Tuesday, November 30, 2004
RADM(NS) TEO CHEE HEAN OPENS CHANGI AIR BASE (EAST)
Singapore Minister for Defence, Rear-Admiral (NS) Teo Chee Hean, officially opened Changi Air Base (East) yesterday. It will house 145 Squadron, which operates the F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons.
Factsheet - Changi Air Base (East)
Factsheet - RSAF Units to be Housed at CAB (East)
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Trials of anti-submarine version of ALH in progress
Trials for the anti-submarine version of the Indian built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) are in progress here, Flag officer commanding-in-chief, Indian Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral S C S Bangara, said.
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Boeing hopeful Malaysia will buy planes
Boeing Co. was hopefull Sunday of securing a deal to supply Malaysia with a squadron of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, Business Times reported Monday.
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Seven Soldiers Killed in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash in Texas
Seven U.S. soldiers were killed when their Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in central Texas this morning, possibly after hitting wires from a television transmission tower, a military spokesman said.
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Army aviation legend McLean decides to hang up his wings
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert McNeal took his final flight recently, which also was his first in an AH-64D Apache Longbow.
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Air Force general faces court martial
A Philippine Air Force general accused of swindling a civilian supplier of P2.2 million will face court martial on recommendation of the Air Force Inspector General.
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B-52 Upgrade Becomes Latest Boeing Program to Meet Net-Readiness Criteria
A Boeing program to modernize the U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber is the latest Integrated Defense Systems program to meet the Company's key requirements for networked combat readiness.
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Rumsfeld to visit India for a day
The U.S. has reportedly formally offered to sell the Patriot missile system to New Delhi to beef up its security against possible missile attacks.
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British approval to bolster Eurofighter programme
The Eurofighter Typhoon programme is expected to get a boost this week when the U.K. Treasury signs off on the British portion of the contract for the second batch of 236 combat jets.
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Monday, November 29, 2004
USAF Weighs Four Skunk Works Designs for Interim Strike
Lockheed Martin designers are taking the wraps off four concepts they're offering to the U.S. Air Force to meet its requirements for an interim long-range strike platform to fit in between the B-2 and whatever will replace the 21 stealth bombers in the 2035 period.
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Dawn of a New Flight Testing Era Challenges Pros
The advent of highly integrated aircraft and weapon systems has flight test professionals scrambling to devise new evaluation techniques in the midst of complex development programs.
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RAF man who flew in from the cold
Roy MacIntyre spent half his career chasing Soviets across the sky. Now he�s protecting the old foe in Lithuania.
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Sukhoi handed over, takes off on first flight
India's first home-made Su-30 MKI multirole fighter rolled out of the shop floors of HAL�s Nashik aircraft facility and had its inaugural flight Nov 28.
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Air Force spy jet needs special breed of pilots
Every year, up to 30 experienced pilots from all branches of services apply for the chance to become a U-2 pilot. Only about two-thirds are accepted.
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US military contractor's tentacles reaching farther than ever
Lockheed Martin, the top recipient of Pentagon contracts, has branched out far beyond making state-of-the-art fighter jets.
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Next generation rotor technology to be showcased at the maiden Dubai Helishow 2004
More than 80 leading regional and global helicopter manufacturers are taking part in Dubai Helishow 2004.
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World's biggest missile maker shapes the future
Scientists and engineers at Raytheon Missile Systems -- the world's biggest missile-making operation -- are shaping the future of warfare.
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Sunday, November 28, 2004
VFA-103 Jolly Rogers F/A-18 Super Hornet (F) Lot 27 Aircraft
Gerry Clarke has posted some great photos of the new Jolly Rogers colors on the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permissiom from Gerry. Thanks alot Gerry!
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Wanted: Aviation memories
The Celebrate Freedom Foundation which is renovating the Curtiss-Wright Hangar at Columbia�s Owens Field, South Carolina is seeking more information about the hangar�s and Columbia�s places in the history of flight.
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Nicaragua destroys 334 portable surface-to-air missiles
The Nicaraguan armed forces announced Wednesday they destroyed 334 SAM-7 missiles. So far this year, the Nicaraguan armed forces have destroyed about 1,000 of the 2,174 portable missiles it had in its arsenal.
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Army sells off jets to public
Private buyers have snapped up 13 old Mirage supersonic military jets - minus their weapons or engines - which were auctioned off by the Swiss army for a total of 521,000 Swiss francs ($577,000).
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Whidbey Island air squadron on its way home
VAQ-132 Prowler squadron is on its way back from duty in Iraq.
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IAF compensates family of Mig-21 crash victim
The Indian Air Force has paid a compensation of Rs 12.36 lakh to a woman whose husband was killed and two children injured when a Mig-21 aircraft crashed on their house at Lalgaon village in Budgam district of Central Kashmir two years back.
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Accidental Strafing Divides N.J. Region
The strafing of a school by a National Guard F-16 fighter jet has divided residents of the fast-growing region around the Warren Grove Gunnery Range. Some fear for their safety, while others consider it profoundly unpatriotic to question the military during a time of war.
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OMAN TO RECEIVE EW SYSTEMS FOR F-16
The United States has approved a proposal to provide Oman with electronic warfare systems for the sultanate's F-16 fleet.
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Saturday, November 27, 2004
EADS Receives Russian Government�s Approval to Take 10% Stake in Irkut
European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. has received approval from the Russian government to take a 10 percent stake in fighter jet manufacturer Irkut, Russia�s Prime-Tass news agency quoted an Irkut spokeswoman as saying.
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Eurofighter partners agree on second tranche: report
Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain have agreed to commit to the production of a second batch of Eurofighter aircraft, the Financial Times Deutschland reported.
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Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired
India on Friday successfully test-fired the Akash surface-to-air missile from a range in Orissa, a defence source said.
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No Tomahawks - yet - for Dutch defence minister
Dutch Defence Minister Henk Kamp wants the country to beef up its military capability by buying Tomahawk cruise missiles. However the plans were blocked by the Dutch parliament.
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Experts' panel to look into IAF crashes
Indian Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday told a parliamentary consultative committee on defence that an "expert group" will investigate the unusually high number of IAF aircraft crashes.
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Dhruv helicopter heads for Israel
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has signed a contract with Israel Aircraft Industries for supply of a civil variant 'Dhruv' helicopter to Israel for transportation purposes.
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HAL team to investigate Dhruv landing in Nepal
The uncontrolled "hard landing" of an Indian-made ALH Dhruv helicopter in Nepal recently has compelled manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to put its technical team on a probe in Kathmandu.
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New Army helicopters undergo testing
Australia's new Tiger helicopters have begun flight testing in Brisbane. The first two Tiger helicopters will be delivered to Oakey Air Base in south-east Queensland next month.
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MiG deal to figure in Ivanov�s talks with Pranab
India's purchase of 16 MiG-29K fighters from Russia as part of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal has run into rough weather.
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Friday, November 26, 2004
F-16s for Pakistan by mid 2005
Pakistan is reportedly looking to finalize purchase of 18 to 25 F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft from the United States in the first half of next year.
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Continuing confusion over Singapore Air Force training plans
The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force,Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Vantana, has denied that
Singapore plans to rent a military airbase in the country's north-eastern province of Udon Thani, but admitted yesterday that Singaporean troops could use the airfield for training exercises.
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Boeing Converts 737 Into Bomber
Boeing is gearing up to modify its ubiquitous twin-jet, single-aisle airliner into a Navy patrol bomber called the Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft, or MMA.
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US to sell 50 medium-range missiles to Jordan
The Pentagon is to sell 50 AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Jordan, along with supporting equipment, in a deal worth about 39 million dollars, despite objections from Israel.
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Resultant Fury tests were successful, service says
"Resultant Fury is a demonstration to allies and adversaries in the Pacific that the U.S. Air Force has the ability to rapidly respond and sink multiple moving sea targets in any weather environment, day or night," Gen. David Deptula, director of Pacific Air Forces Air and Space Operations said. "The United States is the only nation with this capability."
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RUSSIAN FIGHTERS FOR INDONESIAN PALM OIL
Russia could sell eight Su-30 fighters to Indonesia before the end of the year. The $250 million contract will be paid for mostly in commodities like palm oil.
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Saab Bofors Dynamics -- Another NATO country buys RBS 70
Saab Bofors Dynamics has signed a contract with Latvia regarding the RBS 70 Air Defence Missile System. The order is worth MSEK 185 for Saab. The Latvian Air Force is the end customer and user of the system.
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Thursday, November 25, 2004
So long Sword
USAF F-15 Eagles prepare for an exercise Keen Sword 2005 mission at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis.
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Congressman calls for investigation of Navy field site
The congressman who represents the eastern North Carolina area where a jet landing strip is proposed says he will ask for a Government Accounting Office investigation of the Navy's site selection.
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Malaysian air chief calls on Bangladesh President
The Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Datuk Nik Ismail Mohammed paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban.
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V-22 made emergency landing in Canada
A V-22 Ospreyt being tested in Nova Scotia recently made an emergency landing at the Canadian air force�s Shearwater air base after losing a chunk of rotor blade.
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Thailand in favour of Sweden's Gripen
"It seems positive," said Swedish Defence Minister Leni Bj�rklund following talks with Thai officers and political leaders over Thailand�s possible procurement of the Jas 39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
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Oregon Air Guard unit flies high in competition
The Oregon Air National Guard's Fightin' Redhawks from Portland's 142nd Fighter Wing returned this past weekend from Tyndall AFB, Fla., after placing second overall in the U.S. Air Force's William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Competition.
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F-16 simulator training saves lives of pilots
The task of providing pilots with simulator training in the 388th Fighter Wing belongs to three simulator instructors and a project officer at the Aircrew Training Device facility.
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Indonesia Wants to Buy More Russian Fighter Jets � Official
Indonesia plans to buy more fighter jets from Russia and is looking to East European nations for alternative weapons procurement, a senior Indonesian official, quoted by Reuters agency, said on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Indonesia hopes to have one squadron of 12 to 16 Su-30.
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U.S. tanker delay could kill Boeing 767 line
The Pentagon's pledge to require competitive bids to replace its aging refueling aircraft could delay a contract long enough to force Boeing Co. to close its 767 production line in Everett, Washington, analysts and industry officials said.
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Taiwan air force red faced after shooting rare bird
Taiwan's air force has incurred the wrath of local bird lovers after troops guarding an airbase shot and wounded a rare species of migratory bird making its first visit to the island for over 70 years.
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French Eurocopter to Deliver Helicopters for Bulgarian Army
French aircraft maker Eurocopter has been picked to supply a squadron of Cougar transport helicopters for Bulgarian Air Forces, Defence Minister Nikolay Svinarov said.
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MQ-1 Predator crashes in Southwest Asia
An Air Force MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle crashed at 10:20 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Nov. 24 at an undisclosed military installation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
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New IMAX film a first for the Air Force
The IMAX film "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" premiers Dec. 2 at the Smithsonian Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center. The movie is the first large format film to showcase the U.S. Air Force.
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Competition To Modernize USAF Tankers Could Take Years, Sambur Says
A competition to upgrade or replace the U.S. Air Force's aging KC-135 tankers could take as little as six months or as long as several years, depending on the option chosen, a service official said Nov. 23.
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Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Vikings
Two S-3B Vikings assigned to the Checkmates of Sea Control Squadron Two Two (VS-22) launch from two of four steam powered catapults on the flight deck aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor.
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EADS 'ready' for US air force bid
European defence giant EADS has said it is ready to put in a tender to supply refuelling planes to the US air force.
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Japan to make Patriot 3 missiles for domestic deployment
Japan and the United States have agreed in principle on the licensed producing of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 surface-to-air missiles in Japan, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Tuesday.
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Bombers hit targets off Kaua'i
Far off the coast of Kaua'i, two B-52 bombers made history yesterday, striking and sinking several targets with 2,000-pound satellite-guided bombs.
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Brazil VP Says $700M Fighter Jet Purchase Delayed-Reports
Brazil's Vice President and Defense Minister Jose Alencar said a decision to award a $700 million contract to buy 12 new fighter jets for the Brazilian Air Force will be delayed until 2005 or later, local press reported Tuesday.
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Sikorsky Signs Contracts to Replace Canada's Sea King
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Nov. 23 announced it has signed contracts worth C$5-billion with the Government of Canada to provide and maintain 28 Sikorsky H-92 maritime helicopters. The new H-92s will replace Sea King aircraft currently in service with the Canadian Forces and deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2008.
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FCS Team to Evaluate Options For Class II and III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems
Boeing and partner Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), acting as Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, are seeking bid proposals to develop Class II and Class III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems.
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Boeing Installs MESA Antenna on Second Wedgetail Aircraft
Boeing has installed a Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array antenna on a second 737-700 for Australia 's Project Wedgetail.
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Crash diminishes Swaziland's air force
A Swazi military aircraft overshot a runway and crashed into a sugar cane field - causing no serious injuries except to the kingdom's tiny air force, which is now left with just three planes.
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Greece set to scrap Eurofighter deal
Greece is preparing to scrap a planned �5bn deal to buy 60 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets for the Greek air force under a cost-cutting drive by the centre-right government which took office last March.
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�Resultant Fury� pits aircrews against challenging targets
B-2 Spirit bombers flew a 23-hour roundtrip mission from Whiteman Air Force base Nov. 22 supporting exercise �Resultant Fury� in the Pacific.
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McCain Questions AF Commitment To Tanker Competition
U.S. Sen. John McCain, the chief congressional critic of a U.S. Air Force attempt to acquire Boeing 767 tankers, launched a new attack on the proposal Nov. 19, saying newly released documents undermine the Air Force's claims that it has been willing to consider other aircraft.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Truman Relieves Kennedy in Arabian Gulf
A changing of the guard occurred Nov. 20, when the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group relieved the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group on station in the North Arabian Gulf Nov. 21. In the picture, the conventional aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), is relieved by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) shown making her turn away from Kennedy, and assuming duties under U.S. Navy Commander Fifth Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor
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Turkey: F-16 Dropped Flares To Defend Against Greek Plane
The Turkish military on Monday accused Greece of increasingly harassing Turkish jets over the Aegean Sea, saying a Turkish F-16 warplane had to drop three flares in self defense during an encounter with a Greek warplane last week.
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Squadron begins retirement
The 20th Fighter Squadron began to show the first signs of its December inactivation Wednesday as the first of 15 F-4F Phantom II intercept aircraft flew into retirement.
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Pickering: 1st delivery of new model Apaches in Q1 2005
The first delivery of new model AH-64D Apache attack helicopters ordered by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) will be delivered in the first quarter of 2004, Boeing VP international relations and former US ambassador to Israel Thomas D. Pickering revealed at a media conference in Tel Aviv.
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Pentagon to Reopen Air Force Tanker Contract to New Bidders
The pentagon will open to new bidders a contract to provide aerial-refueling tankers to the U.S. Air Force after Congress withdrew an earlier proposal worth $23 billion to Boeing Co., Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said.
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Govt clears all hurdles in ship-building project
India�s most ambitious ship-building project, a 37,500-metric tonne aircraft carrier for the Navy, will finally get underway early next year. All teething problems of this long-delayed project, including supply of the right kind of steel, are now over.
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Hawai'i copters play pivotal role in 2 wars
Helicopters from Hawaii are playing a major role in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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PACAF earns �Top� honors at William Tell
Award winners of the 2004 William Tell air-to-air weapons meet are:
- Top Gun: Capt. Pete Fesler, of the PACAF team.
- Top Scope: Capt. Daniel Wrazien, an Air Combat Command weapons director.
- Top Aircrew Team: ACC with 15,304.
- Top Element: PACAF 1 team, comprising Captain Fesler and Captain Travis Hazeltine.
- Top Weapons Director Team: ACC, comprising Captain Wrazien and Senior Airman Randy Stinnett.
- Top Load Team: PACAF with 3,593.5 points.
- Top Maintenance Team: ANG with 11,390 points.
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