L3 Technologies and Air Tractor are marketing their AT-802L (formerly AT-802U) as the OA-8 Longsword at the 2017 Avalon Airshow in Australia, as the partners look to secure regional sales for the armed turboprop aircraft.Company representatives told Jane's on 1 March that there are a number of requirements in Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Asia-Pacific region that could suit the newly re-designated OA-8, but declined to be more specific.Literature displayed by L3 and Air Tractor at the event gave the OA-8 a 400 n mile range with five hours of on-station time in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance configuration; a more than 10 hour endurance; a more than 2,812 kg payload (6,200 lb); an unprepared runway capability; and availability with a mobile command and ground control station. A model and imagery displayed showed the aircraft to be carrying 'dumb' bombs, rocket pods, and Gatling guns from its under-wing and under-fuselage hardpoints. A representative for L3 said that, while the OA-8 had performed a weapons drop during trials, it has not yet been certified.The promotion of the OA-8 at the Australian International Aerospace and Defence Exposition in Geelong, near Melbourne, comes at a difficult time for the partnership of L3 and Air Tractor as its recently approved sale to Kenya of 12 AT-802L aircraft (plus two AT-504 trainers) is being investigated by the Congressman representing its chief competitor, IOMAX. Congressman Ted Budd contends that L3 and Air Tractor have misrepresented their product in Kenya and elsewhere to piggy-back on the success of the IOMAX AT-802 and Archangel platforms developed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other potential customers.Previously, Air Tractor had not responded to Jane's requests for comment on allegations pertaining to sales to Kenya and Egypt specifically, while L3 had responded that it had no comment.
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Do you remember the Iranian stealth jet that was unveiled in 2013 and looked like a fake plane? Well, it would be in the final stages of production according to Tehran.Little more than 4 years ago, Iran unveiled the Qaher F-313 stealth fighter jet “one of the most sophisticated fighter jets in the world,” according to Tehran.Even if Iranian media outlets published articles that listed the aircraft’s top features, based on the first images released on Feb. 2, 2013, we explained that the Qaher was just a mock-up that would never fly unless it was extensively modified and improved.In fact, the cockpit seemed too basic for a modern plane, the air intakes too small , the engine section lacked any kind of nozzle (meaning that the engine, with or without afterburner) would probably melt the aircraft’s back-end) and, generally speaking, the aircraft was way too small. Some of our readers may remember a photo of an Iranian pilot sitting in a cockpit that could not fit a normal-sized human being.https://theaviationist.com/2017/03/07/qaher-f-313-tehrans-homemade-stealth-jet-in-final-production-stage-irans-defense-minister-claims/
With 2,312 aircraft in “active” service across the globe, the F-16 is the world’s most prolific fighter. In fact, there are more F-16s than all the F-15s, F/A-18s and F-22s put together!https://www.facebook.com/RealAirPower/
#USAF delivers five refurbished F-16s to Indonesia. The move is part of a $700 million deal signed in 2012 to supply the Southeast Asian nation with 24 ex-USAF F-16C/Ds upgraded from Block 25 to Block 52 standard by the end of 2017. Don’t you just love the Indonesian Viper’s color scheme?
Japan's SDF deploys largest-ever military transport aircraft2017-03-31 10:35Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) on Thursday held a ceremony at Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, to mark the official deployment there of three new C-2 transport aircraft.The three advanced military transport aircraft, the largest transport planes operated by the Self-Defense Forces here, are designed and manufactured by Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and are to replace its smaller C-1 predecessor.Japan's Air Self-Defense Force plans to have 10 of the transport aircraft deployed at the base by March 2021, with KHI having already taken orders for 40 C-2s to be built.With similar dimensions and payload capacity to the Airbus A400M, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force's procurement of the twin-engine jet is purportedly to boost its transportation capacity.Col. Yasuji Kitamura, the highest-ranking official at the Miho base, said that the role of the C-2 would be important in reinforcing aviation transportation capacity.The C-2 is operated by a crew of three, with one member assigned to the payload and its deployment.The 44 meter-length planes can be configured be used to transport troops, drop supplies and perform medical evacuations.The transporter plane can carry a total of 120 troops, or 8 standard air cargo pallets. It is also capable of carrying a single UH-60J helicopter.Critics of Japan's latest deployment of advanced military hardware have been quick to point out that Japan's pacifist Constitution forbids it from maintaining any war potential.A key clause of the Constitution states that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained."http://www.ecns.cn/military/2017/03-31/251636.shtml//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao2zZ1FaYUcDia 28 foi declarado o encerramento do desenvolvimento do C-2 pelo ministério de defesa e dia 31 foi incorporado 3 unidades.
By David CenciottiA new prototype of the weird Qaher 313 stealth jet has conducted taxi tests.Footage and photographs showing a new prototype (marked “08”) of the famous Qaher F-313 stealth fighter jet have just emerged as Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani participated Saturday in an exhibition displaying the achievements that the Defense Ministry Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan gained during the past two years.Indeed, an “upgraded version” of the “faux stealth fighter” can be observed performing taxi tests. The aircraft appears to be slightly different from the one unveiled on Feb. 2, 2013, that was nothing more than a poorly designed mock-up that would never fly unless it was extensively modified and heavily improved.Four years ago, the cockpit was basic for any modern plane, the air intakes appeared to be too small, the engine section lacked any kind of nozzle meaning that the engine would probably melt the aircraft’s back-end. Above all, the aircraft was way too small to such an extent its cockpit could not fit a normal-sized human being.https://theaviationist.com/2017/04/15/new-photos-and-video-of-irans-homemade-f-313-qaher-stealth-jet-have-just-emerged-and-heres-a-first-analysis/
The F-313 has appeared before, in 2013, when War Is Boring pointed out that the jet was too small to carry its announced weapons payload or even fit a pilot.Business Insider showed the footage to a senior scientist working on stealth aircraft who asked to remain anonymous because of the classified nature of his work.As far as radar signature goes, "some parts are laughable," the scientist said. Specifically, he said the downturned wingtips reminded him of something out of "Star Trek" and the vertical or near vertical fins on the plane would light up a radar.The scientist said he seriously doubted that Iran had the engineering processes and expertise in place to manufacture a stealth aircraft, the details of which need to be perfectly lined up to baffle radars. Iran has for years been under sanctions, prohibited from buying the kinds of components needed to build advanced stealth aircraft.Writing for Vice's Motherboard, journalist David Axe said the F-313 — which does not fly in the video — had its tire pressure stenciled on the outside of the plane and that it was way too low for a full-sized airplane weighed down with instruments and fuel.The scientist says the tire pressure "takes away all doubt that it's a fake."Still, some experts say Iran could attain somewhat credible stealth aircraft in the near future, as China's J-31, an F-35 knockoff, nears production.
A Força Aérea da Colômbia deverá continuar operando sua frota de 20 caças de combate IAI Kfir de segunda mão por vários anos, já que a aquisição de um novo avião de combate não se materializará no curto prazo, disse uma fonte militar colombiana.Conseqüentemente, a Força Aérea planeja adquirir duas aeronaves de treinamento de dois lugares Kfir TC-2 adicionais para substituir plataformas perdidas, embora o valor do contrato não tenha sido divulgado.O primeiro Kfir TC-2 está sendo submetido a testes em Israel depois de ser revisado pela LAHAV, e as entregas de ambas as máquinas serão concluídas nos próximos meses, disse Netta Kerem, diretor de marketing da LAHAV, ao Jane’s.FONTE: Jane’s
A Bulgária decidiu iniciar conversações com a Suécia para adquirir oito novos jatos de combate Gripen fabricados pela Saab, disse o vice-primeiro-ministro interino búlgaro, Stefan Yanev, na quarta-feira, no momento em que o país balcânico busca substituir seus antigos caças MiG-29.O país dos Balcãs escolheu a oferta sueca em vez de uma oferta de Portugal de F-16 de segunda mão equipados com armamento norte-americano e uma oferta da Itália de caças Eurofighter Typhoon de segunda mão.Estima-se que o negócio valha cerca de 1,5 bilhão de levs (US$ 832 milhões).Uma comissão especial para as negociações deverá ser criada dentro de uma semana, disse Yanev. As conversações com a Suécia serão realizadas pelo próximo governo da Bulgária, que deverá começar a funcionar na próxima semana.“A oferta da Suécia está em primeiro lugar, seguida por Portugal e Itália”, disse Yanev. “É normal que as conversas comecem com o primeiro país classificado.”No ano passado, o parlamento da Bulgária aprovou um plano para adquirir oito caças novos ou usados entre 2018 e 2020, para melhorar a conformidade do país com os padrões da OTAN e substituir seus MiG-29.Um acordo final ainda precisaria da aprovação parlamentar.FONTE: Defensenews
On this day: 37 years ago, IDF/AF F-16As downed two Syrian Mi-8 helicopters over the Bekaa Valley to score the type's first air-to-air victory (April 28, 1980).https://www.facebook.com/RealAirPower/
Developed and manufactured in cooperation with the United Kingdom at the end of the 1960s, more than 1,250 Gazelles have been delivered. Today, 470 rotorcraft are still in serviceThis year marks the Golden Jubilee for two of the most iconic rotorcrafts ever made. After the BO105 celebrations, is in fact time for Airbus Helicopters to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SA341 – SA342 Gazelle’s maiden flight.Fifty years after its maiden flight on April 7, 1967, the Aerospatiale (now part of Airbus Helicopters) Gazelle is still being operated by nearly 100 customers in 34 countries and it is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and high reliability.Developed and manufactured in cooperation with the United Kingdom at the end of the 1960s, more than 1,250 Gazelles have been delivered. Today, 470 rotorcraft — more than a third of all Gazelles manufactured – are still in service, 100 of which are operated by the French army.
Key PointsAVIC unveils export version of FTC-2000 trainer aircraft.First export customer believed to be Sudan.The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has unveiled an export version of its low-cost FTC-2000 supersonic trainer. The aircraft – known in China as the JL-9 Shanying – is the latest in a series of platforms that are being adapted by AVIC and its subsidiaries specifically for international markets.AVIC said the FTC-2000, which was rolled out by its subsidiary Guizhou Aircraft Industries Corporation (GAIC) on 5 June, will be delivered to an overseas client following trials. AVIC did not disclose the customer but it is thought to be Sudan. In China, the aircraft is operated by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Navy (PLAN).Commenting on the development, the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) – the agency responsible for Chinese defence industrial development – said the aircraft represented the first export aircraft produced at GAIC’s assembly line in city of Anshun in Guizhou province. It added, “This marks a significant development in China’s export of aviation weapons and equipment.”Hu Jianxing, deputy manager and chief designer at GAIC was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency as saying that the Chinese and export versions of the FTC-2000 are both powered by the Chinese developed WP-13 engines.He added that major differences between the Chinese and export versions of the aircraft include various avionics systems, navigation guidance systems, and extra hardpoints to carry additional payloads. The latter, he said, is intended to meet “overseas clients’ demands for multiple missions”.The twin-seat, single engine FTC-2000 made its first flight in 2003 and entered service with the PLAAF in 2009. Jane’s reported in November 2016 that an executive from GAIC had disclosed that Sudan had ordered six FTC-2000s and that other African countries were considering procuring the aircraft.http://www.janes.com/article/71156/china-promotes-ftc-2000-trainer-for-export
