Saturday, September 30, 2006
Top Gun: New simulator takes flight at Navy museum
The National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola Naval Air Station has opened its Top Gun Aircraft Combat Simulators to the public.
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Ukraine denies sale of sophisticated radar to Iran
Ukraine denied media reports that it wants to sell Kolchuga early warning radar systems to Iran.
The Kolchuga is intended to detect the take-off and formation of aircraft groups at ranges beyond those of existing radars, as well as determine the course and speed of targets while designating them for air-defence systems.
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Failure of both engines led to MiG crash
The failure of both engines of an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter led to its crash near Ambala on Sept. 28.
The first engine flamed out about seven minutes after the aircraft had taken-off from Adampur and the second one died while the fighter was making an emergency landing.
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Finnish air force training jet crashes, pilot ejects safely
A Finnish Hawk trainer crashed in western Finland after the engine stalled and the pilot ejected on late Thursday.
The pilot was practicing approaches at an air field near Kruunupyy, 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of Helsinki.
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NORAD Intercepts Russian Aircraft
Four F-15s from Elmendorf Air Force Base and two CF-18s from Cold Lake were launched on Thursday evening to intercept Russian Tu-95s off the Alaska coast.
The Bears had been participating in an annual Russian air force exercise near the coast of Alaska and Canada.
Two F-15s intercepted the planes by making visual contact and verifying their identity. The CF-18s did not intercept the Russian bombers.
Sources
NORAD Intercepts Russian Aircraft
Fighter Planes Intercept Russian Bombers
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Army copter crash: Two officers killed
The Indian Army lost a Cheetah on Friday afternoon, killing two officers and a soldier at the Army Aviation Corps's Nashik base.
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Possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters and helicopter upgrades
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of 9 CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters, 11 helicopter upgrades, as well as associated equipment and services.
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Netherlands Agrees To Continue JSF Project
The Dutch cabinet has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. shortly on the production phase of the Joint Strike Fighter
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Possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of two MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as well as associated equipment and services.
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Possible Foreign Military Sale to Colombia of UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Colombia of 15 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters as well as associated equipment and services.
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Possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missiles
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of 16 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missiles as well as associated equipment and services.
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Congress votes to keep funding Ohio-built jet engine
The U.S. Senate on Friday approved funding of $340 million for the development of the F136 engine for the F-35.
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Possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of advanced F-16 Block 50 aircraft
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 30 advanced F-16 Block 50 aircraft as well as associated equipment and services.
The deal includes 30 Advanced F-16 Block 50 Aircraft; 42 General Electric F-110-129 Engines; 60 LAU-129A Launchers; 36 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT); 35 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF); 32 AN/APG-68(V)9 Radar; 36 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System; 3 Link-16 Ground Stations; and 36 AN/ALQ-211 Airborne Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites or AN/ALQ-178 Self Protection Electronic Warfare Suites.
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Friday, September 29, 2006
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Salutes the F-14 Tomcat on Sept. 30
F-14D(R) BuNo 159610 was one of the two Tomcats that shot down that downed a Libyan MiG-23 in 1989. The aircraft was saved from the SARDIP cutting torch at the last minute and now is on permanent display at National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Photo by Dane Penland, Smithsonian Institution.
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The Avro Arrow returns as replica
Toronto Aerospace Museum will roll out its Avro Arrow replica next month.
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Green Flag resumes; will focus on close air support
The USAF will replace close-air support training that had been known as Air Warrior with Green Flag exercises.
Green Flag had previously focused on electronic warfare and was merged into Red Flag exercises six years ago.
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Scientists unveil high-definition images of huge airship sunk in 1935
Scientists have released the first high-definition images of the wreckage of the USS Macon. They spotted the ship's Sparrowhawk biplanes as well.
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Jets to be sold to Mexico, Brazil, pilots trained in Venezuela
Rosoboronexport's regional department head, Sergei Ladygin, said it will soon sign deals to export Sukhoi jets to Mexico and Brazil.
A modernized version of the MiG-29 will also be offered to both countries.
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MiG-29 crashes in Ambala, pilot safe
An Indian Air Force MiG-29 crashed in Ambala in the late afternoon yesterday. A picture of the pilot being carried away by stretcher is available.
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U.S. relocates X-band radar in Aomori to watch North Korea
The U.S. military has activated the X-band radar in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan on Thursday.
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New fighter 'won't work'
Retired Australian air vice-marshal Peter Criss is asking the government to re-examine its plan to buy the F-35 Lightning II.
Mr Criss said the 1960s experience with the F-111 demonstrated that replacing bombers and fighters with one aircraft will not work.
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Troops in line for VCs after Taliban battles
British Chinook and Apache aircrew have been recommended awards for gallantry in Afghanistan. The medals are to be rushed through for Christmas.
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Last Active F-14 Tomcat Makes Final Flight
AJ 100 has made its way safely to Opa-locka Executive Airport yesterday for display at the Wings Over Miami Air Museum at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.
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Northrop Grumman Achieves Production Approval for New System to Enable Safer Aircraft Carrier Landings
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received U.S. Navy approval to begin production of a new digitally-controlled arrestment system that will dramatically upgrade the critical process of "catching" aircraft landing on carriers.
The Advanced Recovery Control (ARC) system uses a precision digital control system to replace the existing maintenance-intensive system that used chains, cams and levers to close the constant run-out valve.
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Thursday, September 28, 2006
Airmen fly with Indian air force counterparts
The airmen from the USAF 15th Airlift Wing got a chance to fly with an Indian aircrew on their IL-76 medium range cargo jet.
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US Air Force Sends Ultimatum on Bombing Range
Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler, commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force, hinted that the South Korea needs to provide his forces with an electronic weapons scoring system for bombing exercises on Chikdo range within a month or else they will move out.
In a forum at the office of the Kyonggi provincial government on Thursday, he wanted the problem resolved within 30 days.
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The last 'Bandit'
The commander of the 49th Fighter Wing, Col. David Goldfein, is the last pilot to be trained to fly the F-117.
He is the 708th person to fly the plane.
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Russian air carrier to rejoin Navy by end of 2006
Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will join the Northern Fleet by the end of the year after modernization.
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Jet that grazed U.S. tanker plane in Kyrgyzstan, causing fire, serves Kyrgyz president
The Kyrgyz Airlines Tu-154 that graze a U.S. KC-135 causing a fire was the same plane that serves the country's president and prime minister, the transport minister said Wednesday.
The airliner was rolling for take off when it struck the tanker's engine and part of the left wing. It had to make an emergency landing due to wing damage.
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Eisenhower to deploy next week
The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower has left Norfolk Naval Station for the Persian Gulf.
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New High Performance EH101 Enters Flight Test Phase
AgustaWestland flew an EH101 with new main rotor blades, more powerful CT7-8E engines and a new integrated cockpit display system at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility Sept. 26.
On its second flight on the same day, the aircraft achieved speeds up to 135 knots.
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Boeing CSAR-X: ULB UAV Used To Develop Combat Rescue Sensors, Team Says.
Boeing used its Unmanned Little Bird UAV to test out elements of crew 'virtual reality' system it is offering to USAF for CSAR-X.
The system uses multiple sensors, including infrared low-light level video cameras and laser radars that provided real-time, 185 degree panoramic viewing for pilots and crew.
Sources
Boeing CSAR-X: ULB UAV Used To Develop Combat Rescue Sensors, Team Says.
Boeing Synthetic Vision System Improves Visibility for Rescue Mission Pilots
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Missile Defense Command to Be Inaugurated
South Korea will inaugurate a guided missile command today to deal with North Korea's missiles and long-range artillery threats.
The command will be based in the central part of the country and is expected to boost South Korea's anti-artillery capabilities and lead by a two-star general.
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IAF plans grand display with 66 jets
Indian Air Force will display 66 of its jets on Oct. 8 to mark it 74th anniversary at Hindon air base.
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First Production H-1 Helicopters Rollout
Bell Helicopters yesterday delivered the first production AH-1Z attack helicopter and UH-1Y utility helicopter to the Pentagon.
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E-X Project Price Wrangling Brings Another Delay
The deputy commissioner of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Agency (DAPA) said they will scrap the deal for the purchase of four AEWs with Boeing if negotiations are unsatisfactory.
He added that the deadline for negotiations is now extended to November.
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If won, most tanker work will not be here
Boeing is expected to carry out most of the work on the 767 tanker in Seattle if it wins the contract.
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Israeli company challenges Defense Ministry
IAI-ELTA yesterday challenged the South Korean government's decision to award the AEW contract to Boeing once more.
ELTA claims that they will be getting the necessary export licenses soon and asks South Korea to reconsider its decision.
DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration), however refused to do that saying that it had finished all the official processes.
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Air museum gets its Tomcat
The Evergreen Aviation Museum got its Tomcat over the weekend after it was trucked down from Portland.
A four-man crew from Titan Corp. work in record time to get it shipped from Portland to McMinnville Airport.
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U.S. chopper killed Afghans during 'confused' battle involving Canadians
A U.S. Apache killed four Afghan National Police officers and a teenage boy in a botched battle last spring.
After-action reports, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, indicated that no detailed coalition investigation took place.
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Russian pilot responsible for Lithuania fighter crash retires
The Russian Su-27 pilot that crashed his fighter in Lithuania last year causing a minor diplomatic row has retired.
Major Valery Troyanov was found to be medically unfit to fly and has tendered his resignation.
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Boeing Completes Block E Avionics Upgrade of B-1 Bomber Fleet
Boeing this week installed the final Block E avionics modification kit on the U.S. Air Force's active fleet of 67 B-1B bombers.
This completes a five-year, $680 million contract for enhanced computer hardware, software and weapons delivery capability.
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Raytheon Delivers Advanced F-15 AESA Radar to U.S. Air Force for Flight Test
Raytheon Company has delivered the F-15C (V)3 AESA radar to the U.S. Air Force.
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Foreign Global Hawk refueling sites considered
The USAF is talking to several countries about using their facilities to fuel the Global Hawk once it is stationed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in 2009.
Gen. Paul Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces also said that Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Australia are interested in buying Global Hawks.
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Lockheed Martin HAAWC Successful In Wind Tunnel, Wing Separation Tests
Lockheed Martin successfully performed wind tunnel and wing separation tests of its High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapons Concept (HAAWC) system, intended to enable P-3C aircrews to launch torpedoes from outside the range of enemy air defenses.
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Final Tomcat Flights
Final F-14D Tomcat flights.
September 28 - 100-164342 - Wings Over Miami, Miami, Florida
September 28 - 102-163904 - Pacific Aviation Museum, Hawaii
October 4 - 101-164603 - Northrop Grumman, Bethpage, New York
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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Air Force to drop bombs on fake village
The U.S. Air Force has unveiled a mock coastal village in Dare County, North Carolina on Monday that is designed to simulate buildings that pilots are likely to encounter in Afghanistan and Iraq.
F-15Es from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base will use the village for bombing exercises.
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Beijing secretly fires lasers to disable US satellites
China has been using a ground-based laser to blind American satellites passing overhead.
These attacks have been kept secret by the Bush administration in a bid to gain China's support in diplomatic offensives against North Korea and Iran.
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HAL may bag orders to make Bell choppers
Hindustan Aeronautics is expected to manufacture about 130 Bell 407 helicopters if its selected by the Indian Army.
Labels: Indian Army Light Helicopter
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Raytheon Delivers Final S-Band Risk Reduction Phase Information for the Air Force Space Fence program
Raytheon said it has completed the collection of risk reduction data for the U.S. Air Force Space Fence S-band Radar program.
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US Navy says Bell H-1 upgrade improves, wants more
U.S. Navy acquisition chief Delores Etter said Bell Helicopter had improved its performance on an $8 billion contract to upgrade the Marine Corps' H-1 helicopters after a stern warning earlier this year, but more work was needed.
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F-35 program pleased with Congress funding for '07
Brig. Gen. Charles Davis, director of the F-35 program, welcomed moves by U.S. Congress to fund two of the airplanes in fiscal year 2007 and 12 the following year.
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Stealth retirement slowed
The USAF has decided to slow down the retirement of the F-117 after top commanders raised concerns that retiring the F-117s too quickly would create a gap in military capability.
The original plan was to retire 10 F-117s by 2007 and the rest in 2008.
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Russia Selling Iran Missiles to Protect Bushehr Nuclear Reactor
The Middle East Newsline reported that Russia has offered to sell a range of surface-to-air missile systems to protect Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor.
A diplomatic source said Russia has already installed and manned SAM systems around Bushehr to protect it from Israeli or U.S. air strikes.
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Lebanon: We need missiles against IAF aircraft
Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said his country needs anti-aircraft missiles to defend itself against incursions by the IAF.
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Boeing Supports Initial Operational Capability of Small Diameter Bomb on F-15E Strike Eagles
Boeing has met the necessary U.S. Air Force requirement to support Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) system, which recently served with a squadron of Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles stationed at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, England.
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More than 50 bombers involved in Russian air force exercise
Russian Tu-160 Blackjacks, Tu-95MS Bears and Tu-22M3 Backfires are taking part in a large scale exercise that started yesterday.
More than fifty aircraft will carry out 70 flights over the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
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MH-60S squadron to begin operations
The U.S. Navy will established a new helicopter squadron, HSC-22, that will begin operations Friday with eight MH-60S helicopters.
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Boeing says still talking with S.Korea on planes
Boeing spokesman Paul Lewis said talks with South Korea over the 737 AEW&C aircraft were continuing, despite reports that they had run into trouble.
Korea Times had reported that the talks between Boeing and South Korea were at a standstill due to a wide price gap.
Sources
Purchase of Surveillance Aircraft Stalls
Boeing says still talking with S.Korea on planes
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