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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 2575.PDF
DEFENCE ENGINES to power Japan's P-X Japan has selected the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) XF7-10 engine to power its new Kawasaki P-X maritime patrol aircraft, ending an almost two-year delay. The indigenous design was the only candidate to power the four- engined P-X, 80 of which will be built for the Japan Defence Agency (JDA). The JDA had been expected to select the XF7 from late 2002, but a formal decision was delayed pending testing of prototype engines, the first of which was delivered in September 2002. With preliminary tests on five prototype engines nearly com plete, the JDA last month announced its selection of the XF7-10. Initial flight-rated tests at the agency's Technical Research and Development Institute will be completed in 2005. REORGANISATION STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC All change at US Air National Guard Wings to merge and position gained on F/A-22 The US Air National Guard (ANG) is reorganising to gain a toehold in the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F/A-22 Raptor programme and pick up two new squadrons of General Atomics Predator unmanned air vehicles. Both missions are being added as part of a larger effort for the ANG and the Air Force Reserve (AFR) to expand into emerging mission areas, while at the same time shed ding older roles that are becoming less relevant in modern warrant ing, says Lt Gen Stephen Wood, air force deputy chief of staff for plans and programmes. The F/A-22 initiative will merge the ANG's 192nd Fighter Wing into the active duty's 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia, which is the first unit to receive operational F/A- 22s. The ANG unit, which is to phase out its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16s, will move from Richmond, Virginia. ANG pilots and maintainers will now be trained in the initial cadre of the 1st Fighter Wing's F/A-22 workforce, but the active duty will retain ownership and budget responsibility for the advanced stealth fighters. But guard and reserve officials hail the develop ment as a major step for their efforts to keep pace with the capa bilities of the US Air Force, espe cially as manpower pressures force more collaboration. The new Predator squadrons will be formed in Texas and Arizona, adding to an ANG unit at Nellis AFB, Nevada. THREAT More details on Hezbollah UAV scare Islamic resistance movement Hezbollah has provided more information on the unmanned air vehicle it flew into Israeli air space early last month Flight International, 16-22 November). A version of the Iranian-devel oped Mohadjer 4 air vehicle, the Mirsad 1, has a claimed payload capacity of 50kg (1101b), which Hezbollah reportedly says could include an explosive charge for strikes "deep into Israel". Hezbollah is believed to have acquired eight Mirsad 1 air vehi cles from Iran, with deliveries made earlier this year. Tehran is believed to be providing contin ued support, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps thought to have provided assis tance during the 7 November flight over the northern Israeli town of Nahariyya. www.boeing.com
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