All Fixed-Wing news – Page 1333
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RAF considers JTIDS Tornado GR4 update
Douglas Barrie/LONDON THE ROYAL AIR FORCE is studying the possibility of equipping its Panavia Tornado GR4 strike-aircraft with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems (JTIDS) data-communications network. Funding for fitting RAF combat aircraft with the JTIDS so far covers only two squadrons of Tornado F3s, along ...
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Light fighter, big punch
The British Aerospace Sea Harrier Blue Vixen/AIM-120 upgrade is proving its worth with the Royal Navy. Douglas Barrie/YEOVILTON WHEN the Royal Navy's British Aerospace Sea Harriers were armed with Raytheon AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles, engagement with an enemy was compared to having a "knife fight in a phone ...
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Boeing holds tanker talks with Kawasaki
BOEING IS discussing a co-operative tie-up with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to offer the 767 tanker/transport multi-mission aircraft to the Japan Defence Agency (JDA). The US manufacturer views Japan as the most likely launch customer for its proposed 767-300 tanker/transport derivative. To secure JDA funding, Boeing wants ...
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Manila narrows fighter choice
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE THE PHILIPPINE AIR force is expected to narrow its evaluation of competing fighter aircraft to a shortlist of two or three final contenders by October. According to local sources, the air force is looking at new-build and upgraded secondhand fighter types. The number ...
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Pemco/Airod team
Pemco Aeroplex has teamed with Airod of Malaysia to bid for the US Air Force's worldwide Lockheed Martin C-130 overhaul contract. The USAF's C-130 programmed depot-maintenance contract is due to be awarded in the second half of 1996. Source: Flight International
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Lockheed Martin begins talks with Czech manufacturers
LOCKHEED MARTIN has held negotiations with Aerovodochody and engine manufacturer Motorlet on possible industrial offset packages which could accompany a deal to sell F-16 fighters to the Czech Republic. A team of industrial experts from the US manufacturer arrived in Prague on 1 July for discussions with several ...
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ITEC ships first F124 turbofan
ITEC ships first F124 turbofan to MDC for Australian T-45 bid THE FIRST F124-400 turbofan for installation in a McDonnell Douglas (MDC) T-45A Goshawk has been shipped to MDC by AlliedSignal Aerospace's International Turbine Engine (ITEC) for eventual demonstration to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The ...
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Rafael flight-tests active radar missile
RAFAEL HAS begun flight-testing an active-radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missile for the Israeli air force. The missile is intended to be deployed on the air force's Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft. The programme, previously known as "Alto", is a collaborative project between Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) ...
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RAF focuses on helmet sights for Jaguar GR1Bs
Douglas Barrie/LONDON THE ROYAL AIR Force intends to equip its Sepecat Jaguar GR1Bs with a helmet-mounted sighting system as part of a rolling improvement programme for the aircraft. The Jaguar has been given a new lease of life following delays to the Eurofighter 2000 programme, ...
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Fakel moves into AAM market
RUSSIAN SURFACE-to-air missile (SAM) design house Fakel is attempting to break into new markets by offering two air-to-air versions of secret SAM development projects. Both weapons are being offered for the Sukhoi Su-27M (Su-35) Flanker. Fakel is working on an active-radar-guided medium-range missile (box right in picture) ...
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F-16 trainer for Kelly
Lockheed Martin F-16 pilots of the 182nd Fighter Squadron of the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing at Kelly AFB, San Antonio, will be the first to use a new Unit Training Device flight simulator at the base. The Hughes-built simulator is the first of 56 for the US ...
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Joint endeavour
Graham Warwick/ATLANTA UNIT FLYAWAY COST for some 3,000 production aircraft will be the deciding factor in the competition for the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme. The risk involved in developing and producing an aircraft for the cost quoted will be the second major ...
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Tiger upgrade study attracts interest
THAILAND'S STUDY of a second-phase avionics and structural upgrade of its fleet of 36 Northrop Grumman F-5E/F Tiger II fighters is attracting strong international interest. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is understood to be holding initial discussions with several competing integrators, system vendors and airframe companies ...
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Indonesia completes hawk deal
INDONESIA HAS concluded a deal to purchase a second batch of 16 British Aerospace Hawk 200 light-strike aircraft. The Indonesian air force is understood to have signed a follow-on order with BAe for 16 single-seat Hawk 200s. The aircraft were covered by options from an earlier 1992 ...
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Saab prepares 2000 AEWC windtunnel tests
Andrzej Jeziorski/LINKOPING SAAB AIRCRAFT is about to begin windtunnel tests of an airborne early-warning and control (AEWC) version of its high-speed Saab 2000 turboprop. The aircraft offers better performance and superior command and control capability to that of the current Saab 340 AEW aircraft, the ...
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Turkey could join Europe's anti-tank missile project
TURKEY IS EMERGING as a potential partner in the European Long-Range (LR) Trigat anti-tank-missile programme to fill the hole left when the UK decided not to procure the missile as part of its attack-helicopter purchase. Initially, Turkish interest is understood to be in a vehicle-mounted variant of ...
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China ignores FC-1 doubts
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE CHINA IS LIKELY to go ahead with development of the Chengdu Aircraft (CAC) FC-1, despite growing doubts over Pakistan's support for the programme. According to defence sources, China's People's Liberation Army air force has a requirement for around 100 new FC-1 fighters, which is viewed as sufficient to ...
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Millon adds muddle to French helicopter number confusion
Millon adds muddle to French helicopter number confusion FRENCH DEFENCE minister Charles Millon has added to speculation over France's future attack- and transport-helicopter requirements by specifying a need for 215 Eurocopter Tigers for the army and a reduced purchase of "around" 160 NHIndustries NH90s. Millon's comments, in an interview with ...
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Slovenia studies Kfir purchase
SLOVENIA IS evaluating an Israeli offer to sell it eight to ten Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir fighter aircraft as part of an effort to become the Balkan country's main defence-systems supplier. Israel is providing assistance to Slovenia to define its defence requirements with a study covering land and air-force requirements ...
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Horizon in view with French army Cougar hand-over
THE FIRST Eurocopter Cougar helicopter fitted with the Horizon battlefield-radar surveillance system was officially handed over to the French army on 24 June. A second Horizon-equipped Cougar will be delivered in mid-1997. The Horizon is capable of being used to detect moving ground targets at ranges up to 200km (110nm). ...