Fixed-wing – Page 1129
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Holding the fort
Singapore's air force has added to its defensive strength and more procurements are on the horizon Andrzej Jeziorski/SINGAPORE It's a small island republic with no indigenous natural resources, but Singapore has been a long-time economic winner, even by the standards of the pre-crash Pacific rim. Singapore's economy was one of ...
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US regulators approve BAe merger with Marconi
The planned merger of British Aerospace and GEC's Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) division has cleared the last US regulatory hurdle. The US defence and justice departments have signed off on the proposed deal on the condition that BAe erect so-called "firewalls" preventing the flow of competitive and sensitive information on ...
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Colombia takes more gunships
Colombia is to increase its fleet of police-operated armed helicopters with 14 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and associated armaments in a $221 million deal, say defence industry sources. The USA is to supply the UH-60s with GAU-19A and GAU-17 machine guns and M265 70mm (2.75in) rocket pods. Colombia's paramilitary police ...
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Raytheon launches ASTOR on to the international market
Stewart Penney/LONDON Raytheon has begun marketing an export version of the UK's Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) system. The unit is being offered internationally as the Ground Surveillance Airborne Radar System (GSARS). The UK Government selected Raytheon earlier this year as the preferred bidder to supply the Royal Air Force ...
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German dithering delays NH90
Julian Moxon/PARISThe four-nation NH Industries (NHI) NH90 transport helicopter programme is facing further delay because of German budget uncertainties. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for industrialisation and initial production of the NH90 was originally due to be signed at the Paris air show in June. Now it seems the signature ...
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Chechnya focuses Russian interest in night attack
Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW Russia's assault on Chechnya is focusing the Russian army's attention on more night-attack capable helicopters. In a separate move, Russia has agreed with the Ukrainian Government on the numbers of Antonov An-70s to be acquired. The Chechnya conflict has resulted in the army doubling to 20 its ...
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Denel reveals updated Seeker
Denel has developed an updated version of its Seeker unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed to provide greater range and endurance, as well as updating its payload. The first Seeker II is to fly early next year, with deliveries starting shortly after. The Seeker II has digital avionics and systems in ...
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Jaguar replacement pods undergo tests
UK reconnaissance equipment specialist W Vinten has completed first-phase testing of its Jaguar Replacement Reconnaissance Pod (JRRP). The JRRP is a fully electro-optical (EO) system that will update the Royal Air Force Sepecat Jaguar's wet-film reconnaissance pod. Sensor performance has been proved by 16 flights and full certification is ...
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Bahrain aims for training academy
Stewart Penney/LONDON Bahrain is seeking British Aerospace's assistance to set up a national flying training academy based around the company's Hawk advanced trainer. The Gulf state conducts its training overseas, but wants its own capability to instruct pilots from ab initio through to lead-in fighter training for its Lockheed Martin ...
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RAF receives first C-130J Hercules
The first Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules has finally been delivered to the Royal Air Force, the launch customer. The aircraft was handed over at a ceremony at the main operating base in Lyneham, Wiltshire, on 23 November. The original delivery was intended for 1996. Lockheed Martin paid heavy penalty charges ...
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Merlin leads CSAR field
Stewart Penney/WILTON The EH Industries Merlin HC3 is emerging as a front runner to meet the UK armed forces' requirement for a combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter. AVM David Niven, commander of the recently formed Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) says: "In the medium term, we need to work hard ...
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Airbus offers to pay 30% of A400M costs
Andrew Doyle/MUNICH Airbus Industrie is prepared to provide up to 30% of the development funding for the proposed A400M military airlifter if the money is required to get the programme launched, according to industry sources. The consortium believes its investment in the $6 billion development programme could be recovered through ...
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JSF faces STOVL engine problems
Guy Norris/LOS ANGELESBoeing and Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) concept demonstration development teams are tackling emerging problems with the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) propulsion systems. But both companies insist that the first flight target dates will still be met. Boeing's problems with the Pratt & Whitney JSF119-614 ...
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Matra BAe makes final Meteor push
Stewart Penney/LONDON Matra BAe Dynamics is organising a final push in its bid to win a deal to develop its Meteor missile to equip Royal Air Force Eurofighters ahead of a crucial UK Ministry of Defence Equipment Approvals Committee (EAC) meeting . The EAC meets on 6 December ...
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Lockheed Martin warns of JSF funding hitch
Lockheed Martin might need additional funding to continue evolving its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) proposal in the event that the programme office delays release of the final operational requirements document (ORD) until next year, the company has warned. The final ORD is scheduled to be completed by mid-December and ...
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Back in Business
DENNIS BLANK ORLANDO Since the crash in 1997, ValuJet has reinvented itself under the AirTran name. Its latest chief plans to keep profits rolling. It is more than three years since ValuJet crashed into the Florida Everglades, shutting down operations and dashing the hopes of a host of US low-cost ...
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Malaysian defenders
Malaysia's and Singapore's air forces have ambitious development plans. They open their doors to Flight International as a prelude to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 1999 on 1 - 5 DecemberAndrzej Jeziorski/KUALA LUMPURThe mission of the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) - or Royal Malaysian Air Force - ...
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GAMCO to support French products
Gulf Aircraft Maintenance (GAMCO) has signed memoranda of understanding with French companies Eurocopter and Turboméca to establish regional maintenance centres for the helicopter and engine manufacturers' products in the Gulf. The French connection has been further widened with a fighter support deal with Dassault. Abu Dhabi-based aircraft maintenance ...
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Airod eyes Mi-17 work
Malaysian aircraft maintenance and modification company Airod plans to import Russian aircraft manufacturing technology. The move could lead to the manufacture in Malaysia of Mil Mi-17 helicopters, as well as the later development of indigenous aircraft types, says Airod. Talks on the subject took place during recent visits to ...
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UAE closes on Alpha Jet purchase
The German Government is close to a deal to sell 32 reconditioned Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to meet air force training requirements. Although talks are at an advanced stage, progress is believed to have slowed recently in the face of opposition from Germany's Green ...