All Helicopters articles – Page 461
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News
UK MoD considers long-endurance UAV options
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) technology-demonstrator programme (TDP), which could be led by the Defence Evaluation Research Agency. In attempting to address its UAV requirements, the MoD has set up a tri-service steering group led by its Air ...
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Basic decisions
ALL THREE US tactical-aircraft programmes survived the Quadrenniel Defense Review (QDR) - but Congress will have to accept more base closures or one of the fighters may yet have to be cancelled. US Defense Secretary William Cohen has given lawmakers a stark choice: preserve the status quo and compromise combat ...
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-as USAF studies Boeing 707 re-engineing options
The US Air Force will seek innovative approaches for re-engineing additional Boeing 707-derivative aircraft which are now equipped with Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan engines. The study contracts, which will be awarded once funds have been identified, are expected to go to Boeing, which initiated the re-engineing debate ...
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Philippines spells out maritime needs
The Philippine air force has begun drawing up its requirement for six new long-range maritime-patrol aircraft (MPAs), as part of a recently approved 15-year defence-modernisation programme. A replacement fleet of MPAs represents the air force's next procurement priority after the acquisition of new multi-role fighters and surveillance radars. ...
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Engine power
France has been in the aero-engine business as long as aircraft have been flying, and today the industry remains present in virtually every area of propulsion activity. The two principal companies, state-owned Snecma and privately owned Turboméca, provide power for civil and military aircraft, helicopters and space - the latter ...
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Brazil and Canada battle over aircraft support
A trade dispute is building up between Brazil and Canada over the level of state support going to their rival regional-jet manufacturers, Embraer and Bombardier. The dispute began in June 1996 with allegations from Canada that sales finance being provided by Brazil's PROEXexport agency for the Embraer EMB-145 ...
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Joint-mission E-6B is delivered to Pentagon
RAYTHEON E-SYSTEMS has delivered the first E-6B joint services command and control aircraft to the US military. The TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) aircraft, an extensively modified Boeing 707, combines the functions of the US Air Force's EC-135C Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and the US Navy's E-6A ...
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UAVs and air expeditionary force top USAF priorities
Increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the adoption of an Air Expeditionary Force Concept (AEFC) are among the priorities for the US Air Force for the millennium, according to Gen Ronald Fogelman, the United States Air Force Chief of Staff. Speaking at the USAF's 50th anniversary ...
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Royal Navy begins process to replace Sea King Commando
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering a replacement for the Royal Navy Westland Sea King HC4 Commando assault helicopter under the auspices of the Future Amphibious Support Helicopter (FASH) project. The MoD is looking to introduce a replacement for the HC4 into service around 2008, according ...
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Airport role-reversal
On 1 January, 1998, the two main airports of Italy's second city will start a process of gradual role-reversal. Linate, which has always been Milan's main airport, is almost logjammed, while Milan Malpensa opens the first stage of a development which will give it more than twice Linate's capacity, both ...
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UK fails to deliver Boeing/GEC pact
UK Government attempts to massage a critical ú1 billion ($1.64 billion) Royal Air Force procurement programme to acquire a new maritime-patrol aircraft have ended in near farce. The ministerial promise of a "strategic partnership" between competitors Boeing and GEC has failed to materialise. When the Ministry of Defence ...
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Tilt-rotor arrives at initial-production hurdle
The Bell/Boeing V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft is expected to be cleared for low-rate initial production before the end of April, but a production increase is dependent on US Congress decisions. Backers of the Osprey military tilt-rotor were disappointed late in 1996, when the US Government rejected a proposal for ...
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News
Boeing and MDC line up to replace C-9
McDONNELL Douglas (MDC) and Boeing have declared their intention to compete to replace as many as 29 MDC C-9B support aircraft operated by the US Department of Defense for special missions. The US Navy Reserve operates the ageing C-9Bs for the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift mission. The ...
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News
Unmanned U-2 pitched at USAF
LOCKHEED Martin Skunk Works is studying an unmanned variant of the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, which it believes could meet various US Air Force requirements. The firm outlined its concept in an unsolicited proposal to the USAF in March. The U-2U variant would augment the manned U-2S for ...
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Centre of excellence
The market for cargo conversion of widebodied aircraft has been booming recently, as suitable aircraft have become available at the "right price" to make conversion programmes cost-effective. Although the Boeing 747 has been the prime candidate, the European specialists have developed conversions for the smaller, twin and tri-jet widebodies, the ...
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R-R, Boeing to draw up -524HT test plans
Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing covering the formulation of a flight-test schedule for the RB.211-524HT "hybrid" turbofan, although the timing of the programme remains uncertain as the UK manufacturer works to locate a suitable testbed aircraft. The -524HT, which uses the core of the ...
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Pentagon discloses JSF and B-2 costs
THE US DEPARTMENT of Defense has disclosed the total cost of the Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber programme and the cost estimate for research and development for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The latest Selected Acquisition Report (SAR), which helps US lawmakers track the cost of major US ...
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Working together
THREE COMPANIES came together to develop the F-22 in the belief that their combined resources would be required to see the programme through to production. They are being proved right. So far, the F-22 industry team has invested about $2 billion on the programme, estimates programme ...