Turkish Airlines needs some big plane possibly 6-8 aircraft. They will choose either A380 or 747-8. It seems B747-8 is more favorable.. we will see

About Turkish Cruise Missile and other smart munitions:

http://www.sage.tubitak.gov.tr/THG2011_BasinAciklama/BasinAciklama_eng.htm

What kind of active EW system can be used in F-4ETM Simsek?

After 54 F-4E 2020 Terminator delivered, THK pllanned to modernize another 48 but it was cancelled.

Beside that 18 RF-4E modernization under the name “Isık” is ongoing. This include Modern radios, GPS/INS navigation system, new flight control system, new EW suite (RWR + chaff/flare dispensing) and structural upgrades. This 18 RF-4E will carry israeli made 5 LOROP and 2 SAR pods; pods are due to delivered in 2011 which will provide near time recce capability. Also Turkish RF-4E can carry long-range KS-146 LOROP pods, and other known wet cameras.

Yes, there exist a modernization programme called “Şimşek” (Thunder). It incluedes 16 F-4E modernization. It’s officaly ongoing; but interestingly there is no detailed information about the project. Weather it is air-to-air modernization or air-to-ground modernization or some kind of EW plane. First information has been seen in Turkish media in 2009; thats the only thing we know so far.

What about F-35?

Recently Australian parliament states that F-35:

-Fly Away costs roughly 69 million USD
-Procurment costs roughly 100 million USD
-30 year life long costs roughly 225 million USD

So after procurment in 30 years each F-35 will cost 125 million USD, meaning that for each F-35 4.2 million USD must be spend. Lets claim that Australian pilots will fly avarage 210 hours per year, so we get roughly 20.000 USD for each flight hour.

I think this cost includes fuel, training of pilot and techicians and their work hours; maintains, repairs, overhaul of body, engine, electronics; used spares etc.

And there are different points of cost of each aircraft. Normally we can say that F-15s are more expensive to operate than F-16s. But in war times, you will need more F-16s inorder to accomplish missions as F-15s does. Let says for CAP mission in a big region inorder to give 24 hours continues mission, lets say you will need 18 F-15s, but if you use F-16s you will need 25 aircraft for given mission. Because F-15s carry more fuel, stay in air more, carry bigger radars and more missile… So this time one should compare costs of 18 F-15s and 25 F-16s. So things are getting complicated.

Student flies last T-37 training mission

6/19/2009 – SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) — A familiar noise was missing from the 80th Flying Training Wing’s aircraft parking ramp at about 2:30 p.m. June 17, one that has been prevalent in the Air Force’s pilot training mission for 50 years — the high-pitched screech of the T-37B Tweet.

The final student training mission began at 1 p.m., marking the last time an Air Force pilot will begin their career in the introductory jet.

Second Lt. Trevor Kernes, 89th Flying Training Squadron student pilot, said he was honored to be part of the historical event.

“Anyone of these guys deserves it,” the future Ohio National Guardsman said. “To be chosen out of some of the best in the world is an honor. I’m humbled.”

Lieutenant Kernes, a former forward air traffic controller who served in Afghanistan after 9/11 and was part of the initial push into Iraq in 2003, said the Tweet was fun to fly and a good training platform.

“I’m sorry for the T-6A (Texan II) student pilots,” he said, “because they didn’t get to fly the T-37.”

Since 1959, more than 78,000 Air Force pilots have flown the venerable Tweet. The T-37 began its extraordinary flight into history in 1956 when it became an active aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory becoming operational in 1959.

The 80th FTW is the last organization in the Air Force to use the airframe.

Col. David Petersen, 80th FTW commander, said the durable aircraft lived up to expectations and then some.

“It’s been a great trainer for 50 years,” he said. “Right up to the end, it’s been a good aircraft.”

Lt. Col. Doug Antcliff, 19th Air Force standards and evaluation pilot, flew the Tweet for the last 11 years. He said the aircraft is the same today as it was in 1991 when he was a student pilot, however, it doesn’t make it any easier to see an “old friend” retire.

“There is nothing new of that airplane,” he said of the aircraft’s technology. “But, I’m sad to see it go because it is a true workhorse.”

The Tweet officially retires from active service July 31. The 80th FTW began training student pilots Aug. 29, 2008, in the Tweet’s replacement the Texan II.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123155114

Quite sad news. Altough it is not so popular in the world T-37 was pretty classic aircraft. Turkish Airforce use T-37 right now, but following 4-5 years T-37s will be out of service; all T-37s will be raplaced by KT-1 and TAI Hurkus.

that seems very long range… is it 1m2 or what? any source?

Against fighter size aircraft, I think source was one of the janes publishing bud I dont remember exactly. But 360 degree scan mode range is quite modest its about 400km.