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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.
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'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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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50th production Eurofighter delivered
The 50th production Eurofighter, SS003, was handed over to the Spanish Air Force.
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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.
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Spain acquires Taurus KEPD 350
Spanish Air Force will be acquiring 43 operational Taurus KEPD 350 missiles.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Missile advance
China recently tested its PL-12 air-to-air missile.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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New combat helicopter put to test
Russian Air Force have started evaluating the Mi-28N helicopter.
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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.
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Congressman Gets U.S. Document Subpoena
Vietnam Ace, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, has been issued a subpoena for documents by a federal grand jury.
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Rescuers try to reach downed helicopter
A MH-47 carrying about 16 military personnel onboard went down in eastern Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountains.
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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.
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US To Sell Anti-Aircraft Missile Launchers To Egypt
Washington has authorized the sale of 25 Avenger anti-aircraft missile launchers to Egypt.
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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.
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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.
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Female fighters display �lethal, effective force�
There are currently 76 women flying fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
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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.
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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.
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Tuesday, June 28, 2005

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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 ;-)
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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.
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Sudan planes 'bomb' rebel forces
Sudanese government warplanes have dropped bombs on north-eastern rebel forces since Sunday, the rebels say.
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Russia to modernize long-range aircraft
The Russian Air Force intends to modernize its Tu-160, TU-95MS and Tu-22M3 aircraft.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Israel sees rivals in western-based air forces
The Israel Air Force regards Egypt and Jordan with their F-16 fleet as emerging threats.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Australian Helo Squadron Completes Mission with Boxer
Australian Blackhawk helicopters had the opportunity to operate from USS Boxer during Exercise Talisman Saber 2005.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Exercise trains U.S. forces for combat missions
Cooperative Cope Thunder at Eielson Air Force Base ended on Jun 24.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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