Friday, September 30, 2005
Last fighter jets decommissioned
Philippines will retire the last of its 40-year-old F-5s, leaving the country without air defense fighters on Satuday.
The PAF will use five S211 trainers as makeshift air defence aircraft in the mean time.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded $38 Million U.S. Navy Contract To Integrate Additional Systems On MH-60 Helicopters
Lockheed Martin will test and integrate additional weapons, as well as communications and navigation systems into new production MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, and some existing MH-60S aircraft for the USN.
An additional pylon will be added to carry Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, or the shallow water Mk-54 digital torpedo.
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Prowler carries more jamming power to the fleet
The EA-6B Prowler aircraft equipped with the Improved Capability (ICAP) III System is beginning to enter the fleet.
The ALQ-218 receiver replaces the Prowler's ALQ-99 receiver in the ICAP III program.
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US military's 'Gateway to Europe' closes Friday
The U.S. Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt closed operations Friday as part of an agreement signed in 1999.
A formal closure ceremony is set for October 10.
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Building Your Own Air Force, One Mig at a Time
Don Kirlin of Air USA has two privately owned MiG-29 Fulcrums at a hangar in Quincy, Illinois.
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Human error blamed in U.S. chopper crash
The crash of a CH-53E Super Stallion in Iraq in January this year was due to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).
The crew became disoriented and flew into ground. A second helicopter that was supposed to provide updated weather information failed to do so. The pilot has been removed from flying status.
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AEW 12/AEWWINGLANT Commodores Mark Wing Disestablishment
The U.S. Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet has merged with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMAEWWINGPAC).
COMAEWWINGPAC will command all E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound squadrons from Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu, Calif., under the new title of Commander, Airborne Command, Control, Logistics Wing (COMACCLOGWING).
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U.S. Won’t Sell Global Hawk Spy Drones to Korea
During a joint Security Cooperation Committee meeting on Jun. 21, Washington told Seoul that it was “inappropriate at this time" to sell the Global Hawk to South Korea.
Washington is said to be unconvinced that South Korea needs the Global Hawks and is worried that important technologies will be leaked.
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More than expected achieved during Indo-US naval exercises: Smith
During the first phase of Malabar-05, Indian Sea Harriers and USN Hornets engaged in air combat under the control of E-2C aircraft and INS Viraat.
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C-141 makes proud final departure
The last C-141 Starlifter combat aeromedical evacuation flight was flown on Sept. 29.
The aircraft transported the injured servicemembers from Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, for treatment.
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Lockheed Martin signals more JSF contracts to Turkish firms (Free Registration)
Lockheed Martin has signaled that more sub-contracts for the JSF will be awarded to Turkey.
Some Turkish defense companies and officials have complained of low levels of Turkish participation in the multinational JSF program.
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Boeing, LM To Join Forces In SDB II Competition
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have decided to join forces for the second phase of the U.S. Air Force's Small Diameter Bomb.
Boeing will use the SDB I bomb design and match with an all-weather, tri-mode seeker that Lockheed Martin has been developing for the Joint Common Missile program.
Raytheon has also indicated that it plans to submit an SDB II bid.
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Search And Rescue Helicopters Temporarily Redistributed
Two CH-146 Griffons will deploy to eastern Canada due to the decreased availability of the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter.
They will assist in Search and Rescue operations.
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Global Hawk set to soar over Pax
NAVAIR's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles program is gearing up for the arrival of the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration System at Pax. River.
The Global Hawk will provide over-the-horizon reconnaissance to protect battle groups.
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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Air Vectors : The Westland Lynx
The Westland Scout, Wasp, & Lynx helicopter is featured in October's Air Vectors.
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Shepherds of the Sky
This Singapore Ministry of Defence video focus on the operations of RSAF's Flying Support Squadrons. It looks at various departments of FSS at Paya Lebar Air Base.
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Apache Aces Abroad
This reporter visit the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Peace Vanguard Detachment at Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana, Arizona.
Peace Vanguard flies the AH-64D Apache.
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Pentagon gives Osprey production go-ahead
The U.S. Department of Defense Acquisition Board has given the go-ahead to begin full-rate production of the V-22 Osprey.
Bell will deliver 360 aircraft to the Marines, 50 to the U.S. Air Force and 48 to the Navy.
Current low-rate production of 11 aircraft per year will increase up to 48 aircraft.
The V-22 recently passed its operational testing with flying colors.
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France, Morocco boost economic ties
Thales will upgrade about 20 Moroccan Mirages.
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Boeing says its refueling tanker would be low-risk
John Sams, Boeing's vice president of Air Force Systems, told Reuters in an interview that flight tests of a sixth-generation refueling boom and a new hydraulic probe and drogue will begin soon.
They will be tested as part of Japan and Italy's 767 aerial refueling tanker certification program.
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EADS and Thales to supply latest-technology missile warner to A400M
EADS Defence Electronics and Thales will supply 85 missile warning systems for the A400M.
It will be fitted with the Multi-Color Infra-Red Alerting Sensor (MIRAS).
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ACM Tyagi becomes first IAF chief to earn para 'wings'
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi became the first chief to earn para 'wings.'
He made his fifth jump in 15 days to earn the award. He will jump again on Oct. 2 with 73 other IAF personnel to commemorate the IAF's 73rd anniversary.
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Barksdale’s big bombers return
The B-52s that left Barksdale Air Force Base to avoid Hurricane Rita have started returning back.
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Roh Names New Air Force Chief
Lt. Gen. Kim Sung-il will replace Gen. Lee Han-ho as the new South Korean Air Force chief of staff.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers 50th F/A-22 Raptor to the U.S. Air Force
There are now 50 F/A-22 Raptors in the USAF. Lockheed Martin delivered the 50th Raptor yesterday.
It will join the 1st Fighter Wing’s 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base.
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Pilot of crashed Russian jet “made many mistakes” – Lithuanian DM
Lithuanian Defense Minister Giademinas Kirkilas has said that the pilot of Russia’s Sukhoi-27 fighter jet that crashed in Lithuania on September 15 had made "many mistakes."
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Army demonstrates Future Combat Systems
The U.S. Army gave a public demonstration of several Future Combat Systems technologies at Aberdeen Proving Ground last week.
Several UAVs were demonstrated.
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Nigeria to buy fighter planes from China
Nigeria will buy 12 F7NI and three FT7NI trainer aircraft from China.
The package costs US$251.3 million.
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C-130s damaged by tornado flying again
Three C-130s of the Delaware Air National Guard was damaged by a tornado last year. One year later, the planes are back flying again.
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After 52 years, former pilot wins $67,000 in compensation for WWII injuries
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to pay Col. Frank Fong $67,000 in back compensation.
The World War II fighter pilot lost sight in his left eye in a plane crash.
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All eyes turn to the Su-27’s black box
Four military experts from Ukraine are in Lithuania to help decode the black box of the Su-27 that crash.
The fighter’s four air-to-air missiles have been recovered as well.
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Indo-US joint naval exercise enters 2nd phase tomorrow
Malabar-05 will enter the second phase of full scale exercises today.
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F-16 fighter jets from Spangdahlem to patrol Baltic skies
F-16s from Spangdahlem Air Base’s 52nd Fighter Wing will begin patrolling the skies above three Baltic nations this week.
The F-16s will be stationed at Zoknia air base in Lithuania.
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India could get US invite for F-35 first flight
Washington wants to invite the Chief of Indian Air Force to witness the first flight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Fort Worth, Texas next year.
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“Pull!”
50 Canadian aircraft technicians pulled a CC-130 Hercules into the Guiness Book of World Records.
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F-15K, Welcome to Korea
Two of South Korea's F-15Ks will arrive in Korea for the first time Oct. 7 next month.
They will transit at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. They will land at Seoul Airport.
The fighters will make two air refueling on their way to Hawaii and Guam. Each fighter will be flown by a Boeing test pilot with a ROKAF pilot at the back.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Two New Books
Two interesting Tomcat books.
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Blair and Reid 'held secret talks with Saudis on £40bn arms deal'
While lobbying for London's Olympics bid in Singapore, Tony Blair drop in at Riyadh on 2 July to discuss selling the Eurofighter to Saudi Arabia.
Three weeks later, John Reid made a trip to persuade the crown prince to re-equip his air force with the Typhoon.
However the talks have stalled due to Saudi demands.
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Raytheon Awarded $5.3M Contract for CLAWS Development
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $5.3 million contract for the fifth and sixth production systems for the Complementary Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS).
CLAWS combines the AMRAAM with the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.
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Predators fly first four-ship sorties
The MQ-1 Predator is testing an upgrade to enable a single pilot to simultaneously control four Predator aircraft.
The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 4 flew two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties over a four-day period.
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Air Force national museum adds ‘Wild Weasel’ exhibit
An exhibit commemorating the accomplishments of the "Wild Weasels" during the Vietnam War was unveiled recently at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
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First Danish female fighter pilot continues training
Denmark's first female fighter pilot is going through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program with the USAF.
She will return back to her country to fly the F-16.
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Raytheon Nets $31.4 Million Contract for MTS-A on MH-60, Predator
Raytheon will provide the Multispectral Targeting System (MTS)-A for the Navy MH-60 helicopter and the Predator UAV (unmanned airborne vehicle) programs.
The AN/AAS-52 MTS-A provides electro-optic/infrared imaging and laser designation/illumination capability.
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Air Force reservists fly last C-141 mission to combat zone
The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 445th Airlift Wing will fly its last C-141 mission to ferry sick or wounded troops back from the Middle East.
The 445th is the last wing still flying the C-141.
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WWII fighter pilots' group holds final reunion
The 352nd Fighter Group had their final reunion at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
The group destroyed 776 enemy aircraft on 420 flying missions in Europe during WWII.
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Test pilots mark GLIC birthday
Russia's once top-secret Valery Chkalov State Flight Tests Center (GLIC - Russian acronym), marked its 85th birthday last week.
The center has tested every type of Soviet and Russian aircraft from the pre-WWII I-15 to the Su-30MKI.
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New MiG engine for India to be tested by Russian experts
Russia will being testing a new RD-33 engine for India's MiG-29K.
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U.S. blocked copter parts to Israel
Former Israel Security Agency director Avi Dichter said Washington blocked shipments of spare parts for Israel's AH-64A Apaches in 2000.
The embargo was lifted after 9/11.
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Turkey keeps options open for fighter buy (Free Registration)
Turkey said that it will no longer purchase the Joint Strike Fighter as its next generation fighter aircraft.
Turkey may buy the JSF alone, the Eurofighter or a combination of both aircraft.
Compared to the JSF, the Eurofighter partners are guaranteed a share of the work for their domestic defense industries. If Turkey becomes a Eurofighter partner, its local aerospace industry will benefit from it.
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US completes missile test
The U.S. have completed a successful test of its upgraded Alaska-based Cobra Dane radar for missile defense.
It successfully tracked a long-range ballistic missile launched from a U.S. Air Force C-17.
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Senate panel cuts back military space programs
The U.S. Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee has cut funding for the Transformational Satellite Program, the Space Radar program and the Space-Based Infrared System (SBRIS) High program.
The Joint Unmanned Combat Air System funding was cut by $200 million and $270 million for the Joint Strike Fighter program.
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Strategic ballistic missile launched in White Sea - Defense Ministry
Russia has successfully conducted the first in-flight test of a Bulava strategic ballistic missile.
The missile was launched from a Typhoon class ballistic missile submarine.
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New exhibit set to go down a storm
An RAF Tornado F3 will be become an attraction at the Museum of Flight in Scotland.
This Tornado carried out Combat Air Patrols during the first Gulf War.
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Six Stinger missiles seized near border
Pakistani paramilitary forces have seized six Stinger missiles near the Afghan border.
The CIA has offered 150,000 to 200,000 dollars for each missile in Afghanistan.
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Pan-blue lawmakers rule out buying Patriot missiles
Taiwan's Pan-blue legislators have indicated that they will not support the bill for the purchase of Patriot missile batteries.
They said that last year's referendum to boost missile defense failed to get the number of votes necessary to make a valid result.
Thus under Taiwan's referendum law, the arms bill cannot be proposed before March 2007.
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Retired Aircraft Carrier Survives Hurricane Rita Off Texas Coast
Retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany have survived Hurricane Rita's wrath.
The carrier had moved from Pensacola to Texas to avoid hurricanes this season.
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Mulford, Tata tour US warship in Malabar-05
U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford visit USS Nimitz which is currently taking part in exercises with INS Viraat.
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Ultra Electronics wins 15 mln deal to provide RAF Eurofighter targeting lasers
Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC will supply 20 Litening EF laser targeting pods for the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Cattle stranded amid flooding
The U.S. Army is using Blackhawk helicopters to search for humans as well as cattle affected by Hurricane Rita.
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小松基地でエース養成 Ｆ１５戦闘機パイロット 全国から選抜、指導者に
Thanks to Tengu for this article. The JSADF is conducting its first 'F15 military strategy course.'
The course will be similar to the USN's Top Gun course and take place at Komatsu Air Force Base. Training will be conducted at 'G Airspace' above the Sea of Japan.
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New weaponry on show at IDEF
The IDEF 2005 International Defense Industry Fair will see companies vying for Turkey's Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter competition taking part.
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Jet repair workers in Labour demo
Workers from the Defence Aviation Repair Agency at RAF St Athan are protesting the switch of maintenance work on jet fighters from Dara to another RAF base, in Norfolk.
The U.K. government has said the jobs move would mean better value for money.
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Russian general criticizes flight that ended in Su-27's crash
Chief Commander of the Russian Air Force, Army General Vladimir Mikhailov said if the German pilots who were on duty that day have scrambled earlier. They might have save the Su-27 from crashing into Lithuania.
He added that the flight exposed a weakness in NATO's cover as the fighter was in Lithuania’s airspace for over 20 minutes.
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Soldier Suspected of Vandalizing F-16 Released From Custody
The Israeli sergeant who was arrested on suspicion of vandalizing an F-16, was released due to the lack of evidence against him.
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Lithuanian Air Force commander dismissed in wake of Su-27 crash
Lithuania's Air Force commander has been fired as a result of the recent Russian Su-27 crash.
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Russia to exhibit new military helicopters in Turkey
Russia will exhibit the Ka-226 light multi-purpose helicopters at the IDEF-2005 international exhibition in Turkey.
Besides the Ka-226, the Mi-35M attack helicopters, Mi-17 transport helicopters, the Ka-31 AWACS helicopter and a modified version of the Ka-50 Black Shark will be displayed.
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Czech Ministry Clears Radar For Export To Pakistan
The Czech industry and trade ministry has granted a license allowing Pakistan to lease the Czech-made Vera passive radar system.
The Vera has already been sold to the United States, while Estonia and a number of other countries, including Malaysia and Egypt, have shown interest in the system.
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Eurofighter Typhoon War Plane Project
Giovanni Bertolone, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, wants Turkey to be the fifth partner of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Army Grilled Over Poor Management of Defense System
South Korea lawmakers say the only 77 out of the Army’s 128 UH-1H helicopters are combat ready.
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Monday, September 26, 2005
New Paya Lebar Air Base Runway?
I was going through
Google Earth again and I notice that on the east side of the base, an airstrip seems to be under construction last year.
The length is about 4100 feet and 90 feet wide. The orientation is same as the main runway at 02/20. In fact its almost similar to the closed 02R/20L but only half the length.
Click on the photo to zoom in.
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'I Had A Funny Feeling in My Gut'
Twenty-two years ago on this date, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov from the Soviet Union prevent World War III by ignoring the false warning given by his computerized early warning systems.
The computers had indicated that five nuclear missiles were launched from the United States.
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25pc of Services' helicopters are out of action
A quarter of U.K.'s fleet of 569 helicopters are either grounded for repair or unrepairable.
A high number of Merlins are out of service with one in three under repair.
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Pentagon: China's Anti-Aircraft Carrier Strategy Includes Ballistic Missiles
In the Pentagon's annual China report, it mentioned that China will use its ballistic missiles against U.S. aircraft carriers in any potential conflict with Taiwan.
Cuise missiles, special operations forces, naval mines and submarines are other options being explored by Beijing.
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Japan frets as cost of missile defence system with US triples
Washington has told Japan it will cost nearly three times more than previously estimated to develop a joint missile defence system.
The Japanese government may try to renegotiate its contribution to the project as its defence budget is freezed.
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Air Force's C-130E female crew flies in first combat mission
An all-female C-130 crew from the USAF 43rd Airlift Wing flew its first combat mission on Sept. 10.
They are with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flying cargo and troops in and out of Southwest Asia.
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Belly landing by WW II plane closes airport
A Yak-3M made a belly landing at Norfolk International Airport on Saturday.
The plane’s right landing gear had malfunctioned during an earlier landing attempt.
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Helicopter Crash Kills 5 Crew Members in Afghanistan
A CH-47 Chinook went down in southern Afghanistan while supporting operations against insurgents.
The helicopter had delivered troops to a village and was returning to base. The crash is most likely an accident.
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El Pasoan recounts fighter pilot life
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. William T. "Bill" Creech's memoir, "The 3rd Greatest Fighter Pilot," focuses on why a fighter pilot would relegate himself to the No. 3 position rather than the No. 1 ranking.
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US Prepared Nuclear Attack on NK: Documents
F-15Es belonging to the USAF 4th Fighter Squadron carried out a simulation drop of a BDU-38, a practise nuclear bomb, in Florida in 1998.
The objective is to simulate a nuclear bomb drop on North Korea.
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Sunday, September 25, 2005
Lithuanian find 4th missile from demised Russian fighter jet
All four air-to-air missiles carried by the Su-27 that crashed in Lithuanian have been found.
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Cherry Point Marines return
VMA-231 with their five Harriers return back to MCAS Cherry Point after six months in Iraq.
During that time they had a joint exercise with Israel and an exercise in Kuwait to train for the desert.
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Army unveils high-tech arsenal at combat expo
At the Heidelberg Land Combat Expo in Germany, the U.S. Army showcased its simulators that allow up to six Apache attack helicopter crews to “fly” together.
The simulators can be network with tank and Bradley simulators too.
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Beale U-2 goes to storm
A U-2 was sent to the Gulf Coast on Thursday to gather images of Hurricane Rita as it made its way toward land.
The idea is to see what happened on the ground before and after the storm hits.
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Barksdale evacuates B-52 bombers
Col. Dan Charchian, who took over command of the 2nd Bomb Wing only days ago, order his B-52 fleet at Barksdale Air Force Base to move to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to avoid Hurricane Rita.
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So long, big guy: You lifted spirits, too
Hawai'i Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron will switch over from the C-130 to C-17 next year.
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Saturday, September 24, 2005
米軍機、訓練区域外の海上に模擬弾落とす
The first Japanese news on Alert 5. This is a rough traslation of the story.
An F-16 from Misawa drop a practise bomb in the Pacific Ocean after the jet failed to release it at the Misawa Bombing Range.
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Typhoon in Singapore, satellite photo
I was browsing through
Google Earth and I came across two RAF Typhoons siting on the ground at Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore. This photo must have been taken last year and its showing up on Google Earth now.
To the north of the Typhoons is a RAF Tristar and west of it seems to be a 747. An RAF C-130 is south of the Typhoons. I'm not sure if its a bowser or a bus that is parked next to one of the jets.
Click on photo for a larger picture.
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Netherlands to host int'l aerial exercise
The Royal Netherlands Air Force will host exercise "Frisian Flag 2005" at Leeuwarden Air Force Base in the northern Netherlands on Monday.
F-18s from Finland, Saab Gripens from Sweden, German F-4 Phantoms and Jaguar fighter-bombers from Britain will take part.
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MALABAR 05 : Indian Navy - U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers To Conduct Joint Exercise
India's INS Viraat will conduct an exercise with USS Nimitz in the Arabian Sea from 25 Sep to 04 Oct 05.
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Audit identifies Orion delays
The Australian National Audit Office said a failure to understand the intricacies of the United States defence sales system led to a delay of AP-3 Orion aircraft for the RAAF.
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Military mobilizes for storm
The U.S. Air Force is preparing for Hurricane Rita to make landfall.
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SAAF's Gripen fighter ready for flight trials
Production of the Gripen multirole fighter destined for the South African Air Force has been completed and flight trials can now begin.
Two-seater deliveries will begin in January 2008 and conclude in late 2009, with single-seat aircraft to be handed over from 2009-2011.
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Pilots log 4,000 flight hours each
Lt. Cols. Jimbo Macaulay and Brady Glick completed 4,000 flying hours each in the A-10 aircraft on Sept. 1.
Both pilots are from the 47th Fighter Squadron.
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Moving Day At The Tulsa Air And Space Museum
Tulsa Air and Space Museum is moving its F-14 display to a new home.
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Soldier suspected of sabotaging F-16
A 21-year-old staff sergeant of the Israeli Air Force is suspected to have inserted screws into the engine of an F-16 fighter jet at the Ovda base in the south due to an argument with his commanding officer.
It is alleged that he inserted screws in the exhaust mechanism of the plane.
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AVIC II trainer jet ready for production
China Aviation Industry Corp II's L15 advanced trainer will finish final assembly at the end of this month and make its maiden flight before the end of this year
The trainer is expected to begin mass production in 2007.
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Oxygen loss linked to fatal MCAS jet crash
Oxygen deprivation was the likely reason a U.S. Marine pilot crashed his F/A-18 Hornet into the Atlantic Ocean last year.
Capt. Franklin R. Hooks, 32, was taking part in a training exercise on June 27, 2004, when he crashed south of the Azores, in the eastern Atlantic.
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If we're still here at Christmas, so be it …
Australia's longest-running strike is into its 114th day today with 28 Boeing maintenance engineers manning their picket outside the Williamtown RAAF base near Newcastle.
The workers maintain and upgrade the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet fighters based at Williamtown.
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Friday, September 23, 2005
Bell Boeing QuadTiltrotor selected for Joint Heavy Lift study contract
A low resolution picture of the Bell Boeing QuadTiltrotor (QTR) aircraft.
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Lithuanian premier says crash of Russian Su-27 jet was accidental
Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas has described the crash of Russia’s Sukhoi-27 fighter jet as an accident.
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Ex-Cold War Missile May Boost University-Built Satellites
The recently retired Peacekeeper missile might be use to deliver University-built space payloads into orbit.
U.S. Congressman Dennis Rehberg of Montana is spearheading the effort.
Orbital Sciences Corp. will take a three stage Peacekeeper missile and add a Orion 38 fourth stage, the new rocket is capable of lifting more than 1,750 kg into orbit.
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Hooligans’ namesake dies
Duane "Pappy" Larson former commander of North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Squadron, Happy Hooligans, has died at the age of 89.
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Japan to be part of US missile project
Japan will contribute the nosecone design for an interceptor missile in a joint project with the U.S. to develop a ballistic missile defence system
The Japanese has develope technology to make the nosecone split into two in the air and break off from the interceptor.
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Rescue crews making do with faulty choppers
Canada's search and rescue operations have continued despite problems with their EH-101 helicopters.
The Cormorants are currently restricted to test flights and rescue operations only.
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Air Force To Begin Long-Range Strike Study In October
The U.S. Air Force will begin its analysis of alternatives to modernize its long-range strike capabilities.
One of the options include modifying the YF-23.
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Lithuania Claims More in Damages
Lithuania wants to add environmental damage to the previously announced €3,000 it charge to Russia for the Su-27 crash.
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Boeing doesn't want to share tanker deal
Boeing is against sharing a U.S. aerial refueling tanker award with Northrop Grumman Corp. as it would increase the cost of the program.
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SA eyes unmanned-aircraft niche
The South African Air Force hopes that the development and operation of unmanned air vehicles will propel South Africa as a world leader in the field.
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Eglin warns of more flights, noise traffic from base expansion
The decision by BRAC to designate Eglin Air Force Base as the first training site for the F-35 will mean more flights, noise and road traffic.
There will be planes taking off or landing every two to three minutes based on a 10-hour workday in future.
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Korea to Develop Unmanned Stealth Plane
South Korea's Agency for Defense Development is developing stealth technology for its next-generation fighter jet and the stealth fighter project.
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Hawkeyes, Greyhounds among first to respond to Katrina
The U.S. Navy's E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound fleet responded less than 48 hours after Hurricane Katrina's hit the Gulf Coast area.
The E-2C from VAW-77 played an important role as a key command-and-control node.
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A Grounded Greyhound Flies Again
A completely rewired C-2A Greyhound finished its Service Life Extension Program recently at NAVAIR Depot North Island.
The Service Life Extension Program will give each Greyhound 36,000 landings and 50,000 flight hours.
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Indonesian delegation in Russia to look at fighters, missiles
Indonesian Air Force Vice-Marshal Pieter Wattimena is leading a 16-member delegation in Russia.
Indonesia hopes to add eight more Sukhois to the four currently in service.
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Northrop urges DoD to recompete troubled Army spy plane
Northrop Grumman wants the Pentagon to reopen bidding for the Aerial Common Sensor.
The company believes the recent stop-work order given to Lockheed is an indication that the Army is in a process to terminate the contract.
Northrop Grumman maintains that its proposal, using a different aircraft, wouldn't have encountered the weight, power and cooling problems that plagued Lockheed.
Program spokesman Henry Kearney countered that Northrop Grumman's proposal has a high risk of exceeding the maximum zero fuel weight of the aircraft.
Analysts said both the Army and the Navy feels that Lockheeds electronics are the best and will unlikely change contractor.
Labels: ACS
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USFK Fighting Strength Dwindles 23 Percent
The USAF has slashed the number of F-16s deployed in Korea from 76 to 60.
The AH-64 attack helicopters has thinned from 70 to 50, and the number of UH-60s and other transport choppers from 200 to 70.
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Thursday, September 22, 2005
VFA-11
The newest addition to the VFA-11 fleet.
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VF-101 last flight (Update)
Thanks to Alfonse, we have the photos of VF-101 #160's last flight after landing at Castle Air Museum.
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EADS, Raytheon see future in cargo
EADS and Raytheon will bring a CASA C-295 to Boeing's backyard as part of a 16-state, four-week tour.
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Kyrgyzstan: US forces can stay -- if they pay more
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev wants the U.S. to pay more rent to stay in his country.
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Former Navy Pilot Will Run for Neb. Post
Shane Osborn, the former U.S. Navy pilot who landed his damaged EP-3E on the Chinese island of Hainan, will seek the Republican nomination for Nebraska state treasurer.
He now works as an aviation insurance broker.
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Radioactive Wire Found in Jet Crash
Lithuanian officials found a slightly radioactive wire on the wreckage of a crashed Su-27.
Lithuania has demanded that Russia provide more information about any other potentially hazardous substances on the plane before they continue the investigation.
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Russian experts needed to decode Su-27 black box
Lithuania will not be able to decode the black box of the Su-27 Flanker fighter that crashed on September 15 without Russian help.
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2nd Bomb Wing command change Thursday
Col. Daniel J. Charchian will be the new boss of the USAF 2nd Bomb Wing.
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Russia and Kyrgyzstan sign $3 million military contract
Russia will sell Kyrgyzstan a Mi-8 Hip helicopter as part of a $3 million military contract.
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Oceana’s fate far from set; conversion would be costly
Oceana Naval Air Station will be useless to the USN if they are forced to shift the jets to Florida.
It would be cheaper for the Navy to move out and not convert the base for other type of missions.
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'The Indian Air Force wanted to fight'
The first and only Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, talks to Sheela Bhatt about the 1965 war with Pakistan.
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Ninth Boeing Ground-based Midcourse Defense Interceptor Emplaced
Ninth Boeing Ground-based Midcourse Defense Interceptor was lowered into its underground silo at Fort Greely, Alaska on Sept. 18.
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Air Force commendation
RNZAF Flight Sergeant Hank Hancock was awarded the Chief of Air Force Commendation for his work with preserving the Aermacchi fleet while waiting for sale.
He is the flight commander of the air combat force disposal unit.
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Air force hopes to barter for squadron of F-16s
The Thais want to barter their agricultural products for 16 second hand F-16s from the United States.
The cost for the jets is 20 billion baht.
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Pentagon official warns Taiwan on defense spending
Washington is sending Taipei a message that it must build up its own defenses against a growing threat from China if it expects the US to come to its aid in a crisis.
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Navy jet crash kills two in Florida
A S-3 Viking from VS-32 went down near Jacksonville Naval Air Station while attempting to land in a storm.
Both crew were killed.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
RSAF TV Commercials
Here are some more RSAF TV Commercials for those who like them.
Mission Ready 24/7
Set your Sights Higher
Above All
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Boeing Says Strike Could Have Impact On Tanker Program
Boeing's 767 tanker program could be affected by striking machinists because of potential production delays.
James O'Neill, Boeing (BA) vice president for tanker, said the delivery of planes for modification to tankers will be delayed.
He also added that the recent commercial orders for the 767 meant that Boeing do not have to worry about closing the line.
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US Army speeds up schedule for Future Cargo Aircraft programme
The U.S. Army will award the contract for its Future Cargo Aircraft in June 2006.
The Alenia C-27J, Boeing's YC-15 prototype and Casa’s CN-235 and C-295 are serious contenders.
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US Army picks Joint Heavy Lift concept vehicles
The U.S. Army has awarded five contracts to develop a vertical take-off and landing rotorcraft that can transport a roughly 20t vehicle about 250nm.
Sikorsky was selected to study a coaxial rotor-powered vehicle called the X2 Technology Crane and the X2 Technology High Speed Lifter.
Boeing will study a tandem-rotor helicopter concept.
Bell-Boeing will explore a Quad Tiltrotor with 275kt speed.
Frontier Aircraft will study a 310kt, optimum-speed tiltrotor concept.
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USAF wants competition for F-15E Strike Eagle radar upgrade
Raytheon will have to compete against Northrop Grumman for a contract to upgrade the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle’s radar with an active electronically scanned array.
Raytheon's APG-63(V)3/4 will face the Northrop’s APG-77.
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Going Dangerously Astray
The Su-27 that crash in Lithuania was part of a seven plane formation sent to Kaliningrad to reinforce the exclave's garrison.
The seven fighters were protected by an A-50 early warning plane. The fighters were armed with missiles to defend themselves as part of the exercise.
The exercise was to test the deployment of fighters from Russia with the radars and air traffic control capabilities in Kaliningrad destroyed by NATO air attacks.
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Global Express could replace ERJ-145 as ACS airframe
Bombardier’s Global Express that is being used by Raytheon Systems’ Sentinel R1 could replace the Embraer ERJ-145 for the Lockheed Martin Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) programme.
The U.S. Army has requested information about the capabilities of the Sentinel R1 from U.K. Ministry of Defence and Raytheon.
Labels: ACS
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Russian jet jangles Baltic nerves
The Russian Su-27 crash in Lithuania has renewed friction between Russia and its Baltic neighbours.
Baltic newspapers criticized the poor response by NATO jets during the incident and question the usesfulness of the NATO air umbrella.
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Peacekeeper era ends with a whimper
Vandenberg's 576th Flight Test Squadron had hope to launch a Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile this year to mark its retirement.
Budget cuts by the USAF led to the cancellation of the final test flight.
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Harris Corporation's Low-Cost Weapon Data Link Used In Successful JDAM Moving Target Demonstration
Harris Corporation has successfully tested a low-cost, UHF network-capable weapon data link for the JDAM on a F/A-18 Super Hornet to hit moving targets.
The Super Hornet was able update the JDAM with the position of the moving target using its onboard senors and trasmitting it to the bomb using the aircraft's existing communication system.
The JDAM was also able to transmit real-time weapon status back to the host F/A-18 for a two-way data link.
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NASA's revitalized plans for manned moon missions could revive LI's space industry
Northrop Grumman Corp.'s facility in Bethpage hopes to get back into the moon business by building the crew exploration vehicle for NASA.
Bethpage build the first (if man does go back to the moon again) lunar lander.
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Pentagon Will Pay Uzbeks for Air Base
Uzbekistan will be paid almost $23 million for past use of its Karshi-Khanabad air base by the U.S. military.
The base was part of U.S. combat and humanitarian missions in Afghanistan over the last four years.
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Russian pilot did not intend to intrude into Lithuania
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said the Su-27 crash was not staged to test Lithuania's air defense system.
He said only an idiot would be willing to lose a plane to do reconnaissance.
He also stress that the pilot was under immunity according to international law.
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Russian Su-27 Crash May Have Been Planned — Lithuania
Lithuanian Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas was quoted that the Su-27 crash may have been planned in advance on Monday.
However on Tuesday, he dismissed the news reports.
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Pilot tops 3,000 hours flying in F-16
Maj. Jack “Jocko” Thompson joined a small number of pilots who have achieved 3000 hours in a F-16 on Monday.
He is with the 178th Fighter Wing from Springfield Air National Guard Base.
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RAAF set to fight piracy from the air
Australia and New Zealand have offered aircraft to joint the "Eyes in the Sky" air patrols over the Straits of Malacca.
The patrol started recently with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand participating.
Lloyd's of London has placed the Straits as a high-risk region for war and terrorism on par with Iraq.
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Bulgaria Prepares to Upgrade MiG Fleet
Russian Aircraft Corp. MiG will have a second shot at upgrading Bulgaria's MiG-29 fleet to NATO standards.
They lost the first contract in 2004.
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Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Secret Cold War Spy Satellite Program Declassified by U.S.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Security Agency (NSA) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have declassified a series of satellites was orbited from 1962 through 1971, designated POPPY.
The satellites were used to collect radar emissions from Soviet naval vessels.
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Air Force says farewell to most powerful ICBM
The USAF has retired its Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile on Sept. 19.
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Space too small for 3 satellite operators
Orbimage Inc. has agreed to buy larger rival Space Imaging Inc. for $58.5 million.
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. put Space Imaging up for sale earlier this year after the company failed to win one of two $500 million Pentagon contracts.
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Hart Aviation Video
By Gerry ClarkeFor those of you who are not aware of the high quality DVD’s produced by Hart Aviation Video (Paul and Jeff Hart) I recommend you get your last demo visceral delights by purchasing their 2005 NAS Oceana Air Show DVD when it hits their site
I met Paul and Jeff this year before the opening day of the show and had the privilege of hanging out with them and shooting some photos. They do some amazing stuff with their video techniques.
I don’t buy DVD’s of air shows because I see so many so clips and movies (Yawn!) for me to say that I am going to purchase their 2005 video means that their 2004 DVD was excellent and I don’t mind spending another $22.00 for the 2005 NAS Oceana Air Show.
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Boeing sees China needing 2,600 jets worth US$213b
Boeing said in its 2005 market outlook that China will require more than 2,600 new airplanes over the next 20 years.
1,678 out of the 2,600 aircraft will be single asile.
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Ministry eyes rice-for-planes trade deal
Jakarta hopes to barter 250,000 tons of rice from Thailand in exchange for CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Royal Thai Navy.
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VF-101 last flight
VF-101 flew their show bird to Castle Air Museum yesterday, its expected to arrive at Castle on Tuesday at noon. If you happen to be there and taking photos, I hope to post them in the gallery to complete the story.
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He’s not flying in shows yet, but Blue Angel rookie isn’t complaining
When he is not narrating the Blue Angels's show on the ground, rookie Lt. Cmdr. John Allison takes invited guests up for a spin or two.
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Lithuania Refuses to Hand Over Pilot
Lithuanian has denied Moscow's requests to hand over a Russian pilot that crash his Su-27 in Lithuania.
The country will also seek help from NATO to study the Su-27 fighter's flight recorder to determine the cause of the crash.
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Four Russian helicopter gunships removed from Sierra Leone
Four Russian helicopter gunships that were deployed for a UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone have return home.
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Bell-Boeing gets $3.45 million Army contract
Boeing Co. and Bell Helicopter have been given a contract to do conceptual design and analysis of the Quad TiltRotor aircraft for the U.S.Army's Joint Heavy Lift Program.
The Quad TiltRotor is a tandem-wing, four-proprotor aircraft with a large cargo fuselage and a rear-loading ramp.
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Cowboys back in the saddle to test new technology
USMC's VMFA-112 will be in England taking part in Exercise Urgent Quest.
The squadron will bring four F/A-18A+ Hornets and eight pilots.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $50 Million Contract for Laser-Guided Bomb Kits
Lockheed Martin has received a $50 million contract to supply the USAF with GBU-12 laser-guided bomb kits next year.
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GSDF chopper crashes at air show
A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force AH-1S Cobra crashed Sunday while performing a low-altitude flight demonstration for the public in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.
The main rotor scraped the ground while the helicopter was trying to make a right turn flying at low altitude.
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NASA Dryden Chief Engineer Marta Bohn-Meyer Dies in Airplane Crash
Marta Bohn-Meyer, the first female crewmember and the second woman to fly in the SR-71, has died in an aerobatic plane crash.
She was chief engineer at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base and an FAA-certified flight instructor.
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Castro requested Soviet missiles in 1981, book says
Fidel Castro asked the Soviet Union to redeploy atomic weapons in 1981 to counter U.S. cruise missiles in Europe.
He made the proposal to a senior Soviet army general visiting Havana.
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Korean Anti-Air Missile to Debut
South Korean anti-aircraft missile system, "KP-SAM," will enter the military after passing a trial test successfully.
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Sky-high ambitions for woman who became Navy pilot
Kendra Kaufman is one of 311 female pilots in the U.S. Navy and one of just 13 female Naval aviators who fly the C-2A.
She is attached to the USS Nimitz.
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An EADS CASA C-295 aircraft belonging to the Spanish Air Force flies non-stop for more than 10 hours over the Pacific Ocean
A Spanish Air Force CASA C-295 flew a non-stop flight, without auxiliary fuel tanks, from Sacramento to Honolulu. This flight is part of a four-week tour around the U.S. to promote the C-295 and CN-235.
The flight took ten hours and 40 minutes over 4000km.
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B-29 group plans tour of air base
The B-29 All Veterans Memorial Committee is planning a driving-walking tour of the Pratt Industrial Airport, Kansas, the first training base for B-29s in World War II.
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Canadian Forces Snowbirds Celebrate 2,000th Show
The Snowbirds celebrated their 2,000th show Saturday, September 17 in Reno, Nevada.
The Snowbirds are also celebrating their 35th anniversary season in 2005.
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Panel convenes to ponder ways to keep jets at Oceana
Officials from communities around Oceana have form a group to tackle how to retain the base.
Virginia Beach City Council wants to do an economic analysis to determine the costs of accepting or rejecting the BRAC ultimatum.
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Former Edwards chief joins honorees
Doug Pearson, the former F-15 pilot that fired an anti-satellite missile in 1985, is inducted into Lancaster's Aerospace Walk of Honor.
He was also the former commander of Edwards Air Force Base.
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Boeing and Bell Helicopter Deliver First Production CV-22 Osprey
The U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of the first production CV-22 Osprey at the Bell Helicopter production facility in Amarillo, Texas.
The CV-22 is the U.S. Air Force Special Operations variant of the V-22. It has a flight engineer seat/crew positions in the cockpit.
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Monday, September 19, 2005
"Acoustic Stealth"
Boeing is modifying an ANA 777 to reduce airplane noise on landings and take-offs. The modified engine exhaust has a slight resemblance to the B-2 exhaust. No relation to military aviation but its interesting to look at though.
Boeing Phantom Works is also involved in the project so there might be some technology borrowed from the military world though.
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Pakistan buys four planes from Indonesia
Four CASA CN-235s have entered service with the Pakistan Air Force. Six refurbished C-130 from U.S. will arrive by December.
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Okinawa town objects to jet noise
The Kadena Town Council has passed a resolution protesting the temporary move of Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-4s to Kadena Air Base.
The jets are transfered from Naha Air Base as the runway there is being repaired.
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SAF tanker aircraft returns after Gulf mission
RSAF's KC-135 tanker has returned back to Singapore after a three month deployment to the Gulf.
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Choppers just don't cut it
One year after grounding its 15 EH-101 Cormorant helicopters due to a flawed part, the Canadian Forces have yet to fix the problem.
No solution have been found yet to prevent the tail rotor half hubs from cracking.
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USAF Continues Push to Field LAIRCM
The USAF is continuing its efforts to outfit more of its transport aircraft with the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system.
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Russian planes violate Estonian airspace
The Su-27 that crash in Lithuania was part of seven Russian planes that flew to Kaliningrad and violated Estonia’s flight rules.
While they were authorised to fly within Estonia’s flight information region. The transponders were turned off.
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2 air-to-air missiles found on Su-27 crash scene in Lithuania
Two air-to-air missiles were found five meters under the Su-27 crash site in Lithuania on Sunday.
The missiles were unarmed.
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SAAF air show 'flies in the face of poverty'
The South African Air Force sent 14 aircraft to an air show marking the 25th anniversary of the Zimbabwean Air Force last week.
Four Cheetah fighter jets, a Boeing 707 refuelling tanker, a Rooivalk combat helicopter, one Oryx helicopter, a C-130, a Casa C212 light transport aircraft, a Cessna Caravan and four Pilatus PC7s were involved.
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Many in Jacksonville fight plan to reopen Cecil Field base
7,000 to 10,000 residences living in Jacksonville will be under the noise zone of Cecil Field Naval Air Station if the jets are moved there from Oceana.
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Russian experts head for fighter crash site in Lithuania
Russian military investigators have visited the Su-27 crash site in Lithuania.
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Ellsworth B-1 Bomber Fire
A fire badly damaged a B-1 at Guam. The fire started in the landing gear as it was landing.
The crew managed to escape unhurt.
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Sunday, September 18, 2005
Thales In French Corruption Probe - Sources
Thales is being investigated by the French national financial crime investigation unit for corruption and favoritism.
The authorities are looking for irregularities in the French city of Tours and in the overseas territories of Tahiti and La Reunion.
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Airbase poised for extra aircraft
RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire will accomadate the Tristars, VC10s and C17s from RAF Brize Norton as the runway is resurfaced.
The planes are expected to stay for four months.
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4th ID helicopter makes emergency landing
An Apache Longbow helicopter made an emergency landing on Fort Hood Friday afternoon according to 4th Infantry Division.
One of the engines failed.
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Shifts in Pacific Force U.S. Military To Adapt Thinking
The U.S. military is realigning in the Pacific to counter the rising military might of China.
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Commission for Su-27 crash investigation arrives in Vilnius
A Russian investigation team for the Su-27 crash has arrived in Lithuania.
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Iraq, Afghan Commitments Fuel U.S. Air Base Construction
The U.S. military has more than $1.2 billion in projects either underway or planned in Southwest Asia.
Bagram air base north of Kabul is getting a new runway. Balad air base in Iraq is expanding its ramp spaces.
In Qatar, a state-of-the-art, 104,000-square-foot air operations center is taking shape.
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Lithuania estimates Su-27 crash damages at 2,900 euros
Lithuania has estimated damages of the Russian Su-27 crash at approximately 10,000 litai (2,900 euros).
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Russian fighter that crashed in Lithuania had four missiles aboard - Lithuanian radio
The Russian Su-27 that crashed in Lithuania Thursday was carrying four air-to-air missiles according to Lithuanian national radio.
Major-General Sergei Bainetov, the head of the Russian Air Force safety service, said that the missiles had not exploded during the crash and could be found amid the wreckage.
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New ‘Hercules’ slowly replacing Corps’ inventory
The KC-130J is slowly replacing the older C-130 models in the USMC.
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Saturday, September 17, 2005
Rafale combat aircraft flies configured with Meteor missiles
A Rafale carried out a flight with Meteor beyond visible range air-to-air missiles on Sept. 7.
The Meteor was carried on both the wings and fuselage carriage points.
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Army Sees At Least $500 Million Spy Plane Cost Growth
The U.S. Army said Friday that changes to the Aerial Common Sensor program are likely to add 50% to the cost of the system-design phase.
The Army will decide whether to keep or terminate Lockheed Martin's within 30 days after receiving Lockheed's recommendations to fix overweight problems.
Edward Bair, program executive officer for electronic warfare, said the Army could choose another plane, buy sensors without a dedicated airplane, or join forces with an existing Air Force or Navy program.
Labels: ACS
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Army inactivates oldest air defense battalion
The U.S. Army's oldest air defense battalion was inactivated Sept. 15.
The history of the 4th Batallion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment began in 1794 as the 3rd Company, 4th Battalion Corps of Artillerists and Engineers.
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Negroponte Strips Intel Satellite Work From Boeing
U.S. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte will likely strip Boeing from working on electro-optical satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Boeing will remain as contractor for radar imaging satellites. The work will now go to Lockheed Martin instead.
The cost for the classified program has soared from $6 billion to more than $15 billion.
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Lithuania agrees Russian fighter crash accident but keeps pilot
Lithuania tentatively agreed with Moscow that the crash of a Su-27 was an accident caused by a navigation equipment failure but said it would keep the pilot until the end of investigation.
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Downsized, quickly built Nago offshore base eyed
Japan and the United States are considering trimming an offshore military-civilian runway off Nago, Okinawa Prefecture from 2000 meters to 1,300 meters.
The runway is meant for replacing the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan.
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Hellfire: ‘Last orders’ called on RF missile
The Hellfire RF missile will end its production soon if there are no further orders according to Lockheed Martin.
The demand for RF version has dropped as the nature of the conflict in Iraq requires the pilot to visually identify targets before engagement.
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Airborne Laser Program Eyes More Tests Near End Of Decade
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) program plans to begin tests against medium- and long-range ballistic missile targets in 2009 and 2010.
The first intercept attempt against a short-range ballistic missile will occur in 2008.
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Live Webcast of Oceana Air Show Sept. 16-18, 2005
TV Worldwide, a web-based global TV network, in cooperation with the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will produce a live webcast of the 2005 Oceana Air Show.
The live webcast begins at 7:00 PM (ET) on Friday, September 16, with the Twilight Air Show.
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BrahMos missile enters production this month
Work have started on fitting the BrahMos cruise missile on the Su-30.
The modified design of BrahMos will be lighter than the current version.
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Nimitz Sailors Spend, Sightsee, Slam Dunk in Dubai
USS Nimitz made a visit to United Arab Emirates city of Dubai from Sept. 1-6.
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'Pirates' Beware: 31st MEU is Ready From Sea and Sky
The 31st U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit is practising Visit, Board, Search and Seizure procedures off Okinawa's coast.
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Indian Navy holds talks with British firm
The Indian Navy is holding talks with British Aerospace for 18 to 22 Hawk advanced jet trainers after the Indian Air Force refused to “share” with it the 66 Hawks they acquired.
The Navy need the Hawks to train their MiG-29 pilots.
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Thunderbirds returning to Idaho after 2003 crash
The USAF Thunderbirds will return to Idaho this weekend for the first time since 2003, when a solo Thunderbird crash when it run out of altitude during a loop.
The Thunderbirds will perform the same loop again but with an increase of 500 feet to the plane's altitude.
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IAF's best warplanes in exercise in Turkey
The Israelis are sending five F-15Is and five F-16Is plus 2 C-130s to Turkey for the Anatolian Eagle joint air maneuvers.
This is the first time the F-16I is participating.
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Russia Loses a Jet to NATO
According to the Russian version of the Su-27 crash in Lithuania, the pilot became disoriented after the navigation equipment failed.
He then flew in circles to use up fuel before ejecting from the aircraft.
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V-22 clears congressional hurdle (Free Registration)
A 4-year-old congressional restriction imposed on the V-22 has been lifted.
V-22 production has been limited to the "minimum sustaining rate" of no more than 11 or 12 per year under restrictions from Congress.
The lifting of the restriction will improve the chances that an upcoming Pentagon review board will give the go-ahead for full rate production.
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Estonia accused Russia of violating flight rules
Estonia complained that a Russian A-50 and two Su and MiG jets violated its airspace Sept. 15.
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Friday, September 16, 2005
High Mark 2005’s first phase concludes
The first phase of High Mark 2005 has ended with a live firing demostration by the Pakistan Air Force.
F-7PG, Mirage, A-5 and Cobra helicopters took part bombing and staffing operations.
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Two CSAR-X Competitors Make Opposite Pitches
The Bell-Boeing team emphasize that the CV-22 can travel twice as fast as a helicopter making it more suitable for the USAF search and rescue helicopter replacement program.
The HH-47 team pitch the combat experience of its helicopter over its rivals.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Global Hawk Disaster Relief Study Presaged Hurricane Katrina
Two weeks before Hurricane Katrina, Northrop Grumman studied a hypothetical scenario in which one of the company's Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles was deployed from Edwards Air Force Base in California to assist with disaster relief following a powerful hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast of the United States.
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Lockheed Martin To Issue Draft RFP For Initial JSF Production
Suppliers for the F-35 will soon be asked to formally bid for work on the program's first production jets.
There are five jets for the first low-rate initial production (LRIP 1) batch and 18 jets for LRIP 2. 10 STOVL variants will be build in LRIP 2.
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Father of the Spitfire immortalised at last
RJ Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire was honoured with a statue in London's Science Museum.
Mitchell's son, Dr Gordon Mitchell, and the American billionaire, Sidney Frank, were there to witness it on Battle of Britain Day.
Mitchell died of cancer one year after the Spitfire flew in 1936.
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Australia in Five Power Defence exercise
Nine F/A-18 Hornets, a 707 tanker, two AP-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the RAAF and an Army RBS70 unit will take part in Exercise Bersama Lima held in Malaysia and Singapore.
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Simulators make fighter pilots of civilians
Flightline Flight Simulation Center in Irvine, California offers flight simulators to the public for $40 an hour.
The cockpits are build from actual F-15 parts and the simulation software is based on Jane's USAF.
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Flying Tigers reunited
Forty-four former Flying Tigers reunited with their China counterparts after 60 years.
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P-8A Blazes the Acquisition Trail with Live-Fire Testing
Engineers are testing fire suppression methods for the P-8A so that the results can be incorporated in the design of the aircraft.
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Dassault says no to Gamesa acquisition rumours
Dassault Aviation's chairman and chief executive Charles Edelstenne said that strong political pressure from Washington was part of the reason Rafale lost in Singapore.
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CJCSC Gen. Ehsan begins China Visit: Will Review Progress On JF-17
Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Ehsan Ul Haq is visting China and he will review the progress on JF-17 with Chinese officials.
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Strained by war, Marines bring old helicopters back from retirement (Free Registration)
Civilian maintenance workers at Cherry Point's Naval Air Depot have started work on getting three MH-53E Sea Dragons back to flight status.
The whole process could take 20 months and is a difficult process as the aircraft had been in storage for 10 years and during the model have undergone upgrades over the years.
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Minot airmen returning from duty around the world
Six B-52s are back home after a deployment to Southwest Asia.
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Turkey: “Eurofighter Typhoon” Will Appear On Show in Ankara
The Eurofighter Typhoon will make an appearance at the Defense Industry Fair in Ankara from September 26-30.
A JSF model will also be on display.
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Russian Fighter Plane Crashes in Lithuania
A Russian Su-27 fighter bomber crashed in Lithuania while on a flight from St. Petersburg to Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
The Russian pilot, Major Valery Troyanov, ejected from the aircraft safely and was not injured.
Two NATO F-4s were scrambled after the Sukhoi entered Lithuanian air space but did not reach the jet before it crashed.
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Thursday, September 15, 2005
Airbus tanker bid is no problem, says Boeing executive
Boeing Co.'s chief financial officer is not concerned about competition by Northrop Grumman and EADS to replace USAF aerial tankers.
"We have the most capable, most advanced tanker built today," Bell said.
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Oceana Air Show 2005
Check here for the latest weather forecast if you are going to the show this weekend.
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Raytheon Awarded $38.8 Million Contract for Marine Corps CH-53E FLIRS
Raytheon Company will provide 83 AN/AAQ-29A Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imaging systems for U.S. Marine Corps Super Stallion CH-53E helicopters.
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Boeing Announces Tandem Rotor Entry for Combat Search and Rescue Vehicle Acquisition
Boeing will offer the advanced HH-47 CSAR-X for the U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue aircraft program.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Empty place honors POW/MIAs
Friday is POW/MIA Recognition Day, a Missing Man Table will be setup to honor the prisoners and missing service personnel from all U.S. wars.
The tradition was started by fighter pilots during the Vietnam War.
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Vandenberg launches Minuteman III
The USAF carried out its last unarmed Minuteman III launch of the year from North Vandenberg Sept. 14 at 1:01 a.m.
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U.S. working on agreement with JSF partner nations
Rear Adm. Steve Enewold, program executive officer for the F-35 fighter, said two more meetings were planned with the global partners of the JSF to iron out a new partnership agreement.
He conceded there was some risk that one or two countries would opt out of the program instead.
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Flying gas station trains over Vermont
A group of Bangor Daily News employees went onboard a KC-135E from Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing as part of an orientation program offered by the base.
The KC-135 was on a training mission to refuel a New Jersey-based KC-10.
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Boeing flexible on tankers
Boeing Co. has backtrack on its claims that the 767 is the best aircraft to replace the USAF's tanker fleet.
Boeing is now willing to build a new tanker based on any of its airframes, including the 787 Dreamliner.
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No need to recover sunken Su-33 fighter - vice admiral
Vladimir Dobroskochenko, first deputy commander of the Russian Northern Fleet, said that special identification equipment onboard the Su-33 that crash has self-destructed.
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Global Hawk: Flameout Led To Automatic Afghan Alternate
More details have emerged on the engine
flameout of a Global Hawk in Afghanistan.
The Global Hawk carried out an autonomous hands off recovery mode on a pre-determined flight path to do a dead stick landing in Afghanistan.
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Final Farewell for Australian RAAF Lancaster Crew
The RAAF held a military funeral for four World War Two RAAF Lancaster bomber crew in Hanover War Cemetery in Germany.
Lancaster PB290 from No. 463 Squadron was shot down during a night raid on the German city of Geissen on 7 December 1944.
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RAAF C-130s fly 1000th mission in Middle East
Australia’s C-130 Air Force Hercules detachment in Iraq flew their 1000th mission recently.
Two RAAF C-130s are deployed.
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Senators working to "BRAC-proof" Ellsworth
South Dakota's congressmen wants to introduce new missions for Ellsworth Air Force Base to prevent it from closure in the future.
Sen. John Thune is talking to the USAF to bring unmanned aerial vehicles or the airborne laser to the base.
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Police tight-lipped about Kolossi crash
Cyprus police and the Defence Department have refused to comment on media speculation that the PC-9 crash on Saturday was due to the pilot who wanted to put on an aerobatic show for his fiance.
The plane strayed from its regular course and circled over a village twice before clipping a church bell tower, two houses and then crashing into a field.
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