The Thunderbirds

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Rappel du premier message :

l'equipe d'acrobatie aerien American , desormais evoluant sur des F16C.

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voici leur histoire:

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds History

In 1947, while the jet age was still in its infancy, military aviation was hurtled into the future with the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. Just six years later, on May 25, 1953 the Air Force's official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

The name "Thunderbirds" was soon adopted by the unit; influenced in part by the strong Indian culture and folklore of the southwestern United States where Luke is located. Indian legend speaks of the Thunderbird with great fear and respect. To some it was a giant eagle... others envisioned a hawk. When it took to the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its great wings. From its eyes shot bolts of lightning. Nothing in nature could challenge the bird of thunder, the story said, and no man could stand against its might. The story of the Thunderbird was respected, voice-by-voice, across the generations, until at last, it assumed the immortality of legend.

A more appropriate name couldn't have been selected, as it is with the same commanding presence the Thunderbirds took to the skies.

Seven officers and 22 enlisted were selected for the first demonstration team, most were handpicked from the cadre at Luke.

Maj. Dick Catledge, a training squadron commander at Luke, was chosen as the team's leader. Twins Bill and Buck Patillo were selected and would fly left and right wing, respectively. The Pattillos, both captains, were ideal choices as both had been with the "Skyblazers", a USAF/Europe demonstration team, for the past 3 years. For the difficult position of slot, the position sandwiched between both wingmen and behind the leader, Capt. Bob Kanaga was selected, an instructor at Luke. The spare pilot would be Capt. Bob McCormick. Like the Patillo brothers, he also had demonstration team experience, having flown right wing with the "Sabre Dancers," a predecessor to the Thunderbirds. 1st Lt. Aubry Brown would serve as maintenance officer for the team. He, with his senior enlisted man, MSgt. Earl Young selected 21 enlisted men to help maintain the team's aircraft. Capt. Bill Brock was the final officer selected for the team serving as the information services officer and narrator.

From these humble beginnings and this group of men, the Air Force Thunderbirds was born.

The first aircraft selected for the new demonstration team was the straight wing F-84G Thunderjet built by Republic Aviation. Their straight wing configuration was considered well suited for aerobatic maneuvers, and although the aircraft could not exceed the speed of sound, like some military aircraft, it easily met the needs of a demonstration aircraft.

The original demonstration sequence consisted of a series of formation aerobatics lasting 15 minutes. The spare pilot took-off a few minutes in advance of the Diamond to run a weather check, advise of any encroaching traffic, reiterate the location of obstructions and the then landed to be used as a spare aircraft. As the season progressed, the opportunity was utilized to perform 'solo' maneuvers with the spare aircraft while the Diamond burned off fuel and repositioned out of sight of the crowd.

Mindful of their mission to show the Air Force's best aircraft, the Air Force selected the swept wing F-84F Thunderstreak as their second aircraft in 1955. The Thunderstreak was modified for the team by adding smoke tanks for the first time, and red, white and blue drag chutes.

With the move from the F-84F to the F-100 Super Sabre in 1956, the Thunderbirds became the world's first supersonic aerial demonstration team. That same year, the Thunderbirds moved to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, simplifying logistics and maintenance for the aircraft.

Although never a routine part of the Thunderbird show in 1956, the solo would fly supersonic at the request of the air show sponsor. Eventually, Federal Aviation Authority, a precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration, banned all supersonic flight at air shows and consequently, today's sequence is entirely subsonic.

Almost a footnote in the history of Thunderbird aviation, the Republic-built F-105B Thunderchief performed only six shows between April 26 and May 9, 1964. Extensive modifications to the F-105 were necessary, and rather than cancel the rest of the show season to accomplish this, the Thunderbirds quickly transitioned back to the Super Sabre. While the switch back to the F-100D was supposed to be temporary, the F-105 never returned to the Thunderbird hanger. The F-100 ended up staying with the team for nearly 13 years.

The Thunderbirds started the 1969 training season still in the F-100D's but in the spring of 1969 the team received the first of the new McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II's and began the team's conversion.

The F-4's conversion was the most extensive in the team's history. Among other modifications, paints that had worked on the F-100 made the F-4 look patchy because of multicolored alloys used in the F-4 to resist heat and friction at Mach II speeds. As a result, a polyurethane paint base was developed and used to cover the problem. The white paint base remains a part of today's Thunderbird aircraft.

Compared with its predecessors, the F-4 was immense. It was big. It was heavy. It was powerful. With the earth-shaking roar of eight J-79 engines from the four diamond aircraft, no demonstration aircraft accomplished the mission of representing American airpower more impressively than the Phantom.

1974 brought with it a fuel crisis and as a result a new aircraft for the team, the sleek, swift and highly maneuverable Northrop T-38A Talon, the Air Force's first supersonic trainer. Economically, the T-38 was unmatched. Five T-38's used the same amount of fuel needed for one F-4 Phantom, and fewer people and less equipment were required to maintain the aircraft.

Although the Talon did not fulfill the Thunderbird tradition of flying front-line jet fighters, it did meet the criteria of demonstrating the capabilities of a prominent Air Force aircraft.

The T-38A was used throughout the Air Force during this time period in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operation, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. In fact, Air Force fighter pilots still use this aircraft during undergraduate pilot training today.

In honor of the nation's 200th birthday in 1976, the Thunderbirds were designated as the official United States Bicentennial Organization. For the Bicentennial year only, the aircraft numbers were moved to the fuselage and the Bicentennial symbol replaced the numbers on the tail.

In 1983, the team returned to the tradition of flying a premier fighter aircraft; trasitioning to the General Dynamics, later Lockheed Martin's F-16A Fighting Falcon. To ready the F-16 involved removing the radar and internally mounted 20mm cannon and installing a smoke-generating system.

Remaining true to ist character to showcase the latest advancement in America's fighter technology, in 1992 the team transitioned to Lockheed Martin's advanced F-16C, the team's ninth aircraft. With the team's last demonstration in the F-16A, the Thunderbirds were the last active duty unit to use the A model.

The C model looks similar to its predecessor, but has upgraded avionics and radar systems, making it superior to the A model. A true multi-role fighter, the F-16C has an unequaled record in actual air-to-air combat. Additionally, it is the only fighter to win both of the Air Force's premier competitions - Gunsmoke, air-to-ground and William Tell, air superiority.

The F-16 has remained the choice aircraft of the Thunderbirds for the last 20 years, the longest performance era for any one aircraft.

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le Fameux Cross-over
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cette equipe a belle et bien perdu un appareil durant un Solo voici deux videos du crash:

depuis de sol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ3aF1K_RzM
depuis le cockpit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsNi9ArhoSY

l'ejection:
The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Aedgt7

USAF Thunderbirds touch wings at the Chicago Air Show 2005. Watch the number 4 plane at the rear as its wing tip missle rail dislodges over Lake Michigan. watch the videohttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4603683014341687094&hl=en

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L aviation c est Super..!
The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Mike_v10

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poster

The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Afg060606006.th

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qettal

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Yakuza a écrit:: qettal

je le mets sur mon bureau. seul un Falcon à nous pourra le remplacé.

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un Raptorien rejoigne les Thunderbirds

Citation :: Thunderbirds announce 2010 officer selections

June 10, 2009 (by Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs) - The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the 'Thunderbirds,' announced incoming officer selections today for the 2010 demonstration season.

Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, serving at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., will join the team as the 33rd Commander/Leader of the "Ambassadors in Blue."

Capt. Chad Shenk, stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., will serve as the Right Wing for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 3.

Capt. Paul Jelinek, stationed at Luke AFB, Ariz., will take over as the Opposing Solo, Thunderbird No. 6.

Maj. John Gallemore, serving at Hill AFB, Utah, will join the team as the Advance Pilot/Narrator, Thunderbird No. 8.

Capt. Thomas Bowden, currently stationed at Little Rock AFB, Ark., will become the new Flight Surgeon, as Thunderbird No. 9.

"All Thunderbirds are hand-selected based on a proven record of service, capabilities in their field and a demonstrated commitment to excellence that matches the nearly 700,000 Airmen we strive to represent daily," said Lt Col. Greg Thomas, Squadron Commander/Leader and Thunderbird No. 1.

The 2010 selection of Lt. Col. Cunningham, an F-22 pilot, marks the first time in history that a Raptor pilot has been chosen to join the Thunderbirds. Pilots selected for the team flying different airframes will undergo several months of F-16 familiarization training before they begin practicing the aerial demonstrations with the Thunderbird pilots.

"Each year many great Airmen apply to serve with the Thunderbirds," said Colonel Thomas. "We select the most qualified individuals to join the team based on their overall capabilities and ability to represent all Airmen."

Courtesy of United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

USAF Thunderbirds 2004 flag panel photographed at Dover AFB on May 16th, 2004.

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Pourquoi tous ces dapreaux sur l'avion ya bien une raison non ?

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la ou ils ont performé ou un pays qu´ils ont survolé

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ah c'est cool ils sont passer par le maroc Very Happy

merci pr l'info yakuza The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Icon_sal

Citation :: Thunderbirds perform for Malaysian audience

October 9, 2009 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Malaysia welcomed the Thunderbirds with open arms as they arrived at Subang Air Base Sept. 30 for the third stop on their Far East Tour.

Lt. Col. Derek Routt, the Thunderbirds' operations officer, said the team was in Malaysia to represent the Air Force and America and strengthen the partnership with Malaysia and its military.

The city itself has a cosmopolitan air with bustling streets and shining modern office towers that project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. Kuala Lumpur is home to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world. Kuala Lumpur boasts an estimated population of 1.6 million, and the surrounding greater Klang Valley metropolitan area is pushing the 5 million mark and is the fastest growing metropolitan area in Malaysia.

"I've been to the region before to places like Thailand and (South) Korea, and Malaysia was exactly what I expected," Colonel Routt said. "The technological advancements of Kuala Lumpur rival that of any global city."

However, the locals had something much different to see in the sky over the city Oct. 3, when more than 45,000 people converged on the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base to see the Thunderbirds performance.

Distinguished visitors in attendance included the sultan of Selangor, the secretary general of the ministry of defence, the chief of defence forces and the host for the airshow the new chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, General Dato'Rodzali bin Daud. American Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith traveled to the airshow site to personally welcome the team.

The Thunderbirds' airshow represented skill, precision and airpower; however, Colonel Routt said the team's visit to Malaysia was about much more than an airshow. He explained that he felt his role as an ambassador was to continue fostering friendship in the region to help promote security and stability in the Pacific.

"It's about interacting and getting to know the people; that lets you truly experience what a place has to offer," he said.

The Thunderbirds presence in Malaysia is very timely, said Brig. Gen. Dato' Ansar Ali Majeth, Royal Malaysian air force director general operations and exercises. At a time when efforts are being made to enhance country-to-country and air force-to-air force relations, the airshow and interaction with the local community was perfect.

"Although I've been in the service many years, it was the first time I've seen (the show) live," General Ansar said. "I've no doubt they are some of the best demo pilots in the world. As a pilot, I can appreciate the skills it takes to perform such a show."

He also added that it was about much more than an aerial performance.

"Seeing the way (the Thunderbirds) interact with the crowd and seeing the crowd response, it's obvious they are doing a good job," the general said.

"It is truly an honor and a humbling experience for me to be here, and I hope to represent Americans well in every country we visit," said Colonel Routt, referring to the upcoming stops on the Thunderbirds' Far East tour.

In the next few weeks, the team will also visit Guam, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

http://www.f-16.net/gallery_item353190.html

Lt. Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle greets the Thunderbirds maintenance team prior to his flight with the team during an airshow Oct. 2, 2009, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, participated in the Malaysian air show. General Carlisle is the 13th Air Force commander.
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Citation :: The 'Thunderbirds' US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron fly as they practice at Don Muang airport in Bangkok on October 9, 2009. The Thunderbirds will perform to the public during an air show on October 10.

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Citation :

Thunderbirds announce their 2011 schedule

The Thunderbirds - Page 2 T-bird10

The US Air Force Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, has announced their show schedule for the 2011 season

Following winter training, the team begins the season in on February 20th with a flyover at the NASCAR Great American race - the Daytona 500. The teams will begin the airshow season on March 19-20 with a performance at Luke AFB in Arizona. Their season will conclude on November 12-13 at Nellis AFB in Nevada.

Demonstration sites are selected in support of the Department of Defense objectives and in the interest of the armed services with safety as the primary consideration. Performances greatly assist in the recruiting and retention goals for the military services, enhance esprit de corps among uniformed men and women and demonstrate the professional skills and capabilities of the Air Force to the American public and U.S. Allies.

The schedule posted to this blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 12th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

I hope to have a more detailed schedule very soon when the team makes its official release later this month, so stay tuned to this blog for the latest updates.

2011 Show Schedule

February 2011

February 20 NASCAR Daytona 500 Fly-By, Daytona Beach, Florida

March 2011

March 19-20 Luke AFB, Arizona
March 26-27 Tyndall AFB, Florida

April 2011

April 2-3 Ceiba, Puerto Rico
April 9 Charleston AFB, South Carolina
April 16-17 Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
April 30 Beale AFB, California

May 2011

May 1 Beale AFB, California
May 7-8 Smyrna, Tennessee
May 14-15 Langley AFB, Virginia
May 21-22 Andrews AFB, Maryland (the reunion airshow)
May 25 USAF Academy, Colorado

June 2011 (European Tour)

June 4-5 Cigli AB, Izmir, Turkey
June 11-12 Jesolo AB, Italy
June 15 Karup AB, Denmark
June 18-19 Turku AB, Finland
June 25 Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria

July 2011 (European Tour continues)

July 2-3 RAF, Waddington, UK
July 6-7 Koksijde AB, Belgium
July 9-10 Off Weekend for the Team
July 16-17 Off Weekend for the Team
July 23-24 Dayton, Ohio
July 27 Cheyenne, Wyoming
July 30-31 Travis AFB, California

August 2011

August 6-7 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
August 13-14 Portsmouth, New Hampshire
August 17 Atlantic City, New Jersey
August 20-21 Chicago, Ilinois
August 27-28 Waterloo, Iowa

September 2011

September 3-5 Cleveland, Ohio
September 10-11 Niagara Falls, New York
September 15 Reno, Nevada
September 17-18 Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
September 24-25 Hill AFB, Utah

October 2011

October 1-2 Fort Smith, Arkansas
October 8 Holloman AFB, New Mexico
October 15-16 Laughlin AFB, Texas
October 22-23 Ft Worth, Texas
October 29-30 Lafayette, Louisiana

November 2011

November 5-6 MacDill AFB, Florida
November 12-13 Nellis AFB, Nevada

f-16

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Star3

Citation :: Technicians from F-16 fighters of the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, arrange their sunglasses during a Romanian - U.S. airshow at Kogalniceanu airport, 250 km (155 miles) east of Bucharest June 8, 2011.

A US Air Force KC130 flies over F-16 fighters of the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, during a Romanian - U.S. airshow at Kogalniceanu airport, 250 km east of Bucharest June 8, 2011.

F-16 fighters of the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, perform during a Romanian - U.S. airshow at Kogalniceanu airport, 250 km east of Bucharest June 8, 2011.

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Star3

Weekend Photos - 2nd and 3rd July 2011

Citation :: Thunderbirds in the United Kingdom

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo, demonstrates the tight turning performance of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with the maximum 360 turn during the practice air show at Royal Air Force Base Waddington, United Kingdom, July 1, 2011.

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Star3

Citation :: Les Thunderbirds sont arrivés à Coxyde avant le meeting de mercredi et jeudi

lundi 04 juillet 2011 à 21h22
(Belga) La patrouille acrobatique de l'US Air Force, les "Thunderbirds", se produiront mercredi et jeudi lors du meeting aérien de Coxyde, à chaque fois à 17h00, a indiqué lundi soir leur officier de presse, le major Kristin Haley, à l'agence BELGA.

Les "Thunderbirds" et leurs huit chasseurs F-16 sont arrivés lundi à Coxyde, où ils participeront durant deux jours au meeting aérien international marquant le 65ème anniversaire de la création de la Force aérienne belge, l'ancêtre de l'actuelle composante Air. Ils effectueront mardi après-midi une répétition, avant les deux démonstrations des deux jours suivants, à 17h00. L'équipe était lundi à Bruxelles l'invitée de la réception donnée par l'ambassade des Etats-Unis pour la fête nationale, à l'occasion du 235ème anniversaire de l'indépendance. Selon leur officier de presse, l'étape belge est la dernière d'une tournée de huit pays européens de six semaines qui a conduit les Tunderbirds successivement en Turquie, Italie, Danemark, Finlande, Bulgarie et Grande-Bretagne. Au total, l'"Airshow" de Coxyde accueillera cinq équipes de démonstration étrangères, outre les Thunderbirds, qui volent avec six chasseurs F-16: la Patrouille de France (sur Alpha-Jet), les Red Arrows britanniques (sur Hawk), le Team Iskry polonais (neuf TS-11 Iskra), les Turkish Stars (sur F-5) et les Saudi Hawks (sur Hawk également), qui effectuent leur toute première, mais brève, tournée européenne, selon le commandant de la base, le colonel Bruno Havermans. (GGD)
Source: Belga

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Citation :: Boston Portsmouth Air Show

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, demonstrates the tactical surprise of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with a Sneak Pass during the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14. The Thunderbirds performance in New Hampshire was the first time in 25 years.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo, demonstrates the tight turning performance of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Maximum 360 turn during the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds", perform the Arrowhead Bottom-Up Pass during the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14.

U.S. Air Force Maj.'s Aaron Jelinek, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo and J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, perform the Inverted Opposing Knife Edge Pass during the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo, takes off for the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14.

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The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Star3

Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres The Thunderbirds - Page 2 Star3

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The Thunderbirds - Page 2 W4Tbird_0411_03OFFICERS

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apparemment ils s'apprettent à changer de monture

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mais pensez vous qu'il soit aussi agile que le f 16 pour effectuer des figures acrobatiques . moi j'en doute The Thunderbirds - Page 2 197650

Citation :: Thunderbirds release 2012 show schedule

Published December 9, 2011 | By Rob Vogelaar

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) — The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7.
The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.

The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing a flyover for the 54th running of NASCAR’s Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. The remainder of the schedule is as follows:

March 17: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

March 31 and April 1: Lakeland, Fla.

April 14-15: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

April 21-22: Barksdale AFB, La.

April 28-29: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

May 5-6: Shaw AFB, S.C.

May 12-13: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

May 19-20: March Air Reserve Base, Calif.

May 23: Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force Academy graduation flyover)

May 26-27: Hill AFB, Utah

June 2-3: Rockford, Ill.

June 9-10: Ocean City, Md.

June 16-17: North Kingstown, R.I.

June 23-24: Indianapolis, Ind.

June 30 & July 1: Battle Creek, Mich.

July 7-8: Gary, Ind.

July 21-22: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

July 25: Cheyenne, Wyo.

July 28-29: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Aug. 4-5: Hillsboro, Ore.

Aug. 11-12: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Aug. 17: Atlantic City, N.J.

Aug. 25-26: Brunswick, Maine

Sept. 1-2: Davenport, Iowa

Sept. 8-9: Sacramento, Calif.

Sept. 15-16: Scott AFB, Ill.

Sept. 22-23: Salinas, Calif.

Sept. 29-30: McConnell AFB, Kan.

Oct. 6-7: Fort Worth, Texas

Oct. 13-14: Daytona Beach, Fla.

Oct. 20-21: El Paso, Texas

Oct. 27-28: Moody AFB, Ga.

Nov. 3-4: Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

Nov. 10-11: Nellis AFB, Nev.

“We are excited about the upcoming season and representing our fellow American Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, who will command and lead the team in the 2012 show season. “We feel honored to tell the story of U.S. Air Force Airmen serving on the front lines of freedom around the world. We will proudly represent each Airmen with the same pride, precision and professionalism in which they perform their duties each and every day.”

As of 2012, the Thunderbirds will have been in existence for 59 years, dating back to 1953 when the team flew the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjets. This season will mark the 30th season the squadron has performed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft.

The Thunderbirds team is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted people serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties.

A Thunderbirds aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including the beginning ground ceremony, lasts about one hour. The air show season lasts roughly from March to November, with the winter months primarily used to train new team members.

Source and photo: (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

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Citation :: Lakeland Air Show

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" perform the Echelon Pass-in-Review during the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, Lakeland, Fla., March 31, 2012

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo pilot, demonstrates the tight turning capability of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with a Maximum Turn during the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, Lakeland, Fla., March 31, 2012.

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo pilot and Capt. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo pilot, perform the Cross-Over Break during the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, Lakeland, Fla., March 31, 2012.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo pilot, awaits to shut down after returning from the practice show at Lakeland, Fla., March 30, 2012.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bosco Bae Jr., Thunderbird 7 dedicated crew chief, adjusts the in-flight camera for Josh Cascio, a Channel 13, Fox affiliate news anchor, before his flight in the Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon, at Lakeland, Fla., March 29, 2012

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Mirror

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Citation :: Pilotless planes project begins test flights over Irish Sea

Astraea prototypes follow programmed instructions, with the aim that they could fly missions autonomously for days at a time

BAE makes Typhoon jets, which require pilots to fly. Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

BAE Systems has taken a step closer to removing pilots from fighter jets by launching the first major test flights for a new generation of intelligent drone aircraft.

The defence group is assessing software for unmanned aircraft that will operate with an unprecedented level of independence. Defence experts believe pilotless planes are the next progression from manned fighters such as the Typhoon jet, made by BAE.

The project, named Astraea, differs from the current drone models in use in Afghanistan, which are flown remotely by pilots on the ground. Instead the prototypes will follow a set of programmed instructions, with the aim that they could fly difficult missions autonomously for days at a time.

BAE is using a conventional aircraft – an 18-seater Jetstream propeller plane – for the flights over the Irish Sea and will have technicians on board. The Jetstream will fly autonomously during some tests but there will be a pilot at the controls at all times, ready to take over if there is a problem.

The tests will include a collision avoidance trial, using a light aircraft that will gauge the plane's ability to dodge potential hazards. A BAE spokesperson said: "This will demonstrate to regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority and air traffic control service providers the progress made towards achieving safe routine use of UAVs [unmanned air vehicle] in UK airspace."

The test flights started at the beginning of the month and will run until September, and are taking place in controlled airspace. The Astraea programme is run by a consortium whose members include BAE and other UK companies such as Cobham, Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce. Thales, the French defence and security group, is also a member.

Edward Hunt, a senior consultant at IHS Jane's, the defence analysis firm, said the argument for intelligent, unmanned aircraft was compelling. "There are some doubts as to how many more generations of manned aircraft there might be. There could be one or two more, but you can make these planes smaller and more robust without someone onboard. Also, of course, you reduce the likelihood of losing crew."

However, Hunt said technical and legal hurdles remained. "Giving them any autonomy is going to be complicated in terms of technical developments, such as the software, and legally allowing a fighter without a human being in it to launch a weapon and kill someone," he said. BAE executives have already stated that "there has to be a man in the loop" when combat drones operate, ruling out the possibility of a computer deciding whether to take a life.

BAE has already built a number of UAV prototypes including the Mantis, for civilian missions such as rescue searches, and the Taranis, a weaponised cousin. Neither will reach the mass-manufactured stage but are being developed at BAE's Warton facility in Lancashire.

BAE expects to build widely used unmanned aircraft with France's Dassault under an Anglo-French defence pact. The project, dubbed Telemos, aims to produce an eight-tonne, twin-propeller surveillance aircraft by 2016. Underlining the plane's monitoring role, the programme is named after the Cyclops of Greek mythology that warned of an attack by Ulysses.

The drone will be designed to carry laser-guided bombs. Dassault has estimated that the companies will invest €500m (£403m).

guardian

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