[JLRC]

Israel Accepts First AH-64D Apache Longbows
 
 
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued April 11, 2005)
 
 
 ST. LOUIS --- The government of Israel accepted its first three AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters yesterday from the United States Department of Defense in a ceremony held in Israel.  
 
Key Israeli government and military leaders, as well as representatives from the U.S. Army, Boeing and the international Apache team attended the ceremony.  
 
The Israel Air Force, which has operated Boeing AH-64A Apaches since the early 1990s, is modernizing its fleet through a combination of AH-64A upgrades and new-build Apache Longbow combat helicopters. The Israel Air Force designation for the aircraft is the AH-64D-I Apache.  
 
While the aircraft were purchased through a U.S. Army foreign military sales agreement, some of the modifications to are being completed through a direct commercial sale agreement signed in 2000. The process enables Boeing to make several undefined changes directly with the Israel Air Force.  
 
The exact numbers and configurations of the Apache Longbow aircraft that will be delivered over the next several years under the contract have not been released. The aircraft were flown from Mesa, Ariz., where they are produced by Boeing, to Israel aboard a transport aircraft. Israel is one of 11 nations flying Apache helicopters and one of nine to have ordered or received the multi-mission next-generation AH-64D helicopter.  
 
The Apache Longbow features fully integrated avionics and weapons plus a state-of-the-art modem transmitting real-time, secure digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces. It can rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and engage stationary or moving opposition targets at standoff ranges in nearly all weather environments.  
 
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Zimbabwe Opposition Opposes Government Purchase of Fighter Jets
 
 
(Source: Voice of America; issued April 13, 2005)
 
 
 WASHINGTON, DC --- Zimbabwe state radio says the government of President Robert Mugabe has purchased six fighter jets. The radio called the aircraft "K-8" fighters, said to be a Chinese copy of the British Aerospace BAE “Hawk.”  
 
The British government suspended the sale of spare parts to Zimbabwe’s fleet of Hawks five years ago. The radio report did not mention the cost of the new planes, but a defense specialist quoted by the South African Mail and Guardian newspaper estimates they cost about 20 million dollars each.  
 
Giles Mutsekwa is the shadow Minister of Defense for Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change. He called the jet purchase “sad news,” given the poor economy and growing poverty. Mr. Mutsekwa told English to Africa reporter William Eagle that the government is “playing to the gallery” with its decision, suggesting one motive for the deal is to keep the military on its side. He said what the government should do – and what his party supports instead – is to improve the pay and standard of living for rank and file soldiers.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Australia – Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response Missile Systems  
 
 
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; dated April 14, released April 15, 2005)
 
 
 On 14 April 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile systems as well as associated equipment and services.  
 
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $430 million.  
 
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of SLAM-ER missile systems which includes up to 260 Operation, Telemetry, and Captive Air Training Missiles with containers; support equipment, integration and certification support, training missiles, containers, spares and repair parts, missile support and test equipment, provisioning, program management, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $430 million.  
 
Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power significantly contributes to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability and contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale will improve interoperability between RAAF and U. S. Navy (USN) forces. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.  
 
Australia intends to use the SLAM-ER missile on its F/A-18 and AP-3C aircraft. The RAAF can easily integrate SLAM-ER into its concept of operations. The proposed sale of SLAM-ER to Australia will contribute to U.S. security objectives by providing a coalition partner with enhanced strike capability for its tactical fighter or maritime patrol fleets. This will improve the RAAF ability to participate in coalition operations, provide common logistical support with the USN, and enhance the lethality of its forces. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.  
 
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.  
 
The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Although generally the purchaser requires offsets, at this time, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.  
 
Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Australia to support the integration of the selected weapon into the Australian fleet, but the estimated number of representatives has not been determined at this time.  
 
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.  
 
Australia is also considering a competing bid for Joint Air-to-Surface Stand Off Munition (JASSM).  
 
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded. (ends)  
 
 
 
 (Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; dated April 14, released April 15, 2005)
 
 
Australia - Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-Off Munition
 
 
 On 14 April 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of Joint Air-to-Surface Stand Off Munition (JASSM) as well as associated equipment and services.  
 
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $163 million.  
 
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of JASSM which includes up to 260 AGM-158 Operation, Telemetry, and Captive Air Training Missiles with containers, support equipment, integration and certification support, training missiles, containers, spares and repair parts, missile support and test equipment, provisioning, program management, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $163 million.  
 
Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power significantly contributes to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability and contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale will improve interoperability between RAAF and U.S. Air Force (USAF) forces. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.  
 
Australia intends to use the JASSM missile on its F/A-18 and AP-3C aircraft. The RAAF can easily integrate JASSM into its concept of operations. The proposed sale of JASSM to Australia will contribute to U.S. security objectives by providing a coalition partner with enhanced strike capability for its tactical fighter or maritime patrol fleets. This will improve the RAAF ability to participate in coalition operations, provide common logistical support with the USAF, and enhance the lethality of its forces. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.  
 
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.  
 
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Defense Systems of Orlando, Florida. Although generally the purchaser requires offsets, at this time, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.  
 
Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Australia to support the integration of the selected weapon into the Australian fleet, but the estimated number of representatives has not been determined at this time.  
 
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.  
 
Australia is also considering a competing bid for Stand-off Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile systems.  
 
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Aermacchi: The Second Prototype of the M-346 Flies
 
 
(Source: Aermacchi; issued >May 17, 2005)
 
 
 VENEGONO, Italy --- The second prototype of the M-346, new Aermacchi’s advanced trainer, has performed its maiden flight today. The aircraft has taken off from Venegono airfield at 10.11 a.m., local time, piloted by Olinto Cecconello, Aermacchi’s Chief Test Pilot.  
 
The 42 minute flight, has allowed the new prototype performance and the correct operation of the airborne systems to be evaluated.  
 
The second M-346 prototype will permit the program to be pushed ahead at the fastest pace, as it will accomplish a part of the aircraft qualification tests. In particular, the second prototype will be used to assess the structural characteristics and flying qualities of the machine, while the first will be dedicated to the engine and system qualifications, as well as to the extension of the envelopes associated with the flight controls software.  
 
Two prototypes will ensure more flexible tests and demonstration activities to demonstrate the M-346 unique and remarkable features, as an ideal platform for future Integrated Training Systems.  
 
The flight of the second prototype, within schedule, shows the maturity of a program that starts achieving widespread support from potential international partners in view of the imminent production phase.  
 
 
BACKGROUND NOTES:  
 
The M-346 Programme was launched by Aermacchi in early 2000, after a phase of in-depth studies, market surveys and benchmarking.  
 
In order to optimise the training effectiveness and the life cycle cost, the aircraft combines the latest “design-to-cost”, “supportability” and “lean manufacturing” concepts with performance, handling qualities and man-machine interface fully representative of the latest front line fighters generation, as Eurofighter, F-35 and Rafale.  
 
The M-346 integrates technologies, systems and competencies of several Finmeccanica companies.  
 
The aircraft exploits non-conventional features and advanced technologies: vortex lift aerodynamics with full authority care-free handling digital Fly-by-Wire Control System allowing full controllability up to 40° degrees angle of attack.  
 
The two Honeywell/Avio F-124 turbofans provide the M-346 with a thrust to weight ratio close to 1 and optimum energy management capabilities.  
 
The M-346 has state-of-the-art modular avionics and it is equipped with a glass-cockpit/mission computer by Galileo Avionica, a Laser Gyro GPS embedded inertial navigation system by Honeywell, HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick), control, stores management system, collision avoidance and embedded simulation.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Denmark Awards Lockheed Martin $40 Million Long-Range Radar Contract
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 31, 2005)
 
 
 SYRACUSE, N.Y. --- Lockheed Martin received a contract valued at approximately $40 million from the Air Material Command (AMC) of the Royal Danish Air Force for two long-range AN/TPS-77 transportable radar systems and a four-year logistic support package.  
 
The new radars will enhance air surveillance within Denmark and over surrounding seas. Although the radars will be stationed at fixed sites within radomes, the mobility of the AN/TPS-77 allows the systems to be quickly redeployed as needed.  
 
"The radar's performance, reliability and transportability offers Denmark unprecedented mission flexibility," said Dr. Denny Beres, vice president, Airborne and Land-Based Radars at Lockheed Martin in Syracuse. "We're pleased to provide these systems to one of our nation's strategic allies."  
 
The AN/TPS-77 is the latest configuration of the world's most successful three-dimensional (3-D) solid-state radar design, the AN/FPS-117. This L- band, tactical radar provides continuous high-quality 3-D surveillance on air targets at ranges out to 280 miles and at elevations up to 100,000 feet. These two radars now under contract will represent the 26th and 27th AN/TPS-77 radar sets produced to date. In addition, there are 127 AN/FPS-117 systems operational in 14 countries. Many have operated for years in remote areas, completely unmanned and in a wide range of operational environments.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Lockheed Martin Flies First F-16 for Chile
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued July 6, 2005)
 
 
 FORT WORTH, Texas --- Lockheed Martin flew the first F-16 produced for the Chilean Air Force on its initial production acceptance flight. Two flights were successfully accomplished here on June 23, with no discrepancies reported on either flight.  
 
"The Chile program continues to progress right on schedule,” said June Shrewsbury, vice president of F-16 programs. “First flight is a significant milestone and the first of several leading to the planned arrival of the aircraft in Chile early next year. We continue to be excited about our progress and about meeting our customer's expectations."  
 
This milestone follows the April 14 inauguration ceremony for Chile's Peace Puma program held at Fort Worth attended by the Chilean Minister of Defense, Jaime Ravinet, the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force, Gen. Osvaldo Sarabia, and Chile's Ambassador to the United States, Andrés Bianchi.  
 
The next milestone planned for July involves the acceptance of the first three Chilean aircraft by the U.S. government. One of these aircraft will be used for flight testing. The other two will be used for hands-on maintenance training of Chilean Air Force technicians. This training will be done in Fort Worth. The next two aircraft off the production line will be the first sent to Chile early next year. All 10 aircraft are planned for delivery in 2006.  
 
The Chilean F-16 Peace Puma program is a U.S. government Foreign Military Sales program and includes 10 Advanced Block 50 F-16s: six single-seat F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds.  
 
The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.  
 
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world.  
 
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.  
 
-ends-

[Major Alvega]

18 July 2005
Airbus Military signs agreement with Chile

 The FUERZA AEREA DE CHILE has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military under which it indicates its intention to purchase up to three A400M military transport aircraft.

The DOI, signed on July 15th at the Chilean Ministry of Defence in Santiago by General Osvaldo Sarabia Vilches, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force, and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military, is a further commitment for the A400M from a customer outside the group of seven European launch nations.

Subject to a detailed contract to be signed by December 2005, the declaration provides for Chile to take delivery of A400M aircraft between 2018 and 2022 and for Chilean industry to benefit from aerospace related industrial participation.

“I very much welcome this declaration by the Chilean Air Force,” said Francisco Fernández-Sáinz during the signature ceremony, “which strengthens our relationship with this important Latin American customer and demonstrates the growing confidence around the world in our new aircraft.”

The signature took place in the presence of the Chilean Minister of Defence, Snr.Jaime Ravinet De la Fuente, and the ambassadors of France, Germany, Spain and the UK.

The A400M will enable Chile to upgrade its airlift capability for military, humanitarian and peace-keeping activities and assist the country in strengthening its aerospace industry.

The A400M programme, was launched in May 2003 following a single order for 180 aircraft by seven European NATO nations.

The A400M, the world’s most modern military transport aircraft will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning from 2009.

18 July 2005

[Jorge Pereira]

France 'regrets' Singapore won't be buying its Rafale jet fighters

PARIS (AFP) Sep 06, 2005

The French defense ministry on Tuesday voiced "regret" over Singapore's decision to acquire F-15 jet fighters from the US company Boeing rather than the Rafale fighter built by France's Dassault Aviation.

"It is a sovereign decision of the Singaporean state. France respects it. Even if we regret it, this decision will not detract from the quality of our bilateral relations," the ministry said in a communique.

"In a hard-driving international competition involving several aircraft, the Rafale was one of the two finalists," the statement said, adding that "the current weakness of the dollar however seemed to have been a determining factor for our competition."

Singapore's defense ministry announced Tuesday that it was in final talks with Boeing to buy a new generation of fighter planes, marking a victory for the US-made F-15 Eagle in its dogfight with the French-built Rafale.

The Rafale and F-15 were shortlisted after the Eurofighter Typhoon was knocked out of the running for new fighters to replace a squadron of aging A4SU Super Skyhawks, upgrades of US-made aircraft first bought in the 1970s.

Singapore is expected to order about 20 F-15s for a total of some one billion dollars (800 million euros).

[garrulo]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Portugal compra 12 aviones militares de transporte españoles por 274 millones de euros

El Ministerio de Defensa portugués ha decidido la compra de 12 aviones militares de transporte C-295 por 274 millones de euros a la empresa EADS-CASA, filial española del consorcio aeronáutico europeo, según informó ayer el lisboeta Diario de Noticias citando fuentes oficiales.



En la fase final del concurso, el C-295 compitió con el avión C-27J del consorcio formado por la firma italiana Alenia y la estadounidense Lockheed Martin.

La decisión sobre la adjudicación ya ha sido comunicada a los contendientes, que disponen de un plazo de diez días para presentar alegaciones.

Los aviones serán adquiridos por la Fuerza Aérea Portuguesa y se dedicarán a misiones de transporte táctico y vigilancia marítima. Se trata, según subraya el rotativo luso, de la primera decisión en materia de equipamiento militar adoptada por el nuevo ministro portugués de Defensa, Luis Amado.

El pasado 12 abril, el socialista José Sócrates visitó Madrid en lo que constituyó su primer viaje al extranjero como primer ministro de Portugal.

CASA-EADS, en asociación con la empresa brasileña Embraer, compró en 2004 el 65% de las acciones de la industria aeronáutica portuguesa OGMA por 11,4 millones de euros

QUE DISGUSTO PARA PAPATANGO.

[TOMKAT]

F-22 Stealth ability reveled by USAF

The U. S. Air Force, in it´s effort to get money to bulid more F-22's, has revealed just how "stealthy" the F-22 is.
It's RCS (Radar Cross Section) is equivalent, for a radar, to metal marble.
The less stealthy (and much cheaper) F-35, is equal to a metal golf ball.
The F-35 stealthiness is a bit better than the B-2 bomber, wich, in turn, was twice as good as that on the even older F-117.
Much older aircraft, like the B-52, have a huge RCS, which makes them very easy to spot on radar. But with a smaller RCS, it's more likely that the aircraft won't be detected at all.

The air force revealed this information, which is usually kept secret, because it wants to make the case that it makes more sense to cut production of the F-35 (which cost $30-50 million each), so that more F-22's (that cost over $100 million each) can be bought.
Most of the air force generals are former fighter pilots, and the F-22 is a much hotter fighter than the F-35 (which is basically a fighter-bomber, with emphasis on the latter function).
This is causing an international uproar, because of the many foreign countries that are buying the F-35. Some of these countries have contributed money for the development of the F-35.
The F-22 will not be exported, because it uses so much top secret technology.

December 9, 2005

fonte http://www.strategypage.com

A assinatura de radar do F-22 é equivalente a uma "metal marble" ()
Mármore metálico???
O meu "inglês" não conseguiu traduzir esta expressão...

[NVF]

E' um berlinde pa'! Um guelas.  

[TOMKAT]

E' um berlinde pa'! Um guelas.  
Nunca mais lá chegava, apesar de o contexto em que a frase se integrava apontar para algo parecido.
Inglês "americanado"...
Obrigado NVF

[NVF]

De nada, sempre 'as ordens.  

[TOMKAT]

O maior Radar de Defesa Aérea do mundo

Janeiro,15 2006: Um dos mais poderosos e versáties radares de defesa aérea do mundo é o sistema australiano JORN (Jindalee Operational Radar Network).

Cientistas e engenheiros australianos desenharam e construiram este sistema único, usando a técnica de captura de sinais de radar da ionosfera.
Este sistema dá ao radar um alcance superior a 3000km.

O desenvolvimento do sistema começou no inicio dos anos 90, custando mais de $1 bilião de dólares a construir, ficando operacional em 2002.

O segredo do sistema é o software que disponibiliza um fraco sinal de retorno dificilmente detectado.
Assim até aviões stealth podem ser detectados pelo JORN.
Muitas capacidades do sistema são mantidas secretas, mas os EUA estão a trabalhar com a Austrália para integrar o JORN numa rede mundial de defesa de misséis anti-balistícos.
Normalmente o JORN disponibilizará muitos alertas se aviões hostis se aproximarem da austrália.

O sistema foi criado para dar cobertura à costa norte da Austrália, que é pouco habitada, mas também muito vulnerável a actos de pirataria, emigração ilegal, ou invasores armados.
O JORN pode também ser reconfigurado para busca de navios, e tem sido usado desta forma para detectar barcos que tentam infiltrar emigrantes ilegais.
O JORN é operado pela Força Aérea Australiana.

fonte. strategypage.com

[Get_It]

Força Aérea substitui helicópteros Puma por EH101 Merlin
A partir da próxima sexta-feira a Força Aérea vai abandonar os helicópteros Puma do tempo da guerra colonial, trocando-os por 12 EH101 Merlin, que têm custos de manutenção ainda indeterminados, segundo a edição de hoje do Diário de Notícias.

Ao que o jornal apurou junto de várias fontes, o programa de aquisição dos EH101 não incluiu um contrato de manutenção.

Todavia, fonte oficial da Força Aérea precisou que os custos de manutenção dos EH101 baixarão quando estiverem em missão, por ser mais barato do que usá-los só no treino e formação das tripulações.

Os 12 EH101 vão cumprir missões de busca e salvamento, fiscalização das pescas, resgate em teatros de guerra e transporte.

A cerimónia realiza-se na sexta-feira na base do Montijo e será presidida pelo ministro da Defesa, Luís Amado.

29-01-2006 12:02:04
fonte: http://diariodigital.sapo.pt/news.asp?section_id=12&id_news=212446

Lá vão os Puma de vez.