Monday, October 31, 2005
Canadian troops to carry miniature spy planes on their backs by August
Canada's military is buying miniature spy planes that soldiers can carry on their backs .
They will be deployed with the troops in Afghanistan next year.
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Airbus Expects A400M Major Contract
Malaysia may announce its decision to purchase the A400M from Airbus at the Lima '05 in December.
Chile is also interested in getting three A400Ms.
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Human error cause of crash of Cyprus military aircraft
The crash of a Cyprus National Guard PC-9 on
Sept. 10 was primarily due to human error.
The crew diverted from the planned flight path and flew past a village at low level, it it a church bell tower and crash.
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Air Force’s tech chief to command USAFE
Lt. Gen. Tom Hobbins, Chief Information Officer of the USAF, will be promoted to general and become the new commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
He is an F-15 pilot.
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Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Enticing ROK Air Force
Lockheed is keen to sell the F-35 to South Korea when it decides which aircraft to buy after 2008.
David M. Scott, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s international business development, compared the F-15K's price of $100 million per unit to the F-35's $45 million per unit as a selling point.
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Pentagon, Industry 'Working Hard' To Reverse J-UCAS Cut
The USAF, the USN, DARPA, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Boeing and Northrop Grumman are all working together to defeat a proposal by Congress to slash funding for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems program.
The U.S. Senate proposed to slash $200 million from the Bush administration's $350 million request for J-UCAS.
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Israel, Romania seal F-16 sale deal
Washington has given the green light for Israel to sell its old F-16A/Bs to Romania for $150mil.
Elbit Systems which has upgraded Romania's MiG-21 in the past will oversee the upgrading and maintenance of the fleet sold to Romania.
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Sunday, October 30, 2005
Pentagon resists air base cash demands
United States is unwilling to pay Kyrgyzstan $80m for the past use of it Manas air base.
The Pentagon has already paid the former regime for fuel and supplies but the new president alleges were siphoned out of the country.
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Lithuania Hands Over to Russia Crashed Fighter Jet Black Box
The black box belonging to the Su-27 that crashed in Lithuania has been returned to Russia.
The plane's armament, four air-to-air missiles, an aircraft gun, cartridges were returned on Oct. 26.
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Yokosuka expresses outrage at aircraft carrier deployment
Residents living at Yokosuka, where the U.S. forward deploys an aircraft carrier, are angry that the Japanese government allowed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the USS Kitty Hawk.
Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi said that the Washington has assured Tokyo that safety measures will be strictly enforced when the carrier docks.
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Nelson 'confident' military needs will temper drilling
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida said that the need for training fighter pilots and testing missile systems will prevent oil and gas drilling near the coast.
The House Resources Committee recently adopted a budget amendment to permit drilling within 125 miles of Florida's coast.
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CBI starts preliminary probe into two defence deals
India's corruption watchdog CBI is opening a preliminary probe into the purchase of Israeli Barak anti-missile system.
The Barak is deployed on the carrier INS Viraat.
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German Air Force Air Defense Center gets new commander
The German Air Force Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss, Texas has a new commander. Col. Klaus Habersetzer transferred command to Lt. Col. Uwe Haenel.
Fort Bliss is the location of U.S. Army's Air Defense Artillery Center and School.
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Kadena F-15 drills to be transferred to five ASDF bases
USAF F-15s in Japan will move some of their training to the following JASDF bases : Chitose, Hokkaido; Hyakuri, Ibaraki Prefecture; Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture; Tsuiki, Fukuoka Prefecture; and Nyutabaru, Miyazaki Prefecture.
This will reduce the noise levels at Okinawa Island.
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AESA radar sale: US decision on Nov 21
The Bush Administration will reveal at a meeting on Nov 21-22 at the Pentagon whether to allow India to have the APG-79 AESA radar.
The radar will come togther with the F/A-18 Super Hornet that is being offered to the Indian Air Force.
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1st EMS Troops Build Joint Direct Attack Munitions for First Deployment of Langley F/A-22s
The USAF 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron is helping the 1st Fighter Wing return back to an air-to-ground role.
The squadron send 10 airmen together with the 27th Fighter Squadron to Hill AFB. There they help deploy the 1,000 pound JDAM the first time for the Air Force.
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Air Force gives hope to Air NZ engineers
The RNZAF is willing to hire
Air New Zealand engineers that could lose their jobs as a result of the airline moving maintenance jobs overseas.
RNZAF has been hiring ex-RAF staff in an attempt to recover from long-term staffing shortages.
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Mobility Study Would Cap Buys Of C-17, C-130J By Decade's End
The Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J could end their production run by the end of the decade under a Mobility Capability Study from the Pentagon.
Closing the lines could also cede the military transport market to the A400M.
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Saturday, October 29, 2005
Singapore Light Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus
Singapore unveiled the world's first heli-portable 155mm howitzer with a self-propelled capability. Pictures show it in action with an RSAF Chinook helicopter.
The ground crew prepares the howitzer to be underslung by the Chinook.
The Chinook takes off and drop its at a new location.
The crew disembarks to deploy the howitzer.
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'Terrorists' planned missile attack on planes in France: report
French Islamic extremists planned to attack passenger airliners in France with SA-18s in 2003.
French newspaper Le Figaro reported that two SA-18s were reported missing in Europe and the missiles came from Chechnya.
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Bush admin. drops 'bunker-buster' plan
The Bush administration has stopped research for a nuclear bunker buster and will develop one using conventional solutions.
The nuclear bunker buster's funding has been dropped from the Energy Department's fiscal 2006 budget.
Last April, a National Academy of Sciences panel concluded that an earth-penetrating nuclear device would likely cause the same casualties as a surface burst if the weapons are of the same size.
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Wynne confirmed as Air Force secretary
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michael Wynne as the next Air Force secretary. He will replace acting Secretary Peter Geren.
Wynne, who served as the acting undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
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Raptors return with insight, information
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron has completed their deployment to Hill Air Force Base, Utah and is returning back to Langley Air Force Base.
The F/A-22s flew their last sortie over the Nevada desert on Oct. 26 against the simulated surface-to-air sites there.
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Greek defence ministry under fire over F-16 fighter purchase
The Greek government is under fire from the main opposition party over the cost of a planned purchase of
40 F-16s.
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Air Force choppers flex their wings
The Indian Air Force held its first helicopter aircrew competition at the Sarsawa air force station.
Eight helicopter units were tested in the following operations : hovering, search and rescue, under-slung operations, low level navigation and spot paradropping.
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General says Iraqis aren't ready to support their own fighter aircraft
Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan, commander of U.S. Air Forces, Central Command, said the Iraqi air force is not ready to have their own fighter aircraft.
What the Iraqis lacked is the logistical capabilities to support fighters. The Iraqi Air Force will eventually have light attack capabilities but there are no plans to give the Iraqis MiGs or Mirages, he said.
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Rural area was site of FBI search
Noshir S. Gowadia, the engineer who sold secret B-2 information, may have given the data to eight foreign governments.
He also claims to be the father of the B-2's infrared suppressing propulsion system.
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Maiden flight for Hungarian Air Force Gripen
The first Hungarian dual-seat Gripen made its first flight in Sweden on Thursday. This is one of the two Gripen trainers Hungary will lease.
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They are flying high on Nat Geo
Three men and two women will take part in a reality show by National Geographic Channel to experience life in the Indian Air Force.
One person will get to fly in a fighter jet.
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'Friendly fire' pilot tells author he's victim of Pentagon coverup
USAF Maj. Harry Schmidt said in a new book that he is a fall guy in a coverup after accidentally bombing Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
Author Michael Friscolanti said the USAF realised that its command and control structure will be open to scrutiny and they needed a scrapegoat.
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Kalaikunda set for Indo-US exercises
IAF's Kalaikunda Air Force station is ready to welcome the USAF's F-16s from Misawa and Kadena Air Base for Cope India 2005.
Air Commodore A Saikia, commanding officer of the base, said that besides U.S. and Singapore, the U.K. is in discussions to bring their jets there for training as well.
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Friday, October 28, 2005
VF-143 Pukin Dogs Poster (Update)
This poster was created as the result of a collaboration between 3 people living at different locations, communicating via email. Yesterday it came back to me after traveling across the pacific ocean, across the west coast to the east coast of United States to NAS Oceana. Thirteen pilots from VF-143 signed the posters for Mike and me with the help from Gerry. Both Mike and I would like to thank Gerry and the PAO of Pukin' Dogs for making it possible.
Yank relinquish his command of Pukin' Dogs recently and we were lucky to have his signature on it.
We still have 8 copies of the same poster left for sale
here.
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F-117 Nighthawk tail no. 782 to retire after Edwards Open House, Air Show
F-117 Nighthawk, tail number 782 retires after flying at the Edwards Open House and Air Show.
782 was one of the five prototype F-117s that were hand-made in the ‘80s before full scale production.
782 was the first with a complete avionics suite and the first to be fully equipped with an Infrared Acquisition and Designation System.
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AMRAAM, KEI Imperiled By Hill Budget Proposals, DOD Says
Pentagon says that a reduction in fiscal 2006 funding by the U.S. Senate could affect the development of the AIM-120D.
The Air Force's Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) will have to be restructed as well.
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U.S. Navy Announces CVN to Replace USS Kitty Hawk in 2008
Japan has allowed the U.S. Navy to deploy one of its Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in Japan to replace the USS Kitty Hawk.
The USS Kitty Hawk will return to the United States in 2008 to be decommissioned.
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Powerful and effective flyer
Two South Africa's Rooivalk attack helicopter proved its mobility recently in exercises.
They self-deployed over nearly 1 000km to a forward refuelling point, flew 100km from there to support a landing operation, and then launched an attack against a target 360km away from the refuelling point.
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P-8A MMA team members honored for excellence program continues on schedule
Two members of the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Program team were honored Sept. 21 for their exceptional performance in engineering.
Lt. Cmdr. Scott Ledig was named NAVAIR's Avionics Architecture and Systems Engineering Division (AIR-4.5.1) Military Engineer of the Year for fiscal 2005.
Mike Van Wie, P-8A software engineering manager and mission computing and display subsystem lead, was named the AIR-4.5.1 Civilian Engineer of the Year for fiscal 2005.
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IAF may follow US Air Force
The Indian Air Force wants to evolve itself into an 'expeditionary force' similar to the USAF.
While it does not have the ability to rapidly deploy and operate anywhere in the world, it will soon be able to deploy and operate from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca.
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Flying to a new high
Women pilots in the Indian Air Force are doing an outstanding job and in certain cases they outperform men.
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F-16 flys again — thanks to Hill group
A retired USN F-16 is stripped for parts so that two USAF F-16s can fly again.
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Israel weighs going straight to combat UAVs
Israeli Ministry of Defense officials and Israel Air Force commanders are considering alternatives to the F-35 as Pentagon still refuses access to the development.
One option is to go straight ahead and develop unmanned air combat vehicle (UCAV) and the other one favored by low-level officials is to purchase the Eurofighter.
However senior officials rejected the purchase as Israel has always depended on United States for its fighter needs.
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RAF Chinooks Ready For Action
The three RAF chinooks in Pakistan are ready to carry out their humanitarian missions on Saturday.
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“Gear Dogs” Hook Up TR With New Milestone
Lt. Jay Haddock, flying an S-3B Viking made the 160,000 recovery on USS Theodore Roosevelt.
The recovery was completed at 7:23 p.m. Oct. 25.
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N.C. base to be home to F-15E demo team
The U.S. Air Force F-15E demonstration team will be based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base from November onwards.
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New processor makes Strike Eagle more lethal
The USAF F-15E Strike Eagle will be getting a new core processor next year to replace its original 1988 computer.
The first 15 aircraft should receive the upgrade by Sept. 30, 2006. The remaining jets will get the system by Sept. 30, 2010.
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B-2 Designer Accused of Selling Secrets
An engineer with Northrop Grumman Corp. from 1968 to 1986 and had helped design the B-2 gave classified information of the aircraft to a foreign country.
He faxed a document detailing infrared technology to a foreign official in 2002.
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Gripen fighter aircrafts ready for take off
South Africa's first Gripen will be making its maiden flight soon. The
two-seater will remain in Sweden until mid-2006.
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Lockheed Martin Receives $76 Million U.S. Navy Contract to Integrate Mine CounterMeasures Onto MH-60S Helicopters
Lockheed Martin has received a U.S. Navy contract to complete the integration and flight testing of five airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) systems with the MH-60S helicopter.
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Thursday, October 27, 2005
F-16s deal is on, says FO
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has clarified that the purchase of F-16s from United States is still on but it will be delayed.
Earlier reports indicated that Pakistan may reconsider the purchase after the earthquake.
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Tuskegee Airmen return to war zone
Five Tuskegee Airmen visit the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, home of the Tuskegee Airmen’s alma mater, the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
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Enterprise Crew Brings on the Ammo
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed a two-day ammunition on-load Oct. 24 from USNS Arctic.
1,173 lifts of ammunition was conducted with the help of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 11.
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Grand Forks base tankers ready to return
The runway restoration of Grand Forks Air Force Base has been completed and the base's 319th Refueling Wing will return with their KC-135 on Sunday.
A FAA plane will check out the runway's instrument landing system today.
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RAF pilot grounded by driving ban
An RAF Nimrod pilot caught speeding at 109 miles per hour has been given a reduced driving ban of one month instead of the ususal four.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said the ban was reduced as it would cause inconvenience and could compromise the effectiveness of the Nimrod search and rescue team.
He also considered the fact that giving him a longer ban will bar him from driving operationally when the pilot deploys to the Gulf.
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Chinese exporter linked to missile scheme
U.S. federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have linked a Chinese state-run export company, China Xinshidai Group, to a conspiracy to sell surface-to-air missiles in the United States.
The firm wants to illegally export Chinese missiles to the United States through organized crime groups.
China Xinshidai Group owns China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp. which manufactures the HN-5.
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Indian Army on the process of evaluating bells LRH
The Indian Army is evaluating Bell's helicopters for its Light Reconniance Helicopter program.
Labels: Indian Army Light Helicopter
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Draft details realignment of U.S. forces
A draft Japan-U.S. agreement obtained by the Yomiuri Shimbun revealed the movement U.S. military aircraft under a realignment process.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force will open up some of its bases for USAF F-15s to conduct training exercises.
Planes from USS Kitty Hawk will be based at Iwakuni Air Station. U.S. Patriot missiles will be deployed in Japan as well.
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F-15 part falls, damages carport, SUV
A USAF F-15E Strike Eagle had a TFOA during a mission on monday over South Carolina.
The 6-inch piece of metal tore a hole through a woman’s carport and damaged her Chevrolet Tahoe.
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Greece - F-16C/D Block 52+ Aircraft (PDF)
U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece of 40 F-16C/D Block 52+.
Other equipment include : 42 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; 40 AN/AVS-9 Generation III Aviation Night Vision Goggles; 48 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT); 3 Link-16 Ground Stations; 10 LANTIRN Targeting pods; 11 Reconnaissance pods.
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E-X Project Down to Two Bidders Again
Its down to Boeing and Elta
again for the South Korean E-X airborne early warning system.
Sources said Boeing's price was lower than last year while Elta raised its price a little, but the price difference between the two bids remains significant.
Boeing is more expensive but also more capable an Air Force insider said.
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Pilots eject after MIG 21 crashes
Two Indian Air Force pilots ejected from their MiG-21 trainer at the Bangalore airport Wednesday.
The jet crashed while it was on a take-off roll.
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Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States - Missiles and Pilot Training Program (PDF)
U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taiwan of 10 AIM-9M Sidewinder Missiles and 5 AIM-7M Sparrow Missiles.
It also requests continuation of a pilot training program and logistics support for F-16 aircraft. The missiles will be used in live fire exercises at the Luke Air Force Base. These missiles will be drawn from the U.S. inventory if needed.
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TIPS industries submit results of NATO AGS study
TIPS industries have submitted a study on the overall system and radar sensor development for the Alliance Ground Surveillance program.
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Serb discusses 1999 downing of stealth
The man that orchestrated the shooting down of an F-117 in 1999 speaks to the Western media for the first time.
Col. Zoltan Dani was the Serbian commander of an anti-aircraft missile battery during the 78-day NATO campaign over Serbia.
The stealth fighter was shot down with a modified SA-3 Goa surface-to-air missile from his battery. They modified the warhead's guidance system that involved 'electromagnetic waves.'
James O'Halloran, editor of Jane's Land-Based Air Defense, said the Serbs could succeed because the stealth fighter was not design to be invisible to old long pulse duration radars.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
RAF Chinook helicopters deploy to Pakistan
Three RAF Chinooks from 27 Squadron will be operational tomorrow in Pakistan to support relief efforts.
They were transported to Pakistan in C-17s and are undergoing local testing before deployment.
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'Defensive' tactics to hem in N Korea
In June this year, an Iranian cargo plane landed in North Korea to pick up missile parts. Washington responded by asking nations in the area to deny the plane the right to fly over their territory.
China and at least one central Asian nation agreed.
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Four Tuskegee Airmen stop in Ramstein on route to Iraq
Four Tuskegee Airmen on their way to Balad Air Base in Iraq drop in at Ramstein, Germany to have lunch with airmen station there.
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Pilot says navy's aging aircraft dangerous, ineffective
A Taiwanese S-2T pilot, Hsu Koei-jui, said in a press conference that only 16 out of the 26 S-2Ts are serviceable.
He added that most S-2T pilots consider the aircraft dangerous to fly. Rear admiral Ma Jien-chung said the S-2T cannot fulfill its mission of detecting submarines and monitoring unknown vessels.
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Pakistan said re-thinking US F-16 deal
Pakistan is reconsidering its plan to buy the F-16 after the devastating earthquake that hit Kashmir.
The deal will have a big political and economic impact if it goes ahead as plan.
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Strategic Missile Troops to switch over to Topol-M's in 2006
The Russian Strategic Missile Troops' will switch to Topol-M land-based mobile missile early next year.
The first Topol-M mobile missile will go to the strategic missile regiment in Teikovo in Ivanovo region.
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Army activates third air and missile defense command
The U.S. Army's 94th Air and Missile Defense Command was activated at at Fort Shafter, Hawaii on Oct. 14.
This is the third Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Two are active units and one is reserve.
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Military crash report urges redesign of damage-prone helicopters
The report by Canada's Air Force Flight Safety Directorate on its CH-146 crash two years ago urged the FAA to relook into the certification of the Bell 412 series helicopter.
The tail rotor on the CH-146 failed in flight and there were four more cases of tail rotor failure four years after the accident.
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Italian Navy's air command plots flight path to renewal
The Italian Navy's air command is beginning the renewal of its fleet with the introduction of the EH-101 to replace the Sea King.
Other aircraft to be inducted includes the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and NFH-90 helicopter.
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Dutch look to downsize JSF order
Netherlands is considering buying only half the originally intended number of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The plan was to buy a single order for 85 aircraft. It now seems that the order will be split into two batches with the second batch to be decided at a later date.
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Boeing looks to Asia for military bookings boost
Jim Albaugh, Boeing Integrated Defence Systems chief, is looking at the Asian fighter market to increase its revenue.
India, Japan and South Korea are possible markets with the F/A-18 in competition in India and interest in the F-15 and F/A-18 in Japan.
Labels: Japan FX
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Kitty Hawk Gets Underway as Upkeep Period Ends
USS Kitty Hawk left its forward operating base in Japan to commence its fall underway on Oct. 24.
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USS Ronald Reagan, Carrier Strike Group 7 Begin COMPTUEX
USS Ronald Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed San Diego Oct. 17 and began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
COMPTUEX is an 18-day exercise designed to train the ship, embarked air wing and other vessels that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force.
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Fly-by-night training
The USAF 310th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB is redesigning the syllabus for the F-16 night vision goggles training to include the use of simulators.
Simulators will cut the risk to inexperienced pilots when they do night flight with NVGs and also save money by reducing the number of actual flights.
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Hybrid refueler truck could cut energy use
The USAF is introducing the R-11 hybrid electric refueling truck as a way to save fuel and energy.
It uses the same hybrid electric found in commercial cars today to save fuel.
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Boeing C-17 has a short runway
"If it doesn't fund ... we're done," C-17 Program Manager David Bowman said in an interview to the Post-Dispatch.
The Pentagon does not have any order for the C-17 beyond 2008. If the 2007 defense budget request doesn't include money for post-2008 production of the GlobeMaster III, Boeing will begin to shut down the plant next year.
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US Navy confirms V-22 incident, denies danger (Free Registration)
The U.S. Navy is denying a report by Project On Government Oversight watchgroup that the engines of a V-22 stalled or that the crew was in danger when it flew through clouds recently.
A CV-22 on its way to Edwards Air Force Base when some ice was sucked into the engines as it navigate through severe thunderstorms and icing conditions.
This cause the engine controller to cycle the engines through several recovery modes but the engines never stalled according to V-22 program office spokesman James Darcy.
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Lockheed Martin Will Dominate the Airborne ISR Market Over the Next Decade, Closely Followed in Total Funding by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman
Teal Group's Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Market Forecast found that Lockheed Martin will have the biggest share of the $43 billion future market.
The Sniper/PANTERA the F-35 JSF EO/IR will help Lockheed Martin dominate the market.
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Flight Safety Investigation Report for July 2002 Crash of Griffon Helicopter
This is the final report for the crash of Canadian Forces Griffon helicopter CH146420 on July 18, 2002.
The aircraft was returning from a cancelled Search and Rescue mission when the tail rotor failed due to a fatigue crack.
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India may clinch copter sale with Chile
Chile may order a dozen of Dhruv advanced light helicopters from India when Indian defence minister Pranab Mukherjee visits Chile.
Last year then Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy led a high level delegation to Chile to demonstrate the Dhruv.
This is not the first time that news on the purchase of Dhruvs by Chile are floated.
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Boeing EA-18G Modification Moves to Next Phase
Boeing is installing the first radio frequency (RF) cables in the EA-1 aircraft as it continues production of the first two EA-18G flight test aircraft.
RF cabling will connect the electronic attack avionics in the EA-18G. The EA-18G will have more than 2,500 feet of RF cabling, about five times the amount installed in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Labels: EA-18G
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Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Birds Of Mercy Again
I'm very surprised that no one click on the story of the U.S. Army's 50th Medical Company mission in Iraq. I considered that the best story among the rest posted yesterday. In fact it was one of the best this month.
Being part of a medevac crew is not an easy job. The crew have to on constant alert and sometimes they land to pick up wounded during a fire fight. The helicopter is not armed due to the Geneva convention and one third of medevac missions do not have fire support from Apache gunships.
Most of the time, the cabin of the helicopter will be stained with blood and the smell fills the interior. These men and women risked their lives to save other lives.
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The US Navy: lost in space?
A National Research Council’s report highlight the U.S. Navy's lack of direction in their space program.
It gave the navy a "red" for effectiveness.
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RAF probe ejector seat cock-up theory after £20m jet crashes
An RAF Tornado F3
crashed on Oct. 14 during a training exercise. There is a story that a passenger behind had accidentally ejected both himself and the pilot.
The passenger is a RAF sergeant who was granted the flight as he is retiring.
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Northrop Grumman Announces Mobile, Ala., as Site for KC-30 Tanker Production Center
Northrop Grumman Corporation selected Mobile, Alabama as the site for the production of the KC-30.
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UK accepts first Typhoon trainer
The RAF as received its first synthetic training device for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Emulated Deployable Cockpit Trainer will enable pilots to conduct simulated training sorties and to maintain currency while away from frontline bases.
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US forces make contingency plans for aerial sensor
A summary of Jane's report on the Aerial Common Sensor progress. Nothing much new since similar stuff has been covered
here and
here.
Labels: ACS
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Air force plans massive fighter upgrade programme
The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade its combat jets and transport aircraft to keep them flying longer.
The MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 will get the upgrades while upgrading the MiG-21 is not confirmed yet.
The An-32 and Mi-17 will be modernise and midair refueling capabilities could be added as well.
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India to get six more midair refullers
The Indian Air Force wants to purchase six more Il-78 tankers to boost its refueling fleet to 12 planes.
The IAF currently has six Il-78s purchased from Uzbekistan.
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Defense Purchases Adjusted to the New Budget
Sukhoi is expected to modernise another lot of Su-27SMs for the Russian Air Force next year.
Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant is also expected to modernize the Russian Navy’s Su-33s.
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Introductory flight training undergoing changes
The USAF will introduce a new program called initial flight screening for selecting specialized undergraduate pilot training.
The selection will move from civilian flight schools around the United States to a single location in 2006.
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US wants deal on moving Japan air base before Bush visit
Washington hopes that talks on the relocation of the Futenma US Air Base in Okinawa could be completed before George W Bush visits Tokyo next month.
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Monday, October 24, 2005
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
These photos were posted on China Defense Blog recently. The top photos shows the RoCAF's
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung. Home to 3 squadrons of IDF fighters and the army's airborne and special operations command. Bottom photo shows a replica of the air base in mainland China's ganxiao province.
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Osprey cleared for production
Hear what the critics have to say about the V-22 when it entered full production recently.
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Air Drops Dummy Rocket for Darpa's Falcon
AirLaunch's novelty approach to launch a rocket with a 1,000 lb. of payload into orbit is attractive enought for DARPA to fund it under the Falcon small launch vehicle (SLV) project.
AirLaunch's Quick Reach I rocket weighting 72,000 lb. will drop out from the rear of a C-17 at 33,000ft for an air launch.
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Going Postol (Free Registration)
This story is about MIT'S Ted Postol and his quest to prove the missile defense does not work now, and will not work in the conceivable future.
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Otis F-15s, pilots may head West
Barnes Air National Guard Base is ready to welcome the F-15 from Otis Air National Guard Base across the state.
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Rough Landing
This is a more detail account of a story reported
here on Apr. 21. An F-16 right main landing gear collapse during its landing at Burlington International Airport .
The Vermont Air National Guard F-16 was attempting to land in low visiblity and the pilot came in too low on his third attempt. The right landing gear was damaged when it hit some lights.
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Chopper crashes in Afghanistan; 13 soldiers escape serious injury
Thirteen U.S. soldiers walk away from a crash that destroyed their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a combat operation in Afghanistan on Saturday.
The aircraft, part of Task Force Storm, was supporting a special operations mission to clear Taliban fighters from several remote villages.
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Idaho base could host new jet
Mountain Home Air Force Base could be home to the F-35 according to a new report sent to Congress.
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Emergency Landing at W.K. Kellogg Airport
A U.S. Navy E-6 made an emergency landing at the W.K. Kellogg Airport on Saturday night after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit.
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Birds Of Mercy
Leslie Sabbagh of Popular Mechanics followed a UH-60A medevac helicopter from the U.S. Army's 50th Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division on a mission to airlift an injured soldier in Iraq.
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Dumpster eyed for dud drones
The Canadian Forces is considering scrapping the Sperwer UAV from French firm Sagem if the air force's tests proves that its not up to the job for deployment to Afghanistan.
The Sperwer had alot of problems in Afghanistan during its first deployment there.
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RAF Lakenheath begins night flying operations
The USAF 48th Fighter Wing began its yearly night flying operations at RAF Lakenheath last week.
The F-15Cs and F-15Es are taking advantage of early darkness to mett their night-flying requirements.
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Huntsville firm developing UAVs
Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc. is developing Prospector, a lightweight, quick response unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, for the U.S. Army.
It is transported by trucks and can be launched in a few minutes. The design is not new and is based on a UAV used by the German Army.
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Plans bring Global Hawks closer to landing on Guam
The Global Hawk could be coming to the Pacific in 2009 if plans go smoothly as schedule.
Four Global Hawks will deploy to their Pacifc forward-operating location at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
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Greek Cypriots Test New Attack Copter
The Mi35 helicopter gunships made its first apperance at the Greek Cypriot military exercise on Friday.
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Raptor drops first bomb
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron drop its first JDAM from an F/A-22 Raptor on Oct. 18.
This is not the first time that JDAMs were released from the F/A-22.
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Sunday, October 23, 2005
X-31
Zoltan "neu" Pocza from
Carrierbuilders.net contributed these pictures of the X-31 taken at a musuem in Germany.
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Bush helps dedicate display for 707 at Reagan library
U.S. President George W. Bush dedicated the retired 707 Air Force One for display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Friday.
The 33-year-old plane had served seven U.S. Presidents with Ronald Reagan using it the most.
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Air Force pilots, crews finish Alaska training
Cope Thunder exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska came to an end on Friday with 87 aircraft taking part.
Missions were delayed or canceled after a snowstorm in the first week.
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New Chinese subs add to threat
Two new class of submarines will enter service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. One of them is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine armed with a new missile.
The JL-2 is a three-stage, solid-fuel sea variant of China's DF-31 ballistic missile.
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Bulgarian pilots get view of Basin
Five senior officers from the Bulgarian Air Force including deputy chief of training, Maj. Gen. Mladen Isaev Kazakov, flew orientation flights in F-15s flown by Oregon Air National Guard.
The flight was a highlight of a visit intended to show members of the Bulgarian Air Force's high command how the United States trains its air-to-air combat pilots.
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Kadena Takes 'Pride' in Revamping F-15 Fleet
Some of the F-15 Eagle fleet’s oldest jets are going thru an approximately 10-day overhaul.
Pentagon contractors and Airmen from the 18th Maintenance Group will inspect and replace systems, like flight controls, radar, tactical electronic warfare, electro-environmental and weapons.
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Hurlburt Field flying historic `Gooney Bird' built 62 years ago
The oldest aircraft the USAF operates is a C-47 transport, with a black question mark painted on its tail.
It is lease from Basler Turbo Conversions LLC and operated by the 6th Special Operations Squadron.
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Saturday, October 22, 2005
Spitfire heroine
The Spitfire will not be able to mark its 70th anniversary next year without the help of one Englishwoman, Lucy Houston.
In 1931, Lady Houston donated an unsolicited £100,000 to develop the aircraft and Rolls-Royce engine (the precursor to the Merlin) to compete in the 1931 Schneider air race.
The team that won that race went on to develop the aircraft into the Spitfire.
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V-22 will not compete for CSAR-X
Bell-Boeing will not submit the V-22 as their proposal or the US Air Force's CSAR-X combat search and rescue competition.
Both companies feel that the requirements of the competition are more suited to a traditional helicopter.
Labels: CSAR-X
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Base not safe yet, analysts say
Despite the collapse of Florida's attempt to reopen Cecil Field, federal officials and defense analysts said Oceana is not off the hook yet.
The U.S. Navy while content with the current base in Oceana, it is looking for a new base for its future needs.
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Army says spy plane needed despite troubles
U.S. Army acquisitions chief Claude Bolton said the Aerial Common Sensor is important to his service is anxiously awaiting suggestions from Lockheed Martin to save the program.
The Army is keeping all options open including, termination, losing some sensors to be able to stick with the ERJ-145, or moving to a larger aircraft.
U.S. Navy officials told the joint subcommittee hearing of the House intelligence and armed services committees that they are drafting contingency plans to use the P-8A instead.
Labels: ACS
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Co-pilot of navy chopper dies, two missing in crash
A Taiwan Navy S70C helicopter crashed while attempting to land on a warship during a training exercise.
All S70Cs are grounded while investigations are being carried out.
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Selfridge's 107th Squadron named 'best of the best'
Selfridge Air National Guard's 107th Fighter Squadron earned its second Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit Award.
It is also the only USAF unit equipped with the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System.
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UK SAS tests mini UAV
The UK's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment has carried out trials of a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ahead of an enhanced deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.
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Jacksonville withdraws effort to lure Oceana jets
Mayor John Peyton of Jacksonville, Florida has given up luring the USN master jet base from Oceana Naval Air Station to the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station.
This would throw the BRAC's plan into disarray as it wanted Virginia Beach to buy back land near Oceana or the jets will move to Cecil Field.
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Fit for a Fight?: Armenia and Azerbaijan flex military muscles, vow to not be overcome
Armenia recently bought 10 Su-25s from Slovakia at a cost of only $1 million.
The planes are at least 20 years old and were given to Slovakia after the breakup of Czechoslovakia.
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India dominant naval power: France
A senior French Navy official said that French and Indian aircraft carriers "most likely" will take part in a joint-naval exercise next year.
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Russia flies in missile components for trials
A Russian airforce transport aircraft flew to India on Friday carrying components meant for new variants of the BrahMos missile.
India and Russia are trying to integrate the BrahMos with the Su-30MKI.
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'Spy plane' found in Clark
Two Filipino workers carrying out regular maintenance work found a UAV belong to United States on the roof of a duty free shop.
The aircraft was reported missing during the US-RP joint military exercises at the Clark in February this year.
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Yokota C-130 makes precautionary landing at Fukuoka
A C-130 Hercules from Yokota’s 36th Airlift Squadron made a precautionary landing Thursday at Fukuoka International Airport.
The aircraft made the precautionary landing after the No. 4 engine failed.
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US Army seeks Northrop spy plane upgrade after ACS delay (Free Registration)
The U.S. Army wants to shift near-term funding into upgrading the Guardrail and Airborne Reconnaissance-Low spy plane systems.
The Army reached this decision after a Navy analysis found that the Aerial Common Sensor program could be at least three years behind schedule.
Labels: ACS
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U.S. forces level building used as insurgents' lair
On Wednesday, a VF-31 F-14
leveled an IED facility in Iraq. This is the story from the ground perspective.
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Friday, October 21, 2005
Latest photo of Varyag
This photo of the ex-Russian carrier Varyag was posted recently on China Defense Blog. This photo will renew the debate whether China is
getting an aircraft carrier.
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U.N.: Berlin-Type Airlift Needed in Asia
An airlift on the same scale as the Berlin Airlift is needed to save as many as 3 million people left homeless by the South Asian earthquake.
Jan Egeland, the U.N. relief coordinator, appealed to NATO and other countries to step in with an army of helicopters to fly in relief supplies and evacuate perhaps hundreds of thousands of people.
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Boeing and NEX1 Future Sign Memorandum of Agreement for Korea’s EX Program
Boeing will partner with NEX1 Future of Korea on the Republic Of Korea's EX airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program.
NEX1 will supply VHF and UHF radios for the Boeing proposed 737 AEW&C system.
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Fake Chinese incursion report on Net
A Japanese man posted a fabricated Kyodo News on a fake Yahoo News site saying that Chinese warplanes had intruded into Japanese airspace over Okinawa on Tuesday.
The fake article also claims that U.S. forces, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and Chinese forces had exchanged fire in Okinawan airspace.
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Israel calls off warplanes deal
Israel canceled a deal to upgrade Venezuelan F-16s after pressure from the Bush Administration.
Israel was suppose to install its own system into Venezuela's F-16s.
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Ramstein Air Base designated as hub for quake relief transport
NATO and U.S. military cargo aircraft will use Ramstein Air Base as an air hub to transport supplies to earthquake victims in Pakistan.
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Lithuania ready to pass fighter jet wreckage to Russia
Lithuania is ready to hand over the wreckage of the Russian Su-27 that crash in its territory.
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Raytheon's JLENS Completes Successful Systems Functional Review
Raytheon Company's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor
System (JLENS) completed a successful system functional review (SFR) late last month.
The JLENS provides a long-duration, wide-area cruise missile defense capability to the battlefield commander.
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BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Defensive System Deployed On U-2
BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) is now being deployed on U.S. Air Force U-2S.
The AN/ALQ-221 is an integrated Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Electronic Countermeasures system.
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Former US Navy Intelligence Officer Nailed for Arms Trafficking
A former U.S. Naval intelligence officer pleaded guilty to illegally exporting military aircraft parts.
He had illegally exported engine parts for the F-5, the T-38 and Chinook military helicopters to Malaysia and Belgium without the required export license.
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Media greets the F/A-22
Journalists from Utah and Virginia are converging at Hill Air Force Base to cover the F/A-22 deployment there.
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Senators meet with general
South Dakota’s U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson and Sen. John Thune spoke to Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, director of Strategic Security for Air and Space Operations about the future of Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Both men wants to enhance the B-1 missions.
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Industry briefed on new landing system
The Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) program hosted an industry day in Lexington Park Sept. 8 to update industry officials on progress of this new landing system.
The JPALS uses Global Positioning System to replace radar for launch and recovery guidance in all weather conditions.
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Taylor to lead V-22 through production, first fleet operations
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Bill Taylor will assume command of the V-22 Osprey program office today.
He will take over from U.S. Air Force Col. Craig Olson.
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China Offers Nuclear Assurance to Rumsfeld
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld became the first foreigner to enter the command headquarters of China's Second Artillery.
The Second Artillery operates China's arsenal of nuclear missiles.
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RAF Chinooks to help quake relief
Three RAF Chinook helicopters are being sent to Pakistan to assist in the earthquake relief operation.
The first of the Chinooks will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday in a C-17.
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RS-18 missile hits target on Kamchatka range
A RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) intercontinental ballistic missile was fired from Baikonur on Thursday and hit its target on the Kura training range in Kamchatka.
The test was to assess the design life of the missile.
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NAVAIR officer earns Greyhound of the Year
A Naval officer assigned to a program management office has become the first Naval officer to receive the Greyhound of the Year-Pilot/Shore Award.
Historically, the recipient is chosen as the most outstanding C-2 pilot serving in a non-deployable, shore-based squadron, command or staff position.
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Oceana-based Tomcats destroy IED facility near Baghdad
F-14Ds from VF-31 destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) production facility northeast of Baghdad on Wednesday.
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Kazakhstan, Russia discuss aerospace complex
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov meet MiG's general director Alexei Fyodorov to discuss the use of the MiG-31D to launch micro satellites.
The Ishim aerospace project aims to put a 160kg satellite into low earth orbit using a rocket carried up by a MiG-31.
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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Customer requests may lead to 787 tweaks
According to Herald Columnist Bryan Corliss, Boeing is preparing a 777 tanker for the USAF tanker replacement program.
Rumours are that the Pentagon wants a bigger tanker than proposed 767 tanker.
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China testing over 100 short-range missiles annually
China has been test-launching more than 100 missiles annually at its inland bases.
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Helicopter crashes, brigadier safe
An Indian Army brigadier general escape unhurt on Wednesday when the Chetak helicopter he was in crashed.
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Enterprise Flight Deck Open for Business
An S-3B Viking from VS-32 made the first landing on the USS Enterprise in more than a year.
The carrier is in the process of carrying out its flight deck certification.
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Lithuania claiming 30,000 euros for Su-27 crash damages
Lithuanian wants to claim 30,000 euros from Russia for damages caused by the Russian Su-27 crash in the Baltic state in September.
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Airport alert for RAF Tornado landing
An RAF Tornado make an emergency landing at Stornoway Airport on Oct. 18. The fighter was on a training exercise from RAF Lossie-mouth.
A cockpit warning indicated a possible serious overheating problem with the engine.
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Russia Develops Stealth Aircraft Using Plasma Screen Technology
Russian daily Novye Izvestia quoted Anatoly Koroteyev, the head of the Keddysh Research Center, that Russian aircraft industry has developed and will soon start producing stealth aircraft which uses plasma screens.
The Russian technology will reflect radar waves by means of a plasma screen created by a mobile plasma generator.
The generator emits powerful electron beams that ionize the air around the aircraft effectively creating a plasma cloud around it.
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First Japanese-assembled RTM322 engine delivered
The first Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft engine to be assembled by Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been delivered to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.
The RTM322 engine will power the JMSDF’s EH101 helicopter.
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Group of Tuskegee Airmen Flying to Iraq This Week to Meet with Soldiers
Seven Tuskegee Airmen will visit Iraq this week to meet U.S. soldiers and tour Balad Air Base.
The 332d Expeditionary Air Wing now at Balad is the descendant of the 332d Fighter Group, the original Tuskegee Airmen's unit.
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A Super Hornet's Nest
On Jan. 21, a Super Hornet buzzed the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport and executed a touch and go. The pilot's stunt got him into trouble.
Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet terminated his flying status and post him to a desk job in Qatar.
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Russia prepares document on common air defense system with Belarus
Russian defense officials are planning to submit a document to the government for a joint regional air defense system with Belarus.
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Weather, logistics delay relief missions out of Bagram Air Base
U.S. military airdrop missions out of Bagram, Afghanistan to Pakistan have been delayed due to weather and coordination issues.
The first and only airdrop mission so far from Bagram was Oct. 14 when a U.S. Air Force C-130 parachuted about 20,000 pounds of supplies into Pakistan.
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Mountain Home Air Force Base hosts international war games (Free Registration)
German Tornados and Canadian F-18s join American F-16CJs and F-15s for the biennial Tiger Meet at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Squadrons with a tiger or at least a big cat as their theme can take part in the exercise.
The winning squadron gets to host the next meet.
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Turbomeca tests Shakti engine for ALH
Turbomeca has completed the first ground run of its Shakti engine built for the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.
The engine will make its first flight in July next year followed by its certification in December.
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IAF combat fleet down by nine squadrons
The Indian Air Force has reduced its number of squadrons from 39 to 30. This is due to the ageing of the MiG-21s as well as MiG-23s and MiG-27s.
The IAF wants to increase the production of Su-30 aircraft from eight to 12 per year, create another MiG-21 BIS squadron, and also placed an order for additional Jaguar as replacements.
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SAAF receives replacements for ageing fleet
The South African Air Force has received the first four of 30 new Agusta A109 light utility helicopters on Wednesday.
They will replace the Alouette III fleet. Training for the piltos could start in February 2006 at 87 Helicopter Flying School in Bloemfontein.
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Boeing JDAM Wins Australian Competition
RAAF has selected the JDAM weapon system for its AIR 5409 Bomb Improvement Program.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2005
ShenZhou VI Launch Video (WMV)
Video of the first 30 mins launch of Shenzhou VI. In Windows Media Video format.
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Part of French military contingent leaves Tajikistan
Six French Air Force Mirages currently in Tajikistan will leave on Nov. 6. They were there to provide support of elections in Afghanistan.
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Despite Glitch, F/A-22 Begins First Practice Deployment
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron
deployed to Hill AFB with six F/A-22s instead of the planned eight aircraft.
Raptor 41 returned to Langley after a cockpit warning light indicated a malfunctioning avionics cooling system. Another F/A-22 accompanied it back as a precaution.
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Govt unsure aircraft carrier plan can meet deadline
Delivery of U.K.'s new aircraft carrier could be delayed as the Ministry of Defence has not finish assessing the costs and designs.
France will decide by mid-December whether it would build a carrier based on the same design, instead of mid-October as previously expected.
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ThalesRaytheonSystems Receives $120 Million to Deliver Advanced Command and Control Systems for the Swiss Air Force
ThalesRaytheonSystems will provide the Swiss Air Force with advanced Link-16 connectivity for their fighter aircraft.
The upgrade is part of the FLORAKO command and control program.
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T-50 Makes Its Debut at the Korea Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2005
The T-50 Golden Eagle made its aerial debut at the Korea Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, also known as the Seoul Air Show.
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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Former Navy flier pilots Calspan to forefront of flight technology
Lou Knotts, a former USN A-6 pilot, is now president of Calspan Corp., a firm that builds variable stability aircraft.
Calspan's variability stability Learjets are used by FAA to help train pilots how to recover from so-called "loss of control" incidents.
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Northrop Grumman cutting 400 at Linthicum site
Northrop's Electronic Systems division which makes radars for the F-16 will cut 400 manufacturing jobs.
Orders for F-16 radars have been decreasing and production of the new radar for JSF has not started yet.
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Edwards bringing back its air show
Edwards Air Force Base will have its first open house and air show in two years this weekend.
Gates will open at 7 a.m. and flying demonstrations will start at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Chuck Yeager will be doing a heritage flight in a P-51 with a F/A-22 Raptor and an F-16.
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JSF vital for Dutch innovation, says report
A study by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Tilburg University found that participating in the JSF programme will generate over 1 billion dollars for the Dutch economy.
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Breaking barriers, sinking stereotypes
Capt. Nora Tyson, the former commanding officer of the USS Bataan, could be the first woman to command an aircraft carrier.
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Mission system ties in Tigers
Australian's Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters will be getting a local mission planning system called the Ground Mission Equipment.
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Japan considers deployment of radar system to defend U.S. against ballistic missiles
Japan may allow United States to install an X-band radar at Shariki air station in Tsugaru as part of a defense system defending continental United States.
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Russian aircraft manufacturer opens office in China
Sukhoi has open an office in Beijing, China to provide maintenance and upgrade services to the aircraft it shold in that market.
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Russia denies role in alleged Iran missile deal
Speaking to journalists in New Delhi, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov has denied a
newspaper report that former members of the Russian military have been secretly helping Iran make long range missiles.
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Mini-plane Newest Addition to Unmanned Family
The U.S. Army recently began using the Tactical Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for surveillance and intelligence gathering in Iraq.
The 21-inch long Vehicle has a wingspan of 21 inches and can be stored in a 22 inch-long, five-inch diameter tube that can be carried on a soldier's backpack.
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Pilots say Raptor provides advantage
This reporter spoke to a few F/A-22 pilots to understand how they feel about their plane.
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Boeing Completes Successful Boost Test of HyFly Hypersonic Demonstrator
Boeing and DARPA successfully launched a hypersonic strike demonstrator vehicle called HyFly on Aug. 26.
An F-15E launched the vehicle over the U.S. Navy’s sea range at the Naval Air Weapons Center – Weapons Division at Pt. Mugu, California.
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Monday, October 17, 2005
Narrow escape for defence top brass, Russian minister
An Indian Air Force Antonov-32 transport air drop an anti-tank guided missile jeep just three metres away from the Russian Defence Minister who is viewing the Indo-Russian airborne exercise.
Sergei Ivanov praised the IAF saying it was a perfect drop, as the load landed neatly concealed between two dunes.
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High-flying competition
While Lockheed Martin's US101 is viewed as the frontrunner among the helicopters vying for the USAF CSAR mission, the CH-47 is another likely candidate.
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Russians help Iran with missile threat to Europe
Former members of the Russian military have been secretly helping Iran to build up its missile technology.
North Korea missile technology is channelled through Russia to Iran. Iran is trying to build a rocket with a range of 2,200 miles, capable of hitting much of Europe.
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Earthquake helicopter 'heroes'
Villagers in Pakistan are calling the helicopters that bring relief to them angels.
Pakistani pilots have been flying 12 to 16 hour days a day and sometimes at night.
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Quake helicopter crash kills six
A Pakistani Mi-17 helicopter crashed while returning from an earthquake aid mission.
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Rumsfeld likely to touch on arms sales
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is expected to tell Beijing that China's missile build-up against Taiwan as the cause of the increased arms sales to the island.
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US official urges switch to `defense'
Admiral William Fallon, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, urged Taiwan to upgrade its Patriot anti-missile defense system.
Buying defensive equipment will be less provocative to China he said.
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Russian air force to acquire new missile defense system
Russia's air force is to acquire the S-400 Triumph missile system. The first S-400's will go to the regiment of the First Air Defense Corps.
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Move of MSDF planes from Iwakuni to Atsugi eyed
Washington and Tokyo plans to move Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force planes at the Iwakuni Air Station to the Atsugi Air Base.
U.S. Navy aircraft the Atsugi will relocate to Iwakuni Air Station. The move will begin when a new runway being constructed in waters off the Iwakuni base is completed in 2008.
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Navy fighters from Norfolk-based carrier make air strikes in Iraq (Free Registration)
Tomcats onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt carried out air strikes in Iraq last week.
F-14 successfully hit a building in Karabilah while providing ground support. Later two Tomcats performed pre-planned air strikes in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
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Helicopter pilot honored for heroism in Afghanistan
1,000 people gathered at a hangar at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport for a memorial service for Oregon National Guard Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump and Staff Sgt. Tane T. Baum. Both were in a CH-47 that was shot down in Afghanistan recently.
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Harrier destroyed by Afghan rocket
A rocket attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan damaged an RAF Harrier and destroyed another.
The RAF has six Harrier GR7A jets in Afghanistan, one Harrier flew out of Britain on Friday evening to replace the destroyed one.
Colonel Jim Yonts, a spokesman for the U.S. military, told Reuters that both planes were damaged only.
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Colombia - UH-60L MEDEVAC BLACK HAWK Helicopters (PDF)
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Colombia of two UH-60L MEDEVAC BLACK HAWK helicopters.
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Jaguar Pilot Training Comes To An End
Flight Lieutenant Matt D'Aubyn become the last pilot graduate from the Jaguar training in the RAF on 10 Oct. 2005.
He was trained at No 41(Fighter) Squadron Jaguar Training Flight at RAF Coltishall.
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Sunday, October 16, 2005
Rumsfeld making first China visit amid U.S. doubts about Beijing’s intentions
U.S Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld hoped to visit Western Hills command center, China's national military command post, during his first visit to the country.
He will get to visit the administrative headquarters of the Second Artillery, home of China's missile forces.
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RAF officer faces jail over ‘illegal war’
An RAF unit medical officer could be court-martialled after refusing to go to Basra, Iraq as he feels the war is illegal.
He had served two tours in Iraq before.
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Google Satellite Photos Worry India Leader
Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is worried that Google Earth maps could aid terrorists in planning bomb attacks.
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'Thunder Chickens' recognized for safety
HMM-263 was awarded the 2005 Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award for an active duty squadron.
The squadron had flew 10,600 mishap-free flying hours while under the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Iraq.
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Russia eyeing serious chance for deal on MiG-29M : Ivanov
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said that Russia has a real chance to win India's order for 126 fighters.
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Another Chinese spy plane spotted near Japan in September
Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighters scrambled in September after a Chinese spy plane entered its designated air-defense zone.
It was suspected to be carrying out an ELINT mission.
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Jet Ranger fleet grounded after crash
Following Thursday's crash of a Jet Ranger that killed a senior Thai Army commander. The Thai Army's fleet of Bell 206 Jet Rangers have been suspended.
It is now revealed that 70% of Thai Army helicopters were grounded due to budget cuts.
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Saturday, October 15, 2005
Malaysia May Be Offered Updated Super Hornets
Boeing may modify its Super Hornet offer to Malaysia. It might offer the F/A-18F Block 2 to RMAF. Boeing offer the Block 1 to Malaysia two years ago.
Business Development Director for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' International Operations for Naval Systems David J. Schweppe said he was not sure if the updated version of the Super Hornets would cost Malaysia more.
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Futenma solution closer as two governments agree on relocation
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld decided not to visit Japan during his upcoming Asia visit due to a deadlock in discussions with the Japanese over the future of Futenma Marine Corps Air Station.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is to discuss the airfield plan with his Foreign Minister, Nobutaka Machimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda and Defense Agency Director Genral Yoshinori Ono within the next few days.
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Russia, NATO to create system for airspace monitoring
Russia and NATO have joined efforts to create a unified system for airspace monitoring.
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VFA-106 Pilot Rescued Following Ejection
An F/A-18C from VFA-106 crashed about 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14, 60 miles west of Key West, Florida while on a training mission.
The pilot was rescued by a Coast Guard search and rescue boat.
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Blue Angels Say Goodbye To A Pioneer
The Blue Angels flew a six-plane missing man formation flyover during a memorial service for first blue, Roy M. "Butch" Voris.
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Crew safe after RAF Tornado crash
An RAF Tornado F3 crashed into the North Sea on a training exercise at 5.45pm yesterday.
Both crew were rescued in less than an hour.
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Lockheed, Raytheon end feud
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. settled a legal dispute over the upgrade of Distributed Common Ground System.
The ground-station system is used to process intelligence photos snapped by such aircraft as the U-2, Predator and Global Hawk.
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Tanker blast at US Kandahar base
A big explosion rock Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan after eight fuel tankers blew up.
A bomb is suspected to as the cause of the explosion.
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Ace pilot is still just a Maitland boy at heart
David Walker is only the second Australian navy pilot to be flying with the Roulettes.
He used to fly Seahawk and Squirrel helicopters for the navy for eight years.
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Bodies in air crash recovered
In an update to yesterday's Thai Army helicopter crash, it is now confirmed that all four in a Jet Ranger 206 perished in a crash.
Commander of the First Cavalry Division, Maj-General Phairat Thongjattu, was onboard.
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Friday, October 14, 2005
VF-32 and VFA-32
From Gerry Clarke
Last pictures of VF-32 Swordsmen’s F-14 Tomcat Modex 100 BuNo 162916 and their long awaited replacement aircraft the F/A-18 Super Hornet (Modex 131, Cum 139 BuNo 166661). The weather was lousy but we managed to get a few passable photos which have been uploaded to the VF-32 Swordsmen folder. If it had not been for the following VF-32 Swordsman personal retrieving three portable xenon lighting units there would not have been any photos at all; those maintainers are ADC Chief Rodney Thayer, Airman Gibbon, Airman Lopez and Airman Wallace. Last but not least LCDR Maxwell who got permission for me to photograph these aircraft together.
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Raytheon's Joint Standoff Weapon Block II's First Captive Flight a Success
Raytheon's Joint Standoff Weapon Block II (JSOW Block II), successfully flew its first captive test flight Oct. 11 at Edwards Air Force Base on a U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft.
Block II is planned to reduce JSOW unit cost approximately 40 percent.
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Helicopter pilot is Cheney Award recipient
A U.S. Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopter pilot from Fort Bragg, N.C., received the Cheney Award for heroism.
Maj. John Groves brave enemy fire to rescue his downed wingman in Iraq.
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Boeing finance chief says he's staying put
Boeing's chief financial officer, James Bell, revealed that the 767 may not be Boeing's choice for the USAF refueling tanker program.
If the USAF's new requirements are close to the original specifications, the 767 will be the choice.
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NATO plane to ferry goods to quake area in South Asia
NATO dispatched a Boeing 707 on Wednesday to ferry supplies for victims of Saturday’s earthquake.
The 707 is a training aircraft that can be converted to carry cargo and/or passengers.
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India's ace missile to get leaner
India will test its Agni with a composite rocket motor next year. The new motor will reduce the weight of the missile.
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F/A-22 squadron deploys to Hill
The USAF 27th Fighter Squadron with their Raptors are deploying to Hill AFB as part of the effort to achieve IOC.
The squadron wants to show that they are capable of a deployment from home , can travel to unfamiliar territory and effectively fly missions in a different environment.
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Nicaraguans to Rumsfeld:Soviet missiles secure
Nicaraguan military officials said their stockpile of about 1,000 Soviet-era surface to air missiles is secure, even though its destruction has been stalled.
Nicaraguan Defense Minister Avil Ramirez Valdivia gave his assurance to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld during a two-day conference.
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Dutch minister insists on cruise missile procurement
Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp wants to arm Dutch frigates with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
A majority in parliament is against the idea.
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Hurlburt Field air commandos get smaller cargo plane
The USAF 319th Special Operations Squadron flies six U-28As, a military version of the Pilatus PC-12, to support Army's Green Berets and Navy's SEALs.
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526th ICBM Systems Wing receives last Peacekeeper
The last Peacekeeper missile to be deactivated arrived at Hill Air Force Base on Oct. 6.
The 526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Wing held a ceremony to mark the event.
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PM’s day out, aboard INS Viraat
India's Prime Minister will will spend a day aboard aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Oct. 15.
Two Delhi-class guided missile destroyers, three Talwar-class figates, three Godavari-class frigates, one Betwa-class frigate and a Kilo-class submarine will provide escort to the Viraat.
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Army Reserve Sending Helicopters to Support Earthquake Relief in Pakistan
12 CH-47 Chinooks, from Bravo Co. of the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, will deploy to Pakistan to support humanitarian relief operations.
They were preparing for Operation Enduring Freedom when the order came to reassign the mission.
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Air Show plane overruns runway
Bill Reesman's Red Bull MiG-17 overshot the runway while preparing for the Miramar Air Show.
The plane was a spare and he was preparing for a Media day flight.
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Last chance to spy on Darwin-bound choppers
Reporter Vikki Campion had a ride on the Australian Army's Kiowa helicopter before it departs Townsville for Darwin.
The Tiger will replace the Kiowas at Townsville.
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Army helicopter in emergency landing
A Thai army helicopter made an emergency landing with a Major Gen. onboard. All onboard are unharmed.
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Russia Not Able to Provide Security for Jet Flights — Lithuanian MPs
The Lithuanian Seim (parliament) has passed a resolution saying Russia is not able to provide security for flights of its military planes.
They demanded that Kaliningrad be demilitarized to prevent further flights of fighters from Russia.
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Tokyo, Washington at crucial stage of talks on U.S. military base realignment in Japan
Tokyo and Washington are at odds over the relocation of Futenma air base in Okinawa.
U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer said Washington is against moving Futenma's functions to Camp Schwab, a U.S. Marine base.
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Resident's fears over plans for RAF base
Residents living near RAF Leeming is concerned that the Typhoons will be noisier than the Tornados that it will be replacing.
Leeming is one of five airbases being considered as potential locations for the Eurofighter.
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TEST FIRING SUCCESS FOR MBDA’S ASTER 30 MISSILE
MBDA’s Aster 30 missile undertook a successful test firing at the French DGA’s Centre d’Essais des Landes (CEL) test range on Oct. 12.
The objective of the test was to successfully intercept a pre-determined target, one of two Mirach 100-5 targets that had been launched.
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
J-10 pictures
These two J-10 photos were posted recently on China Defense Website.
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Soaring with 'Thunderbirds'
A C-130 Hercules leads U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during a flyover of downtown Little Rock, Ark. The Thunderbirds were in Little Rock for the base's 50th Anniversary Air Show on Oct. 7. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Steffen.
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