Military Aviation
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Boeing to Upgrade B-1 Lancer Avionics Software
Boeing has received a follow-on contract from the U.S. Air Force for additional upgrades of the Rockwell (Boeing) B-1 Lancer bomber fleet’s avionics software. The $57 million contract continues a software-sustainment program that has updated and improved the B-1’s sustainability and operational capabilities since the aircraft entered service in 1989. Usually, one avionics software block…
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Tactical Landing Video – Sick Chinook CH-47 Skills
A RAF Boeing HC Mk2/2A Chinook performing a tactical landing and doing a reverse take off with front gear off the runway (pinnicle landing). Display Team is made up of personnel from RAF Odiham in Hampshire.
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300th Eurofighter Typhoon Delivered
The 300th Eurofighter Typhoon was delivered today by Cassidian to the Spanish Air Force. The Eurofighter Typhoons – developed and manufactured by Cassidian in Germany and Spain, BAE Systems in the UK and Alenia Aeronautica in Italy – are now in service across the globe with 16 units in six air forces replacing 11 aircraft…
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Boeing C-17 Globemaster III – 20th Anniversary
On Sept. 15 Boeing celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the C-17 Globemaster III. On Sept. 15, 1991, test aircraft T-1 took off from the McDonnell Douglas Long Beach site on a two-hour flight that marked the beginning of the program. T-1 (87-0025) flew by Long Beach again on Sept. 15, 2011,…
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Videos – Aircraft on USS Eisenhower
Boeing made these nice videos from aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aircraft carrier conducting important missions in the Arabian Gulf, supports troops in Afghanistan with its fleet consisting of Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler (soon to be replaced by Boeing EA-18G Growler), Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk and the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet/Super…
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User Question – Republic F-105 Thunderchief Rudder
I received following question from a fellow aviation enthusiast, today. If you can help, please leave a comment. Thanks! Paul asks: I suppose I shall go to my grave before I ever get the answer to this question, but does anyone here know the reason or the purpose for the little kink at the base…
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Video – Unmanned Kaman K-MAX Cargo Flight
The Lockheed Martin/Kaman unmanned K-MAX successfully completed a five-day Quick Reaction Assessment (QRA) for the U.S. Navy’s Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin in December 2010 for unmanned K-MAX helicopters to perform in a U.S. Marine Corps evaluation of unmanned cargo resupply. The Navy intends to field a Cargo…
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First Flight of T129 Helicopter Prototype (Photo)
According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) a first prototype of the T129 “P6” attack helicopter successfully conducted its first flight. The ATAK Program was initiated with the aim to meet the Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) by the integration of high-tech avionic equipment, hardware and software which will…
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South Korea Receives More F-15K Slam Eagles
A few days ago Boeing delivered three F-15K Slam Eagles to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). Boeing delivered the first six of 21 F-15Ks it is producing under the Next Fighter II contract in 2010, followed by two in April and two more in May. The remaining eight aircraft will be delivered through…
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UK Orders 14 New Chinook Helicopters
Boeing has received a $1.64 billion contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The new-build CH-47 Mark (Mk)-6 Chinooks are part of the MOD’s Strategic Helicopter Vision to modernize its helicopter force structure, and will expand the RAF fleet to 60 Chinooks. “From the Falkland Islands to…
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Video – Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 at MAKS Airshow
For the first time Sukhoi has demonstrated its new 5th generation jet fighter on a public airshow. The Russian Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 appeared on MAKS Airshow today to conduct a 10min flying display. The test plane still uses older engines based on the Su-35 without thrust vectoring. When finished, the final engine will feature…
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Photo of the Week – B-29 Stratofortress Golden Girl
This beautiful golden girl called “FIFI” is our new Photo of the Week. This Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine heavy bomber that was flown primarily by the US in World War II and the Korean War. The Soviet Union produced a reverse-engineered copy as the Tupolev Tu-4. The B-29 was one of the largest…
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Boeing to Upgrade B-1B Lancer
Boeing has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to integrate three major modifications on the B-1B Lancer bomber fleet. The upgrade includes a new Vertical Situation Display Unit for the forward cockpit. The unit is going to replace two monochrome pilot and co-pilot displays with four multi-functional color displays, giving the pilots…
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Video – Avro Vulcan XH558 Flying Display Waddington
If you like historic military planes, you have to watch this great video of the Avro Vulcan XH558 flying display at Waddington International Airshow 2011. The sound of its 4 Rolls-Royce Avon engines are amazing! Whoa! The Avro Vulcan is a delta wing strategic bomber that was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from…
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Video – Pilots Discussing F-35 Lightning II
Lockheed Martin provided this video today, featuring pilots discussing different features of the F-35 Lightning II. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth generation multirole fighter with stealth capability. It’s still under development and comes in three main models; A conventional takeoff and landing variant (F-35A), a short take off and vertical-landing variant…
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India Orders Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Boeing today announced that India has signed an agreement to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. Indian Air Force (IAF) will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014. “The C-17 will elevate India’s leadership in the region,” said Dinesh Keskar, president, Boeing India. “With its tactical and strategic capabilities, the C-17 fulfills…
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Safety Report – 5/19/2011
Date: 05/18/2011 5:30 p.m Location: Point Mugu NAWC Naval Air Base, CA Aircraft Type: Boeing 707-321B Registration: N707AR Operator: Omega Air Flight: 70 Phase: Take-off Level of Damage: Destroyed Injuries & Fatalities: None During takeoff from Point Mugu Naval Air Base a Boeing 707-321B Tanker operated by Omega Air went off the side of the…
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Sweden Orders Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk
Sikorsky Aircraft recently announced that the U.S. Government has agreed to sell 15 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to the Swedish Armed forces. The Swedish Armed Forces will use the aircraft for medical evacuation, utility, and search and rescue missions. Sikorsky will deliver six of the helicopters in 2011 and the remaining in 2012. The…
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Italy – First Boeing KC-767 Tankers Taken Into Service
The first two Boeing KC-767 aerial refueling tankers for the Italian Air Force (ItAF) today formally entered into service. Italy has ordered four KC-767 Tanker Transport aircraft, designed for in-flight aerial refueling and strategic transport, to replace the ItAF Boeing 707T/T fleet. Since their delivery, the first two KC-767 tankers have been engaged in aerial…
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First Boeing C-17 Delivered to United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Boeing announced that the planemaker today delivered the first of six Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence. “It is with great pride that we accept delivery of our first C-17, which will help expand our ability to perform humanitarian and strategic-lift missions in the region…
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Photo of the Week – F-15 Eagle Vapor Trails
This week’s Photo of the Week is this F-15C Eagle going up into the cloudy sky of Oregon. As the American jet fighter rumbles into the clouds its powerful afterburners add the only color spots to the dramatic dark scene. High speed combined with humid air creates absolutely stunning vapor trails. The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas)…