A series of Chinese military exercises between late May and early June showcases the ability of People's Liberation Army to project land, air and naval power into the area around Taiwan. (...) Perhaps the most interesting was the PLA's Daily's 10 June review of a mobility exercise from late May in which a 20,000-ton civilian roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ferry was assigned to the Transportation Department of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It transported personnel and trucks from Bohai Sea to the South China Sea.To compensate for the relatively small size of its formal naval amphibious transport fleet, the PLA has co-funded construction of a large number of ferries used by civilian companies. They will be made available to the PLA during emergencies and are a frequent element in civil- military transport exercises. (...)
De acordo com o órgão, a aeronave apresentou problemas técnicos durante o voo. Oito militares estavam a bordo e ninguém ficou feridoUma aeronave da Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) fez um pouso forçado na manhã desta segunda (15), no Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília, após apresentar problemas técnicos durante o voo. Segundo a FAB, o avião modelo Learjet (FAB 2716) estava com oito militares a bordo. Ninguém ficou ferido.O pouso ocorreu às 11h50 e caminhões do Corpo de Bombeiros já aguardavam a aeronave no pátio do Aeroporto Juscelino Kubitschek. O avião estava em missão operacional e saiu de Recife (PE) com destino a Anápolis (GO). A FAB informou que vai investigar os fatores que contribuíram para a ocorrência. O avião já está no pátio da Base Aérea de Brasília.
State-owned Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has ordered two AS365 N3+ Dauphin helicopters and will customise the platforms for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.IHS Jane's understands that the airframes are destined for the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, BASARNAS."Airbus Helicopters will deliver these twin-engine rotorcraft to PTDI within one year," the company said on 15 June. "These helicopters will be reassembled, tested, qualified, completed, and customised by PTDI with mission equipment including hoists, flotation systems, direction finder, an electronic optical system, and casualty evacuation devices."IHS Jane's reported in February 2014 that PTDI and Airbus Helicopters have expanded their existing collaboration to include the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of Airbus Helicopters platforms operated within Indonesia including the AS365 Dauphin, EC725 Cougar, and AS350/AS555 Fennec."We are very familiar with the Dauphin platform and are confident that with the installation of dedicated SAR equipment, we will offer the right solution to the Indonesian government for its SAR demands," said PTDI president director Budi Santoso during a signing ceremony for the two helicopters at the Paris Air Show 2015.The Indonesian government currently operates five Dauphin helicopters, two of which are in service with BASARNAS. The rest of the airframes are in service with the Indonesian police.
China has signed a preliminary contract with an African country for the first sale of its low-cost Chengdu/Guizhou FTC-2000 supersonic trainer.First revealed as a private initiative by Guizhou Aircraft Industries Corporation at the 2001 Zhuhai Airshow, the FTC-2000 combines the engine, empennage, and mechanical controls of the twin-seat Guizhou JJ-7/FT-7, with a new wing and forward fuselage with side air intakes and a modern 'glass' cockpit. This enables fourth-generation levels of supersonic training at reduced expense, company officials claim.The JJ-7/FT-7 is the training version of the Chengdu J-7, itself a development of the MiG-21. China obtained partial engineering documentation for the MiG-21 just before the Sino-Soviet split in 1960 and went on to develop numerous versions, many of which remain in service with the China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).In additional developments, an official noted to IHS Jane's that a 2014 contract with Zambia for the sale of the Hongdu Aircraft Corporation's twin-turbofan L-15 trainer was being fulfilled. Discussions also continue with Venezuela regarding the sale of the L-15.
Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the sixth and final A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to Saudi Arabia, IHS Jane's was told by a company official at the Paris Air Show on 18 June.This is the third aircraft in a second batch of three MRTTs ordered by the kingdom in 2009. The previous two aircraft in the batch were delivered from 2014. The first three MRTTs ordered under a 2008 contract were delivered between 2011 and 2013.The Airbus official also provided details of the new version of the MRTT, six of which will be delivered to Singapore as the launch customer. The changes relate to the fact that the baseline commercial airliner airframe from which the MRTT will be converted is a new model of the A330, the main difference being upgrades to the aircraft's flight computer.As well as Saudi Arabia, the A330 MRTT is operated by the UK's Royal Air Force as the Voyager (11 of 14 aircraft delivered under a long-lease arrangement), United Arab Emirates (three aircraft), and Australia as the KC-30A (five aircraft). India has selected the platform for a six-aircraft tanker requirement, while 12 of the type are to be supplied to the French Air Force from 2018 in a configuration specific to that operator. Qatar announced an order for two aircraft at DIMDEX 2014.The Netherlands, Poland, and Norway are negotiating with Airbus over the pooled acquisition of a common fleet of MRTTs under an initiative facilitated by the European Defence Agency. The MRTT is also a candidate for South Korea's requirement for four tankers and a selection of the winning bid is expected at the end of this month.Airbus is also talking to existing MRTT customers about potential extra sales of one or two aircraft each. Australia publically expressed an interest in acquiring additional KC-30A tankers in August 2014.With the order book swelling there is available capacity for additional MRTT conversions should there need to be a ramp-up in production, according to Airbus. Two buildings are dedicated to the conversion work at the company's Getafe facility in Spain, the process taking between 9 and 10 months to complete.Spanish airline Iberia was sub-contracted for the conversion of two aircraft in the initial batch for Saudi Arabia at its facility at Barajas, and this capacity can be called upon again if necessary.
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) of Saudi Arabia has purchased four Airbus Defence and Space C295W transport aircraft, the company announced during the Paris Air Show on 16 June.The type was selected in an open competition because of its "excellent operational capabilities in hot and severe conditions, and its proven affordable maintenance and operational costs", Airbus said.IHS Jane's understands these were four of eight previously undisclosed C295 orders, with the other four airframes due to be received in the near future by another unnamed customer outside the Middle East.Photographs recently published on the internet by aviation enthusiasts show a C295W at Seville in the markings of the Uzbekistan Air Force, indicating this will be the recipient of the other four.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is a major step closer to operating a new world-class maritime helicopter fleet with the official acceptance of six CH-148 Cyclones on June 19, 2015.Defence Minister Jason Kenney joined Public Works and Government Services Minister Diane Finley, as well as Regional Minister for Nova Scotia and Justice Minister Peter MacKay, at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, today to mark this important milestone. The six helicopters were accepted in accordance with the schedule set out in January 2014 and have the operational capability to allow the RCAF to begin retiring the Ch-124 Sea Kings.“Today is an exciting day as we take another significant step forward in the Cyclone project,” said Defence Minister Kenney. “I am confident this modern aircraft will improve our aviators’ and sailors’ ability to work together in defence of Canada from current and future threats.”The aircraft accepted today will be based at 12 Wing and are being used for training and testing with RCAF personnel. In its final configuration, the Cyclones will be capable of a full range of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and utility missions in various environments and will be one of the most capable maritime helicopters in the world.After more than 50 years of distinguished service, the first two Sea Kings will be retired later this year. The Sea King fleet has served Canada proudly at home and abroad, including missions such as the first Gulf War in 1990-1991, and providing security support at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Sea King fleet will continue operations until 2018 to allow for the transition to the Cyclone fleet.“The Sea King has faithfully served Canada for more than 50 years and has proven to be incredibly effective in undertaking a high number of simultaneous operations at home and abroad,” said Brigadier-General Paul Ormsby, the director of the maritime helicopter project and a member of the RCAF. “I am honoured to be a part of this significant step toward providing Canada with the next generation of maritime helicopter capability, which will be one of the most capable maritime helicopters in the world.”Sikorsky, the RCAF and the Royal Canadian Navy conducted sea trials with the CH-148 Cyclone on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Halifax between December 2014 and May 2015. In support of the trials, the Cyclone conducted 67 sorties, including 322 landings and takeoffs from the frigate. The aircraft’s capabilities will continue to be enhanced through future deliveries, with the Cyclone maritime helicopter fleet fully taking over for the Sea King beginning in 2018.With a maximum cruise speed of 250 kilometres per hour, CH-148 Cyclone helicopters will be approximately 10 per cent faster than the CH-124 Sea King. Further, the Cyclone has a 36 per cent larger usable cabin space, and it can exceed the range and endurance of a Sea King by 40 per cent at maximum weight and sensor performance.In June 2014, the Government of Canada amended both the acquisition contract and in-service support to include an additional 10 years of support at rates based on those competed in 2004, thus generating significant value for taxpayers.
Israel is offering Croatia surplus Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs upgraded to the ACE configuration, as replacements for its Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters.The Israeli air force is phasing out its F-16A/B-model trainers, ahead of deliveries of the new-generation Lockheed F-35A, which are expected to begin in 2017.[continua]
Key Points Sikorsky has delivered six CH-148 maritime helicopters to Canada A total of 28 Cyclones are expected to compose Ottawa's new maritime helicopter fleet by 2018Sikorsky has delivered six CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters to Canada, the company announced on 19 June."I am confident this modern aircraft will improve our aviators' and sailors' ability to work together in defense of Canada from current and future threats," Jason Kenney, Canada's minister of national defence, said during a ceremony marking the event at the Canadian Forces' base in Shearwater.The six helicopters were the first of 28 that Sikorsky is expected to deliver to the Canadian Armed Forces. The CH-148 was designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and utility missions. Sikorsky plans to phase-in additional capabilities, while the Royal Canadian Air Force trains its pilots and maintenance personnel on the existing aircraft.More than 40 military personnel have completed initial training, according to Sikorsky. "In parallel to the development effort, Sikorsky and our Canadian partners are committed to delivering world class, in-service support of the Cyclone to the men and women who fly and maintain the aircraft," said Bill Gostic, Sikorsky's vice president for the programme.The Cyclone is replacing Canada's Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King fleet. Sea King divestment is expected to begin in 2018.The last restructure of the programme occurred in early 2014, when Ottawa confirmed it had reached a principles of agreement with Sikorsky to begin deliveries of an interim CH-148 capability in 2015, with full operational capability by 2018. At that time the company agreed to pay damages in the amount of CAD88.6 million (USD72 million) to the Canadian government for the late delivery of the helicopters.
Australia has requested the sale of up to 14 AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) and 16 AGM-88E advanced anti-radiation guided missiles (AARGM) together with associated equipment for an estimated cost of USD69 million.The request, which was published in a US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notification on 19 June, includes four CATM-88B captive air training missiles, eight CATM-88E AARGM captive air training missiles, six AARGM guidance sections, five AARGM control sections, and two AARGM tactical telemetry missiles.The proposed sale also involves containers, spares, technical publications, personnel training, and US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defence Electronic Services in Northridge, California.
Coupling RAFAEL’s latest reconnaissance and targeting pods with scene matching EO guided weapons enables air forces to tighten targeting cycles from days and hours to few seconds.RAFAEL is unveiling the Litening 5 at the Paris Air Show; the fifth generation of the targeting pod that defined this product category two decades ago is now capable of targeting from long range, enabling strike aircraft to employ guided weapons from standoff range without relying on external support.Litening 5 employs a new sensor pack, utilizing an optical assembly and larger aperture tailored specifically for the new sensors, enabling the increased identification and recognition distance. The pod uses two FLIRS – a Mid-Wave Infra-Red (IR) and Short Wave IR (SWIR). The later extends observation range using active laser illumination. Complementing the sensor pack is a color CCD HD-TV, improving target recognition and separation of man-made objects that are often harder to spot in the thermal, monochromatic image. Color improves the ability to share a common understanding with ground forces and recognize specific vehicles based on their color. Images can be fused or displayed separately, based on the level of avionics used in the aircraft.Rafael’s ‘image based common targeting language’ also known as Matchguide is integrated in the new pod, enabling rapid target handoff between the targeting pod, or ground-based forward air controller and guided weapons carried on board. Matchguide is fully integrated in the Litening 5, enabling the pilot or ground controller to designate a target simply by touching its image on a display, to deliver three-dimensional guidance cues as scene and image-based targeting for EO-guided weapons (Spice, for example) or as coordinates, to the attacking weapon – a method dramatically shortening the ‘sensor to shooter cycle’.At the Paris Airshow RAFAEL is also introducing a new version of its tactical reconnaissance pod – RecceLite XR. This multi-spectral, multi-role, real time stand-off reconnaissance system consisting of an airborne pod, a wide digital datalink, and a ground exploitation station.Similar to the Litening 5, Reccelite XR received an enhanced sensor package comprising megapixel-size arrays of Near-Infra-Red (NIR), MWIR, panchromatic (color) sensors and SWIR. As with the Litening 5, SWIR adds a significant long-range performance, since its spectral band is the least affected by atmospheric absorption. The gimbaled payload enables stabilized photography, irrespective of aircraft maneuvers or deviation from flight route.Litening 5 and Reccelite XR share many common assemblies and modules and are carried by similar aircraft, thus contributing to efficient operation and lower life cycle support cost. Over 1,500 Litening targeting and navigation pods are currently flying on dozens of platform types with +25 air forces worldwide. RecceLite is in operational service with 10 air forces.Meanwhile, Rafael’s US partner, Northrop Grumman has delivered the 500th AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING G4 targeting pod to the United States military, marking an important milestone as forces worldwide continue to transition their LITENING pods to G4 configuration.LITENING G4 offers advanced 1K sensors, laser imaging and advanced image processing. Recent tests in the USA also included an integration of color imaging camera, as used in the Litening 5. Northrop Grumman has also designed a derivative of the Litening, fitted with an Infra-Red Search & Track (IRST) from Selex. This derivative is addressing the US Air Forces’ capability requirement set by the US Air Force for F-15C/D upgrades.
(defensa.com) La aeronave siniestrada es una Embraer EMB-312 Tucano de la Escuela de Aviación Militar que se precipitó a tierra pasadas las 13:30 en un campo a 10 kilómetros de la localidad de Arroyito, en las inmediaciones del paraje "El Descaso", tras haber partido de Córdoba en un vuelo de instrucción. Las víctimas fueron identificadas como primer teniente Matías Fabricius, de 30 años, y el alférez Sebastián Bolzi.Aunque en algunos medios argentinos se afirma que pudo estallar en el aire, los motivos se están investigan. Algunos pobladores de la zona en que se produjo el siniestro señalaron que el avión cayó sobre un campo sembrado cuando había niebla espesa sobre la región. Tras el hecho, se dio parte a la Junta Investigadora de Accidentes de la Fuerza Aérea, a fin de que se determinen las causas. El Tucano es la aeronave en que realizan el curso básico de piloto los pilotos de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina. Cuando la nave cayó a tierra, se cumplía con una rutina básica, propia de un curso, según los investigadores.A través de un comunicado, la Fuerza Aérea Argentina informó que "en las primeras horas de esta tarde, mientras cumplía un vuelo correspondiente al plan de instrucción de aviadores militares, se precipitó a tierra un avión Embraer EMB-312 Tucano, al sur de la localidad cordobesa de Arroyito; perteneciente a la dotación de la Escuela de Aviación Militar, con asiento en la provincia de Córdoba".Accidentes del Tucano en ArgentinaEn agosto de 1988 un Tucano EMB 312 de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina recién adquirido sufría un accidente en Córdoba, meses después, en diciembre del mismo año, se producía otro accidente, en La Lagunilla, Córdoba, con una aeronave de este tipo, el piloto logró eyectarse. El 21 de mayo de 1990 moría un piloto en un tercer accidente de un Tucano EMB 312, en Las Varillas, Córdoba, perteneciente a la Escuela de Suboficiales. (Luis Piñeiro, corresponsal de Grupo Edefa en Argentina)
Airbus has beaten off competition from both Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to supply the Republic of Korea with tanker-transport aircraft, the Government announced on 30 June. The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) is to receive four Airbus Defence and Space (DS) A-330-300 MultiRole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft under a deal valued at approximately US $1.2 billion. Boeing had submitted its KC-46A Pegasus platform white IAI was proposing its B767-300 Multimission Tanker Transport (MMTT). According to the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the A330 MRTT won out over its rivals because of its superior performance (endurance, fuel capacity, personnel, and cargo capacity were specified), its pricing, and the fact that it is already in service with several air forces around the world (...)
