Mil Aviation News

Steyr

Indian Air Force SU30MKI down

DATE:01/12/09
SOURCE:Flight InternationalIndian air force suffers another Su-30MKI loss
By Radhakrishna Rao

An Indian air force Sukhoi Su-30MKI multi-role supersonic fighter crashed near the Pokhran range in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan on 30 November. The pilot and navigator managed to eject to safety.

This is the second Su-30MKI incident this year after another aircraft crashed near Pokhran on 30 April. The air force has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

The latest loss came five days after Indian president Pratibha Patil flew in an Su-30MKI fighter near Pune in the western Indian state of Maharastra

Steyr

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055758464

Steyr

Spitfire T9 MH367/ZK-WDQ has crash-landed at New Zealand’s Ardmore Airport near Auckland.


December 3: Spitfire T9 MH367/ZK-WDQ crash-landed at New Zealand’s Ardmore Airport near Auckland, reports NZNewsUK.com. The pilot, Doug Brooker, was unhurt in the incident and the Spitfire suffered extensive damage to the propeller, engine and undercarriage, although the aircraft is readily repairable.

The Spitfire was due to be one of the stars of the ‘Let’s GO Rotorua! Lakefront Air Show’ on December 12, but has now been replaced by a P-51D Mustang. It was the pilot and aircraft’s second crash-landing of the year; on January 15 it suffered a heavy landing on Hood Aerodrome, near Masterton, and had only been returned to the air in November after repairs.

MH367 is one of only two airworthy Spitfire T9s outside of the UK and one of two Spitfires in New Zealand. It first flew after an extensive rebuild in the USA on September 16, 2006 using substantial parts from DM008, ML417 and the front fuselage of the original MH367. It was sold to former champion aerobatic pilot Doug Brooker in 2008 and brought to New Zealand, registered as ZK-WDQ. It has been painted in the colours of famous Second World War NZ pilot Colin Gray.

Good that the Pilot is ok and the Aircraft can be repaired!

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/07/335875/usaf-reveals-rq-170-sentinel-is-new-stealth-uav.html

DATE:07/12/09
SOURCE:Flight InternationalUSAF reveals RQ-170 Sentinel is new stealth UAV
By Stephen Trimble

A stealthy unmanned aircraft system developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works division has secretly joined the US Air Force inventory.

The USAF confirms that the RQ-170 Sentinel is in development, and is expected "to provide reconnaissance and surveillance support to forward-deployed combat forces", according to a statement released on 4 December.

The announcement comes after a series of images of a jet-powered, stealthy aircraft have appeared on the internet since last April, including a clear shot of the aircraft that circulated widely in early December.

But it was not immediately clear whether the aircraft shown in pictures and the RQ-170 are the same. Besides describing the RQ-170 as stealthy, the USAF released no further technical information about its new UAV, or any photos.

concussion

No doubt it's going to be overflying the USSR Soviet Union Russian Federation soon, if not already. Thanks for the update!

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/sectionhome/sectiondefault.aspx?NavigationID=190&CategoryID=10252&SlotID=5

DATE:09/12/09
SOURCE:Flight InternationalAirbus confirms A400M first flight this Friday
By Craig Hoyle

Airbus Military has confirmed that its A400M transport is scheduled to make its first flight on 11 December, with aircraft MSN001 due to lift off from San Pablo airport near Seville around 10am local time.

The manufacturer's flight plan was confirmed on 9 December in an invitation addressed by Airbus Military managing director Domingo Ureña.

The correspondence says the debut sortie will last "between one hour and three, depending on the progress of this very first test flight". Airbus last week outlined its intention to conduct a flight of about 3h, during which the aircraft will reach an altitude of around 15,000ft (4,570m) and a maximum speed of 300kt/M0.72.

The milestone event will be attended by officials including EADS chief executive Louis Gallois and Airbus chief executive Tom Enders.

iceage

Steyr wrote: »

Spitfire T9 MH367/ZK-WDQ has crash-landed at New Zealand’s Ardmore Airport near Auckland.


December 3: Spitfire T9 MH367/ZK-WDQ crash-landed at New Zealand’s Ardmore Airport near Auckland, reports NZNewsUK.com. The pilot, Doug Brooker, was unhurt in the incident and the Spitfire suffered extensive damage to the propeller, engine and undercarriage, although the aircraft is readily repairable.

The Spitfire was due to be one of the stars of the ‘Let’s GO Rotorua! Lakefront Air Show’ on December 12, but has now been replaced by a P-51D Mustang. It was the pilot and aircraft’s second crash-landing of the year; on January 15 it suffered a heavy landing on Hood Aerodrome, near Masterton, and had only been returned to the air in November after repairs.

MH367 is one of only two airworthy Spitfire T9s outside of the UK and one of two Spitfires in New Zealand. It first flew after an extensive rebuild in the USA on September 16, 2006 using substantial parts from DM008, ML417 and the front fuselage of the original MH367. It was sold to former champion aerobatic pilot Doug Brooker in 2008 and brought to New Zealand, registered as ZK-WDQ. It has been painted in the colours of famous Second World War NZ pilot Colin Gray.

Good that the Pilot is ok and the Aircraft can be repaired!

Any pics Steyr?

Steyr

iceage wrote: »

Any pics Steyr?

Yup

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3123771/WWII-Spitfire-fighter-plane-in-second-crash

concussion

In before Steyr....what the heck is going on??

First flight of the A400M. When these are delivered there should be a shed load of C130's and C160's looking for new homes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX-kIUYRyDk

Steyr

concussion wrote: »

In before Steyr....what the heck is going on??

You wish! I posted yesterday but not the video though!:P

Steyr

Defence
DATE:11/12/09
SOURCE:Flight InternationalRussia, India to advance deal on PAK-FA fighter variant
By Siva Govindasamy

India and Russia plan to sign several agreements in the coming weeks that will deepen their co-operation on the PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter programme.

"The joint venture is going very well," says Alexander Klementiev, vice-president and deputy director-general at Sukhoi Aviation Holding. "We cannot go into the specifics of where we are, but both parties are happy now. In a few weeks, we will sign a few more agreements that will allow an even deeper partnership."

He adds: "Russia attaches great importance to the partnership with India on all fronts. There may be some delays at some points, but it is, overall, a very good relationship. We are confident this will continue in the coming years."

Klementiev counters several reports made in recent months that Indian scientists and engineers have been unhappy with the level of access they have been given on the PAK-FA programme, saying there is "no major issue".

Other Russian industry sources say there has been a renewed effort over the past few months to resolve some problems, which relate primarily to the transfer of technology to India. Upcoming agreements are likely to be linked to this issue, they add.

In 2007, India and Russia agreed to begin studying a derivative of Moscow's PAK-FA fighter. Although Russia is developing a single-seat fighter, India prefers a twin-seat aircraft with stealth capabilities that would incorporate technology from other suppliers in France, India and Israel.

Both India and Russia have not officially confirmed a timeline for when an Indian prototype will be ready, but industry sources suggest the likely target is 2016-17. Russia had been due to have the first flight of the PAK-FA by year-end, but industry sources say this is likely to be delayed into 2010.

Klementiev says Russia is keen to continue supporting India's fighter requirements, and points to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme as a successful example of the partnership between the countries. New Delhi has bought the Su-30s from Russia off the shelf, and is also licence-producing them at Hindustan Aeronautics' facilities.

Separately, the Indian air force's Su-30 fleet is operational once again after the second crash this year involving the type. The service grounded its fleet of about 100 aircraft on 2 December following a non-fatal crash on 30 November. The first accident took place in April. India plans to eventually have a fleet of almost 240 Su-30MKIs.

Steyr

An Su-27 Flanker has been made airworthy by a team in America and is up for sale!
She looks brilliant, they are making a second one airworthy too!

Test Flight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4lE6HcBPxw

Day/Night Afterburn Runs Video: http://www.prideaircraft.com/flanker.htm

Photographs: http://www.prideaircraft.com/flankerphotos.htm

Steyr

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8413135.stm

Job cut fears as new Chinooks ordered for Afghanistan

The government is to buy 22 new Chinook helicopters but the defence secretary is to detail other cuts to fund them.

Bob Ainsworth is set to announce the closure of an RAF base - understood to be RAF Cottesmore in Rutland - and the loss of thousands of defence jobs.

The first 10 helicopters are expected to be ready in 2013 and could be used by the RAF in Afghanistan.

Ex-defence secretary Malcolm Rifkind said it was dangerous to cut core budgets to fund the Afghan conflict.

The Harriers based at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Wittering before being phased out of service altogether, earlier than planned.

The Tornado force based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Marham in Norfolk will also lose one squadron and it is thought parts of RAF Kinloss, in Moray, could be mothballed.

'Short-sighted'

Mr Ainsworth's announcement comes after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, in Afghanistan.

In total, the Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48 to 70.

Mr Ainsworth said: "Helicopter capability has already doubled in the last three years and this future strategy builds on this, ensuring that our armed forces have the very best resources at their disposal."

Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said Chinooks had proved "invaluable" on operations, saying: "This new strategy will dramatically increase our military capability on the battlefield for many years to come."


The RAF will fly the Chinooks in Afghanistan alongside Merlin helicopters which arrived in the country last month. Their arrival will mean the ageing Sea Kings, used by the RAF and Royal Navy, can be retired early.

An extra C17 transport plane could also be on the cards.But the money will have to come out of the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent.

This afternoon Mr Ainsworth is likely to announce cuts to the existing Harrier and Tornado fighter jet fleet, and a cutback of Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.

Andrew Brookes, a former RAF pilot and director of the Air League, which promotes the cause of British aviation, warned the plan was short-sighted.

He told BBC News: "If you cut back the premier league capability of the UK forces in order to just win a counter insurgency campaign against the Taliban, which has no air force and has no tanks and has no warships, when you finally do pitch up against a state that has those capabilities you could seriously end up losing a conflict that really matters to the UK in future in order to win one in Afghanistan today."

Former Conservative Defence Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said he was "disturbed" by the idea of equipment cuts to fund the war in Afghanistan.

He said the consensus for many years had been that the costs of fighting wars should be met from the government's contingency fund, not from the core defence budget.

"That is deeply dangerous, never happened in the past and has the most ominous implications for the integrity of our armed forces."

The director of the Royal United Services Institute, Professor Michael Clarke, said: "It's a matter of risks. The fact is the current programme is unaffordable, simple as that, so the Ministry of Defence is having to make some calculations as to what it can afford in the next three or four years."

He said decisions were being made without a defence review, which has not happened for 12 years and is not due until after the general election.

"We've got another year or maybe 18 months before we get some political decisions on how much does defence matter to us and what do we want to do in the world."

It comes as a report by the National Audit Office accuses the MoD of driving up projects' overall budgets through short-term cost-cutting.

On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £150m would be spent on tackling improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Some 122 of the 237 British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan have been killed by explosives, most of them IEDs.

The body of the soldier who became the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan this year, Lance Corporal Adam Drane, has been returned to the UK.

Meanwhile, the first of 500 extra British troops to be deployed to Afghanistan have arrived in the country.

The soldiers from The 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) landed at 0505 local time (0035 GMT).

Steyr

IRISH AIR CORPS TAKES DELIVERY OF MECHTRONIX FULL FLIGHT TRAINER™

New FNPT will enable Savings as Travel Costs will Reduce Drastically

Montreal, December 15, 2009 – Mechtronix Systems Inc., a division of Mechtronix World Corp. (MWC), the fastest growing and third leading provider of flight training equipment in the world, today announced that the Irish Air Corps (IAC) took delivery of a Full Flight Trainer™ (FFT™) at its training facility based in Baldonnel, Co. Dublin Ireland. The Air Corps College, a training division of the IAC, plans to use the FNPT configured as a twin turboprop Beech King Air B200 for its pilot cadet program to provide Multi-Engine Instrument Rating, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) courses in normal, abnormal and emergency conditions. In addition it will be used as the platform for all IAC pilot MCC and CRM training. This project is part of a wide investment plan for training which also includes a building to host the newly acquired simulator.

The FFT™ features a 220 x 55 degree multi-channel visual system, Weather Radar, FMS, GPS and a Redifun Simulation Inc. (RSI) Image Generator that will provide its users with exceptional fidelity. Its semi-enclosed instructor operating station area provides for easy interaction between instructor and student. The visual and sound generation systems included in the unit are compliant to Full Flight Simulator Level D standards. The B200 cockpit delivers a high fidelity flight experience with 100% of the touch and feel of real aircraft avionics parts. The Irish Air Corps just deployed the unit and will be seeking FNPT II MCC qualification under EASA JAR FSTD A regulations.

“We are very pleased to have taken delivery of Mechtronix’ simulator and see this key purchase as a way to alleviate travel costs to other training centers all while being able to offer training on modern state-of-the-art technology. This simulator purchase is a cost effective solution for our pilot training”, said Jim Gavin, the IAC’s Project Manager. “The FFT™ will help us optimize our training curriculum and support our expansion plan. Mechtronix had a complete offer that met our criteria based on superior technology, high fidelity platform, performance and reliability.”

“We greatly value the Irish Air Corps investment in the FFT™ and we are pleased that they chose Mechtronix as their simulator provider”, said Mechtronix’ President Xavier Hervé. “This is another major achievement for us as a team as we actively serve the military market for ab-initio training products and services. We are pleased to be selected by a training organization such as the Irish Air Corps with stringent availability, reliability and fidelity requirements.”

About Irish Air Corps
The Irish Air Corps is the air component of the Permanent Defence Forces of Ireland, based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. Today, approximately 820 men and women serve in the Air Corps, it currently operates seventeen fixed wing aircraft and ten rotary wing aircraft across wide-ranging mission profiles. The Air Corps is completing a major fleet upgrade program whereby many of its older aircraft have been replaced by modern, state-of–the-art military aircraft allowing for increased efficiency, increased output and significant improved capabilities

About Mechtronix Systems Inc.
Mechtronix Systems Inc. (Mechtronix Systems), a division of MWC, specializes in the design and manufacturing of Flight Simulation Training Devices for general, business and commercial aviation. Fuelled by 20+ years of passion and dedication, we belong to the top-three of the global flight simulation and training market with a presence in America, Europe and Asia. Based in Montreal, Mechtronix Systems offers a full range of products from full flight simulators to flight training devices, setting new industry standards for higher fidelity, reliability, cost efficiency and safety. To support our worldwide customers that include major airlines, training centers and training organizations, we have technical support centers strategically located around the globe.

Steyr

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8419147.stm

Page last updated at 18:04 GMT, Thursday, 17 December 2009
Insurgents in Iraq have hacked into live video feeds from unmanned American drone aircraft, US media reports say.

Shia fighters are said to have used off-the-shelf software programs such as SkyGrabber to capture the footage.

The hacking was possible because the remotely flown planes have an unprotected communications link.

Obtaining such video feeds could provide insurgents with information about sites the military might be planning to target.

The breach of the Pentagon surveillance system's security is said to have come to light when footage shot by a Predator drone was found on the laptop of an apprehended Iraqi insurgent.

A senior Pentagon official is quoted as saying that although militants were able to view the video, there was no evidence that they were able to jam electronic signals from the aircraft or take control of them.

The unnamed official said the US defence department had addressed the issue by working to encrypt all video feeds provided by drones in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Predator drones can fly for several hours, remotely controlled by pilots thousands of miles away. The aircraft can carry out surveillance and attack targets with on-board missiles.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the US military continually evaluated the technologies it used and quickly corrected any potential problems it discovered.

"There's potential vulnerabilities in all of our systems," he said.

ANALYSIS
Mark Ward, technology correspondent, BBC News
As its name implies, SkyGrabber is a program that grabs data being broadcast by satellites - it acts as a radio for data feeds and lets people tune into different data streams as they might radio stations.
Anyone downloading via a wire only shares that net link with a few neighbours. By contrast, anyone using a satellite net connection effectively shares all the data they are getting with everyone in the area covered by a satellite.

Those other people do not see that data because their PC is only watching for what they want. However, SkyGrabber eavesdrops on all the data being downloaded over a link and turns it back into whole files.

The way that data is sent over the net makes it very easy for anyone to reconstruct files. SkyGrabber has proved popular because it has good filters that let people sort the types of files, mp3, wmv, jpg they want to get.

It also knows about many different satellites and can be re-tuned to look at other data streams - such as those coming from drones.

The downside is that SkyGrabber users only get what other people want.

concussion

Steyr wrote: »

The hacking was possible because the remotely flown planes have an unprotected communications link.

Who's bright idea was that? How hard is it to encrypt the data before it's sent off for everyone to see?

concussion

Not exactly news, per se, but the RAAF, last operator of the F111 is due to replace it's fleet with F/A 18 F's next year. Here's a cracking video I found on another forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-IvweMZM10&feature=player_embedded

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/28/336643/usaf-starts-search-for-uh-1n-replacement.html

Defence
You are in: Home › Defence › News Article
DATE:28/12/09
SOURCE:Flight International

USAF starts search for UH-1N replacement
By Stephen Trimble

The US Air Force has announced that it wants to start replacing 62 Vietnam-era UH-1Ns with up to 93 new helicopters after 2015.

A "sources sought" notice issued on 17 December for the potentially multi-billion dollar common vertical lift support programme (CVLSP) reveals both the quantity and the USAF's desired attributes for the new helicopter fleet.

The USAF wants to replace its UH-1Ns with a helicopter that can lift 1,449kg (3,194lb), including four crew members, nine passengers and mission equipment, the notice says. It should also be able to fly up to 3h without refuelling at speeds up to 135ktas (251km/h).

Survivability is a key area that USAF wants to upgrade with the new helicopter. Industry sources were asked to describe how their aircraft could survive if struck by bullets as large as the 7.62mm, which is fired by the AK-47.

The CVLSP helicopter also should be armed, with the ability to suppress an "eight-man enemy element in the open out to 800m during daylight with 3sec of detection time", the notice says.

The USAF also makes it clear that the CVLSP contract is expected to be awarded to an off-the-shelf helicopter, meaning it must already be in service with either government or private owners.

The US military has had a chequered history with helicopter development programmes over the past decade.

The US Army has successfully fielded the unarmed EADS North America UH-72A Lakota as a light utility helicopter. But cost overruns and schedule delays forced the military to abort three programmes. Since 2004, the army terminated contracts for the RAH-66 Comanche and ARH-70 Arapaho. The US Navy also terminated a contract to redesign the EH101 as a presidential helicopter called the VH-71.

Meanwhile, the USAF was forced to cancel plans to buy a combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter after the original award was overturned and two follow-up attempts were declared invalid.

The CSAR and CVLSP programmes were originally part of the same contract, but the USAF separated them in 2005.

According to USAF budget justification documents released in February 2008, the CVLSP fleet is envisioned to provide escort for nuclear convoys, respond in any weather to emergencies across the far-flung launch silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles and transport passengers in the Washington DC area. The aircraft also could support NASA and homeland security missions.

The requirements in the acquisition notice call for an aircraft that is only marginally larger than the UH-1N. For example, the unarmed UH-72 could satisfy the lift, speed and endurance requirements, but lacks armoured protection and weapon systems. EADS has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to demonstrate an armed variant called the AS635. Both the UH-72 and AS635 are derived from the Eurocopter EC145 helicopter.

Other helicopters in the same class include the AgustaWestland AW129 multi-role combat helicopter and the Bell Helicopter 412EP.

Steyr

Possible Massive Order in the pipeline from India too:eek::D

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/30/336679/egypt-deal-extends-f-16-line-into-2013.html

Defence
You are in: Home › Defence › News Article

DATE:30/12/09
SOURCE:Flight International
Egypt deal extends F-16 line into 2013
By Stephen Trimble

Lockheed Martin has secured a key order as it seeks to extend F-16 production long enough to stay in the competition for a massive order by the Indian Air Force.

An agreement between the governments of Egypt and the US on the sale of 20 F-16 Block 50/52s will likely extend production into 2013.

A Lockheed spokesman confirms the agreement under the foreign military sale (FMS) process was signed on 24 December. The US government is likely to sign a contract with Lockheed shortly to build the F-16s.

Egypt's current inventory of about 220 F-16s is mostly powered by General Electric F110 engines. But a notice published by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in October indicates Egypt is considering both the Block 50's F110-129 and the Block 52's Pratt & Whitney F100-229.

The DSCA notice, which informed Congress of the potential sale, indicated Egypt could order as many as 24 F-16s. However, a Lockheed executive in November told Flightglobal.com the deal would be for only 20.

The sale also could include 24 pairs of conformal fuel tanks, advanced targeting pods made by Lockheed or Northrop Grumman, the Northrop APG-68(V)9 radar and ITT ALQ-211 advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare systems (AIDEWS).

The pending contract from Egypt adds to a recent spike in F-16 sales after a two-year slowdown. Lockheed plans to deliver only 20 F-16s in 2010 and 2011, but as many as 40 in 2012. Deliveries in 2012 will include 24 signed by Morocco in early December, the remainder of Turkey's order for 30 and a portion of Egypt's backlog.

Lockheed executives have also noted that smaller orders for F-16s are in discussions with Greece, Iraq, Oman and Qatar.

But the long-term future of Lockheed's F-16 production line depends on India's competition for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract for at least 126 fighters. Lockheed has proposed the F-16IN, a version similar to the United Arab Emirates' Block 60.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/04/336715/world-air-forces-directory-december-2009.html

Defence
DATE:04/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International
World Air Forces directory - December 2009
By Antoine Fafard

The latest version of Flight
International's World Air Forces directory is now available as a FREE downloadable pdf.

The directory uses abridged numerical information sourced from it’s MiliCAS and HeliCAS databases. Published as premium products, these provide subscribers with detailed fleet information on military aircraft types, in the majority of cases down to serial number detail. Fleet entries are split into the following categories:

ACTIVE: Aircraft in day-to-day use. For Soviet-era types where only summary information is available, this also includes some non-operational platforms.

ORDERED: Aircraft under firm contract or the subject of formal purchase agreements. This category also includes some orders which have yet to be confirmed with these marked by an asterisk.

To DOWNLOAD as PDF click here: http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-december-2009-44572.aspx and click DOWNLOAD on the right of the screen.

concussion

Nice find, thanks for the link.

Steyr

concussion wrote: »

Nice find, thanks for the link.

Your welcome Mr C.

Steyr

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/05/airbus-considers-scrapping-military-plane-costs-row

Airbus threatens to scrap A400M military plane in row over costs

Airbus owner EADS says European governments must pay more for the delayed aircraft or it could be cancelled.

Airbus is considering scrapping its much-delayed A400M military plane project in a row over costs with the seven European governments, including Britain, which have agreed to buy the aircraft.

Airbus owner EADS hopes the governments will agree to pay more for the plane, which is at least three years overdue, and over budget. Other options include cutting the number of planes on order, reducing the specifications, or spreading increased payments out over time.

The seven governments agreed to renegotiate the original contract, which Airbus CEO Tom Enders claims is badly drawn up and requires the plane maker to shoulder too many cost overruns. But negotiations have stalled over how much they should pay. Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath said ending the project was "a scenario" if it continued "to contribute to a loss".

"We are suffering from a stagnation," Schaffrath said. "The loss-making is serious. This needs to be urgently resolved."

He urged the governments involved – Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey – to reach a decision on whether to continue financing it by the end of this month.

A source close to the plane maker said Enders was growing impatient because of the impact of the crisis on the firm's jetliner business. "Tom Enders is not willing to put the civil aviation business at Airbus at stake for the A400M," the source said.

The A400M completed its maiden flight in Spain last month – with the first delivery due in three years. The programme, launched six years ago with an order for 180 planes from seven governments, has been dogged by problems with its engines. The original price was €20bn (£17bn), but auditors say this could rise by €5bn. Airbus would incur billions of pounds of penalties if it cancelled the planes.

For Britain and France, cancellation would have consequences both for jobs and military requirements. The countries need the airlift capacity for military and humanitarian missions in rugged areas.

There are other planes, such as the US-built Hercules and the Boeing C-17, but none fulfil the requirements set out by European air staffs. The C-130J turboprop carries only half the payload of the A400M, and the more expensive C-17 jet is considered too large and lacks the tactical versatility of the Airbus design.

While it was waiting for the A400M, the RAF acquired six C-17s, and it has flown them out of its air base at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defence ministers from the seven countries agreed in July to renegotiate the contract after EADS missed a 31 March deadline for the first flight.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/07/336852/leaked-report-brazilian-air-force-wants-gripen.html

Aircraft
DATE:07/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International
Leaked report: Brazilian air force 'wants Gripen'

Brazil's F-X2 fighter programme could be the subject of further delays, after a summary of the air force's 30,000-page evaluation report was leaked to one of the country's leading newspapers.

The Folha de São Paulo newspaper reported that the air force's F-X2 procurement programme committee has ranked Saab's Gripen NG as its first-choice candidate for the deal, initially for 36 aircraft, due to its lowest acquisition and operating costs. It is followed closely by Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II.

The report confirms rumours that have been floating since October 2009 and heightens tensions between the air force and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Late last year the Brazilian president stated his preference for the Dassault Rafale, which was reportedly ranked third by the service.

Air force sources have raised concerns that a decision could be deferred until after this year's presidential elections, or that the long-running fighter selection process could be postponed again.


The leaked summary suggests that the F3-standard Rafale was ranked last because of its high purchase price and operating costs. A related technology transfer package - a key element of the F-X2 selection criteria - was also deemed inadequate, the report says. Embraer is believed to have shown little interest in participating in production of the Rafale, after it was offered the opportunity to manufacture the wings for Brazilian examples.

Saab claims that its Gripen NG proposal - which is backed by the governments of Sweden and the UK - will provide higher technology transfer yield for Brazilian companies. Selex Galileo on 5 January announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with local firm ATMOS Sistemas to develop active electronically scanned array radar technologies to Brazil.

Selex, which is developing its Vixen 1000E/Raven ES-05 for use with the Gripen NG, says the relationship could also cover AESA systems for other fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles.

Following the news report, the air force issued a statement saying that while its evaluation report of the fighters has been completed, it has not yet been forwarded to the defence ministry for assessment. A Dassault source says that such local press reports should be "handled with caution".

Although the F-X2 programme initially covers the purchase of 28 single-seat fighters and eight mission-capable trainers to equip three squadrons, it could eventually rise to up to 120 aircraft. The selected type will replace the air force's Alenia/Embraer AMX strike aircraft, upgraded Northrop F-5EM/FMs and Dassault Mirage 2000C fighters.

Captain Chaos

The first F-35B, BF1 has begun build down to it's first vertical landing.
There are two F-35Bs undergoing flight tests for the USMC and the first vertical landing is expected in the coming weeks.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a40d235e5-8e6a-4c70-a7d0-c76f8286ab00&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

The fist F-35A, AA1 has finished it's flight tests and is in it's final stages of live fire damage assessments, which depending how badly its damages or how harshly its tested will be rebuilt as a museum piece.

Two other F-35As, AF1 and 2 are currently expanding the F-35A flight envelope.

The first F-35C, CF1 was rolled out a few months ago and has yet to fly.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/08/336878/eads-running-out-of-patience-on-a400m-refinancing.html

Defence
DATE:08/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International

EADS running out of patience on A400M refinancing
By Andrew Doyle

EADS is warning the Airbus Military A400M customer nations that time is running out to save the troubled airlifter, which programme sources say is costing the company more than €100 million ($143 million) a month to sustain.

"We are negotiating," says EADS. "We cannot take the burden all alone. We need to share the burden."

Sources close to the programme rate the chances of a refinancing deal for the A400M being agreed before EADS's end-of-January deadline at "50:50".

The project, running around two years late with the prototype having finally achieved its maiden flight in December, requires another €11.4 bllion of funding to complete. EADS has already made a €2.4 billion provision, leaving additional costs of around €9 billion that need to be covered by the seven partner nations and industry.

EADS declines to comment on reports that it is seeking another €5.3billion from the nations. Representatives of the customer nations will reportedly meet EADS officials for further talks in London on 15 January.

Germany, the biggest A400M buyer with an order for 60, has taken a hard line, warning it is not prepare to contribute more than a further €650 million to cover inflation and surcharges, as set out in its contract. France and the UK have taken a more conciliatory approach, saying that they expect deal to be reached to continue the programme.

Steyr

Captain Chaos wrote: »

The first F-35B, BF1 has begun build down to it's first vertical landing.

Half decent pic of her here: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/press_photos/2010/BF-1-first-STOVL-engage-10P00004_15.jpg

iceage

Half decent... Fook!! Steyr where did you get that? Impressive.

Steyr

From Lockheed Martin's Website,

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/100107ae_f35b_stovl-in-flight.html

Pic is in the link

Lockheed Martin F-35B Begins In-Flight STOVL Operations
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md., January 7th, 2010
The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter engaged its STOVL propulsion system in flight for the first time today.


The successful test is the first in a series of planned STOVL-mode flights that will include short takeoffs, hovers and vertical landings.

"The joint F-35 industry and government team has already shown during extended ground tests that the STOVL propulsion system performs well, and thousands of hours of component testing has validated its durability. Now we are seeing early proof that the system operates in flight as our team predicted," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager.

The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine driving a Rolls-Royce LiftFan®. The system, which includes a Rolls-Royce 3-bearing swivel duct that vectors engine thrust and under-wing roll ducts that provide lateral stability, produces more than 41,000 pounds of vertical thrust. The F135 is the most powerful engine ever flown in a fighter aircraft.

F-35 Lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson of BAE Systems took off at 1:53 p.m. EST, climbed to 5,000 feet and engaged the shaft-driven LiftFan propulsion system at 210 knots (288 mph), then slowed to 180 knots (207 mph) with the system engaged before accelerating to 210 knots and converting back to conventional-flight mode. The STOVL propulsion system was engaged for a total of 14 minutes during the flight. Tomlinson landed at 2:41 p.m. EST.

STOVL-mode flights will continue, with the aircraft flying progressively slower, hovering, and ultimately landing vertically. Most STOVL-mode testing will be conducted at NAS Patuxent River.

The F-35B will replace U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B STOVL fighters, F/A-18 strike fighters and EA-6B electronic attack aircraft. The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, as well as the Italian Air Force and Navy, also will employ the F-35B. With its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, the F-35B will enable allied forces to conduct operations from small ships and unprepared fields, enabling expeditionary operations around the globe.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a 5th generation fighter, uniquely characterized by advanced stealth with supersonic speed and high agility, sensor fusion, network-enabled capabilities and advanced sustainment. The three F-35 variants are derived from a common design, are being developed together and will use the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, bringing economies of commonality and scale. The United States and eight international partners are planning to buy more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

iceage

As ever, good stuff Steyr.

Steyr

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1025

India Submits Letter of Request for Potential Boeing C-17 Order LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 8, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that the U.S. government has received a Letter of Request from India's Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Air Force regarding the potential acquisition of 10 C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters.

"Boeing is very pleased that the Indian government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernize its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them," said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We believe the C-17 can fulfill India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift to help it meet its growing domestic and international responsibilities."

The C-17 conducted demonstration flights in February at Aero India 2009 in Bangalore, where members of the MOD and Indian Air Force had the opportunity to see the aircraft's capabilities in action. The Indian Air Force wants to replace and augment its fleet of Russian-made AN-32 and IL-76 airlifters.

"Nations looking to modernize their airlift capabilities turn to the C-17 because it has the highest reliability and mission-capable rate of any airlift aircraft," added Tommy Dunehew, Boeing Global Mobility Systems vice president of Business Development. "It is available right now, without any development risk. Plus, the C-17 is an acquisition success story, with deliveries on or ahead of schedule for the past decade."

A tactical and strategic airlifter, only the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances and deliver them directly to small austere airfields anywhere in the world. It can land combat-ready troops on semi-prepared runways or airdrop them directly into the fight. The C-17's ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a payload of up to 170,000 pounds, the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet or less.

There are currently 212 C-17s in service worldwide, including 19 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 193. Other customers include the United Kingdom (which recently announced a contract for a seventh airlifter), Qatar, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence announced Jan. 6 that the UAE has signed a contract for the acquisition of six Boeing C-17s.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

Captain Chaos

Bloomberg article by Tony Capaccio; Jan. 7 2010-- Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a delay in the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 program, cutting the Pentagon’s planned purchases by 10 aircraft in fiscal 2011 and a total of 122 through 2015, according to a budget document.
More than $2.8 billion that was budgeted earlier to buy the military’s next-generation fighter would instead be used to continue its development.
Along with the delay in Lockheed’s program, Gates is calling for spending a total of $2.4 billion in 2011 and 2012 to buy 26 F/A-18E/F.
Gates’s order is in an unreleased document he signed Dec. 23 that is the basis for the new defense budget to be released Feb. 1.
Gates cut the planned purchase of F-35s by 10 planes in 2011 to 42; by 17 in 2012 to 45; by 52 in 2013 to 77; by 20 in 2014 to 90; and 23 in 2015 to 107.
He directed the shift from the procurement budget to development of $320 million in fiscal 2011; $544 million in 2012; $716 million in fiscal 2013; $872 million in fiscal 2014 and $356 million in 2015.
The document gives no indication that the program’s target quantity would be cut. The planes bought through 2015 would be used for training, testing and to fill the first operational squadrons.
The F-35 program’s current projected cost is $298.8 billion. The plan is to build by 2034 at least 2,456 U.S. aircraft with common parts for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Gates’s decision appears to have been influenced by several independent assessments commissioned by the Pentagon, said Thomas Christie.
One recent study agreed with a similar one from a year earlier that predicted a 2 1/2 year delay in development beyond the current target of October 2014 and an added cost of $16.5 billion. The new estimate recommended the Pentagon add $314 million to the five-year plan to beef up testing. Gates did so.
The deferral of buying 122 aircraft reflects concerns “about Lockheed Martin’s ability to produce aircraft at the previously planned rate,” Christie said in an interview.
Ashton Carter is assessing whether the program’s development phase should be lengthened beyond October 2014 because of delays in delivering 10 of 13 test aircraft needed to fly the 5,000 sorties required by the test plan.
“The test aircraft are late to the schedule that was published more than a year ago and an update is currently part of the deliberation,” Heinz said in an e-mailed statement.

At the end of last year additional funding was provided to accelerate precurement of F-35 airframes, this has now been cut back.

It should be noted that Gates was the one that called an end to the F-22 at 187 airframes out from the 240 minimum (750 planned in the early '90s) needed by the USAF to replace it's 450 aging F-15A,B,C,D variants over the next 30-40 years.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/12/337025/a400m-cannot-continue-without-more-funding-warns-airbus.html

Defence
DATE:12/01/10
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
A400M 'cannot continue' without more funding, warns Airbus CEO
By Murdo Morrison

EADS chief executive Louis Gallois says the A400M programme cannot continue beyond the end of the month without a commitment by European customer governments to fund the increased costs of developing the military airlifter.

Speaking at an event in Seville today, Gallois said the European giant was spending between €100-150 million ($145-217 million) a month on the programme, which is running two years behind schedule. "We cannot continue beyond the end of January without knowing where we are going financially," he said. "I am sending a message of urgency to governments. We are ready to negotiate at any time."

Gallois said EADS had made a "mistake in accepting a fixed price contract on a programme with huge technical challenges and an unrealistic schedule". He said there were "responsibilities on both sides" for the delay, which has left EADS with a shortfall of €2.4 billion.

"It was the nations who pushed the production sharing between countries, including some choices with engines," he said. "We must find a solution for sharing the burden with them...if we want to protect the capacity of the group, we can't add losses to losses without clear limits."

However, Gallois refused to detail what EADS might do if no further agreement is secured by the end of the month. "Can you leave us room to negotiate with our customers?" he said.

Tom Enders, chief executive of Airbus, which now has direct responsibility for the Airbus Military business, backed his boss's threat. "We cannot continue without a significant financial contribution from our customers. If we don't press for that it will jeopardise the whole of Airbus. The A400M as it is set up today will put the whole of Airbus in jeopardy and I will not go down that road.

Pressure on defence budgets as a result of rising deficits has added to frustration over delayed deliveries among A400M customers, who include France, Germany, Spain and the UK, and politicians in all these countries have warned that taxpayers ought not to have to fund the rising costs of the programme.

Captain Chaos

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... wsid=12202


New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The US has offered to India yet another sophisticated defence system, this time its fifth generation F-35 Lightning-II fighter aircraft.
The “possible sale” of this aircraft, which is still under development, was mentioned in the past “if the Indian Air Force (IAF) purchased the F 16 Super Viper for its Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement.”

But according to a report in the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, Lockheed Martin, which manufactures these both aircraft, has now made a presentation without this condition to the Indian Navy for its carrier-borne aircraft requirements in about seven to eight years from now.

India Strategic quoted Orville Prins, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for business development, as saying that the presentation was made after a Request for Information (RFI) for newer generation of aircraft was received from the Indian Navy recently.

Prins pointed out though the company had been authorized by the US Department of Defense (DOD) to make the presentation, its sale could be done only after a bilateral agreement between Washington and New Delhi.

Arms and weapon systems are developed by private companies in the US with government funding, but the DoD controls their sales. Foreign military sales are undertaken after clearance from the Department of State.

The US is steadily emerging as a new supplier of sophisticated arms to India, which urgently needs to replace and augment its mostly outdated Soviet-vintage systems with the high technology weapons of the 21st century.

Only last month, India placed Letters of Request (LoRs), or firm orders, for 10 long-range strategic lift transport Boeing C 17 Globemaster III aircraft for the IAF and 145 Bofors ultra-light M 777 howitzers for mountain operations by the Indian Army.

Originally a Swedish company, Bofors was sold in 2000 to the US United Defense, and later to the US arm of BAE Systems. The Indian army is badly in need of various types of artillery guns and its acquisition process has been mired in one problem or another for years now.

According to Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd), India has less than 20 IL 76 heavy lift transport aircraft, and although they have served the IAF well, they would need to be replaced in about ten years or so. In April 2010, the IL squadrons with the IAF will mark their 25 years.

Prins said that Lockheed Martin was also offering the “the world’s most advanced ship-borne anti-missile system, Aegis, to India” and that presentation on this had also been made to the Indian Navy.

Apparently as a technology demonstration, the US had used the Aegis system to shoot down a satellite in February 2008 by firing a Raytheon SM-3 missile.

India has already acquired 12 artillery Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) from Raytheon under a 2002 deal, which was actually the first arms transfer to India by the US after its embargos following India’s 1974 and 1998 nuclear tests.

In 2008, IAF placed orders for six Lockheed Martin C 130J Special Operations aircraft, with an option for six more along with training and infrastructure development package.

Prins said that the necessary transfer of equipment and training was under way and that delivery schedule for the aircraft will be adhered to as per the agreement.

The JSF is a fifth-generation aircraft, to be used by the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, and perhaps will be the last manned aircraft by that country before unmanned, high-powered long-range drones and helicopters fully take over the skies by the middle of this century.

Notably, India has already signed an agreement with Russia to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft and it is due to be inducted into IAF by 2017. It is not known when and if this aircraft will have a naval variant.

Local-womanizer

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/12/defence-aircraft-jet-fighters-budget


MoD to slash jet fighter orders as it struggles to save aircraft programme

• Defence chiefs decide UK cannot afford current plan
• Cost of 140 US-built planes has risen by £25m each

Defence chiefs are preparing drastic cuts to the number of American stealth aircraft planned for the RAF and the Royal Navy's proposed new carriers, the Guardian has learned.

They will be among the first casualties, with existing squadrons of Harrier and Tornado jets, of a huge shift in military spending being considered by ministers, officials and military advisers.

As they head towards their biggest and most painful shakeup since the second world war, a consensus has emerged among the top brass that they can not afford the 140 American Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) they have been seeking.

The JSF, or F35 as it is now called, has been subject to costly delays and the estimated price has soared from £37m each four years ago to more than £62m today.

One compromise would be for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to halve its order from 140 planes to 70.

There is also a growing view that Britain will not be able to afford to build the two large aircraft carriers, already delayed, let alone the planes due to fly from them.

"The carriers are under real threat. There will certainly be a big reduction in JSF numbers," a well-placed military source told the Guardian.

"The carriers are about more fast jets. They are very hard to justify," added a defence official, referring to a growing consensus that the RAF already has too many fast jets.

If the order was halved, it would probably be split so that there was a short take-off and vertical landing (Stovl) version for the carriers, and a conventional version based at RAF ground stations.

Among other options being considered are: downsizing the second carrier to a much cheaper platform for helicopters, marine commandos, and unmanned drones; building both carriers but selling one, perhaps to India; and equipping them with cheaper catapult-launched aircraft.

No decisions will be made until after the general election. However, there is a consensus developing in the MoD that Britain simply cannot afford existing plans to build two large carriers in a project which, if the JSF planes are included, would cost an estimated £25bn.

The view is that it is extremely difficult to justify at a time when troops in Afghanistan are being deprived of helicopters and surveillance systems – including unmanned drones – which provide badly needed intelligence about what insurgents and suspected terrorists are up to.

The two proposed carriers, the Queen Elizabeth, due to go into service in 2016, and the Prince of Wales, due to follow in 2018, are already £1bn over the original estimated cost of £3.9bn. This excludes the cost of any aircraft flying from them.

The money spent on carriers and their jets is even more difficult to justify, say critics, at a time when the navy is getting six new frigates at £1bn apiece and a replacement for the Trident nuclear ballistic missile system, which ministers say could cost £20bn while admitting they do not know what the final figure will be.

A decision on the proposed new Trident submarine's basic design contract – due last September – has been put back. "Further time has been required to ensure that we take decisions based on robust information," the defence secretary, Bob Ainsworth, told MPs before Christmas.

The final cost of Trident could amount to £97bn over the system's 30-year life, according to Greenpeace. The MoD has not challenged the figures.

What is likely to be a debate with much blood on the carpet was triggered last autumn by General Sir David Richards, soon after he became head of the army. "We cannot go back to operating as we might have done even 10 years ago when it was still tanks, fast jets, and fleet escorts that dominated the doctrine of our three services," he said. "The lexicon of today is non-kinetic effects teams [carrying out 'hearts and minds' operations], counter-IED [improvised explosive devices], information dominance, counter-piracy, and cyber attack and defence."

Richards warned that even large states such as China and Russia could adopt unconventional tactics rather than preparing for fighting with missiles and fixed formations of troops and armour. "Attacks are likely to be delivered semi-anonymously through cyberspace or the use of guerrillas and Hezbollah-style proxies," he said.

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, and Sir Stephen Dalton, the head of the RAF, have publicly challenged Richards's argument, saying it is dangerous to assume the days of "state against state" warfare are over.

However, all agree that the defence budget is under unprecedented pressure. Malcolm Chalmers, professorial fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, estimates the MoD will have to cut its budget by up to 15%, and possibly more, by 2016. If future cuts fall disproportionately on capital projects then the MoD could be one of the hardest-hit departments after the general election, whoever wins it.

The annual defence budget is about £35bn, not including the cost of operations in Afghanistan, which are running at about £4bn a year and are paid for out of the Treasury's contingency fund.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/13/337098/uk-set-to-seal-nimrod-replacement-deal.html

Aircraft

DATE:13/01/10
SOURCE:Flight InternationalUK set to seal Nimrod replacement deal
By Craig Hoyle

The UK Ministry of Defence will sign a contract within the next few weeks to replace its British Aerospace Nimrod R1 electronic intelligence aircraft, having deemed the capability an essential element of its future military equipment inventory.

Once finalised, the deal will advance the planned acquisition of three stored Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint airframes from the US government. These will be modified for operational use by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in the USA.

Confirming that a previous proposal to modify BAE Systems' three development examples of the Royal Air Force's new-generation Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft has been rejected, a senior military source says the Rivet Joint contract will be signed "within weeks".

"We have the approvals, and we have an agreement. We just don't have a contract yet," the source adds.

Long-term activities with the RAF's three Nimrod R1s had appeared to be at risk following the MoD's surprise move in December to accelerate the retirement of its remaining Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft. Its last Kinloss-based MR2s will stop flying by 31 March, a year sooner than previously planned, and two years before the last of nine replacement MRA4s will be handed over.

The military source says operations with the R1 will be safeguarded until the new Rivet Joint assets become available, partially by using cost savings generated by the MR2 fleet retirement. "There will be no capability gap," the source adds.

Steyr

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/8454125.stm

Page last updated at 16:12 GMT, Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Planes came within 100ft of crash over Oxfordshire

Two planes came within 100ft of a mid-air crash over Oxfordshire, an independent report has revealed.

A C17 military plane narrowly avoided colliding with a small aircraft flying between Faringdon and Lechlade in June.

Investigators concluded the RAF crew acted correctly after being alerted by safety mechanisms on board.

Their report said the civilian plane should have turned when its pilot spotted the aircraft, rather than descending.

Steep dive

The two-seater plane was flying from Fairoaks in Surrey to Gloucestershire on 1 June 2009.

The report is from the UK Airprox Board, which is funded by the CAA and MoD and investigates near misses.

It said the the pilot was south-west of Brize Norton heading northwest when he spotted a "plain grey jet".

To avoid a collision he started to descend, but at this point the C17 plane also began to drop after advice from air traffic control.

The civilian pilot steepened his dive to avoid a collision.

The C17 plane's collision avoidance system told the crew to ascend, at which point the military aircraft climbed.

Weather conditions were clear, the report added.

The incident was rated as category A, the most serious level.

Flight safety expert David Learmount said there could have been a mid-air crash.

"The worst consequence would have been that both the aeroplanes would have been damaged so badly that they would have fallen out of the sky.

"It was very very close."

Steyr

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0104/chinook.html

New evidence on 1994 Chinook crash
Monday, 4 January 2010
New evidence has emerged that faulty computer software could have led to a Chinook helicopter crash that killed 25 of Britain's top intelligence experts, it was reported today.

An internal British Ministry of Defence document written nine months before the 1994 crash said the software was 'positively dangerous'.

Written by experts working for the MoD's aircraft testing centre at Boscombe Down, the document shows there were serious concerns in the engine control computer software.

Deficiencies meant the pilot's full control of the engines 'could not be assured' the report added.

The crash on the Mull of Kintyre in thick fog on 2 June 1994 killed 29 people, including more than 20 senior members of Northern Ireland's military and intelligence community.

Their loss was described at the time as a 'catastrophic loss in the fight against terrorism'.

An official RAF inquiry concluded the aircraft was airworthy and found the two pilots guilty of gross negligence. But three inquiries since have found that the cause of the crash was inconclusive.

Campaigners and relatives of those killed have always insisted that flaws in the Mark 2 helicopter were likely to have caused the crash and not the negligence of the pilots.

They believe the aircraft was rushed into service and pilots Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Rick Cook were blamed to save face.

The MoD said the Chinook crashed in poor visibility and the fleet had a safe and successful service history.

In a statement it said: 'This latest information is from an RAF document. It was available to the Inquiry team and cannot be classed as new evidence.'

Steyr

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1028

Boeing Delivers 4th KC-767 Tanker to Japan Ministry of Defense

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 12, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] on Jan. 8 delivered the last of four KC-767 aerial refueling tankers to the Japan Ministry of Defense, completing one of the International Tanker team's most significant milestones.

Boeing's partner on the Japan Tanker program, Itochu Corp., handed over the KC-767 advanced tanker to Japan Ministry of Defense officials. Assigned to the 1st Airlift Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Komaki Air Base, it is the third consecutive KC-767 tanker to be delivered to Boeing's Japan customer within the contracted schedule and budget.

"Providing Japan with the fourth and final KC-767 tanker on-schedule and on-cost, as we did the previous two KC-767s, means a great deal to our company and our relationship with this important customer," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "Because of these tankers, Japan now has the capability to perform vital self-defense, refueling and airlift missions. Also, when necessary, it possesses the capability to perform critical humanitarian and disaster-relief missions across the Pacific region and beyond using the KC-767."

"We are proud to have been a partner in the successful delivery and implementation of the KC-767 aerial refueling tanker into the Japan Air Self-Defense Force," said Greg Kasagawa, executive officer and COO of the Aerospace and Industrial Systems Division of Itochu Corp. "The fleet of tankers is playing a significant and key role in the strategic self-defense needs of Japan."

The fourth tanker flew to Japan on Dec. 20 from Boeing's tanker modification facility in Wichita, Kan. The KC-767 is a military derivative of the proven 767-200ER commercial widebody airplane built at Boeing's commercial production facilities in Everett, Wash.

Boeing delivered the first three KC-767 tankers to Japan in February 2008, March 2008 and March 2009.

The Japan KC-767 fleet is currently undergoing Operational Evaluation by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, a process that should be completed early this year. The fleet achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in March 2009.

The tanker has an open architecture cockpit and is configured with the advanced Boeing air refueling boom and the associated Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) II system. Japan selected the convertible freighter configuration, allowing it to carry cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial tanker. With a convertible freighter interior, the Japan tanker can be rapidly converted from all-passenger to all-cargo configurations.

Boeing also is on contract to deliver four KC-767s to the Italian Air Force. Three of the four tankers are in flight test, with the fourth airplane still being modified.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

Steyr

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/100113ae_c130j_canadian.html

The First Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Produced For Canada Leaves The Company’s Paint Facility In Marietta, Georgia

Marietta, GA, January 13th, 2010 -- The first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules produced for Canada leaves the company's paint facility in Marietta, Georgia. Canada's new fleet of 17 C-130Js will fly farther, faster, with more payload and much higher reliability than Canada's older C-130s. All the new aircraft will be delivered over the next two years.


Picture: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/press_photos/2010/c130j_canadian-paint.jpg

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/14/337141/airbus-prepares-to-ground-first-a400m-to-fit-additional-test-kit-including.html

Defence
DATE:14/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International

Airbus prepares to ground first A400M to fit additional test kit – including rockets
By Max Kingsley-Jones

Airbus is about to briefly ground its first A400M flight-test aircraft to install additional test equipment, including rockets to assist with stall-testing, before continuing with trials in February.

Flight-testing of aircraft MSN001 began on 11 December, and the aircraft had made five flights by 13 January, all from Airbus Military's final assembly plant near Seville, Spain. Airbus's flight-test chief Fernando Alonso says the A400M's flight envelope was cleared in the early test flights: "We've flown it at its VMO and MMO of 300kt [555km/h] and Mach 0.72."

Alonso says MSN001 is due to be grounded shortly after an expected seven flights, to undergo installation of additional test and calibration equipment. As it is tasked with aircraft handling testing, it will also be equipped with rockets to assist in emergency recoveries during stall tests.

"The rockets are an alternative to the [aircraft] parachutes sometimes used when stall-testing T-tailed aircraft," he says. "They will be able to give us a 'push up the butt' if it gets into a high nose-up attitude."

After the equipment upgrade, MSN001 will be positioned to Airbus's main flight-test centre in Toulouse, France, where it is due to be based for the bulk of its tasks along with MSNs 003 and 006.

Preparations are under way to fly the next A400M, MSN002, which is due to get airborne in March and will be tasked with performance and powerplant tests. This aircraft and MSN004 will be based in Seville for testing, although Alonso says all test aircraft can operate from either centre to obtain the optimum weather conditions.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/14/337168/australia-launches-afghan-operations-with-heron-uav.html

Defence
DATE:14/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International
Australia launches Afghan operations with Heron UAV
By Arie Egozi

Australia's first leased Israel Aerospace Industries Heron unmanned air vehicle has begun initial operations in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

Under Project Nankeen, Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a contract with Canada's MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates to provide services using leased Heron air vehicles. The deal is initially for a one-year period, with an option to extend further.

"The UAV will help deliver high-resolution, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to ADF [Australian Defence Force] commanders," says the nation's Department of Defence. Operations will be conducted from Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province.

The UAV recently arrived in Kandahar


"It is expected to be fully mission capable in the coming months, following an initial training period," the DoD says. A team led by Royal Australian Air Force personnel has for the past five months been preparing for the UAV's arrival in Afghanistan, by training alongside the Canadian military's Heron detachment at Kandahar.

Also including army personnel, the Australian contingent includes UAV pilots, payload operators, intelligence officers, image analysts, engineers, and administrative and logistics personnel.

Australia's ISR capability in Afghanistan has until now relied on its deployment of RAAF Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft and Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle tactical UAVs operated by the Australian Army.

France also operates Heron UAVs in Afghanistan, while Germany is also to use the type under a lease deal signed late last year. The UAV can fly at an altitude of 32,800ft (10,000m), and has a maximum endurance of over 24h.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/14/337134/usn-officials-raise-concern-about-f-35-affordability.html

Defence
DATE:14/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International
USN officials raise concern about F-35 affordability
By Stephen Trimble

The US Naval Air Systems Command's top cost estimator has warned in a new internal briefing obtained by Flight International that the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C variants are getting harder to afford.

Lockheed continues to insist, however, that cost estimates within the programme have not changed since 2007, which it says is supported by its recent contractual performance.

But the NAVAIR briefing, presented to US Navy officials on 4 January, adds fuel to a series of recent reports that the Department of Defense is taking a more conservative approach to estimating the F-35's overall costs, with potential production unit cuts likely in the fiscal year 2011 budget request scheduled for release in February.

According to NAVAIR's cost department, the F-35's total ownership costs, including development, production and sustainment, has doubled to $704 billion since Lockheed won the contract eight years ago.

Moreover, NAVAIR estimates the total of 680 short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs and carrier-variant F-35Cs, ordered by the US Marine Corps and USN, respectively, will cost $30,700 to fly each hour. This compares to $18,900 for the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II and Boeing F/A-18A-D, the aircraft types the Joint Strike Fighter will replace.

Although NAVAIR projects the F-35 will fly 12% fewer flight hours than the AV-8B and F/A-18A-D fleets, the agency expects the modern aircraft to cost as much as about 25% more to operate at peak rates, the briefing says.

The unexpected cost increases mean the F-35 "will have a significant impact on naval aviation affordability", the NAVAIR document concludes.

Dan Crowley, Lockheed executive vice-president for the F-35, says the presentation reflects an ongoing dispute between the programme and the Joint Estimating Team (JET). The NAVAIR presentation bases its cost assumptions on the latest JET study.

The programme uses a "bottom-up" approach to estimate costs, while the JET and NAVAIR estimates use a parametric model, Crowley says.

But the dispute is not a trivial matter. If the DoD decides to submit a budget request based on the JET's higher estimate, Lockheed's orders for production aircraft could decline. Such a reduction sets the stage for the so-called "acquisition death spiral", as fewer orders lead to higher unit production costs, which in turn cause further cuts.

But Crowley says that a production cut next year would not necessarily trigger a death spiral. Under Lockheed's interpretation of recent acquisition reform laws, the company could deliver more aircraft to the government than are put under contract.

The first test of this theory could arrive during negotiations for the fifth annual lot of low rate production. "The government will be monitoring our prices for LRIP-5," Crowley says.

Meanwhile, Lockheed will continue to develop its capacity planning based on the assumption that it will deliver one jet every working day by 2015 or 2016, says Crowley.

iceage

Jesus Steyr..slow down will ya! I can't keep up..:p

Steyr

iceage wrote: »

Jesus Steyr..slow down will ya! I can't keep up..:p

Cant stop progress!:cool:

Captain Chaos

BF-1 flights 25-30 (PAX ferry, first STOVL engagements, 140 overall flights)

BF-1 flight 25 was a 1.8 hour ferry-confidence mission on Nov. 6 prior to the PAX ferry. Pilot was David "Doc" Nelson.

On Nov. 13, chief test pilot Jon Beesley ferried BF-1 from Fort Worth to Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta. Weather delayed traveling on to the Patuxent River (PAX) Naval Air Station, Md., on Nov 14 as planned. BF-1 completed the second leg of its ferry, on Nov. 15. The two ferry flights accumulated 2.7 flight hours.

On Dec. 23 BF-1 conducted Flight 28, a 1.1 hour sortie, completing BF-1’s first local flight since its arrival at the naval facility. It included a Military power takeoff, a climb to 15k feet for throttle transients, gear down and gear up Flying Qualities, STOVL doors open, Upper Lift Fan door opened from 35 to 65 degrees for the first time, additional Flying Qualities and a straight in approach to a full stop landing.


On Thursday Jan. 7 F-35 Lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson flew BF-1 flight 29 on it's first STOVL transitient flight. Tomlinson took off at 1:53 p.m. EST, climbed to 5,000 feet and engaged the shaft-driven LiftFan propulsion system (Mode 4) at 210 knots, then slowed to 180 knots with the system engaged before accelerating to 210 knots and converting back to conventional flight.

The first clutch engagement completed in 14 seconds from command to locked clutch and the STOVL propulsion system was engaged for a total of 14 minutes during the flight. Tomlinson landed at 2:41 p.m. EST and the jet was Code 1.

On Saturday Jan. 9 BF-1's second lift-fan engagement flight slowed the aircraft to 150 kts. Thomlison was very appreciative of the conversion to Mode 4 (lift fan engaged) and back to Mode 1. There was less vibration in Mode 4 than with STOVL doors open in Mode 1.

Pic from one of the test flights with all doors open and engine nozzle deflected down a few degrees.

Steyr

Bet ya to it with that pic a few posts ago!:p

Captain Chaos

Steyr wrote: »

Bet ya to it with that pic a few posts ago!:p

Ya, ye did. There is a short video of that flight with an F/A-18D chase plane.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/16/337234/faa-lends-air-traffic-aid-to-haiti-as-air-force-opens-port-au.html

Defence
DATE:16/01/10
SOURCE:Air Transport Intelligence news
FAA lends air traffic aid to Haiti as Air Force opens Port au Prince
By Megan Kuhn

A seven member team from the US FAA is working with the Haitian government and the US Department of Defense (DOD) to supply technical assistance for air traffic management after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January.

In a statement the US Department of Transportation (DOT) says the FAA's team is working with DOD combat controllers to improve the flow of air traffic moving in and out of the airport.

The US Air Force reopened the airport on 14 January, and on 15 January its contingency response group was granted senior airfield authority for 72h at the Port-au-Prince airport starting around 15:00EST, says Lt Gen Philip Breedlove.

Senior airfield authority enables the Air Force to prioritise, schedule and control the airspace at the airport, and this should help increase capacity because the Air Force is capable of handling high-flow traffic, and is familiar with the various military aircraft landing at the airport, Breedlove said during a 15 January media briefing.

The airport should be able to accommodate between 20 to 30 widebodies and a myriad of smaller aircraft, he says.

Breedlove also says the US State Department has asked that the Haitian government extend the time that the Air Force has senior airfied authority at Port au Prince.

As part of its efforts to ease air transport to Haiti, the DOT is also granting exemptions from current aviation restrictions to allow for an expansion of the pool of available aircraft for charter, and is giving authority to operators of large private aircraft to carry supplies to the disaster area and help with evacuations.

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/15/337202/rolls-royce-lands-massive-support-deal-for-raf-typhoons.html

Defence
DATE:15/01/10
SOURCE:Flight International

Rolls-Royce lands massive support deal for RAF Typhoons
By Craig Hoyle

Rolls-Royce has received an £865 million ($1.4 billion) contract to provide long-term support services for the Eurojet EJ200 engines that power the UK Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoon strike aircraft.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies announced the 10-year award during a parliamentary statement on 14 January, describing it as "an enduring spares-inclusive availability service for the Typhoon engine".

He said: "This contract will see Rolls-Royce taking a major role in ensuring the availability of the Typhoon fleet to meet its standing and operational commitments." The commitment "demonstrates the Ministry of Defence's commitment to partnering with British industry to get more efficient support for our frontline Typhoon fighter force," he added.

R-R has supported operations of the RAF’s Typhoons since 2001 under two earlier availability-based support contracts.

Confirmation of the new engine deal follows the signature of a through-life support and maintenance contract with BAE Systems in March 2009 for the Typhoon airframe and other related systems. Dubbed the Typhoon Availability Service, this was valued at £450 million for an initial period of five years.

Work under both deals will be concentrated at the UK's main operating base for the Typhoon: RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The service has 59 Eurofighters in use, according to Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

Securing the RAF support deal represents the second Typhoon-related success for R-R inside a month. The company in mid-December announced its receipt of two contracts – including one to its Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia subsidiary– to support Riyadh’s EJ200 engines over a three-year period.

“Initial support activity on the EJ200 engines will be conducted in Saudi Arabia”, the company says, with deeper maintenance to be performed in Europe as required.

The latter deal was placed via BAE as part of Project Salam, through which the Royal Saudi Air Force will eventually operate a fleet of 72 Typhoons. Eight of an initial 24 UK-built examples have been delivered so far, according to MiliCAS.

Steyr

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1034

Boeing Begins A-10 Thunderbolt Wing Assembly for US Air Force
MACON, Ga., Jan. 18, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has begun assembling the first A-10 Thunderbolt replacement-wing set at its Macon facility. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the contract, worth up to $2 billion, in June 2007 to provide as many as 242 A-10 replacement-wing sets through 2018.

"This is a phenomenal accomplishment for this Boeing Macon team and a real tribute to the partnership between Boeing and the Air Force to keep these vital aircraft flying in support of U.S. military men and women," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Defense, Space & Security president and CEO. "We are honored to help extend the life of these storied planes as they serve our warfighters in their essential close-air support missions. This is also an important milestone in Boeing's drive to offer our customers maintenance and modification support on a wide range of aircraft, regardless of the plane's original manufacturer."

Boeing will deliver the replacement wing sets to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in four parts: three wing sections and an installation kit. Air Force personnel will install the wings. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first wing set in September and up to 50 wing sets a year at peak production.

The A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog, is a twin-engine jet aircraft designed for close-air support of ground forces. More than 350 aircraft are currently in the U.S. fleet participating in both Iraq and Afghanistan operations.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.