Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Y-8 AEW
Another Chinese AEW design has emerged as Shaanxi Aircraft Industry Corporation is testing out a Y-8 with a rotodome design.
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Name for F-35 will soon take flight
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter could be named the Lightning II as the USAF narrows down the monikers to six finalists.
President George W. Bush will announce the winning name in a visit to Lockheed's factory on July 7.
The next favourite is Spitfire II while earlier favourite, Fury, was dropped due to concerns that the name will cause a trademark conflict with the Plymouth Fury auto.
Related Article
Is it Phoenix? Maybe a Lynx?
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British blend: UAV X-planes help Boeing with blended wing concept
Flight International looks at the contribution made by British firm, Cranfield Aerospace, in developing the two airframes for the Boeing Phantom Works' X-48B demonstration program.
Labels: X-48
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Bodies of 2 Marines recovered in Iraq
The U.S. military has recovered the bodies of two Marine pilots that went missing after their AH-1 crashed in western Iraq over the weekend.
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Air force to scale down operations
The South African Air Force plans to scale down operations at certain of its bases, including the two fighter bases at Hoedspruit and Makhado, in a bid to save costs.
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EADS proposes maritime variant of Airbus A319 with bomb bay doors for India
EADS has proposed a new variant of the Airbus A319/A320 to compete with the P-8A for India's eight-aircraft maritime reconnaissance requirement.
The A319 will have a bomb-bay and missile hardpoints similar to the P-8A.
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Northrop Grumman Conducting Flight Tests of New Electro-Optical Surveillance and Detection System
Northrop Grumman has started flight-tests of a new Electro-Optical Surveillance and Detection System (EOSDS) for the U.K. Ministry of Defence's MRA-4 Nimrod.
EOSDS is a gimbal-mounted electro-optical system consisting of a television camera and two thermal-imaging cameras.
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Battle to win Singapore’s trainer contest heats up
Singapore could be the launch customer for the M311 or the Pilatus PC-21 as the two has been short-listed to provide the RSAF with a primary trainer.
Both teams will begin contract negotiations in late June or early July with a winner decided in August.
The new trainer will begin operations at Pearce airbase in Western Australia from April 2008.
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Iranian drone plane buzzes U.S. aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf
An Iranian UAV circled for 25 minutes over the USS Ronald Reagan in the Persian Gulf, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.
Four fighters and two helicopters were scrambled to intercept it but failed as the UAV has crossed the Iranian border.
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BAE Systems: Eurofighter consortium could move into UAVs
BAE Systems believes the four-nation Eurofighter consortium could evolve to produce a multi-role UAV program in the future.
BAE is currently sharing the results of its UAV demonstrators with other partners in the consortium.
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Finnish Navy tests new missile system
The Finnish Navy successfully tested its first Umkhonto surface-to-air missile last Friday.
The South African made missile will arm its Hamina class missile boats.
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Planes' tiny brains could save lives in war
Winnipeg-based MicroPilot Inc. is doing brisk business selling its autopilot system to UAV manufacturers.
Its flagship MP2028g is weighs just 28 grams - four times less than the competitor.
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Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Concludes Operations in Persian Gulf
USS Ronald Reagan sailed out of the Persian Gulf May 29 starting its journey home from its maiden deployment.
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Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Air Force News (PDF)
The RSAF's April edition of Air Force News has an interesting article on EX SINDEX 06 held on Jan 3 to 20 this year. Nice picture of the F-16D Blk 52+ at Kalaikunda Air Force Station too.
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After Hawk AJTs for air force, will it be Goshawk for navy?
Boeing is hoping to sell its version of the Hawk to the Indian Navy as well. A high-level delegation was sent to India last week to formally offer the Goshawk together with the Super Hornet.
Last week, we reported that the British is keen to sell its Hawk AJT to the Indian Navy as well.
India currently has an agreement with the U.S. Navy to train 32 Indian pilots on the Goshawk for carrier takeoff-and-landing training at Pensacola, Florida. Indian requires a trainer for its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
Related Article
Navy makes a crash correction with AJTs
For Gorshkov, Navy pilots head to US for training
Labels: INS Vikramaditya
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India, Russia to finalise $600 mn fighter deal
India's Air Force chief S P Tyagi is expected to sign a $600 million deal for swapping 18 Su-30Ks for Su-30MKIs during his visit to Russia this week. He will watch a demonstration flight of MiG-29OVT as well.
He is also scheduled to visit MiG and Sukhoi corporations and Siberian plant of Irkut.
Related Articles
India to trade-in older Sukhois for latest MK1s
Belarus to buy 18 Sukhoi jets from India
No problem in Sukhoi upgradation programme: IAF
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First pilot in Air Force Reserve selected to fly F-22
Maj. Randall W. Cason is the first U.S. Air Force reservist chosen to fly the F-22A Raptor.
Cason, an F-16 pilot stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, should be flying his first F-22A sortie in August.
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Monday, May 29, 2006
Changes
There are some slight changes to the way news are being reported from now onwards. News with multiple sources will not have an external link, instead the links to those sources will be posted at the end of the article.
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Top Gun Tasmania
Starting from A$1,995, you get to fly a BAC Jet Provost MK V over the beautiful country side in Tasmania, Australia.
Dan Duggan, a former USMC pilot, operates the aircraft from Hobart International Airport.
He had spent 13 years flying Harrier jump jets with the Marines before marrying an Australian and coming to live in Australia.
Together with his business partner, Hobart man Dave Warren, both hoped to establish Tasmania as an adventure island.
Sources
Tassie jets to a great new G-force - The Mercury
Top Gun Tasmania
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BAE cuts fighter price for radar deal
BAE Systems has cut the price of its Eurofighter Typhoon for Saudi Arabia by 10 percent in return for a stake in the oil-rich kingdom's border security project.
Western diplomatic sources also told The Business that 72 fighters will be purchase for the RSAF.
British Defense Secretary, Des Browne, is expected to be in Riyadh soon to sign an agreement on the Typhoon Acquisition Project with the Saudi defense minister.
The deal includes the construction of a plant to assemble the Eurofighter from components shipped from Europe as well as maintaining the jets over the life of the 25-year contract.
Sources
BAE cuts Eurofighter price by 10% to clinch Saudi deal - The Business
BAE cuts fighter price for radar deal - Telegraph
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RAF to have just nine A330s in core FSTA tanker fleet
The RAF will have just nine modified Airbus A330-200s out of the 14 under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) program.
The rest of the fleet will be made available for third-party use but held at short-notice readiness to support surge operations.
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$5b project on rationalising mission
Project Air 9000 could shrink Australia's helicopter fleet from 10 different types down to just four: the Tiger ARH, MRH90, Seahawk and Chinook.
The Army's Black Hawks and the Navy's Sea Kings and Super Seasprites could be retired and replaced with Seahawks and MRH90.
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Joint Strike Fighter F135 Engine Burns Hotter Than Desired
Signs of trouble has emerged in the F135 engine as Pratt & Whitney tries to cut 190F of extra heat in the STOVL engines.
Some propulsion analysts narrow down the problem to the engine's combustor, which they say is too small.
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Indo-UK Naval exercises underway
The Royal Navy demonstrated the EH101 helicopter to the Indian Navy during exercise Konkan 2006.
They hope to get the Indians interested in buying the helicopter.
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Sunday, May 28, 2006
RoKAF F-15K
With Gerry's recent inclusion of the F-15K, we now have pictures of most of the front line U.S. fighters from the F-14 to the F/A-18. Next target, the F-22A.
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繰り返される嘉手納Ｆ１５戦闘機の緊急着陸 (Picture)
Protesters outside Kadena Air Base, Japan watched an F-15 made an emergency landing with its right engine shut down May 18.
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No planes to bring troops home from Iraq on time
British troops in Iraq have to stay longer from six to seven and a half months because the RAF does not have enough transport aircraft to move troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq simultaneously.
The boys from the 20 Armoured Brigade are affected. The RAF has less than five Tristar transports fitted with missile defence system that are need to ferry them out of Iraq.
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U.S. helicopter crashes in Iraq; 2 crew missing
Two U.S. Marines are missing after their AH-1 Cobra helicopter crashed in an insurgent stronghold in western Iraq on Saturday.
The helicopter was on a maintenance test flight and hostile action has been ruled out. A search-and-rescue operation is under way to locate them.
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Lawyers look for way to sue over BRAC ruling
Lawyers are thinking whether Virginia State or Virginia Beach city should sue in order to keep the jets at NAS Oceana.
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Saturday, May 27, 2006
Heritage Flight over New York
A beautiful sight! A P-51 Mustang, an F-16, an F-15 and an A-10 fly over New York City on Thursday, May 25, 2006. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker.
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F-22 canopy jam blamed on loose screws
Loose screws were to be blamed for the canopy accident on a F-22A which trapped the pilot for five hours last month.
An unofficial investigation found that mounting screws "backed out" and caused the jam. Lockheed Martin says it will install longer screws and the Air Force will inspect all Raptor canopies.
Related Articles
Rescuers take a chain saw to an F-22 Raptor
Pictures: Pilot trapped for 5h in cockpit of USAF's new $135m F-22A Raptor after canopy jams
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Picture: US air base in Diego Garcia to return to operation after landing gear failure B-1 cleared by crane
The B-1B that made a belly landing at Diego Garcia has been cleared of the runway by the island's port heavy lift crane.
The runway is expected to be operational again this weekend.
Related Article
B-1 makes hard landing
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Missile Parts, 'Dual-Use' Materials Illegally Shipped to Iran Through Turkey
A Turkish government report claims that Iran has obtain guided missile parts as well as "dual use" nuclear-related material through Turkey.
The report, obtained by The Associated Press, said an Iranian-owned company, based in Turkey, has illegally shipped them to Iran after falsifying documents to hide their nature.
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C-17s to help Australia in East Timor
The USAF has responded to the Australian government's request to send two C-17 cargo planes from Hawaii to help Australia prepare its troops for deployment to East Timor.
The C-17 planes are expected to transport Australian troops from the Solomon Islands to Australia as well as help move troops within Australia. There are on plans to send them to East Timor.
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'No risk' to Greek holiday planes
The Greek Civil Aviation Authority has denied claims by some Greek airline pilots that tourists flying to Aegean islands are being endangered by warplanes.
Deputy governor, Ioannis Andrianopoulos, said there was no risk to civil aviation as the fighters had radar, and military controllers would order them to disengage if there were any civilian planes in the area.
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Academy holds memorial dedication for Navy's Blue Angels
The U.S. Naval Academy on Monday unveiled a memorial plaque paying tribute to Blue Angels who died during team flight operations.
25 Blue Angels pilots and enlisted crewmembers have died in flight operations in the Blue Angels' 60-year history.
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Bush, Blair agree on F-35 fighter technology transfer
The United States has agreed to give Britain access to sensitive technology in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced it in a joint statement issued by the White House on Friday.
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Russia to Sell Anti-Aircraft Missiles to Iran
Moscow will honour its commitment to supply Iran with Tor-M1 air defense missile systems, Sergei Ivanov said on Friday.
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Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to fly in IAF's Su-30
An Indian Ministry of Defence press release confirming that President APJ Abdul Kalam would be flying with 20 Squadron in its SU 30 MKI.
The event will take place on Jun. 8 when the squadron celebrates its 50th anniversary.
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French military helicopter crashes in Ivory Coast
A French Gazelle light helicopter crashed in Ivory Coast on Friday while on a transportation mission.
The crash killed one crew and seriously injured the other.
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Friday, May 26, 2006
RMAF supporting Army Parachute Jumping at Melaka
I was richly rewarded during my trip to Melaka, Malaysia last week. An RMAF Casa CN-235 M44-01 was in the same airport carrying Army paratroopers for jumps at a camp nearby. Sorry for the watermarking, I just don't trust that the
Gempur Wira folks will attribute our work.
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Navy makes a crash correction with AJTs
The British government is in talks with the Indian Navy to sell 16 to 18 AJTs for training of naval pilots.
The talks included negotiations for India to buy eight British Sea Harriers that were retired recently.
Three options are being discussed. One is to buy all the eight planes. Second, buying some of these planes and cannibalising them for spare-parts. Third, India buying the store for Harrier spare-parts.
Related Article
India looks to acquire UK Sea Harriers for training
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India to trade-in older Sukhois for latest MK1s
India will exchange its 18 Su-30Ks for Su-30MKIs instead of upgrading them. Irkut has already manufactured 12 of the planes and the remaining six will be completed by December.
An agreement is likely to be signed next week.
Related Article
Belarus to buy 18 Sukhoi jets from India
No problem in Sukhoi upgradation programme: IAF
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Pakistan builds on Chinese missile system
Pakistan is preparing to produce a modified version of the Chinese Qiang Wei-2 man-portable surface-to-air missile system known locally as the Anza Mk III.
Jane's Defence Weekly said that Pakistan modified the system including the firing unit, or 'grip-stock', which in the Pakistani version seems more modern and of the type associated with the Russian Igla missile.
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SAAF takes delivery of first Hawks
THE South African air force took delivery of its first two Hawk Mk 120 lead-in fighter trainers May 24.
The SAAF will receive 10 of the aircraft from Denel and BAE Systems in the next few weeks. A total of 24 Hawks were ordered in 1999.
They will be based at Air Force Base Makhado.
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Aurora Flight Sciences of West Virginia Wins EA-6B Refurbishment Contract
Aurora Flight Sciences will be fabricating panels for the U.S. Navy’s EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft.
Aurora will develop new tooling from components and drawings supplied by the Navy to create test articles first.
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nEUROn UCAV Project Rolling Down the Runway
Defense Industry Daily takes a close look at the European nEUROn UCAV project.
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Boeing bids to sell P8 aircraft to Navy (Video)
News video from CNN-IBN on Boeing's bid to sell the P-8A MMA to the Indian Navy.
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Raytheon, Rafael Selected for Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense Interceptor Development
Raytheon Company and Rafael Armament Development Authority have been selected to develop a new terminal missile defense interceptor by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO).
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S. Korea urged to secure mid-sized aircraft carriers
A group of South Korean scholars called for the Navy to add one or two mid-sized aircraft carriers to its fleet.
This is to prepare for a possible clash over the Dokdo islets with Japan as well as to deter North Korea.
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First at-Sea Demonstration of Sea-Based Terminal Capability Successfully Completed
USS Lake Erie successfully conducted a ballistic missile intercept of a target missile in the terminal phase (the last few seconds) of flight.
A modified SM-2 Block IV engaged a short-range target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii.
The modified SM-2 Block IV has a warhead is similar in concept to that used in the deployed Israeli Arrow system.
The modified Aegis Weapon System, with a modified SM-2 Block IV missile provides a near term, limited emergency ballistic missile defense capability.
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Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods Add Video Down Link Capability
Lockheed Martin has received a USAF contract to upgrade Sniper with ROVER III video down link capabilities.
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Thursday, May 25, 2006
Gripen – The Nordic Solution
Gripen International has unveiled details of its formal offers to Norway and Denmark.
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F-22s arrive at Elmendorf for exercise
Five F-22 Raptors arrived at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska May 23 for Exercise Northern Edge 2006. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Dave Donovan.
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RSAF's 145 SQN is Fully Operational
The RSAF's 145 Squadron, which operates the F-16D Block 52+, was declared fully operational May 24 at Changi Air Base.
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GW Completes 'Partnership of the Americas' Deployment
USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to Naval Station Norfolk May 24 following a seven-week deployment to the Caribbean in support of "Partnership of the Americas."
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Indian armed forces woefully short of equipment: report
An Indian parliamentary committee has found several shortcomings in its armed forces, including the Air Force.
It wants the government to reexamine the features of its Air Defense Ship to match foreign aircraft carriers.
The committee also highlighted the delays in the Tejas light combat aircraft.
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Hero Bader's mascot given to base
A mascot belonging to Douglas Bader has been given to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. It is believed that the British ace have kept the rabbit as a mascot in his sports car.
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The Plane That Won't Die (Free Registration)
The C-17 is waging a different kind of war in Washington DC by the White House, the Pentagon, Boeing and lobbyists.
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British ambassador flees stricken plane
The British ambassador in Afghanistan was on a C-130 that caught fire while landing at a remote airstrip in Helmand province.
The plane had burst a tyre on landing and that debris had sprayed up from the runway into an engine, causing the fire.
The fire destroyed the Hercules from No. 47 Squadron - one of only four RAF Hercules in Afghanistan.
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Pentagon paper shows 'Cold-War mentality'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said his country firmly opposed the Pentagon's 2006 report on the Chinese military.
He added that the report has exaggerated China's military power and military expenditure.
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British troops fire first shots at Taliban
British Apaches have seen action for the first time when a Hellfire missile was launched to destroy a disabled French special forces' vehicle to stop rebels from salvaging it.
The Apaches were sent to provide fire support for French commandos and Afghan troops pinned down in an eight-hour firefight with hundreds of Taliban fighters.
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No serious injuries as Hercules catches fire
An RAF C-130 caught fire on landing in Afghanistan May 24. Two passengers had to be treated for minor injuries.
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U.S. Defends Airstrike on Afghan Village
The United States has defended its decision to use A-10s to strafe buildings in an Afghan village on Sunday that killed at least 16 civilians.
U.S. military spokesman Col. Tom Collins said the coalition was not aware that civilians were inside the buildings.
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Coalition to probe bombing of villagers
The U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan will conduct an investigation into the deaths of 17 civilians during a coalition bombing attack.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered an inquiry on Tuesday and summoned the coalition commander for an explanation.
But he also strongly condemned the Taliban's method in using civilians as human shields.
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Air Force Trainer Jet Sets Flight Record
The South Korean Air Force's KT-1 trainers have flown 30,000 hours without an accident. The 217 Flight Training Battalion began operating the aircraft in 2000.
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Corps fighter jets to be deactivated
VMFA 332, The Moonlighters, will be deactivated along with another F/A-18 squadron in California, by March 2007.
Its 12 jets are to be redistributed across the Corps.
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Turkish Air Force Blames Greek Jet for Aegean Collision
A Turkish Air Force statement said that the Greek F-16 had approached too fast and collided with the Turkish F-16 from below and behind the jet on Tuesday.
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Greece, Turkey avert jet crash crisis
Senior diplomats and defense officials from Greece and Turkey raced to head off a potential crisis after their F-16s collided on Tuesday.
Analysts, politicians and the media from both sides on Wednesday appalled the efforts to defuse tensions over the collision.
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Langley’s main runway closing for upgrades, repairs
Jets are starting to move out of Langley Air Force Base as the base prepares to upgrade its runway and facilities.
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Inspector general rejects Beach's Oceana plan
Pentagon's inspector general's office has concluded that Virginia Beach had failed to comply with BRAC ruling to stop and roll back development around Oceana Naval Air Station.
The city's refusal to condemn and buy property in the zone where the risk of a jet crash is highest lead to the conclusion.
However, Sen. John Warner, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters that he expects Oceana to continue operating for the next ten years.
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EADS bids for hi-tech EW system for Indian armed forces
EADS is stepping up efforts to sell early-warning systems to India for its military helicopters.
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Cabinet approves purchase of Swedish surveillance aircraft
Pakistan's cabinet on May 24 approved plans to purchase AWACS systems from Sweden. Pakistan in July 2004 announced a decision to buy 7 Saab 2000 AWE&CS aircraft.
Related Article
Pakistan decides to Revamp its air Power
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Boeing KC-767 Tanker Completes Vibration Testing
The first Boeing KC-767A tanker recently completed ground vibration testing at the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Structural Dynamics Laboratory in Everett, Washington.
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Air force plane's cockpit fills with fumes
A RNZAF P-3 had to be evacuated as it was about to take off from Whenuapai air base in Auckland just a few hours ago.
The crew noted that there were fumes coming from the cockpit.
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NATO aircraft crashes in Kosovo, two pilots survive
A NATO Cessna 337 crashed in the village of Mazgit, Kosovo late Wednesday and both pilots escaped unharmed.
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Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China (PDF)
Pentagon's 2006 Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China noted that China has shown interest last year to acquire Su-33s to form a combat air wing for a future aircraft carrier.
The report also said that the F-10 is found to be similar in weight and performance to the Eurofighter Typhoon or Rafale.
Other developments include the KJ-2000 AWACS aircraft, based on the IL-76, and reverse-engineering the SA-10 (HQ-9).
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‘Son of Star Wars’ missiles will not be sent to UK
Washington has drop U.K. as a possible launch site for its missile defence system. But U.K. will remain as a key early warning centre.
American officials cite the declining popularity of Tony Blair and opposition to the Iraq War as one of the reasons.
Related Article
UK chosen as possible 'Star Wars' site
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Eyeing Iran, Israel seeks cruise missiles
Israel is speeding up efforts to develop long-range cruise missiles that can be used to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
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Iran carries out missile test - Israeli source
Iran test fired the Shihab-3 missile on Tuesday and label it a partial success.
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Army to acquire UAV Nishant by 2007
The Indian Army will receive its home-build Nishant UAV in 2007. The Aeronautical Development Establishment is currently testing the aircraft.
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Air Force could expand capabilities through 2016
The USAF is preparing plans for an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Strike Task Force at Andersen Air Force Base over a ten-year period.
The plans include the rotation of 48 F-22 and F-15E fighters.
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L-39 expert testifies planes couldn't fire rockets
A defense witness in the Security Aviation trial disputed claims that the company's L-39s could fire rockets.
Bernd Rehn, a former East German air force officer and now a private consultant, said his inspection of the planes showed they were incapable of firing rockets from launchers that the company possesses.
Related Article
Former Navy pilot testifies in weapons trial
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Prez Kalam likely to fly in Su-30
Indian President APJ Kalam wants to fly in a fighter aircraft and the IAF is arranging a flight on a Su-30MKI for him next month.
He is expected to visit 20 Squadron on Jun. 8 for its 50th anniversary and he could be given a flight on that occasion.
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US keeps pushing Norway to buy Joint Strike Fighter jets
U.S. Ambassador to Norway Benson K Whitney is pushing Oslo to buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
He ward that if Norway buys a fighter not produced by United States, it will affect the operations between the both countries.
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Greek and Turkish jets collide
It was a Turkish F-16 that collided with a Greek F-16 yesterday and the Turkish pilot was rescued. Turkey claimed that the Greek pilot was killed.
Greece however said that rescue operations are still under way and the pilot would be considered missing for at least 72 hours before being declared dead.
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Czech-British Flying Rhino air force exercise begins
RAF Tornadoes and Hawks will join Czech Gripen, L-159, and L-39 for exercise Flying Rhino 2006.
Based in Namest, the exercise aims to improve the skills of Czech forward air controllers.
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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Greek and Turkish jets 'collide'
A Greek F-16 collided with a Turkish RF-4 as they engage in a mock dogfight about 12 miles off the coast of the Greek island of Karpathos at 1300hrs today. Fate of both crew are unknown.
The Greek jet was sent to intercept the Turkish plane after the latter enter Greece's airspace.
Helicopters and a frigate have been dispatched to the area.
Related Article
Greek fighter planes engage Turkish air force in mid-air "dog fight"
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U.S. said to bomb Afghan village
U.S. warplanes bombed a village in southern Afghanistan and killed 16 civilians and wounded 15 more while pursuing Taliban fighters.
The governor of Kandahar, Asadullah Khaled, said the Taliban had taken refuge in the civilians' home while escaping.
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U.S., Israel spar over JSF purchase
Israel is considering canceling its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) order unless Pentagon allows it to modify the planes with its own warfare systems.
IDF officials said Washington rejected the request as they fear Israel's more advance systems could provide stiff competition to U.S. companies.
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Bush jet damaged local runway
An Australian parliamentary committee has been told on Monday that Bush's Air Force One damaged the runway when it landed at Canberra airport in 2003
As a result, Canberra spent $28.5 million in last year's Budget to fix the damage.
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Defense Investigation: UAV Sales Not Cleared for Take-off
Israeli officials are investigating a possible transfer of a UAV to an East Asian country without a permit.
The country was not named by most probably is China.
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A Missile Strike Option We Need (Free Registration)
Harold Brown, secretary of defense under President Jimmy Carter and James Schlesinger, secretary of defense under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, wrote this article in Washington Post supporting the idea of arming Trident D5 missiles with conventional warheads.
Both argued that such warheads are needed in order to strike terrorist groups that may plan to hit United States with nuclear weapons.
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Decision to cut F-35 alternate engine flawed, GAO says
The U.S. Government Accountability Office said Monday the Pentagon's decision to scrap an alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is flawed.
GAO fault the Pentagon for looking at short-term cost-savings and did not factor in the full long-term savings resulting from competition between two engine programs. Pentagon officials challenged the report.
Supporters of the F136 program said the findings boost their efforts to keep the program going.
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U.S. is proposing European shield for Iran missiles
The Bush administration is pushing ahead to setup a missile defence site in Europe. The proposal calls for installing 10 antimissile interceptors at a European site by 2011.
Pentagon is expected to make a recommendation on a European site to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld this summer.
Related Articles
House panel restricts missile defense
Romania could host U.S. anti-missile shield
Russia annoyed at Poland missile shield plan: paper
UK chosen as possible 'Star Wars' site
Czech Republic wants anti-missile shield
US considers Polish missile base
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Pilot, loadmaster admit picking up drugs
A C-5 pilot and load master with the New York Air National Guard pleaded guilty Friday of trying to smuggle drugs.
Both picked up 300,000 pills of Ecstasy in Germany while on their way back from Georgia.
Related Article
Guardsmen charged with smuggling Ecstasy on C-5
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New Headquarters Badge debuts
There is a new badge in the USAF - the Air Force Headquarters Badge. The badge signifies that an airman of any rank served at least one year at Headquarters Air Force or with the secretary of the Air Force’s office.
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El Al Israeli Airlines December Geneva missile attack foiled by Swiss intelligence
A terrorist plan to attack an El Al aircraft at Geneva airport was foiled by Swiss intelligence in December.
An Algerian and an Libyan residing in Switzerland had plan to hit an airliner with a missile in mid-December.
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Navy's role in Afghanistan grows
Ryan Scholl, a former Blue Angels pilot and commander of VFA-81, thought he was heading to nuclear power school when he received a call from Pentagon.
He was told to pack up and get ready to lead a reconstruction team in Afghanistan intead.
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Former Navy pilot testifies in weapons trial
Tom Trotter, the former commander of Topgun, was in an Anchorage courtroom Monday to testify as a government witness.
The U.S. government is holding a federal weapons trial against Security Aviation. The company had plan to arm its fleet of Czech L-39 jets with air-to-ground rockets.
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Japanese WWII Veterans Visit USS Kitty Hawk
A group of Japanese veterans, including those from the Zero Fighter’s Club, toured USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), May 15.
Rear Adm. Doug McClain, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, and Capt. Ed McNamee, Kitty Hawk’s commanding officer guide the group around the ship.
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Boeing Support Systems to Keep UK Chinook Helicopters Flying
Boeing has taken over the logistics support responsibility for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.
Boeing will perform the majority of maintenance activities on the 40-helicopter MK2/MK2a fleet while military personnel will continue to perform first-line, in-field maintenance.
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Boeing Delivers First Small Diameter Bomb I System to U.S. Air Force
Boeing Company has delivered the first production Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) System to the U.S Air Force.
It is the first of more than 24,000 bombs and 2,000 carriages the Boeing SDB team will manufacture for the Air Force.
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Lockheed Martin Receives Two MH-60R Production Contracts Totaling $127 Million
Lockheed Martin has received two production contracts from the U.S. Navy to complete the integration of sensor and avionics systems on 12 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters and to begin integration work on 25 others.
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Monday, May 22, 2006
Beckhams deny WWII fly-past plans
David and Victoria Beckham have requested that the RAF cancel a
fly-past at their home for a pre-World Cup party.
A spokesman for the England captain and his wife said the couple did not request a fly-past. He said the fly-past was part of a package by the organisers of a private display team, The Blades, and they had declined.
David Beckham do not want the fly-past by World War II aircraft as he is a keen supporter of the FA's guidance for no references to the Second World War.
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Venezuela's Chavez confirms plan to buy Russian jets
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez confirmed Sunday that his country will buy Russian Sukhoi fighters to replace its F-16s.
In a speech on state-owned television, Chavez said, "We will soon be in Moscow because we will buy Russian fighter jets to defend these skies and land."
Chavez also said he supported Venezuelan General Alberto Muller Rojas's recommendation to sell the F-16s.
Related Articles
Venezuela VP: We Can Sell F-16s to Anyone We Want
Latin America Fond of Su and MiG Jets
Venezuela Calls Russian Su-35 Fighters "World’s Best", Considers Purchase
Venezuela to choose between Russian warplanes
Venezuela to Buy 50 Russian Mig-29 Fighters
Venezuela interested in new models of Russian Mig-29 fighters
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Meeting with the enemy
An Indian Air Force veteran met a Pakistani Air Force veteran in Baghdad in 1979 and found out that both of them were in a dogfight 8 years before.
Ashok Shinde was leading a Su-7 flight to attack Pakistani artillery and encountered the Pakistani's Mirage when he had completed his mission. Shinde managed to escape with three bullet holes in his jet.
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Trespasser shot dead on air base
A man with a history of mental illness was fatally shot after driving through a checkpoint at Selfridge Air National Guard Base Wednesday.
He forced his way onto the base and lead security on a high-speed chase, officials fired shots after he tried to run over security personnel.
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New extended range cruise missile takes first flight test
A B-1B successfully launched JASSM–ER on May 18 over the White Sands Missile Range. The missile successfully cruised more than 400 nautical miles to its static target of cargo containers.
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Sunday, May 21, 2006
The tin triangle strikes again
Rowland White's
Vulcan 607 is the account of Vulcan 607 in Operation Black Buck, the extremely long-range bombing attacks by RAF Vulcan bombers against Argentine targets in the Falklands.
The book tells of how missing parts were scavenged from Vulcans previously donated to museums or reclaimed from scrapyards in order to get the Vulcans ready for the difficult mission.
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The day the high-fliers arrived
The RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fly over David Beckham's "Beckingham Palace" today for his World Cup party.
A Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will make an appearance at his mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire while flying home from an airshow organised by the Imperial War Museum.
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Pentagon secret spending said at post-Cold War high
The U.S. classified military spending has reached its highest level since 1988, near the end of the Cold War.
The 2007 acquisition money request was for more classified spending than in any defense budget since 1988, at 19 percent.
75 percent of those classified money goes to the Air Force.
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Navy Divers Get Look at Sunken Carrier
U.S. Navy divers on Thursday found that USS Oriskany had settled upright on the ocean floor in a north south orientation.
The divers say the Oriskany's flight deck was at a depth of 150 feet.
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Army air exercise ends abruptly
The British Army suddenly stop an exercise that involves Apache helicopters. The Three Regiment Army Air Corps, which has been preparing for possible deployment to Afghanistan, arrived at RAF Cosford early last week.
It began to move out on Friday night. The MOD said that the sudden move was not due to complains from nearby residents.
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Tribute to 'worlds best' stunt pilot
Friends and family of Ray Hana gathered at the Imperial War Museum Friday to paid tribute to the legendary leader of the Red Arrows.
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Google Earth images not a threat: Air Chief Marshal
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi has dismissed Google Earth as a threat to the air force.
He said that other countries' defence establishments can be seen as well.
Related Articles
India's top war jets on Google
Google Satellite Photos Worry India Leader
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IAF to hold exercises with UK, Singapore
Looks like the IAF Jaguars are not
coming to Singapore. The RSAF will hold exercises at Kalaikunda Air Base at the end of the year instead.
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Tokyo: North moving long-range missile to pad but launch not in offing
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso confirmed Friday that Pyongyang has moved a long-range ballistic missile closer to a launchpad.
He said that it is unlikely that any launch is imminent as the missile is not fuel yet.
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Saturday, May 20, 2006
Saab's Gripen fighter aircraft faces crucial sales test in India
Saab AB is eyeing the Indian market for new fighters to save its JAS-39 Gripen fighter program.
It also hopes to sell additional 200 aircraft in the coming ten-to-fifteen years in other markets. Greece, Switzerland, Thailand, Rumania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Slovakia are some of the countries which it hopes to win a contract.
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Venezuela VP: We Can Sell F-16s to Anyone We Want
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said his country is free to sell its F-16s to any country including Iran because the United States has violated a contract to provide spare parts for the planes.
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Boeing's 737 contract will go under cover
737 airliner fuselage sections travelling on rail cars through the Seattle area has been a familiar sight for years. But starting late next year, some of them will be covered.
This is because some of those fuselage will be destined for the P-8A MMA program. Under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations, foreign nationals are not allowed to see or touch the parts during production.
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Design & Preparations Continue for Britain's New CVF Future Carrier
A Defense Industry Daily article on Britain's Future Aircraft Carrie (CVF) program.
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House vote slows Air Force bid to retire aging aircraft
The list of USAF aircraft that Congress forbids the service from retiring early.
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SA plan to sell arms to Libya
South Africa's Denel is hoping that besides Turkey, Libya can be another country that can help salvage the Rooivalk helicopter program.
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S. Korea Tries to Verify N. Korean Missile Report
South Korea says it is trying to verify a report by Japan's Kyodo News that North Korea will soon launch a Taepodong long-range ballistic missile.
The Japanese government doubted that such a missile test is imminent.
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Bill may extend life of Boeing C-17 cargo jet
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to fund three additional C-17s. The Senate has yet to vote on the funding.
Such a move will extend the production line of the C-17 beyond 2008.
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Sukhoi faces huge cost esclation: CAG
The Indian Comptroller and Auditor General has found that it is more expensive to manufacture Su-30MKI locally then to import them from Russia.
The projet is facing huge costs overruns and some of the fighters in the latest batch are flying without some advanced critical airborne systems.
The projected cost for 140 aircraft has jumped from Rs 22,122.78 crores in 2000 to Rs 39,224.9 crores in 2005.
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IAF confers Surya Kiran team with squadron status
The Indian Air Force Surya Kiran aerobatic team has been conferred with squadron status to mark the 10th anniversary of its formation.
The team will join the IAF fleet as the 52nd squadron. The squadron previously flew the MiG-21 FL until June 2005.
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FBI probes T-Birds video flap
We reported back in March that the Pentagon is
investigating complains that USAF Chief of Staff steered a $49 million publicity project for the Thunderbirds air show to a Pennsylvania company. The FBI has now joined the investigations.
Strategic Message Solutions won the contract through a public bidding process, although its bid was $25 million higher than a competing proposal.
The USAF canceled the contract in February, after two losing bidders complained that the company had an unfair advantage, including having retired Gen. Hal M. Hornburg as partner.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne then directed the Pentagon's inspector general to review the contract award. The inspector general referred the matter to the FBI to look into possible violations of federal contracting laws.
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S'porean diverted aircraft parts to Iran
A Singapore businessman was convicted in New York on Thursday for illegally exporting civilian and military aircraft parts for use in Iran.
He allegedly diverted the aircraft parts to Iran from Singapore and Malaysia, after sending documents to suppliers that falsely claimed they were going to an Indonesian company.
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B-1B strikes Taliban stronghold
A B-1B Lancer conducted the first GBU-38 JDAM combat drop on May 17 when a JDAM was used to destroy a Taliban-associated compound near Kandahar, Afghanistan.
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Friday, May 19, 2006
Rescuers take a chain saw to an F-22 Raptor
A news video from WAVY-TV on the recent F-22A stuck canopy incident. The news crew interviewed a base official to find out more on the incident. An ad-free copy is available here.
Related Article
Pictures: Pilot trapped for 5h in cockpit of USAF's new $135m F-22A Raptor after canopy jams
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Fallon, U.S. Commander, Pushes China to Modernize Its Military
Admiral William Fallon, head of U.S. Pacific Command, was not impressed with the quality of China's People's Liberation Army during his recent trip to Beijing.
In fact, he felt that his seven-day visit that took him to an engineering school, air field and other installations shows the poor quality of Chinese Military.
Fallon feels that a poorly trained PLA is a hazard to long-term U.S. national security. His invitation to China to observe U.S. war games went unanswered as well.
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PAF mirage jet crashes
The Pakistan Air Force lost another Mirage aircraft during a routine operational training mission near Somiani (Karachi) on Thursday.
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Hornet tears page from Tomcat book
The Hornets currently on board USS Ronald Reagan gain the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receivers (ROVER) capability on Mar. 1 after a seven-week effort by PMA 265.
The new ROVER capability is currently a stop-gap solution until the ATFLIR pod is modified to transmit in 2008.
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Improved C-5 promises more faithful years of service
The USAF accepted the first C-5M at a roll-out ceremony May 16 at Lockheed Martin’s plant in Marietta.
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Navy Warns Industry BAMS Must Stay On Cost, Schedule
The U.S. Navy warn contractors that they must stay on cost and schedule if they were to compete for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program.
BAMS plans to provide the Navy with a long-endurance, long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system to complement the P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) for ocean surveillance missions.
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Thursday, May 18, 2006
Goodbye Oriskany
This 1:30min edited, silent video from the U.S. Navy shows the sinking of USS Oriskany off the coast of Florida May 17.
She took about 37 minutes to sink.
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Marine Pilot Reaches 5,000 Hornet Hours
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Harry G. Constant, commanding officer, VMFA 134, has joined a small group of pilots with 5,000 hours on the F/A-18 Hornet.
He is the first Marine pilot to reach the status on May 5 and has been flying the Hornet since January 1988.
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雄三超音速反艦飛彈 明年量產
Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that the defence ministry has drafted a five-year project called Zhui Feng (Pursuing Wind) to produce 130 Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missiles from next year.
The major objective is to fend off a possible attack from the aircraft carrier Varyag that China currently posses.
The missiles will be deployed on frigates and patrol boats and each ship will be armed with four missiles.
Taiwan will be the third country after China and India to deploy supersonic anti-ship missiles in Asia.
Labels: Hsiung Feng 2E
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Världspremiär för liten spanare
Saab AB said Wednesday it is developing an unmanned helicopter for both civilian and military use.
The Skeldar V-150 helicopter is 4 meters long and weighs around 100 kilograms.
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'No US pressure on Agni-III missile'
The Indian government has clarified that it did not postpone the testing of the Agni-III missile due to pressure from Washington.
Labels: Agni-III
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Denel 'looking good' for R12bn deal
Denel is confident that Turkey will place an order for its Rooivalk attack helicopter. The South African company is expecting an answer by July.
Labels: Turkey Attack Helicopter
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Bell’s ARH Begins Preparations for Flight
The new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter is getting closer to its first flight with two recent developments.
The first System Design Demonstration (SDD) aircraft has moved from the factory floor to a flight hangar to begin functional checks. And on May 8 the SDD-B successfully accomplished its initial engine run.
Labels: ARH
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Former Thunderbird commander and fighter pilot dies
Chris Patterakis, a former commander of the Thunderbirds and a decorated fighter pilot, has died.
He lead the team from 1975 to 1977.
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Armenian, Greek lobbies unite to block missile sale (Free Registration)
Armenian and Greek Cypriot lobbying groups have joined forces to persuade the U.S. Congress to stop the sale of 50 AGM-84K air-to-ground SLAM-ER missiles to Turkey.
The groups are worried that the missiles will further deteriorate the military balance on Cyprus and that Turkey could threaten Armenia with those missiles.
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Is it Phoenix? Maybe a Lynx?
The USAF has narrowed down the list of names for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and will announce it by the end of June.
The Pentagon wants to name the plane before the first developmental F-35 make its maiden flight this year.
One name favored by Lt. Col. Art "Turbo" Tomassetti, who flew the X-35, was Fury. Sky Fury for the Air Force, Sea Fury for the Navy and Storm Fury for the Marines.
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Taiwanese Man Pleads Guilty in China Arms Plotting
A Taiwanese businessman who was a representative for Lockheed Martin in Taiwan has pleaded guilty Wednesday for trying to buy an F-16 engine and AGM-129 cruise missiles for the Chinese government.
Ko-Suen "Bill" Moo gave undercover U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents a list of parts that he wish to purchase for the Chinese government.
He was arrested Nov. 8 after inspecting the engine.
A copy of a press release from the U.S. Justice Department is available.
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Gov't to Order 20 More F-15Ks Fighters from 2009
South Korea intends to add 20 more F-15Ks to its fleet to increase it to 60 aircraft. It wanted to buy 40 fighters originally.
South Korea hopes to have the aircraft in 2009.
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Philippines donates aircraft to Australia
The Philippine Air Force has decided to donate an OV-10 Bronco to the Canberra War Museum. The aircraft was originally flown by the RAAF in Vietnam.
Aircraft 67-4639, was once piloted by Royal Australian Air Force Marshal Geoff Shepherd.
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Indo-UK naval exercise Konkan-2006 gets underway
Lord of the Rings came into my mind when I first read this article. I call it the Fellowship of Harriers.
For the first time, Indian Navy Sea Harriers will join Royal Navy’s Harrier GR.7s and operate from HMS Illustrious off the coast of Goa.
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MND eyes purchase of fighter jets
The Taiwan military has confirmed that it is in talks with Washington to buy 60 F-16 C/D Blk 50/52s.
An insider told Taipei Times that the RoCAF has made a decision on the purchase and the United States has also agreed to the sale.
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Venezuela Calls Russian Su-35 Fighters “World’s Best”, Considers Purchase
Venezuelan General Alberto Muller Rojas said his country is considering replacing its F-16 fleet with Russian Su-35s.
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US ban not to influence F-16 spare parts
U.S. Department of State Spokesman Sean McCormack said the weapons ban on Venezuela does not include F-16 spare parts.
But he reiterated that sale of the fighters to another country needs approval from the United States.
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IAF exercise "Sanghe Shakti" reaches its climax
After a gap of ten years, the Indian Air Force carried out its largest airdrop operation during exercise Sanghe Shakti.
700 special operations troops from the Army will be dropped by thre Il-76 and two An-32.
Jaguars, Mirage 2000, MiG 21bis and MiG 27 and SU-30MKI are supporting the exercise as well.
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Space Recon Dwindles As Iran, China Advance
An Aviation Week's look at the future of the U.S. space reconnaissance program.
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Boeing ScanEagle Demonstrates New Maritime Capabilities
The ScanEagle UAV successfully demonstrated new maritime capabilities for the U.K. Ministry of Defence while supporting "Trial Vigilant Viper" off the Scotland coast.
The ScanEagle made 10 autonomous launch and recovery from from Type 23 Frigate HMS Sutherland in rough sea conditions.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Sveriges ambassadør håper Gripen-N blir Norges nye jagerfly. Se bildene.
From Dave Orlando: Gripen International has officially offered the Gripen N to Norway. The new N model has more range and payload.
Gripen N carrying two IRIS-T, two METEORS, four Naval Strike Missiles and two belly tanks.
Two new hardpoints are added on the belly which can carry either fuel or weapons and more internal fuel is created by moving the main landing gear to the wings.
Related Article
Gripen targets Nordic JSF states
Gripen International sees 2006 as key year for JAS 39
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USS Oriskany
USS Oriskany passing in front of Pensacola's historic Fort Pickens while on its way to be sunk in the Gulf of Mexico today. U.S. Navy Photo by Mike O'Connor.
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Thunderbirds perform 4,000th show
The Thunderbirds performed their 4,000th air show May 13 at Robins Air Force Base. Airmen from the team line up to form the number 4,000 to commemorate the team's milestone air show. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Taiwan mulls buying 60 US F-16 fighters
One month ago, we reported that
Taiwan is considering buying between 40 to 60 F-16 C/D Blk 50/52s. The English media is now reporting the story as well.
According to the report, the purchase will be discussed during talks in Washington on May 25-29 between the two countries.
Related Article
建軍空窗期 二代半戰機 F-16升級 F-15出局
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Venezuela eyes selling F-16s to Iran
Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of 21 F-16 fighter jets to another country, possibly Iran, in response to a U.S. ban on arms sales.
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Report sees meager savings on F-22 jet deal
An independent report by Institute for Defense Analyses found that a multiyear agreement to buy the final 60 F-22As would save 2.3 percent instead of 5 percent claimed by the USAF.
A final version of the report could conclude that the savings could be as low as 1.8 percent.
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Aviation Photographer George Hall Dies At 65
Photo District News pays tribute to George Hall.
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Copter crash in Lebanon - update with pictures
Pictures of the Lebanese Air Force UH-1 helicopter crash last week.
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Alternate fuel-powered B-52 to fly in September
More information regarding the U.S. Air Force's attempt to develop fuel using natural gas and coal.
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Pilot Report: Flying the AugustaWestland AW139
Aviation Week's flying report of AgustaWestland's entry in the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter competition - US139.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Bell still big on unmanned aircraft
Bell Helicopter is forging ahead with efforts to develop unmanned aircraft systems despite the loss of its TR-918 Eagle Eye on Apr. 5.
The prototype crashed at the company's test facility at Graford, northwest of Mineral Wells after a fuel starvation problem occurred while flying at about 300 feet.
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Global Hawk Completes Wet Runway Test
The Global Hawk carried out its first ever wet runway testing on May. 3 at Edwards Air Force Base.
The purpose of the test was to gather braking performance data on a wet runway and compare it to the existing dry runway data.
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Raytheon Receives $37 Million U.S. Navy Award for F/A-18 Threat Protection Systems
The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $37 million contract for ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver system for its F/A-18E/F jets.
The deal calls for the delivery of 30 radar warning receivers plus spares with options for 54 additional systems.
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Latest batch of Gripen pilots from the Czech Republic complete Gripen conversion training
The fourth and latest batch of Czech Air Force pilots has completed their Gripen conversion training at the Swedish Air Force Skaraborg Wing, F7 at Såtenäs in Sweden.
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Meteor fired for the first time
Jane's Air-Launched Weapons claims that a Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile has been fired from a Gripen May 8 over the RFN Test Range at Vidsel, northern Sweden.
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RMAF grounds Pilatus
The Royal Malaysian Air Force has grounded all its Pilatus PC-7 MKII aircraft after one carried a force landing last week.
Air Force chief Jen Datuk Seri Nik Ismail Nik Mohamed said the incident will not affect the decision to purchase 30 more Pilatus PC-7 MKII aircraft .
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Seoul is given Boeing ultimatum
Washington and Boeing have given the South Korean government an ultimatum on the E-X program.
It wants Seoul to select the 737-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system.
Boeing has threaten to withdraw from further bidding if the decision is delayed again and may cease to offer the product for sale.
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MoD cost cuts 'will put troops in peril'
The British Ministry of Defence will decide next month whether to bring former Royal Navy Sea Kings out of storage for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The other alternative is to extend the service life of the RAF's 38 Pumas.
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Two pilots killed in downing of U.S. chopper over Youssifiyah
United States lost two pilots when their helicopter was shot down over Youssifiyah, Iraq on Sunday.
It was the second helicopter shot down in the area, an AH-64 was shot down on Apr. 1.
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Monday, May 15, 2006
Agni-III can lift off in 2-3 weeks
India's intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-III is ready for launch. The nuclear capable missile has never been fired and tests have repeatedly been put off since November 2004.
Indian scientists can assemble the missile in 2 to 3 weeks for a test firing.
Labels: Agni-III
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U.S. may shift to Persian Gulf air bases
Washington recently sign agreements with Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates for long-term use of their bases. This will ensure that U.S. air power can help ensure that friendly governments in Iraq and Afghanistan survive without American ground troops.
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Copter tender rests on Armenian card
The French bid for Turkey's Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter (ATAK) tender is being threaten by a bill proposed in the French parliament threatening prison terms for people who question the controversial Armenian genocide claims.
Eurocopter's Tiger and Denel Aviation's CSH-2 Rooivalk are the shortlisted for the tender.
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Crew join to offer goodbyes
More than 500 veterans from USS Oriskany are gathering in Florida to witness the sinking of the carrier on Wednesday.
A ceremony was held last Saturday at the National Museum of Naval Aviation to pay tribute to the aircraft carrier.
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Grounded helicopters facing axe
The Australian Navy has grounded its Super Seasprite helicopter fleet and the project could be axed. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has ordered a review of the project.
The main problems are associated with the software.
Labels: Super Seasprite
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Crashed Navy Fighter Jet Fished From Key West Waters
A U.S. Navy F/A-18D that crashed in Key West, Florida has been recovered by local divers and support persons from Navy.
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Israeli AWACS Contender Questioned
The South Korean E-X Project is in controversy as it was found that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) had let IAI Elta conduct trail assessment when it did not have export licenses from the U.S. government.
Elta needs to provide the DSP-85 and the Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) licenses in order to have its G550 AWACS take part in trials with the South Korea Air Force.
DAPA Administrator Kim Jeong-il had told the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly in April that any bidder with the DSP-85 and TAA licenses would be disqualified. It acted contrary to its statement by asking the Air Force to conduct the assessment in May with Elta when the latter did not have the licenses.
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GW Carrier Strike Group Completes Bilateral Exercises with Colombia
USS George Washington has completed bilateral training with the Colombian military. An air defense exercise was carried with KFIR, Mirage V and A-37 aircraft from the Colombian air force.
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Sunday, May 14, 2006
Iran seeking UAV technology
Iran is focusing on German and Czech firms for dual-use technology to improve the platforms and payloads of UAVs.
Two Germans and two Iranians were arrested on May 9 by German police which found navigation equipment and documents on them.
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Pakistan to receive first batch of JF-17 thunder aircraft next Year
The Pakistan Air Force will receive the delivery of the first batch of JF-17 aircraft sometime next year.
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Military Plans Tests in Search for an Alternative to Oil-Based Fuel
A B-52 will test out two engines modified to burn fuel made from natural gas this summer at Edwards.
It will eventually test out fuel made from coal which is plentiful and cheap.
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Calif. Air Guard makes unusual pre-emptive PR strike to save base
The Californian Air National Guard is on a PR offensive to pre-empt the Pentagon from closing down their base as their F-16s ages.
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Jet damages Republic landing equipment
A USMC Harrier jet overshot the runway at Republic Airport on Friday struck some antennas for the airport's ILS.
There was some damage to the aircraft and one runway had to be closed until the equipment is repaired or replaced.
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Mission of 104th to change gradually
The Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing will begin transitioning to the F-15 from the A-10 in the first half of 2007.
A-10s will leave gradually in October and most F-15s will arrive by second half of 2007.
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Missile defence returns
Canada has to make a decision again on whether to join a missile defense shield program 15 months after it spurned Washington's plan for a shield for North America.
NATO has decided to study the feasibility of building one for Europe and Canada is a member of the alliance.
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HAFB Makes F-22 Raptor Ready To Dominate The Sky (Video)
The first F-22A that underwent modification at Hill Air Force Base is ready to take flight.
A ceremony was held on the tarmac May 12 to mark the event.
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Saturday, May 13, 2006
Spanish Eurofighter performs first air-to-surface weapon release
The Eurofighter has started its GBU-16 clearance trial when a Spanish jet carried out the first air-to-surface weapons release on May 4 and 5.
The GBU-16 laser-guided bomb will be deployed by Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The weapon will enter into service with the first Eurofighter Typhoon Block 5 aircraft.
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Dutch Govt Sticking To JSF As Successor To F-16
The Dutch cabinet found that there are no better alternatives then selecting the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft as the successor to the F-16.
It concluded that the taxpayer will not be better off by withdrawing from the development of the JSF and buy the Eurofighter or Rafale.
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U.S. Congress Supports Missile Defense Cooperation With Russia
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment calling for cooperation with Russia on missile defense on Thursday.
The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 called for studies into innovative and nontraditional means of cooperation with Russia in the area.
One example citied is testing specific elements of the Missile Defense Agency's detection and tracking equipment through the use of Russian target missiles.
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THAAD Radar Performs Flawlessly in Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Flight Test
The entire Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was tested for the first time.
Raytheon's THAAD phased array radar performed flawlessly.
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Raptors, Eagles will migrate for summer
Some F-22As from the 27th Fighter Squadron will be sent to NAS Oceana next month as the 10,000-foot, grooved-concrete runway at Langley Air Force Base is being repaired.
Others will go to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
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US to pressure India with 'offsets'
Boeing IDS' PR department is busy trying to convince India to buy the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
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Firefighters learn how to handle F-15 crash
Firefighters and state troopers from Kinston, North Carolina learned how to deal with an F-15E Strike Eagle crash as part of a training exercise for Kinston emergency responders.
F-15Es often land at Kinston Jetport.
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Pilot honored for gutsy landing
Capt. Andreas H. Ix of the 97th Air Mobility Wing earned the 2005 Kolligian Trophy for safe flying.
He was flying a low-level training mission in a C-17 when the plane hit a red-tailed hawk. The impact disintegrated the jet's nose radome, the sensors for the flight controls were damaged as well.
Working with the rest of the crew, he was able to land the aircraft safely.
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Russia to present MiG fighter at Berlin Air Show
Russia will bring a MiG-29M fighter to the Berlin air show.
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Fatal helicopter crash in Lebanon
The Lebanese Air Force lost a UH-1 in eastern Lebanon Friday while it was on a routine training flight. Four were killed.
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Friday, May 12, 2006
Top Gun (1986)
Top Gun premiered 20 years ago on this day in New York. The movie brought fame to Tom Cruise and the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Paramount released a collector's edition 2 years ago which includes a 6-part documentary on the making of the film, never-before-seen footage and 4 music videos.
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French Forces Rejoin Operation Enduring Freedom
The French Navy Carrier Air Wing has rejoined Operation Enduring Freedom. They began flying the first missions last week.
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Safeguard Salvages F-16C Components Off Korean Coast
USS Safeguard together with Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 has recovered the majority of components of a U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing F-16C fighter aircraft which crash into the Yellow Sea in March.
After three-and-a-half days and 12 surface-supplied dives, Safeguard managed to recover 85 percent of the sunken aircraft, including the cockpit area, wing segments and several pieces of data recording equipment.
Related Articles
U.S. Air Force F-16 crashes in Yellow Sea
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Students take flight to refuel fighter planes
37 students from Old Bridge High School's Junior ROTC program flew aboard two KC-10s to watch the planes refuel F-22s and F-15s from Langley Air Force Base.
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Navy to discuss issues at Bell
A senior Navy official will visit Bell Helicopter next week to find out why the company cannot produce aircraft on time and on budget.
The Navy is concerned with the H-1 program, a multibillion-dollar program to rebuild and buy new helicopters for the Marines.
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Bomb part falls from RAF Tornado
An RAF Tornado lost a 10-inch long metal tailfin from a concrete bomb on Wednesday afternoon as it was returning from a routine training exercise.
At the same time, a report said that a Tornado nearly collided with a glider last October. Both aircraft came within 50ft of each other. The report added that the Tornado crew did not spot the glider.
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Army I-GNAT ER UAS Achieves 10,000 Combat Flight Hours in Record 2 Years
The U.S. Army I-GNAT ER unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has reached a record 10,000 combat flight hours on a total of 858 combat missions in Iraq.
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Military plane crashes in central Vietnam
A MiG-21 from regiment 940 of the Vietnamese air force crashed into a residential quarter in central Vietnam early Thursday.
The crash destroyed a house and both pilots were able to eject safely.
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UN submits complaint over IAF violations of Lebanese airspace
The UN secretary general's representative in Lebanon, Geir Pederson, issued a statement complaining illegal flights by Israel Air Force warplanes across villages in southern Lebanon on Thursday.
He called for the IAF to stop such flights. In Jerusalem, an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman refused to comment on Pederson's statement.
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Norway commits to stay in Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme in principle
Norway has agreed to continue participation in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) system development and demonstration (SDD) program but made it clear that it has not selected the F-35 yet.
Norway had threatened to pull out of the program earlier over complaints over the amount and type of JSF work available for Norwegian industry.
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Kremlin expresses alarm at US missile plans
A top Kremlin aide voiced concerns over the United States plan to arm ballistic missiles with conventional warheads.
Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Sobyanin said such a move is "irresponsible" and "extraordinarily dangerous" for Russia.
Related Articles
Plans for nuke-less missiles stir worries
Conventional Missile System to Provide Diverse, Rapid Capabilities
U.S. May Arm Subs With Conventional Warheads for Quicker Strike
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Pentagon endorses space missile plan
The Pentagon's top weapons buyer has endorsed a controversial plan to build a space-based missile defense 'test-bed.'
The project would gauge the value of putting interceptor missiles in space to strengthen the U.S. anti-ballistic missile shield.
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Plane lands in padi field
A Royal Malaysian Air ForcePilatus PC-7 MK II trainer made a forced landing on a padi field in Alor Star Thursday while on a routine training flight.
Both crew had taken off from the Alor Star Air Force College at 7.26 am and crashed landed 15 minutes later.
The pilots were able to walk away from the crash and telephoned for help.
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Video:UAV demonstrator opens up new technology perspectives for EADS
EADS will unveil its secretive Barracuda UAV next week at the Berlin Air Show from 16 to 21 May.
A video of the aircraft can be found at the EADS website.
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France to boost air group in Tajikistan - embassy
France plans to add three Mirage 2000 fighters to Tajikistan in order to support coalition forces in Afghanistan.
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Greek fighter planes engage Turkish air force in mid-air "dog fight"
Turkey claimed that Greek Mirage fighters were harassing helicopters and planes in a search and rescue operation exercises being carried out in international waters of the Aegean Sea.
Turkey responded by sending four F-16s.
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Raptors to bring air superiority to Northern Edge 2006
Twelve F-22As from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base will deploy to Alaska in June for exercise Northern Edge 2006.
This will be the first Pacific-region debut for the F-22A.
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Unique aircraft repair saves millions
Over a period of five years, members of the USAF 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron worked to restore a Virginia Air National Guard F-16 using a new forward fuselage from a Navy F-16N.
The aircraft was damaged when it experienced an involuntary gear retraction in a test flight in Dec. 2000. The aircraft landed without its landing gears.
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Inamine warms to plan for moving Futenma base
The governor of Japan's southern island of Okinawa signed off on a plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Thursday.
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UK shamed as exiles to return to lost islands
Between 1965 and 1973, the British government evicted families from the Chagos islands in order to build a U.S. air base in Diego Garcia. A British High Court has ruled that the families are allowed to return to their home.
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Thursday, May 11, 2006
Ex-Top Gun pilot forgot landing gear in Tucson mishap
Remember the
F-86 belly landing during the Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference in March? It turn out that Dale Snodgrass forgot to lower his undercarriage while landing.
He was returning to land at the end of an air show practice session. As a result of the accident, he was given counseling as "corrective action," according to the Federal Aviation Administration report.
Luckily the F-86, owned by a California air museum, sustained only minor damage.
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Pictures: Dutch Boeing AH-64D Apache 'blown over' on Day Two of Afghan deployment
A Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter was damaged when it was blown over by a taxiing Ilyushin Il-76 transport while parked at Kandahar airfield, Afghanistan.
A replacement aircraft will be deployed while damage assessment is carried out.
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NATO cites "growing threat" of missile attack
Marshall Billingslea, NATO assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, said that NATO countries face a growing threat of attack by long-range missiles.
He was presenting a study on options for a missile shield system to protect Europe.
The 10,000-page report, commissioned by NATO countries at a 2002 summit, had concluded that a missile defence system for Europe was technically and financially feasible.
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Russia, NATO to conduct missile defense exercises in fall
Russia and NATO will conduct joint theater missile defense (TMD) exercises in October of this year.
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British chopper pilots fly on despite crash
British helicopter pilots in Iraq are continuing to fly despite the crash of a helicopter last Saturday.
They have made small adjustments in their tactics after the crash.
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Turkish Air Forces alarmed by low pilot retention
The Turkish Air Force has lost some 1,500 pilots since 1984. Most left citing low salaries.
High-level officials worry that their operational capabilities may be jeopardized if the trend continued in the years ahead.
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U.S. Pacific Commander Pitches Partnership to Chinese Leaders
Admiral William Fallon, head of U.S. Pacific Command, has invited Chinese officers to observe a major U.S. naval and air force joint exercise in the Pacific in June.
Fallon is currently in Beijing for a visit aimed at rebuilding contacts between the two countries' armed forces.
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Air tattoo signs up 50th country
The Pakistani Air Force will be the 50th country to appear at the Royal International Air Tattoo in July.
It will bring a C-130 that is kitted out to demonstrate its medical evacuation abilities, used during the Asian earthquake last October.
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Lockheed Martin UK to Study Future MASC Roles for Merlin Helicopters
Lockheed Martin U.K. has been awarded a contract by the British Ministry of Defence to study the potential of using Merlin helicopters as a platform for both maritime airborne early warning and command and control.
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Raytheon's Surveillance Radar Program for Taiwan Completes System Design Review
Raytheon has successfully completed its system design review for Taiwan's Surveillance Radar Program (SRP).
The two-day intensive technical review took place with the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center, which oversees the contract on behalf of the Taiwan air force.
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Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Successfully Completes COMPTUEX
The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group successfully completed its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) May 8.
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Boeing Completes Missile Defense Silo Modification Tests
Boeing has successfully tested modified underground silo and launch system components for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptor.
This clear the silo to participate in a system flight test this summer.
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4th Prototype JF-17 'Thunder' aircraft successfully completed inaugural flight
Pakistan Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, watched the maiden operational test flight of a prototype JF-17 (FC-4) on Wednesday.
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NetFires LLC Successfully Conducts Loitering Attack Missile Flight Test
Lockheed Martin conducted a successful Control Test Vehicle (CTV) flight test of its Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) recently at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Fuel issues prevented the missile from extending its cruise period.
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Part of crashed F-14 from Oceana washes ashore in Ireland (Free Registration)
The U.S. Navy has identified the F-14 Tomcat whose tail fin was washed ashore at Long Strand near Owenahincha, Ireland, on May 5.
The aircraft, BuNo. 162594, was lost near Key West in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 3, 2002. Both crew members safely ejected.
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Air Force puts kibosh on funding for Army’s new cargo aircraft
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee has cut $109 million from the Army’s request of $113 million for aircraft to replace its C-23 Sherpa and C-12 Huron.
The cut left the Joint Cargo Aircraft program in limbo as the Army needs the money to start replacing aircraft in 2008.
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Harris Corporation Selected by Lockheed Martin for $10 Million JASSM ER Weapon Data Link Transceiver Contract
Harris Corp. will provide the weapons data link (WDL) for the JASSM ER stealth cruise missile.
The WDL will enable the JASSM ER to engage relocatable and time-critical targets.
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Canada on crash course without Hercules foam safety device: ex-pilot
The Canadians are looking into getting explosive suppressant foam system for its C-130s operating in South Asia.
This comes as investigations revealed that such a system might have save an RAF C-130 in Iraq.
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Heroic Stunt Pilot Laid to Rest
South Korean Air Force Captain Kim Do-yun, who died in a crash at an air show last week, was laid to rest on Monday.
Related Articles
Crashed jet did not have black box
Jet Crashes, Pilot Dies at Air Show
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Navy pushes for Israeli Barak on all warships
The Indian Navy wants to arm all its ships with Israeli-made Barak anti-missile missile system.
India and Israel signed a deal early this year to jointly developed and produced the Barak-II defense missiles for warships.
Related Article
India, Israel to sign defense deal
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Chinese MiG buyer seeks eBay refund
The Chinese businessman who bought a MiG-21F from ebay wants his money back after he found out that the plane can only be shipped to the United States and Canada.
He paid US$24,730 for the former Czech plane.
Related Article
Businessman buys jet on eBay
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Electronic Systems Group Tests Next Generation Radar
The USAF 851st Electronic Systems Group is preparing for a year-long test of the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program aboard the Proteus.
The MP-RTIP is the next generation airborne sensor that will be carried by the Global Hawk and E-10A.
Labels: MP-RTIP
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JSF delay seen risky for partners
A recent decision by U.S. lawmakers to slow the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program could pose risks for suppliers and international partners who need the airplane to replace aging fighters.
Ken Krieg said in an interview that restoring funding to the F136 engine could possibly lead to cuts in the number of F-35 fighters to be bought as well.
Related Article
F-35 fighter flies into trouble in Congress
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Missile may have come from Iran
A surface-to-air missile, obtained possibly from neighbouring Iran, may have down the British Lynx helicopter last Saturday.
The Lynx was shot down in Basra, Iraq on Saturday.
Related Articles
Basra crash victims named by MoD
'Lucky shot' downed helicopter
British troops die Basra helicopter attack
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Aircraft carrier park rebuffs relocation proposal
A second auction would be held in mid-May to decide the fate of ex-Soviet carrier Minsk.
An executive from the company that owns the ship dismissed reports that the aircraft carrier would be relocated to Hong Kong.
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Giant of the sky to take on a herculean load for military
Twelve RAAF personnel, including pilots and loadmasters, are training at Altus air base in Oklahoma to prepare to bring the first of four C-17s home this December.
Related Article
Australia – C-17 GLOBEMASTER III Aircraft (PDF)
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Pentagon may buy 15-20 aerial tankers a year
Kenneth Krieg, Pentagon's undersecretary of defense for acquisition, said the Defense Department tentatively plans to buy 15 to 20 tankers a year over two decades, possibly from more than one manufacturer.
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Bid to retire U-2s halted
The House Armed Services Committee has blocked a bid by the USAF to start retiring the U-2 in 2007, but did agree to allow the retirement of up to 10 F-117A stealth fighters.
The bill prohibits the retirement of the U-2 until the Pentagon certifies there would not be a gap in intelligence capabilities.
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Harrier pilots practice carrier landings
Nine Harrier pilots with Marine Attack Squadron 214, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing carried out two days of field carrier landing practice on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan Apr. 25 and 27.
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B-1 makes hard landing
A B-1B Lancer, at the end of a ferry mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam made a wheels-up belly landing at Diego Garcia Monday.
The plane from 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas slid 7,500 feet before coming to rest on the runway.
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Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Military sets sights on new blend of aircraft tested at Langley
The Virginian-Pilot visits NASA Langley Research Center to get an update on the X-48B wind tunnel testing.
Labels: X-48
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Maker of spy plane is in the money
The Insitu Group, maker the ScanEagle, has secured $23 million in venture capital funding.
The 170-person company will use the money build new aircraft for commercial uses such as deep-sea fishing, mineral exploration and wildlife tracking.
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Australia funds study
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems will run simulations of RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance operations over the north-west Australian coastline while competitor General Atomics will deploy an actual aircraft.
Northrop was not able to provide a Global Hawk aircraft for the demonstration due to U.S. operational commitments.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will deploy its Mariner endurance UAV prototype to Australia in August to support the demonstration.
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Thailand to fund F-16 modification
Thailand's entire F-16A/B fleet will undergo a structural upgrade program. Over 50 F-16A/Bs will be upgraded with Lockheed-supplied Falcon Star kits.
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Proteus prepared for radar trial
The Proteus high-altitude, long-endurance manned testbed aircraft has flown with a 16.5m (54ft)-long canoe fitted under its fuselage.
The canoe is to simulate the multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP) sensor.
Labels: MP-RTIP
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New Norad deal approved in House of Commons
Canada's House of Commons has voted to renew and expand the Norad pact with United States.
The new pact expands its watch over sea approaches, it also eliminates the need for five-year renewals.
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Northrop and USAF hit back at critics of Global Hawk costs
Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force have released previously classified unit price information on the RQ-4 Global Hawk after recent criticism from the Congress and General Accountability Office.
The cost of an RQ-4 airframe has increased from $20.3 million for the original seven Block 10 A-model demonstrators, to only $27.6 million each for the rest of the 51 planned aircraft.
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Hercules avionics deal gets closer
Thailand plans to launch an avionics upgrade program for its Lockheed Martin C-130 transport fleet soon.
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Foam protection will be installed on UK Hercules
Marshall Aerospace has been awarded a contract to install explosion suppressant foam (ESF) on an undisclosed number of the Royal Air Force’s Lockheed Martin C-130J/K transports.
The first C-130 to be fitted with ESF will deploy to South Asia in the next couple of months.
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U.S. Army orders 36 Shadow drones from AAI
The U.S. Army has ordered 36 more RQ-7B unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from AAI Corp. to be delivered over the next year.
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UAV for Greece undergoes flight test
A Sperwer tactical UAV for Greece recently conducted a successful test flight.
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Bulgaria's Defence Ministry researches equipment purchase conditions
Bulgaria has approached Gripen International about prices, availability and delivery conditions for Gripen fighters.
Lockheed Martin has offered its F-16 and Boeing its F/A-18 as well.
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Mexico selects Sukhoi Su-27 for strategic surveillance
The Mexican navy has selected the Sukhoi Su-27 to carry out "strategic surveillance" over key areas of Mexico’s coastline.
The navy will eight purchase single-seat Su-27s and two Su-27UB two-seat trainers.
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Crashed jet did not have black box
South Korean investigators said that it is difficult to identify the cause of a A-37 fighter crash at Suwon Air Base last Friday as the jet is not carry any black box.
The jet was from the the Black Eagle demonstration team. It was performing at an air show to celebrate Children's Day last Friday.
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Basra crash victims named by MoD
Wing Commander John Coxen is the most senior British officer to lost his life in Iraq when his Lynx helicopter crashed in Basra, Iraq on Saturday.
Flt Lt Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill was also the first British servicewoman to die in action in Iraq.
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Pictures: China's Chengdu FC-1 fighter performs first flight with JSF-style engine inlets
Flight International analyze the changes made to China’s Chengdu FC-1 lightweight fighter fourth prototype.
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Pakistan Air Chief visiting China
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief will visit China where he will witness the first operational flight of JF-17 Thunder aircraft in Chengdu.
The JF-17 Thunder is a joint venture between Pakistan and China.
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Red Flag-Alaska wraps up
Red Flag-Alaska wraps up on May 5 with more than 84 aircraft and 1,500 Air Force active duty, Reserve, and National Guard Airmen taking part.
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NASA Awards Boeing S-3B Viking Modification Contract
NASA has awarded Boeing a competitively bid contract to modify the communication, navigation and electrical systems of an S-3B Viking aircraft.
NASA obtained the S-3B from the U.S. Navy to facilitate research requirements for the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
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Fighters strike enemy caves in Afghanistan
F-15E Strike Eagles from the USAF 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron struck two caves with precision-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions near Asadabad, Afghanistan, on May 2.
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Monday, May 08, 2006
Red carpet welcome for PM at INS Viraat (Video)
Video of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's review of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet, including demonstrations by its Sea Harriers.
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Lockheed is flying high in Akron
550 Lockheed Martin employees are working in Akron, Ohio to build the High Altitude Airship for the Missile Defense Agency.
The 400-foot-long, 140-foot diameter unmanned airship is designed to float in one position for months at an altitude of 60,000 feet while carrying long-range sensors.
Related Article
Lockheed Martin to Build High Altitude Airship Under $149.2 Million Missile Defense Agency Contract
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Former POWs relive freedom flights
More than 120 former U.S. prisoners of war flew on the first C-141 that ferried them out of Vietnam 33 years ago on May 5.
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Air Chief becomes a skydiver
Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi earned his skydiver wings on Sunday after completing two skydiving jumps over Hindon.
He became the first chief to earn paratrooper wings last year.
Related Articles
ACM Tyagi becomes first IAF chief to earn para 'wings'
Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi leads skydivers to celebrate IAF’s 73rd birth anniversary
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CIA Frontrunner: Wrong Man, Wrong Time?
U.S. lawmakers are speaking out against President Bush's nomination of USAF General Michael Hayden as head of CIA.
While they noted that the CIA has been run by a half dozen military men — three while still on active duty — over its 60 year history. They feel that this time a civilian is needed to run the agency.
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C-5 recovery efforts continue at Dover
One month after a C-5 Galaxy crash-landed less than a mile short of the runway at Dover, recovery operations are proceeding on schedule, officials said.
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Rumsfeld Presses China on Fate of Pilot
During an official visit to Beijing last October, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld privately asked Chinese officials on the fate of a fellow Navy flier that was shot down by the Chinese in 1956.
Lt. James B. Deane Jr. was flying a Martin P4M-1Q Mercator with 15 other men when it was shot down over the East China Sea shortly after midnight Aug. 23, 1956.
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T-38 crash investigation complete
A detail news report on the crash of a T-38C on Dec. 13, 2005 after being hit by a vulture during a low-level flight.
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'Lucky shot' downed helicopter
It was a British Army Lynx Mark 7 helicopter that was brought down by a RPG over central Basra, Iraq.
The Lynx was one of about nine flying regular patrols in southern Iraq, it was hit by a gunman with a RPG from up to 300 yards.
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Finland too selects the EADS CASA C-295 aircraft
The Finnish Air Force has officially selected the EADS CASA C-295 as a tactical transport aircraft.
It will buy 2 aircraft with 5 options to replaces its Fokker 27, which are currently in service and close to the end of their operational life.
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Sunday, May 07, 2006
US Navy jet tail fin washes up on Irish shores
A tail fin from an F-14 Tomcat belonging to VF-101 Grim Reapers was washed up ashore on a beach in Ireland on Friday.
The tail fin was found on a beach in west Cork by a retired Aer Lingus pilot.
The Irish Aviation Authority sealed off the scene and handed the investigation over to the Air Navigation Investigation Unit.
A Pentagon spokesman said that they were not aware of any missing tail fins.
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Iran Might Try to Disrupt Hormuz Oil Flow If Attacked by U.S.
Military planners and Middle East analysts say that Iran will attempt to block off oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if attacked by the United States.
An American general said that Iran is expanding naval bases along its shoreline and now has many small, fast-attack ships, many armed with torpedoes and Chinese-made high-speed missiles.
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Missile defense radar leaves Hawaii
The Sea-Based X-Band Radar is making its second attempt to reach its home port in Alaska from Hawaii.
The floating radar was forced to turn around in March when sea water leaked through the ballast piping on its platform.
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MV-22 Osprey's 'Class A' mishap remains under investigation
The investigation into the heavy landing of a MV-22 Osprey at New River Air Station in March will be concluding soon.
Sources close to the investigation said the accident is not a problem with the Osprey’s technology, nor did it result from mistakes made by the air crew.
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British troops die Basra helicopter attack
A British helicopter was shot down in Basra, Iraq on Saturday killing at least 4 on board.
The U.K. Ministry of Defence confirmed there were casualties but provided no other details, refusing even to say what type of helicopter had been hit.
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10 U.S. Troops Die in Afghan Copter Crash
A U.S. CH-47 Chinook crashed late Friday in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
10 on board were killed while on a mission in support of Operation Mountain Lion.
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PM's day out on INS Viraat
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spent a day and night on the Navy's aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Friday.
He arrived on Friday afternoon and was given a display of Naval strength from ships and aircraft.
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Aerosonde Mk4 UAV Sets New unofficial world endurance record at 38hrs 48 mins
The current world endurance record held by the RQ-4A Global Hawk has been shattered by a Mk4 Aerosonde UAV.
Aerosonde 157 (Piccolo II 1032) Launched at 0637 UTC and landed at 2119 and landed on Wednesday May 3 at 2119 for a total of 38 hours and 48 minutes.
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Saturday, May 06, 2006
USS Ronald Reagan passing exercise (PASSEX) with FS Charles de Gaulle
A French Navy Super Etendard performing a touch-and-go on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan during a recent passing exercise (PASSEX) with the FS Charles de Gaulle. U.S. Navy Photo taken by Photographer's Mate Airman (AW) Kathleen Gorby.
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Int'l JSF Deal Nears Completion
U.S. F-35 officials says JSF participation nations likely will agree by next month to move the program forward.
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F-35 Ground-Vibration Testing Finished Ahead of Schedule; Initial Production Contract Awarded
Lockheed Martin has completed ground-vibration testing for the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter early on April 30 ahead of schedule.
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F-18 Hornet hävittäjien yhteenkosketus Karjalan lennostossa 4.5.2006
Pictures at the Finnish Air Force website showing the damages to the two F/A-18 that collided in mid-air on Thursday.
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Special Report: UAVs - frontline flyers
A Janes report on the rise of UAVs around the world.
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US Air Force sees $100 million to fix F-22 problem
The U.S. Air Force said it will spend $100 million to fix the aft boom, where the horizontal tail of the plane attaches to the fuselage.
It denied a report that the problem affects 100 aircraft and costs $1 billion.
Some 41 aircraft would be retrofitted beginning in January to fix the weakness, while improvements to 32 more jets would be incorporated into the production line.
66 of those planes were also affected by a separate issue involving the plane's forward boom, where the wing attaches to the fuselage, where fatigue testing revealed that titanium used there was not properly heat-tested.
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Jet Crashes, Pilot Dies at Air Show
An A-37 jet belonging to the South Korean Air Force’s Black Eagle aerobatics team crashed at an air show at Suwon Air base Friday.
The pilot failed to eject from the aircraft in time. The air show was being held to celebrate the South Korean holiday Children's Day.
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Kadena hears complaints about safety, noise
The Japanese government on Friday called on Kadena Air Base to ensure safer and less noisy operations by F-15 fighters following an
incident involving one at the base Tuesday.
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Don’t blink: F-15 aces doing their last round of shows
The USAF F-15 Eagle demonstration team will disband at the end of the year. It will make one of its last appearances at the AirPower Over Hampton Roads air show this weekend.
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F-35 fighter flies into trouble in Congress
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has a plan that slows down the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Lockheed Martin will have to delay production beyond 2007 of the first F-35s and the committee cut $1.2 billion from the $4 billion-plus requested for the program in fiscal 2007 to force more pre-production testing.
The House of Representatives Armed Services Committee voted this week to fund fully the first five and only enough to buy five more in 2008, down from 16 sought by the Pentagon.
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New frontiers: India all set to export missiles
India expects to announce the first sale of the Brahmos supersonic missile by the end of the year.
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V-22 is going to war, Marine general says
Lt. Gen. John G. Castellaw, deputy commandant for USMC aviation, said that the V-22 will go to war next year in Iraq despite a recent accident.
The Marines also will install and test a gun on the ramp of the Ospreys by January.
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Friday, May 05, 2006
Boeing Phantom Works to Lead Research on X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept
This is one of my favorite aircraft that I hope will fly one day. The Boeing X-48B Ship No. 1 will complete its wind tunnel testing in early May and will join Ship No. 2 as backup for flight testing later this year.
Labels: X-48
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Panel tries to save Kennedy
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has thwart Sen. John W. Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, bid to retire USS John F. Kennedy.
The committee wanted the Navy to maintain the current number of aircraft carriers.
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China Lake designated historical site
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has designated the China Lake Naval Ordnance Test Station as an aerospace historical site.
China Lake developed the Sidewinder missile.
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10,000 gallons of fuel spilled in C-5 crash
About 10,000 gallons of aviation fuel were spilled by the USAF C-5 Galaxy that crash short of runway at Dover last month.
50,000 gallons of fuel aboard was recovered during a six-day operation and steps are being taken to clean up the spill.
In the mean time, the USAF hopes to recover 1,100 parts from the C-5.
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U.S. aims laser-weapon research at space
The United States is secretly developing a powerful ground-based laser weapon that would destroy enemy satellites in orbit.
The project is politically sensitive to the Bush administration which is trying to play down the issue of space arms.
The U.S. House Armed Services subcommittee unanimously cut research money for the project in the administration's budget for the 2007 fiscal year as it feels that the project is controversial.
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US Navy Midshipmen to Test Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Designs
Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy will join their West Point and Air Force Academy counterparts in Nevada May 7-11 to compare and test their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designs.
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V-22: ‘Osprey Dawn’ On Atlantic As Two Birds Prepare For UK Flight
Two USMC V-22 Ospreys will fly 2100nm non-stop from Canada to the U.K. to attend this year's Farnborough Air Show.
The VMX-22 aircraft will fly from New River to Goose Bay and then directly to the show accompanied by a C-130 tanker for mid-air refueling during the final leg.
A NAVAIR spokesman said the trip was not planned to show off the long range capability of the Osprey. But he admits that such a flight is a good opportunity to demonstrate the capability.
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Second batch of SA aircraft sold to Brazil
South Africa has sold three Atlas Impala II light attack aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force.
The Impala II is a South African licence-built single-seat attack version of the Aermacchi MB326 tandem two-seat jet trainer.
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Russian Spies Back into Orbit
A Soyuz-U rocket lifted a Kobalt-M optical reconnaissance satellite into orbit on Wednesday night.
It was rushed into service after the last operational satellite, US-PU, service life ended last month.
Russia will next month lauch Resurs-DK, an optical and electronic reconnaissance satellite, and US-PU, a naval radiotechnical reconnaissance satellite as well.
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Atsugi aviator savors role as commander of Blue Angels
Cmdr. Kevin Mannix of the USN never expected to be selected as the new leader of the Blue Angels.
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Two Finnish Air Force F-18s collide midair but land safely
Two Finnish Air Force F/A-18s had a mid-air collision on Thursday but managed to land safely.
The incident happened on a training flight at 9.55am with one Hornet sustaining damage on its canopy and the other on the tip of its tail.
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The 'Frankenplane'
The Finnish Air Force intends to create the world's only aircraft of its kind by producing an F-18D from parts of a C-model and an earlier-generation B-model Hornet.
The "Frankenplane," or more officially HN-413 will be put together by Finnish aerospace company Patria at less than half of the aircraft's original price.
HN-413 was formely a F-18C that suffered severe damage to the airframe and engines during a mid-air collision with another Finnish F-18C.
The FiAF decided to salvage the aircraft by turning it into a D-model using spare parts and fuselage section from an older B-model aircraft purchased from the Canadian air force.
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U.S. to Step Up Disassembly of Older Nuclear Warheads (Free Registration)
U.S. lawmakers have been pressuring the Bush administration to step up the pace of dismantling the estimated 4,000 to 6,000 non-operational nuclear warheads in the stockpile.
This is in part to counter any impression that the United States is starting a new arms race with its work to develop a new generation of more reliable nuclear arms.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $379 Million Contract for PAC-3 Missile Production
Lockheed Martin has landed a $379 million contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) for the production of 112 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles.
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'Hanoi Taxi' to retire at National Museum of the Air Force
The first USAF C-141 Starlifter that arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 1973 to pick up POWs returning to the United States will be retired on May 6.
Former POWs will participate on two flights at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on May 5, commemorating Operation Homecoming in 1973.
The plane will make its final landing at 9:30 a.m. at the National Museum of the United States Air Force on May 6.
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VL MICA scores from naval launcher
MBDA successfully carried out a test firing of the VL MICA air defence missile system from a naval launcher at the French DGA’s CELM test facility Apr. 26.
The target, simulating a sea-skimming anti-ship missile, was destroyed by a direct hit at a range of 10 km.
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Thursday, May 04, 2006
Starfighters May Find A Home In Chattanooga
An anonymous reader send in this piece of news. The Starfighters supersonic air demonstration team wants to Chattanooga the operational hub for the team.
The team recently acquired 16 ex-Italian F-104s and they plan to bring 8 of them to the United States.
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Pictures: 岩国基地で海兵隊ＦＡ１８が緊急着陸
From Asagiri: A USMC F/A-18 made an emergency arrested landing at Iwakuni Air Base on Apr. 25 at around 1700hrs.
The plane circled the runway for several times before landing. It was able to taxi out of the runway itself after landing.
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Pictures: 原因不明、飛行を再開 Ｆ１５事故
A USAF F-15 made an arrested emergency landing at Kadena Air Force Base May 2 and suffered damage when the left main landing gear collapse.
The left wing touched the surface and sparks could be seen from the photo. The aircraft then veered off the runway and came to a stop in a grass field.
The F-15's oil pressure system warning light was illuminated earlier in flight.
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Aermacchi offers life extension
Aermacchi is trying to convince the RMAF to extend the service lives of its MB339A trainers and to buy new MB339CDs.
Aermacchi is offering a free five-year service extension to Malaysia's seven remaining MB339As.
Aermacchi says it has already inspected two aircraft and found them to be in good condition to fly for another five years.
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Flaw Could Shorten Raptors' Lives
The USAF has discovered that the forward boom frames on 90 of the F-22A may age prematurely.
During routine testing in December officials discovered that the titanium components may have been "improperly" treated. This will shorten the service life of 8,000 flying hours.
The problem affects Raptors No. 4017 through 4107, 66 of those aircraft already have been delivered to the Air Force.
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Reid - foam may have saved lives
British Defence Secretary John Reid contradicted his own ministry by saying that 10 servicemen could have been saved if fuel-inerting devices were fitted on RAF C-130s.
Mr Reid said: "This tragedy might have been averted if we had done that."
In the mean time, the RAAF said that its are equipped with the fuel-inerting device.
Related Article
Device 'may not have saved lives'
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Army looks to build a better helicopter
The U.S. Army's Joint Heavy Lift helicopter program, which aims to improve or replace aging Chinook, is studying five concepts ranging from an upgraded Chinook to a new helicopter design.
The concept study should be wrapped up by the end of 2007 where it will move into a technology development phase.
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Rolls-Royce signs deal worth $200 million
Rolls-Royce has been renewed as the engine supplier for the C-27J tactical military transport aircraft.
The C-27J is a candidate for the Joint Cargo Aircraft program.
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IAF denies MiG-29 deployment in Tajikistan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has denied reports that it will deploy its MiG-29 multi-role fighters at an air base in Tajikistan.
Press reports had earlier claimed that IAF intends to deploy 12 MiG-29 to Aini air base by end of the year.
Related Articles
IAF to station MiG-29s in Tajikistan
India, Russia likely to share Tajik airbase
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Mexico seeking to buy Russian fighter jets
Mexico and Russia are in talks for 12 Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets, according to Russian Media.
Related Article
Mexican navy to get more muscle
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Japan – Mission Equipment for AWACS Aircraft (PDF)
DSCA has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of four sets of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Command, Control and Communications (C3) mission equipment/Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits.
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Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Tokyo, Washington set to ink final deal to realign military
Japan and the United States approved on Monday plans to realign U.S. forces in Japan by 2014.
A V-shaped 1,800m runway will be buided at Henoko point in Marine Corps Camp Schwab for aircraft relocated from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
Carrier aircraft from Atsugi Naval Air Station will be relocated to Iwakuni by 2014 as well.
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Despite Uncertain Future, U.S.S. Kennedy Goes To Sea
USS John F. Kennedy headed out to sea on Tuesday for a week of training. The crew will carry out basic seamanship training, firefighting drills, and other exercises designed to keep sailors sharp.
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Device 'may not have saved lives'
The British Ministry of Defense has refuted claims that an RAF Hercules might have survived if fuel tank inerting systems were fitted on it.
The RAF lost a C-130 in January 2005 due to hostile fire. The plane's fuel tank ignited and blew up in flight.
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Manufacturer pioneers moving production line
Pratt & Whitney is developing the first-ever military jet engine moving production line for the Lockheed Martin F-22A’s F119 engine.
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Australia studies training needs
The Royal Australian Air Force is currently evaluating an upgraded cockpit for its PC-9 turbo-prop trainer.
It is also trying to determine the service life of the PC-9s.
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Malaysia poised to move for AEW&C aircraft
After evaluating the Saab 2000 AEW&C, Embraer EMB-145 AEW&C and Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 2000 for many years. Malaysia could acquire four AEW&C aircraft this year.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force prefers a jet and an aircraft that is in production.
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Budget bolsters defence spending
The new Canadian government budget failed to allocate money to start the tendering process for new transport planes, fixed-wing search-and-rescue aircraft and heavy-lift helicopters.
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Defence delay for Tiger choppers
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) discovered that the first three of 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters did not meet contractual requirements relating to weapons operability, crash resistance and ability for long flights over water.
The helicopters have also been revealed to be underpowered and could cost another $110 million to fix.
The most important problem appears to be with the electronics, which means Tigers cannot yet operate at night or in bad weather in Australian civil aviation airspace.
Australia in the mean time has slapped a requirement on the Tigers that they may only be flown by instructors and experienced aircrew.
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New UAV for Malaysia
Three Malaysian companies are jointly developing an improved version of CTRM’s Eagle SR2 UAV.
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Aladin UAVs to support Netherlands troops in Afghanistan
The Dutch defence ministry has purchased five Aladin mini hand-launched UAV for its troops deloying to Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province.
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Top Iran Commander Says Israel Will be Target if U.S. Attacks
Rear Admiral Mohammad Ebrahim Dehqani, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, threatened to target Israel first if the United States attack the Gulf state.
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EADS still aims to create 'European Boeing' by pursuing alliances
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co (EADS) wants to be the European Boeing with businesses in all aerospace sectors, including defence electronics.
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PvdA: No Joint Strike Fighters With Us In Cabinet
The Dutch Labour (PvdA) Party has made it clear that it will not buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter if the party makes it into the next government.
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Pentagon adds foreign equipment to comparative test programme
The Pentagon is evaluating a programmable fuze, produced by TDW, for the Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The fuse can sense voids and count layers to defeat hardened and deeply buried bunkers.
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Missouri’s 509th B-2 Wing arrives on Guam
Several B-2 bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing has been deployed to Guam to rotate with the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flying the B-1.
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UK Apaches Clock Up Air Miles By Returning Home: Post Desert Eagle, Pre Operation Herrick
The first of eight British Apaches have returned to U.K. on Apr. 5. They were deployed to Oman in Feb. on Exercise Desert Eagle to undergo pre-deployment desert and mountain environmental training.
The Apaches will start their first operational deployment to Afghanistan in late May/June as part of Operation Herrick.
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C-5 crash simulation to test emergency units
With the recent C-5 crash in Dover still fresh in their minds. Fire, rescue, law enforcement and military officials in New York will take part in a C-5 crash simulation this Saturday.
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Romania receives first of eight improved Soims
The Romanian air force has received the first of eight additional IAR-99C Soim advanced jet trainers with upgraded avionics.
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Aggressors enhance Red Flag-Alaska 06-2
The presence of the USAF 64th Aggressor Squadron enhances Red Flag-Alaska 06-2.
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Northrop Grumman to Produce More Airborne Electronic Attack Systems
The U.S. Navy will make an initial $73 million purchase for four complete systems, another partial system and spares of new EA-6B Prowler Improved Capability (ICAP) III systems.
The Navy requires a minimum of 21 ICAP III-equipped Prowlers for its inventory.
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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Land Rover LR3 Navigates Hercules Aircraft in an Extraordinary World First
Watch Land Rover's TV ad showing a LR3 'navigating' a C-130 using its on board navigation system from Nice, France to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.
The ad is the second installment of Land Rover's 'Designed for the Extraordinary' marketing campaign.
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A Tribute To A. Scott Crossfield, 1921-2006
Aviation Week's tribute to test pilot Scott Crossfield.
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LM To Join JCA Competition With Four-Engine Offering
Aerospace Daily and Defense Report looks at Lockheed Martin's entry in the Joint Cargo Aircraft program with the first four-engine offering in a two-engine contest.
Lockheed will offer the C-130J short fuselage variant that has better engine-out performance as well as airlift capabilities in hot weather and from high altitude airfields than a twin-engine design.
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Half of navy’s helicopters grounded by cash shortage
61 out of 122 Sea King, Merlin, and Lynx helicopters in the Royal Navy are out of action due to lack of spares.
Harriers and Jaguar jets are being cannibalised for spare parts to keep them flying as well.
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Collision with bird caused Dec. crash
A collision with a vulture lead to the crash of a USAF T-38C Falcon training jet on Dec. 13.
The instructor pilot mistakenly concluded the jet’s twin engines lost power from sucking in bird and cockpit debris and choose to eject.
Related Article
Eyewitness to crash gives own account
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IAF to procure specialised C-130 J aircraft
Chief of Indian Air Force, Air Chief S P Tyagi, said that he is interested in getting C-130Js for special forces.
IAF and the Border Security Forces has a need for 12 to 13 of such aircraft. India's special forces currently uses the An-32.
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US rep says airbus must give up launch aid to win tanker
U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, who represents workers at Boeing, said that Airbus ought to give up launch aid if it wants a clear shot at the Pentagon's new tanker program.
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Money, politics at center stage in Air Force tanker race
U.S. Sen. John McCain's persistent efforts to expand the USAF tanker race have opened the door to a number of long-shot contenders like Lockheed Martin or FedEx.
They can convert used passenger or freighter planes to tankers, and offer them to the Air Force for sale or rent.
Although Rand Corp.'s analysis of alternatives didn't rule out either used planes or contract services, it did cautioned that each option had drawbacks.
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Renewal of NORAD Agreement to be voted on by House of Commons
Canada's lawmakers will debate and vote in the House of Commons for the renewal of the North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) Agreement.
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Morocco oks French Upgrade Offer
Morocco has approved a French offer for the upgrade of 27 Mirage F1-CH/EH fighters. The deal involves the upgrade of avionics and radar in the F-1.
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Air force bids farewell to MiG-25s
The Indian Air Force retired its MiG-25 at a ceremony at the Bareilly airbase on Monday.
The phasing out ceremony began in the morning with parade display of the various components of the aircraft like engine and the fuel tank.
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The Great Eagle-Albatross Controversy
Master Warrant Officer Mike Verreault of the Canadian Air Force explains whether or not the bird that appears on Air Force buttons, badges and crests is an eagle or an albatross.
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Reagan Carrier Strike Group Conducts PASSEX with French Navy
USS Ronald Reagan took part in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with FS Charles de Gaulle on Apr. 27.
Aircraft from the
French aircraft carrier also made "touch-and-go" landings aboard Reagan during the exercise.
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Monday, May 01, 2006
Air Vectors : The Tupolev Tu-16 "Badger"
Greg looks at the Tupolev Tu-16 Badger which the Chinese recently restarted production as the
H-6M missile carrier.
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Restored helicopters to fly air-show missions (Free Registration)
Museum volunteers and military veterans at Wings and Rotors Air Museum in Murrieta have restored two Vietnam War-vintage helicopters and are working to return an F-4 Phantom jet to the skies.
One is a OH-58A Kiowa scout helicopter and the other is a UH-1B Iroquois.
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Fuel Prices Won't Ground Air Show
Soaring cost of jet fuel grounded a MiG fighter jet at the AirFest 2006 at March Air Reserve Base over the weekend.
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Israeli Spy Satellite Sends First Images
The Eros B has sent back its first set of images successfully to a ground station in Netherlands Antilles over the weekend.
Satellite pictures published in Israeli newspapers Sunday showed vivid images of a Syrian dam, helicopters in Sudan and a military port in an unidentified country.
Related Article
Israeli spy satellite launched to watch Iran
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Mitsubishi Heavy signs deal to build advanced Patriot missiles - Nikkei
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd has signed a contract with Japan's Defense Agency to build Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.
The missile will be manufactured via a licensing agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp.
Related Article
Japan to procure 124 Patriot missiles by 2010, building majority at home
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Businessman buys jet on eBay
A Chinese businessman has bought a MiG-21F from ebay and wants to use it to decorate an empty space at his offices.
He paid a U.S. seller US$24,730 for the former Czech plane.
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Pentagon puts spoke in RAF tanker contract
The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project is running into trouble with the Pentagon as the latter is not comfortable over releasing sensitive defence equipment.
The project calls for the RAF to lease the aircraft to commercial airlines when they are not required. Pentagon is worried over this issue.
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