Fixed-wing – Page 1178
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F-22 Raptor flight testing clears critical targets
Flight testing of the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor has passed the critical 183h mark, clearing the way for the US Congress to release $800 million in funding for two production representative test vehicles (PRTVs) and long-lead items for the initial Lot I batch of six fighters. The first two ...
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USAF will evaluate CL-327 Guardian
The Bombardier CL-327 Guardian vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle (UAV) has been selected by the US Air Force's UAV Battlelab to demonstrate how such craft can support non-combatant evacuations, humanitarian assistance and other missions. The series of demonstrations will take place next year under the sponsorship of ...
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South Africa unveils Mi-24 Hind upgrade kit
South Africa's Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE) has unveiled plans for a sensor and weapons upgrade kit for Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopters. The company expects to complete modification of one aircraft shortly, for use as a marketing demonstrator. Flight tests are due to get under way early next year. ...
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New Zealand approves F-16 lease
Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA New Zealand is to replace its ageing McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fleet with 28 Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs, originally built for Pakistan, under a leasing arrangement announced on 1 December by defence minister Max Bradford. New Zealand will pay just NZ$12.5million ($6.72 million) a year for ...
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Merlin enters Royal Navy service for flying trials
The Royal Navy formally introduced the Merlin HM1 helicopter into service on 1 December at RNAS Culdrose, where the aircraft will begin flying trials with the Intensive Flying Trials Unit, 700M Squadron. The squadron, which is likely to operate four Merlins, will be responsible for introducing service operating procedures ...
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NH90 prototype
The third of five prototype NH90 utility/transport helicopters has taken to the air at Eurocopter's Marignane plant. The aircraft is the first to be fitted with the core avionics system, comprising automatic flight controls, navigation, communication and identification, plant management system and "glass cockpit". The first prototype has now accumulated ...
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P-3 sustainment study may turn into MMA
Lockheed Martin, a Raytheon Systems/Bombardier Services team, and possibly Boeing have submitted bids for the US Navy's P-3C Service Life Assessment Programme (SLAP) that would lead to major airframe modifications designed to keep the Orion aircraft flying until 2015, when the Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) is expected to enter service. ...
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First production Rafale flies
Julian Moxon/PARIS The first series production two-seat Dassault Rafale fighter has flown as the French Government prepares to place a firm multiyear order for 28 aircraft, plus 20 options. The order, delayed considerably during negotiations over the future of Dassault and the Government's demand for cost reductions, will ...
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Agreement reached on J-STARS work
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have agreed to develop the Radar Technology Insertion Programme (RTIP) radar upgrade for the Northrop Grumman Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), ending a row between the companies over the project. Research and development work will be split 50:50, with Raytheon becoming a subcontractor ...
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Airborne warning S-2 is offered to Brazil navy
Embraer and Marsh Aviation have submitted a proposal to the Brazilian navy to produce S-2F3T/E-1T Turbo Trackers to meet the service's airborne early warning (AEW) requirement. The "informal" proposal, made in November, covers the conversion of former US Navy E-1s rather than ex-Brazilian air force S-2s. "We'd rather use ...
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Dawn of the auxiliary
Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES Tables complied by Air Transport Intelligence Auxiliary Power units (APUs) rarely grab the headlines. Until recent times, any mention of APUs has generally been for the wrong reasons - failures, poor reliability and inadequate support. Now it seems the tide has turned in virtually every aspect ...
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Re-engined firefighting TurboTracker delivered
The first of eight re-engined Grumman S-2F3T TurboTracker firebombers has been formally delivered by Arizona-based conversion specialist Marsh Aviation, to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). Four aircraft, all of them ex-USNavy operated S-2E Trackers, will be delivered to the CDF by the start of the ...
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Joint Strike Fighter engines under test
All four engine variants for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) concept demonstrators are under test at Pratt &Whitney. The F119 derivative, which will power Boeing's X-32B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) JSF demonstrator, entered ground testing in late November, joining three other engines already being tested for the programme. ...
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Evans looks to lead in Turkish forces bid
Evans &Sutherland (E&S) plans to lead a bid to build and operate a privately financed helicopter training centre for the Turkish armed forces. A request for quotations is expected by year-end, says vice-president for business development David Janke. The centre would house simulators for the Eurocopter Cougar, Sikorsky Black ...
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US Air Force accelerates plans for networked simulators
The US Air Force is pushing ahead with plans to acquire networked aircraft simulators under innovative "fee forservice" contracts. Air Combat Command commander Gen Richard Hawley says the Distributed Mission Training (DMT) initiative is key to plans to reorganise the USAF into 10 "expeditionary aerospace forces [EAFs]". The EAF ...
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CAE and Sogitec visuals alliance throws out a challenge to E&S
CAE Electronics has formed an alliance with Sogitec Industries to market and develop visual systems, to compete more effectively against industry leader Evans & Sutherland (E&S). The agreement unites CAE's MaxVue mid-range visual system and Sogitec's high-performance Apogee-3, which will be marketed to military customers as the MaxVue Medallion. ...
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Second Alligator
The second Kamov Ka-50-2 attack helicopter is under way at the Progress plant in Arseneyev, Russia. The helicopter, a two-seat version of the Ka-50, is financed by Kamov as a private venture. Source: Flight International
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Stork takes over Fokker's share of Belgium's SABCA
Engineering conglomerate Stork has taken over the 42.8% interest in Belgian aerospace company SABCA previously held by Fokker. SABCA is now owned 52.9% by Dassault Aviation, with Stork holding most of the remainder. The Dutch company also took over much of Fokker's operations after its March 1996 bankruptcy, ...
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Elusive goals
Affording to keep the peace around the world is becoming, for many air forces around the world, the most elusive of goals. Increasingly, costly commitments in terms of planning, wear and tear on equipment and impact on personnel continue to test allied coalition forces. Scaled back defence budgets simply serve ...
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Lyulka Saturn reveals 3-D vectoring nozzle
Russian engine manufacturer Lyulka Saturn has publicly revealed a three-dimensional thrust vectoring version of its AL-31 powerplant for the first time at the recent Air Show China 98 show (Flight International, 25 November-1 December). The new AL-31FP is fitted with an all-axis thrust vectoring nozzle. Lyulka Saturn says it is ...