SPERWER LOSSES
The Royal Netherlands Army has lost two of its Sagem Sperwer reconnaissance unmanned air vehicles during operations in support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan so far this year. The service acquired four Sperwer systems in 2002, with each comprising three UAVs, a launcher vehicle and ground control station.
APACHE MOVE
The British Army is to consolidate operations of its Westland/Boeing Apache AH1 attack helicopters at Wattisham airfield in Suffolk by moving the Army Air Corps' 656 and 664 squadrons to the site from Dishforth, Yorkshire by September 2007. Two AgustaWestland Lynx utility helicopter squadrons will move the other way.
MODIFICATION WORK
The first of two Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757s to undergo an eight-month modification programme has arrived in the USA to be modified by Mobile Aerospace Engineering in Mobile, Alabama, and Boeing in Wichita, Kansas. The programme includes full airframe and avionics modifications including the installation of a new forward cargo door and rear air stairs. The first modified aircraft is expected to return to New Zealand in December 2007, and both platforms will be fully operational from March 2008.
OBSTACLE WARNING
Elop is developing a new three-dimensional situation awareness system for helicopters based on its current laser obstacle ranging and display (LORD) system. The new design will allow pilots to operate an aircraft at low level without using radar by showing a contour map of obstacles on a head-up or multifunction display, says company president Haim Rousso. The Israeli air force is equipping its Sikorsky CH-53 assault helicopters with the LORD system, and could extend the upgrade to include its Sikorsky S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk transports.
Source: Flight International
