All news – Page 6906
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Sukhoi develops new multirole naval two-seat Flanker variant
Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW The Sukhoi design bureau is developing a new two-seat side-by-side multirole naval fighter based on the Su-27IB prototype, claims the bureau's general director, Mikhail Simonov. The new model will have a conical, rather than a flattened "platypus" nose, housing a multimode radar. The Su-27IB (also designated ...
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Kuwaiti Mirage sale
Boeing has begun assembly of the forward fuselage of the second X-32 joint strike fighter demonstrator, two months after the first X-32's centre fuselage was assembled at the company's St Louis plant. Assembly of the second (X-32B) forebody is scheduled to be completed by next summer for final assembly . ...
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Upgraded Indian MiG-21 takes off from Sokol for first trials
Howard Gethin/LONDON The first flight of an upgraded MiG-21 for the Indian air force took place on 6 October at ANPK's Sokol plant in Nizhni Novgorod, Russia. Preparations are under way for live firing trials of Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer) infrared short-range and R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active-homing medium range ...
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Japan starts SAR amphibian design
The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) is to begin detailed design work on an updated search-and-rescue (SAR) amphibian, having finally selected the Allison AE2100J turboprop engine for its planned improved development of the ShinMaywa US-1A. JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), tasked with overseeing the programme, is expected to ...
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Comanche radar decision due soon from US Army
Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC The US Army will decide within two months whether to pursue alternative fire control radar solutions for the Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance/attack helicopter, says programme manager Brig Gen Joe Bergantz. It had been assumed that a smaller version of the Northrop Grumman/Lockheed Martin ...
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New Zealand launches P-3 Sirius
Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA The New Zealand Ministry of Defence has released an invitation to register (ITR) for the Project Sirius tactical sensor suite upgrade for its six Lockheed P-3K maritime patrol aircraft, aimed at extending the P-3's life by at least 20 years. The ITR is expected to be followed ...
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IAI unveils tank firing laser homing missile
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has developed and tested a barrel-launched laser homing anti-tank weapon (LAHAT) which is being offered to the US military and Israeli Army to allow tanks to engage helicopters and armoured vehicles. The Israeli company has teamed with General Dynamics Ordnance Systems division in marketing the advanced ...
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Singapore aims to pull US strings for Longbow
The US Congress is being asked to approve the release of the Northrop Grumman/Lockheed Martin Longbow millimetre wave radar to Singapore in support of the Boeing AH-64D Apache bid for the Singapore air force's new attack helicopter, to be decided soon. Singapore is pressing the USA to release the ...
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Volvo Norsk
Volvo Aero has agreed in principle to buy 67% of Norsk Jetmotor, the Kongsberg, Norway-based aircraft engine component manufacturer, which is being sold by Kongsberg group and the Norwegian Government. Norsk is also owned by US engine builder Pratt & Whitney (22%)and France's Snecma (11%). The firm works on military ...
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Australian reforms
Paul Phelan/CAIRNS "It is an uncertain market, because there are various people at different levels of desperation as a consequence of their position," warned Qantas managing director James Strong, explaining the impact of the Asian downturn even on carriers indirectly affected. The comment, made in August at the same conference ...
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Transition Planning
Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC The US Federal Aviation Administration has produced a new blueprint for modernisation of the country's airspace system, but industry remains far from convinced that the document represents a firm timetable for the introduction of new technologies. Manufacturers have been researching the new communications, navigation, surveillance and air ...
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Striking possibility
Howard Gethin/LONDON Long-range precision strike remains an ability all commanders desire, but the cost and complexity remain high. Using manned strike aircraft allows a man-in-the-loop and lots of firepower, but is expensive and vulnerable, especially over a battlefield. Artillery cannot strike in depth beyond about 40km (25 miles), even with ...
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Diminishing returns
Paul Phelan/WELLINGTON For almost 10 years Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Carey Adamson watched the stature of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) being steadily diminished by successive waves of political negativity, before its future was tenuously stabilised in 1996. At that point, a defence assessment ...
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Space Shuttle
Tim Furniss/LONDON John Glenn has made it in the nick of time. The STS95/Discovery mission due to launch the 77-year-old former astronaut into orbit on 29 October, it turns out, is his last realistic chance to return to space. The fifth Shuttle launch this year, STS88, is scheduled ...
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Big ideas
Julian Moxon/NOORDWIJKERHOUT To a travelling public that sees the occasionally horrific television images of the aftermath of a major air disaster, the idea that they might one day fly on an aircraft capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers is likely to bring the inevitable thought - what if it ...
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ANA becomes the ninth Star Alliance member
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has finally thrown its hat into the Star Alliance ring to become the ninth full member, adding further pressure to flag carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) to commit to the rival oneworld partnership. Airline president Kichisaburo Nomura announced ANA's intention to join Star during a gathering ...
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South Korea eyes Beriev Be-200 amphibian
South Korea is talking to IAPO Beriev over the possible sale of "several"Be-200 amphibian aircraft for the country's maritime patrol force, according to IAPO president Alexei Fedorov. If the deal is completed, South Korea would probably be the export launch customer for the aircraft, which would be accepted in ...
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China moves in on subcontracting consolation prize
Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE Airbus Industrie is moving ahead with plans to subcontract A320 component manufacturing to China as the first step towards transferring a full wing production capability. At the same time, Boeing has linked its offer on 717 wing work to reaching a settlement with China over the stillborn ...
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France rethinks on FLA finance decision
France has made a partial U-turn over its refusal to provide pre-launch funding for the Future Large Aircraft (FLA) military transport programme by offering to finance "at least half" of the country's share. The programme has been embroiled in controversy as various nations, including France, have withdrawn funding or, ...
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More delays hit new UK control centres
David Learmount/LONDON The UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is facing further delays to the opening of its new Scottish air traffic control centre (SCATCC) because contract negotiations with the Lockheed Martin-led consortium Sky Solutions have dragged on for at least a year longer than expected. The revelation comes as ...