Aviation News

[qsaark]

18/03/09

Boeing confirms that its single-largest customer for the F-15E, the US Air Force, is finalising a new, long-term upgrade "roadmap" for the multirole fighter.

The ongoing initiative by the Air Combat Command, which is scheduled to be complete in July, is aimed at improving the F-15E's avionics and "supportability", says Mark Bass, Boeing's vice-president for F-15 programmes. That timing will allow the USAF to propose the roadmap for budget approval starting in fiscal year 2012.

The USAF has meanwhile been briefed about the F-15 "Silent Eagle", Boeing's newly unveiled F-15E development featuring a reduced head-on radar cross section, BAE Systems digital electronic warfare suite (DEWS) and horizontal stabilisers canted by 15°.

However, Boeing offered the briefing only as a courtesy, as the aircraft is focused primarily on the international market. The USAF "thinks it's a very good fit for the international market", says Bass.

Separately, Boeing has also presented additional details about BAE's DEWS equipment to the USAF, Bass says, with the design - which includes an integrated radar jammer and radar warning receiver (RWR) - is among the F-15E upgrades under review by the service.

BAE confirms that the DEWS package is derived from the EW suite designed for the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, using a modular software architecture system called Barracuda. A key feature of the system is an interleaving mode that allows the pilot to continue jamming while simultaneously operating the radar and RWR.

The USAF plans to continue operating at least 200 F-15Es until 2035. But upgrade proposals, including digital avionics and towed decoys, have faced budget pressure from the USAF's strategy to buy a full complement of fifth-generation fighters.

Last year, the USAF awarded Boeing a contract to launch a radar modernisation programme for the F-15E, which upgrades the type's radar with Raytheon's APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array.

Source: Flight - Airline Industry news, aviation jobs & airline recruitment

 

[qsaark]

A new report by US congressional auditors warns that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter faces up to three years of delays and $7.4 billion in cost overruns.

In the Government Accountability Office's latest annual update on the $300 billion programme, the agency continues to criticise the programme's plans and resources for development and production as inadequate and highly risky.

While the F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) reported a new $2.4 billion overrun to the GAO, a "joint estimating team" puts the number at $7.4 billion.

The two estimates are split on several points. For example, the JPO estimate does not include $1.4 billion to develop an alternate engine. The joint team also predicts the JSF will require about 2,700h of flight testing for missions systems, while the JPO estimates only 1,700h.

The JPO responds that software development for the F-35 is 18 months ahead of the US Air Force's Lockheed F-22 programme at a similar stage of development. The prime contractor is also using a network of advanced laboratories to reduce flight tests through simulation, although the GAO report notes that those models have not been accredited.

The GAO also raises new details about manufacturing glitches during the development phase. Total projected labour hours to manufacture the final 11 flight-test aircraft have jumped by 40% since 2007, according to a GAO analysis of Department of Defense data.

One specific problem is an overlap in the schedule for manufacturing and mating the aircraft's wing. Lockheed had planned to resolve the problem, but new data shows it will persist through 2009, the GAO reports. It also cites the example of a "major team-mate supplier responsible for fuselage and tail assembly" that has faced delays caused by a lack of machining capacity. BAE Systems is responsible for assembling the F-35's tail section.


Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...nt-strike.html

 

[Hasnain2009]

PAF capable of ensuring country’s strong defence: PM

ISLAMABAD, Mar 19 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan Air Force has always played an important role in the defence of the country in addition to providing vital support to civil administration in relief and rehabilitation efforts during natural calamities. The Prime Minister was talking to newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman who called on him at PM House this morning.

The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that under the new Air Chief’s able leadership, Pakistan Air Force would continue to achieve professional excellence.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman thanked the government for reposing confidence in his abilities.

 

[qsaark]

The government has turned down a grant offer of 10 Mirage 2000 jet fighters from the Qatari government due to a lack of funds for maintenance, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said on Thursday.

Juwono said Qatar offered the jets six months ago through Indonesia’s ambassador in Doha. The government needed only to send a letter requesting the aircraft.

“I have not sent a letter,” Juwono said. “But had I sent one, I would have told them that our state budget is focused on infrastructure and improving the people’s welfare. The military’s procurement of equipment must give way to those programs.”

Stopping short of disclosing maintenance costs for currently operated aircraft, Juwono said that the military’s budget did not allow for maintaining additional planes.

The Air Force was tempted by Qatar’s offer, Juwono said, but “I have told them that it is the maintenance costs that made us think twice about accepting the offer.”

The minister said there was no guarantee that French company Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Mirage fighters, would maintain its position in the international aviation industry in light of the current global recession.

“We do not want equipment that cannot be used for the long term,” he said.

Juwono said instead of acquiring more weaponry, the government had decided to focus on obtaining the best military technology. He said the recent purchases of Russian Sukhoi jet fighters and transport-attack helicopters, along with four Sigma-class corvettes, would help modernize the country’s military.

Source: Jakarta Globe

 

[qsaark]

PARIS - Commercial and technical negotiations on a sale of 14 French Rafale fighter jets to Libya have been largely completed, and politics will dictate the timing of any announcement of a deal, an industry executive said March 19.

"The negotiations are done, more or less," the executive said.

Asked when a deal would be announced, the executive said, "It's politics, it's always politics."

Col. Muammar Khaddafi, the Libyan head of state, signed an agreement granting six months' exclusive negotiations for the Rafale when he visited Paris in December 2007. Human rights organizations criticized the visit by the Libyan leader and the prospective arms sales.

The Rafales expected to be sold to Tripoli would be similar to the F3 standard entering service in the French Air Force, capable of aerial combat and ground strikes.

The weapons package is being negotiated separately. MBDA, the European missile firm that supplies weapons for the Rafale, declined comment.

France has yet to sell the Rafale to a foreign customer, although the aircraft is flying in a handful of competitions.

"Negotiations are still going on with Libya," Jacques-Emmanuel Lajugie, the head of the international division of the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA), said March 17. The talks were lasting as long as expected, he said. The DGA is the French government's military procurement office.

MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier said separately March 17 that he expected a large export sale for missiles tied to the Rafale this year or next, as well as weapons for the FREMM frigate, a new warship being built for France and Italy.

There are concerns that the economic crisis will hit defense spending in Brazil and Greece, where the Rafale is competing for orders, the industry executive said.

Switzerland has completed a series of flight trials of the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden's Gripen as part of a tender to replace F-5 fighter jets. It is expected to take six months to evaluate the data from the tests.

India also is looking to buy 126 new warplanes, but that competition is expected to take a long time, even by military procurement timetables, industry executives said.

Dassault is looking for customers to buy the Mirage 2000-9 aircraft that the United Arab Emirates intends to replace with Rafales, Chief Executive Charles Edelstenne said March 19. A first delivery of the Rafale to the UAE would not be before 2012, and the UAE Air Force would probably need about three year's time to train aircrews on the new aircraft. "We have time to prospect," he said.

DGA Chief Executive Laurent Collet-Billon said March 17 that the French Air Force would not be taking the Mirage 2000-9s from the UAE.

Source: Deal Near on Sale of 14 Rafales to Libya - Defense News

 

[qsaark]

The U.S. Air Force's new F-22 aircraft is proving more difficult to maintain than planned. Because of the time required to maintain the stealth features of the aircraft, only 60 percent of them are available for service at any given time. Non-stealth fighters have a readiness rate of 70-80 percent. This is not a new problem.
As recently as three years ago, only about seven of the U.S. Air Force's 21 B-2 bombers were ready to go at any time. The air force was already trying to solve the problem, using a combination of robots, sprayers and quality control in an attempt to double the readiness rate. This was essential, because the B-2 was frequently getting called a "Hangar Queen" (an aircraft that spends too much time in the hangar for maintenance or repairs).

Five years ago, the U.S. Air Force introduced the use of robots to reduce the maintenance efforts required to keep their B-2 bombers flying. The B-2 uses a stealth (anti-radar) system that depends a lot on a smooth outer skin. That, in turn, requires that the usual access panels and such on the B-2 must be covered with tape and special paste to make it all smooth. The F-22 uses a similar system. After every flight, a lot of this tape and paste has to be touched up, either because of the result of flying, or because access panels had to be opened. All this takes at lot of time, being one of the main reasons the B-2 required 25 man hours of maintenance for each hour in the air. Since most B-2 missions have been 30 or more hours each, well, do the math. The readiness rate of the B-2 fleet (of 21 aircraft) has been about 35 percent, which was less than half the rate of most other aircraft. This means, that whenever there is a crises that requires the attention of B-2s, there are not many of these bombers ready to fly.

The main base for B-2s is in Missouri, and over a thousand maintenance personnel were assigned to take care of 21 aircraft there. A team of four robots were installed, to liquid coating to B-2s, thus cutting maintenance hours in half. But there were quality control problems with the liquid coating, often forcing maintenance crews to go back to tape and paste. Eventually, the quality control problems were solved, and, readiness rate of B-2s went up to over 50 percent.

B-2s still require a special, climate controlled hangars. There are some portable B-2 hangars, that can be flown to distant bases, thus keeping the bombers in the air less, and reducing the amount of maintenance needed. B-2 quality hangars were built at Guam, in the Pacific, and Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean

Still, the cost to operate the B-2 is over three times that of the B-52. If stealth is not an issue (not much enemy opposition), than it's a lot cheaper to send a B-52. This is exactly what the air force does most of the time. But in a war with a nation possessing modern (or even semi-modern) air defenses, the B-2s can be very valuable. Costing over two billion dollars each to buy, and very expensive to operate, the B-2s provide that extra edge. No other nation has anything like the B-2s, although many are working on ways to defeat it's stealth and knock them down. When equipped with over a hundred of the new SDB (250 pound, GPS guided Small Diameter Bomb), the B-2 can be a formidable one-plane air force.

F-22 do for air-superiority what the B-2 does for defeating enemy air defenses. While many nations claim they can defeat the American stealth capabilities, no one has proven it yet, and no one really wants to be the first to try.

Source: StrategyPage Error Page 2

 

[Hasnain2009]

Pakistan Pledges to Maintain Military Modernisation Asian Defence Industry Monitor

Source: Pakistan Daily
Date: 24 March 2009

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday assured the government’s full support for the $28 billion Armed Forces Development Plan 2025 (AFDP), official sources told Daily Times.
The cabinet’s defence committee, headed by Gilani, discussed various dimensions of national defence and security, and also reviewed the AFDP 2025 in detail.
The AFDP, started in 2004-05, was initially estimated at $15 billion and expected to be completed by 20014-15, but it was later enhanced to 2024-25 with a total outlay of $28 billion, the sources said.
The government is allocating over a $1 billion annually to cater to the country’s defence needs, which include acquisition of latest weapons, aircraft and enhancing the country’s weapons manufacturing capability.
Despite the ongoing financial crunch, the government has met the AFDP’s requirements in the current fiscal year.
The sources said when the budget 2008-09 was announced, allocations for salaries were not met completely, as there had remained a shortfall of a few billion rupees.
To meet the financing shortfall, an additional allocation of Rs 10 billion was approved for the three forces. With the addition, the total outlay of the defence budget has increased from Rs 295 billion to Rs 305 billion for 2008-09, the sources added.
The ministers of defence, foreign affairs and information, and the advisers on finance and interior were present in the meeting along with the chiefs of the country’s armed forces.

Comment: Pakistan had to borrow USD7.5 billion from the IMF last year. Maintaining priority on defence modernisation in light of this will be very difficult to keep up.

 

[qsaark]

16:40 GMT, March 25, 2009 São José dos Campos | Embraer delivered the first Phenom 100 jet, yesterday, at its Headquarters, in São José dos Campos, Brazil, to Pakistan’s Air Force. The Pakistan government has acquired four of this aircraft model, which will be used to transport government officials of that country. This transaction is already included in Embraer’s fourth quarter firm order backlog.

“Embraer is honored to enjoy the confidence of Pakistan’s Government for operating our products,” said Orlando José Ferreira Neto, Embraer Executive Vice President, Defense and Government Market. “The Phenom 100 is an excellent aircraft that meets a broad range of transportation demands and, with the way opened by the Pakistan Air Force on the international market, we are seeing a growing interest in this model in several other regions.”

This is the first Embraer aircraft delivered to a customer in Pakistan, and it is also the first Phenom 100 to be operated by a government. The country’s Air Force chose this model after carrying out a detailed analysis of such aspects as performance, comfort, technology, acquisition price, and operating costs, among others.

The Phenom 100 jet can accommodate up to eight occupants. Its range of 1,178 nautical miles (2,182 km), including NBAA IFR fuel reserves, means the aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from Islamabad (Pakistan) to Karachi (Pakistan) or Katmandu (Nepal), from New York to Miami, in the U.S., or from London to Rome, in Europe. The jet was certified in December 2008, and proved to be the fastest and to have the largest baggage capacity in its category. The Phenom 100 has the latest in cockpit design and a private aft lavatory as one of its most competitive features.

source:defence.professionals | defpro.com

 

[qsaark]

16:29 GMT, March 25, 2009 DALLAS, TX | A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher successfully fired two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) during a U.S. Army “common launcher” feasibility demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, NM. U.S. Army and industry representatives conducted the “proof of concept” firing to examine the viability of firing an air defense missile from the currently-fielded HIMARS.

The demonstration featured two modified AMRAAMs, which were rail-launched from a modified Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) enclosure assembly launch pod mounted on a HIMARS launcher. The test, in which all objectives were met, included the operational test missiles (configured from excess AMRAAM assets); integration of modified Surfaced Launched AMRAAM launch rails into an empty ATACMS pod; and the launch of the AMRAAMs using the HIMARS fire control system with modified software.

The Army is evaluating HIMARS as a potential solution for a light “common launcher” for future air defense, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and ATACMS munitions. In addition to its capability to support multi-mission munitions, the HIMARS launcher offers tactical flexibility, high reliability and C-130 transportability.

“We’re looking at the idea of a ‘common launcher,’” said Col. Dave Rice, U.S Army Project Manager, Precision Fires Rocket & Missile Systems. “We’re looking at HIMARS because it is already in the force, it’s very deployable, it’s a great platform to be a common launcher, and we’ve now shown it can successfully fire air defense missiles.”

The U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery branch schools are now consolidated under a single Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, OK, resulting in areas of commonality between the two combat arms branches. The “common launcher” concept is one example where both air defense artillery and field artillery operational needs are jointly addressed.

“We believe this test firing shows that HIMARS is a feasible ‘common launcher’ candidate,” said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We’ve shown we can effectively modify the onboard fire control software and successfully fire air defense missiles from this reliable and deployable system that is already in the hands of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.”

The demonstration was a coordinated effort between the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems, Cruise Missile Defense Systems, Prototype Integration Facility, Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

 

[qsaark]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Saturday made a 30-minute flight on Sukhoi-34 fighter-bomber, following an example set by his powerful predecessor Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev was shown by Russian television dressed in pilot's flying suit and helmet climbing into the blue jet at Kubinka air base near Moscow. Later he appeared on the screens waving from the cockpit before the plane started taxying before take-off.

"It was a fantastic feeling," Medvedev said after the jet landed half an hour later. "Words cannot convey this feeling."

Medvedev, who has promised the Russian military a major re-armaments program will go ahead despite the economic crisis, visited the base to see the latest military aircraft.

The visit came four days before Medvedev was due to hold his first talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in London aimed at "pressing the reset button" on their strained bilateral ties.

Russia's push to build up its armed forces is one of the issues which have raised eyebrows in the West.

Medvedev, a former corporate lawyer with no military background, has so far shown little interest in trying out military equipment, unlike his ally and mentor Putin, an ex-KGB spy who stepped down last May after eight years in power.

Putin, who won popularity at home by crushing a separatist rebellion in Chechnya, once chose a supersonic fighter jet to fly in for one of his inspection visits to the restive province.

Putin is now Medvedev's prime minister and a partner in the de-facto ruling tandem.

Portraits of Putin in pilot's gear or navy uniform have become popular among Russians, many of whom associate the revival of Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union with the growth of its military might.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/world...52R1PI20090328

 

[qsaark]

Damascus will take receipt of advanced MiG 31E fighter jets in the near future, the outgoing head of the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency Lt.-Gen. Michael D. Maples told the Senate earlier this month.

Reports of the sale surfaced in 2007 but were quickly denied by Moscow and the official state arms-trading monopoly Rosoboronexport, which issued a statement saying "Russia has no plans to deliver fighter jets to Syria."

In his testimony "annual threat assessment" to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Maples provided the first official confirmation that the advanced fighter jets will be delivered to Damascus soon.

"With regard to its external defense, Syria's military remains in a defensive posture and inferior to Israel's forces, but it is upgrading its missile, rocket, antitank, aircraft and air defense inventories," Maples told the committee. "Recent Syrian contracts with Russia for future delivery include new MiG-31 and MiG-29M/M2 fighter aircraft."

Israeli defense officials said they were not surprised by Russia's intention to sell Syria the advanced jets but expressed concern that if the deal went through it would alter the balance of power in the region.

"Syria currently has an obsolete air force based on outdated MiGs," one official explained. "If Syria gets new MiG 31s then this will pose a definite threat to our air force."

The contract will be the first export deal for the MiG-31E, a heavy twin-engine interceptor fighter capable of flying at nearly three times the speed of sound and simultaneously shooting several targets at ranges of up to 180 km.

The aircraft was designed in the 1980s for tackling low-flying cruise missiles and other difficult targets and remains the mainstay of Russia's air defenses. The MiG-31 was considered a key component of defenses against a possible US attack.

Damascus will also receive a number of MiG-29M fighters - a version that features a significantly improved range, has an improved radar and carries a broader array of weapons compared to basic MiG-29 model.

In his testimony, Maples also referred to Syria's development of chemical and biological weapons. He said that Damascus did not have a biological weapon but was at the stage where it knew how to manufacture one.

"Based on the duration of Syria's long-standing biological warfare program, we judge some elements of the program may have advanced beyond the research and development stage and may be capable of limited agent production," he said. "Syria is not known to have successfully weaponized biological agents in an effective delivery system, but it possesses a number of conventional and chemical weapon systems that could easily be modified for biological agent delivery."

Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1237727563406

 

[Hasnain2009]

Operational preparedness of PAF top priority’

Sunday, March 29, 2009

* Air chief says PAF’s strategy averted an imminent war after Mumbai attacks

SARGODHA: The top most priority will remain operational preparedness of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said, addressing airmen at the PAF base at Mushaf.

On his inaugural visit to the base, the new air chief was presented with a guard of honour. He will visit various PAF bases and unfold his vision for the air force to meet challenges of the 21st century.

Suleman said, "The cardinal points of my vision are integrity, professional excellence and teamwork. The air force is passing through a transit phase. We will be handling and operating old and new weapon systems of various capabilities, you are required to maintain these assets for their optimum performance. These systems will require knowledge-based training, thus my focus will be on modern training techniques and on flight safety. All measures and quality assurance procedures must be adopted for preserving these assets.”

Surgical strikes: Referring to the Mumbai attacks, he lauded the PAF’s performance, saying it had played a vital role in averting an imminent war. "When the threat of surgical strikes was about to cross the threshold, I devised a strategy and within a few hours the PAF was ready to defend and launch offensive operations,” he added.

Suleman told the airmen, "You are the cutting edge of the air force and the nation pins high hopes on you for defending, delivering and sacrificing, and keeping up the PAF traditions.” He emphasised on maintaining the highest level of standards for various aspects of air operations. online

 

[nikhil]

@ Hasnain2009

why are the jews so bad? my dad worked with a bunch of israelis in the navy and did not find anything wrong

 

[Hasnain2009]

@ Hasnain2009

why are the jews so bad? my dad worked with a bunch of israelis in the navy and did not find anything wrong

Dont know in which world u live!!

 

[jawadqamar]

Pratt & Whitney Begins Production of the Next Generation of F100 Series Engines

Pratt & Whitney, maker of the F100 engine family that powers the F-16 and F-15 military fighter jets operated by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the Air
Forces of 22 allied nations, have begun production of the first F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engines. The F100-PW-229 EEP represents the latest evolution in the F100 series of engines, recognized worldwide for its safety, reliability and cost Effective operation.



“The F100-PW-229 EEP is another example of Pratt & Whitney’s pioneering work in fighter engine technology,” said Warren Boley, Vice President of Pratt & Whitney Military Programs and Customer Support. “Not only does it offer superior performance capabilities for our armed forces, it reduces maintenance and life cycle costs at a time when value and efficiency are top priorities on the nation’s agenda.”



The F100-PW-229 EEP incorporates groundbreaking technology developed for the F135 and F119 propulsion systems, the world’s only fifth-generation fighter jet engines. The F100-229 EEP will provide advanced, dependable power for F-16 and F-15 aircraft around the world. In response to strong customer demand, the first engines will begin delivery of the new configuration in October of this year.



The F100-PW-229 EEP was created to dramatically decrease the cost of ownership without impacting performance. This was accomplished by increasing the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles and increasing durability of key components while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating. The inspection interval increase extends the amount of time between scheduled depot maintenance from the average of 7-9 years to over 10-14 years depending on utilization rates. This increase consequently should reduce life cycle costs by 30 percent over the life of the engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP continues to be the only fighter engine funded and qualified by the U.S. Air Force to the 6,000 cycle capability.



Pratt & Whitney will offer customers the option to purchase the F100-PW-229 EEP as a complete engine or as an upgrade kit that will be made available to all -229 operators near the end of 2010. “The U.S. Air Force and several other operators of the P&W F100-PW-229 engine have expressed interest in having upgrade kits to modify their existing engines, so we’re working diligently to provide this capability for our customers,” Boley said.




Initially, 74 F100-PW-229 EEP engines have been ordered, with the first delivery set for Republic of Korea. Additional deliveries will be headed to Morocco and Pakistan in early 2010. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.



This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.