Tuesday, February 28, 2006
VFA-213
Gerry has update the VFA-213 folder with the jet in a new paint scheme.
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Pictures: Heaviest ever Eurofighter Typhoon test configuration flying (Update)
More pictures of Eurofighter IPA3 with four Paveway II, four AIM-120s, two BGT IRIS-Ts and three external fuel tanks.
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Sea King replacement plan behind schedule
Canada's plan to replace its SeaKing fleet with the S-92 is six months behind its original schedule.
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Lockheed-Martin offers refurbished P3C Orions to Navy
Lockheed Martin will offer P-3C Orions with new wing-spans and tails for the Indian Navy's tender for eight Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.
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Marines to Deploy Troubled Osprey Aircraft
The V-22 Osprey will see combat deployment within a year as the USMC activates Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 this Friday.
When they will deploy to troublespots is still kept secret.
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Sofia Set to Sign MiG-29 Fleet Upgrade
Bulgarian MiG-29s will be upgraded soon by RSK-MIG.
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WW II fighter ace Scott dies at 97
Retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott with 22 World War II kills passed away on Monday. He was famous for writing the book, "God is My Co-Pilot."
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Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed designated as next Chief of Air Staff
Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed will replace Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat as next Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force.
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Milestones with missiles:1st FW breaks records, pioneers skills
An F-15 Eagle from the 71st Fighter Squadron fired the longest kill ever recorded for the AIM-9X Sidewinder recently.
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Air Force realigns combat search and rescue ops
USAF active duty combat search and rescue assets is transferring from Air Force Special Operations Command to Air Combat Command.
However PACAF, Guard and Reserve units will remain under administrative control to their respective units until they have been mobilized.
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Navy's No. 2 Leader Says Service Committed To 10 Aircraft Carrier Air Wings
Adm. Robert Willard, vice chief of U.S. naval operations, said the navy is committed to maintaining 10 aircraft carrier wings.
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Norway Faces Apr. 1 JSF Commitment Deadline
Norway could announce its decision to pull out of the F-35 program on Apr. 1. The country needs to give 3 months notice so that it does not have to commit 142 million kroner in development money.
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Monday, February 27, 2006
US may offer 55 new, 25 used F-16s, says report
The Congressional Research Service said the Bush administration may offer up to 55 new and 25 used F-16s to Pakistan in 2006.
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Falkland fear as Argentina steps up show of strength
The Falkland Islands could become a potential flashpoint again as RAF radar defences in the Falklands are being probe by Argentina to assess the time taken by Quick Reaction Alert Tornadoes to scramble.
The Argentinian Air Force has also doubled in size, and is now the largest in South America.
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Bell’s 407 ARH Prepares for First Flight of Production Units
The U.S. Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter's first flight is scheduled for this quarter with limited user testing beginning in August.
The first operational unit will be ready fourth quarter 2008.
Labels: ARH
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Indian, Singapore Navies to Conduct SIMBEX 2006 Exercise
A Singapore Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft is taking part in an eleven-day-long maritime bilateral exercise in the Bay of Bengal with the Indian Navy.
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India to buy more fighter jets for forces
India's MRCA competition may increase its requirement of 126 jets at present to 180-190.
The additional jets would likely go to the Navy.
Labels: MRCA
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Anglo-US defence deals in jeopardy
The Royal Navy may switch from the F-35 to the Rafale M for its two new aircraft carriers.
British Defence Secretary John Reid made the offer to buy the Rafale when he meet French counterpart Michele Alliot-Marie in London on Jan. 24.
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F-22, fighter of the future, set to scream into Tucson
The F-22A will be at the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to practice formation flying with vintage warplanes next weekend.
While the event is not open to the public. A prime viewing spot can be found at the parking lot of the air museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road, between South Wilmot Road and Interstate 10.
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Sunday, February 26, 2006
RAF planes 'at risk' as MoD cancels anti-missile system
RAF C-130Js deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan are using an inferior countermeasures system than the one originally planned.
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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Pictures: Heaviest ever Eurofighter Typhoon test configuration flying
Eurofighter IPA3 shown flying at its heaviest configuration to date with four Paveway II, four AIM-120s, two BGT IRIS-Ts and three external fuel tanks.
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US Air Force may halt Boeing C130 upgrades: analyst
The U.S. Air Force is considering to halt the Boeing C-130 Avionics Modernization Program.
The USAF wants to channel the money from AMP to buying new C-130Js which are cheaper.
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Raytheon's JSOW Program Receives Top Department of Defense Acquisition Award
Raytheon Company's Joint Standoff Weapon program has been awarded the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award.
The Packard award is given to civilian and military organizations that have made highly significant contributions or demonstrated exemplary innovations and best practices in the defense acquisition process.
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Singapore govt reviewing bids for new pilot trainer aircraft
Singapore's Ministry of Defence officially announced that it is reviewing bids for a new trainer to replace the S211.
Among the contenders are M311, T-6B, Super Tucano and PC-21.
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Commander says JFK should be retired ASAP
Adm. John B. Nathman said that the USS John F. Kennedy should be retired as rapidly as possible to free the 2,200 sailors aboard for reassignment.
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U.S. won't ask Canada to join missile defence: ambassador
U.S. ambassador to Canada David Wilkins said United States is not currently planning to ask Canada to join the missile defence program.
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Musharraf visits Chengdu compnay manufacturing JF-17 fighter Craft
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf said the joint development of the JF-17 is a major leap forward in bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan.
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RAF pilot to challenge conviction
A RAF Jaguar pilot who was fined last year for flying his aircraft so low during a stunt that his wing clipped a floodlight tower, has been allowed to challenge his conviction.
Related Article
RAF Coltishall pilot fined over stunt
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Australia ready for next phase of JSF
Lockheed Martin JSF general manager Tom Burbage said negotiations were now underway between F-35 partners to identify the number of planes required to aid production planning.
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Reagan Carrier Strike Group Launches First Air Missions in Support of OIF
F/A-18E Super Hornets from VFA-115 became the first aircraft launched from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan to drop ordnance on enemy targets Feb. 22.
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Phew, that was close!
The New Paper interviews test pilot Gordon James McClymont, currently conducting VIP familiarisation flight on the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer at Asian Aerospace 2006.
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The Navy’s Swimming Spy Plane
Popular Science is running a story about Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works' Cormorant UAV. Pictures included.
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Friday, February 24, 2006
MND to resubmit bid to buy anti-missile batteries in 2007
Taiwan's military will resubmit its proposal to buy PAC III anti-missile system to the Legislative Yuan next March.
The purchase of P-3Cs is still proposed in this year's budget.
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Congress expected to approve Skyhawk sale - Goff
New Zealand Defence Minister Phil Goff told Parliament yesterday that the U.S. Congress is expected to approve the sale of Skyhawk and Aermacchi fleet next month.
Related Article
Surplus aircraft sold
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Battle looms over Pentagon plan to cut B-52 bomber force
Officials from Louisiana and North Dakota are preparing to battle Pentagon from slashing the B-52 fleet.
The Quadrennial Defense Review recommends reducing the fleet from 94 B-52 H-model planes to 56.
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Raptor Capabilities Present New Challenges
Approximately 18 F-22As will see depot maintenance at Hill Air Force Base this year.
The lighting system for night, air-to-air refueling system will be upgraded.
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General Atomics joins Canada drone chase
General Atomics' Aeronautical Systems unit will team with General Dynamics Canada to pitch the Predator B UAV to the Canadian military.
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AA 2006: Raytheon confirms AESA package for Singapore F-15SGs
Raytheon has confirmed that the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar will be ordered for the F-15SG.
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Cruise missile unit deactivated at Fairchild
The USAF 2nd Support Squadron has been deactivated. It was the last unit assigned to support B-52 bombers at Fairchild Air Force Base.
The unit has stored and maintained cruise missiles at the base for use by B-52 bombers for the past 12 years.
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Boeing tries to keep C-17 alive
Australia, Sweden and Norway could help extend the C-17 production line if the sales goes through.
John Sams, Boeing vice president for mobility programs, told Reuters that Australia was interested in four, Norway four and Sweden two.
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Boeing Completes P-8A Weapons Separation Wind Tunnel Tests
Boeing has successfully completed P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) weapons separation wind tunnel tests.
The tests validated that torpedoes, missiles and naval mines, will safely separate from the aircraft when launched during flight.
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Bangladesh to buy 16 fighter planes from China
Bangladesh will purchase 16 fighter aircraft from China for $94 million, Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed said.
The minister didn't give details of the type of planes that were being bought.
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Boeing GMD Team Launches Target, Tests Upgraded Radar
A Boeing-led industry team and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have successfully tested a newly upgraded radar at Beale Air Force Base.
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Operational Raptors fire first missiles in evaluation program
Two F-22A Raptor pilots from 27th Fighter Squadron fired air-to-air missiles Feb. 14. It was the jet's first official air-to-air weapons system evaluation since becoming operational two months ago.
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Thursday, February 23, 2006
Russian Knights aerobatic team to fly through Tianmen Cave
The Russian Knights will fly their Flankers through the Tianmen Cave, a natural mountain-penetrating karst cave hanging on the cliff of Mt. Tianmen in Zhangjiajie, China in mid March.
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Recorder call follows fatal crash
A British Army board of inquiry recommends the installation of voice recorders in all Army aircraft following the investigation into a fatal helicopter crash three years ago.
The board said it could not establish the cause of the accident due to the lack of a voice recorder.
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Musharraf to inspect Sino-Pak fighter jet
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will inspect the JF-17 when he visits Chengdu, China today.
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Afghanistan opposes missile names
Afghanistan has asked the Pakistani to stop naming its nuclear missiles after the heroes of Afghan history.
Ghaznawi, Abdali and Ghauri are Muslim conquerors who defeated Hindu rulers and governed parts of what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
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Hornet pilot recovered after crash
An F/A-18 Hornet from VMFA-122 crashed into coastal waters near Key West, Florida, around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The pilot was safely recovered.
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First three Russian choppers arrived in Venezuela
The first three of 10 Russian Mi-17V5 helicopters has arrived in Venezuela on board an Antonov An-124 Tuesday.
Another three are expected to arrive in Venezuela in May-June.
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U.S. Air Force awards Lockheed Martin $68 million contract to provide C-130J Weapons Systems Trainers
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $68 million contract to provide Weapons Systems Trainers (WST) to support the service’s C-130J and the U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J aircraft.
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Indo-US naval exercise off Sri Lanka coast
INS Viraat and USS Ronald Reagan carried out a full-fledged, joint-maritime war game instead of a simple passage exercise off Sri Lanka on Sunday.
F/A-18 Super Hornets carried out dissimilar air combat manoeuvres with Sea Harriers and cross-deck helicopter missions were done with Sea Hawks and Sea Kings.
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Warner flips on aircraft carrier policy
U.S. Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has reversed his position and support the retirement of USS John F. Kennedy.
Warner had earlier rejected moves to retire the carrier but he explains that his recent change of position was that the money used to maintain Kennedy could be better used to growing the size of the overall Navy fleet from 281 to 313 ships.
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New Mexico Air Force base at crossroads
Nex Mexico officials hope that the F-22A will fill the void left by the F-117A in two years time at Holloman Air Force Base.
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Second C-17 arrives at Hickam
Hawaii's second C-17 arrived at Hickam Air Base Feb. 21 carrying 30 civic leaders and two Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Korea high: T-50 flight test
Peter Collins became the first non-South Korean to flight test the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. This is his flight test report.
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From Hawaii, C-17’s fly first contingency response mission
Hickam's brand new C-17 suffered a technical glitch while its was being prepared to ferry relief supplies to Philippines.
Another C-17 from Charleston Air Force Base training in Hawaii was quickly substituted for the flight and a split crew of active-duty Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron and Guardsmen from the Hawaii ANG’s 204th Airlift Squadron departed Feb. 20.
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Missile-shield nose cone ready for testing
Japan and the United States will jointly test a new Japanese nose cone on a SM-3 missile next month.
The joint test, to be held off Hawaii sometime around March 9, will see the missile being fired from USS Lake Erie.
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Norad to be expanded to include maritime surveillance
Canada will sign a new NORAD treaty within months that expands the air-defence agreement with the United States to include maritime surveillance.
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中国、日本の防空識別圏へ侵入急増 偵察活動を既成化
Sankei Shimbun reported Tuesday that China has increased its aerial surveillance within Japan`s air-defense zones this year.
The Chinese reconnaissance aircraft, mainly flying over gas fields in the East China Sea, are carrying out electronic surveillance of Japanese airborne and ground radars.
The JASDF has carried out 30 scrambles in recent months over the intrusions.
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Germany sends in military to fight bird flu outbreak
Germany deployed its Tornado jets to combat the spread of bird flu in the north-east of the country.
The planes would collect data on places where large numbers of dead birds were located in order to aid collection.
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Allouette Crash Not Due To Technical Problem
RMAF chief, Gen Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Zainal, has ruled out technical faults as the cause of the Allouette helicopter crash at the Army Air Base, Kem Mahkota, Kluang Monday.
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Helicopter wreck probed for clues on fatal crash
The Greek Army has recovered the wreckage of a UH-1H that crash in Pella, northern Greece, on Monday night.
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Gripen International sees 2006 as key year for JAS 39
Gripen International will be contesting in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Switzerland this year when the countries shop for new fighters.
The company also feel that Denmark and Norway are serious on buying the JAS 39.
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Pakistan Air Force aircraft Crashes; Pilot ejects Safely
A Pakistan Air Force F-7 fighter crashed near Jhang on Tuesday while on a routine training mission. The pilot ejected safely.
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French firm offers Rafale to IAF
Besides offering the Rafale to India, the French are keen to put India's Kaveri engines on the Rafale.
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Russia, Jordan discuss aircraft deal
Jordan and Russia have been discussing a major military aircraft deal.
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Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Brief Indian Navy on Hawkeye 2000
Representatives from Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy gave detailed technical briefings in December about the Hawkeye 2000 to officials of the Indian Navy.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Allouette Crash: Pilots, Quartermaster Safe
From Donny Chan: A Malaysian Army Allouette helicopter crashed in the runway at the Mahkota Army Camp in Kluang, Johor on Monday.
The two pilots and the quartermaster suffered internal injuries.
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Norway Signs Contract for Boeing JDAM
The Royal Norwegian Air Force will the 14th International customer for the JDAM.
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First F-35 Exits Lockheed Martin Factory, Prepares for Testing
Lockheed Martin has completed assembly of the first F-35 aircraft and moved it out of the factory in preparation for an intensive period of ground testing.
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Fears radar dome affecting cars
Beitish motorists are complaining that a radar dome in Norfolk is causing electrical problems with cars.
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British Hawk to get Indian avionics
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is preparing to install new indigenous avionics on the Hawk MK132 that the Indian Air Force purchased.
The avionics includes a new instrumented landing system, a Global Positioning System and an Altitude and Heading Reference system.
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Turkey to decide this week on purchase of Arrow missiles
Turkey is to decide this week which missile defense system will be purchased. The Patriot, Arrow and S300 are in the running.
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Relief for stretched Hercules to cost $2b
Australia is expected to announce its decision to buy at least four C-17s to relieve pressure on its overworked fleet of C-130s.
The key decision that allow the C-17 to beat the A400M is that the Globemaster is the only one that can carry the M1A1 Abrams battle tank that Australia is buying from United States.
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Time running out on Canada's Hercules planes
For the second time in the past year, Canada has taken a C-130 off flying as it has run out of flying hours.
The rest of the C-130s are available for flights only 60 per cent of the time due to necessary maintenance.
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Europe's EADS to seek Eurofighter contract in India
Thomas Enders, EADS's co-chief executive officer, said his company will submit the Eurofighter Typhoon as a bid for India's MRCA competition.
Labels: MRCA
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Dassault Aviation will not take stake in EADS
Charles Edelstenne, chief executive of Dassault Aviation, said his company will not bid for an order for 126 fighter planes from the Indian Air Force.
He said that Dassault could propose its Rafale to the Indian government, once the tender has officially been opened.
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Navy pilots debate taking $125,000 bonus or running
The U.S. Navy is offering a $125,000 bonus to its aviators and flight officers in a bid to retain them.
Those who take up the offer will have to sign a five year contract.
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AA 2006: FanTail 5000 prototype flight set for March
ST Aero is expecting to fly a prototype of its FanTail 5000 VTOL UAV for the first time in March.
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Monday, February 20, 2006
US military to open light cargo plane contest
Brig. Gen. Stephen Mundt, director of the U.S. Army Aviation Task Force, said the Army and Air Force expects to kick off a competition to build 145 new light cargo airplanes in early March.
The services hope to pick a winning bid in early December, with an eye to fielding the first new aircraft by 2010.
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Key for Raytheon: Tout trainer aircraft
The T-6 Texan II is an important product of Raytheon's military business.
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US aircraft carrier arrives
USS Ronald Reagan and its support ships has arrived in the Persian Gulf.
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Sunday, February 19, 2006
Missile defence too costly for Canada, says U.S. expert
Philip Coyle, who was an adviser to U.S. residents Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, said Canada should participate in America's missile defense program due to spiraling costs.
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Al-Qaeda Planned Missile Attack on Incirlik Air Base
Al-Qaeda is planning a missile attack on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.
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10 troops killed in chopper crashes are identified
Two USMC CH-53E that went down during a training flight Friday in the Gulf of Aden claimed ten lives.
Eight of them were Marines and two were from the USAF.
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Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable missile
Pakistan test-fired a Hatf-II Abdali short-range surface-to-surface missile. The Abdali missile has a range of 200 kilometers and can carry nuclear and conventional payloads.
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E-2C Hawkeye reported landing gear problems (Free Registration)
A E-2C Hawkeye declared emergency over NAS Norfolk on Feb. 17, the plane however was able to land safely after circling for 15 mins.
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Honorary Pilot Wing for Pakistan Chief of Air Staff
Sultan of Brunei Darussalam has awarded the Royal Brunei Air Force Honorary Pilot Wing to the Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat.
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Two US Marine helicopters crash off Africa coast
Two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 crashed in Africa off the coast of Djibouti and two are found alive.
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Saturday, February 18, 2006
Air Force Plans to Sell F-22As to Allies
Senior USAF and Lockheed Martin officials are considering selling the prized F-22A to trusted U.S. allies, with Japan viewed as the most likely buyer.
A Japanese defense official also confirmed that the JASDF has approached the USAF and Lockheed about buying the aircraft.
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China's Nuclear Forces
Imaging Notes has made available an exclusive preview of a report on China's limited nuclear capabilities. The report was written with the help of commercial imaging satellites.
The report will be published by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Federation of American Scientists later this year.
It contains photos of China's strategic bombers and fighters and an air base with a runway emerging from the adjacent hill.
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Air Force aims for fresh image with public affairs overhaul
U.S. Air Force chief of staff, Gen. Michael Moseley, is boosting the public affairs department in a bid to improve the image of the USAF.
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Boeing joins Israeli anti-missile venture
Boeing has teamed with Israel Aircraft Industries to pursue a contract to develop a short-range ballistic missile defense system for Israel.
Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense (SRBMD) project will defend the country from missiles and long-range artillery rockets.
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Hawai'i Guard general bringing in second C-17
Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, head of the Hawai'i National Guard, will fly in Hawai'i's second C-17 on Tuesday.
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Navy suspended flight operations on Kennedy
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw is unhappy that the USN has suspended flight operations on the USS John F. Kennedy.
Navy Secretary Donald Winter had told him that the arrest gear motors could fail at any moment and endanger pilots attempting to land on it.
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Nederlandse F-16's onderscheppen Boeing 737 van SAS
Two Dutch F-16s intercepted a SAS Boeing 737 that lost contact with air traffic control.
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Nimitz Prepares Pilots for the Fleet
USS Nimitz recently returned to sea to help thirty fleet replacement pilots from four fleet replacement squadrons performed daytime and nighttime landings in the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F/A-18C Hornet and EA-6B Prowler.
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Shell defends use of airfield for attack base
Oil giant Shell has defended its decision to allow a Nigerian Mi-35P to use its Osubi airstrip in Warri to carry out military operations against rebels.
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US Army exec rewards finder of spy plane
U.S. military officials gave P50,000 to a Philippines farmer who found their UAV that went missing on Feb. 10.
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US admiral speaks on aircraft deal
General Paul V. Hester, Commander U.S. Pacific Air Forces, said Thailand should look beyond pricing when it buys a new fleet of fighter.
He added that the aircraft's capacity to upgrade and interoperate with fighters from other nations in the region is important.
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Friday, February 17, 2006
Air Force test launches unarmed Minuteman missile from Vandenberg
A Minuteman 3 was launched on Thursday and its dummy warhead hit it target at the Kwajalein Atoll after 30 minutes.
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Pak lodges strong protest with India over violation of airspace
Pakistan is unhappy that an Indian Dornier maritime aircraft violated its airspace and Exclusive Economic Zone.
The aircraft made several low passes over a Pakistan vessel on Feb. 13.
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Thunderbirds to hold change of command
Lt. Col. Kevin J. Robbins will replace Lt. Col. Michael J. Chandler as commander of the Thunderbirds.
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Sale: Aircraft carrier (with Ferris wheel)
Former flagship of Russia's Pacific fleet, Minsk, is put up for sale after the company that owns it went bankrupt.
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Kunsan's Wolf Pack honored for 'outstanding' accomplishments
The USAF 8th Fighter Wing, Wolf Pack, has received the Air Force's 2005 Outstanding Unit Award for its performance from October 2003 through September 2005.
Being the first unit in the Pacific to install and use the Sniper XR targetting pod was one factor that helped clinch the award.
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Thermal-Nuclear Bomb on show
A Hunting Engineering WE 177 Type B Thermo-Nuclear device is on display at Yorkshire Air Museum.
The type was the last RAF aerial nuclear bomb.
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Directed energy lasers - fact or fiction?
High-energy laser weapons: fact or fiction? Let Bill Sweetman explain to you.
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C-130 cost issue raised in Senate
U.S. Sen. John McCain vows to block the nomination of Michael Dominguez as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness until Senate Armed Services Committee fully investigates the Air Force's handling of the C-130J transport contract.
Michael Dominguez was once serving as acting Air Force secretary and he had assured McCain that the program would be restructured from a commercial to a military contract to allow greater scrutiny.
But McCain said there were no movement in the process.
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India looks to acquire UK Sea Harriers for training
India is seriously considering United Kingdom's offer of eight second-hand Royal Navy Sea Harrier for use as training aircraft.
India has not decide on buying six or eight aircraft but the AMRAAM capability will be removed if the sale goes ahead.
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Bush urged to back fighter jet
British shadow defence secretary Liam Fox will urge U.S. President George Bush not to scale back the development of the F-35B which is important for the Royal Navy's new carrier.
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Pentagon study dodges questions, gets credit for answers
The 2006 quadrennial defense review was suppose to answer the question of how many F-22As should the USAF buy.
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Buyers make a beeline even before BrahMos induction
Ten countries, including two from South America and two from the Far East, are interested in India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
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Stealth jets bound for 'boneyard'
Most of the 52 F-117A Nighthawks that the USAF plans to retire will go to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
One or more may end up in museums.
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A new plane built at L.B. C-17 plant?
Boeing's CFO James Bell created a mini-controversy on Tuesday when he told investment analysts that Boeing was considering Long Beach as a place to build KC-767 tankers.
But those comments angered lawmakers in Washington state and Boeing had to assured them that the tankers will be build in Everett.
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NAS Fallon’s TOPGUN, NSAWC near 10 years of service
Sunday marked the 10-year anniversary of the groundbreaking for the current Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at NAS Fallon.
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Northrop Grumman Increases Endurance of MQ-5B Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Helping U.S. Army Watch Battlefields Longer
Northrop Grumman has stretched the endurance of the MQ-5B Hunter UAV to more than 21 hours.
Northrop Grumman accomplished the endurance increase by adding fuel capacity to the Hunter's center wing area and increasing the efficiency of the air vehicle's heavy fuel engine.
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F-15K Releases Multiple JDAMs for Integration Test
An F-15K simultaneously dropped three Mk-82 JDAMS during testing at Eglin Air Force Base.
These were the first guided releases of JDAM from an F-15K.
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BAE Systems Detailing UCAV Research Efforts
BAE Systems is beginning to detail previously classified UCAV efforts including a UCAV demonstrator, dubbed Raven.
Two Ravens were build and flown in Australia at the Woomera Range.
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GW Returns to Norfolk
USS George Washington retuned to Norfolk Feb. 16 following a two-and-a-half week underway.
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Thursday, February 16, 2006
TR Traps Last Tomcat from Combat Mission
Blacklion's aircraft 204 is the last F-14 to be trap from a combat mission. CAG Capt. William G. Sizemore II made the trap on Feb. 8 at 12:35 a.m. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tony Foster.
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Boeing says Long Beach focused on C-17 line, not tankers
Boeing currently has no plans to build 767 tankers from its Long Beach plant if it wins a USAF tanker contract.
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EADS 'British' advert banned as misleading
EADS has been told to stop running an advertisement picturing the Airbus A330 tanker which uses the slogan "I am British."
The UK Advertising Standards Authority said the ad gives the impression that the company is U.K.-owned.
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IAI gears up for Asian Aerospace Expo
Israel Aircraft Industries is preparing for the upcoming Asian Aerospace where its Heron UAV will be part of the flying display.
It will showcase its I-View tactical UAV and Bird Eye mini-UAV at the show as well.
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Unmanned Little Bird: Two More to Come, Soon To Fly As UAV.
Boeing will have two more manned/unmanned versions of it’s A/MH-6 Little Bird UAV this year and is giving it a A/MH-6X designation.
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Sea King chopper set to be replaced
Australia will accelerate plans to replace its ageing Sea King helicopter fleet this year in the wake of the crash on the Indonesian island of Nias.
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CSAR-X Bidders Asked About $849M Boost, Testing
The U.S. Air Force has asked bidders for the CSAR-X program to amend their proposal documents to discuss how they would spend a proposed $849 million over five years.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Grand Forks base planning 'Tanker Olympics'
Grand Forks Air Force Base will be hosting its version of the Winter Olympics when 60 athletes from tanker bases across the country compete there on Feb. 24.
Airmen from five air refueling bases will compete in such events as races and rock climbing.
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2 weeks before Bush visit, Ronald Reagan teams up with Viraat
A little bit more information on the passage exercise between USS Ronald Reagan and INS Viraat.
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Attacks on Iran must remain an option, say Tories
British Conservatives wants the Labour government not to rule out military strikes against Iran.
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Russia to reinforce Kyrgyz base
Russia will double the number of aircraft and personel at Kant Air Base in Kyrgyzstan.
The base also hosts the USAF operating its aircraft in and out of Afghanistan.
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France to offer Rafale figher in place of Mirage
French President Jacques Chirac is expected to formally withdraw the Mirage 2000-5 for India's MRCA competition and replace it with the Rafale when he makes an official visit Feb. 19.
Labels: MRCA
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GE, Rolls-Royce rev engines against Joint Strike Fighter program decision
Several members of Congress will be questioning the Pentagon's decision to kill the F136 engine.
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Four carriers to operate in Pacific this summer
The U.S. Navy will hold one of its biggest naval exercises in the Asia Pacific this summer with four aircraft carriers in three military maritime exercises.
One of the carriers will come from the Atlantic fleet.
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CNO: Keeping JFK Would Eat $2-$3B From Shipbuilding
The U.S. Navy's chief of naval operations said keeping the carrier JFK floating would cost $2-$3 billion over the next five years.
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Chirac orders 'toxic' ship home
French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday ordered the retired aircraft carrier Clemenceau back to French waters after its highest court ordered her to stay out of Indian waters, pending a suit by environmental campaigners.
There will be an inquiry to clarify how much asbestos had been removed after a 30-tonne discrepancy emerged between the amount of asbestos said taken off the Clemenceau and the amount weighed by disposal teams.
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USS Roosevelt Coming Home!
USS Theodore Roosevelt is on its way back from a 6-month deployment and the last F-14 combat cruise.
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Top U.S. cruiser Japan-bound
The U.S. Navy plans to deploy its most advanced missile defense cruiser to Japan later this year.
The USS Shiloh is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser.
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EPA issues permit to sink aircraft carrier off Panhandle
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the green light to sink USS Oriskany off Pensacola Beach in May.
The target date for sinking the ship is May 15.
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Prototype Global Hawk flies home after 4,000 combat hours
Global Hawk Air Vehicle No. 3 prototype is making its way back to Edwards Air Force Base.
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Basic instinct
Flight International has a detailed article on Singapore's selection of a new basic trainer.
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Sea King seats were not crashproof
The Australian Navy lifted its ban on carrying passengers on Seakings in 2003 after deciding that installing crashworthy seats were too costly and difficult.
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C-17 halt to cost $8.4B
A study by the U.S. Department of Commerce found that closing the C-17 production line would costs the economy $8.4 billion and eliminating more than 25,000 jobs nationwide.
With 702 suppliers in 42 states, the elimination or suspension of C-17 production would affect the entire country, the report concluded.
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EDO to Develop Weapon-Release System for Predator UAS (PDF)
General Atomics has awarded a contract to EDO to design a weapons carriage-and-release system for the MQ-9 Predator drone.
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China rejects charges on covert agents in US
China has rejected claims that its using spies to illegally import an F-16 jet engine, Blackhawk helicopter engines and cruise missiles.
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Air Force drafts new plane contract to meet Hill demands
The U.S. Air Force has finished drafting a new contract for the C-130J. The existing commercial contract will be changed into a traditional contract that requires the military to report cost and price information to Congress.
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Falcon eyes roam Iraqi skies
USAF F-16s are using their Litening pods to carry out non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, or NTISR over Iraq.
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Italian Eurofighter Typhoons Providing Air Cover for Turin Winter Olympics
Eurofighter Typhoons from the Italian Air Force are providing airspace air defence coverage above Turin during the Winter Olympic Games over the next two weeks.
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RMAF Sees Indonesian Plane Suitable For Maritime Patrol
Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Jen Datuk Seri Nik Ismail Nik Mohamed said the CN-235 is suitable to patrol the Strait of Melaka and Malaysian waters.
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Tyndall’s 2nd Fighter Squadron Receives Honor
The USAF 2nd Fighter Squadron will be honor by Boeing Precision Engagement and Global Mobility Systems Business Development for their longstanding safety record.
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Still nothing done to fix chopper fear of the dark
More than two years after they were delivered, Australia's Super Seasprite helicopters still cannot fly in IMC.
Labels: Super Seasprite
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Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Asian Aerospace 2006
The M311 and Texan II continues their demonostration flights today at Seletar Airport in the morning and afternoon. Rumour is that they will be joined by the Pilatus PC-21 soon.
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France signs delayed deal for Neuron UCAV demonstrator
France’s DGA procurement agency last week awarded Dassault a contract to co-ordinate the Neuron UCAV demonstrator.
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McChord to increase nighttime training
There will be a 20 percent increase in nighttime training by C-17s at McChord Air Force Base as base officials conduct new training to better prepare pilots for wartime.
Pilots will perform maneuvers that they will need to avoid such threats as gunfire and antiaircraft rockets.
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Legacy fleet pays the price
The USAF will sacrifice one quarter of its fighter aircraft to preserve its F-22A Raptor and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter program.
It will begin by cutting the F-117A fleet and some O/A-10 that are excluded from a re-engining and re-winging upgrade program.
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Pentagon Likely to Cut V-22 Buy
The U.S. Navy could cut the total number of V-22 it plans to buy over the next several years, even though the 2007 budget request to Congress suggests otherwise.
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EADS Is in Talks With Chile About A400M Transport-Plane Order
EADS expects Chile's government to place the third export order for three A400M soon.
Sweden, Norway and Australia is negotiating to buy the transport as well.
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Little Bird demonstration to grow
Phantom Works plans to demonstrate in-flight control of its Unmanned Little Bird helicopter from the cockpit of a UH-60 Black Hawk.
The demonstration will reuse systems originally developed for the army’s airborne manned/unmanned system technology demonstration (AMUST-D).
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Orbital Receives 19-Vehicle Production Contract From U.S. Navy For "Coyote"
Orbital Sciences Corporation has received the first full production order from the U.S. Navy for 19 GQM-163A "Coyote" Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) missiles.
This is the program's first full-rate production contract.
Labels: SSST
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Voinovich to fight for GE contract
U.S. Sen. George Voinovich vowed to fight for GE's F136 engine despite it being dropped from the latest defense budget.
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Israeli firm set to supply new surveillance system
South Korea has selected Elbit subsidiary El-Op for electro-optical surveillance system for its F-15K.
El-Op beat competition from Raytheon and ROI of the US Thomson of France in the tender.
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Final Body Join -- Italy No. 3
Italy's third KC-767A tanker has begun its body join at Boeing's Everett assembly plant on Monday.
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Seoul Mulls Over Purchase of US Patriot Missiles
South Korean Air Force asked Lockheed Martin for the pricing and availability data for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile systems last November.
The defense giant is expected to provide the information by next month.
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Iran launches new surface-to-air missile production
Iran has started mass production of a new man-portable low- to very-low-altitude surface-to-air missile called the Mithaq-2 on 6 February.
The shoulder-launched Mithaq-2, believed to be a short-range passive infra-red missile developed by the Iranian Defence Ministry's Shahid Kazemi Industrial Complex.
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India details wide-ranging wishlist
India is in the market shopping for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters and long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The Indian Navy will seek proposals for eight maritime reconnaissance aircraft and 16 ASW helicopters.
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New delay puts £13bn air tanker deal at risk
The British AirTanker program is at risk of being delay as talks between EADS and British MoD is taking longer than expected.
A senior executive at one of the companies in the consortium said there was still a chance the PFI talks could fall apart.
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Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk UAV Achieves Military Airworthiness Certification: A First for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The RQ-4A Global Hawk has received its military airworthiness certification and the Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Brazil to Buy Saudi F-5 Jets, Make Missiles With S. Africa
Brazil will buy 9 ex-Saudi F-5s for $24million according to a leading Brazilian newspaper.
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Monday, February 13, 2006
Asian Aerospace 2006
The Raytheon T-6 Texan II is in Seletar Airport also. The aircraft is doing two 1.5 hours demonostration flights this morning over South China sea.
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Kalam endorses Navy’s new Eastward incline
India's home-built Air Defence Ship is expected to be based on the eastern side of the continent when it comes into service in 2013.
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Black Hawks down for maintenance
A shortage of pilots and a series of maintenance issues and other problems has hit the Australian Defence Force.
The navy's Super Seasprites' targeted flying hours has reduced from 1800 to 975 because of a lack of spare parts while the Seahawks' hours has been reduced from 4200 to 3300 due to the introduction of a new maintenance regime.
Over at the army, the ARH Tiger fleet faced a shortage of qualified flying instructors.
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The Hunters on the altar?
J.R. Labbe from Star-Telegram contends that closing down VFA-201 was a political move by the Bush administration to satisfy Louisiana.
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F-111's retirement 'unwise'
A former RAAF squadron commander told a parliamentary committee that Australia's fleet of F-111 fighters should be kept in service until 2020.
Retired group captain Milton Cottee said the retirement of the F-111 is dependent on the successful upgrade of the F/A-18 fleet and the introduction of the F-35.
Any delay in both programs will result in degrading Australia's defense capabilities.
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Sunday, February 12, 2006
Asian Aerospace 2006
The Aermacchi M311 jet trainer was spotted at Seletar Airport yesterday and today. I heard its parked at the Jet Aviation hangar when its not flying. The aircraft made a trip to Southchina sea this morning.
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Bomb crews get drop on rivals
A load crew from the Republic of Singapore Air Force join five other load crews from the USAF for the 2005 Load Crew of the Year Competition.
The load crews were from the 310th Air Maintenance Unit, Crews 11 and 14; the 425th AMU, Crew 92; 309th AMU, Crew 41; 308th AMU, Crew 58, and the 63rd AMU, Crew 26.
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Thales opens new front in drone wars
Thales is proposing its Watchkeeper program to the French armed forces. It claims the system could meet 70% of French needs, at 30% of the cost of the EuroMALE drone.
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'No survivors' in Sudan air crash
A Sudanese An-29 has crashed at an airport in the southern town of Aweil, killing all seven crew and 13 soldiers on board.
The plane crashed into a nearby building after the pilot lost control when the front tyre burst on landing.
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U.S., Japan opening a new era of missile defense
The new U.S. Forward-Based X-Band radar in Japan will join Japan's FPS-XX radar to form part of the missile defense system.
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Military plans missile launch from Kodiak
A missile will be launched from Alaska's Kodiak Island between Feb. 20-23 to test upgrades to early warning radar at Beal Air Force Base.
Three additional missiles will be fired later this year that will involve interceptors at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
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Abandon ship! Anxious Panhandle residents ready for sunken aircraft carrier
USS Oriskany will finally sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico this summer to become the world's largest intentionally created man-made reef.
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C-130 squadron gets a new home at Bagram
The USAF 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron has relocated from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
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Reagan landing before Bush
USS Ronald Reagan will hold a passage exercise with INS Viraat off the coast of Sri Lanka on Feb. 14.
The exercise took less than a week of planning as both carrier battlegroups were scheduled to be in the vicinity of Sri Lanka around the same time.
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Texas city seeks training squadron from Oceana
Officials in Kingsville, Texas, are making a public bid to snare VFA-106 from Oceana.
Kingsville, a city of 25,000 in south Texas near the Gulf Coast, is home to a naval air station that trains Navy and Marine pilots.
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Saturday, February 11, 2006
Sea Harriers fly with F-15s one last time
Another story on the Royal Navy's 801st Air Squadron last detachment with F-15C Eagles from the USAF 48th Fighter Wing.
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Navy jet breaks sound barrier and residents' peace
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 caused panic and fear of a terrorist attack when it went supersonic doing a maintenance check about 40 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico.
Emergency dispatchers were flooded with calls as some thought is was an earthquake while others fear it was an explosion.
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PICTURES: Lockheed F-35 JSF gets P&W F135 engine fitting
Lockheed Martin has conducted a fit test of the F135 on the F-35 system development and demonstration aircraft.
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Rolls-Royce bullish for 2006 despite F136 JSF engine cancellation
Rolls-Royce is bullish on its prospects for 2006 as strong demand in the civil sector offset the negative impact of the imminent cancellation of its F136 engine.
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1st Cavalry Division Gains Helicopter Battalion Friday
The 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment has join the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade at Fort Hood.
It is a certified AH-64D Apache Longbow battalion.
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Air base home to fighters again
The Kansas Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base will trade their KC-135s for T-38s.
At least one 30-plane squadron of T-38 jet fighter training aircraft from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
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Chen approves unprecedented simultaneous military shake-up
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has replaced Gen. Liu Kuei-li with Lt. Gen. Shen Kuo-chen as chief of air force.
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Herman Prayitno Named New Air Force Chief
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has named Air Vice Marshal Herman Prayitno the new chief of the Air Force to succeed Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto.
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Air Force, Army Ink Airlift, UAV Deal
The U.S. Air Force and Army chiefs recently inked an agreement to combine their efforts to field a new light cargo airlifter and a new unmanned aerial vehicle partnership.
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US continues to increase spending on classified programmes
Bill Sweetman examines the classified or 'black' portion of the Pentagon budget for 2007.
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Friday, February 10, 2006
Cope Tiger ’06 draws A-10 thunder
A-10 Thunderbolt II operators and maintainers from Osan Air Base, South Korea, have deployed to Korat, Thailand for Cope Tiger ‘06. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown.
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Fewer F-35s will be needed, a top defense official predicts
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said Wednesday that fewer F-35s are needed than previously projected.
He said that future advances in the warplane's capabilities and the planned expansion of the military's fleet of unmanned aircraft would result in less than 2,443 JSFs being bought.
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Two senators object to engine program plan
Ohio's two senators sent a letter to the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee opposing the elimination of the F136 engine.
The cancellation would affect the General Electric Aviation plant in Evendale, near Cincinnati.
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AAIB Bulletin: 2/2006 (PDF)
I've found the Airprox report from U.K.'s Air Accidents Investigation Branch involving a British Airways Embraer ERJ-145 and two USAF F-15Es.
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2 charged in alleged plot to ship engines, missiles to China
A Taiwanese national was charged Thursday in a federal indictment with acting as a covert Chinese agent and attempting to buy and export a fighter engine and cruise missiles.
He attempted to buy and ship to China the F-16 engine, engines for Blackhawk helicopters, AGM-129 cruise missiles and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles.
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US139 Arrives at Fort Rucker For LUH Source Selection Performance Demonstration
AgustaWestland's US139 has arrived at Cairns Army Airfield in Fort Rucker, Alabama for the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter Source Selection Performance Demonstration.
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Air Force cancels B-52 jammer program
The U.S. Air Force has cancelled the B-52 Stand-off Jammer program. The program was not included in the 2007 defense budget.
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At Busy Air Base, A Different Mission
At Balad Air Base, Iraq, USAF F-16s sometimes drop 500-pound bombs just two miles from the fences and watchtowers that surround the base.
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Sea Harriers to leave RAF Lakenheath
The Royal Navy's Sea Harriers from the 801st Naval Fighter Squadron flew its last detachment at RAF Lakenheath before it disbands at the end of March.
They had exercises with USAF F-15Cs from 493rd Fighter Squadron.
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Russia negotiates only air-defense systems with Iran - official
A senior Russian official has denied media reports that it the country was considering selling Iran S-300 PM02 Favorit batteries.
Labels: Iran S-300
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Tanker contest to open midyear
The U.S. Air Force will reopen its tanker competition sometime in the middle of this year.
Ken Krieg, the undersecretary for acquisition, said requests for information will be sent to Boeing and EADS.
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Officials say little about jet unit cut
Officials from the U.S. Navy do not want to comment much on the disestablishment of VFA-201.
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Brazil invests in SA missile-developoment programme
The Brazilian Air Force has formally revealed that it is investing $52-million in South Africa’s A-Darter project.
The A-Darter is a highly-agile fifth-generation short-range air-to-air missile.
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USAF wants to expand role of National Guard
The U.S. Air Force is planning to ask Congress for a change in legislation to be able to integrate its active-duty force with National Guard and Reserve units.
One of the changes include letting a Guard commander take charge of a merged active and guard unit.
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U.S. wants missing UAV returned
A UAV flown by American troops had gone missing since November in the Philippines and there will be a cash reward for the person who return it.
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Marines to replace aging helicopters in Okinawa with Ospreys
Expect to see the MV-22 Osprey over the skies of Asia in 2012 when the U.S. Marine Corps deploys it to Okinawa.
The marines had originally planned the deployment for 2007 or 2008, but faced strong opposition in Japan due to safety concerns about the Osprey.
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Prince in cockpit of Eurofighter
Prince Charles decided to jump into the cockpit of a Eurofighter Typhoon during a tour of the plant where it is assembled.
Flt Lt James Jody McMeeking, an RAF fighter pilot instructor, showed him the controls.
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Thursday, February 09, 2006
C-17 a first at Hickam AFB
F-15 Eagles from the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard escort the first Hawaii-based C-17 to its home. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo.
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F-16 fighter lands after suffering electrical problem
Donny Chan: An F-16 fighter of the RoCAF on a routine training mission made an emergency landing at Taichung's Chingchuankang air base on Wednesday.
A cockpit indicator signaled a generator problem.
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Raytheon Receives $60 Million Saudi Arabia Award to Provide Patriot, Hawk Support
Raytheon Company has been awarded an extension to a direct sale contract from the Saudi Arabia to provide technical, training and logistics support for the Kingdom's Patriot and Hawk air defense systems.
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Blair's clock is ticking on fight for US deal with Rolls-Royce
Washington's decision not to proceed with the F136 engine could put a strain on its relationship with London.
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日米共同訓練の実施について
From Tengu: USAF F-16s from Misawa, Japan will hold exercises with JASDF F-2s, F-4s and F-15s from Feb. 15 to 16.
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NATO to send air support to Winter Olympics
NATO will send two E-3D to patrol the skies over Turin during the Winter Olympics from Feb. 10 to 26.
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New Defence Minister lobbied for Airbus
Canada's new Defence Minister, Gordon O'Connor, was found to have lobbied for Airbus from 2001 to February of 2004. There are concerns now that there will a conflict of interest when Canada choose a new tactical airlifter.
He had earlier tried to get Canada interested in buying the A400M.
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Sea King crew fumbled in dark for air bottles
The five-man crew of a Canadian SeaKing that crashed off the coast of Denmark recently struggled with their emergency breathing systems.
Some of them lost their emergency air bottles and found them later.
Related Article
HMCS Athabaskan Sea King Incident
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Report on midair collision kept secret
The USAF decided not to release the findings of an investigation of a December midair accident between a C-17 and a Hawaii Air National Guard KC-135.
The C-17 was piloted by the commander of Hickam Air Force Base at that time.
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PICTURES: EADS Military Barrakuda UCAV rolls out
Unofficial photos of the classified EADS Military Air Systems' Barrakuda UCAV demonstrator.
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Near-miss US jet crews criticised
A pair of USAF F-15E aircrew and ground control staff have been criticised in a report after a near-miss with a civilian aircraft over United Kingdom.
The Strike Eagles were being diverted due to low fuel when the incident happened. The fighters passed within about 1,000 yards of an Embraer 145 with 35 passengers on board.
The report cited the crew inability to fly either as a coherent formation or as two independent aircraft as a major factor.
It added that the crew failed to monitor their fuel loads and ground position.
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Indian Navy 'spooks' new Chinese destroyer
India deployed Tu-142Ms, Ilyushin-38s and Israeli Searcher and Heron UAVs to shadow a Chinese destroyer and a tanker traversing through the Indian Ocean region recently.
A Tu-142M first spotted the pair off Yemen's Socotra Island and the Indians track them throughout their voyage over the Indian Ocean.
Related Article
Indian aircraft snoops to pry out Chinese submarines
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C-5 Galaxy aircraft engine test successful
The USAF has successfully tested newly mounted C-5 engines as part of the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program.
The C-5 is fitted with more efficient General Electric F138-GE-100 engines and will be renamed the C-5M.
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Boeing Opens RAF Lakenheath F-15 Distributed Mission Operations Facility
Boeing's F-15C Mission Training Center at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath, England has opened.
Pilots in the flight simulators will be able to train with pilots at other locations.
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Wednesday, February 08, 2006
PICTURE: Italian air force aerobatic team draw Olympic rings above Turin
Video of the Frecce Tricolori, Italian air force's aerobatic team, flying in formation to draw the Olympic rings.
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One Small Step for Drones
Jonathan Karp from The Wall Street Journal got a rare visit to Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works complex.
During his visit, he saw the P-791 prototype heavy-load carrying airship as well.
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US Air Force budget has $8 bln for tankers by 2011
Pentagon's defense budget plan for fiscal 2007 has set aside $250 million to start replacing the USAF's tankers.
Over $8 billion is forecast to be spent on replacing the refueling planes.
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Boeing CEO concerned about proposed C-17 cutoff
Boeing's CEO James McNerney has voiced concern about the absence of new orders for the company's C-17 in the Pentagon's 2007 budget.
He is confident that without the C-17 orders, Boeing's Defense Systems division is still able to turn in a profit.
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C-17 pilots hone skills in simulator at Hickam
Boeing is getting a C-17 simulator at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii ready for regular use by Feb. 28.
Pilots fly about 80 hours in the simulator before they get in the real aircraft.
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Boeing faces 777 tanker dilemma
Boeing may have to compete the USAF tanker contract not only with Airbus but its 777 as well.
The Rand tanker analysis of alternatives suggests the USAF look at the 777 as another option. Boeing offers the 767 as its candidate.
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Senate body probes move to scrap jet engine project
John Warner, the Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate armed services committee, vows to examine the Pentagon's decision to kill the F136.
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VMMT-204 graduates first Osprey crew chiefs
USMC's VMMT-204 has produced its first six MV-22 crew chiefs.
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Bush proposal suggests phase-out of F-117s of HollomanAFB
The Pentagon wants to retire the entire F-117 fleet in 2008. The latest defense budget calls for the retirement of 10 in 2007 and the rest in 2008.
All the jets are located at New Mexico's Holloman Air Force Base.
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India, Israel to sign defense deal
India and Israel will jointly developed and produced the Barak-II defense missiles for warships.
It will be based on the original Barak with a longer range, target-tracking system, better down linking capabilities and possibly a new propulsion system and payload capacity.
The Barak-I and Barak-II will replace Russian OSA-M and Volna RA-31 missiles still in operation on most Indian warships.
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US considers military strike on Iran
While experts agree that a U.S. strike against Iran's nuclear program is feasible, such a strike will not delay the program but accelerate it.
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Navy wants to eliminate local squadron
The U.S. Navy plans to disestablish VFA-201, a Navy Reserve F/A-18 Hornet squadron based in Fort Worth.
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U.S. to deploy radar system here within 6 months
Washington plans to deploy the X-band radar system within six months in Japan to bolster the Japan-U.S. missile interception capability.
The radar system to be stationed in Japan is currently kept at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Related Articles
U.S., Japan examines site for radar system
Japan considers deployment of radar system to defend U.S. against ballistic missiles
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Russia, India Sign $888M Contract on Combat Aircraft Modernization
India's fleet of 67 MiG-29s will be modernised by RSK-MiG for $888 million. The project has already been delayed for over two years.
The old N-019 radar is being replaced by the Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. The MiG-29s will also be upgraded for mid-air refuelling.
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F/A-18 Crashes During Training Mission
A F/A-18D from VFA-125 crashed about five nautical miles south of Boca Chica in the Florida Keys Feb. 6.
There was only one pilot who ejected safely.
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Reagan Carrier Strike Group Makes Port Visit to Singapore
The USS Ronald Reagan is currently in Singapore for a port visit.
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Boeing Delivers "Spirit of Hawai'i - Ke Aloha," First USAF C-17 in Pacific Region
The first C-17 to be based outside the continental United States was delivered to Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu Feb. 7.
"Spirit of Hawai'i - Ke Aloha" is the U.S. Air Force's 146th operational C-17 and the first of eight scheduled for delivery to Hickam between now and July 2006.
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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Osprey aircraft fares well in Pentagon budget
The Pentagon 2007 budget plan would boost funding for the V-22 by over $500 million to $2.29 billion.
14 MV-22 variants and 2 CV-22 variants will be bought.
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US Navy to develop fibre lasers
The U.S. Navy wants to have a high-powered laser small enough to fit on a tactical combat aircraft and powerful enough to destroy fleeing ground targets within a decade.
The 100 kW fibre laser will be carried in a composite 1,817 litre external fuel-tank pod on the aircraft's centreline pylon.
It will be able to strike 20 targets in 60 seconds before needing to be recharged.
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Indonesia looks for MRO partner to revive C-130s
Indonesia is looking for a foreign maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company to reactivate its C-130 fleet.
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Australia assesses its rotary options
The Australian government is to consider buying more Boeing CH-47 Chinooks to meet a long-standing battlefield intra-theatre airlift requirement.
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Lockheed eyes IR opportunity
The missile launch detector developed for the F-22A Raptor and the F-35's electro-optical targeting system could have broader applications than originally thought.
The EOTS could be useful to the B-2 and UAVs while the MLD could be proposed as USAF's planned next-generation missile warning system.
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Test success boosts stand-off missile
With two successful flight tests recently, the AGM-158A JASSM stand-off missile has bolstered its long-term funding outlook.
Lockheed Martin has secured $67 million to fund research, test and development of an extended-range (ER) variant and beyond-visual-range datalink.
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Seymour Johnson Air Force Base home to newest demo team (Video)
The USAF has created the first F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The new Strike Eagle Demonstration Team is scheduled to perform at least 20 air shows in 2006.
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Crash controller 'partly blamed'
An official RAF Board of Inquiry has concluded that a military air traffic controller was to be blamed for the crash of two USAF F-15s on a low flying exercise in 2001.
The board said the crash happened partly because the pilots accepted an air traffic control instruction that was clearly unsafe.
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Kaveri: India's very own fighter engine
Pratt and Whitney and Snecma are in the race to partner India's DRDO to develop the Kaveri fighter engine.
Kaveri will power the Light Combat Aircraft.
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USAF to spend $2bn on next unmanned bomber
The next U.S. Air Force bomber is almost certain to be unmanned when it is fielded in 2018.
Full-scale development of an unmanned vehicle can start from 2008-10 but it will not be based on the X-45C or X-47B.
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Cash crunch stalls Tejas
The Indian Air Force is short of cash for purchasing more Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
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Bush scraps F-35 engine over British protests
Brig. Gen. C.R. Davis, deputy program executive officer for the JSF program, told Reuters that the Bush Administration is killing the F136 engine in his new budget request.
The British embassy said Britain would back efforts by GE and Rolls-Royce to restore funding when Congress considers Bush's budget request later this year.
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Lift-off as production starts on first STOVL F35 Joint Strike Fighter
BAE Systems has started production of the first U.K. components for the STOVL variant of the F-35.
Work has started on one of the major frames that form part of the aft fuselage.
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Successful Test of an AIM-9X Missile by a Raytheon-Led Team Demonstrates Potential for Low Cost Solution in Littoral Joint Battlespace
A Raytheon-led team successfully launched an AIM-9X from a stationary, vertical platform on Nov. 19.
The missile successfully locked on after launch and hit its target in a test of its potential launch from a submarine.
"This test is the first step toward an AIM-9X missile being launched vertically from a submarine," said John Cochran, the Raytheon IDS program manager.
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Lockheed Martin's Secretly Built Airship Makes First Flight
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works recently flight test a hybrid heavy-load carrying airship .
Skunk Works made the first flight of its "P-791" testbed on Jan. 31 at its facility on the Palmdale Air Force Plant 42 airport.
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Boeing Begins First EA-18G Integration Following Successful Navy Reviews
The U.S. Navy has approved Boeing's test plans and processes for integrating several key subsystems into the EA-18G Growler aircraft weapons system.
Labels: EA-18G
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GW Earns Flight Deck Certification
USS George Washington and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 successfully completed flight deck certification Feb. 3, after the ship has not launched or recovered aircraft in more than a year.
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CH-124 Sea King Flying Operations to Resume
Canada's CH-124 Sea King fleet has resumed flying after the recent crash of one Sea King off the coast of Denmark.
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Monday, February 06, 2006
Will Israel Strike Iran?
The Israeli Air Force can cripple Iran's nuclear program if necessary by taking out the system's weak spots.
The most important targets are the Natanz uranium-enrichment complex and the conversion plant at Esfahan.
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Sunday, February 05, 2006
Boeing, military caught in C-17 numbers game
This article nicely sums up the difficulties the Boeing C-17 production line is facing in order to stay alive.
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Australian Air Combat crews to train in skies over Nevada USA
Seven RAAF F/A-18 Hornets and six F-111 will take part in Exercise RED FLAG 06.
Pictures here.
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Safety team due in Denmark to probe chopper crash
A Seaking that crashed off the coast of Denmark has been recovered and taken to the Danish port of Arhus.
A six-member team of Canadian flight safety investigators is expected to examine the aircraft.
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Biggest Base in Iraq Has Small-Town Feel (Free Registration)
Balad Air Base is an American town in the middle of the most hostile part of Iraq.
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Report omits work for Boeing California plants
The Quadrennial Defense Review is expected to affect Boeing's California aircraft plants.
Not only is the C-17 affected, the QDR calls for work on the E-10 to progress until a technology demonstrator stage.
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UK to decide RAF tanker deal this year
United Kingdom will make a decision on its new refueling aircraft before the end of the year.
The RAF is expected to get 15 tankers from the Air Tanker consortium.
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India says no to US P-3C Orion aircraft
India has decided not to lease two P-3C Orions from United States as they are considered expensive.
Another reason was the 18 to 24 months needed to get the aircraft retrofit to Indian Navy specifications.
Related Article
India – Logistic Support for P-3C Aircraft (PDF)
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Saturday, February 04, 2006
VFA-213 Show Jet
Black Lions latest toy arriving at Oceana!
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Quadrennial Defense Review (PDF)
The Quadrennial Defense Review was released yesterday. You can click on 'external link' to view the report.
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DOD Mulls Shift of Carrier to Pacific
Ronald O'Rourke, a naval exert at the Congressional Research Service, said that besides Hawaii, Guam or Japan. The U.S. Navy may choose to reposition an aircraft carrier in Everett, San Diego or even Singapore.
The distance between the candidate port and Taiwan will be an important factor. In a Jan. 10 report, "China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress," O'Rourke stated that ships based in Guam, Japan and Singapore would reach Taiwan in two to four days; the trip from Hawaii would take six to nine days; and from the U.S. West Coast travel time would be seven to 12 days after leaving port.
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Canada in talks to spend $10B on stealth jets
Canada and seven other nations involved in the Joint Strike Fighter program will likely decide on the number of F-35s to purchase by summer.
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Bush 'tried to lure Saddam into war using UN aircraft'
According to an updated version of
Lawless World, by Philippe Sands, U.S. President George W. Bush had plans to lure Saddam Hussein into war by flying a U-2 over Iraq painted in UN colours in the hope he would shoot it down.
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Missile aimed at Georgian president plane's flight path found
A Strela-1 anti-aircraft missile was found on a tree that is on a flight path regularly taken by the Georgian president.
The missile was later destroyed by bomb disposal experts.
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India's Agni-III missile ready for launch
India's nuclear-capable Agni-III missile with a range of about 3,500 km is ready for its maiden test.
Labels: Agni-III
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Pentagon Review Would Reduce U.S. Nukes
The Pentagon wants to cut the number of Minuteman III missiles by 10 percent. One squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is expected to be the one affected.
The missiles there uses a different operating system and closing it will cut training and maintenance costs.
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Belarus to buy 18 Sukhoi jets from India
India will sell away its 18 Su-30Ks to Belarus for $300 million. Russkaya Avionika will upgrade the aircraft to Su-30KN.
Related Articles
No problem in Sukhoi upgradation programme: IAF
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Pentagon wants new long-range bomber
The Quadrennial Defense Review calls for the development of a new long-range bomber to be fielded by 2018.
Earlier plans called for a new bomber by no earlier than 2037.
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Iran launched 'secret' rocket test
German daily Die Welt reported that Iran secretly tested a new surface-to-surface missile on Jan. 17.
According to Western diplomats the test was successful.
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Friday, February 03, 2006
Tanker-proposal request expected by autumn
The USAF is expected to issue a request for proposals by autumn 2006 for the purchase of tanker aircraft.
Boeing's George Muellner said he expects a request for information within a month or so.
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Navy still keen on early warning aircraft
The Indian Navy is keen to deploy the E-2C Hawkeye from shore-based airfields despite rejecting it earlier for deployment on Admiral Gorshkov.
Northrop Grumman has proposed to sell 10 Hawkeyes to India with a pair each based at Goa, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Porbandar and two in reserve.
Related Articles
HAL to make components for Hawkeye aircraft
India rejects proposal for ship-based Hawkeye
Labels: INS Vikramaditya
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India may soon have own air defence system
Russia is in 'advanced' negotiations with India to provide the latter with an anti-missile system based on the S-300.
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Raytheon Successfully Demonstrates Network Centric Lock-On-After-Launch Maverick
Raytheon Company has successfully demonstrated the capability of the Maverick Lock-On-After-Launch (LOAL) program.
The latest Maverick variant integrates a digital weapon data link, Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System and a UHF network data link radio.
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Some scary moments on Perry's Mideast tour
A C-130 carrying Texas Governor, Rick Perry, had to take evasive action and launch a flare after sensors detected a possible missile attack shortly after taking off from an air base in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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BMD Focus: Bush silent on BMD success
On Tuesday night, U.S. President George W. Bush did not say a single word on the ballistic missile defense during his State of the Union address .
Martin Sieff from United Press International examines why.
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PICTURES: Chile takes delivery of Lockheed Martin F-16s
Pictures of the Chilean Air Force receiving its first two of 10 F-16C/D fighters from Lockheed Martin.
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French Mirage no more interested in 10-billion dollar IAF deal
Dassault is no longer interested in supplying the Mirage 2000-5 as a candidate for India's MRCA competition.
Dassault says it cannot wait anymore for the Indians to make up their mind on whether or not to buy the Mirage as the production line has been closed and it is costly to maintain an idle line.
Labels: MRCA
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Bell Prepares 412EP for U.S. Army Competition
Aviation Week's Edward H. Phillips had the chance to fly Bell's 412EP LUH candidate recently at the company's XworX facility. This is his flying report.
Bell is offering the 412EP for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter program.
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GE eyes $250-mn HAL deal
General Electric is negotiating with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to supply 38 more engines for the Tejas light combat aircraft.
GE's bid on depend on whether the indigenous Kaveri engines can be ready in time.
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Seymour Johnson AFB trains Strike Eagle jet fighters (Video)
News 14 Carolina interviews 1st Lt. Tim Dowling of the USAF who is training to fly the F-15E at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
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HAL to make components for Hawkeye aircraft
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will supply components for the E-2C to Northrop Grumman.
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Russia meeting schedule on aircraft carrier for India
Work on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov is going according to schedule and training of Indian maintenance staff has also began.
Labels: INS Vikramaditya
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HMCS Athabaskan Sea King Incident
A Sea King helicopter from HMCS Athabaskan ditched into the sea Feb. 2 at approximately 1:34 p.m. EST 50 kilometres off the east coast of Denmark.
All five crews were recovered by the ship and the helicopter is now under 16 metres of water.
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Russian Navy to acquire new aircraft carriers -- admiral
Head of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Masorin, said the country needs one or two new aircraft carriers in the future.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers First PAC-3 Stockpile Reliability Test Missiles
Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Stockpile Reliability Test (SRT) Missiles to the U.S. Army.
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Thursday, February 02, 2006
New threats encourage AEW&C growth
Bill Sweetman wrote this article in Jane's International Defence Review on the recent growth of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.
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Pentagon warns Beach's plan won’t meet criteria
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England is telling Virginia Beach officials that they efforts to limit commercial and residential development near Oceana Naval Air Station 'may not fully address' BRAC demands.
The 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission ordered the East Coast master jet base to be shifted to Cecil Field, Florida unless Virginia and Virginia Beach erase development in the high-risk areas near Oceana.
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VIDEO: NFTC CT-155 Hawk pilots eject after bird strike
This is a video of a bird strike on a NFTC CT-155 Hawk. Investigative work by Flight International readers help to uncover the date and location of the incident.
Video is available in WMV or Quicktime format.
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Another QDR, Another Cut; Why an F-22 Stretch Out?; The UAV Factor ....
The Air Force Association analyse how the Quadrennial Defense Review is expected to affect the USAF.
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Russia to Build New Early Warning Missile Defense Base
Russia will build a new early warning missile defense station in the south of the country to reduce its dependence from Azerbaijan for such information.
Russia currently has one station in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
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Future of some B-52s being reviewed
The 2005 QDR is expected to recommend retiring some B-52 bombers at Barksdale Air Force Base.
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Iran Redeploys Shihab-3 Missiles
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard has received orders to move Shihab-3 launchers every 24 hours to prevent destruction from a U.S. or Israeli attack.
They are being moved closer to the Iraq border.
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QDR Spares Fighter Programs, For Now
The 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review is expected to spare cuts to the F-35 and will increase the number of F-22A from 179 to 183, while extending the production line by two years to 2010.
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Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Global Hawk Maritime Surveillance Capabilities
Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk has successfully tested the maritime software modes of its new integrated sensor suite.
It was able to pick up ships in various sea states.
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Swedish firm eyes Indian jet fighter order
Sweden is agressively pitching itself for India's Medium Range Combat Aircraft competition.
Labels: MRCA
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Guard boss questions F-16 flyover for car dealership
The New Mexico Air National Guard flew an F-16 flyover for the opening of a car dealership and they were not aware of it.
The commander said the request was to celebrate Veterans Day along with the Marine Corps birthday.
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Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Air Vectors : The Antonov An-2
Feburary's Air Vectors takes a look at the Russian An-2. There is one operating near my local airport and I'm pretty impressed by its V
r of 40 knots.
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日米共同訓練の実施について
From Tengu: JASDF will be holding ACM exercises with the USAF from the Feb. 6 to 10. 8 F-15s, 8 F-4s and 1 E-767 will take part.
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Moldovan MiG scandal reaches US
A former senior U.S. diplomat that negotiated the purchase of Moldovan MiG-29s in 1997 for the United States said that the rule of law there has collapsed.
E. Wayne Merry, current Senior Associate at the American Foreign Policy Council, said the sentencing of former Defense Minister Valeriu Pasat to 10 years hard labour on grounds of selling the MiGs to the U.S. government at excessively low prices is an apparent attempt to "smear the United States."
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Northrop Grumman, U.S. Air Force Demonstrate Improved 'Smart' Weapon for B-2 Stealth Bomber
Northrop Grumman has successfully tested a new 5,000-pound "bunker-buster" ordinance for the B-2.
The new GBU-28C/B bomb is armed with a BLU-122 warhead-guidance system. The GBU-28C/B is an upgrade to the 28B/B model that was deployed with the B-2 in 2002. The new version penetrates deeper into the ground.
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Boeing Selected for U.K. AWACS Upgrade Program
United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence has selected Boeing as one of the two preferred bidder to compete in a technology demonstration program as part of Project Eagle, a major upgrade to the U.K.'s AWACS fleet.
The winner of the competition will be selected in late 2007, with production work beginning in early 2008.
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Lockheed Martin may source F-16 parts from HAL
Lockheed Martin is looking at the possibility of sourcing components from Hindustan Aeronautics for its F-16 fighters.
But currently the company is looking at sourcing of components like forgings and castings from Hindustan Aeronautics.
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Putin: Russia's Missiles Can Overtake Any Defense System
Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted on Tuesday that Russia has missiles capable of penetrating any missile defense system.
He added that he had briefed French President Jacques Chirac on the missiles during a visit to a Russian military facility.
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Turkey prepares for $1 billion buy to beef up air defenses
Turkey is in the market for modest quantities of medium and long-range air defense systems to protect the country from Iran's missiles.
The main candidates are the U.S. PAC-3 and Russia's S-300 systems.
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Boeing gambles on the C-17
Boeing has bought parts for the 181st C-17 out of its own pocket while it waits for a decision from the USAF to extend or close the line.
Boeing is contracted by the USAF to produce 180 C-17s.
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Vance couple selected to pilot B-2s
Capts. Rob and Beth Makros, USAF T-38 instructor pilots, have been selected by the B-2 bomb wing. This is the first time a married pilot couple is chosen.
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She's a wife, and an F-15 pilot
There are five couples in the USAF F-15E community and the Grant family is one of them.
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Raytheon Demonstrates Joint Standoff Weapon Data Link and Message Set
A weapon data link (WDL) and a new air-to-ground message set has been successfully demonstrated for the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW).
Incorporating a weapon data link in the JSOW provides the capability of in-flight communications of missile health and status; receiving in-flight target updates and target deconfliction messages; transmitting weapon position up to time of impact; and communicating through direct line-of-sight.
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Boeing says 767 remains a viable US tanker plane
Boeing said that it will still offer the 767 as a tanker to the USAF even if it has to pause the production of the aircraft.
John Sams, vice president of Air Force systems for Boeing, said the 777 might be offered if the Air Force favours a bigger plane.
He said less than half the modifications made to convert the 767 into a tanker could be transferred to the 777.
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Advanced weapons sales only after US government clearance: Boeing
Boeing has made it clear that if the F/A-18 is selected by Indian, it will be a foreign military sale.
All weapons and sensors would have to be cleared by the U.S. administration.
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