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News Archive 2004

Headlines and summaries of available news stories from 2004.
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22 DecFirst EH101 Merlin delivered to Portugal
On 22 December 2004 AgustaWestland handed over the first of twelve EH101 Merlin Helicopters to Mr. Paulo Portas, the Defence Minster of Portugal. The Portuguese Government decided to procure 12 EH101 Merlins in December 2003.
20 DecUSAF F/A-22 Raptor fighter jet crashes
Monday a F/A-22 Raptor high-tech modern fighter jet crashed outside Las Vegas near Nellis AFB. The pilot managed to eject and parachute to safety before the crash. The pilot was taken to a nearby hospital. The aircraft was assigned to the 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB.
20 DecAustralia signs contract for A330 MRTT
The Australian Government signed a contract with EADS to supply five Airbus A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The A330 MRTT was selected in April 2004.
15 DecCelebration of the First Czech Republic Gripen aircraft
At a ceremony today at Saab’s factory in Linköping the first Czech Republic Gripen aircraft was unveiled to the public for the first time. The ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the production phase of Czech Republic Gripen aircraft.
15 DecSouth African intends to order A400M
South Africa has signed a Declaration of Intent to become a partner in the A400M programme.
11 DecMi-28N: The ‘Streetfighter’ Of The Future Awaits Its Debut
Given the current nature of anti-terrorist conflict around the world, Mil Helicopter can’t wait to bring its Mi-28N to market. The first production model of the attack helicopter is expected at the end of 2005. Two prototypes have been built so far but the first serial production model (the master copy) will be followed by two further aircraft then, finance permitting, full production shortly afterwards, probably by 2007.
19 NovNew CN-235 orders to save Indonesian aircraft company
Although troubled with financial and labor problems, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) aircraft company seems to have no problem finding buyers for the CN-235 tactical transport and maritime patrol aircraft.
27 OctLast of the F-104 Starfighters
On Wednesday 27 October 2004, one of the last operational F-104 Starfighters from the Aeronautica Militaire Italiano (AMI - Italian Air Force) visited Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium. The visit will be the last to an air base outside Italy.
26 OctThird DC-10 delivered to the RNLAF
Monday October 25 saw the arrival of the third DC-10 acquired by the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Eindhoven AB.
18 OctMaiden Flight of First Czech Gripen
Monday October 18th, 2004, saw the take-off of the first Gripen fighter ordered for export. The aircraft, which will be delivered to the Czech Republic, was marked with Czech colors.
16 OctThe end for Dutch Fleet Air Arm is near
Reformed defence plans will effectively mean the end of the Marine Luchtvaartdienst (MLD - Fleet Air Arm) of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Navy's future NH90 helicopters will be operated by a Defence Helicopter Command to be established at Gilze Rijen AB. The MLD's P-3C Orion fleet will be sold soon.
04 OctRNLAF KDC-10 turns grey
Last weekend, the first grey painted RNLAF KDC-10 tanker aircraft replaced the 'old' white KDC-10 at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan.
21 SepMaiden Flight of first Italian Army NH90
The first NH90 destined for the Italian Army took off for a successful maiden flight on September 15th at Agusta’s Vergiate plant.
17 SepVenezuelan Air Force Mirage 50 crashed
Today, a Mirage 50 fighter jet of the Fuerza Aérea Venezolana (FAV) crashed. The Mirage 50 serialled FAV6732 was on final approach when there was a flameout of the engine. The pilot ejected safely before the aircraft crashed into the approach lights in front of the runway.
09 SepRAF Mildenhall buzzing with activity
The 9th of September is the start of a busy period for RAF Mildenhall, one of the British airbases used by USAF Europe. Busy, because it will be expecting an increase of air traffic by 30 percent for the coming two weeks. The base can expect up to 12 additional wide-body aircraft, such as C-5s, C-17s and civilian 747s, a lot of cargo and also additional C-130s.
08 SepUS Navy awards contract for eight MH-60R
Lockheed Martin has received a $14.8 million advance acquisition contract from the U.S. Navy to begin systems integration of eight new MH-60R multimission helicopters.
01 SepBoeing Delivers 200th Super Hornet
Boeing delivered the 200th F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the U.S. Navy on Aug. 30, 2004 . The airplane, a two-seat "F" model Super Hornet, was delivered to Air test and Evaluation Squadron VX-9 at Naval Air Systems Command China Lake, Calif.
30 AugRNLAF AH-64D crashed in Afghanistan
On 29 August 2004, at 1530h local time a Dutch AH-64D Apache attack helicopter crashed in Afghanistan. The accident happened 20km north of Kabul on a regular patrol together with another Apache. One of the two crew members was lightly injured, the other sustained no injuries when the helicopter was put to the ground in a controlled crash. A Combat Search and Resue (CSAR) unit was scrambled from the U.S. base of Bagram, which picked up the crew and flew them to Bagram's field hospital. The crew have now returned to its unit.
27 AugTwo Romanian MiG-21s collide
On Thursday 26th of August two Romanian MiG-21 fighter collided over the town of Cristesti of the country. Both pilots ejected safely but sustained some minor injuries. One of the MiGs crashed nearby a house giving the owner injuries to his legs. The other aircraft crashed on a garage and caught fire.
25 AugSix RAF Harrier GR.7s to deploy to Afghanistan
The Ministry of Defence announced on 25 August that a detachment of six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft would be deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan for an initial period of nine months to provide reconnaissance and close air support to coalition forces and the International Security Assistance Force.
22 AugFAV Shorts 360 goes missing, 25 killed
One of the Shorts 360-300 turboprop-powered passenger transport aircraft of the Fuerza de Venezuela (FAV) has been reported missing at 16:40 local time (20:40 UTC).
20 AugSix RNLAF F-16s will deploy to Manas AB
The Dutch government decided to send a detachment of six F-16 fighters from Volkel AB and one KDC-10 tanker to Kyrgyzstan.
17 AugRMAF S-61A Nuri crashed, 3 killed
Three Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel were killed when a Nuri helicopter crash-landed 15km from Ba’Kelalan, near the Sarawak border with Kalimantan, on Sunday.
12 AugNetherlands buys PAC-3 missile equipment
Lockheed Martin has received a $33.9 million foreign military sales contract for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile-related support equipment for The Netherlands. A follow-on contract for PAC-3 Missiles is anticipated by the end of the year. This is the first international sale of PAC-3 Missile-related equipment.
08 AugJapan to stop procurement of F-2 fighter
Japanese Defence Agency plans to discontinue procurement of the F-2 fighter within a few years, an agency source said Saturday. The plan, which is part of the review of the Air Self-Defense Forces' fighter units, will be incorporated into the new five-year Defense Buildup Program that is to be drawn up by the end of this year.

The agency has concluded that the F-2 is the least cost-effective of all available options, making it necessary for the agency to procure an alternative aircraft.
15 JulTu-22M bomber crash
On the 8th of July the Tupolev Tu-22M3 crashed in Novgorod Region, North Russia, while landing after a training flight. The crew of four died in the crash having failed to eject for unknown reason.

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