Fixed-wing – Page 1303
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USAF begins JDAM drop tests
THE US AIR FORCE has begun separation tests of the tri-service Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from a Rockwell B-1B bomber at Edwards AFB, California. The first three McDonnell-Douglas (MDC)-built JDAMs, modified Mk84 1,000kg blast-fragmentation bombs fitted with global-positioning-system (GPS) receivers, inertial-navigation systems and guidance fins, were dropped ...
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Taiwan looks for foreign training
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE TAIWAN IS seeking access to foreign military bases and training ranges for its air force, to overcome the problem of increasingly restricted airspace. According to local reports, Taiwan has approached several countries, including Australia, the Philippines and the USA. The move will almost certainly meet with opposition from ...
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Laser pod paves way for AMX/Tornado LGB role
THE ITALIAN AIR force has deployed for the first time Panavia Tornados modified to carry Thomson-CSF CLDP laser designators and Texas Instruments Paveway II laser-guided bombs (LGBs). The air force is also carrying the Paveway IIs on its AMX attack aircraft. Six Tornado interdictor-strike aircraft were modified initially ...
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Sukhoi details Su-25TM Frogfoot upgrade project
Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW SUKHOI PLANS to complete development tests in 1997 of the Su-25TM all-weather version of its Frogfoot attack aircraft, says Vladimir Babak, chief designer for the programme. A new designation, Su-39, has been adopted for the modernised aircraft by the design bureau, although it is not yet ...
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Australian Army narrows combat helicopter choice
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE THE AUSTRALIAN Army appears to be narrowing down its requirement for a future reconnaissance and fire-support helicopter to a tandem-seat attack-type design. A major capabilities study, defining the Army's Air 87 requirements, is scheduled to be submitted in June to the Australian defence department's Force Structure and ...
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NVG modifications begin on F-16s
LOCKHEED MARTIN is modifying US Air Force Block 40 night-attack F-16s with interior and exterior lighting compatible with night-vision goggles (NVGs). The USAF plans to equip 250 aircraft with NVG-compatible lighting to enhance the F-16's close-air-support capability. Four aircraft have been modified for use in an NVG tactics-development ...
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MDC revises Grand SLAM RAF missile proposal
McDONNELL DOUGLAS (MDC) has modified its stand-off-missile proposal to the Royal Air Force to provide a weapon offering fire-and-forget and man-in-the loop guidance modes. The US defence contractor is now offering an advanced imaging infra-red seeker from GEC-Marconi Radar and Defence Systems and Loral, alongside an automatic target-recognition ...
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UK offers Tornado GR4 to UAE
Douglas Barrie/LONDON THE UK IS TO OFFER the United Arab Emirates (UAE) new-build Panavia Tornado GR4s to meet its strike-aircraft requirement, with British Aerospace now completing a bid worth more than £1.5 billion ($2.27 billion). The Gulf state is to be offered 24 Tornado GR4s, along ...
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Mikoyan considers 1.42 replacement
MIKOYAN IS considering developing a new, more-affordable, fighter to replace the Article 1.42, using technology from its stalled fifth-generation fighter programme. A senior official from the design bureau has admitted that the 1.42 is virtually unaffordable for the Russian air force. Anatoliy Belosvet, deputy general director ...
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Northrop Grumman replaces USAF wings
NORTHROP GRUMMAN IS MANUFACTURING a batch of 27 ship-sets of replacement wings for F-5E/F fighters operated by some 25 nations. The work is part of a block order announced in August 1995 under the USAF RF/F-5 structural-upgrade programme. Northrop Grumman was selected to manufacture 14 major structural components and replacement ...
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IPTN examines AEW option for N-250
INDUSTRI PESAWAT Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has expanded its study of a possible future airborne early-warning (AEW) role for the new N-250 turboprop. The Indonesian manufacturer has formed a study team to look at AEW applications for the N-250. The study centres on around two AEW configurations proposed by ...
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Finland pools defence around F-18 assembly
FINLAND PLANS TO bring together its national defence industry into a new state-owned company, whose activities will include assembly of the country's McDonnell Douglas F-18s. The F-18 work had been handled by the aviation division of Valmet, a broad-based industrial group, which has decided to refocus on core ...
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Falcon battles with Phantom in Turkey
Douglas Barrie/LONDON Ari Egozi/TEL AVIV LOCKHEED MARTIN is offering several F-16 options to Turkey in an attempt to derail Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Turkish air force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom upgrade programme, which has run into political and financial difficulties. It is understood that ...
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AIROD props UP C-130H
Airod of Malaysia has signed an accord with Turbo-power and Zetro Services, to establish an Allison T56 and 501 turbo-prop engine-repair and overhaul centre. The joint venture will be geared primarily to supporting the Malaysian air force's 14 Lockheed Martin C-130H/-30s. Source: Flight International
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GTE cleans up with Finnish deliveries
Andrew Doyle/LONDON THE FINNISH air force and flag carrier Finnair have each taken delivery of engine-compressor-wash systems from Sweden's Gas Turbine Efficiency, after carrying out a 12-month evaluation of the product. The air force will use the GTE Cleaning System for all of its aircraft, ...
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VISTA/F-16 to test F-22 flight control
Graham Warwick/ATLANTA HANDLING QUALITIES of the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 are to be evaluated in flight tests of the US Air Force's variable-stability in-flight simulator aircraft (VISTA), a modified Lockheed Martin F-16. The Calspan-operated VISTA/F-16 will be programmed with the F-22's flight- control laws for a series of 30 ...
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Building the F-22
The first Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 fighter is finally taking shape. Graham Warwick/ATLANTA A CORNER OF THE massive assembly building at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Georgia, plant has been resurfaced, repainted and surrounded by a high white fence. Behind this fence, preparations are well under way for final assembly of ...
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Brunei concludes Black Hawk deal with Sikorsky
BRUNEI IS UNDERSTOOD to have concluded a deal with Sikorsky to purchase initially four UH-60L Black Hawk utility helicopters for military use. The UH-60L was selected after a prolonged evaluation of rival helicopters Eurocopter AS.532 Cougar and Indonesian Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) licence-built NAS.332 Super Puma. ...
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JSTARS aircraft boost Bosnia effort
INTENSE NATO aerial-reconnaissance efforts to support alliance troops in Bosnia have been boosted by the introduction of US Air Force Northrop Grumman E-8A/C Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft from Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany. The 400-strong, 4500th Joint Stars Squadron (Provisional) has been in ...
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Israel and Jordan discuss F-16 work
ISRAELI AND JORDANIAN military officials have held discussions over the former providing maintenance for Jordanian air force Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs, 16 of which are to be supplied by the US Government under a recently concluded agreement. The USA will provide Jordan with 12 F-16As and four two-seat F-16Bs ...