Military Aviation

  • Video – Tupolev Tu-154 Out of Control

    These videos of a Tupolev Tu-154 that apparently is out of control emerged on the internet. The plane – RA-85563 – which is operated by Russian military was filmed on 29.04.2011 at Chkalovsky Airport (CKL/UUMU). The military airport is based near Shchyolkovo, 31 km northeast of Moscow (Russia). Circumstances that have led to this video…

  • Photo of the Week – EA-6B Prowler Takeoff

    This magnificent photo holds the Flightstory Flickr Photo Award of this week. The beautiful black/white shot shows a Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler taking off from Naval Air Facility El Centro (KNJK). The plane belongs to Electronic Attack Squadron One Two Nine (VAQ-129), known as the Vikings. The Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler is an electronic warfare…

  • Turkey Orders 109 Black Hawk Helicopters

    Sikorsky announced that the Turkish Government has selected Sikorsky for a contract involving 109 derivative Black Hawk helicopters for multi-mission use. The aircraft will be assembled in Turkey by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as the prime contractor and will include components supplied by Sikorsky and other American and Turkish companies. The industrialization proposal will allow…

  • Photos – Chinese Stealth Fighter J-20 Makes Second Test Flight

    China’s fifth generation stealth fighter, Chengdu J-20, has successfully conducted its second test flight on Tuesday at the Chengdu airfield. “The aircraft made several passes and waggled its wings to salute the crowd near the airfield,” the Chinese Global Times Newspaper quoted a witness. The prototype took off at 4:25 pm and landed at about…

  • Video – Airbus A400M Aerial Refuelling Showcase

    This video released by Airbus Military shows air-to-air refuelling trials for its A400M airlifter in February 2011. The tests consists of series of dry contacts performed by a UK Royal Air Force VC10 tanker. Airbus A400M Cockpit Video Capture The Airbus A400M is a multi-national four-engine turboprop tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities developed by Airbus…

  • Video of the Day – F-18 Airshow Cockpit View

    This awesome video that I found on Youtube features an F/A-18 during flight display. The cockpit video shows very nicely to what intense G-forces the pilots are exposed to during such challenging maneuvers. The F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets. It was introduction in…

  • Video – USS Carl Vinson F/A-18C Hornet Fire

    US Navy released this video of a F/A-18C Hornet experiencing an engine fire following a touch-and-go landing aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) on April 11 2011. The pilot was able to execute a single-engine approach and successfully land on the aircraft carrier. After landing, the plane that is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)…

  • Photos – First Boom Refueling of a C-130

    Developmental testing of the new HC-130J has been completed. The plane which is developed for the United States Air Force Air Combat Command went through the last test point – air-to-air refueling on March 14. This was the first ever boom refueling of a C-130. This test point also applies to the MC-130J Combat Shadow…

  • Paul Allen Buys MiG-29

    Heraldnet is reporting today that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has purchased a restored MiG-29. The jet fighter was in service with the Russian and Ukrainian Air Force before it came to the U.S. for restoration. The jet is on display at Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field: http://www.flyingheritage.com/. Flying Heritage Collection has been aware…

  • Saudi A330 MRTT Makes First Flight

    EADS today reported that the first Airbus Military A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport ) for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has successfully completed its maiden flight. Prior to this flight, five A330 MRTTs had already flown. Those include three for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and two for the UK Royal Air…

  • Great Video – JAS Gripen 39C Cockpit View

    I came across this amazing video, showing a Swiss Air Force JAS Gripen 39C performing acrobatics. The video features many cockpit views and comes in finest HD quality! The JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight single engine multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. The aircraft is in service with the Swedish…

  • Airbus A400M Series Production Approved

    Airbus Military recently announced that the industrial launch of the Airbus A400M airlifter has been approved and series production is ready to start! The first four series aircraft will be produced in 2012 and the production rate will gradually be ramped up to 2.5 aircraft per month by the end of 2015. “The industrial launch…

  • Photos – New Bell 407AH Unveiled

    This news comes fresh from HELI-EXPO 2011… Bell Helicopters today unveiled their brand new model – the Bell 407AH. The Bell 407AH is an armed helicopter for law enforcement, paramilitary and other “special” missions. It is based on the commercial Bell 407, one of the world’s most successful commercial helicopters. The 407AH is Bell’s first…

  • Sukhoi Su-27 Designer Dies

    Mikail Petrovich Simonov, legendary Russian aircraft designer and father of the Sukhoi Su-27 died on Friday at age of 81. Mikail Simonov joined the Sukhoi design bureau as a deputy chief designer in 1970. During the following years he led the development of the Su-24 that was introduced in 1974. The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO callsign:…

  • EADS will not Protest on Tanker Selection

    EADS North America announced that it will not protest the U.S. Air Force’s selection of the Boeing offering in the competition to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers. The company expressed appreciation to the Air Force for running a competition consistent with the rules set out in its Request for Proposal. “While…

  • Photos – Airbus A400M Winter Test

    In early February Airbus Military’s second development A400M aircraft – referred to as “Grizzly 2” – conducted several cold weather tests in northern Sweden. The test focus was on the new-generation airlifter’s powerplants. The team experienced temperatures down to -21ºC and successfully achieved all the planned test points. The A400M was accompanied by an Airbus…

Flightstory