Jan 31
ynaAir Force, News f-15, F-15 Eagle, F-15 fighters, f-16 falcon, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35, f-35 joint strike fighter, f-35 jsf, F-35 Lightening II, F-35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter, F-35 model plane, Lockheed Martin F-35
The production of F-35 Lightning II has encountered another setback. The fuel tank of the JSF was found to be problematic, casting another gloom to the most controversial and expensive defense program of Pentagon.
To make up for the late arrival of the F-35s, the US Air Force is spending nearly $6 billion to upgrade and refurbish its F-15 jet planes. Almost half of the money allocated for the F-15s will be spent on new electronics. The remaining budget will be spent on older F-15s. Introduced 30 years ago, the F-15 was originally designed to fly for just 8,000 hours. The Air Force is looking forward to adding another 10 thousand hours with internal and external improvements to the F-15.
The US Air Force is also looking forward to upgrade its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon Aggressors. The improvement involves equipping the jet planes with an electronic system that will improve the accuracy of replicating enemy fighters.
“To date, generally, it is considered that the aggressors under-replicate the current threat,” says Major Gary Barker, the ACC training operations division’s F-16 functional area and realistic training manager. “It’s very difficult for the aggressors to provide the threat picture that we think we would see in near-peer combat.”
The Air Force sees the System Capabilities Upgrade-8 (SCU-8) configuration as the solution. With the SCU-8, older Blocks 30 and 32 F-16s will have a helmet-mounted cueing system and a new center display unit, which Barker describes as having functionality similar to an Apple iPad
“With that, you can simulate missile WEZs [weapons employment zones] and provide more accurate cueing real-time that can aid in kill removal and weapons assessment airborne,” Barker says.
As of now, the current F-15s and F-16s are well-suited to deal with fourth-generation enemy fighters. But with the emergence of new warplanes such as the Chinese Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-31 or Russian Sukhoi PAK-FA, the Air Force has to take measures to keep up while waiting for the fifth-generation F-35 jet fighters.
Start your own fleet of jet fighters with the military aircraft models from Warplanes. Get a scale model of famous modern and historical aircraft and display it in your own home!
News Source: www.flightglobal.com, www.strategypage.com
Jan 11
ynaAir Force, News BAE, BAE Systems, Boeing, f-16, f-16 falcon, F-16 jet fighter plane, f-16 model plane, F-35, Lockheed Martin F-16, Lockheed Martin F-35, USAF F-16
Lockheed Martin, the maker of F-16 fighter jets are losing some parts of the $3 Billion servicing work to BAE.
Last year, BAE won over Lockheed to refurbish the 130 units of F-16 owned by South Korea. It was the first the Pentagon’s biggest contractor lost such bid. BAE is looking at possibilities of taking on more F-16 repair and upgrade work to boost its international sales. “We’re looking at potentially where to take this next,” David Herr, president of BAE’s support solutions business said. “It’s a big opportunity for us.” Aside from South Korea, BAE had also talked with other nation the possibility of other F-16 work.
According to defense analyst Kevin Brancato; due to the military budget cuts, defense companies are now shifting their focus on servicing and improvement contracts. This means that Lockheed have to defend its turf from its rivals that may soon include Boeing. Lockheed Martin are busy with the development of the controversial F-35, the most expensive Pentagon’s development program in history.
Ellen Buhr, a company spokesperson said that Boeing is interested in international F-16 upgrades. Boeing had experienced working with the F-16 through its work on converting the jet planes into drones used for military target practice.
In total, there 2,271 units of F-16 owned by other nations.
The F-16 is a significant member of the Air Force fleet. Start your own fleet of jet model planes from Warplanes. Space nut? Warplanes also have museum-quality NASA models that will look awesome in your home.
News Source: www.bloomberg.com
Dec 12
ynaAir Force, News Bell Helicopter, black hawk down model, Boeing, EADS, helicopter models, HH-60, HH-60 Pave Hawk, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky Black Hawk, Sikorsky HH-60
Five big defenses contractors have pulled out from the latest attempt of the U.S. Air Force to replace the its aging fleet of rescue helicopter HH-60 Pave Hawk. Only Sikorsky Aircraft remain as the contender for $6.84 billion contract.
Questions are now raised on whether the contest can proceed as planned as Northrop Grumman Corp, which was teamed with Italy’s Finmeccanica SpA; Boeing Co; Textron’s Bell Helicopter unit; and the U.S. unit of Europe’s EADS withdrew from the competition to build 112 units of search and rescue helicopters for the Air Force.
According to industry insiders, the bidding rules were so narrowly framed that most aircraft in the competition except the one by Sikorsky are effectively excluded. The contest did not offer additional merits to to aircraft that have extra capabilities and exceeds the parameters of contest. Sikorsky Aircraft still plans to offer a variant of its popular Black Hawk helicopter. The HH-60 Pave Hawk was built by Sikorsky Aircraft.
New helicopters will surely boost the military’s helicopter fleet. Start your own fleet with Warplanes’ helicopter models. Warplanes also have replica models of popular airlines as well.
News Source: www.reuters.com
Oct 25
ynaAir Force, News b-52, B-52 bomber, b-52 stratofortress, B-52 Stratofortress bomber, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress model airplane, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress model plane, boeing x-51, X-51, x-51 model, x-51a, X-51A Waverider
The U.S. Air Force announced that it will push through of the test flight for the X-51A on late spring or early summer of 2013. It will fly the last of the four hypersonic aircraft built by Boeing.
The testing program was threatened to be aborted after the failed third testing last August. On August 14, the third Waverider veered off course shortly after being dropped by a B-52 Bomber, then crashed into the Pacific Ocean. According to Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager, investigators think that one of the aircraft’s control fins inadvertently came unlocked, but they are still figuring why it happened. Conclusive investigation will be completed by December.
The Waverider is designed to achieved hypersonic speed which starts from Mach 5 or five times the speed of sound. It runs on the power of a supersonic combustion ramjet engine, also known as scramjet built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.
During a test flight, the X-51A Waverider is carried by a B-52. Then, it uses solid-rocket booster to reach speed near Mach 5, after the launching from B-52. A solid-rocket is jettisoned, then the scramjet engine takes over.
Of the three previous test flights, only the first X-51A completed the transition to scramjet powered flight. The second X-51A test ignited the scramjet, but failed shortly after.
Charlie Brink expects the U.S. military to conducts follow-up program for the X-51 in order to mature scramjet engine technology.
The future of aviation is full of exciting possibilities. But do not forget its legendary history. Warplanes has model airplanes for sale of modern and historic aircraft. You can even have your own custom model airplanes displayed right in your home.
News source: www.newsspace.com
Aug 31
ynaAir Force, News F-22, f-22 air force, F-22 aircraft, f-22 model plane, F-22 Okinawa, f-22 pilots, f-22 raptor, f-22 usaf, stealth plane
Brig. Gen. Matthew Malloy, commander of 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, reported that there are zero incidents with the F-22 since they arrived in Japan in July. A dozen F-22 had been deployed in Okinawa days, after U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lighten the restrictions on the aircraft. But so far, the first overseas mission of the F-22 is going on without a glitch and no pilots complained of flying the aircraft.
Flying restrictions on the F-22 aircraft were placed after pilots complained of dizziness and getting disoriented. Two pilots from Virginia National Air Guard had gone on television to expose the difficulty of flying the aircraft. They complained of extreme disorientation while on the air and coughing and dizziness after flying. A dozen incidents were also reported where pilots experience similar symptoms and a fatal crash in 2010 caused the F-22 to be grounded. However, the crash was ruled due to pilot error.
The F-22 fleet got the green light to fly again after the U.S. Air Force identified the main problem as the faulty valve in its flight vest. Measures are being taken to ensure pilot safety and it will be completed at the end of the year. Meanwhile, pilots in Japan do not use flight vests as they fly under altitude ceilings. They also fly close to emergency landing areas.
Malloy said in an interview with Associated Press that the F-22 planes are delivering safely.”The Air Force has been aggressively looking at this very complex issue,” Molloy said. “I’m glad that we are getting back on the road.” Malloy is also an F-22 pilot.
The F-22 is a stealth airplane that can evade radar and fly at supersonic speed without using after-burners. The aircraft’s capabilities are currently unmatched by other nations.
Get your F-22 and other jet model planes from Warplanes. We also offer blue angels model airplanes to add to your collection.
News source: www.cbsnews.com
Jun 28
ynaAir Force, News 1952 airplane crash, Air Force crash, aircraft models, airplane crash, airplane replicas, Alaska, blackhawk, blackhawk helicopter, C-124, C-124 Globemaster, Globemaster model plane, helicopter model, UH-60 Blackhawk, UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter model
On June 14, the Alaska National Groundsmen flying on a Blackhawk helicopter discovered a debris of an aircraft inside Colony glacier during a routine flight. The glacier is located 40 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska. Now, military investigators found that the wreckage from the plane found at the site correlates with the military plane crash in 1950s.
On November 22, 1952, an Air Force C-124A Globemaster crashed on Mount Gannett, killing all 52 people on board. The flight came from the McChord Air Force Base in Washington State. It was the third Air Force transport plane to crash or go missing in Alaska that month, and the sixth in the Pacific Rim. After the crash, military teams tried to go to the site, but bad weather always got in the way until it got buried in the snow and became part of the glacier.
The Alaska National Groundsmen recovered a life support system and bones from the glacier. Only the tail and flippers of the aircraft are intact, but the tail number will be enough to confirm an identification. DNA matching with the living relatives of those on board can take up to six years. Because of this, military officials are still not counting out other possibilities until further investigation is conducted.
Get the latest military aircraft news from Warplanes Online Community. For airplane replicas and jet model airplanes, browse the extensive models from Warplanes.
News source: www.ajc.com
May 04
angelicabusayAir Force aircraft, Airplanes, F-22, f-22 raptor, f-22 raptor model airplane, jets, model airplanes, Pilot Paul "Max" Moga, Soviet Air Force, US Air Force, USAF, warplanes, wood model planes
Last May 2, 2012, the company’s F-22 Raptor Program Manager Jeff Babione handed over a ceremonial key for the last Raptor to the US Air Force (USAF) Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz who then handed it over to pilot Lt Col Paul “Max” Moga, who then passed it onto his crew chief, Staff Sgt Damon Crawford. USAF dignitaries attended the event including Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Bob Stevens, and Generals Mike Hostage, Edward Rice and Gary North.
“The delivery represents an important element in our overall modernisation effort,” Schwartz says. “We continue to focus on ensuring that these capabilities will help shape the future security environment, not just respond to them.”
“If someone had told me in 2004, when I first started flying the Raptor, that I would have the honor of flying the last production jet out of Marietta, I’d have never believed them,” says Moga, commander of 525th FS, who will fly the jet to Alaska. 3rd Wg Cdr Col Dirk “Stuff” Smith will fly tail 4193 Elemendorf-Richardson.
“The F-22 weapon system is a testament to this country’s industrial strength, technological power and aviation ingenuity. Any line worker, engineer or supervisor that was involved in building the Raptor should feel an immense amount of pride in what they have accomplished. It is far and away the most lethal fighter aircraft ever built – a fact that will unfortunately, but most certainly, be proven in combat some day,” Moga added. “Rest assured…the F-22 has and will save lives.” Moga praises those who built the powerful twin-engined stealth fighter.
The F-22 Raptor aircraft served as an air superiority fighter against the Soviet Air Force. This aircraft is capable of ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence roles. F-22 Raptor is a combination of stealth, maneuverability, integrated avionics and improved supportability. It performs both air-to- air and air-to-ground missions, making it an essential property to USAF.
Get your own F-22 Raptor aircraft models in Warplanes. Check out other helicopter models, airplane models and seacraft models from Warplanes vast roster of destop wooden replica models.
Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/
Mar 30
ynaAir Force, News ah-64 apache, AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Apache AH-64D, apache helicopter model, apache wood model, Attack helicopters, Boeing Apache, helicopter models, Indonesia, Indonesia apache helicopters, US helicopter
Ninety organizations from different nations are appealing to the US government to stop providing Indonesia with deadly attack helicopters. The appeal comes as Indonesia announces its plan to buy eight Apache-64 helicopters from the US.
The groups fear that the helicopters will only heighten the conflicts in Indonesia, especially in the region of West Papua. The organizations’ letter expressed that the helicopters pose as a direct threat to West Papua civilians.
The Indonesia Military (TNI) regularly perform sweep operations that involve attacks to the villages. These attacks force innocent civilians to flee their homes. The letter disclosed that “Papuan civilians either flee the attacks to neighboring villages or into the surrounding forests where many die or face starvation, cut off from access to their gardens, shelter, and medical care.” Sweep operations are currently under way in the Central Highlands of the West Papua region.
The sweep operations commonly use Apache-64 helicopters. It is designed as a ground attack helicopter that can be operated by day and night. It is armed with high caliber chain guns and capable of firing missiles.
The appeal was started by the U.S.-based East Timor and IndonesiaAction Network (ETAN) and the West Papua Advocacy Team. It was signed by various human rights advocacy groups, religious, indigenous rights, disarmament and other organizations from 14 different nations.
Get your Apache-64 helicopter models from Warplanes. Check out other helicopter models, airplane models and seacraft models from Warplanes vast roster of destop wooden replica models.
News source: humanrightsasia.com
Mar 20
NinchAir Force, News aircraft model, Boeing, desktop model, mahogany model, model airplane, model plane, plane model, warplanes, wood plane model, wooden airplane model
The Boeing Company celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first flight that was done by the C-17 airlifter in Long Beach, California. Test aircraft T-1 took off from the Boeing Long Beach site on a two hour flight that proved the engineering and design concepts of the aircraft and marked the beginning of the program on September 15, 1991.
T-1 once again flew this September 15, 2011 in a re-creation of its milestone flight, “The first flight of T-1 ushered in a new era in military and humanitarian airlift,” said Bob Ceisla, C-17 program manager for Boeing. “Twenty years ago, when I was working in flight test for this new airlift program, I could not anticipate just how critical the C-17 would become for the U.S. Air Force and its allies. The success of the C-17 Globemaster III program extends beyond Boeing’s employees and supplier partners, who have proudly engineered and built the world’s greatest airlifter for two decades, to exceed the expectations of customers around the globe who fly the jet every day.”
For more than 2 million hours in its 20-year history the C-17 has flown, it was already supporting worldwide airlift missions that transport troops and supplies to global hot zones and bring aid to those in need during humanitarian crises.
“There is no question that the C-17 has set the bar high,” said Ciesla. “The program has performed on cost and on schedule for more than a decade. Now we are entering a new stage with a production-rate reduction from 15 to 10 aircraft per year, extending the life of the C-17 line to 2014 and beyond.”
Setting its history in aviation, the C-17 has achieved a number of record-breaking milestones to more than any other airlifter and set 33 world records during initial flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The C-17′s records include payload to altitude and time-to-climb, as well as a record for short-takeoff-and-landing in which the C-17 took off in less than 1,400 feet, carried a payload of 44,000 pounds to altitude, and landed in less than 1,400 feet.
Avail of the C-17 Globemaster III Model Airplane at Warplanes. Warplanes.com offers a wide range of beautifully crafted wood model planes at its best. Order online now!
Source: http://planenews.com
Mar 15
JobelleAir Force, News aircraft model, aircraft models, airplane models, custom model plane, CV-22 Model Airplane, cv-22 osprey, CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, model aircraft, Osprey, plane model, V-22 Osprey, V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, warplanes, wood plane model, wooden airplane model
A CV-22 Osprey, flown by the 8th Special Operations Squadron in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. hangs in the anechoic chamber at the Joint Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Systems hangar.
The Osprey is currently in the chamber for approximately four weeks to test upgraded electronic warfare systems. The J-PRIMES anechoic chamber is a room designed to stop internal reflections of electromagnetic waves, as well as insulate from exterior sources of electromagnetic noise. J-PRIMES provides this environment to facilitate testing air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronics systems on full-scale aircraft and land vehicles prior to open air testing.
The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.
Get this CV-22 Osprey Model Helicopter exclusively at Warplanes! This CV-22 Osprey Model Helicopter is modeled using various high-quality grade materials by our master craftsmen. It is carved from solid mahogany and entirely hand painted, designed to match the original aircraft.
Source: U.S. Air Force, Eglin Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr
Older Entries
RSS
