My other job is writing for Flight International magazine. And I'm in full-time training mode this week, which, alas, leaves me with even less time to blog (by the way, is "to blog" officially a verb, yet?).
So allow me to fill some space here this week the easy way -- by pirating copy I wrote for the magazine issue. I was on a bit of a naval aviation kick last week.
Here's a snippet of what I wrote about EPX, but read the full story here:
With three teams already lined up at the starting gate, the US Navy has attracted a competitive field for the newly launched EPX programme that the US defence industry normally reserved for the most high-profile requirements. Yet, the opportunity to replace 11 ageing Lockheed EP-3E ARIES II aircraft - the electronic intelligence-gathering subset of the USN's maritime patrol aircraft fleet - has sparked a wide-open and diverse race despite its relatively small numbers.Although the size of the EPX contract dwarfs the ongoing battle for the US Air Force KC-X contract, the USN requirement could rekindle the fight between military derivatives of Boeing and Airbus airliners that has characterised the KC-X contest. Boeing is actively pursuing a 737-based platform and Northrop Grumman is publicly considering the Airbus A321.
And here's a sampling of my story about the next-generation jammer, one of my recent favorites:
The US Navy has made the first move to develop and field its first all-new aerial jamming system since 1971.The next-generation jammer (NGJ) project is first aimed at boosting the electronic attack power of the Boeing EA-18G Growler, which will enter service in June.
But the replacement for the navy's ageing EDO ALQ-99 pod could widen the mission to other platforms, such as an EA variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the US Marine Corps. The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 12 February kicked off a four-month study to identify and prioritise the functions needed for the NGJ to replace the venerable ALQ-99.
Recent Comments