World Naval Weapon Systems, pg 604 on AIM-120C-5 (Lot 12 of production):

“A software change (in Lot 14 AIM-120C-5 missiles, in 2002, under a program begun in 2000) offers high off-boresight (HOBS) capability, allowing the missile to lock on after launch; it is launched while the target is outside the gimbal limits of the its seeker.The new mode is not for close-in combat, but rather to exploit third-party (net-centric) targeting, most likely through Link 16. Initially, the goal was merely to match the field of view of the F-15 radar (70° to either side, compared with the missiles 25° off-boresight capability).”

The HOBS upgrade was a software upgrade delivered from 2002, it probably doesn’t include the much vaunted 360° capability, but would greatly increase closer in off the rail active firings.

AIM-120D adds 180° two way datalink to the rear of the missile and frontal 180° one way datalink to the missile front. This would be required for 360° targeting.

Back to MH-60R or NFH?

The Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R and NH Industries NH90 remain as potential replacements for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawks and cancelled Kaman Aerospace SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites, the nation’s Department of Defence says.

The DoD’s confirmation counters recent local media reports that suggested Australian Defence Force (ADF) chiefs have already recommended the MH-60R as the best candidate for the Project Air 9000 Phase 8 deal.

Canberra intends to order at least 24 new naval combat helicopters, enabling the navy to provide eight or more aircraft concurrently embarked on ships at sea.

The selected type will be fitted with anti-submarine warfare capabilities and air-to-surface missiles for anti-ship tasks. It will replace the navy’s 16 Seahawks, and its cancelled Super Seasprite project, which was ditched early last year after falling seven years behind schedule and almost 50% over budget.

The DoD says a decision on a new helicopter will take into account “all relevant considerations, including capability, cost, interoperability with other ADF capabilities, risk and value for money”.

So-called first pass approval for the acquisition is scheduled during the financial year 2009-10 to 2010-11, with a decision to follow in 2010-11 to 2011-12. Initial operational capability is sought between 2014 and 2016.

While the more mature MH-60R would offer commonality with the US Navy and cost less than its competitor, the naval version of the NH90 offers more capacity in some roles. The latter would also feature 80% commonality in airframe and avionics with the MRH90 transport entering service with the Australian army and navy.

Lockheed and Sikorsky are proposing a A$1 billion ($892 million) package for Australian industry if Canberra orders the MH-60R, and are offering deliveries from late 2011. NH90 majority partner Eurocopter already has a substantial presence in Australia through its Brisbane-based subsidiary Australian Aerospace.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/03/334327/australia-says-two-candidates-remain-for-seahawk-replacement.html

MiG-23MS was in production 1973-78 and deliveried to Algeria (40 from 1978), Egypt (8 1974-75), Iraq (18-40 1974-76), Libya (40-54 1974-76) and Syria (60 delivered 14 Oct 73-76).

Source for Syrian dates and numbers was a MiG-23 article by Tom Cooper.

If I was writing a work report or university assignment I’d have to provide sources for every statement – if I wanted to avoid a charge of plagrarism and form a well rounded argument. Same story for the Internet, theres a lot of useful information out there, but much is repeated verbatim from other websites – its a little hard to gauge the truthfulness without knowing the source. The web or an article is a secondary source – they are written from other sources. The actual source (media or press briefing) is the primary source.

For example Jon Lake writes article (without referencing the RAF retiring the Jaguar!) for Air Forces Monthly on the Eurofighter. He gives the new weight of the Tranche 2 fighter. He is journalist and knows he cannot make stuff up. AFM, like many magazines, doesn’t have room for listing every source. The magazine editor has to trust the journalists. Jon Lake was good enough to reply on the source of the Tranche 2 weight – a Eurofighter briefing (primary source).

The ‘Australian report’ (what do us Australians know about air warfare? Carlo Kopp has ruined us!) lists no sources.

The Airpower article: http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj02/sum02/lambeth.html
lists the source as “David A. Fulghum, “Kosovo Report to Boost New JSF Jamming Role,” Aviation Week and Space Technology, 30 August 1999, 22 (PG: page 22?)”

I lack access to the AWS&T, so thats as far as I can go with validating, but I did search through World Air Power Journal Volume 38 Autumn/Fall 1999, page 22, ‘Operation Allied Force. The First 30 days’ by Robert Hewson: “Friday 2 April: Croatian and Yugoslavian sources allege that a damaged F-117 had to make an emergency landing in Zagreb, Croatia after operations on the night of 9/10 April.”

Make what you will of the statement.
1) Am I telling the truth?
2) Is the article telling the truth?
3) Are the article sources truthful?

Its a well written article as he gives sources for most of his statements, he even points out where Western sources, with hindsight, were incorrect.

The F-117 damage – what are the US sources for that?

Norway might purchase as many as 56 F-35A.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aerospacedaily&id=news/NORWAY061009.xml

Supposely Tranche 2 has increased MTOW compared with Tranche 1.

November 2009 Air Forces Monthly (pg 63) mentions this, but completely stuffs up the weights:
‘…increased from 20,000 lbs to 24.500 lbs (9072 kg -11,113 kg)’.

Anyone have the correct weights?

AFAIK Egyptian MiG-21MF:
1979 – fitted with AIM-9P (AIM-9J1?)
1981 – Combined Soviet/Western IFF, ALE-40 decoys, RWR. However, planned upgrade with APQ-159 radar cancelled.
1984 – AIM-9P3. Some fitted with ALQ-234 jammer pod
1989 – AIM-9L
2008 – Possibly fitted with HMS