One of the better photos on this, just waiting to see more pictures now.

Some better pictures here already:
http://www.china-defense.com/smf/index.php?topic=155.1675

[edit]oops, same pic[edit]

If that’s a genuine pic, those are the areas where Mars-Passat radar ‘billboards’ would have been.

Is Brazil the only country to still operate Skyhawks. Come to think of it i think Argentina still has a few. Wonder how much longer the little plane can keep going. With this upgrade the Skyhawk should hopefully be able to stand up against other fighters a bit better. One thing i always thought was lacking with this little plane is har points. I think normally they carry 2 drop tanks and that only leaves the outer 2 pylons and the centre line pylon. If they had 7 and maybe could fit more than 1 under the fuselage that would be a big advantage in my eyes.

Current A-4 Skyhawk operators;
Argentine Air Force [A-4AR (30) and OA-4AR (4)]
Brazilian Navy[A-4KU (20] and TA-4KU (3)]
Israeli Air Force [A-4N/TA-4J (44): advanced training only]
Singapore [A-4SU (?): advanced training only @ BA 120 Cazaux Air Base south-west of the French Port city of Bordeaux]

Former operators:
Argentina (Navy)
Australia
Indonesia
Kuwait
Malaysia
New Zealand
United States

Indian Aircraft Carrier Back in Service in a Month

NEW DELHI – India’s only aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, which has been in dry dock for a year, will be back in service in a month after a refit allowing the carrier to function until 2015, said a senior Indian Navy official.

The Navy wanted the Viraat back in service as quickly as possible because of continued delays in delivery of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. Despite a planned 2008 delivery date, India and Russia remain stalemated over cost.

The Indian Navy official said the service hopes to have the Gorshkov and the homemade Air Defense Ship on line by 2015, when the Viraat will be nearing the end of its service life.

The Viraat was fitted at state-owned Cochin Shipyard with new fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved nuclear, biological and chemical protection, and deck landing aids. The ship’s Russian-made Kashtan air defense system was sent to Russia for repair.

The aircraft carrier also has been fitted with the Israeli Barak air defense system and the anti-ship cruise missile BrahMos.

The Navy’s long-term plans include a blue water force with six aircraft carriers and improvements in littoral warfare capabilities.

INS Viraat originally was commissioned in the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes in 1959; India bought the vessel in 1986. The aircraft carrier earlier underwent a refit in 1999-2001.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4238801&c=ASI&s=SEA

I wasn’t aware that she carried Kashtan! Is that correct? AFAIK she only carried 16 Barak VL SAM, a couple of Bofors 40mm and a couple of AK-230…

My point is that before Hermes was a VSTOL carrier she was a fleet carrier that looked after F-4’s and Buccaneers, which means she can take the loads and stresses of that weight landing on her, and she has the room internally just about for 6 or so.

Buccaneers, yes. Sea Vixen, yes. But Phantoms no (only on Ark Royal R09).

It was originally intended that two operational Naval squadrons should be equipped, one each for HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle. However, for political reasons, the refitting of Eagle was cancelled so 892 Sqn was the only operational one formed, and operated these Phantom F4K’s from March 1969 to December 1978.

http://www.phantomf4k.org
http://www.seavixen.org

Indeed there are 647 left in US service but the ones at AMARG are time expired or parted out to keep the remaining Hornets alive. The legacy Hornets left in service are needed until F35 comes in to fleet squadrons.

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out the F-35C

The U.S. Navy’s first stealth fighter, F-35C rolled-out in a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Ft. Worth TX facility July 28, 2009. Following the ceremonial roll-out the first F-35C, designated CF-1, will undergo a series of ground tests before its first flight, scheduled for late 2009.
…
As the aircraft becomes operational, around the year 2015 …

http://defense-update.com/newscast/0709/news/f35c_280709.html

There are 28 F-35C in last April’s DoD 6-year budget plan. Accellerated procurement (i.e. adding a further 20-30 aircraft to that budget plan is the required) remains an possibility/option
See also: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/30/330377/lockheed-rolls-out-f-35c-as-us-navy-interest-grows.html

US Congres “ added language urging the USN to request funds in FY10 for signing a third multi-year procurement deal for Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, citing concerns about a fighter shortfall until F-35Cs are delivered.”

http://www.jsfnieuws.nl/?p=235

If not F-35C available on time than a further buy of F/A-18E is the most likely route to be taken to fill the foreseen USN fighter shortfall. Which means Older F/A-18 will become available from US service either way.
See also: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/12/23/320481/correction-us-navy-restores-lost-f-35c-orders.html

And anyway, the initial referral to AMARG was in relation to mention of the closure of older model production facility. And in response to the ‘logic dictates 18E’ remark (which it doesn’t) .

There are a whole load of worn out and spares cannibalized F/A18 sitting at AMARG but nothing suitable to be sold on.

As of late 2008 there were still some 647 F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornets operational in US service. In the near future, these will be gradually withdrawn. I see no reason why Brazil could not get some of those e.g. 12-24. Airframes at AMARG would provide spares, making cessation of production of pre E/F-models in 1999 largely irrelevant.