USAF Officials release A-10C accident report

9/2/2010 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – Human error caused an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft to depart the runway during an aborted takeoff May 10 at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Sept. 2.

The aircraft was assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron from the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB. The pilot sustained minor injuries after ejecting when the aircraft left the runway. The aircraft continued traveling over uneven grassland until the nose gear collapsed. The right main landing gear and aircraft nose became lodged into the ground causing a catastrophic fuselage failure. The aircraft was engulfed in fire due to a ruptured forward main fuel tank and was subsequently destroyed.

According to the report, the cause of the mishap was specifically attributed to the pilot’s initial decision not to abort the takeoff. After deciding to abort, the pilot applied an inappropriate braking procedure based on his perception of being at a lower airspeed. Additionally, pitot-static system blockage, task misprioritization, distraction and procedural error were all substantially contributing factors to the mishap. The loss associated with the mishap is valued at $17,306,077, including $52,095 in environmental cleanup on Moody AFB.

(Courtesy of Air Combat Command Public Affairs)
Photo: Marcel van Leeuwen, ZAPP Group

Boeing, US Navy Flight Testing Distributed Targeting System for Super Hornet

CHINA LAKE, Calif., Sept. 2, 2010 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31 have begun flight testing a Distributed Targeting System for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Advanced Weapons Lab in China Lake. The current test phase is scheduled to conclude in November 2011.

The Distributed Targeting System uses onboard hardware and software processing to produce precise targeting solutions for Super Hornet aircrews. This enhanced targeting capability is part of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Network Centric Warfare Upgrades program as well as the F/A-18E/F Flight Plan, which ensures that the Super Hornet remains ahead of known and emerging threats throughout the coming decades.

“Distributed Targeting will continue to expand the Super Hornet’s already advanced multirole capability for the warfighter,” said Kory Mathews, F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs vice president for Boeing. “Distributed Targeting is a powerful tool that will provide Super Hornet aircrews with highly precise targeting capability when identifying and engaging ground target sets. This is another phase of our evolutionary approach to continuous capability enhancement for the Navy’s combat-proven Super Hornet.”

Successful completion of the flight tests will enable the targeting system to transition to operational testing in late 2011. The capability is expected to become operational in F/A-18E/F aircraft in 2012.

The Boeing Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule and on budget.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Marcel van Leeuwen, ZAPP Group

Lockheed C-5M Galaxy Becomes A Superstar

MARIETTA, Ga., September 2nd, 2010 — Another Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-5 is being transformed into the world’s most capable strategic airlifter, the C-5M Super Galaxy. With more than 70 improvements, the Super Galaxy is rapidly becoming the linchpin of success in achieving global reach. The next C-5M Super Galaxy will be delivered on Sept. 30, 2010 and will be stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-5M Super Galaxy recently achieved a 96 percent departure reliability rate while delivering critical cargo to troops in Afghanistan and was called upon to carry the 7.5-ton Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to be launched on the last space shuttle flight next year.

Source and photo: Lockheed Martin

General Dynamics Awarded $10 Million by U.S. Navy to Produce F/A-18 Gun Systems

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Md., in May awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a $9.8 million contract to produce the M61A2 20mm Gatling gun system for the F/A-18E/F aircraft. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Production work will be performed at General Dynamics’ facility in Saco, Maine, and the program will be managed at General Dynamics’ Burlington Technology Center in Vermont. Work is expected to be completed in September 2012.

The M61A2 20mm Gatling gun system is mounted in the nose of the aircraft and can fire a rate of 4,000 or 6,000 shots per minute. The M61A2 is 20 percent lighter than the previous model and operates on a closed-loop rotary, linkless ammunition feed system.

Mike O’Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, said, “The M61A2 offers a lightweight, reliable gun system to protect U.S. servicemen and women. Our work force in Maine takes great pride in manufacturing the M61A2 for U.S. warfighters.”

Source: General Dynamics

Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer Offers Strong Bilateral Economic Benefits

WARSAW, Poland –  Poland’s plans to procure a new advanced jet training system can act as a catalyst for Polish industry in a number of industrial sectors, not just in aerospace and defence, according to Alan Garwood, group business development director at BAE Systems – the world’s second largest defence, security and aerospace company.

Speaking ahead of his company’s participation in the MSPO defence exhibition in Kielce (September 6-9) Garwood said that a key requirement for the Polish government should be ensuring that large defence procurements, such as the advanced jet trainer programme, sustain Polish jobs and support the development of skills and high-end technology transfer, through mutually beneficial industrial partnerships.
 
“BAE Systems delivers on its promises and has an unrivalled track record of producing economic and industrial benefits for its customers, in support of defence equipment sales,” Garwood says.  “If our Hawk advanced jet trainer is selected to meet Poland’s new generation pilot training requirements, it will present opportunities for Polish industry to become part of a global supplier network, not just of BAE Systems but also its partners such as Rolls-Royce, which already has a significant presence in Poland.
 
“This would give Polish companies access to and involvement in the development of the latest emerging technologies in both the defence and commercial business sectors,” he adds.
 
In neighbouring Czech Republic, where BAE Systems is delivering a 10 year
US$1.3 billion industrial partnership programme in support of the Gripen fighter lease, delivery is approaching 80% of requirement, some 2 years ahead of plan.
 
“Our approach has been to provide Czech companies with access to inward investment, export promotion, research and development and manufacturing opportunities, linked to the global footprint of BAE Systems and its supplier base,” states Garwood.
 
BAE Systems will be using its participation in MSPO Kielce to highlight its capabilities in the land systems, security and aerospace sectors, with a particular focus on its ability to meet Poland’s stated need for a new fast jet pilot training system.
 
The company’s Hawk advanced jet trainer is already training frontline pilots to fly the world’s most advanced and capable combat aircraft, including F16 Block 50/60, F18 Super Hornet, F35, Su30, Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon. Air powers ranging from Australia to the United States, with 20 others in between, choose Hawk to meet their lead-in fighter trainer requirements.

Last month, India committed to buying a further 57 Hawk advanced jet trainers, in addition to the 66 already in manufacture. These aircraft, to be built in India through a partnership with local aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics, will be used to train Navy and Air Force pilots in preparation for flying the Su30 and India’s next generation fighter aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen NG, F18 Super Hornet and a number of other combat aircraft are currently being evaluated by the Indian MoD.

The advanced training systems built into today’s new generation Hawk jet trainers enable one aircraft to carry out a number of tasks, for which its rivals may need two or more aircraft.

“Today’s Hawk advanced jet trainer will be training some of the world’s most capable frontline pilots for decades to come. It builds on a pedigree of success, established by previous generations of this highly successful platform which, although entirely different to today’s aircraft, share the same name,” comments Garwood.
 
“For Poland, we will offer a low risk solution based on the aircraft selected by the UK to train its frontline F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon pilots. This will provide a seamless entry into service and delivery of the required training capability, from day one.”

Source: BAE

Alenia Aeronautica, Avio and Lockheed Martin sign five-year contract to support Italian Air Force’s C-130J Fleet

Lockheed Martins New Multi-Purpose HELLFIRE II Missile

ORLANDO, FL, August 30th, 2010 — Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] multi-purpose AGM 114R HELLFIRE II missile struck and destroyed a stationary tank target in its third proof-of-principle flight test, a ground-launch test configured to simulate launch from an unmanned aerial system (UAS). The R model, or “Romeo” missile, features a multi-purpose warhead that enables a single HELLFIRE missile to cover all of the target sets of the currently fielded laser-guided variants.

A team consisting of personnel from Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army Joint Attack Munitions Systems program office located in Huntsville, AL, conducted the test at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The missile, armed with a live warhead, was fired at a stationary M60 tank located 6.4 kilometers downrange. Immediately before launch, test equipment emulating an airborne UAS launch platform sent targeting data and warhead delay selection commands for an armored target to the missile.

The missile was launched in lock-on-after-launch mode with a high trajectory to simulate launch from a UAS. It used its inertial measurement unit and targeting data to fly to the approximate location of the target before beginning its search for the laser signal generated by the ground-based targeting laser. The missile acquired the laser spot and struck the target within inches of the laser aimpoint.

“One of the most noticeable operational enhancements in the AGM-114R missile is that the pilot can now select the type of lethality effects while on the move and without having to have a pre-set mission load prior to departure, ” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Brown, HELLFIRE Systems product manager. “This is a big deal in insurgency warfare, as witnessed in Afghanistan where the Taliban are fighting in the open and simultaneously planning their next attacks in amongst the local populace using fixed structure facilities to screen their presence. The AGM-114R is currently that ‘one missile’ that can service all targets.”

“The success of this flight test demonstrates that the HELLFIRE Romeo can defeat HELLFIRE’s toughest target; a heavily armored vehicle,” said Ken Musculus, director of Air-to-Ground Missile System programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “It can fly to an area before acquiring a target, which enables a high-altitude platform to strike targets behind it without additional maneuvering, and defeat a tank when it gets there. We’ve worked closely with our customer to develop a next-generation all-in-one HELLFIRE, and we’re pleased that we’re that much closer to getting it into the hands of the Warfighter.”

Lockheed Martin performs all work on behalf of the HELLFIRE Systems Limited Liability Company, and will produce the missiles at its manufacturing facilities in Troy, AL, and Ocala, FL.

Source and photo: Lockheed Martin

1st Boeing C-130 AMP Low-Rate Initial Production Aircraft Inducted at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 30, 2010 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the induction of the first C-130 aircraft slated to receive the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) upgrade at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga. This is the first of 20 aircraft to be upgraded during low-rate initial production (LRIP).

“Warner Robins is ready to receive the C-130 and begin installing the AMP kits,” said Tommy Jackson, C-130 AMP deputy program manager for the U.S. Air Force. “Our team has been trained by Boeing, and we are excited to get the first of many aircraft through our line and upgraded.”

Air Force workers at Robins will install glass cockpits that include a head-up display; six flat-panel, full-color displays; and night-vision capability in 10 of the 20 LRIP aircraft. Warner Robins will receive its second C-130 for AMP modification in October.

“The C-130 AMP is production-ready,” said Mahesh Reddy, C-130 AMP program manager for Boeing. “Today marks a very important day for the warfighter. Boeing and the Air Force are one step closer to delivering a fleet of C-130 AMP aircraft.”

Boeing will begin its portion of the installations in early 2012 at its San Antonio facility.

Source: Boeing

Mexico to use Israeli UAVs in war on drugs

The Mexican government has acquired an undisclosed number of Israeli-made surveillance drones to perform monitoring tasks in border areas and near strategic installations, and bolster its fight on the drug cartels ravaging the county.

According to Homeland Security Newswire, Mexico’s Defense Ministry has paid $23.5 million (each) for a series of Hermes 450, an unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Israel’s Elbit Systems.

The Hermes 450, which is being used in the southwestern portion of the United States to watch the border with Mexico, has an electronic system that can provide information in real time and allows the aircraft to fly independently with the help of a GPS system.

The drones can operate at a maximum altitude of 18,000 feet and can remain in the air for up to 20 hours.

Source: Aerospace & Homeland Security

First Airbus Military A330MRTT for UK Royal Air Force leaves hangar

Boeing, US Navy Celebrate T-45 Jet Trainer’s Million-Flight-Hour Milestone

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 26, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today joined the U.S. Navy at Cecil Field in Jacksonville to celebrate the Naval Air Training Command’s 1 millionth flight hour with the T-45 Goshawk, the Navy’s premier jet trainer aircraft.

“This milestone is another testament to the quality that this team has put into each and every T-45 that we have training our future aerial combat warriors,” said Rear Adm. Bill Sizemore, chief of Naval Air Training. “It’s an exciting time in Naval Air Training as we forge into the future with the T-45 Goshawk, converting the remaining analog models into digital/glass cockpits to mirror the aircraft in the fleet.”

For more than 18 years, the twin-seat, single-engine Goshawk has prepared student aviators to transition to front-line Navy and Marine Corps fleet aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6 Prowler, EA-18G Growler and AV-8B Harrier. It is also the only aircraft in the world designed to conduct carrier-based flight training. A total of three Naval Air Training Command wings fly the T-45; Boeing presented each with a plaque at today’s event.

“Boeing is honored to commemorate the T-45′s rich legacy with our U.S. Navy customer, and we share the Navy’s pride in the aircraft’s critical mission of training for naval aviation,” said Greg Dunn, T-45 program manager at Boeing. “Boeing was proud to deliver the final T-45 aircraft last year. Our support of the T-45 fleet continues with affordable upgrades and supply-chain solutions. The Boeing team understands the importance of maximizing readiness and safety for the Navy so that aspiring aviators and flight officers are able to climb into a T-45 and take to the sky to earn those cherished wings of gold.”

The Goshawk is a component of the fully integrated T-45 training system, which also includes high-fidelity instrument and flight simulators, computer-assisted classroom learning, an automated training-management asset, and contractor logistics support. More than 3,600 student aviators from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and several international militaries have received instruction on the system at naval air stations in Meridian, Miss.; Kingsville, Texas; and Pensacola, Fla., before earning their “wings of gold” naval aviator insignia.

“BAE Systems is proud of its role on the T-45 program, and of the training aircraft capability that we have brought to bear in support of our partnership with Boeing,” said Martin Rushton, managing director for BAE Systems’ Air Sector Training Business. “The T-45 Goshawk plays a key part in the overall training system for the U.S. Navy, and it is great to see that the aircraft continues to perform so well.”

Boeing delivered the 221st and final T-45 training jet to the Navy in November 2009. The company continues to support the T-45 fleet by providing engineering, logistics, and support equipment in partnership with BAE Systems, which supplied the aircraft’s rear and center fuselage sections, wing assembly and vertical tail. Boeing manages the T-45′s spare and repair parts supply, and supports L-3 Vertex with aircraft maintenance. Rolls-Royce provided the T-45’s Adour F405 turbofan power plant.

Source and photo: Boeing

USAF F-15 Eagles soar for last time at Hickam

8/27/2010 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR – HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) – Pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, completed their last training mission with the F-15 Eagle from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii Aug 25.

The HIANG is upgrading to the F-22 Raptor, a fifth generation fighter, and received their first two Raptors in July.

The ANG is the lead in a total force concept that already exists at JB Hickam with the C-17 Globemaster III. The 199th FS will fly and help maintain the 20 F-22 Raptors that bring another capability to the HIANG.

Many of the current F-15 pilots of the HIANG are eager to start training and flying the Raptor, but will still sorely miss the Eagle aircraft, which the unit has flown since 1987, said Lt. Col. James Sage, a pilot with the 199th FS.

“It’s like saying goodbye to a good friend,” said Colonel Sage said. “It was exciting flying it for the last time, and especially against a F-22, but at the same time the F-15 has always brought me home safely and been an outstanding aircraft.”

The three remaining F-15s will depart JB Hickam Sept. 1, and with that, two of the fighters will move onto the 56th Aggressors Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., while the other will move onto the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard. The Montana unit has assumed the HIANG’s air-defense mission for the next year as the HIANG transitions to the F-22 said 199th pilot Lt. Col. Mark Ladtkow.

“It’s somewhat a bittersweet feeling flying the last training mission of the F-15 with our unit,” Colonel Ladtkow said. “I’m blessed to have the upcoming opportunity to fly the F-22, but the F-15, which I’ve flown for 17 years, is a friend of mine and will be missed.”

Colonel Ladtkow is a 20-year veteran of the military, with the last six being part of the ANG. He is slated to deliver his jet to the Montana ANG in September.

“The 199th (FS) proves that National Guard forces are capable of maintaining a strategic presence with its active-duty association and providing a great value to our nation and the state of Hawaii,” said Gen. Craig R. McKinley the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

The F-22, a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft, which utilizes stealth technology, was originally designed as an air-superiority fighter.

“These F-22 Raptors are the state-of-the-art, air-superiority fighters, and couldn’t be located at a better place,” said General McKinley.

Source and photo: USAF

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