All Fixed-Wing news – Page 1316
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Portuguese F-16s
The US Department of Defense intends to provide Portugal with 25 surplus US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighters, plus spare engines, overhaul work and spare parts, worth an estimated $258 million. Source: Flight International
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Gripen sprouts vortex generators
AAB MILITARY AIRCRAFT HAS introduced small vortex-generating strakes (inset) on the JAS39 Gripen fighter. They are located on the upper-forward fuselage behind the aircraft's fore-planes. Saab says that the strakes are being added to provide "better performance at low speeds and high angles of attack". The strakes were introduced on ...
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Change of life
Sabena's avionics upgrade is providing a service extension for Belgium's Lockheed Martin C-130s. Harry Hopkins/ANTWERP OF THE 2,000 LOCKHEED C-130 variants manufactured, more than half were built before 1970. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that the Belgian air force's problem is a common ...
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Aero Vodochody
L39 Aero vodochody has produced several variants of the basic L39C the simplest version of second-generation jet trainer and the L39ZA training and light-attack aircraft. Both the L39C and L39Z are powered by AI-25TL twin-shaft turbofan engines. The L39V is a single-seat target tug. the L39ZO is ...
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Aeronautical development agency (Hindustan Aeronautics)
The first prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was rolled out in November 1995, with a first flight pencilled in for early 1997. A production decision is also due to be taken in 1997, with the aircraft entering service in 2002. The air force has a requirement for up ...
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Aero Industry Development Centre (AIDC)
AIDC has developed a single-seat attack variant of its AT-3 two-seat trainer. Some AT-3A trainers are being upgraded to AT-3B close-support aircraft, with Westinghouse APG-66 radar, head-up display and 1553B databus. Ching-Kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF) Production of the IDF was halted in October 1995 over ...
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Airbus Military Company (AMC)
The future of the FLA programme was thrown into turmoil when the French defence ministry revealed that it had no intention to provide any development funding. French industry has since been in prolonged negotiations with the defence ministry to try to find an acceptable solution. The French decision also meant ...
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Airtech (CASA/ITPN)
Brunei finally detailed its avionics equipment for its three maritime-patrol CN-235s in October 1996, with the radar competition being won by Texas Instruments. Pakistan is also emerging as a potential customer for a maritime-patrol variant of the aircraft. The CN-235 is being offered to South Korea to meet an air ...
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Alenia
Alenia and Lockheed Martin signed a preliminary agreement covering the development of the C-27J Spartan derivative of the G222 in February 1996. This is a substantial upgrade of the basic aircraft, with considerably improved avionics and modified engines. The project is, however, dependent on it being included as part of ...
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AMX International
AMX With the likelihood of a launch export order for the AMX rapidly diminishing, the programme's future appears to be restricted to aircraft upgrades for the Italian and Brazilian air forces. Both air forces suspended flights of the aircraft for periods during the second quarter of 1996 ...
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Antonov
AN-26/32 Curl/Cline Peru ordered three additional An-32 turboprop transports in mid-1994, quoting a price-per-aircraft of $1.2 million. The An-32 Cline is a "hot-and-high" version of the original An-24 Coke passenger transport, with almost twice the installed power. AN-70 The second prototype of the ...
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Aviaone (formerly IAV Craiova)
J-22 ORAO/IAR-93 Updates to the jointly developed J-22 Orao/IAR-93 attack aircraft have been proposed independently by Soko in Bosnia-Hercegovinia and Avioane in Romania. Damage and dismantling of the Mostar factory in Bosnia-Hercegovina during the war and collapse of the communist regime in Romania, have jeopardised any continuation of ...
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Boeing
737/CT-43 & SURVEILLER The USAF has been using the CT-43A for navigation training since 1973. This derivative of the Boeing 737-200 airliner accommodates up to 12 students, four advanced students and three instructors. Indonesia is the sole customer for the 737 Surveiller. This variant incorporates Motorola ...
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British Aerospace
SEA HARRIER FRS.1 & F/A2 BAe has converted the Royal Navy's 31 FRS1 Sea Harriers to FA2 standard under a ú170 million mid-life-update contract awarded in December 1988. Eighteen new-build FA2s have also been ordered. The aircraft has the capability to engage low-flying targets beyond visual range, ...
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British Aerospace McDonnell Douglas
HARRIER II/HARRIER II PLUS The RAF has taken delivery of the Harrier T Mk10 two-seat operational trainer, based on the TAV-8B airframe. A total of 13 of the aircraft have been ordered. McDonnell Douglas is continuing to work on remanufacturing 73 USMC AV-8Bs to the Harrier II Plus ...
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Dassault Aviation
RAFALE Like its main European competitor, the Eurofighter EF2000, the Rafale has been adversely affected by continuing defence cuts. Despite protests, the air force is unlikely to receive its first aircraft before 2004-5 according to the Government's revised procurement plan. The naval procurement has also been delayed, with ...
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Fokker
MARITIME ENFORCER MK2 The future of the Fokker military range has been thrown into question because the company has been forced into administrative receivership. A variety of special-missions aircraft based on the Fokker 50 turboprop have been developed. The Maritime Enforcer Mk.2 made its first flight in December ...
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Israel Aircraft Industries
KFIR IAI completed an upgrade package for the Kfir in 1993, based on the cancelled Lavi fighter's avionics. It completed delivery of six aircraft to Sri Lanka in January 1996. The Philippines and Slovenia also remain potential customers for ex-Israeli air force aircraft, with Ecuador interested in procuring ...
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Ilyushin
Il-76/78 Candid/Midas/Mainstay The four-turbofan Il-76M/MD long-range transport continues as the main transport type of the CIS air force. India ordered 20, to replace An-12s. A three-point hose-and-drogue tanker variant, the Il-78 Midas, became operational during 1987. Many of these aircraft, however, have been inherited by Ukraine, leaving the ...
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Lockheed Aircraft Argentina
Lockheed Aircraft Argentina is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Aircraft Service, and on 1 July, 1995, took over the management and operation of the former FMA under a concession agreement to last 25 years. The two aircraft which have been featured in this survey are the trainer and ...