Fixed-wing – Page 1332
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Taiwan may ditch SAe F-5E package
TAIWAN MAY cancel plans for Singapore Aerospace (SAe) to convert ten Northrop F-5Es to reconnaissance aircraft, in response to opposition from local industry. The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is hoping to modify the fighters to the RF-5E TigerEye configuration, as replacements for its elderly Lockheed RF-104Gs. ...
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Czechs to drive ahead with MiG-21 upgrade
THE CZECH DEFENCE ministry is to push ahead with a contentious upgrade for at least 24 of its Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed fighter aircraft, despite objections that it is a waste of scarce resources. The ministry is expecting to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for an upgrade of ...
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Racal builds up base for EW bids
RACAL DEFENCE RADAR believes that the acquisition of the Thorn EMI sensor division at the end of March has given it a "world-class capability" in air systems which will strengthen the group's hand as it bids for future contracts, especially in the electronic-warfare (EW) market. Simon Mountfort, ...
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USA examines advanced-propulsion technology goals
PARTICIPANTS IN THE US defence department's Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative have begun studies of advanced-propulsion technology goals for "beyond IHPTET". The studies will help decide the direction which US fighter-engine technology will take beyond 2003, when the current three-phase IHPTET programme is due ...
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UK staves off French demands for Apache missile commitment
THE UK MINISTRY OF Defence (MoD) is dismissing French Government demands for a link between a major industrial merger and a £1 billion missile deal for the Royal Air Force. French Government officials want to see the UK MoD make a commitment to buying the Matra Apache standoff ...
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Australian navy eyes Israeli Barak-1 missile for frigates
THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY is evaluating the Israel Aircraft Industries/Rafael Barak-1 point-defence missile for its FFG- 7 frigates. Robert Ray, the Australian defence minister, will discuss a possible purchase during his present visit to Israel, which began on 23 April. The Barak-1 point-defence missile is operational on ...
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Aero Tiga aimed at North America
A JOINT US-MALAYSIAN venture is to market the AeroTiga light aircraft, formerly the Datwyler MD3-160 Swiss Trainer, in North America, with plans to begin final assembly there by 1996. SME Aero is a joint venture between Malaysia's SME Aviation and Florida-based Aero Associates. Production of the ...
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General in command
The day-to-day commander of NATO's Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia, Maj. Gen. Hal Hornburg of the US Air Force, describes as "crucial" the roles of the 150 NATO combat aircraft under his control in covering any United Nations retreat from war-torn former Yugoslavia. The director of the ...
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Russia places Mi-24 conversion contract
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has placed a contract with Rostov-based Rosvertol to convert an unspecified number of Mil Mi-24 military helicopters for a civil security role. A prototype has been stripped of its weapons and armour, the airframe fitted with new communications equipment and loudspeakers installed beneath the ...
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Samsung Goes Dutch
Samsung Aerospace has won a $5 million contract from the Dutch navy to repair and overhaul 20 Allison T56 turboprop engines fitted to its Lockheed P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. The South Korean Company won the three-year contract after competing against Aviall, Hunting and Sochata. Source: Flight International
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Bell tests
Preliminary airworthiness evaluations of the LHTEC T800-powered Bell UH-1H are to be completed in April, clearing the way for delivery of five re-engined helicopters to the US Border Patrol Agency for evaluation. Source: Flight International
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Shopping around
With an ageing combat and support fleet, the Thai air force is looking for rejuvenation. Ren‚ van Woezik/BANGKOK The countries bordering Thailand are in the process of upgrading their combat-aircraft inventories. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is ...
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UK investigates ITT jammer for Army attack helicopter
THE UK MINISTRY of Defence has begun a preliminary investigation into the suitability of the ITT Advanced Threat Radar Jammer (ATRJ) for the British Army Air Corps' next-generation battlefield attack helicopter. The radar jammer is now under development for use on US Army McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache attack ...
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Apache outruns the Tiger
What is behind the Netherlands decision to buy the AH-64 Apache instead of Eurocopter's Tiger? Douglas Barrie/LONDON Julian Moxon/PARIS After prolonged indecision, the Netherlands Government has finally made a choice for its "armoured-helicopter" requirement following a campaign between Eurocopter and McDonnell Douglas (MDC) which at times ...
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USA clears the way for Singapore tanker sale
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE THE US GOVERNMENT is giving the go-ahead for US companies to enter into formal discussions with Singapore over the supply of aerial-refuelling-tanker aircraft to support its fleet of Lockheed F-16s. Manufactures have already held initial talks with Singapore, but were awaiting clearance from the ...
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India tempted by Israeli Harpy
INDIA IS BEING OFFERED defence equipment by Israel, including airborne early-warning technology based on the Phalcon. The two countries have also sealed a $50 million deal for the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Harpy anti-radiation drone. The Harpy, as supplied to India, will consist of a mobile launcher carrying ...
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Clinton to plead for Pakistan F-16s
US PRESIDENT BILL Clinton has assured visiting Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto that he will try to persuade Congress to release 28 embargoed Lockheed F-16s or return the $600 million which Pakistan has already paid for the aircraft. Another option is to seek authorisation to sell the F-16s ...
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Crash sets back EH101 tests
WESTLAND HAS delayed further test flying of the EH Industries (Agusta/Westland) EH101 following the loss of naval prototype PP4. The aircraft crashed on 7 April during a test flight from Westland's Yeovil site in the UK. All four crew (two pilots and two test engineers) parachuted safely from ...
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Smiths says downturn may have ended
SMITHS INDUSTRIES believes that it may have hit the bottom of the aerospace downturn after reporting steady sales and improved profits for the first half of its financial year. The Smiths aerospace group turned in sales of £172 million for its first half to the end of January. ...
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UK MoD signs JAST agreement with USA
Douglas Barrie/LONDON SENIOR US AND UK defence officials have signed a statement of intent covering UK involvement in the Pentagon's Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) future combat-aircraft programme. The agreement, signed at the beginning of April, clears the way for negotiating a full memorandum of understanding ...