US Air Force - USAF

Rappel du premier message :

l´USAF plane de retirer +300 jets,dont:

-137 F-15
-177 F-16
-9 A-10s

11 ans avant leur date,pour epargner 3,4B$ et accelerer ainsi les F-22/35

mais ca doit dabord passer le congress et le futur president doit signer!

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US Air Force eyes fighter cuts to boost modernization
Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:51pm EDT



WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is seeking to retire early more than 300 fighter aircraft next year to save $3.4 billion in the hope of funding advanced Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) fighters and other modernization efforts, a published report said on Wednesday, citing internal Pentagon documents.

The plan would retire 137 F-15 and 177 F-16 fighters plus nine A-10 close air support attack aircraft as much as 11 years before the end of their scheduled useful lives, InsideDefense.com, an online news service, reported.

"Without accelerating these retirements, we are left with a larger, less-capable force unable to penetrate anti-access environments," the Air Force was quoted as telling John Young, the Pentagon's top arms buyer, in defense of a fiscal 2010 spending plan it submitted in August.

"Anti-access" is Pentagon jargon for spots defended by advanced surface-to-air missiles and state-of-the-art fighters such as those used or planned by Russia and China.

A key Air Force concern is what it calls a potential fighter gap until Lockheed's radar-evading F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is produced in large numbers.

An Air Force spokesman said it would be inappropriate to discuss an internal working document that will continue to change until it is incorporated into the next president's fiscal 2010 budget submission.

The document was quoted as saying an Air Force analysis showed a "smaller but modernized fighter force, when coupled with a robust bomber fleet, can effectively bridge the gap until the F-35 can be produced in required numbers (ramping to 110) and the F-22 can be modified to a common configuration."

Air Force officials have said they plan to increase F-35 production over the next five years to address the fighter gap, InsideDefense.com said.

Two F-35s have entered flight test, two are in ground test and 17 are in various stages of assembly, including the first two production-model jets scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Air Force in 2010, Lockheed said last month.

The president of the Air Force Association, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Dunn, said it remained to be seen if Congress would let the Air Force get rid of so many aircraft so early and if Pentagon leaders would grab the savings to fund competing priorities within other armed services.

"There will have to be a lot of dialogue inside the Pentagon between the Air Force and the office of the secretary of defense, probably the secretary himself, before a decision is made," Dunn, a former president of the Pentagon's National Defense University, said in a telephone interview.

Old warplanes typically involve high maintenance costs and may require big outlays for structural upgrades. Still, lawmakers often have blocked Air Force attempts to retire aging warplanes early, partly to preserve jobs -- in their voting districts -- at bases from which they are flown.

In the fiscal 2010 budget request being readied at the Pentagon for the next president, the Defense Department is seeking ways to continue production of Lockheed Martin's F-22, the top U.S. dog fighter, while boosting F-35 output to capture economies of scale quickly, Pentagon officials have said.

The final say on whether to go on building the F-22 is being left to the next president, who is to be elected Nov. 4 and take office Jan. 20 -- only weeks before the administration's budget request normally is sent to Congress.

The proposed early retirements represent accelerations of seven years in the case of the F-15, six years for the F-16 and 11 years for the A-10, according to the document cited by InsideDefense.com.

The savings would fuel a push to modernize the Air Force's bombers, late-date fighters and go toward a new "nuclear-specific" B-52 bomber rotational squadron and Northrop Grumman Corp'a (NOC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial system expansion, the document was quoted as saying. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Carol Bishopric, Gary Hill)

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1531730620081015?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

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Lockheed Martin receives $241 Million Contract for JASSM® Lot 10 Production

ORLANDO, Fla., June 28, 2012 – The U.S. Air Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $241.6 million contract for Lot 10 production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Extended Range (ER) variant.

The JASSM Lot 10 contract is for 191 baseline missiles, 30 ER missiles, Test Instrumentation Kits and systems engineering support. Produced at the company’s award-winning manufacturing facility in Troy, Ala., Lockheed Martin has assembled more than 1,100 JASSMs for testing and operational use toward a total objective of 4,900 JASSM and JASSM-ER missiles.

While this is the tenth production lot for the JASSM baseline missile, it is only the second lot for JASSM-ER. In January 2011, JASSM-ER was authorized for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The LRIP decision followed impressive integration test flights in which JASSM-ER went 10 of 11 against a variety of targets and mission objectives. JASSM-ER LRIP missile production will begin in third quarter 2012.

“Lockheed Martin’s JASSM baseline missile and ER variant provide the warfighter with critical capabilities and a wide range of mission options not available with any other system,” said Alan Jackson, JASSM program director in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “Our ongoing focus is to ensure our customers receive a highly reliable and sustainable weapon system at an affordable price to meet their requirements.”

The Lot 10 contract award follows several recent JASSM program milestones including January certification of JASSM on the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 and successful integration on the U.S. Air Force F-15E.

Armed with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM and JASSM-ER cruise autonomously day or night in all weather conditions. Both missiles share the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics, though JASSM-ER has more than two-and-a-half times the range of baseline JASSM for greater standoff range. These 2,000-pound cruise missiles employ an infrared seeker and Global Positioning System receiver to dial into specific target aimpoints.

JASSM and JASSM-ER are critical weapons for the U.S. Air Force. Highly effective against high-value, well-fortified, fixed and relocateable targets, the stealthy JASSM is integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E. JASSM-ER is integrated on the B-1. Internationally, JASSM is certified on the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18. Future integration efforts will focus on the U.S. and international versions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and other international platforms.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

lockheedmartin.

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La Force aérienne américaine teste un avion à l’alcool

4.07.2012, 23:59


© Photo : en.wikipedia.org


L’Armée de l’air des Etats-Unis a testé l’avion d’assaut A-10 Thunderbolt II qui fonctionne avec le carburant « à base d’alcool », rapporte Defense Talk. Ce carburant est célèbre aux Etats-Unis est connu sous l'acronyme ATJ (Alcool To Jet). Au cours des tests, un mélange d’ATJ et du carburant standard a été mis dans le réservoir de l’avion. Selon le Major Olivia Elliott, qui a testé l’avion, l’ A-10 se comportait dans l'air comme si un carburant classique était mis dans ses réservoirs.

Les tests de l' A-10 se déroulent dans le cadre du programme de la Force aérienne des Etats-Unis pour le passage du kérosène à un carburant alternatif. ATJ est fabriqué à partir de sucres contenus notamment dans le bois, le papier, l'herbe et d'autres matériaux riches en fibres. Ensuite, les sucres obtenus sont transformés en alcool par le procédé de fermentation, qui passe ensuite un hydrotraitement. Le carburant obtenu peut remplacer le kérosène, actuellement utilisé dans l’aviation.

http://french.ruvr.ru/2012_07_04/Avion-Etats-Unis-carburant/

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A C-5 Galaxy on display at RIAT.

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A C-5 Galaxy is open to visitors at RIAT.

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F-16s and C-130s lined up at the Royal International Air Tattoo, held annually each July at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

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Raytheon's MTS-B Delivers Leading-Edge Surveillance Technology to the US Air Force


An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air system in Afghanistan.

14:18 GMT, July 10, 2012 MCKINNEY, Texas | Raytheon Company was recently awarded a $191 million contract to provide its Multispectral Targeting System for the U.S. Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper.

The MTS-B is a multiuse, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), laser detecting-ranging-tracking set developed and produced for use in military systems. Based on a state-of-the-art digital architecture, this advanced EO/IR system provides long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, range-finding and laser designation for the HELLFIRE missile and all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions.

"The MTS-B system provides the warfighter superior surveillance capability necessary for making critical operating decisions," said Andy Bonnot, director of Surveillance and Targeting Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "We look forward to continuing to provide technologically advanced solutions to the Air Force for their mission success."

As part of the contract, Raytheon will deliver 149 MTS-B EO/IR imaging systems to the Air Force for the MQ-9 Reaper program. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2013. The contract also includes support equipment and spares.

The MTS-B is used aboard the U.S. Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper and aircraft operated by Italy, the United Kingdom and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The sensor has also been selected for incorporation onboard the U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aircraft fleet. For more than 10 years, the MTS-B systems have represented an essential intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset for the Air Force and have supported its missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

defpro

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A 1st Fighter Wing's F-22 Raptor from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., pulls away from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Md., after refueling off the east coast, July 10, 2012. The first Raptor assigned to the Wing arrived, Jan. 7, 2005. This aircraft was allocated as a trainer, and was docked in a hanger for maintenance personnel to familiarize themselves with its complex systems. The second Raptor, designated for flying operations, arrived, Jan. 18, 2005. On Dec. 15, 2005, Air Combat Command commander, along with the 1st FW commander, announced the 27th Fighter Squadron as fully operational capable to fly, fight and win with the F-22.











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A KC-135 Stratotanker with the 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Md. refuels a 1st Fighter Wing's F-22 Raptor from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. off the east coast on July 10, 2012.

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C-27Js Grounded After Flight Control Failure

The U.S. Air Force grounded its fleet of C-27J cargo planes after one aircraft experienced mechanical failure on July 3. (Sgt. Daniel Schroeder / U.S. Air Force)




The U.S. Air Force has grounded its fleet of C-27J cargo planes after an aircraft experienced a mechanical failure in part of its flight controls during a training sortie last week.
Air Force officials at the plane’s program office in Ohio ordered the grounding following the July 3 incident, which it is calling a “flight control problem,” according to a written statement provided by an Air Force spokeswoman. The Air Force has ordered an investigation into the incident.
“This is a precautionary measure while the Air Force and C-27J industry team investigates the incident,” the statement said. “The program office is working with the C-27J prime contractor, L-3 Communications, and the aircraft manufacturer, Alenia Aermacchi, to resolve the matter as quickly as possible, and return the C-27J fleet to normal flight operations.”
It is unclear how long the fleet will be grounded but is expected to be resolved within one to two weeks for those specific aircraft shown to exhibit similar issues.
Officials are examining parts of the aircraft’s flight-control surfaces, parts on the wings that control the aircraft’s altitude.
The Air National Guard is the only U.S. military operator of the aircraft; however, other countries, including Italy, Greece, Lithuania and Romania, operate the plane.
After the incident in the United States, industry issued a bulletin to all militaries that fly the C-27J and its predecessor, the G.222, to perform inspections on their aircraft.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120712/DEFREG02/307120011/C-27Js-Grounded-After-Flight-Control-Failure?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

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GE Aviation Signs Contract for Systems on Boeing KC-46A Tanker for U.S. Air Force


Boeing KC-46A Tanker. (Image: Boeing)

08:07 GMT, July 17, 2012 CINCINNATI | GE Aviation announced Jul. 16 that they signed an agreement with The Boeing Company potentially worth up to $180 million to provide the mission control system for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-46A tanker. The agreement includes design, development and production throughout the life of the program.

“We are committed to bringing our next-generation technologies to this new tanker platform," said Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO of GE Aviation Systems. "These systems will enable the aircraft to perform with navigation precision not currently available to the tanker fleet and will help enable efficient operations in our future airspace."

GE Aviation was selected for the mission control system including the flight management system (FMS). The FMS provides the ability to fly shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents which reduce fuel consumption, while lowering emissions and reducing community noise impact. GE’s mission control system will provide the integrated communications management function to support air traffic management data link, including the first implementation of the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network on a US DoD air vehicle to facilitate efficient operations in the future NextGen airspace infrastructure.

Software and hardware updates provide the latest technology to continue to meet the needs of the world’s evolving airspace, offering safe and efficient improvements to aircraft operations. GE’s optimized descent flight management system is an ecomagination product.

Boeing will build up to 179 next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft that will begin to replace the Air Force's fleet of 416 KC-135 tankers. To learn more about the KC-46A Tanker, visit www.UnitedStatesTanker.com.

defpro

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Boeing F-15E Radar Modernization Program begin 2 Low Rate Initial Production 2 (LRIP 2)


US Air Force program on cost and schedule
RMP modification provides advanced technology, increased reliability
ST. LOUIS, July 23, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today said the U.S. Air Force has granted the F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) approval to begin Low Rate Initial Production 2 (LRIP 2) of 10 APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems.

“This is a great step forward for the Radar Modernization Program,” said Roger Besancenez, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. “With the F-15E RMP, Boeing is providing new technology and improved system reliability to ensure the Air Force has all the capability necessary to achieve total air-to-air and air-to-ground dominance well into the future.”

Boeing received Milestone C authorization for six systems under LRIP 1 in September 2011. Installation of the Raytheon-built AESA radar systems is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2013.

The RMP is undergoing an aggressive flight test program at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Boeing and Raytheon are analyzing data throughout the test phase to verify that the system’s performance meets the customer’s rigorous specifications.

The RMP is the latest active F-15E fleet modification that the Air Force has identified in its Modernization Sustainment Plan.

The RMP APG-82(V)1 AESA radar will replace the F-15E strike fighter’s current APG-70 Mechanically Scanned Array radar. The AESA provides improved radar reliability, maintainability and performance, as well as reduced support costs. When integrated into the F-15E weapons system, the AESA radar will significantly improve detection and tracking of enemy targets.

Other RMP elements include a wideband radome, modified environment control system, and modified radio frequency tunable filters, which allow the radar and electronic warfare system to operate simultaneously.

mediaroom

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Northrop Grumman Delivers First B-1 Radar Modification Kit

BALTIMORE, July 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered the first B-1 bomber radar prime mission equipment kit under a series of U.S. Air Force contracts worth a combined total of $161 million for the B-1's Radar Reliability and Maintainability Program (RMIP). One radar kit has since been installed on a B-1 aircraft based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Two additional kits have been delivered to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and were installed in June. "Fielding the B-1 Radar RMIP is a huge win for the Air Force," said Maj. Daniel P. Walters, Air Force program manager, B-1 radar. "The upgrade is projected to significantly enhance B-1 mission readiness both at home and in combat, allowing operators to put bombs on a target for many years to come." The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $65 million RMIP base contract in September 2010 for 22 modification kits, along with test benches, spares, repairs, and technical data and services. Options worth an additional $95 million have since been awarded for another 38 kits. The RMIP replaces two line-replaceable units in the B-1's AN/APQ-164 radar to improve both its reliability and maintainability. "This investment will maintain the B-1's critical capabilities by improving the reliability of radar system and reducing the manpower needed to maintain it," said Tim Winter, vice president of Global Sensor Solutions at Northrop Grumman. "With this upgrade, the B-1 fleet will remain combat-ready for our warfighters." Northrop Grumman developed the RMIP upgrade prior to receiving the 2010 production contract. The modification kit includes a new radar receiver and transmitter, a radar processing computer and a reconfigured software package. The new hardware will provide flexibility to expand the bomber's mission capabilities as new technologies become available. The B-1 fleet was manufactured primarily during the 1980s.

www.irconnect.com

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Lockheed Martin Delivers Another Super Galaxy

MARIETTA, Ga. | Lockheed Martin delivered the fifth production C-5M Super Galaxy to the Air Force, July 20, 2012, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

The Super Galaxy is the eight overall C-5M for the Air Force and will undergo internal paint restoration at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., before traveling to its permanent home at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The Super Galaxy is America's premier global direct delivery weapon system and the only strategic airlifter capable of linking the homeland directly to the warfighter in all theaters of combat without refueling.

defpro

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Northrop Grumman Awarded $156 Million for Continuing BACN Mission Support




08:02 GMT, July 25, 2012 SAN DIEGO | The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation two contract modifications totaling $156 million to continue operating and maintaining the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system in support of overseas contingency missions.

Northrop Grumman was awarded a $106 million contract modification to extend the deployment and operation of BACN payloads installed in three E-11A Bombardier Global Express BD-700 aircraft and three EQ-4B Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. The award supports operations through June 2013.

The company was also awarded a $50 million contract modification for platform maintenance support of three E-11A aircraft – numbers 9355, 9358 and 9001 – through February 2013.

BACN is a high-altitude, airborne communications and information gateway system that provides situational awareness and command and control coordination between warfighters and commanders. With a suite of computers and radio systems, BACN bridges and extends voice communications and battlespace information from numerous sources.

"BACN is making a tremendous difference for our warfighters. These awards are evidence of that invaluable support and the exceptional performance of the BACN program office," said Claude Hashem, vice president of network communications systems for Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

BACN was first deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the EQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft and the development, fielding and maintenance of the BACN system. The company was awarded the first BACN contract in April 2005 by the Air Force Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

defpro

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Donley: New bunker-busting bomb ready to use



The Air Force’s 30,000-pound behemoth bunker buster is ready to be used if needed, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said Wednesday.

The Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP, is designed to destroy deeply buried bunkers that protect chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, but Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that the bomb needed more development to be able to take out Iranian bunkers.

Since then, Syria has disintegrated into full civil war, making the U.S. government worried about the Syrian regime’s stockpile of chemical weapons.

“The Syrian regime needs to protect these weapons,” Defense Department spokesman George Little said Tuesday. “And I think I’ve been very clear, as have others in the U.S. government, that it would be unacceptable not to secure them.”

After speaking at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington on Wednesday, Donley was asked if the MOP was available to be used. He was not asked where it might be used.

“If it needed to go today, we would be ready to do that,” he said. “We continue to do testing on the bomb to refine its capabilities, and that is ongoing. We also have the capability to go with existing configuration today.”

airforcetimes

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L'armée de l'Air américaine recourt à des exercices de simulation grandeur nature pour réapprendre à ses pilotes --habitués depuis dix ans à être déployés dans des zones où le ciel leur appartient-- à affronter des ennemis bien équipés.

Sur la base de Nellis, près de Las Vegas, lors d'exercices organisés cette semaine, les pilotes de l'US Air Force ont dû faire face à des ennemis virtuels, incarnés par d'autres pilotes américains avec des avions de chasse équipés de missiles sol-air et de brouilleurs de satellites.

Depuis une dizaine d'années sur les théâtres d'opération où ils sont déployés, en Irak ou en Afghanistan, la situation est en général bien différente. Jouissant d'une totale supériorité dans les airs face à des insurgés dépourvus d'aviation ou de batteries antiaériennes, les pilotes américains se contentent en général de mener des raids ciblés en soutien des troupes au sol.

Les compétences nécessaires pour le combat aérien traditionnel sont "un peu rouillées" chez les pilotes, reconnaît Steve Imonti, un ancien pilote de chasse qui aide à superviser les simulations organisées sur la base de Nellis.

Et si un pilote passe trois ans sans participer à ces exercices, "la rouille commence vraiment à s'installer", affirme ce directeur des programmes et de l'évaluation du 414e escadron d'entraînement au combat.

Avec le retrait programmé des troupes américaines d'Afghanistan à la fin 2014, les hauts gradés attachent une grande importance à réhabituer les pilotes à des missions dans un "environnement hostile".

"Quand nous serons partis d'Afghanistan, il y aura plus d'exercices ici" à la base de Nellis, souligne son directeur, le colonel Chip Thompson : "L'objectif, c'est que chaque lieutenant participe à un de ces exercices au cours de ses deux premières années" dans l'armée de l'Air.

Des simulations mises en place après le Vietnam

Au cours de ces simulations baptisées "Red Flag" ("drapeau rouge"), les pilotes de l'"équipe bleue" affrontent l'"équipe rouge" qui utilise des tactiques glanées dans les renseignements acquis sur l'Iran, la Chine ou d'autres ennemis potentiels.

L'équipe rouge est bien équipée et possède des missiles sol-air. Elle peut même brouiller les radars, interrompre les communications ou déconnecter les ordinateurs d'un centre de contrôle.

Et si les officiers affirment que l'équipe rouge représente un ennemi générique, les scénarios et les cibles choisis la font ressembler à des armées bien réelles comme par exemple les forces iraniennes.

Des simulations de ce type ont été mises en place en 1975, après que les pilotes américains eurent subi de lourdes pertes au Vietnam. Un peu délaissés à la fin de la Guerre Froide, ces exercices ont été réactivés en 2005, quand l'US Air Force leur a alloué de nouveaux moyens.

"Quand on est en train de voler et qu'on repère une traînée de fumée qui fonce vers son avion, ce n'est pas grave d'avoir la trouille, du moment que ça arrive pendant un exercice +Red Flag+", souligne le lieutenant-colonel Brian Morrison : "Comme ça, quand ça arrive en situation de combat, on peut se dire : +Ca m'est déjà arrivé, je sais quoi faire+".

Pendant des exercices organisés cette semaine, les jeunes pilotes américains --qui ont volé avec des pilotes colombiens et émiratis-- ont par exemple dû larguer des bombes sur une cible en évitant des missiles, secourir deux pilotes abattus ou tuer un dirigeant ennemi terré dans un abri.

Souvent, ils ont aussi dû viser des objectifs souterrains --des scénarios de plus en plus souvent mis en place, soulignent les officiers.

Ils permettent aux pilotes de faire face à des situations similaires à celles qu'ils pourraient rencontrer si les Etats-Unis décidaient un jour de bombarder des installations nucléaires enterrées en Iran ou en Corée du Nord.

http://www.tv5.org/cms/chaine-francophone/info/p-1911-Etats-Unis-des-simulations-grandeur-nature-pour-entrainer-les-pilotes-de-chasse.htm?&rub=2&xml=newsmlmmd.f69fe7a1211910f81ddad3dfcd4907d3.221.xml

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Under restrictions, F-22 fighters arrive in Japan



TOKYO -- A group of U.S. F-22 stealth fighters arrived in Japan on Saturday in what the Air Force hopes will be a step toward proving that its prized aircraft are safe after a mysterious oxygen problem that was making pilots sick.

The F-22s arrived at Kadena Air Base from the United States and were expected to remain on the base, on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, for several months. Japanese media said eight of the aircraft had arrived by Saturday evening. Another four were expected to arrive later. Base officials were not immediately available for comment.

The F-22, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp., is the Air Force's most advanced stealth fighter. It was built to evade radar and is capable of flying at faster-than-sound speeds without using afterburners.

But the fleet has been under tight flight restrictions since mid-May because pilots were reporting dizziness and other symptoms of hypoxia.

The Air Force says the deployment to Japan is a first step toward returning to normal. Before they left, the Air Force said the aircraft would take a special route to ensure they had possible landing sites along the way and would fly at lower altitudes, where the cockpit oxygen issue is less problematic.

On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta approved a plan to send the fighters to Japan and begin lifting the restrictions because he said the Air Force has identified the cause of the problem and has taken measures to fix it.

The Air Force believes the troubles stemmed from a valve in the pilots' pressure vest that caused it to inflate and remain inflated, triggering breathing problems. The Air Force is replacing the valve and increasing the volume of air flowing to the pilots by removing a filter that was installed to check for contaminants in the system.

The flights to Japan were to be flown at low altitude so that the vests would not have to be used.

myrtlebeachonline

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In this Thursday, July 26, 2012 photo, vapor forms above the Raptor flown by fighter pilot Maj. Henry Schantz of the Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team, during a practice session at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta earlier this month approved an Air Force plan to begin lifting flight restrictions on the F-22 stealth fighter jet, following the ongoing correction of oxygen deficit problems that grounded and restricted the fleet for months.

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An U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from an U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during an aerial refueling mission in support of Rim of the Pacific July 28, 2012 near Hawaii. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

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Luke AFB selected for F-35A pilot training

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- It's official, the F-35 is coming to Luke.

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley announced today that Luke AFB has been chosen as the location of the Air Force's F-35A Lightning II pilot training center. The base will receive 72 aircraft for a total of three fighter squadrons.

"This is a great day for Luke," said Brig. Gen. JD Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "Our selection for F-35 training ensures the long-term viability of our mission of training the world's greatest fighter pilots, which we've been doing at Luke for seven decades."

The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft intended to be the Air Force's premier strike aircraft through the first half of the 21st Century. It is a multirole fighter that is expected to eventually phase out the service's F-16s and A-10s.

Aircraft will begin to arrive at Luke between late 2013 to mid-2014, although exact timing will depend on production schedules. Construction on base to prepare for the aircraft, however, is expected to start almost immediately.

The Record of Decision cited several reasons why Luke was the service's top choice, including facility and ramp capacity, range access, weather, as well as capacity for future growth.

"We're the envy of the Air Force when it comes to community support," said Rusty Mitchell, director of Luke's Community Initiatives Team. "While there has been development that's grown out toward Luke, the community has made every effort to ensure that the growth has been compatible with our mission. We cannot thank our West Valley neighbors enough for letting us be part of the community, not just in the community."

In addition to training U.S. pilots, Luke will also serve as an F-35A International Partner Training site.

"The Air Force is committed to training our U.S. and partner nation pilots on this fifth-generation fighter aircraft," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. "Collaborative training on aircraft designed with stealth, maneuverability and integrated avionics will better prepare our combined forces to assume multi-role missions for the future of tactical aviation."

The decision culminates a nearly three-year process that included an extensive Environmental Impact Statement that examined impacts on air quality, noise, land use and socioeconomic issues. The analysis was required in order to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and to help decision makers understand items of interest to the public and other federal and state agencies.

"The Air Force was very diligent in this process," Mitchell said. "It was a very open, transparent and repeatable process that was done the same at all the candidate bases."

Even as Team Luke prepares to open a new chapter, Harris said, the 56th Fighter Wing remains focused on its current mission: Training the world's greatest F-16 fighter pilots and maintainers while deploying mission-ready warfighters.

www.luke.af.mil

Citation :

Let the bombs hit the floor

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The B-52 airframe has undergone many changes since its entrance into the service in 1955. One of the aircraft's most significant enhancements is its ability to put bombs on target.

The B-52H Stratofortress will be receiving a new targeting system called the Sniper pod in May of 2013. Until then, the Air Force will continue to use its current targeting system, the LITENING II.

"The Sniper pod and the Litening pod both have the same capabilities," said Master Sgt. Eric Sears, 2nd Maintenance Group wing avionics manager. "They both have forward looking infrared systems so aircrews can see at night and hours of darkness. They are also equipped with a CCD camera so aircrews can switch to provide good daytime targeting visuals."

With targeting pods, B-52s are capable of dropping laser guided bombs on fixed and moving targets without the aid of another aircraft, according to Maj. Gavin Berne, 53rd Test Management Group Detachment 1 commander.

"Flying at 30,000 feet, the naked eye can't see the difference between units on the ground, but with the targeting pod I can identify whether a tank is a friendly or an enemy tank," he said. "I can identify and designate a target with laser guided bombs, but without a targeting pod, I would have to rely on someone else to do that for me."

To verify targets, both pods are capable of communicating with ground troops and operation centers.

"The pods have the capability of doing infrared markers where you can send infrared energy to spotlight the ground at night time so troops with night vision goggles can see it for better target acquisition," said Berne. "I can put that spotlight on the ground and the controller can then tell me where to move the targeting pod for target confirmation."

Another communication tool used for target verification is video transmitting.

"We can share video with the operators on the ground so they can view videos from the aircraft," said Sears. "Then we make sure that it is the correct one and put bombs on target."

Though both pods are very similar in their capabilities, the Sniper pod does have a few more advantages than the current pod in use.

"It has better visuals for better target acquisitions from further ranges," said Berne.

According to Sears, the Sniper pod is capable of trouble-shooting itself, making it easier for maintenance Airmen to find and fix problems with the targeting pod.

Other than the slight advantages, the pod switch is happening due to a change in software for the B-52.

"The new software for the B-52 will not be compatible with the Litening pods, due to upgrades the pods will be receiving," said Berne. "To avoid delaying fielding by reprogramming the software, the decision was made to cut the Litening capability out of the upcoming software program and focus soley on Sniper."

Without targeting pods, the B-52 would have to rely on other aircraft or older methods of bombing like carpet bombing said Sears.

"Without the pods we are basically a 'bomb on coordinate' only bomber," said Berne. "We would receive and type coordinates into the system and let the bomb fall where it falls."

/www.barksdale.af.mil/news

Citation :

Third X-51A Hypersonic Test Targeted For Mid-August

August 06, 2012
ATLANTA — U.S. Air Force officials say the third, and possibly final, attempt to reach or exceed sustained speeds beyond Mach 5 with the X-51A hypersonic demonstrator is set for Aug. 14.

Describing the X-51A as “the key to the next step in hypersonics,” Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Director Doug Bowers says that even the mixed success of the initial X-51A flights has proved invaluable to advancing the state-of-the-art. Speaking at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Joint Propulsion Conference earlier this week, Bowers said, “The first X-51 was mostly a success, the second flight was a hung store [failed to release from the B-2 mothership] and on the third the inlet started but un-started. Every flight test we’ve had has been a learning opportunity, and until we took it to flight we really didn’t know the unknowns.”

The latest X-51A includes a series of hardware and software changes to counter issues that are thought to have brought the last flight to a premature end after only 9.5 sec. of powered flight at around Mach 5. The second flight, on June 13, 2011, ended when the vehicle’s Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne SJX61-2 engine failed to transition from ethylene fuel to JP-7. The ethylene is used to start the scramjet, while JP-7 is used for sustained flight.

Designed to demonstrate technologies for sustained, air-breathing hypersonic flight up to Mach 6.5, the first flight of the X-51 on May 25, 2010, reached Mach 4.88. Although the first X-51A did not reach Mach 5, the test was considered a technical success as some 143 sec. of the vehicle’s 210 sec. of total powered flight time was under scramjet power, making the flight 11 times longer than any previous air-breathing flight with a scramjet. A fourth X-51A is close to completion at Boeing’s Palmdale, Calif., facilities, but is currently not funded for flight testing.

www.aviationweek

Citation :

First Raptor Supersonic AIM-9X Launch

The first AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile launch from an F-22 Raptor traveling at supersonic speeds was carried out on July 30, 2012, over the Sea Test Range at Point Mugu, Calif. The first launch of an AIM-9X from the F-22 was carried out in May 2012.


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Citation :

Pilot becomes Guard's first F-35 instructor pilot

8/9/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- An Airman became the Guard's first F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot recently at Eglin's multi-service, multi-national F-35 Integrated Training Center.

Maj. Jay Spohn, assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing here as the assistant director of operations for the 58th Fighter Squadron and the chief of standards and evaluation for the 33rd Operations Group, successfully flew his final of six flights Aug. 3 becoming fully qualified and able to teach follow-on pilots to fly the F-35A.

"It felt really good," said Spohn about the flight. "It's what they hired me to do; today's flight was the culmination of two and a half years of hard work."

Spohn was selected in November, 2009 to be part of the initial F-35A cadre and help develop the syllabus for flight training. On March 6 the first F-35A flight took place at Eglin, with an F-35 instructor pilot at the controls.

Then on May 3, the wing was issued clearance to fly initial cadre "non-test" pilots, which opened the doors to the rest of 58th Fighter Squadron operators to begin qualifying as F-35A instructor pilots.

Being able to add more F-35A pilots to the ranks gives Spohn a sense of satisfaction.

"I think everyone feels that same excitement ... it feels good to be contributing," he said.

Spohn is scheduled to train another 58th FS pilot, Lt. Col. Michael Ebner on the same five instructional sorties and one check ride Spohn helped develop as initial cadre and then flew as a student of his own curriculum.

Along with getting a feel for how the aircraft handles and several approaches to the runway, Spohn's first flight included some touch and goes he said.

Cheering him on was Lt. Col. Randal Efferson, the other Florida National Guardsman assigned to the 33rd Operations Group.

"His stellar performance represented years of dedicated service and preparation," said Efferson. "The entire Air Force Reserve component is proud of Major Spohn's accomplishment."

The second and third flights included a lot of the same plus instrument approaches.

On the fourth flight, Spohn flew with a wingman. The formation flight can be with another F-35 or an F-16 as the support aircraft.

On the fifth flight, "the wingman and lead pilot switch roles and the IP (instructor pilot) verifies you can teach," he said. On the last flight, there is an evaluation that includes the student again assuming an instructor role, plus dozens of tasks now graded, like ground operations, take-off and departure to the air spaces, instrument approaches and post landing.

Spohn became the second non-test pilot qualified in the F-35A for the 58th, but the third overall since the squadron recently qualified a Defense Contract Management Agency Marine Corps member from Lockheed Martin, Ft. Worth, Texas, to be able to perform F-35A acceptance flights on behalf of the government, said Efferson.

Spohn is truly embedded in this active-duty flying wing, said Lt. Col. Lee Kloos, commander of the 58th who flew as Spohn's evaluator. But being a guard member is of no consequence for performance.

"He's up to the task to train our next pilots," said Kloos. "In fact, being in the guard was not even a consideration or thought. Recently Spohn was key in the success of the wing receiving an excellent in our unit compliance inspection."

In the near future Spohn will be immersed in a coalition environment as well at the training campus.

Spohn will soon be sharing the skies not only with the U.S. Marines and Navy but the British and Dutch as well and he said he looks forward to training with the partner nations.

"It is always a tremendous opportunity, both personally and professionally, to train with pilots that have a different background than you," said Spohn. "I hope my A-10 and F-15C background allows me to bring something unique to the table that will make the Dutch students better and I know that their vast fighter experience will make me a better IP and F-35 pilot."

And that forward-looking attitude seems to be the right stuff for Spohn having been hand-selected for the F-35A team.

"The success of Major Spohn is proof of years of effort put into our current F-35 program," said Toth. "We have a lot of confidence in the training systems and we have a lot of confidence in him. In fact, he'll soon be helping to train me in qualifying in our nation's fifth-generation fighter jet."

www.af.mil/news

Citation :

L'armée américaine teste le vol hypersonique
http://www.slate.fr/lien/60535/essai-vol-hypersonique-waverider

Citation :

Vol hypersonique. Echec au bout de 15 secondes
http://www.letelegramme.com/ig/generales/france-monde/monde/vol-hypersonique-echec-au-bout-de-15-secondes-16-08-2012-1809027.php

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On va dire 30 seconde de succès et le reste est un échec... Wait and see the next demonstrator

f22. p51 mustang. f16, heritage demonstration team :

Citation :

Le premier C-130J "gunship" en cours d’assemblage
Par François Julian

Lockheed Martin a débuté en juillet dernier l’assemblage du premier AC-130J dans son usine de Marietta en Georgie.

Destiné à remplacer les plus anciens "gunship" de l’US Air Force (AC-130U et H "Spectre"), l’AC-130J est dérivé du MC-130J Commando qui équipe déjà les forces spéciales américaines.

Outre une boule optronique IR/TV installée sous le nez et pilotée par une station opérateur dans le cockpit, l’AC-130J sera doté d’une large panoplie de systèmes d’autoprotection, de kits de blindage et surtout du "Precision Strike Package" comprenant notamment un canon de 30 mm et de petites bombes guidées type GBU-44 ou GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb).

Si leur emplacement sera provisionné, la présence de gros calibres (120 mm) n’est pas prévue dans l’immédiat.

L’US Air Force a commandé 16 AC-130J, et prévoit que le premier exemplaire soit opérationnel en 2015.



http://www.air-cosmos.com/industrie/le-premier-c-130j-gunship-en-cours-d-assemblage.html