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30 June 2005 - Mexican Navy Panther helicopters handed over
On 30 June 2005, Eurocopter officially handed over two Panther
helicopters to Mexican Navy officials. The new helicopters are
the next step in the modernisation program for the Navy of the
United Mexican States. The contract for the two Panthers was
signed in 2003, and included options for 8 more helicopters.
In 2002, Eurocopter was contracted to upgrade the navy's fleet of
BO-105 surveillance and interdiction helicopters. The first upgraded
examples have entered operational service.
The Panthers are able to operate from ships and perform coastguard,
SAR, surveillance and drug enforcement operations and troop transport.
To date, 259 Panthers have been sold, including 78 naval versions. The
civilian version called the Dauphin successfully sold 490 to date,
including 96 aircraft for the US Coast Guard.
29 June 2005 - 50th anniversary for the B-52
Fifty years ago on June 29, 1955, the first B-52 was
delivered to the 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron
of the 93rd Bomb Wing at Caste AFB, Calif. The B-52
Stratofortress also known as 'Big Ugly Fat Fellow' or 'Buff'
replaced the B-47 Stratojet, but continues to serve
today and is expected to remain in service beyond 2040.
For more than 40 years, the B-52 has been the primary
manned strategic bomber force for the United States.
It is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of flying at
high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet,
and can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional
ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
A total of 744 B-52s were built, with the last, a B-52H,
delivered in October 1962. Only the H-model is still in
the Air Force inventory and is assigned to Air Combat
Command and the Air Force Reserve here and at Minot Air
Force Base, N.D. The remainder of the 102 B-52Hs delivered
have been subject to onging upgrades incorporating GPS,
heavy stores adapter beams for carrying 2,000-pound
munitions and additional smart weapons capability.
13 June 2005 - RNLAF orders KDC-10 cockpit upgrade
On 13 June 2005, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) placed
the order for the avionics upgrade of three aircraft, two KDC-10
transport/tankers and one DC-10 transport. The contract has a value
of over €30 million, spread over a two-and-a-half year period.
The (K)DC-10 Cockpit Upgrade Programme will modernise the
aircraft's cockpit layout and equip it with state-of-the-art
avionics.
Fokker Service, part of Stork Aerospace, is the main contractor
and is amongst others working closely together with Boeing, the
type certificate holder for the DC-10.
11 June 2005 - Turkey orders 12 additional S-70B helicopters
On 10 June 2005, Sikorsky Aircraft
signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Turkey
for 12 new S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters plus an option for five additional
helicopters. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2008.
Turkey is already operating eight S-70B SEAHAWKs from a
previous order. Turkey's land forces also operate more than 100
S-70A BLACKHAWK helicopters.
The S-70B is a derivative of the US Navy SH-60B, a capable
anti-submarine and anti-surface unit warfare helicopter. Other
international customers of the S-70B include Australia, Greece,
Japan, Spain, Singapore and Thailand.
8 June 2005 - Australia signed MRH90 contract
On 2 June 2005, Australian Defence Force signed the contract
with Australian Aerospace, a Eurocopter subsidiary, for 12
MRH90 multi-role helicopters. Deliveries will start in
2007 with all aircraft expected to be delivered by 2009.
The MRH90s will form a new squadron based in Townsville.
It is planned to assemble 8 MRH90 helicopters at the
Australian Aerospace facility at Brisbane, where the
company is currently also assembling 18 Tiger Armed
Reconnaissance Helicopters.
The MRH90 is the Australian version of the NH90 helicopter
developed by the European consortium NHIndustries (62.5%
Eurocopter, 32% Agusta, 5.5% Stork Fokker). The twin-engine,
medium-lift NH90 is equipped with modern glass cockpit,
FBW and Automatic Flight control system, communication,
navigation and mission equipment and a rear ramp.
31 May 2005 - Japan looking for F-4 Replacement
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has recently launched
the F-X fighter programme to find a replacement for the F-4 Phantom II.
The JASDF is now formulating its requirements for a new fifth generation
fighter. Likely contenders include the F-15E (upgraded), F/A-18E/F Super Hornet,
Eurofighter, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F-2 Super Kai and possibly an
export version of the F/A-22A Raptor. The F-2 Super Kai will an enhanced
version of the F-2 based on the F-16 Block 50/52 proposed by
Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi to meet the requirement.
At least 40 F-X aircraft are needed to replace two JASDF F-4 interceptor
squadrons in 2011, with deliveries starting in 2008-2009. At this stage
all options will be considered.
Source:
AFM June 2005
25 May 2005 - Spain orders NH90 helicopter
Last week the Spanish government announced the selection of the
NH90 multi-role helicopter to modernise its armed forces. A first
batch of 45 helicopters will be ordered.
Spain followed France, Germany and Australia by selecting both the
Eurocopter Tiger and the NH-90 helicopters. This operational choice
will increase and secure Eurocopter's industrial presence in Spain.
The NH90 has already been ordered or selected by 12 other countries
for a total of more than 350 aircraft plus options.
16 May 2005 - Three new Mi-35 entered Czech service
On 13 May 2005, three new Mi-35 Hind combat helicopters were officially
handed over by the Czech minister of defense to the Czech military.
The helicopters departed Prague-Kbely military airport to their home
base in Prerov.
Mi-35s which had been delivered by Russia in April passed
the acceptance tests and will now be upgraded to NATO
standards by Russian technicians.
Russia supplied the Mi-35s as part of repayments of its debt
to the Czech Republic. Another seven Mi-35s (Mi-24 export designation)
and 16 Mi-171S transport helicopters will be delivered by spring
2006. The helicopters will replace the ageing fleet of older Hinds a
and Mi-17s.
4 May 2005 - UAE celebrates arrival of F-16E/Fs
On 3 May 2005, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated arrival
of its first batch of 10 F-16E/F 'Desert Falcon' fighters.
The aircraft were flown by UAE Air Force pilots who
recently completed F-16 training in the United States.
The F-16E/F aircraft version, also known as Block 60, is the
latest version of the F-16. It was developed to fit the specific
requirements of the UAE Air Force. The UAE has ordered a total of 80
aircraft.
The first flight of the Block 60 was made in December 2003.
Flight testing by Lockheed Martin began in early 2004 and
is continuing with three F-16F models. UAE pilot training
on the F-16E/F began at Tucson Air National Guard Base, Arizona,
in September 2004, and the first group of pilots completed
their training in April 2005.
29 April 2005 - Brazil contracts EADS CASA for C-295 and P-3 upgrade
The Brazilian government and EADS CASA have signed two important
contracts: one where EADS CASA will supply Brazil with C-295 military
transport aircraft, and in the second contract EADS CASA will modernize
Brazil’s fleet of P-3 maritime patrol aircraft.
The C-295 aircraft will be the core of the CL-X programme dedicated
to supply the Brazilian Air Force with medium transport aircraft to
support activities related with the Amazon Protection System (SIPAM)
and the Calha Norte Project, fundamentally social activities, to
support people in remote areas of the Amazon, with difficult access
by other means of transportation. The twelve EADS CASA C-295 aircraft
will replace the obsolete C-115 Buffalo, and will also support the
C-130 Hercules in the Brazilian Air Force. The contract amounts to
€238 million.
The programme concerning the maritime patrol aircraft, named P-3BR,
consists in the modernization of eight P-3 aircraft, purchased by the
Brazilian government from the US Navy. FITS mission system will be
installed on these aircraft. Work will be carried out at EADS CASA
facilities by EADS CASA technicians, with the participation of
technicians from the Brazilian industry and Air Force personnel.
There is an option to modernize a ninth aircraft. This contract
will amount to €320 million.
26 April 2005 - Turkey to upgrade F-16 fleet
US and Turkish government officials signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance
(LOA) for the systems upgrade of Turkish F-16 aircraft at an estimated value
of $1.1 billion.
The FMS program, titled Peace Onyx III, will upgrade Turkey's Block 40
and Block 50 aircraft to a common avionics configuration. Modifications
will include the APG-68(V)9 multimode radar, colored
displays, new core avionics processors, Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System,
Link 16 datalink, and compatibility with moderns weapons.
The LOA clears the way for contract negotiations with the industry participants.
Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor for the program, a contract is
expected to be sign in July. Kit installation will be performed by TUSAS Aerospace
Industries in Turkey.
25 April 2005 - Marines to get new-build UH-1Y Hueys
On 15 April 2005, the US Department of Defense approved the
acquisition of new-build UH-1Y light utility helicopters for
the US Marine Corps, rather than rebuilding the UH-1Ns currently
in service.
The Marine Corps' H-1 Upgrade program originally called for the
remanufacturing of 180 AH-1W Super Cobras and 100 UH-1N Hueys
into the modernised AH-1Z and UH-1Y respectively. The UH-1N fleet
subsequently experienced a substantial increase in operational tempo.
The average age and attrition rate of the aircraft as well as
marginal cost difference between remanufactured and new-build UH-1Y,
lead to the decision to acquire new-build UH-1Y to better support
the needs of the Marine Corps.
With the current size and availability of the UH-1N fleet, taking
a number of them out of service for the remanufacture process would
have severe impact on the USMC's capability to support the Global War
on Terrorism and other operations.
Currently, ten UH-1Y and six AH-1Z are being rebuild at Bell's Forth
Worth and Amarillo production facilities in Texas. The remainder of
90 UH-1Ys will be new-build. Program officials are studying
the option of also building the AH-1Zs new. Deliveries start
in 2008 and will continue until 2014.
21 April 2005 - First Flight Czech Two-seat Gripen
On 21 April 2005, the first of two JAS39D Gripen dual-seat
aircraft destined for the Czech Air Force made its maiden
flight from Saab's facilities at Linköping, Sweden. The
aircraft was flown by a test pilot from saab with Czech insignia.
The two dual-seat aircraft will be part of a second batch
of eight which will be delivered in August 2005, completing
the Czech order for 14 Gripen multirole fighters.
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18 April 2005 - First six Czech Gripen at home
Today, 18 April, the first six Gripen were flown to the
Czech Republic. The aircraft were flown by three Czech
Air Force pilots, two from the Swedish Air Force and one
from FMV. The flight from FMV's facility near Linköping
to the Czech Gripen's home, Caslav AB, lasted one hour.
The six aircraft will now undergo testing by the Czech
Air Force before the official handover ceremony on
26 April 2005. In August 2005, a second batch of
eight aircraft will be delivered, completing the Czech
order for the lease of 14 JAS 39C/D aircraft until 2015.
16 April 2005 - Celebration First F-16 Produced for Chile
On 14 April 20005, Chile’s Minister of National Defense, Mr. Jaime Ravinet,
joined other Chilean and U.S. officials at Fort Worth, Texas, in celebrating
completion of the first F-16 produced for the Chilean Air Force, or
Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACH).
In February 2002, Chile signed an agreement with the U.S. government to
purchase 10 F-16s in the Peace Puma foreign military sales program.
Chile became the 22nd customer for the F-16 worldwide and the second in
South America. The FACH F-16s will be Advanced Block 50 version powered
by the General Electric F110-GE-129 engine. Six aircraft will be
single-seat F-16Cs and four will be two-seat F-16Ds.
First flight of the Chilean F-16 is scheduled for early this summer.
All 10 aircraft will be delivered to Chile in 2006.
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11 April 2005 - Israel Accepts First AH-64D Apache Longbows
The government of Israel accepted its first three AH-64D Apache Longbow
helicopters yesterday from the United States Department of Defense in a
ceremony held in Israel.
The Israel Air Force, which has operated Boeing AH-64A Apaches since the
early 1990s, is modernizing its fleet through a combination of AH-64A
upgrades and new-build Apache Longbow combat helicopters. The Israel
Air Force designation for the aircraft is the AH-64D-I Apache.
The exact numbers and configurations of the Apache Longbow aircraft that
will be delivered over the next several years under the contract have not
been released. The aircraft were flown from Mesa, Ariz., where they are
produced by Boeing, to Israel aboard a transport aircraft. Israel is one
of 11 nations flying Apache helicopters and one of nine to have ordered
or received the multi-mission next-generation AH-64D helicopter.
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8 April 2005 - First UH-Tiger delivered to German Army
On 6 April, Eurocopter delivered the first series produced
UH-Tiger support helicopter to the German Army Aviation (Heeresflieger).
The helicopter will start operations in the Franco-German Army
Aviation Training Centre at LE LUC in the south of France. The
UHT is the German multi-role fire support variant of the Tiger
(Tigre) attack helicopter jointly developed by Germany and France.
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To date, 206 Tiger variants have been ordered. Germany and France 80 each,
Spain 24, Australia 22. The French Army Air Corps (ALAT) officially accepted
its first Tiger on March 18, 2005. Delivery started this year
and will continue until 2010.
7 April 2005 - Bulgaria will get eight C-27J Spartans
On Wednesday, 6 April 2005, Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay
Svinarov confirmed the purchase of eight C-27J Spartan transports.
The contract with the Italian Alenia
Aeronautica company will be signed by the end of April.
The C-27J is a tactical transport aircraft jointly developed
by Lockheed Martin and Alenia Aeronautica. The C-27J shares
a lot of commonality with the C-130J Hercules medium tactical
airlifer, its bigger sister. Each aircraft costs about USD 30 million.
4 April 2005 - Mirage 2000-9 crashes in test flight
On 4 April, a Mirage 2000-9 crashed after take-off from
Istres AB in southern France during a test flight before
its delivery to Adu Dhabi. The two pilots ejected safely
and remained unhurt. An engine failure during take-off
seems to be the cause. The aircraft crashed over a deserted
part of the airbase.
Adu Dhabi is part of the UAE, which ordered 30 new-built
Mirage 2000-9s in late 1997. Deliveries started in 2003. The
UAE is also upgrading 33 existing Mirage 2000 variants to
the 2000-9 standard, which is a modification of the 2000-5
adding more air-to-ground capabilities.
Based on source:
REUTERS
31 March 2005 - MQ-1 Predator crashed in Iraq
On 30 March 2005, an USAF MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crashed
in Rawah, Iraq. This being the second MQ-1 crash this week, another
Predator UAV crashed on 26 March 2005 in the vicinity of Balad, Iraq.
The aircraft was assigned to the 15th Expeditionary Reconnaissance
Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. It was in the U.S. Central
Command area of operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Investigations on the cause of both accidents are underway.
25 March 2005 - RNLAF F-16 Deployments
On next Tuesday, 29 March 2005, a detachment of four RNLAF F-16s from Leeuwarden
AB will be deployed to Siauliai AB in Lithuania to defend the air space of
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Since the three Baltic states joined NATO
in March 2004, other NATO members are taking turns to carry out the
air-policing task. The three states do not own any combat aircraft themselves,
the most potent aircraft available is the unarmed L-39 jet trainer operated by Lithuania.
Although there is no specific threat, the NATO treaty
requires the policing of the air space of all its members.
The 80-men detachment from the Netherlands will start the air-policing mission on 1 April 2005, relieving the Norwegian
F-16 detachment, until 1 Jule 2005, when Germany takes over.
Yesterday, 24 March 2005, another detachment of four RNLAF F-16s left Volkel
AB for Afghanistan, where they will be available to ISAF from 1 April 2005 onwards
for the period of one year. The detachment of 100 personnel and F-16s will
be temporarily based at Kabul airport, until reconstruction of infrastructure
and preparations for the F-16s are
finished at Bagram AB. During previous deployments, the F-16s were operated
from Manas Internation Airport in Kyrgyzstan.
Source:
RNLAF
and AFM April
23 March 2005 - FAV EMB-312 Tucano crash
Yesterday, 22 March 2005, EMB-312 Tucano serial 8090 of the
Venezuelan Air Force (FAV) crashed during a routine training
flight, at the east bank of Maracaibo Lake, 500 Km west of Caracas.
Both pilots ejected without injuries, the aircraft was written off.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, but apparently
the cause has been engine failure. The aircraft belonged to Grupo Aereo de Operaciones Especiales No. 15
(which flies both OV-10 and EMB-312) based at Gral. Rafael Urdaneta AB
at Maracaibo.
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FAV 8090 seen several years ago
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FAV 8090 crash site
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Source:
Iván Peña Nesbit
21 March 2005 - Maiden Flight High-Cabin NH-90 for Swedish Armed Forces
On 18 March 2005, the first production NH90 helicopter in the
high cabin version for the Swedish Armed Forces made its first flight
from Eurocopter's plant in Marignane, France. The satisfactory
flight lasted for 55 minutes, flown by Eurocopter's flight test crew.
This NH90 is the fourth production example to fly, following the German,
Finnish and Italian which performed their maiden flights in 2004.
Sweden has ordered a total of 18 NH90s, all high-cabin versions. 13
of the aircraft will perform troop tactical transport (TTT) and SAR,
the remainder will be equipped for ASW missions.
The Swedish high cabin version of the NH90 increases the usable cabin
height by 24 centimeters, from 1.58 meters in the standard version to
1.82 meters. The increased cabin height means that missions requiring
on-board operations, such as SAR work, can be performed in a more
comfortable environment.
16 March 2005 - First Boeing F-15K Revealed
On 16 March 2005 the official roll-out of the first
F-15K Strike Eagle for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
took place at the Boeing site in St. Louis, Mo.
The aircraft unveiled at the event completed its first
flight March 3 and is the first of 40 F-15Ks being built
for the ROKAF. The ROKAF is investing $4.2 billion for
the 40 F-15Ks and deliveries will begin this year and
end in August 2008.
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07 March 2005 - Venezuelan VF-5A special tail art
This photo taken on 1 March 2005 shows one of the VF-5A Freedom Fighter
in service with the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV) at El Libertador AB .
The aircraft had just been repainted and was decorated with a colorful
artwork denoting the
G-12 groups' moto Superacion (Superatio) on its vertical tail fin.
The special tail, designed by Victor Amaya, is the first of three planned artworks for the Freedom
Fighters in the FAV.
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Elbit Systems has currently been contracted to
refurbish two NF-5B and one CF-5D two-seaters. They will also feature
minor upgrades in avionics and will receive GPS equipment.
To celebrate the occasion and boast G-12s morale, the special artworks will
be put on three aircraft, not neccesarily the refurbished ones. Single-seat
aircraft VF-5A serialled 6018 has become to first to show off its new fin.
The FAV single-seat F-5s received the Grifo update in the 1990s, these
aircraft have since been designated VF-5A.
Source:
Ivan Peña Nesbit
05 March 2005 - Boeing F-15K First Flight
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The Republic of Korea destined F-15K made its first flight on 3 March 2005
in St. Louis. Flown by Boeing Chief F-15 Test Pilot Joe Felock and Chief
Weapons Systems Officer Rick Junkin, the F-15K completed an aggressive
speed run easily surpassing Mach 2, accomplished both engine shut-downs
and restarts, and breezed through instrument and avionics checks of
primary backup systems.
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The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) selected the F-15K Strike Eagle
for its Next Generation Fighter Program in 2002. The F-15K is an advanced
derivative of the F-15E Strike Eagle, currently operated by the USAF.
Under a $3.6 billion contract, Boeing will deliver 40 aircraft to the ROKAF beginning this
year and ending in August 2008. The official F-15K roll out ceremony
will be held on 16 March 2005 in St. Louis.
28 February 2005 - AirTanker preferred bidder for RAF tanker
The AirTanker consortium has been selected as Preferred Bidder
for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme. FSTA
is a Private Finance Initiative programme for a modern
air refuelling aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The MoD
now enters final negotiations with AirTanker Ltd.
The programme has an estimated whole life value of around £13Bn and is expected to provide the RAF with Air Refuelling capability under a 27-year service contract. Contracts have not been placed at this stage.
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AirTanker Ltd comprises EADS, Rolls-Royce, Cobham, VT Group and
Thales. The tanker will be based on the Airbus A330-200 fitted with
wing-mounted hose-and-drogue pods to deliver up to 65 tonnes of fuel
at a distance of 1,000 from base. All of the fuel is carried within
the existing fuel tanks in the wings and tail, leaving the cabin
free for 295 seats or cargo.
20 February 2005 - Hungarian Saab Gripen first flight
On 16 February 2005 the first Hungary destined Saab Gripen
made its first flight at Saab’s facility in Linköping.
The aircraft was flown by a test pilot from Saab, but was
nonetheless decorated with a colored version of
Hungary's insignia on its tail and wings.
The first flight is an important milestone in the Hungarian
Gripen program and is now followed by a period of ground
and flight tests. Deliveries of the 12 single-seat and two
dual-seat NATO-interoperable fighters will take place between March
2006 and December 2007. Currently there are five aircraft on the
Saab's production line at its Linköping's facility.
12 February 2005 - First Portuguese EH101s arrive in Portugal
On 11 February 2005, two new Portuguese EH101 Merlin helicopters
landed in Portugal for the first time, since the official hand-over
of the first aircraft of the type last December. The two helicopters wearing serials 19602 and 19603 were flown
to Montjio Air Base, where the Portuguese EH101 fleet will be based. To celebrate
the arrival, a formation fly-by was organized with a Puma and Alouette III
joining the Merlin.
The two EH101 SAR versions are part of a 12-aircraft order which was placed in December
2003. The first Merlin destined for Portugal (16901) finished acceptance tests of
the SAR version on 16 December 2004 but remained in Italy for aircrew training.
On 22 December 2004 the first Merlin was officially delivered by AgustaWestland
during a ceremony in Italy with Portuguese government officials present.
(see also First EH101 Merlin delivered to Portugal
in the News Archive) By then, 19602 made its first flight and started
training new aircrew.
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Source:
Jorge Ruivo
8 February 2005 - US Air Force orders three Boeing C-40C
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The U.S. Air Force has placed an order for three Boeing C-40C aircraft,
a 737-700 aircraft based on the Boeing Business Jet. The C-40C will
provide transportation for government officials replacing the C-9A.
The first of the three aircraft will be delivered in early 2007.
Military avionics and other state-of-the-art equipment will be
installed on the 737-700 aircraft prior to delivery. Following
delivery, the aircraft will be operated by the 932nd Airlift
Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. |
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The USAF already operates three C-40C, as well as two almost
similar C-40B aircraft.
31 January 2005 - Mexican Mi-17 helicopter collision
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On Tuesday 25 January 2005, two Russian-built Mil Mi-17 (Mi-8MTV-1) Hip helicopters of the
Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM) collided in flight near Mexico city. Five crew
members were killed and three wounded. The aircraft were on a training flight
around 11:20 AM local time when they collided on their approach to
Santa Lucia air base. One of the two helicopters involved (Mi-8MTV-1 serial 1711) is seen here at
their base Santa Lucia in October last year. A total of 24 Mi-8/Mi-17
helicopters were ordered in the late 1990s, equipping 303 squadron.
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Mi-8MTV-1 '1711' in last October
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Based on report by:
AFP, Photo: Iván Peña Nesbit
28 January 2005 - US101 Selected as Presendential Helicopter
The U.S. Navy today selected the US101 for a new fleet of "Marine One"
helicopters for the President of the United States. Lockheed Martin,
which leads Team US101 as prime contractor, will receive a $1.7 billion
contract from the Navy for the Marine One program's systems development
and demonstration phase. The team will build and equip the US101
medium-lift helicopter to provide a safe and secure "Oval Office in
the Sky" for the President.
Based on the current contract schedule, the first US101 ready to transport
the President is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet
of 23 US101 delivered to the Marine One squadron by late 2014.
Team US101 is led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego, which
serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator
for the American-built US101 aircraft, an American variant of
AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multimission helicopter.
The US101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise
and experience to this program: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor and systems integration),
AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and Bell Helicopter (aircraft production),
while General Electric will supply each helicopter with three, 2,500
shaft-horsepower CT7-8E engines.
25 January 2005 - First Hungarian Gripen Ready
At the Saab Aerospace factory in Linköping, Sweden a ceremony was
held to celebrate the first Hungarian Gripen fighter to roll off
the production line. Another five Gripen aircraft will be on the
production line in 2005 and be completed in 2006.
The first aircraft will enter a period of ground and flight testing
by Swedish Gripen pilots before being delivered to the Hungarian Air
Force in March 2006.
Hungary signed a lease-and-purchase contract in February 2003 for
twelve single-seat and two twin-seat Gripen aircraft. The aircraft
will be delivered in 2006 and 2007. The lease is for a 10 year period
following which the aircraft become the property of Hungary.
On 21 January 2005 the first group of five Hungarian pilots arrived
in Sweden for conversion training with the Swedish Air Force Gripen
training center, the F7 wing at Satenas.They will be trained as instructor
pilots on the Gripen. The first group of 19 Hungarian technicians will
start their training in April 2005 at the Swedish Air Force's
technical school.
20 January 2005 - Romania buys ex-RNLAF HAWK
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will sell eight complete
HAWK air defense systems including 78 vehicles to Romania. The
sale is worth the amount of 23,5 million Euro. The systems are
expected to be handed over to the Romanian air force in the
second quarter of 2005.
The 'Homing All the Way Killer' (HAWK) is a surface-to-air guided
weapons system launched from a mobile undercarriage. During the
flight of the missile, it is guided by its own electronic search
and guidance system. Since the 1960s, at the time of the Cold War,
the HAWK was part of the air defense line at the east border of Germany.
From 1994 onwards the HAWK units were stationed at the Groep Geleide
Wapens (GWW) at De Peel, near Venray. The HAWKs were used until 2004.
The RNLAF now still owns four Patriot air defense systems, which can
be deployed against aircraft as well as ballistic missiles.
Source:
Vliegende Hollander (translation webmaster)
14 January 2005 - Norwegian F-16s protect Baltic States
On last Wednesday 12 January 2005, the Norwegian Air Force took
over the air defence of the Baltic States from the British Royal
Air Force. Arriving in pairs on Monday and Wednesday, four Norwegian
F-16 fighters took over from four Tornado F.3 fighters. To support
the detachment 50 Norwegian military and civilian personnel will
deploy to Zokniai air base in Lithuania as well.
Since the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became NATO
allies, detachments from other NATO partners have been rotating every
three months to secure the nations air space. The three countries
do not have their own air defence capabilities required to carry out
NATO's routine air policing mission. The four-aircraft detachment
from Belgium, United Kingdom and
now Norway will be followed by the Netherlands in three months.
6 January 2005 - B-1 and F/A-22 return to flight
The B-1B Lancer fleet returned to flight status on 5 January following
a 6-day grounding. Concerns following the nose landing gear collapse
have been addressed.
On 6 January the F/A-22 was also cleared to fly again.
The F/A-22 fleet was grounded after the accident at Nellis AFB on
20 December 2004. A comprehensive review of procedural and
engineering data has lead to the conclusion that flight operations
can safely be resumed.
4 January 2005 - B-1 fleet grounded after landinggear collapse
B-1 Lancers Air Force-wide were grounded after one aircraft’s nose-gear collapsed at a forward-deployed location supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Air Combat Command officials said Jan. 4.
The 67 aircraft fleet will be grounded until each aircraft goes through a one-time inspection. Officials said they expect the inspections to be completed within a few days.
After landing safely at the deployed location, the pilot taxied the aircraft to its parking spot. When the engines were shut down, the nose landing gear collapsed, officials said.
No one was injured in the incident. The aircraft and its four-person crew are deployed from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., to the 40th Air Expeditionary Group.
A board is investigating the cause of the collapse and determining the extent of damage to the aircraft.
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