Although the front covers of the August 2009 and July 2009 issues of the Jap mag “Koukuu Fan” don’t seem to mention them, these issues apparently have articles about ROCAF retired planes that are preserved in Taiwan, such as F-104J.
“航空ファン 2009年 08月号 [雑誌] (雑誌)”
台湾の保存展示機情報第2弾
“航空ファン 2009年 07月号 [雑誌] (雑誌)”
台湾に残るF-104J展示機
http://big5.chinabroadcast.cn/gate/big5/gb.cri.cn/27824/2009/06/22/541s2542013.htm
Article dated 2009-06-22 11:29:52.
Reporters visit the PLAAF flight sim centre in Bei Jing, with about 10 bomber, fighter, and helo flight simulators. At least two friendly pilots in two fighter flight simulators can be on-line simultaneously.
First, at the fighter sim, the reporter was the wingman when his leader’s fighter shot down a bandit.
Second, at the bomber sim, after the right engine shut down, the crew restarted it.
Third, at the helo sim, the reporter happened to meet the regiment commander of the Hong Kong garrison, sat in the co-pilot’s seat, and flew over the virtual Hong Kong for sight-seeing… when suddenly the right engine shut down, the helo dived to its right… and the pilot restarted the engine to recover the helo.
http://www.ttv.com.tw/news/tdcm/
This section of the TTV (Taiwan Television Enterprise Ltd) site has an archive of Taiwanese news videos, and the search function spans from 1 January 1962 to 31 December 1976. Each vid is roughly one minute long.
Fun, IMO.
http://www.defenselink.mil//contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4064
FOR RELEASE AT
5 p.m. ET
No. 478-09
July 06, 2009
CONTRACTS
NAVY
Northrup Grumman Space and Missions Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $98,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Maritime Laser Demonstration (MLD) Program.
Incremental land based live-fire tests for safety and range readiness reviews and testing will be considered as part of the overall program, leading to a real-time, “at sea” dynamic demonstration showing a counter-material capability against small boats.
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2009062446898
“US Conducts Successful Missile Interception Test”
JUNE 24, 2009 08:57
The U.S. military has conducted a successful test of its missile interception capability using the airborne laser amid signs that North Korea is preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
] He’s not going to become a combat pilot.
For comparison, some months ago, ISTR the ROKAF CIC, or some such REMF, flew over the Dok Do Island (that South Korea claims ownership, while Japan claims jurisdiction), but I forgot whether he flew his fighter himself, or was a GIB (Guy In Back = passenger)?
Also, ISTR the JASDF has retirement ages that depend on the pilots’ ranks? Maybe up to 55?
For example, a JMSDF Lieutenant Commander (54) recently flew his last flight on an U-36A, on 11 June 2009.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/yamaguchi/news/20090620-OYT8T00131.htm
He has 7,437 flight hours, after 36 years.
Thus, Maehara (49) is probably still eligible to learn the F-2?
] Why is a 49 year old Lieutenant General & base commander trying to qualify on a new type?
Technicality: the translation site mistranslated the rank. Maehara’s a Major General.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009:
F-2B.
3rd Koukuudan [3rd Air Wing], JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.
16:14, after training, during landing, from east to west, ran off right or south side of runway, near middle of runway [3,000 m X 45 m], stopped in grass.
15:00, took off.
Front seat was trainee pilot Major General Maehara Hiroaki (49). Base commander, 3rd Koukuudan commander, since 2008 August. F-15 pilot, converting to F-2.
Maehara learning F-2 control for F-2 pilot’s license. 19 training flights in four months. This was third flight.
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/shirei/index.html
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/nadf/3AW/3aw.htm
Rear seat was instructor pilot Major Kobayashi Mikio (37).
Kobayashi’s left wrist lightly wounded.
Runway closed two hours. Two civilian flights delayed 30 minutes. JAL flight 1229 from Toukyou, and JAL flight 1226 to Toukyou.
http://www.toonippo.co.jp/news_too/nto2009/20090623175549.asp
http://china.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fsStory/index.php?sel_lang=schinese&storyid=71175
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20090623-00000138-jij-soci
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20090623-00000110-mai-soci
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-06/17/content_11553681.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-06/20/content_11572244.htm
Chicom Dao Feng (Blade) multi-purpose UAV recently completed an autonomous, long-range test flight, for 150 klicks.
Cruising speed: 120 klicks/h.
Endurance: 3 hours.
Engine: 12 kW.
Length: 2.8 m.
Maximum altitude: 4,000 m.
Maximum carrying capacity: 15 kg.
Minimum take off distance: 90 m.
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-10772.html
“First female F-22 pilot” [sic]
http://www.rimpeace.or.jp/jrp/okinawa/090617f22emer.html
17 June 2009:
11:10, USAF F-22A emergency landed at Kadena AB, Okinawa Prefecture.
Attended by fire truck, and examined by fire fighters.
http://www.rimpeace.or.jp/jrp/okinawa/seriesemiru118.html
15 June 2009:
15:08, USAF F-22A emergency landed at Kadena AB, Okinawa Prefecture.
Something stuck up at where the left wing joined the fuselage.
http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/06/jianjiji-hongzhaji-7a-fighter-bomber.html
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Jianjiji Hongzhaji-7A (Fighter-Bomber aircraft 7A)- JH-7A “Growler”
There were a number of reports by Chinese sources suggesting that the JH-7A has been selected to perform an Electronic Attack (EA) role similar to Boeing’s EA-18G Growler which was confirmed by recent CCTV photos. The JH-7A is perfect for the Growler role: it has a twin-engine and a weapon systems officer (WSO) in an elevated rear tandem seat; a large external store load of 6500 kg; a long ferry range of 3650 km, and more importantly, a domestic airframe and electronics suite that can be modified at will.
http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw090618_2_n.shtml
“Paris Air Show: Raytheon’s C-RAM system testing grinds to a halt”
18 June 2009
By Peter Felstead
Raytheon’s work on a laser-based Phalanx counter-rocket and mortar (C-RAM) system has ground to a halt because the 50 kW fibre laser the company had borrowed for field tests has had to be returned to its owner.
] Thanks for posting the link.
No problemo, dude. Contrary to popular disbelief/misbelief, I’m not an assh_le on-line 100% of the time. XD
] Saw some old familar faces in the videos.
Story time…
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2486894/RAF-girls-fly-by-the-seat-of-their-panties.html
“RAF girls fly by the seat of their panties”
Published: 18 Jun 2009
By JOHN KAY
Chief Reporter
TOP Guns have amassed a treasure trove of knickers – paid by RAF girls as “fares” for a ride in a jet.
A whole wall of the Tornado pilots’ bar is covered with the framed panties – with more hanging from the ceiling.
(Sexism in action, IMO.)
http://www.hmhfp.info/dcm/IDF_Aniv.html
ROCAF IDF first flight 20th anniversary review video.
16 June 2009:
Two of three USAF F-16 pilots test-drive the Chicom L-15 flight sim.
The text says the terrain they fly over is the Salt Lake City area. 8b
http://dailynews.sina.com/bg/chn/chnmilitary/sinacn/20090616/1720360640.html
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/06/20/2003446658
“Animal abusers face jail, NT$1 million fines: COA”
Saturday, Jun 20, 2009, Page 2
STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA
In the latest alleged animal abuse case, a pet dog raised by a 78-year-old woman in Chiayi County was shot dead by the military last weekend after the animal strayed onto a runway at Chiayi air base.
18 June 2009:
Chia Yi (Jia Yi) Shui Shang AB, 455th Composite Wing, ROCAF.
Chia Yi AB clarified that WRT dogs that wander into the AB, the MPs only shoot and kill dogs that reach the runway area. They first try to shoo away dogs that wander into the perimeter, before they set phasers on kill. 8(
Locals, including an old woman and her granddaughter, complained that the MPs fired at will when their dog, which recently gave birth to four puppies, wandered into the perimeter.
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/090618/8/1lhic.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/090618/1/1lh97.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/photo/url/d/i/090618/1/20090618_2824343/20090618_2824343.jpg.html
http://udn.com/NEWS/SOCIETY/SOC5/4968901.shtml
http://hd.openv.com/pro_play-CCTV7prog_20090614_7055142.html
FWIW, CCTV-7 news vid, probably dated 14 June 2009, about J-10 export potential. 3 min 25 sec x 7 parts.
Boring, IMO… although one of the guests is a national defense university deputy professor = woman in uniform and wears glasses.