley Augostini flew the last flight of the VF-32 #115.
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IAF in favour of French or Russian aircraft
The Indian Air Force could stick to buying the MiG-29 or Mirage 2000 for its 126 aircraft requirement.
Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi said "it is difficult for an Air chief to deal with such a diverse fleet of aircraft."
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Iraqi Air Force 101: First they must read English
Members of the Iraqi Air Force have to pick up english when it was decided that aircraft technical orders would not be translated into Arabic.
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Officials: Catastrophic events caused U-2 crash
A inflight failure of the power takeoff shaft of a U-2S lead to a catastrophic, cascading sequence of events that caused its crash.
The aircraft experienced a power loss that caused the pilot to lose situational awareness.
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General Yeager speaks at Smithsonian
Brig. Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, spoke to 500 aviation enthusiasts at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on Oct. 4.
He talk about his career, achievements and opinions.
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Predator C's First Flight Delayed From Late 2005 To Early 2006
Predator C will take flight by the end of 2005 due to a surge in new business at General Atomics.
The C will fly higher and faster and be stealthier than Predator B.
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Deployment of F-15Ks Starts in 2007
South Korean Air Force will gradually phase in the F-15K in 2007. Full deployment is expected in Sept. 2007.
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Boeing delivering F-15K jets
The first two South Korean F-15Ks should arrive in Seoul today.
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Levin: Fighter Programs Likely To Be Cut More
Sen. Carl Levin of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee said that orders for the JSF could be reduced.
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Bell To Simulate V-22 Controlling Eagle Eye VUAV
Bell Helicopter plans to begin conducting computer simulations in the next few months to see whether its Eagle Eye VUAV could be controlled from the V-22 Osprey.
Bell could begin actual flights of the Osprey/Eagle Eye tiltrotor tandem as early as the end of 2006 if the simulations go well.
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Elbit Systems' EFW awarded $57m US Army contract
Elbit Systems subsidiary EFW Inc. will supply aviator night vision imaging system/heads up display (ANVIS/HUD) for U.S. Army utility helicopters and other Pentagon rotary-wing platforms.
The ANVIS/HUD system allows the pilot to fly "head out of the cockpit" during night operations and projecting critical flight information into the night vision goggles’ view.
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Thursday, October 06, 2005
VF-32 #101
This Swordsmen F-14B #101 left Oceana for display at a museum in Kentucky. Gerry happened to be there to take some great photographs before its final departure.
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U.N. helicopters grounded in Eritrea
Eritrea has banned U.N. helicopters from flying them over its territory on Wednesday.
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The Skunk Works - Shapeshifter
LM is sending a message to the industry that its not sitting still the UAV and UCAV business.
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Ex-pilot helps city land shot at opening Cecil
John Leenhouts, a former Navy F/A-18 pilot and Strike Fighter Wing commander, testified to the BRAC in August that pilots would be trained more effectively and safely at Cecil Field than at Naval Air Station Oceana.
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Local Boeing unit delivers 20 aircraft in Q3
Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems programs delivered 20 aircraft in the third quarter.
Eleven were F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, three were C-17 Globemaster IIIs, three were T-45TS Training Systems, two were A-H-64D and the last is a Delta II rocket.
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Three Czech MiGs end up in West Africa, probably in Mali
An unnamed Czech company recently exported three ex-Czech MiG-21s to Mali.
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Strategic Partnership Message From Boeing To Turkey
President of Boeing Turkey Greg Pepin said another two 737 AEW could be purchase by Turkey.
Turkey has ordered four of the AEWs so far.
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Simulated crash a good test or emergency preparedness
Holloman AFB simulated the crash of a F-117 to test the response of the base and local services to an emergency.
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Oceana base commander delays retirement plans
Capt. Thomas F. Keeley, Oceana’s base commander for the past 2½ years, will delay retirement plans in order to save the base.
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Florida officials wrong on homes around Cecil
Florida officials acknowledged that as many as 925 homes around Cecil Field would be in high-risk areas should the USN use it as a fighter jet base.
The finding raised questions about how thoroughly the BRAC Commission studied the base earlier.
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Admiral says Navy will study value of Cecil Field, Oceana
Adm. John B. Nathman, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said an independent contractor will be hired to assess the military value of Cecil Field and Oceana Naval Air Station.
He said this while responding to news reports that Cecil Field had about 1,000 homes in high risk areas.
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Finland's Lapland Air Command bids BAe Hawks farewell
Finland will withdraw the Hawk from operational duties and use them for training only.
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Russian defense minister denies Lithuanian IFF system claims
The Russian defense minister said the IFF system on the Su-27 will self-destruct when the pilot ejects and the plane hits the ground.
He was dismissing reports that Lithuania had recovered an IFF from the wreckage of the Russian Su-27 that crash in Lithuania.
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Army of volunteers keeps Midway museum afloat through successful first year
In its first year of operations as an aircraft carrier museum, the USS Midway has seen 880,000 visitors.
It is the most popular historic Navy ship museum on the U.S. continent.
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ERJ-145 still a candidate for Army’s ACS, Lockheed says
Lockheed will still consider keeping the ERJ-145 as the platform for the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) program.
Marshall Keith, the program manager, said LM have found ways to trade off the weight from the aircraft.
Labels: ACS
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Bell Textron officially joins light utility helicopter competition
Bell will offer the 412 helicopter for the U.S. Army's light utility helicopter competition.
Bell had wanted to submit the 210 but Army IFR requirements forced the company to offer the more expensive 412.
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Ukraine to resume missile tests, four years after commercial airliner downing
Ukraine's army will resume testing its S-200 SAM four years after the accidental downing of a commercial airliner during a military exercise.
A S-200 missile that strayed, shot down a passenger jet over the Black Sea in October 2001.
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Lithuanian Defense Ministry wants $20 million for radar
The Lithuanian Defense Ministry is asking for $20 million for a new air defense radar.
The purchase is link to the recent Russian Su-27 crash.
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Seoul Air Show to Feature Premier Technology
South Korea will showcase its F-15K and T-50 at the Korea Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2005.
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Diggers in secret Afghanistan clash
Australia's Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan called in two RAF Harrier for close air support two weeks ago.
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Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Thailand to launch F-16 work
Thailand plans to begin its Falcon Up upgrade to the first of 18 F-16A/B fighters from next January.
The report also said that the air force has now completed an operational evaluation of the Gripen, Falcon and Flanker. The Flanker was the favourite but lack of funds may push back the purchase.
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Raytheon conducts low-cost DIRCM test
Raytheon has conducted initial tests of a low-cost directional infrared countermeasures using the seeker gimbal and processor from the AIM-9X.
The prototype will seek to demonstrate that it is cheaper, lighter and more reliable than the Northrop system now being installed on USAF transports.
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US strives to resurrect Iraq’s broken air force
The Pentagon wants to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force with the capability to fight insurgents and support ground forces in action.
The Raytheon T-6A/B Texan II could be used as a light attack aircraft.
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Israel’s Flying Dragons roar into operation
The Israeli air force’s new aggressor squadron has conducted its first flights against it’s F-15I and F-16 fighters.
The Flying Dragon is equipped with F-16A/B to offer Red Flag-style combat training.
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Lithuania Says It Seized Friend-or-Foe ID System from Crashed Russian Jet
Lithuanian authorities have found an IFF system from the wreckage of Su-27 crash.
If it is intact and decoded by Lithuania, Russia could be forced to replace the system in all its military aircraft at great cost.
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Cecil opponents demonstrate jet noise
Opponents of the U.S. Navy's return to Cecil Field set up speakers during a demonstration outside City Hall to show how much noise a Hornet creates.
They played recordings of the jets at their actual sound level of 117 decibels intermittently for about 25 minutes.
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Human, procedural errors to blame for Su-27 crash - Lithuanian investigators
A Lithuanian investigation report released Tuesday said the pilot and Russian air traffic control were responsible for the September crash of the Su-27 Flanker fighter in Lithuania.
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US Army seeks to avert cost rise on Lockheed plane
U.S. Army Secretary Francis Harvey is trying hard to avert the increased costs of the Aerial Common Sensor program.
He had asked Army and Navy program officials to re-examine their requirements to ensure that all the avionics being put aboard the aircraft were truly necessary.
He is also confident that Lockheed would work hard to lower the weight of the electronic payloads.
Labels: ACS
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C-5A Galaxy transport lands at its new home
The first of 11 C-5A arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They will replace the 445th's C-141.
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Honeywell Ships HTS900 Engine Installation Prototype To Bell for ARH and 407X
Honeywell has shipped the initial prototype HTS900 turboshaft engine to Bell Helicopter for the U.S. Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.
Labels: ARH
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Northrop Grumman Accepts First Production Unit of New Global Hawk Sensor Suite
Northrop Grumman has completed acceptance testing of the first production version of a new integrated sensor suite for the Global Hawk.
The new sensor package features improvements derived from technology developed and used on the U-2 program.
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Museum to welcome Navy F-14B Tomcat
An F-14B Tomcat arrived at MAPS Air Museum for display yesterday.
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US military moves to cut helicopter accident rates
The U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy will adopt a military version of the airline industry’s flight-operations quality assurance programme.
This is an attempt to cut non-combat accidents. The Petagon wants to have a crash-survivable box that combines the functions of a solid-state flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder for all services.
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AgustaWestland And L-3 Join Forces On Army LUH – Team US139
AgustaWestland will team with L-3 to offer the US139 for the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) competition.
The US139 is a variant of the AB139 twin-engine helicopter.
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Two Gander SAR Techs to receive Star of Courage
Sergeant Derek David Rogers and Master-Corporal Norman Ewen Penny of Canada's Air Force will receive the Star of Courage.
On Sept. 19, 2004, both men risked their lives to save four fishermen from drowning after their vessel capsized near Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, during a storm in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
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Two Mexican air force cadets die in training-flight crash
Two Mexican Air Force cadets were killed when their Cessna crash near the western city of Guadalajara on Tuesday.
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Jordan: Two pilots killed as two planes crash
Two Royal Jordanian Air Force planes collided in mid-air on Tuesday morning.
Only one pilot out of three survived the crash.
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U.S. delivering F-15s to South Korea Air Force
The two F-15Ks heading for South Korea made their stop at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii on Oct. 2.
KC-135 Stratotankers from the Hawaii Air National Guard will refuel the two fighters on their way to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
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Storms may spur cuts in defense (Free Registration)
Hurricane Katrina and Rita could force Washington to cut defense spending further. Lockheed Martin's F-35 is particularly vulnerable.
A key reason the F-35 is vulnerable is that it is still early in the development process.
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Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Singapore chooses GE
Singapore has selected the General Electric F110-129 to power its F-15T fleet. The decision is the same as South Korea which went with GE for their engines for the F-15K.
This prevents the RSAF from being at the mercy of a single engine supplier as the F-16s are powered by P&W F-100.
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日米共同訓練始まる 本島周辺の空域で実施
Tengu provided this info: F-4s from JASDF will face USAF F-15s from Kadena for the joint USAF-JASDF exercise 'Southern Beach' around Okinawa.
The exercise started on the Oct.3 and will last till the 7th.
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India tests surface-to-air missile
India tested its Akash surface-to-air missile three times yesterday.
The first test was started at 12:50 pm from a mobile launcher at the Chandipur-on-Sea testing site.
Two more tests followed within a span of 20 minutes.
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China raises stakes in Japan oil row
Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that one chinese warship trained its guns on a Japanese P-3C on Sept. 9.
The P-3 was there to monintor five Chinese warships that had sailed close to a contested boundary between economic zones claimed by both countries.
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Defence force increases capabilities
The South African Army’s air defence artillery has receive the British Starstreak missiles to equip one battery.
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MAG-31 Squadrons take to sky for missile shoot
U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 115 and 251, and Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadrons 224 and 533 conducted a live missile shoot over the Atlantic Ocean.
AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-9 Sidewinders, and AIM-120 AMRAAMs were fired.
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Gripen for Dubai 2005 - latest generation Gripens to make first public debut
The Gripen will make its first public appearance in the Middle East at next month's Dubai air show.
Saab display pilot Fredrik Müchler will perform the air display using the C version of the Gripen for the first time.
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Fed choppers still flopping
Canada's new Cormorant helicopters require almost as much maintenance as the 42-year-old Sea Kings it replace.
Only seven out of the 15 helicopters are cleared for coastal search and rescue missions.
In a memo prepared by Maj. Alain Robichaud, he warned that maintenance crews might not be able to cope with the workload if all 15 Cormorants are ever cleared for flight.
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US military to reinforce Kyrgyz base after Uzbekistan pull-out
The U.S. military base in Kyrgyzstan will be reinforced after U.S. forces leave Uzbekistan.
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Warner raises doubts about Cecil Field as Oceana fallback
Virginia's Gov. Mark R. Warner said Florida's Cecil Field faces the same similar development challenges with several hundred homes in accident-prone areas.
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90pc of Langkawi expo space taken
More than 90 per cent of the exhibition space at this year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition has been taken up.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Hawk, F/A-18D Hornet and MiG-29N will take part in the flying display.
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Rescue at Kham Duc
Lt. Col. Joe M. Jackson, commander of a C-123 detachment at Da Nang, was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving three combat control team airmen on May 12, 1968.
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BAE Systems declines comment on reports of Dassault competition for Saudi deal
BAE Systems refused to comment on claims that the company faces competition from Dassault to supply the Eurofighter Typhoon to Saudi Arabia.
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Production Begins on New Boeing CH-47F Chinook for the U.S. Army
Boeing has started production for the new CH-47F Chinook heavy-transport helicopter as part of the U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter modernization program.
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EADS North America Expands UH-145 Industrial Team
EADS North America has expanded the industrial team for its UH-145 advanced helicopter with the addition of Sikorsky Aircraft.
The UH-145 will compete for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter competition.
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England Launches New Fighter Review
A fighter review is taking place in Pentagon. Whitney, Bradley, & Brown, Inc. will conduct a study to further cut the future size of the U.S. fighter fleet.
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EADS Eyes a Jump in Stealth Capability
EADS have applied radar-absorbing material to a single Tornado strike aircraft to reduce its radar cross section as part of its stealth research.
The goal is to reduce the Tornado's radar cross section to improve the effectiveness of its towed-decoy.
The Eurofighter Typhoon could benefit from the same treatment.
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What Canadian Forces Transformation means to Canada’s Air Force
Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeley, Director of Air Public Affairs at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, details the changes Canada’s Air Force would undergo in the next few years.
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Monday, October 03, 2005
Snowbirds Welcome to Celebrate 35th Anniversary Season
The Snowbirds are inviting current and past members of 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron to attend the 35th anniversary celebrations from October 13 to 16, at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw.
The 35th anniversary season is dedicated to the memory of Captain Miles Selby, who died December 10, 2004 during a training accident.
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ATG Javelin prototype takes flight
Javelin prototype has successfully completed its maiden flight at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado.
The plane took off at 7:50 AM Mountain Standard Time for a 30 min flight.
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Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi leads skydivers to celebrate IAF’s 73rd birth anniversary
Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, led 73 skydivers to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
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RM518mil combat training centres not built to specifications
The Royal Malaysian Air Force flight simulators based in Butterworth were out of order as the RMAF lack of funds to repair the Hawk and F/A-18 simulators.
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Russia to provide additional documents on crashed Su-27 to Lithuania
Russia will provide Lithuania with another two documents on the Su-27 Flanker fighter that crashed in Lithuania.
The first document was related to the aircraft's identification number and the second was the radar data from the Russian side.
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U.S. ambassador aware of need for improved air security
U.S. Ambassador Stephen Mull said NATO is trying to improve the air defense of the three Baltic states after the recent incursion of a Russian Su-27 into Lithuanian.
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Air-to-air refueling: A tricky operation critical to U.S. air power in Iraq and Afghanistan
Air-to-air refueling over Afghanistan and Iraq is an untold tale that is carried out many times a day, every day.
Every day, 35 tankers dole out around $2 million in fuel over Iraq and Afghanistan, and have been doing so for years.
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Saudi Arabia Denies Secret Arms Talks With Britain
Saudi Arabia yesterday denied press reports that it was in talks with Britain to buy the Eurofighter.
A Defense Ministry spokesman said, "There are no secret negotiations between the two countries on the deal to sell the Typhoon planes."
"But the British side has openly expressed a desire to supply Saudi Arabia with these planes."
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US to sell Pak ‘acquired’ F-16s
According to Indian newspapers, Pakistan Ambassador to U.S. Gen (retd) Jehangir Karamat said that the 77 F-16s it requested will come from a third country and modernise by Washington.
Karamat said Pakistan would be given two F-16s by December followed by supply of 20 in 2006 and the rest 55 in 2007.
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French jets support NATO action in Afghanistan
French Mirage fighters provided air support for ground in southern Afghanistan.
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SKY'S THE
An F/A-18F mark the first appearance of the Super Hornet at the Salinas Air Show.
The jet was from NAS Lemoore.
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IAF moves on $5-bn combat aircraft deal
The Indian Air Force vice-chief Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani said on Friday that the request for proposals for 126 multi-role combat aircraft will be issued any day now.
The five companies that will get the RFP are Dassault (Mirage-2000-V), MiG (MiG-29 M2), SAAB (JAS-39 Gripen) Lockheed Martin (F-16) and Boeing (F/A-18).
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Osprey decision celebrated at Boeing
Boeing employees are glad that the V-22 has entered full production as it will secure their jobs for the future.
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C-5 Avionics Upgrade Enters Key Test Phase
The U.S. Air Force's C-5 Galaxy avionics upgrade program has moved into a key test phase.
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Sunday, October 02, 2005
Houston-Based Fighter Wing Plays Major Role In Hurricane Relief
The 147th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard is facing extinction. The 111th fighter squadron which U.S. President George W. Bush served belongs to the 147th.
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Hundreds of homes predate Oceana or Navy development guides
City records show hundreds of homes in the highest-risk areas around Oceana Naval Air Station were build before it became an air base.
This contradicts BRAC claims that most of the development raising safety concerns around Oceana was approved by the city over the Navy’s objections.
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At 80, warbird aviator plans 'last flight' in P-40 Warhawk
The only P-40 pilot from World War II that is still flying P-40s in air shows will make his last flight in the Warhawk soon.
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IAF donates jet trainer to Mussoorie school
The Indian Air Force has donated an ISKRA Jet Trainer to the St. George's College in Mussoorie.
The school has traditionally graduated students who went on to serve in the military. The jet was donated in memory of those brave alumni's who had laid down their life in the service of the nation.
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Houston-Based Fighter Wing Plays Major Role In Hurricane Relief
The 147th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard is facing closure by BRAC.
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Swan song for versatile C-141 StarLifter cargo plane at Ramstein
Ramstein Air Base, Germany gave a symbolic farewell to the C-141 when it flew 35 wounded soldiers back home.
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Gambling-mad sailor sold MoD computers with missile secrets
Top-secret Royal Navy cruise missile information was sitting in a second-hand store after a rating sold the laptop containing the information to fund his gambling habit.
Three laptops were recovered by the Royal Navy.
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Panel OKs funds for Ellsworth
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an additional $5 million spending to replace old communications equipment in the B-1B.
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Small Diameter Bomb Certified for Operational Test, Evaluation
Maj. Gen. Robert W. Chedister, weapons program executive officer and Air Armament Center commander, certified the Small Diameter Bomb ready to enter operational test and evaluation Sept. 20.
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F-5 takes last flight; RP external air defense down and out
Retired PAF Brig. Gen. Angel Okol Jr., who was the first to fly the F-5 for the Philippine Air Force in 1965, witness the retirement of the fighters at Basa Air Base.
The F-5 last flew in 2002 when an F-5 crashed during an exercise. The rest of the fleet had been grounded since then.
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French threat to BAE’s £40bn Euro fighter deal
The French is pushing Riyadh to buy Rafales to replace its Tornados.
At the same time, the Saudis deny they have demanded the return of dissidents in return for aircraft orders. And they added that British Airways is no longer welcome in the Kingdom.
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Saturday, October 01, 2005
Magazine ad "unleashes hell" for Boeing and Bell
Boeing has apologized for a mistakenly
published ad for its V-22 Osprey aircraft that showed troops rappelling onto the roof of a mosque.
Mary Foerster, vice president at Boeing's defense unit said, "We consider the ad offensive, regret its publication and apologize to those who like us are dismayed with its contents."
Mike Cox, a Bell vice president, said the ad was developed by TM Advertising of Irving, Texas. He added that the Bell employees who approved the ad did not have the authority to approve it.
The ad was computer generated using several photographs. No Osprey actually hover over a mosque. The ad said "It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell." Well it unleashes hell for Boeing and Bell actually.
The furor comes two days after the Pentagon approved full-rate production of the V-22.
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Russia Successfully Tests Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Another Russian intercontinental ballistic missile test. A RSM-50 missile was launch from a Delta-III-class submarine.
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Eurofighter group affirms its commitment
German Deputy Minister of Defense Peter Eickenboom, Italy's Filippo Berselli and the United Kingdom's Paul Drayson met Turkey's Undersecretary for the Defense Industry Murad Bayar Thursday to discuss the Eurofighter program.
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Boeing, Bell Helicopter Asked to Pull 'Mosque Attack' Ad; Magazine Ad ShowsU.S. Special Forces Rappelling Onto Mosque Roof, Says CAIR
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is asking Boeing Co. and Bell Helicopter Textron to pull a print advertisement depicting U.S. troops attacking a mosque.
The ad for the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft depicts soldiers rappelling onto the roof of a building, labeled "Muhammad Mosque" in Arabic. The building has a dome, crescent moon and minaret, all common features of a mosque.
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India to procure 12 more UAVs
India will purchase 12 'Nishant' indigenously-made UAVs for its Army.
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Joint Strike Fighter cuts possible -Lockheed chief
Lockheed Martin Corp.'s chief executive acknowledged that cuts to the JSF program is possible but insisted the project's future was secure.
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Denel reluctant regarding attack helicopter competition
South African helicopter manufacturer Denel had already officially withdrawn from Turkey's multi-billion-dollar attack helicopter competition.
An unnamed official said the program isn't commercially viable for the company.
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S. Korea Developing New Missile
South Korea plans to develop a new surface-to-air missile by 2010 to replace aging Hawk missiles.
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Fighter Jet Simulator To Be Sold To Civilians
Clarks Precision Machine and Tool is making an F-18E flight simulator available to high-end home theater owners.
The simulator is an exact duplicate of the Boeing/McDonald Douglas F-18 Hornet, down to every instrument, switch, dial, and push button found in the real aircraft.
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Americans beat Finns in Polish military pilot training contest
The Finnish Air Force's Training Air Wing lost a bid to train Polish military pilots to the United States.
The Finnish Air Force's goal is to make its Training Air Wing one of the European combat flight training centres.
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F-16 makers meet Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat
A three-member delegation from Pratt & Whitney called on Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force at his headquarters.
They presented a plaque to the Chief of the Air Staff in recognition of flying F-16, for over 100,000 accident-free flight hours.
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Danish Santa Paid for Reindeer's Death
The Danish Air Force had to pay a part-time Santa Claus $5,000 in compensation when its F-16s caused a reindeer to die of heart failure.
The jets flew at low altitude over his farm in Feb.
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‘Tomcat’ Takes Final Bow At air Show
Lt. Jack Tangredi, a naval aviator with the VF-101, flew the solo displays of the Tomcat at Oceana Air Show.
It was the last F-14 Tomcat public flight demonstration.
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