Home Archives Contact Links Gallery Reviews Shop   Radar Vector

Thursday, June 30, 2005

On the radar: Russian firm�s JV with Alpha Design
Phazotron Corp of Russia has proposed to set up a joint venture with Alpha Design Technologies for providing repair and maintenance support to KOPYO radars fitted on fighter aircraft in India.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
'New weapon' downed US Chinook in Afghanistan
The Taliban claims to have used a new weapon to shoot down the MH-47 helicopter in a remote region of Afghanistan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Synthetic aperture radar may soon be used for reconnaissance on small UAVs
Researchers at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration�s Sandia National Laboratories flew what is probably the world�s smallest fine-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in May.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U.S. LOBBY PUSHES FOR F-16s TO EGYPT
The U.S. aerospace lobby has been urging the U.S. Congress to launch the sale of F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the Egyptian Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
P-8A MMA Teams Earns NAVAIR Commander�s Award
The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft System Development and Demonstration team won the NAVAIR Commander�s National Award for Program Management.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Force museum plans fun-filled Friday
The U.S. National Museum of the Air Force will have flybys of airplanes spanning the U.S. Air Force history this Friday.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Forces Commandership's Purchase of Weapon Systems Originating from Israel Suspended
Several Turkish Air Force's purchase of weapon systems originating from Israel has been suspended.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Proton Seeks Inroads Into Russia
As part of a government trade-off following Malaysia's purchase of Russian Sukhoi fighter jets, Malaysia's national car maker Proton will be exporting its cars to Russia by early next year.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air show threatened by possible base closing
Wings Over Pittsburgh, a popular Pittsburgh air show, could be grounded next year because of plans to close the air base that sponsors it.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
CHINA SAID TO BEGIN BUILDING FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN AUGUST
China will begin to build its first aircraft carrier in August according to a report by China's www.Boxun.com.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Crew errors caused plane tragedy
The C-130H Combat Talon II that crashed into an Albanian mountainside March this year was caused by aircrew errors.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
MBDA: New Missiles Advancing, But Questions Remain
MBDA Missile Systems says it is pushing ahead with developing the Meteor and European Modular Munition to compete with U.S. weapons.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Head of Russia�s Top Jet Fighter Producer Attacked in Home
Armed men broke into the house of the head of Russian aerospace giant Sukhoi on Wednesday and beat up and threatened to kill him.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Flying cadets net academic degrees with their wings
Graduates of the Israel Air Force flying course will be receiving, for the first time, an academic degree from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev in addition to their wings.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Navy decommissions Vincennes
The U.S. Navy missile cruiser Vincennes was decommissioned Wednesday morning almost 17 years ago to the day that the ship shot down an Iranian civilian airliner.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Gripens to start patrolling Czech air space in July
The Czech Republic's six new Czech fighters Jas-39 Gripen will start patrolling Czech air space from 1 July.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
50th production Eurofighter delivered
The 50th production Eurofighter, SS003, was handed over to the Spanish Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Report Faulted in Air Force Academy Probe (Registration Required)
Former U.S. Air Force Academy Chaplain MeLinda Morton said that Pentagon investigators "failed to connect the dots" about the extent of the religious discrimination at the Air Force Academy.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Spain acquires Taurus KEPD 350
Spanish Air Force will be acquiring 43 operational Taurus KEPD 350 missiles.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Report: Reduced visibility caused midair collision
The Jan. 18 midair collision between a T-37 Tweet and a civilian crop-duster was due to two causes.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Adjutants general take aim at Air Force consolidation plan
The top National Guard officers from eight states will argue their case Thursday against stripping all aircraft from 23 Air Guard facilities at a public hearing before the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in Atlanta.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Chinese air force to purchase new homemade jet trainer?
The People's Liberation Army Air Force plans to buy the JL-9 "Mountain Eagle" jet trainer.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Pilot ejects safely after F-16 skids off runway
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Colorado Air National Guard�s 140th Wing lost directional control upon landing and skidded off the runway.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Osprey Aircraft Passes Round of Testing
The U.S. Marine Corps is preparing a report to Congress to recommend lawmakers to approve purchasing of the MV-22 Osprey.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
B-1 commemorates its 20th at Dyess
The B-1B Lancer commemorates its 20th anniversary since its arrival at Dyess Air Base June 29, 1985.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
60th Fighter Squadron wins air-superiority trophy
The USAF 60th Fighter Squadron is the winner of the Raytheon Trophy. The trophy is given annually to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Last Trawing 6 T-34C Training Flight Aboard NAS Pensacola
The U.S. Navy's last T-34C Turbomentor training flight took place at 8:30 a.m. June 22 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola�s Sherman Field.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Missile advance
China recently tested its PL-12 air-to-air missile.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
No chickens for jets
Thai Air force chief ACM Khongsak Wantana said that Sweden has agreed to barter Gripen jet fighters for Thai chickens but the barter trade agreement cannot proceed because of chicken shortages.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Japan Urges Ukraine To Probe Alleged Cruise Missile Sales To Iran, China
Japan said it has urged Ukraine to investigate the alleged smuggling of Kh55 cruise missiles to Iran and China as it fears that the missiles could end up in North Korea.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon's Revolutionary APG-79 AESA Radar Is Awarded A $580 Million Multi- Year Procurement Contract By The Boeing Company
Raytheon Company's APG-79 AESA radar has been awarded a five year production contract for 190 sets.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Moldovan court to look into MiG sales to USA
A Moldovan court held its first hearings of the case against Valery Pasat who sold 21 MiG-29s to the U.S.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bulgaria renews helicopter upgrade talks with Elbit
Bulgaria has renewed negotiations with Elbit Systems for the upgrade of Russian Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
New combat helicopter put to test
Russian Air Force have started evaluating the Mi-28N helicopter.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
106th Aviation Battalion gets bridge-moving duty
The Iowa Army National Guard unit will use a CH-47D Chinook helicopter to help relocate a 128-year-old bridge to its new site.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Congressman Gets U.S. Document Subpoena
Vietnam Ace, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, has been issued a subpoena for documents by a federal grand jury.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Rescuers try to reach downed helicopter
A MH-47 carrying about 16 military personnel onboard went down in eastern Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountains.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Battle of Britain Hero Dies
A Second World War fighter pilot who saved Buckingham Palace from a direct hit has died at the age of 90.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US To Sell Anti-Aircraft Missile Launchers To Egypt
Washington has authorized the sale of 25 Avenger anti-aircraft missile launchers to Egypt.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Back to the skies for pilots
F-15 pilots from the USAF 1st Fighter Wing learned that air hours that were cut has been restored.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
USAF Forms Squadron To Oversee Tanker Modernization
The U.S. Air Force's Tanker Systems Modernization Systems Squadron will handle efforts to update its of KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Female fighters display �lethal, effective force�
There are currently 76 women flying fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
AMC competition wraps up: 6th AMW takes Rodeo crown
The USAF 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, was named Best Air Mobility Wing on June 24 following Rodeo 2005 at McChord AFB.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin's Joint Common Missile Successful in Controlled Test Vehicle Flight
Lockheed Martin has successfully performed the first test flight of the Joint Common Missile (JCM) Controlled Test Vehicle (CTV-1) at China Lake, CA, marking the first time the JCM has flown using a production-like rocket motor.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Oceana Naval Air Station, VA
Three more folders were added and they feature the older Hornet.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Force Clears Lockheed VP
The U.S. Air Force inspector general cleared retired Brig. Gen. Randall K. Bigum of any wrongdoing in Lockheed Martin Corp.'s effort to win a contract for a small-diameter-bomb program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon Installs First Dual Mode Radar for ASTOR Program
Raytheon Company has installed the first dual mode radar for the U.K. Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) system.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Thatcher in the dark on sinking of Belgrano
Operation Mikado also known as Operation Certain Death was to be an attack on Argentine Super Etendards at the Rio Grande airbase by British SAS during the Falklands war.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
South Korea Reopens $2 Billion Bid for Aircraft Warning Systems
South Korea's defense ministry is inviting bids for a $2 billion order of early aircraft warning systems.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US' Patriot sale to India not yet final:-
The sale of the Patriot anti-missile system to India is in the preliminary stages of discussion.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Israeli pilots practise bombing in Alberta
Ten F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Israeli Air Force participated in Exercise Maple Flag at Cold Lake, and stayed after the exercise for some extra training.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Hurricane Hunters fly first operational mission in WC-130J
Hurricane Hunters of the USAF 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew its first operational mission in WC-130J to locate Hurricane Adrian.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
China Says U.S. Interfered in Canceled Israeli Arms Deal
China complained about outside interference in its relations with Israel after Israel decided to cancel the upgrade of Harpy anti-radar drones.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Israel, US to sign arms memorandum
Israeli Defense Minister is expected to travel to Washington in late July to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Pentagon that effectively gives America veto power over Israeli arms sales to selected countries.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Wreckage removed from crash site
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Hawk 208 fighter jet which crashed last week was removed from the site Sunday.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Helicopter Crash Kills Two; Soldier Dies From Small-Arms Fire
An American AH-64 Apache crashed at approximately 11 a.m. local time Jun 27 northwest of Baghdad, Iraq.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Monday, June 27, 2005

Smart goggles easy on the eyes
A Welsh design graduate has come up with a head up display not for aircraft but inside a pair of swimming goggles. Well its the next best thing for those of us who don't get to fly fighter planes ;-)
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Executive jets for Army
The Thai Cabinet is expected on Tuesday to debate a Bt1-billion budget to buy two Jetstream aircraft for the Thai Army.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Sudan planes 'bomb' rebel forces
Sudanese government warplanes have dropped bombs on north-eastern rebel forces since Sunday, the rebels say.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Russia to modernize long-range aircraft
The Russian Air Force intends to modernize its Tu-160, TU-95MS and Tu-22M3 aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Japan looks to Boeing for anti-missile shield
Japan is looking at Boeing's YAL-1 airborne laser to protect itself against missiles fired from North Korea.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Russia Ready to Smash Terrorist Bases Abroad � Russian Air Forces Commander
Russian Air Force commander Vladimir Mikhailov said Russia is prepared to use warplanes to destroy terrorist bases abroad.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Japan, U.S. discuss return of Yokota's air traffic control
Japan and U.S. are in the final stages of negotiations over air traffic control rights currently held by the U.S. Yokota Air Base.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Israel sees rivals in western-based air forces
The Israel Air Force regards Egypt and Jordan with their F-16 fleet as emerging threats.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Apache copter makes emergency landing in Afghanistan
A U.S. Apache helicopter was forced into an emergency landing Friday morning in an area east of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Chile 'helped UK' in Falklands war
Retired Chilean Air Force general Fernando Matthei confirmed that Chile collaborated with the United Kingdom during the Falklands conflict. Chile bought nine Hawker Hunter war planes and, after the war, received three reconnaissance planes.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IAF receives long-range spy plane
Israel took delivery of the first of four Gulfstream V that will be used as high-tech
surveillance aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
From aircraft carriers to sand dredgers, the world's ships gather to mark Trafalgar
France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, stands out among the 174 vessels assembling in the Solent to mark the bicentenary of Battle of Trafalgar.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Australian Helo Squadron Completes Mission with Boxer
Australian Blackhawk helicopters had the opportunity to operate from USS Boxer during Exercise Talisman Saber 2005.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Singapore's 40th National Day Parade
Yesterday was the 1st combined rehearsal for Singapore's 40th Birthday on Aug 9. I was able to get a good view of the aerial display from the 44th storey of a building. The photos are not very good as I am using an old camera. The big surprise was a M113 fitted with a new surface to air missile system for the RSAF. The system seems to be based on the Russian Igla missile and the layout looks like a mini Rapier system on top of a APC. Rumors of its existence surfaced 2 years ago when it was spotted by the public. This is the first time the RSAF is operating a SAM from a track vehicle. I'll try to get pictures of it this coming Saturday.

CH-47 carrying the Singapore Flag.


F-16 Blk 52+ from 145 Sqn executing a bomb burst.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Venezuelan order of Russian Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-35M helicopters confirmed
Venezuela has confirmed an order for an unspecified number of Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-35M helicopters from Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U.S.-MADE RADAR SYSTEM WILL BOOST DEFENSE CAPABILITY: MND
Taiwan Ministry of National Defense said the new Raytheon early warning radar will boost the country's defense capability significantly.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Cunningham says sale 'showed poor judgment'
The first American ace in Vietnam and U.S. House Representative, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, is being investigated by the FBI for selling his house for nearly $1.7 million to a campaign contributor and close friend.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Book looks at Vietnam War from ally's point of view
Quang Pham, a former U.S Marine helicopter pilot, published a book "A Sense of Duty" about his father's sense of duty to serve his country as a fighter pilot and his own duty to serve as his father had done.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Exercise trains U.S. forces for combat missions
Cooperative Cope Thunder at Eielson Air Force Base ended on Jun 24.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
AWACS to be ready in three years
India's indigenously-developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System will be ready in about three years, Mr K Tamilmani, Director of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), said.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
A refresher course in water survival
USAF aircrew members are required to take a refresher course periodically in water survival to maintain their flight status.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Pilot's wife, base grieve
Col. Larry Wells, commander of the USAF 9th Reconnaissance Wing, and Col. Greg Kern, 9th Operations Group commander at Beale Air Force Base, held a press conference honoring the late Maj. Duane Dively on Friday at Beale Air Force Base.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US offers training on aircraft carrier and presence in Pacific
Washington will offer to train Indian naval pilots at the U.S. Naval Air Training Command at Pensacola in Florida. This is because the next Indian carrier will be using steam powered catapult.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Navy says it will re-examine four alternate sites for OLF
The U.S. Navy will do additional study on four sites previously eliminated in its search for a new outlying landing field, to be used by fighter jets from Virginia Beach and Cherry Point, N.C. to practice aircraft carrier landings.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Bell to make last pitch for Army copter project (Registration Required)
Bell and Boeing are vying to build 368 armed scout helicopters for the U.S. Army. Bell is offering a much-enhanced version of the Bell 407 civil helicopter.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
HAL finds no takers for LCA
India�s Light Combat Aircraft has not found a single customer yet.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
The PAF Kickbacks Scandal Revealed by Mistake
Kickbacks of four to five million dollars were offered when Pakistan Air Force purchased four CASA CN-35 aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
F-16 JET FIGHTER VEERS OFF RUNWAY IN CHIAYI, NO ONE HURT
A Taiwan F-16 jet fighter veered off the runway while landing at the Chiayi Air Base in southern Taiwan Friday.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US Businessmen Illegally Sell Military Technology
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement�s Arms and Strategic Technology Investigations division is responsible for preventing terrorist groups and hostile nations from illegally obtaining U.S. military products and sensitive technology.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
No decision yet on buying F-16s
India has not yet taken any decision on acquiring the F-16 or P3 Orion, ahead of defence minister Pranab Mukherjee�s visit to the US.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
RMAF team investigating jet crash to arrive in Labuan this evening
A team from the Royal Malaysian Air Force board of inquiry to investigate the crash of the Hawk 208 fighter jet crash is at Labuan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
RAAF welcomes new commander
Air Vice Marshal John Quaife has taken over the command from Geoffrey Shepherd as the new commander of the Royal Australian Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air show disaster pilots jailed
A military court in Ukraine has sentenced the pilots whose Sukhoi Su-27 smashed into a crowd at a 2002 air show to up to 14 years in prison.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IAF Air Base rises from tsunami wreckage
Senior Features Editor Archana L Masih from The Rediff Special reports on a day in the life of the Indian Air Force's base on the Car Nicobar island.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing X-45A Unmanned Aircraft Demonstrates Autonomous Capability
A Boeing X-45A unmanned aircraft completed its 52nd flight recently, demonstrating its ability to adapt to a realistic and changing wartime operational environment.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Friday, June 24, 2005

Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two makes emergency arrested landing
This VF-31 F-14 was at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress last Monday when it lost hydraulics and was forced to make an emergency arrested landing. The pilot at the controls was Rear Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two. Gerry was there and he managed to photograph the whole landing.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS secretly makes prototype of unmanned jet fighter
EADS NV is secretly making a prototype of an unmanned jet fighter code name Barracuda whose test flights could possibly take place this year.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
House bill would cut F-35 funds (Registration Required)
The U.S. House Armed Services and Appropriations committees authorizes $4.9 billion for continued development of the joint strike fighter but withholds $152 million for the first handful of production aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Peru, Russia sign aircraft repair agreement
Peru's president signed an agreement with Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms dealer, on the repair of 13 Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air show is blamed for damage
Residents living near the Military Aviation Preservation Society Air Museum says the recent Aero Expo 2005 airshow was to be blamed for the minor damage to their homes.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman's Next-Generation Fire Scout UAV on Track
The next-generation RQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by Northrop Grumman Corporation recently completed several milestone reviews critical to the system's continued development.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
As war costs soar, Langley planes don't
USAF 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base has been hit hard by the budget cut. Air Combat Command has cut $35 million from the unit's $382 million budget.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EDO INTRODUCES TWIN MAVERICK CARRIAGE CAPABILITY ON GEMINI 'SMART' MULTIPLE STORE CARRIER
EDO MBM Technology Ltd. has announced the capability to carry the Raytheon Maverick missile on its GEMINI Mil-Std-1760 twin-store weapon carrier.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
One crew member dies as Fort Rucker Army helicopter crashes
A TH-67 Creek helicopter crashed during a routine training mission at U.S. Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Pilot killed while trying to land jet
A RMAF Hawk crashed while making a landing approach Jun 23. The pilot died on the way to hospital.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon Awarded $752 Million U.S. Air Force Contract for Taiwan Early Warning Radar
Raytheon Company has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Electronic Systems Center (ESC) to provide Taiwan with an Early Warning Surveillance Radar System.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
New system improves KC-135 performance, saves money
The steel brakes currently used on the USAF KC-135 are being replaced with carbon brakes which allow the aircraft to complete 1,000 landings, as compared to 100 landings, before needing replacement.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Indonesian Air Force plans to buy 12 Russian jet fighters
The Indonesian Air Force plans to buy 12 Sukhoi jet fighters in the next two years as an addition to the four Sukhois already in service.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EDO INTRODUCES 'SABRE' FOR UAV WEAPONISATION
EDO MBM Technology Ltd. has launched a family of store carriage-and-release systems specifically developed for UAV platforms.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
C-17s cross globe to assist international exercise
Six USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew from Alaska to Australia June 18 to 21 to help launch the Talisman Saber 2005 international exercise.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
J-UCAS receives first release of common operating software
The Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems program received the first release of its common operating system software earlier this month.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
State Department says U.S. hopes to fix F-35 impasse with Israel
Robert Joseph, undersecretary for arms control and security policy, said the U.S. is working to resolve arms control concerns with Israel that have spilled over to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
UAVs 'on parade' Monday at Webster Field
The Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International will conduct the third demonstration of multiple unmanned aerial vehicle systems Monday at the Webster Field Annex Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin Joint Common Missile Warhead Successfully Demonstrates Lethality Against Urban Structures
Lockheed Martin successfully completed the first in a series of tests verifying the ability of the Joint Common Missile (JCM) to destroy urban structures.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Hill announces major upgrade at Amberley
Amberley RAAF base, now home to the RAAF F-111 fleet, is to undergo a $285 million upgrade to accommodate new Airbus A330-200 air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Goodrich Technology Selected for U.S. Army Helicopter Laser Threat Warning System
Goodrich Corporation has been awarded a contract by Lear Siegler, Inc. for initial production quantities of laser threat warning systems for use on U.S. Army BLACKHAWK and Chinook helicopters.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Helicopter makes emergency landing just before graduation
A Connecticut Army National Guard CH-47 helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a school football field just hours before a graduation ceremony.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Grounded C130S get their wings
The South African Air Force is to return to flying status four C130s grounded earlier this year for suspected wing-spar cracks. This is against the advice from the transport plane's manufacturer, Lockheed-Martin.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
British warplanes join assault on Taliban
British Harrier jets joined American A-10s and helicopter gunships strafed a mountainside area in Afghanistan to support Afghan and U.S. troops.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Warrior II tests aircrews and controllers
A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are helping prepare 10th Mountain Division soldiers for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Pilot dies after U-2 Dragon Lady crashes in Southwest Asia
The pilot of a U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady died when his plane crashed at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bangladeshi airmen observe Cooperative Cope Thunder
Observers from the Bangladesh air force are attending this year�s Cooperative Cope Thunder to help prepare for their first participation in 2007.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
New Mine Warfare Laser Technology Approved For Production
The U.S. Navy�s AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) has received approval June 15 for low-rate initial production.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS picks site for Air Force tankers
EADS North America officially picked Mobile, Alabama as an assembly site for air-to-air refueling jets.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Gripen with defect again operational since Friday
The display defect that grounded Czech's Gripens have now been resolved.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Gripen Middle East flight planned for Dubai 2005
The Gripen will make its first Middle East flight at Dubai 2005, the Ninth International Aerospace Exhibition in November.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
'Akash' test-fired for third time in 5 days
For the third time in five days, India tested its 'Akash' surface-to-air missile.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
MV-22 Osprey: Bluto Brings His Birds Back Home
Eight USMC MV-22 Ospreys completed 500 hours of operational testing on June 18.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Northrop Grumman Global Hawk Team Efforts Recognized by U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has named a combined Air Force-Northrop Grumman Corporation RQ-4A Global Hawk maintenance team as the "April Maintenance Team of the Month."
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Faster Than a Speeding Bullet: Guinness Recognizes NASA Scramjet
NASA's X-43A scramjet has been officially recognized for setting the speed record for a jet-powered aircraft by Guinness World Records.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Davis-Monthan trimming budget to meet war costs
USAF air bases around the country were ordered to do their part to help the service get back in the black as war costs continue to mount. At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, flying hours are cut, building projects shelved, and they switch to one-ply toilet paper instead of two-ply.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS Selects Alabama for Engineering Facility, Person Says
European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co. has selected a site near Mobile, Alabama, to build an engineering facility that may be expanded to build aerial refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force according to a person familiar with the decision.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Tiger relocation 'boost for city'
There are plans to relocate Australia's Tiger reconnaissance helicopters from Darwin to Townsville.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Scientist sues UH over radar system
A scientist is suing the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii for blocking him from developing and marketing a radar research project for the E-2C.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Elbit Laser Radar system protecting Israeli Air Force helicopters from obstacles
Israel Air Force has selected Elbit Systems� LORD to protect its helicopters from obstacles.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
France and UK prepare for co-operation over aircraft carriers
France is poised to use UK's Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme as the basis for its PA2 aircraft carrier.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Japan faces 58 bil. yen tab for interceptor
The United States has asked Japan to contribute 58 billion yen toward a joint missile defense development project that will develop a 53-centimeter-wide interceptor missile.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Elbit Systems announces the arrival of first F-16Is equipped with EL-OP HUD systems to Israel (PDF)
In a ceremony that took place during the Paris Air Show, the management teams of Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems celebrated the arrival of the first F-16Is equipped with HUDs from Elop Electro-Optic Industries, Ltd. to the Israeli Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Military funding bill includes language on Mayport
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $408 billion fiscal 2006 defense appropriations bill that includes language encouraging the U.S. Navy to make Naval Station Mayport capable of basing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Malaysia says foreign planes may help hunt pirates
Malaysia proposed on Tuesday that foreign surveillance planes help to fight piracy in the Strait of Malacca.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Force announces next Misawa Air Base commander
Brig. Gen. (select) Salvatore �Sam� Angelella is to take over the reins from Brig. Gen. William �Bill� Rew as the next commander for Misawa Air Base and its 35th Fighter Wing.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Belarus reports arms sales to Sudan
Belarus sold two Su-25 fighter jets to Ivory Coast last year.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Chopper crash: 14 Armymen injured
At least 14 Indian Army personnel were injured when the Mi-17 helicopter they were travelling in hit a tree and crashed.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
111 (Fighter) Squadron flies into a Dragon's Nest
Six RAF Tornado F3s joined Hungarian MiG 29s for Exercise Dragon's Nest.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing Team Demonstrates Advanced Autonomous Flight Control for UAVs
Boeing and a team of flight control scientists from academia have demonstrated leading-edge flight control technologies that potentially could dramatically improve the mission effectiveness of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Architect of Air Force space and missile programs dies
Retired Gen. Bernard Adolph Schriever, widely regarded as the father and architect of the U.S. Air Force space and ballistic missile programs, died of natural causes at home in Washington on June 20.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed team behind new missile
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Alliant Techsystems Inc. said they are designing a submarine-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile that would be faster than cruise missiles.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin Joint Common Missile Seeker and Software Successfully Pass Key Design Reviews
The Lockheed Martin Joint Common Missile (JCM) reached a significant milestone by passing sub-system Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) recently.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Fighting Blacklions VF-213 F-14D BuNo 164602
A new set of photos from Gerry showing the retro Tomcat at Fentress.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
SAF tanker aircraft deployment in support of the reconstruction of Iraq
Singapore is deploying a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) KC-135 tanker aircraft to Iraq for three months.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Aero Offers To License L-159 Production
Aero Vodochody is offering license production of its L-159 light combat aircraft to foreign countries.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
V-22 Osprey looks like a done deal (Registration Required)
Operational tests of the V-22 Osprey will be ending in a few days time.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing's Platt says EADS should be allowed to bid for US refuelling plane order
Boeing's chairman Lew Platt says Boeing Co would welcome European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co to bid for the pending order from the Pentagon for 100 mid-air refuelling planes.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
C-130 At Airforce Base Has New Name
One of the C-130's at the Little Rock Airforce Base was officially named "The City of Bryant".
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Academy chief to head S.C. college
U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa Jr. is leaving to become the president of his alma mater, The Citadel.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
DRDO looking for global technical partner to develop Kaveri engine
India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment is looking for a global partner to help co-develop the Kaveri engine that will power India's Light Combat Aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Kiwis support Reds in the Netherlands
A C-130H from the Royal New Zealand Air Force supported a Red Arrows trip to Dutch Air Force Open Days at Gilze-Rijen.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Denmark to decide by 2007 on replacing F-16s with Lockheed Martin fighter jets
Denmark will decide next year or at the start of 2007 whether to buy the Joint Strike Fighter.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bahraini pilots killed in night crash
Two Royal Bahraini Air Force pilots and a technician have died following the crash of a military helicopter in the Gulf kingdom during a night training exercise.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Predator provides close-air support to embattled Marines in Iraq
An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle destroyed an anti-Iraqi forces mortar launch site on June 18 while assisting U.S. Marines under enemy fire.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Monday, June 20, 2005

VF-213 'Blacklions' return from last Tomcat detachment at Fallon
by Lt. Jg. Meagan Varley, PAO VF-213

The "Fighting Blacklions" of Fighter Squadron 213 have returned from NAS Fallon, Nev., where they participated in Air Wing Fallon with the other components of Carrier Air Wing 8. From May 1-27, the Blacklions and the other members of CVW-8 trained in the numerous bombing ranges of Fallon, sharpening their skills and proficiency as air-to-air interceptors and air-to-ground bombers. During the four long weeks, both the air crews and maintainers worked hard, flying 229 sorties and logging 370.2 hours.

The focus of the Blacklions' training was to prepare for their upcoming deployment schedule for this fall, and to learn how the air wing will work together on large missions. Every hour of flight time was prefaced with eight hours of air crew mission planning. Most events flown involved more than 20 aircraft from within the wing working to meet one objective. During these flights the Blacklions were able to complete both Strike Fighter Weapons Training events for individual air crew along with larger scale air wing events. The culmination of training included a three-day mock war to simulate the types of events the air wing could possibly participate in while overseas.

Despite two weeks of foul weather and long hours the Blacklion maintainers worked hard to keep the jets flying and armed with ordnance. Their dedication kept the jets running at peak performance and enabled the Blacklions to complete every mission they were tasked with. In doing so, VF-213 air crew dropped more than 25 tons of ordnance. Throughout the course of the detachment, nine live laser guided bombs end one live Joint Direct Attack Munition weapon were expended. This invaluable training was an overwhelming success due to the hard work end long hours of the VF-213 maintainers and ground support. VF-213 will contents to rely on the focus of their air crew and the dedication of its troops on their upcoming training aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt [CVN 71] to complete Composite Training Unit Exercise.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
British bombing raids were illegal, says Foreign Office
A leaked U.K. Foreign Office legal advice says that the increase in British and American bombing raids on Iraq in the run-up to war in 2002 was illegal under international law.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Retiring general leaves legacy of service and honor
General Donald G. Cook retired Friday as head of the USAF Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB in a 73-minute ceremony.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IAF graduation ceremony held in Hyderabad
158 cadets including 32 women of the Indian Air Force Academy graduated on Jun 18.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Orders uplifting Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft officials say it has orders for 62 of its S-92 helicopters and its military variant, the H-92, as well as options for 30 more.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Ellsworth showdown
Supporters of Ellsworth Air Force Base hope to generate a crowd of 10,000 to 20,000 people when three members of the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission come to town to hold a public hearing.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Now, IAF scouts for choppers to ferry VVIPs
Indian Air Force's VVIP transport squadron plans to buy eight cutting edge medium-lift helicopters to replace its 23-year-old Russian Mi-8s.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Joint strike fighter simulator is glimpse into future
A team from Lockheed Martin is touring Europe, bringing its traveling F-35 cockpit sim to U.S. and European bases.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
F-16 Deal for Pakistan Could Feature Advanced Weapons
Pakistan could get 55 new F-16 Block 50/52s with a sophisticated weapons package.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
RAF joins US forces in Iraq assault
Two RAF GR4 ground attack Tornados armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles joined an American offensive against insurgents holed up in a desert town on Iraq's border with Syria at the weekend.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Oceana Naval Air Station, VA
Gerry took many photos of Tomcats doing touch and goes at Fentress Auxiliary Air Field recently.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
The US threat to British sovereignty
BAE's chief executive, Mike Turner, warned that Britain may decide to pull out of the JSF program unless access to the software codes to maintain and upgrade the aircraft is granted by the Americans.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Eurofighter a shooting star in clash with US jets
Last year a two-seater RAF Eurofighter was 'bounced' from behind by the two F-15E fighters during a chance encounter. The Eurofighter shook them off, outmanoeuvred them and moved into shooting positions on their tails.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Residents return to jet crash site
Residents of a central Yuma neighborhood returned to their homes on Thursday as military officials conducted mop-up operations in the aftermath of a AV-8B crash.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bataan Breaks Ground With MV-22
USS Bataan (LHD 5) took on eight MV-22 Ospreys and two AV-8B Harriers for training and testing while steaming in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina in June.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Uzbekistan Denies Retaliatory Rules
Uzbekistan denied Saturday that restrictions on an American air base there were in retaliation for U.S. criticism of the government's response to last month's uprising in the Uzbek city of Andijan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Montana makes case to keep MANG
Senior Montana officials made a strong case Friday in Portland that the Base Realignment and Closure Commission should keep Air Guard F-16 jets flying in Great Falls.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Falls base closing has new mystery
Pentagon documents unearthed by aides to Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, show that the Pentagon considered expanding not only the 914th Airlift Wing, but also the Air National Guard's 107th Air Refueling Wing at Niagara Falls.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Officials to speak against removing fighter jets
Oregon's top elected officials urged members of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission to abandon plans to shift most of Oregon's F-15 fighter jets to bases in other states.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Combined aviation unit makes 8th Army debut
The U.S. Army 2nd Multifunctional Aviation Brigade which consists of Apache, Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters and the fixed-wing C-12 Huron cargo plane made was established in South Korea.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bell Helicopter aims to double business, add products
In an interview at the Paris Air Show, Bell Helicopter's Chief Executive Michael Redenbaugh, said his company has the potential for double-digit earnings growth in the near term.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
'Akash' test-fired
India test fired its 'Akash' surface-to-air missile 17 Jun.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Rescue Plan for Denel Takes Shape
Swedish firm Saab is interested in acquiring a strategic equity stake in Denel's aerospace division.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Rescue Plan for Denel Takes Shape
Swedish firm Saab is interested in acquiring a strategic equity stake in Denel's aerospace division.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Former P-3 squadron takes switch to C-130s in stride
U.S. Naval Reserve squadron, The Condors, transformed from a P-3 to a C-130 squadron last year.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
P-47 Pulled From Austrian Lake Built in Evansville
Officials from Evansville, Indiana hopes to obtain a P-47 Thunderbolt recovered from Traunsee Lake in Austria. The plane was built at Evansville's Republic Aviation plant in World War 2.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
New one-star joins two-star brother
Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc join his brother Maj. Gen. Stanley Gorenc as two of 271 general officers in the active-duty U.S. Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
UAV no remote concept at NDSU
Since 2003, psychology professor Verlin Hinsz from North Dakota State University has led a U.S. Air Force-funded study on how to improve teamwork among UAV crews.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
SAAB to fight F-16 for India honours
Senior members of the Indian Air Force visited Gripen officials at the Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Friday, June 17, 2005

Videos of Attack Squadron 172 in Vietnam (IE only)
Gerry sent me this link and he wants to share with everyone. These are videos made from 8mm films taken during the 1966 cruise of the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tonkin Gulf. The page don't seem to work using Firefox so you need to open it using IE. The file is very big so you need to be patient and wait for the video to load.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Search for a rescue copter
Defense companies are teaming up to put in their bids to make about 140 of the Personnel Recovery Vehicles, a search-and-rescue helicopter , for the U.S. Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U.K. Shouldn't Expect Technology Access on JSF, Official Says
General Jeffery Kohler, director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, said that U.K. shouldn't expect access to design data on the Joint Strike Fighter in return for helping fund the $244 billion program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Hooligans' flying hours cut
The "Happy Hooligans" of U.S. Air National Guard 119th Fighter Wing announced Wednesday that their flying time by has been reduced 304 hours due to funding shortages.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Cubic and AgustaWestland integrate attack helicopters into UK combat training system
Cubic Defense Applications has just upgraded the United Kingdom�s Area Weapons Effects Simulator (AWES) that will allow Apache AH Mk. 1 and Lynx attack helicopters to participate in instrumented force-on-force training exercises.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IAF rescues Canadian diplomat, family
An Indian Air Force special rescue team on Thursday rescued Canadian diplomat, Andrew Norfolk, his injured wife and their three children trapped in snow.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS faces mounting opposition to entry of US military market
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company's dream of entering the U.S. military market has begun to fade in the face of mounting opposition from U.S. lawmakers and arch-rival Boeing.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
First Flight of Malaysian A109 LOH
The first of eleven AgustaWestland A109 LOH helicopters ordered by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence performed a successful first flight on 14th June at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
B-52 Crew Reaches Milestone
A B-52 bomber crew from the Minot Air Force Base has recorded its 1000th combat flying hour.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Paris Air Show sets the standard
Dayton-based United States Air and Trade Show Inc. hopes to emulate the success of Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Welcome home: F-106 back at Sawyer
An ex U.S. Air Force F-106 made its way from Arizona to Wisconsin on a modified semi-trailer for permanet display.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
International Partners �Build� Lockheed Martin F-35 at Paris Air Show
Representatives of the nine nations partnering on the Lockheed Martin JSF program took part in a unique ceremony at the Paris Air Show -- assembling a scale model of the next-generation F-35 to demonstrate team solidarity.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bill Seeks Missile Defense Protections For Airbus A380
The chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation, introduced a bill Wednesday to require the installation of missile defense systems on Airbus A380 aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed downplays Norway's stake in rival (Registration Required)
A senior Lockheed Martin official downplayed reports Wednesday that Norwegian officials were spending more on the competing Eurofighter project.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Russian plane to photograph US territory
An unarmed Russian Tupolev Tu-154 plane will photograph U.S. territory in line with the Open Skies Treaty, the U.S. State Department said.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Harrier Crash Forces Evacuations in Ariz.
A U.S. Marine Harrier jet carrying four 500-pound bombs crashed Wednesday in a residential neighborhood, forcing the evacuation of 1,300 residences.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
VMAQ-1 sergeant mentors Marines at Desert Talon
Sgt. Ryan J. Straub, the combat radar non-commissioned officer in charge at U.S. Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-1 prepares his Marines for their future deployment to Iraq during Exercise Desert Talon at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Building aircraft carrier in Shanghai denied
An official in charge of China's shipbuilding sector denied that the country is building an aircraft carrier in Shanghai.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Eurofighter CEO sees possible orders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, but no talks
Eurofighter GmbH hopes it may receive orders for its Eurofighter from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Air Base to Be Rededicated as Veterans Museum
Former Casper Army Air Base is scheduled to reopen July 1 as the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
2006 Thunderbirds team includes first female pilot
U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, �Thunderbirds,� will have their first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the Thunderbirds.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Sikorsky executive says S-92 to survive even if U.S. buys none
Jeff Pino, Sikorsky's senior vice president for marketing and commercial programs, said the S-92 will survive even if it never wins a major U.S. government contract.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
KAI, HAI and Lockheed Martin Agree to Study T-50 Trainer for Hellenic Air Force
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) and Lockheed Martin will jointly study and evaluate the advanced jet training needs of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and the potential contribution each could make if the T-50 Training System should be selected.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Indegenous UAV takes flight
India's Aeronautical Development Establishment is in discussion with various countries including Isreal to enter into a partnership to develop a Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U-2, early Cold War reconnaissance exhibit opens at museum
An exhibit highlighting the U.S. Air Force's early Cold War reconnaissance opened to the public at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
A single Command Headquarters for the RAF
The RAF�s two command headquarters are to be collocated on a single site at RAF High Wycombe.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Guardsmen familiarize Polish airmen with F-16
Airmen from the Illinois Air National Guard�s 183rd Fighter Wing are at Poznan, Poland with six F-16s to train with MiG-29 and Su-22 during exercise Sentry White Falcon 2005.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Lockheed Martin Pioneering Game-Changing Unmanned Systems
Lockheed Martin is developing unprecedented technologies for the next generation of unmanned systems. One technology being explored is the ability to "morph."
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin Awards General Electric Company $50 Million Contract for Presidential Helicopter Engines
Lockheed Martin has awarded General Electric Company a $50 million contract to provide CT7-8E engines for use during the system development & demonstration (SDD) phase of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Skunk Works; UAVs that launch from, and return to, the sea
Frank Cappuccio, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin�s Skunk Works, say they will be testing their submarine recovery system for the submarine launched Multi Purpose UAV within six to nine months. The government funded project will move forward once the recovery technique is proven.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Indian Springs air force base to be named in honor of "father of the Thunderbirds"
The U.S. Air Force plans to rename the Indian Springs Auxiliary Field for a general credited with helping develop tactical air training.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
P-8A MMA Celebrates Successful First Year
NAVAIR�s P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) is one year old.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Bell Flies ARH Demonstrator; Provides program updates and plans ahead
Bell has built a flying demonstrator helicopter for the U.S. Army�s RFP for a new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter .

Labels:

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Researcher claims damaged U.S. spy plane fled to safety over Finland in 1954
A USAF Boeing RB-47E Stratojet photo reconnaissance aircraft that was damaged during a dogfight with Soviet MiG-17s, escaped by flying into Finnish airspace on May 8th 1954.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Analysts: Sikorsky move evens competition
Aerospace analysts said Sikorsky Aircraft's move to team with Boeing Corp. on the U.S. Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter has even the competition.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Viper Strike Precision Munition Enhanced with GPS
Northrop Grumman Corporation has integrated a global positioning system (GPS) receiver into its Viper Strike laser-guided precision munition and successfully demonstrated GPS navigation in engineering flight tests.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
More British troops to Afghanistan
The U.K. Army's new Apache attack helicopter will likely be deployed to Afghanistan.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
BAE SYSTEMS' Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Performs Flawlessly in Fully Autonomous Flight Tests (PDF)
BAE Systems has achieved fully autonomous flight of its second-generation ducted-fan unmanned aerial vehicle.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
French drone armed with Israeli missile
The French company Sagem Defense Security unveiled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) armed with Rafael made Spike anti-tank missile at the La Bourge air show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed tests a folding plane (Registration Required)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is testing a a prototype UAV with wings that fold up like a paper airplane.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Uzbekistan Restricts U.S. Use of Air Base There, Pentagon Says
Uzbekistan restricted the U.S. military's use of an air base there after the U.S. demanded a ``transparent inquiry'' into the Uzbek government's shooting of protesters in Andijan last month.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
L-3 awarded $10.9M to upgrade helicopter training system
L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $10.9 million engineering change proposal contract to upgrade all current and future AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter manned simulator suites.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Unmanned air vehicle Nishant completes 100 flights
India's Nishant UAV developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation has completed its 100th flight.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
GULFSTREAM SPECIAL ELECTRONIC MISSION AIRCRAFT DELIVERED TO ISRAELI MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
Gulfstream Aerospace has delivered a Gulfstream V (GV) Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD).
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Kawasaki takes delivery of first EH101 for Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force
The first EH101 for the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force was shipped from AgustaWestland�s Yeovil facility three weeks ahead of the schedule.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
1st ID Battalion cases colors for stateside transfer
The U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division began its long farewell to Europe as its AH-64A Apache attack helicopter battalion is dissolved.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Helicopter numbers double at Fort Lewis
The U.S. Army is doubling the number of helicopters at Fort Lewis.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing hopes tanker will fuel sales
Boeing has been trooping dignitaries, foreign military leaders and legions of journalists through its 767 aerial refueling tanker at the Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman delays decision on Pentagon refuelling tanker bid - report
Ronald Sugar, CEO of Northrop Grumman, said his decision on whether to compete in the US air force's refuelling tanker program has been delayed by congressional moves to punish Airbus parent EADS.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Options spent over relocation of U.S air station
The Japan-U.S. negotiation over the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station has now reached a critical stage.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman Reaches Significant Technical Milestone for Maritime Global Hawk Program
The maritime Global Hawk program reached a significant technical milestone when the unmanned air vehicle, operating at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., streamed real-time electronic information to analysts at its future operating base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon's ATFLIR to Introduce New State-of-the-Art Data Link Communications Technology
Raytheon is introducing a new high-speed data link for the U.S. Navy's Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) targeting pod.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Norway ups budget to increase Eurofighter industry funding
The Government of Norway is to increase funding levels for its Eurofighter Industrial participation programme by a further 12.5 million Euros.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon intensifies mid-range missile sales efforts
Raytheon is intensifying its international marketing efforts for its Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile System.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Singapore squadron at Cannon to stand down
The 428th Fighter Squadron, made up of 140 Republic of Singapore Air Force and 25 U.S. Air Force airmen who flew Singaporean F-16 Block 52 will deactivate on July 6.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Greece discloses details of TOR-M1 anti-aircraft systems deal
Greece disclosed on Wednesday the details of the TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile system deal concluded between Greece and the Rosoboronexport company.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U.S. military showcases mission, aircraft at Paris Air Show
Eight U.S. military aircraft are on display at the 46th Annual Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Embraer is sole bidder for Colombia fighter jet contract - source
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA is the only aircraft maker that participated in the tender organised by the Colombian defence ministry for the supply 22 fighter jets.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lincoln, CVW-2 to Return to Sea for Surge Upkeep
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 will return to sea for readiness training in early June.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Typhoon hit by Singapore
According to this Flight Daily News article, the Eurofighter Typhoon was the RSAF's favoured technical solution for its Next Generation Fighter requirement. However it was rejected due to the "shambolic performance" by BAE Systems during the bidding process and RSAF's unease about the risks surrounding the Tranche 2 roadmap. Clearly, the winner of the competition will have to live with the fact that its not the best fighter based on technical abilities.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Flight Daily News : Paris 2005
This is Flight International's coverage of the Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
ShowNews Online: Paris 2005
Aviation Week's coverage of the Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed hoping to snag Pakistan deal (Registration Required)
Lockheed Martin officials are hoping to book a big order for F-16 fighter jets from Pakistan later this year to prevent job cutbacks at the company's Fort Worth assembly plant.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman Makes Significant Updates to B-52 Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System
Northrop Grumman Corporation has starting installing digital replacement cards for the control indicator-programmer portion of the AN/ALQ-155(V) electronic-countermeasures system on the U.S. Air Force's B-52 strategic bomber.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman Awards Contracts to International Suppliers to Develop F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Training Courseware
Northrop Grumman Corporation will work with a multi-national group of companies to design and develop training-system courseware products that will train future pilots and maintainers of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Raytheon's Vigilant Eagle Offers Affordable, Effective Deterrent to Terrorist Missile Threat Against Commercial Aircraft
Raytheon Company announced a new, affordable ground-based airport protection
system that uses high power microwave technology to protect commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Kinetic Energy Interceptor Successfully Completes First Wind Tunnel Test
Raytheon Company recently completed the first in a series of risk-reduction high speed wind tunnel tests of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) missile.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Europe Plots Future for World-Beating Storm Shadow / Scalp EG Cruise Missile
France, Italy and the UK are discussing a series of enhancements to MBDA�s world-beating Storm Shadow / SCALP EG weapon system.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
FLIR Systems Awarded Contract for Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project
FLIR Systems, Inc. has received a subcontract from General Dynamics Canada of Ottawa, Ontario, for delivery of the latest generation Star SAFIRE(R) airborne multi-sensor imaging systems to be used for the Canadian Department of National Defence Maritime Helicopter Project.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing X-45A J-UCAS Program Receives Prestigious Aerospace Industry Award
The Boeing X-45A J-UCAS (Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems) program received the prestigious Flight International Aerospace Industry Award for 2005 in the category of Missiles and Military Aviation.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Current Lockheed Martin F-16 Versions Are World's Most Advanced Multi-Role Fighters
The two versions of the F-16 being delivered to customers now are the most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft types currently available on the international market, the Lockheed Martin general manager for the program said.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Fighter jet demonstrator arrives in Hawaii
Lockheed Martin would show the F/A-22 Raptor traveling cockpit demonstrator to local military officials Tuesday at Hickam Air Force Base's Hangar 35.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
BAE SYSTEMS Fields Electronic Flight Control System on Aermacchi M-346 Military Trainer (PDF)
The two Aermacchi M-346 military training aircraft flying at this year�s Paris Air Show are using BAE Systems electronic flight control system.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor Exceeds Expectations in Production and Performance
In a presentation called �The F/A-22 Raptor: Leading Edge of Global Strike � the Unmatched Advantage� at the Paris Air Show, Lockheed Martin claims that U.S. Air Force pilots will be able to dominate any engagement with the Raptor.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Japan lower house oks bill to expedite missile-intercept orders
Japan's Lower House passed a bill Tuesday to enable the Defense Agency chief to order missile interceptions without waiting for approval from the prime minister and the Cabinet in emergencies.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US clears sale of latest Patriot missile system to India
Washington has cleared the sale of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) anti-missile defence system to India.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
MiG Order From Slovak Air Force Worth Millions
12 of the Slovak Air Force's fleet of 21 MiG-29 will be upgraded.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Rafale C102 Delivery to French Air Force
The first production single-seat F2 standard Rafale was handed over to the French Air Force June 14.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
President Chirac at HAL airshow
French President Jacques Chirac visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's display at the Paris airshow on Monday.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer Transitioning Rapidly Into Production
The T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer program is rapidly transitioning from the Full Scale Development (FSD) phase into the production phase.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin Receives $36.4 Million Contract for Additional P-3C AIP Kits
Lockheed Martin received a $36.4 million contract to deliver and install two additional P-3C Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP) kits and install three previously-ordered kits for the U.S. Navy�s P-3C Update II.5 maritime patrol aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
US to extend its training of Taiwanese fighter pilots
The U.S. has renewed the agreement for training Taiwanese F-16 pilots at Luke Airbase in Arizona for another five years.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Report: Misaligned rollers caused B-1B accident
Misaligned rollers on the crew entry ladder assembly created an abort condition that was the primary cause of a B-1Bmishap during a mission qualification and currency training mission Nov. 23 at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
System increases B-52 target precision
A B-52 was launched with Boeing�s prototype integrated weapons interface unit that allowed the bomber to release, for the first time, eight 2,000 pound JDAMs from the internal bomb bay.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Hawk tools delivered to HAL
The first batch of tooling and test equipment for the BAE Hawk advanced jet trainer has been delivered on schedule to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Oceana Naval Air Station, VA
Gerry uploaded a new set of photos over the weekend. One set shows the T-34C demo flights for Midshipmen which occurs only once a year.

External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Cloud on eye to spot enemy jets
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation is holding back developement of an indigenous airborne early warning (AEW) system as it is worried that the selection of Embraer 145 aircraft could lead to controversy.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
RAF Nimrods may become bomber force
RAF is drawing up plans to convert Nimrod reconnaissance planes to carry two Storm Shadows under each wing and another in a bomb bay.

Looks like its a trend nowadays to arm maritime reconnaissance aircraft with land attack cruise missiles. Australia is considering the same thing for its AP-3C fleet.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Chocks away for air show display
Massive crowds flocked to RAF Cosford in Shropshire for its hugely popular annual air show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EDO RECEIVES CONTRACT FOR NAVY F/A-18 SMART RACKS
EDO Corporation has been awarded an $11 million contract for the first production lot of 135 BRU-55 dual-carriage, "smart" bomb racks for the Navy�s F/A-18 aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
BAE SYSTEMS Selects Wind River for Use in the Tornado Advanced Radar Display Information System
BAE SYSTEMS has selected the Wind River General Purpose Platform, VxWorks Edition for use in the Tornado Advanced Radar Display Information System (TARDIS). The TARDIS will replace existing radar projected map displays used in the Tornado GR4 aircraft and will go into service with the Royal Air Force by December 2006.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Javelin makes first appearance at Paris Air Show
Aviation Technology Group, Inc. introduced the Javelin Mk-20 military trainer at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France this week.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IJT, Dhruv to be showcased in Paris
India's Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), also known as the HJT-36, is being flown and displayed at the Paris airshow for the first time.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
It's a buyers market, so shop around, PM tells air force
Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, told air force chief ACM Kongsak Wanthanayrade that Thailand could afford to shop around for fighters because it was a buyers' market.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed sees F-16 orders in hundreds, production past '08
Lockheed Martin Corp. sees a market for up to 200 additional F-16s.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Politics Stalling Tanker Joint Bid
Northrop is hesitant to partner with Airbus to offer an aerial refueling tanker due to the U.S.-EU trade dispute.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Outstanding Performance and Reliability of the C-130J Transform Tactical Airlift Operations
Lockheed Martin joined with the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the Paris Air Show to give details of the outstanding combat performance of the C 130J.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin F-35 Team Begins the Shift from Development to Production
The Lockheed Martin F-35 program is migrating from engineering development to aircraft production. All four major subassemblies of the first F-35 have now been joined, and parts-fabrication is under way for the second aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Chief Predicts Effects of 'Third Inflection Point' in Fighter Aircraft Technology
Fifth generation fighters � namely the F/A-22 and F-35 � will have a profound impact on how military forces conduct missions and fight wars, predicts Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation and the company�s Aeronautics chief.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Innovative Solutions & Support's Primary Flight Flat Panel Display System Selected by Boeing for Royal Netherlands Air Force KC-10 Cockpit Update
Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. announced that Boeing has selected the Company's Primary Flight Display System for use on the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) Cockpit Upgrade Program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
U.S. Marine Corps to Receive Additional Northrop Grumman LITENING AT Targeting Systems for F/A-18s Under 2005 Supplemental Budget
U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft operating in Iraq and Afghanistan will get 24 LITENING AT targeting pods as a result of the approved U.S. Department of Defense's fiscal year 2005 supplemental budget.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman Sees International Opportunities for Hawkeye
Northrop Grumman Corporation will be discussing the Hawkeye 2000 with several potential international customers during the 2005 Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Northrop Grumman's Second Global Hawk Maritime Demonstrator Successfully Completes First Flight
Northrop Grumman Corporation's second RQ-4A Global Hawk Maritime Demonstrator has successfully completed its first flight, a critical step forward in the U.S. Navy's planned Maritime Demonstration program.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Smiths Aerospace receives U.S. Army contract for UH-60L HUMS demonstration
Smiths Aerospace received a $5 million U.S. Army contract to install and demonstrate the value of a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) on UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Smiths Aerospace receives P-8A contract for stores management
Smiths Aerospace has received a contract from The Boeing Company to supply the stores management system for the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Smiths Aerospace Selected for Northrop Grumman J-UCAS Electronics
Smiths Aerospace was recently selected by Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems to supply triple-redundant engine interface units (EIU) and engine throttle actuators (ETAs) for the X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS).
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Smiths provides stores management system for Japanese P-X aircraft
Smiths Aerospace is selected to provide the stores management system for the Japanese Maritime patrol (P-X) aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
IAF chief heads for France
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi is heading to France for the Paris Air Show.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Some military experts say downsizing Eielson makes perfect sense
Think-tank experts thinks that its unnecessary to have two major fighter bases in Alaska.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS equips the A400M Military Airbus with digital map generators
EADS Defence Electronics has been awarded a contract by Airbus Military S.L. in Toulouse to equip the A400M military transport aircraft with the Digital Map Generator System (DMGS).
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Coalition airpower supports Marines near Karabilah
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped five GBU-12s and two GBU-38s against armed anti-Iraqi forces engaged with U.S. Marines in the western Al Anbar province of Iraq on June 11.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
VC10 crews transfer to Tristar Fleet
Six crews from the RAF�s ageing VC10 air to air refuelling fleet are to be transferred to the more efficient Tristar aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS Missile Warning Systems to protect Australian aircraft
EADS Defence Electronics has been awarded a contract by the Australian Department of Defence for the supply of the Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS - AN/AAR-60) missile warning systems to protect helicopters and wide-body aircraft.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Stork Aerospace wins major order from Royal Netherlands Air Force for Avionics (Cockpit) Upgrade of three (K)DC-10s
Fokker Services, part of Stork Aerospace, has received an order from the Royal Netherlands Air Force for the modernisation of the Avionics of 3 (K)DC-10s.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing Rotorcraft Takes Delivery of First Goodrich V-22 Electric Rescue Hoist
Boeing Rotorcraft, recently took delivery of its first V-22 electric rescue hoist designed and manufactured by Goodrich Corporation.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
EADS Missile Warning System successfully flight-tested on Danish F-16
EADS Defence Electronics has successfully conducted first test flights with its missile warning system MILDS on a Royal Danish Airforce F-16 at RDAF airfield Aalborg.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Nimitz Crew Experiences Hong Kong
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed Hong Kong June 7 after a four-day port visit.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Goodrich Ships 1st F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Landing Gear
Goodrich Corporation has shipped the first Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) nose gear, and is soon to ship the main gear as well, to the Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Latest C-130J evolution arrives on desert ramp
USAF 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron's C-130 Hercules J-models and the stretch version C-130J-30s arrived in Southwest Asia on June 7 and 8 to support airlift missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Cooperative Cope Thunder kicks off
Australia, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom military aircraft are in Alaska for Cooperative Cope Thunder.
External Link | | Permalink | | Digg it
Boeing, Sikorsky bid on rescue helicopter
Boeing Co. and Sikorsky said late Monday that they are joining together to bid on a U.S. Air Force contract for search and rescue helicopters. The proposed HH-92 will be a variant of Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter.
<