UAE Orders C-17s, C-130Js
Article excerpt from Defense Industry Daily
UAE Orders C-17s, C-130Js
21-Dec-2009 15:05 EST
The United Arab Emirates’ IDEX has become the arms industry’s biggest middle eastern event. The biggest news from IDEX 2009 was the UAE’s twin selections of medium and heavy transport aircraft worth AED 10.7 billion (about $2.78 billion).
The UAE would see Gulf Cooperation Council partner Qatar’s 2 C-17s, and raise them 2. Those 4 long-range strategic transport aircraft from Boeing will cost AED 4.3 billion (about $1.3 billion). They will be paired with an AED 5.9 billion (about $1.6 billion) deal for 12 of Lockheed Martin’s C-130J medium-range tactical transports, creating a force that gives the UAE’s military considerable mobility within the country – and beyond. Given the country’s geographic position, and the global shortage of military airlift capacity outside of the United States, a force of this size and quality can be parlayed into international influence by supporting multi-national military deployments and humanitarian efforts from Africa to south Asia.
Neither purchase has led to a signed contract yet, but negotiations continue. One sign that the parties are getting closer comes from the US DSCA, which has added language about Afghanistan for the 2nd time now…
Source: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/UAE-Orders-C-17s-C-130Js-05302/#more-5302
So the Su-35S will feature an onboard station where ground crew could plug in a computer to do maintenance etc etc?
I find it very strange if it don’t..
Even my car have this feature, why shouldn’t a fighter produced in 2010 have this..:confused:Thanks
Maybe the Sukhoi aircraft engineers are aware of the limitations of computer-based maintenance systems in unforgiving climatic environments like the Siberian cold, or the dry Central Asian deserts which the temperature and humidity can stuff up the solid-state computer components on the Su-35.
Thus Sukhoi would want to do away with a computer-based maintenance system and let the ground crew maintain and repair the plane the old-fashioned way with a repair manual, toolkits and some spare parts.
The PAK FA however, if Sukhoi chooses, would have a computer-based maintenance system like the F-22 Raptor, with the VVS ground crew a plug-in laptop computer reverse-engineered from the Panasonic Toughbook.
A400M Takes Off!
Article from Defense Update
A400M Takes Off!
The newest European Military Transport Aircraft, Airbus A400M took off on its maiden flight today from Seville Airport in Spain, with Airbus Chief Test Pilot Military, Edward “Ed” Strongman at the controls and Experimental Test Pilot Ignacio “Nacho” Lombo in the right-hand seat.
Today’s long awaited first flight lasted 3 hours 47 minutes embarks on an extensive test program that will include about 3,700 hours of flying by an eventual five aircraft conducted between now and entry-into-service at the end of 2012.
The A400M will receive both civil certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and military certification and qualification.
Airbus is planning on an initial production of 184 aircraft that have so far been ordered by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom with initial deliveries planned for late 2012.
The A400M has a gross take-off weight of 127 tons. For the test flight configuration it carries 15 tons of flight-test equipment including two tons of water ballast. Its performance is being monitored in real-time by teams of engineers in Seville and Toulouse using state-of-the-art air-ground telemetry. On the first flights the crew will explore the aircraft’s handling characteristics in the various flap configurations, check the powerplant operation and make initial evaluations of the aircraft’s systems.
The aircraft is powered by four Europrop International (EPI) TP400D turboprop powerplants producing 11,000shp (8,200kW) each. These are the most powerful propeller engines ever fitted to a Western aircraft. The A400M features the same proven fly-by-wire controls technology as Airbus’ highly successful airliner family and an advanced cockpit that has evolved from that of the A380. Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) wings and other large structures bring weight and strength advantages and cut the risk of corrosion.
Source: http://www.defense-update.com/features/2009/december/a400m_takes_off_111209.html
EA-18G Cleared for Full Rate Production
Article from Defense Update
EA-18G Cleared for Full Rate Production
Boeing is moving the EA-18G Growler into Full Rate Production (FRP) following approval by the U.S. Navy after the aircraft achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on September 22 this year, operating with U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron VAQ-132, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. The first potential deployment of the Growler is slated for 2010, while the Navy expects the Prowler-to-Growler transition to be completed by 2013.
The EA-18G’s was designed to operate either from the deck of an aircraft carrier or from land-based fields. As a fully capable combat aircraft it is capable of delivering a full-spectrum electronic attack capability, including escort jamming, and air defense suppression using precision guided and radar homing weapons. It also has the standard targeting and self-defense capabilities derived from the Navy’s frontline strike fighter, the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet. The EA-18G aircraft combines the two-seat, twin-engine F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block 2 with the Improved Capability III electronics receiver system from the EA-6B Prowler to provide next-generation electronic attack capability to the warfighter. The AEA package combines the ALQ-218 receiver, ALQ-99 jamming pods, communication countermeasures and satellite communications. Along with the electronic attack suite, the Growler also features the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a game-changing radar in its own right.
The Navy has authorized to procure and produce 54 EA-18G aircraft remaining in the current program of record which includes a total of 88 aircraft; Boeing expects to produce about 20 aircraft per year. The rapid pace will enable the navy to begin the replacement of aging EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft, which remained the only airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform in inventory. The Navy’s first electronic airborne attack aircraft to be manufactured in more than 35 years since the Prowler entered service in 1971.
The first Growler test aircraft went into production October 2004 and made its first flight August 2006. Following the delivery to the fleet in June 2008, the Growler conducted sea trials and entered initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E). The major milestone of IOC marks the end of the IOT&E phase for the Growler program. Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor, leads the EA-18G Growler industry team, which also includes Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Electric Aircraft Engines.
Source: http://www.defense-update.com/features/2009/december/ef18g_frp_071209.html
I’m excited to see how many other PAK FA saga episodes we have to see before we finally see the real thing. 😉
Maybe 13 PAK FA episodes, 14 or perhaps 15 if there are any setbacks.
The longer the setbacks, the longer her U.S. rival, the F-22 Raptor enjoys her reign of air dominance.
I bet 2 more.
Feel free to gamble on the issue. 🙂
Possibly 3 or 4. :confused:
P-6M Seamaster
A solution to the U.S. Navy vulnerable carriers:
The Seaplane must return or the surface Navy is finished
Or how about mating a late mark Spitfire with the Merlin or Griffon engine? And perhaps increasing its fuel capacity like a bloated whale?
It wouldn’t have hurt if the Allies had waited just a little longer to get the late mark Spitfire with RAF squadrons to escort 8th AF bombers into the Third Reich, would it?
Turkey Orders 30 F-16C Block 50s etc. for $2.9B
Article excerpt from Defense Industry Daily
Turkey Orders 30 F-16C Block 50s etc. for $2.9B
On Sept 28/06, the US DSCA notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 30 more F-16C Block 50 aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.9 billion. This sale is in addition to Turkey’s $1.1 billion upgrade program for its existing F-16 fleet, which aims to bring all of its aircraft to a common configuration. More than 200 F-16 aircraft currently make up the backbone of Turkey’s current fighter fleet, and this marks the 52nd follow-on buy of F-16s by 14 repeat customers. Over 4,300 F-16s have been delivered to 24 nations. The final Turkish F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2013.
DID readers will also recall the recent buy of 30 F-16 Block 50/52 Plus aircraft by Turkey’s rival Greece. While the Hellenic Air force has decided to pass on the option for an additional 10 F-16s and delayed consideration of new fighters beyond 2011, Turkey joined the F-35’s production planning phase in 2007. If they decide to continue, orders will be placed in 2008-2009.
Meanwhile, the Government of Turkey is moving ahead with its F-16 fleet expansion plans. This article will cover the deal as its component contracts and agreements come together. The latest items include a major purchase of targeting pods, giving the TuAF a new level of ground strike capability…
Source: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/turkey-orders-30-f16c-block-50s-et-al-for-29b-02671/
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