View Larger Map The deployment area consists of two areas west of Delingha and Da Qaidam. In total, 58 launch pads have been identified scattered over an area stretching roughly 275 kilometers. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Lockheed wins $197 million U.S. Navy F-35 contract
Lockheed Martin has been given a $197.1 million U.S. Navy contract to buy "long lead" materials for eight F-35As for the U.S. Air Force; eight F-35Bs for the Marine Corps; and 2 STOVL aircraft for Britain.
Pratt & Whitney Canada and Helicopters of Russia Sign MOU to Produce PW127TS for Russian MI-38 Helicopter
Pratt & Whitney Canada and Helicopters of Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to produce the PW127TS engine for the new Mi-38 utility helicopter. The PW127TS engines will be sold to Helicopters of Russia in kits. In addition, unique modules to convert and adapt the PW127 as a turboshaft, will be built in Russia under the technical supervision of P&WC’s Russian affiliate, Pratt & Whitney Rus (P&W Rus) of St. Petersburg. P&W Rus will also provide technical and customer support for the engines. External Link | | Permalink | |
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No fees in submarine, jet deal
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak refuted claims by an opposition leader that fees were paid when the country bought 18 Su-30MKM fighter jets. "On the purchase of Sukhoi, I want to stress that the Government has never paid any commission to IMT (M) Defence Sdn Bhd as alleged," Najib said. External Link | | Permalink | |
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P8I aircraft will give Indian Navy maritime patrol edge
Boeing believes that its P8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy will give it an edge in the Indian Ocean. "This will be the first time the Indian Navy will be able to operate a platform almost simultaneously with the US Navy," Richard Buck, Boeing`s international program manager for the P8 said. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Canada says no guarantee it will buy F-35 fighters
Just after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government will buy 65 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, a military official said there is no guarantee that Canada will buy any jets despite helping to fund its development. The official said that while the JSF is a good aircraft, Canada would be keeping its options open. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Algeria in new talks on Russian warplanes - agency
Interfax news agency reported that Algeria has requested to swapped the 15 MiG-29 fighter jets it returned earlier back to Russia for 14 to 16 Su-30 jets. This will added on to Algeria's earlier order of 28 Su-30MKA fighters. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Analysis: China copter deal - Part 2
Martin Sieff from UPI examines why Russia has allowed China to assemble its prized Mi-171 military transport helicopter.
Air Force Chief Backs Abkhazia Base
Russian Air Force chief Alexander Zelin said Thursday that he favored establishing a military base in Georgia's separatist Abkhazia region.
Russia asked to give USD 250 mn advance for Gorshkov refit
Moscow has been asked by New Delhi to make an advance payment of $250 million to the Sevmash shipyard in order to continue the refurbishing of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. "We have asked Russia to make an advance payment to the cash-crunched Sevmash shipyard, where Admiral Gorshkov is docked for refitting. The amount will be adjusted in the final amount (to be paid to Russia)," Defense Secretary Vijay Singh told IANS.
US House panel eyes subsidy review on tanker deal
Here's an update on the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee decision for a review of any illegal subsidies' role in the KC-X contract. The panel decided that the U.S. Air Force carry out a review of the tanker's selection process if the World Trade Organization finds fault in a subsidy dispute pitting Boeing against Airbus.
While no one was hurt, the fire burned about 250 acres of woodland and swamp. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Aircraft carrier Reagan to start 6-month deployment May 19
USS Ronald Reagan will start its six-month cruise on May 19. It will be accompanied by the cruiser Chancellorsville, the frigate Thach and the destroyers Decatur, Gridley and Howard.
Raytheon Proves Advanced Anti-Submarine Capability with Successful Flight Test
Raytheon has entered the U.S. Navy's High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapons Concept (HAAWC) competition, successfully demonstrating a new weapon system -- the Fish Hawk -- Mar. 21 at the Eglin flight demonstration range in the Gulf of Mexico. The Fish Hawk is a kit that attaches to Raytheon's MK54 lightweight torpedo and enables submarine-hunting aircraft like the P-8 Multi Mission Maritime Aircraft and P-3 Orion to precisely deploy torpedoes from high altitudes while standing off a safe distance from a target. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Raytheon Develops Technology to Help Aircraft Protect Ground Forces
Raytheon will demonstrate to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory a new target recognition technology designed to increase protection for ground forces. The Air-to-Ground Radar Imaging II program would permit aircraft at a safe distance to detect, track and target hostile forces in motion on the ground.
Raytheon, US Navy Sign $61 Million Phalanx Close-In Weapon System Contract
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $61.1 million U.S. Navy contract to purchase radar upgrade kits and other spare parts for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems. Sixty- eight radar kits will be procured for use with the sea-based Phalanx and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System. Twenty-two land-based systems have been delivered to the U.S. Army. External Link | | Permalink | |
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DoD: Chinook helicopters at Pa. plant vandalized
The Pentagon is offering a reward to find out who vandalized two Chinook helicopters at the production line in Philadelphia. "We have determined that this was a deliberate act and not an accident," said Ken Maupin, resident agent in charge of the Philadelphia area office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, at a news conference outside the plant. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Iraqi air force performs medical evacuation
May 14 marked another significant event when members of the Iraqi air force flew its first medical evacuation mission since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew consisted of an Iraqi pilot, flight medic and aerial gunner -- each with a U.S. military counterpart -- as they transported their first patient, an Iraqi man, from the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base to the U.S. Army's 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Gates Says New Arms Must Play Role Now
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said expensive weapons such as the F-22 must prove their value to current conflicts in order to be included in future Pentagon budgets. "I have noticed too much of a tendency towards what might be called next-war-itis — the propensity of much of the defense establishment to be in favor of what might be needed in a future conflict," Gates said. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Chinook Line Temporarily Ceases Operations
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter line in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania has been temporarily closed after possible manufacturing irregularities was found in two aircraft. The Defense Contract Management Agency has been notified as well. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Europrop’s TP400 engine powers through bird strike test
Airbus A400M's troubled TP400-D6 engine has successfully completed its bird strike test. The test was conducted at Techspace Aero’s (SAFRAN Group) test bed in Liers, Belgium and the TP400 recovered after the ingestion to produce over 80 per cent power. External Link | | Permalink | |
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EADS Shifting Work Stateside For LUH
The U.S. Army National Guard will be receiving their first UH-72A utility helicopter on Jun. 7. Meanwhile, EADS North America is establishing its U.S. final assembly facility of the EC-145 derivative helicopters in Mississippi. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Osprey airmen expect to deploy within months
The U.S. Air Force’s lone combat CV-22 squadron is confident that it will be ready to deploy for should the orders come. "We feel we’re ready today," said Lt. Col. Eric Hill, operations officer for the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Prototype UAV tested at Northern Edge
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory tested the Arcturus unmanned aerial vehhicle prototype May 7 at Exercise Northern Edge 2008.
Florida congressman suggests splitting tanker contract
Rep. C.W. Bill Young, the ranking Republican on the House Defense Appropriations Committee, has suggested splitting the KC-X tanker contract. However, Northrop Grumman and Boeing are not willing to take up the offer.
QinetiQ and Boeing's Team ACTIVE and UK MOD Complete 30-Month Training Simulation Demonstration Program
British and American flight simulators were linked up for the first time between Mar. 6-10 during Exercise Avenging Eagle. This allows Tornado, Typhoon, E3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Forward Air Control simulators located at RAF Waddington to be linked to A-10 aircraft simulators in Spangdahlem, Germany; F-16 aircraft simulators at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Arizona; F-15 aircraft simulators at Langley Air Force Base; and AWACS simulators at Tinker Air Force Base. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Korea - AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles (PDF)
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of 35 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles. The sale of the AIM-9X is done in conjunction with the sale of additional F-15K fighters to South Korea. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Russia eyes $4 bln arms contract with Saudis
Russia's Rosoboronexport is preparing to sell 100 Mi-35 (Hind) transport/attack and Mi-17 (Hip) multirole helicopters to Saudi Arabia. The $4 billion arms contract includes around 20 Buk M2E surface-to-air medium-range missile systems. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Missile Is Fired at Copter Over Baghdad, U.S. Says
For the first time since fierce fighting began in March, a U.S. military helicopter has come under a missile attack while flying over the Sadr City, Iraq. The surface-to-air missile was fired at an Apache attack helicopter on Saturday but missed the helicopter. External Link | | Permalink | |
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US aircraft carrier to visit Chile's Valparaíso
USS George Washington will anchor in Chile's Region V port city of Valparaíso today as part of the Partnership of the Americas (POA) military training program. During this time the crew and Chile’s Navy will participate in joint training exercises related to air and surface attacks and antisubmarine tactics. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Cost of new Navy carriers soars to £4.2bn
The cost of building Britain's two new aircraft carriers has soared by £300million to £4.2billion. The government is now expected to try to accelerate agreement of the long-delayed joint venture construction contract to ensure that the escalating price tag does not lead to the project being scrapped.
Vietnam War's 'Ghost Squadron' finally gets its due
Members of the U.S. Navy Observation Squadron VO-67, the "Ghost Squadron", who served in Vietnam will attend a ceremony today at 11a.m. to receive the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action. It was called the Ghost Squadron because it did not officially exist. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Poland says US shield offer not yet acceptable
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters that Washington's arms offer in return for a missile shield in Poland is not acceptable. "We have the right to set our own conditions and expectations. At the moment the U.S. proposals have not reached a satisfactory level for Poland," Tusk said. External Link | | Permalink | |
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China Appears To Regret Asat Test
Joan Johnson-Freese, chairman of the National Security Decision-Making Dept. at the U.S. Naval War College, said China appears to have regretted carrying out their anti-satellite weapon test last year. "The Chinese took very careful aim and shot themselves in the foot with that test," says Johnson-Freese.
China's new naval base triggers US concerns
Retired Admiral James A. Lyons Jr., former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, suggests that Washington should lease a squadron of F-16 fighter jets to counter the Chinese naval base in Sanya, Hainan.
View Larger Map He said "operational tactics" used against the former Soviet Union during the Cold War should be applied against China.
Meanwhile, Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, Pacific Command, warned China that it would face "sure defeat" if it took on the United States militarily.
Hercules ZH876 BOI press statement
A Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry into the loss of a RAF Hercules in Iraq on 12 Feb. 2007 has concluded that as the aircraft was about to touch down at a Tactical Landing Zone, it was subjected to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack and suffered major damage. The aircraft was subsequently deemed unrecoverable and was destroyed by coalition forces in order to deny enemy forces any potential exploitation opportunities. External Link | | Permalink | |
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'Aggressive' training helps pilots outmaneuver enemy
Members of the 18th Aggressor Squadron are playing an important role in Northern Edge 2008. "We are the bad guys. We are the 'aggressors,'" said Tech. Sgt. Gary Pursley, an F-16 Fighting Falcon flightline expeditor for the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. External Link | | Permalink | |
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New technology proves to be dynamite during JEFX 08
F-22 Raptor pilots using an experimental version of a Tactical Targeting Network Technology, or TTNT, were able to send and receive information such as command and control messaging, imagery, airspace updates and even free text messages using a cockpit touch-screen color display during the Air Force Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., held Apr. 15 to 25. Although the download methods are not operational nor planned for operational use, the test demonstrated the F-22's utility for potential information-sharing technologies. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Northrop Grumman Begins Installing New Engines On Joint STARS
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation two undefinitized contracts, worth $300 million collectively, to complete non-recurring engineering, flight test/certification and begin production of new engines for the service's E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) fleet. Work will begin immediately with the test bed aircraft based in Melbourne being the first E-8 to convert to the Pratt and Whitney JT8D engine and complete military certification flight test activities, which will begin later this year. Concurrently, production startup activity begins with Northrop Grumman's principal subcontractors, Pratt and Whitney and Seven Q Seven, to produce a propulsion pod system that includes JT8D core engines, nacelles, thrust reversers and pylons. The first retrofit to the Joint STARS fleet is set for late 2010. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Defense giant presses Congress, Air Force to pay for radar system
Northrop Grumman wants the U.S. Congress to help fund upgrades to its E-8C Joint STARS surveillance planes in order to keep them flying after 2015. Parts for the existing radar on board the JSTARS will be difficult to replace after 2012 and without a working radar, the aircraft is useless.
Northrop Grumman hopes another $3billion can be funded to complete the Multi-platform Radar Technology Insertion Program so that the new radar can be used on the E-8C. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Wanted: Powerful engine for LCA
India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft flew with the first General Electric F-404-IN20 engine last week.
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