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Citation :

USAF to issue contract to Sikorsky for rescue helicopter


The US Air Force's combat rescue helicopter programme is moving forward.

The service announces on 4 March that it intends to issue a contract by the end of June to Sikorsky for the 14-year, $7 billion programme, which calls for up to 112 aircraft.

Sikorsky, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, was the only company to bid on the project with its proposed CRH-60, a modified version of its UH-60M Black Hawk.



Rendering of Sikorsky's CRH-60 combat rescue helicopter. Sikorsky.

The USAF says it will move $430 million from other programmes to the CRH programme though fiscal year 2019 due to "the criticality" of the combat rescue mission.

The project also received an injection of more than $300 million in the fiscal year 2014 budget.

The service warns, however, that the programme may need to be "reevaluated" should additional defense budget cuts take effect in fiscal year 2016.

"The competitive price and the funding provided by Congress will allow us to award the CRH contract, but we could still face significant challenges to keeping this effort on track," says USAF secretary Deborah Lee James in a statement. "We will need to work with Congress throughout 2015 budget deliberations."

The CRH is intended to replace the USAF's aging HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, which are also a Sikorsky product.

"Sikorsky and our teammate Lockheed Martin thank the USAF for enabling us to build a modern and affordable combat rescue helicopter that will replace the service’s rapidly aging HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet," says Sikorsky in a statement. "We look forward to working with the USAF to deliver CRH-60 aircraft in the prescribed timeframe."

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Aerial target QF-16 takes to the sky




TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Air Force's newest aerial target took a major step toward preparing warfighters downrange with a realistic fourth-generation replication of what they may face on the battlefield.

The first unmanned QF-16 Viper struck down over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 5, 2014, was part of a joint effort between the Test and Training Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron here.

"This test was the culmination of years of planning and aircrew training specifically tailored to stand up the next generation of full-scale aerial targets," said Lt. Col. Ryan Inman, the 82nd ATRS commander. "The teamwork between members of Boeing, the systems program office at Eglin (AFB), the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group and the 82nd ATRS enabled a nearly flawless test."

Currently, QF-4 Phantoms are used as targets to test pilots, aircraft and weapons before they reach the battlefield.

The unmanned QF-16 performed an auto-takeoff from Tyndall AFB and was targeted by air-to-air missiles launched over the gulf test range. This successful final operational test validated the QF-16's capability to assess the end game performance of weapons employed against it, and closes out the development phase of the program, according to an official at Eglin AFB's testing division.

"The aging fleet of the QF-4s and their limited capabilities against modern fighters have rendered the aerial target workhorse, Phantom II, at its technological limit," Inman said. "The QF-16 initiates the next chapter in advanced aerial targets, predominately in support of more technologically superior air-to-air weapons test and evaluation programs. The QF-16 will enable our leaner and more efficient Air Force to continue operations at maximum mission effectiveness while maintaining air superiority and global reach for decades to come."

This test was an important step in the right direction for the program and marked the conclusion of operational and range qualification testing at both the Eglin Test Range and White Sands Missile Range.

"The successful mission is a direct result of the hard work, commitment and synergy between Air Combat Command, the Test and Training Division, the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, the Boeing Company and numerous other stakeholders,” said Michele Hafers, the Test and Training Division director. “This test and training asset was born to fly and has flown its final mission validating our pilots and our weapons can maintain air dominance across the globe."

The 82nd ATRS is part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB. The group provides the personnel and infrastructure to test and evaluate weapons utilized by the combat air forces of the U.S. and its allies. It operates the only full-scale aerial targets in the Defense Department.

In accordance with U.S. law, Title 10, Section 2366 of the U.S. Code, a missile system must undergo lethality testing before it can enter full-scale production. The 82 ATRS maintains DOD’s sole capability to execute the Title 10 requirement. There are sub-scale target capabilities in other services, but the Air Force is the only service that has a full-acale aerial target program, Inman said.

"Team Target executes that capability flawlessly every day at Tyndall and Holloman AFB," Inman said. "This test could not have been accomplished without the unparalleled support of the operations and mission support groups. From the fire and explosive ordnance disposal support, to the airfield management and tower and radar approach control support, to the logistical support, there are countless unrecognized cogs behind the successful mission. We are merely the execution agency that gets to sit at the end of the droneway and bask in the achievement."

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/497206/aerial-target-qf-16-takes-to-the-sky.aspx

Citation :

Boeing Completes Design Review for U.S. Air Force’s Talon HATE Program

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Sept. 16, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed the final design review for the U.S. Air Force’s Talon HATE program. The system will improve communication and information sharing among various platforms.

Talon HATE combines information from fighter networks, national sources and joint command and control assets. Transmitting over data-links, the information can then be used by joint aircraft, ships and ground stations, improving communication and information sharing across the battlespace.

Boeing worked with industry suppliers to rapidly prototype the Talon HATE system for the U.S. Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities office within Air Combat Command. The Talon HATE system is designed to initially be carried in a pod attached to Boeing’s F-15C fighter aircraft.

“Working with our customer, Boeing rapidly designed and demonstrated this new system to meet an urgent need on an accelerated timeline,” said Alex Lopez, vice president, Advanced Network & Space Systems, Phantom Works. “The system assimilates information in real-time from multiple domains creating an improved common operating picture for tactical awareness.”

As part of the development, the Boeing team integrated the Intra Flight Data Link (IFDL) used on F-22 aircraft within a proven flight communications system, called the Multifunctional Information Distribution System-JTRS (or MIDS-J). This marked the first time IFDL was integrated on the MIDS-J system, which is also used on Boeing F/A-18 aircraft. MIDS-J serves as a host for multiple concurrent communications waveforms that are essential for Talon HATE forward operations.

“The Boeing team demonstrated communications interoperability between the platforms using these systems during the final design review,” said Sean Rice, program director, Boeing Talon HATE and Derivatives. “The feedback and advice gained from pilots, operators and support teams seeking to improve this prototype was vital to this success.”

http://boeing.mediaroom.com

Citation :

Premier vol retardé pour le KC-46A

Boeing annonce que le premier vol du futur avion de ravitailleur de l’US Air Force KC-46A est retardé de plusieurs mois. Selon l’avionneur celui-ci ne volera pas avant avril 2015.

Boeing avait annoncé il y a quelques mois que des "anomalies" dans le câblage de l'avion avaient été découvertes et qu’il serait nécessaire de les corriger. Ces problèmes relèvent de l’efficacité de la triple redondance qui doit respecter les spécifications militaires et de la Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Il s’agit de déplacer des câbles qui sont actuellement placés trop près les uns des autres. Les normes de sécurités exigent que ceux-ci puissent être installés à une distance physique suffisante. De fait, se sont 1’700 faisceaux de câbles qui doivent être retirés et réinstallés. Les trois premiers KC-46A d’essais sont concernés par ces modifications.



La situation est donc particulièrement serrée pour Boeing qui doit impérativement faire voler le premier aéronef dans les six mois, afin, de pouvoir respecter le lancement de la fabrication initiale à taux faible  (LRIP). Selon le calendrier actuel, Boieng doit débuter la livraison des premiers KC-46A en août 2017.

Le KC-46A«New Gen Tanker» est un gros porteur multi-mission, basé sur la cellule du B767 commercial. Pour ce faire, l’avion reprend les dernières innovations en matières d’écrans multifonctions en test actuellement sur le B787 «Dreamliner». Un nouveau système de ravitaillement permettra une augmentation du rythme de transfert de carburant, de plus, les charges et les opérations en sont simplifiées. Selon Boeing les risques d’industrialisations sont faibles, car l’avion s’appuie sur des moyens existants. Le «New Gen Tanker» se caractérise par une conception du contrôle de vol qui place l‘équipage aux commandes de l’ensemble de l’appareil, au lieu de permettre aux logiciels de limiter la manœuvrabilité au combat. Le «New Gen Tanker» met à la disposition des pilotes de l’USAF un poste de pilotage numérique avancé équipé des affichages électroniques du Boeing B787 «Dreamliner». Le «New Gen Tanker» dispose d’une technologie de ravitaillement en vol éprouvée et d’une perche KC-10 NewGen modernisée avec des capacités de ravitaillement étendues, un débit accru pour le transfert du carburant et un système à commandes de vol électrique (Fly by Wire).



Photos : 1 Image de synthèse du KC-46A 2 Cockpit@ Boeing
 
http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2014/09/16/premier-vol-retarde-pour-le-kc-46a-857018.html

Citation :

US Air Force Special Ops Looks To Add Armor, Firepower to Ospreys



NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — In response to two of its CV-22 Ospreys being shot up over Juba, South Sudan, in December, critically injuring two service members, the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has added optional armor to the flooring of the aircraft and may also incorporate forward-firing weapons.

AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold told reporters on Monday that armor panels developed for the bird could add 800 pounds of weight if the full “blanket” is used, but crews have the option to use the armor sheeting or not.

The two CV-22s were so vulnerable in the attack because the crews didn’t expect the area around the mission to be “hot,” so were surprised by the 119 rounds fired at the aircraft.

The optional armor, which is being fielded now, can be put on in pieces to protect only certain parts of the aircraft, but any extra armor will create tradeoffs, Heithold said, either in how many troops can be carried or how far the aircraft can fly before refueling is necessary.

AFSOC is also working with industry to develop a forward-firing gun, he said.

“We’ve been challenged on this since the inception of this airplane,” he said. “We’re looking at various solutions that will be simple — not exquisite — solutions that fire forward so that I can keep heads down” going into a landing zone.

“It’s not going to be a real exotic, expensive solution” he insisted, echoing comments made by Lt. Col. John DiSebastian, SOCOM’s C-130 and CV-22 program director at a special operations conference in Tampa, Florida, this past May.

“If you’ve got a $1 million widget you want to put on the Osprey — [SOCOM has] 50 of them. We can’t afford a $50 million program,” he said.

“But if you’ve got a $100,000 or a $50,000 widget that can improve the sustainment, capability or ops of the aircraft, then bring that to us.”

Heithold also said his command has run into some unexpected costs in training Osprey crews, and that the mission-capable rates in garrison are lower than the command wants them to be.

“We’re flying the darn airplanes different than they thought we were going to fly them,” he said, “which puts a demand signal on the blades which is way more than anybody ever thought.”

While “we are beating them up” in training events that mimic the rigors of real world operations, he said, in operations around the globe, “the CV-22 is all we asked it to be.”

While AFSOC currently has 50 Ospreys in its fleet, and he doesn’t expect the number to rise anytime soon, Heithold is pushing for three or four more aircraft to act as an attrition reserve. High operating tempo is wearing out some aircraft sooner rather than later, he added. ■

http://www.defensenews.com

Citation :

F-22 fighter makes its first combat appearance over Syria



The Pentagon's most advanced fighter plane made its combat debut in the U.S.-led strikes on Syria overnight, serving a crucial purpose for a sensitive mission that depended on stealth.

Pilots flying the F-22 Raptor flew bombing runs over Syria to target the militant Islamic State group, U.S. officials said.

Officials didn't say what targets the F-22 struck, but said it was used later in the series of strikes, which lasted several hours.

The plane is one of the country's most expensive—the F-22 program has cost $67 billion and only 188 planes have been built—but U.S. policymakers have been reluctant to use it in combat, in part because its high-end capabilities weren't needed for militant threats that the U.S. has been focused on for the last decade.

"The ultimate decision being made—that we are to use this aircraft against an adversary—is a unique and momentous decision for the United States Air Force," said an Air Force official.

Military officials said the planes ability to avoid detection by the advanced Syrian air defense systems was one reason to use the plane. But the plane's ability to fly higher and faster than other fighters also allows it to drop its 1000-pound guided bomb from a much further distance than older fighter planes, Air Force officials said.

According to the unclassified specifications of the plane, an F-22 can drop a precision bomb from at least 15 miles away from its target.

"It has a unique ability to approach adversaries in a way legacy aircraft can't," said the Air Force official. "There are things the F-22 is uniquely suited to address that the other fighters in our inventory can't."

http://www.foxnews.com

Citation :

Sierra Nevada Corporation & Embraer Roll-Out First U.S. Built A-29 Super Tucano for USAF Light Air Support (LAS) Program



​JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2014) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Embraer Defense & Security today presented the first United States-built A-29 Super Tucano light air support aircraft in a roll-out ceremony with the U.S. Air Force and government officials, industry and community representatives, and news media. The aircraft, which also performs as an outstanding advanced trainer, is the first of 20 that are being delivered to the U.S. Air Force for its Light Air Support (LAS) program to support the stability of Afghanistan as it assumes increased responsibility for security with the redeployment of NATO forces.

“The Light Air Support program is critical to the U.S. objectives in Afghanistan and to our national security. SNC, as the prime contractor, is proudly serving our country through its strategic partnership with Embraer by providing a superior aircraft, exceptional training and expert support and maintenance for this U.S. Air Force program,” said SNC’s Chief Executive Officer Fatih Ozmen. “We look forward to continuing to deliver on time and on budget this important capability for Afghanistan now and into the future to ensure both the successful withdrawal of U.S. troops and the safety and security of the entire region.”

“The Super Tucano is a robust and powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions and, in more than ten years of operations, it has confirmed to be a cost-effective airpower solution for nations around the world,” said President and CEO Embraer Defense & Security Jackson Schneider. “These characteristics, along with its well-proven combat record, make it highly reliable and the logical choice for the LAS mission.”

“This first aircraft delivery is a significant milestone for the A-29 program,” said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Eric Fick. “This delivery represents the birth of an important capability for Afghanistan, and we are very pleased Sierra Nevada Corporation and Embraer were able to deliver the aircraft on time to meet the start of Air Advisor Training at Moody Air Force Base.”

“Jacksonville has long been known as a military aviation center of excellence, a reputation that takes center stage once again with the roll out of the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft,” said Congressman Ander Crenshaw, member of the U.S. House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “Built by a highly-skilled and expert team, this aircraft is vital to securing Afghanistan and that region of the world. We can all be proud of the work behind the assembly of the Super Tucano – work that supports our national security at home and around the globe and helps keep our local and regional economy strong.”

On Feb. 27, 2013 the U.S. Air Force awarded the LAS contract to SNC to supply 20 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as well as ground training devices, pilot and maintenance training and logistic support. The aircraft will be used to provide light air support, reconnaissance and training capabilities to the Afghanistan military. In March 2013, Embraer officially opened a 40,000-square-foot facility in Jacksonville, Florida, to produce the LAS aircraft and to date has hired 72 employees. The facility in Jacksonville performs pre-equipping, mechanical assembly, structural assembly, systems installation and testing, and flight testing of A-29 aircraft. Through the LAS program, SNC and Embraer support more than 1,400 jobs with more than 100 companies throughout the United States.

The Super Tucano is a light air support turboprop aircraft with advanced training capabilities currently used by nine air forces in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. After more than ten years in action, the Super Tucano has gained an excellent performance record: over 230,000 flight hours and 31,000 combat hours. Embraer has received more than 210 firm orders and has delivered more than 170 aircraft. For more information, visit www.BuiltForTheMission.com.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is one of America’s fastest growing private companies and among the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space.” Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, SNC has a workforce of over 3,000 personnel in 31 locations in 17 states. SNC’s six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge technology solutions to SNC’s customers. For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com and follow us at Facebook/Sierra Nevada Corporation. Sierra Nevada Corporation and SNC are trademarks of Sierra Nevada Corporation.

http://www.embraer.com

Citation :

First DOD general officer completes F-35 qualification training




9/30/2014 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- When the wheels of his F-35A Lightning II touched down here around 1 p.m., Sept. 26, Maj. Gen. Jay Silveria became the first Department of Defense general officer to complete qualification training in the joint strike fighter.

Silveria, the commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nevada, wrapped up his seven-week training filling approximately five hours of F-35 seat time with back-to-back sorties and a hot pit refuel.

"His qualification training was seamless. He met all his requirements on the ground and in the air to be a newly qualified F-35 pilot," said Lt. Col. Matt Renbarger, the 58th Fighter Squadron commander and Silveria's trainer.

The general was chosen to become qualified based on his leadership position at the USAFWC and pilot experience. The center he leads is responsible for current and future F-35A operational testing, tactics development and eventual advanced training exercises and weapons school.

"The Warfare Center is so involved with the development and future of this aircraft that it was important for me to see and experience this new program at the lowest tactical level and bring that knowledge base back to the higher level strategic discussions with groups like F-35 program office and Air Combat Command," said Silveria, a 29-year veteran and F-15 pilot. "The training provides me insight into the entire spectrum of the F-35 program."

Based on his interaction with the F-35 integrated training center and the 33rd Fighter Wing, he said the Air Force is on the right path forward.

"It is everything we want it to be as far as training our F-35 pilots and maintainers," he said. "It's only the beginning, but it is easy to see the wing and other services are ready to handle the increase in students as this program begins to grow quickly."

The general said while he was surprised at how easy the aircraft was to fly, the most impressive part of the F-35 is the fifth generation fusion features that will ultimately benefit the warfighter.

"The real upgrade is the integration," said Silveria. "The fusion of all those flight components in sync with each other was the most impressive. The communication and navigation work with the flight controls which connect to the radar. They all come together to make the aircraft that much more capable."

The data and information passing through those integrated systems is constantly being updated. Many of those updates are built at Eglin in the 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron's F-35 reprogramming lab. The lab is managed by the 53rd Wing, which reports to the USAFWC.

"The 513th is vital to this program," he said. "They are not only providing mission data to the Air Force, but for the other services and our allied partners. They are making world-wide impacts in that little building."

After completing his qualifying flight, Silveria took a moment to reflect on what it was like to fly DoD's newest fighter aircraft.

"It's like seeing into the future," said ACC's former Inspector General. "We're still at the beginning on so many levels with the flight and employment of this aircraft and we'll continue to improve, but even now what we're seeing is amazing. After flying it, I just foresee what a powerful weapon it will be."

"I'm confident this program will develop to reach and even go beyond our high expectations. There's an immense capability here that's going to be amazing."

http://www.eglin.af.mil

Citation :

USAF F-15 jet crashes in Lincolnshire




A US military aircraft has crashed in a field near houses and a school in Lincolnshire.

Witnesses saw the F-15D come down in a field off Broad Gate, Weston Hills, near Spalding at about 15:30 BST.

The pilot ejected from the aircraft and police said he had escaped with very minor injuries.

The US Air Force said the jet was from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk and had crashed during a combat training exercise.

Base commander Col Robert Novotny said: "We're very fortunate, our pilot ejected... he's in fine spirits."

He added that it was unclear what had caused the crash.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter transported the pilot back safely to the base where he is being treated.

Witness Janet Prescott said: "It's frightening to think that the jet has passed over houses and the village school. Who knows how that jet could have come down.

"From the point he ejected to where the plane came down is probably a mile. That jet has continued flying with no-one in it.

"It could have hit any one of a number of houses. Thank God it didn't."

Weston Hills Church of England Primary School was evacuated but a member of staff said everyone at the school was fine.

Shaun Gough, whose twin five-year-old daughters are pupils at the school, said part of the aircraft's wing had landed in the field about 400yds (365m) away.

"It was coming down from the sky backwards like it was out of control in a spin," said Mr Gough.

"There were two aircraft which had been circling around most the afternoon and there was a roar, then silence, which made us look across."



"I was watching when it came down back end first, and when you're standing watching it come down close to your daughters' school it's pretty horrendous," he said.

"When my wife went to the school to pick up my daughter she said the black smoke was blowing across the car park and into the school.

"I've seen a Sea King helicopter land and pick somebody up. I'm guessing it's the pilot."

............

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-29544064

Citation :

Un drone Reaper US s'écrase à l'atterrissage à Niamey



L'aéroport de Niamey est resté fermé lundi matin entre 3h40 et 12h30 après un accident de drone à l'atterrissage.

Le drone américain de type Reaper s'est écrasé au retour d'une mission ISR et a endommagé la piste. Cet appareil non armé appartient à l'US Air Force qui a reconnu l'accident et précisé que le crash n'a fait aucun blessé.

L'US Air Force dispose d'au moins deux Reaper à Niamey et plusieurs avions ISR y sont ponctuellement basés.


http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2014/10/21/un-reaper-us-12729.html

Citation :

Lockheed Martin progresses C-5M Galaxy deliveries to USAF

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly


The USAF intends to replace its current C-5A/B/C fleet with 52 upgraded C-5Ms by mid-2018. Photo: Lockheed Martin  

The US Air Force (USAF) is continuing to receive upgraded Lockheed Martin C-5M Galaxy strategic airlifters, with delivery of the 20th production aircraft on 5 November.

Aircraft 87-0034 was flown from the company's Marietta production facility in Georgia to Travis Air Force Base (AFB) in California. It is the fifth such aircraft to be delivered to Travis AFB on the west coast, with Dover AFB in the east coast state of Delaware receiving the others.

In addition to the 20 production aircraft, three C-5s were upgraded to C-5M standard under the system, design, and development phase of the programme (these three will be turned over to the USAF also), making a total of 23 aircraft to have now gone through the process.

The C-5M modernisation is a combination of the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Programme (RERP) upgrades. The AMP upgrade sees the aircraft equipped with a new mission computer, a digital 'glass' cockpit, autopilot and a modern communications, navigation and surveillance suite for air-traffic management. The RERP sees the incumbent General Electric (GE) TF39-GE-1C turbofans replaced with new GE CF6-80C2 commercial engines (military designation F108-GE-100).

This affords the aircraft an additional 22% of thrust, or the equivalent of fitting a fifth engine, giving it a 20% increase in range with a greatly increased payload and improving obstacle clearance capability by three-fold. It also means that the cargo delivery rate for the C-5M is increased by more than 50% over the legacy-variant Galaxies.

The engine's increased reliability has increased the aircraft's in-flight shutdown rates by 20%, while increasing to 20,000 the number of hours it can remain on the wing before being removed for maintenance (this compares to just 2,000 hours for the legacy model aircraft).

As well as improving the reliability and performance of the 1970s-vintage aircraft, the focus of the upgrade effort is also to reduce operating and sustainment costs. The USAF has estimated that the upgrade will save a net USD9 billion in operating and support costs alone over the projected lifespan of 30 years or more of the airframe. According to Lockheed Martin, the C-5M (dubbed 'Super Galaxy' by the company) should have no difficulty in seeing out its planned 2040 retirement date and could even stay in service beyond this date.

With 111 Galaxy aircraft in the USAF inventory at the start of the process (59 C-5As, 50 C-5Bs and two C-5Cs), the plan saw 79 aircraft upgraded under the AMP programme. Following the AMP, 52 aircraft (one C-5A, 49 C-5Bs, and two C-5Cs) are now going through the RERP to become C-5M-variant Galaxies. The USAF is to take delivery of its final upgraded aircraft by the end of the second quarter of 2018 (slightly delayed from the original 2016 date).

Initial operating capability (IOC) for the C-5M was declared by the USAF in February, some four years after the service pronounced the C-5M to be "effective, suitable and mission capable". The Galaxy is the only aircraft in the USAF's inventory that is capable of carrying 100% of the US military's certified air-transportable cargo, and so it is critical to its capacity to deliver strategic airlift.

http://www.janes.com/article/45372/lockheed-martin-progresses-c-5m-galaxy-deliveries-to-usaf

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VIDEO - Embarquez à bord d'un A-10 Thunderbolt II  

6 Novembre 2014  



Alors que l'US Air Force cherche à se débarrasser de ce superbe appareil destiné à l'appui aérien rapproché, aussi connu sous le nom de Close Air Support (CAS), pour faire des économies face aux coûts de certains programmes comme celui du F-35, les pilotes de chasse continuent à s'entraîner, comme on peut le voir dans cette vidéo.

Repérée par le site The Aviationist, elle met en scène une mission d'entraînement d'un Warthog du 355th OG, avec la réalisation de passes au canon et de tirs de roquettes, en basse, voir très basse altitude. Cet escadron est basé dans l'Arizona, sur la base aérienne de Davis Monthan.

On y voit également deux A-10 en formation serrée, avant le break final qui engage l'atterrissage, ainsi que l'immense dépôts à ciel ouvert où les Etats-Unis stockent avions de chasse, bombardiers stratégiques, hélicoptères, qui sont réformés, mais de façon à ce qu'ils soient toujours opérationnels, au cas ou...



http://www.defens-aero.com/2014/11/video-embarquez-a-bord-d-un-a-10-thunderbolt-ii.html

Citation :

Le F-35 menacé par le maintien du A-10

http://info-aviation.com/?p=16663

Citation :

US Air Force awards Raytheon contract for Griffin missiles


TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a not to exceed $85.5 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Griffin missiles and support. The first increment of the contract was funded at $32.5 million and orders are expected for missiles and engineering services over the life of the contract.

Raytheon will deliver Griffin A and B Block II/III missiles as well as test and support equipment under firm-fixed-price contract line item number along with engineering support under a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract line item number.

Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 30, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com

Citation :

USAF Discussing A-10 Compromise With Congress

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141111/DEFREG02/311110033/USAF-Discussing-10-Compromise-Congress?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|World News|p

Citation :

US Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin Majority Share Of Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb Contract


ARCHBALD, Pa., Nov. 11, 2014 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $40.3 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for follow-on production of Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) kits.

The contract represents the majority share of fiscal year 2014 funding and the eighth award under the five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. Deliveries will begin in June 2015 and will include computer control groups and airfoil groups for GBU-10 and GBU-12 bombs. The Paveway II Plus LGB kits incorporate an upgraded laser guidance package, significantly improving overall system performance and precision.

“Lockheed Martin is focused on continuous improvement in our current and emerging line of precision guided systems so we can deliver exceptional capability at the best value to the warfighter,” said Joe Serra, precision guided systems manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This contract extends U.S. Air Force production at our Archbald, Pennsylvania, facility through first quarter 2016.”

The Paveway II Plus LGB kit consists of a MAU-209C/B computer control group containing the electronic guidance system and an airfoil group to provide lift and stability to the weapons in standard GBU-10 MK-84 (2,000 lb.), GBU-12 MK-82 (500 lb.) and GBU-16 MK-83 (1,000 lb.) series configurations.

Lockheed Martin is a qualified provider of all three Paveway II MK-80 series LGB variants and is the sole provider of the Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round and Dual Mode LGB kits. The company has delivered more than 135,000 training rounds, more than 70,000 Paveway II LGB kits and 7,000 dual mode systems to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and 20 international customers - all designed and manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s 350,000-square-foot production facility in Archbald, Pennsylvania, one of IndustryWeek magazine’s “Best Plants” for 2013.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 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 2013 were $45.4 billion.

PAVEWAY is a registered trademark of a third party in the EU and several other countries and is used by Lockheed Martin Corporation under license.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Citation :

Le débat sur le retrait du A-10 Warthog relancé

http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2014/11/actu/debat-retrait-du-10-warthog-relance/

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USAF toasts Whiskey designation for CRH fleet

The US Air Force has settled on the HH-60W designation for its future fleet of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk-derived combat rescue helicopters (CRH), some five years before it will start taking delivery of the new type.

Announced on 24 November, the step will lead to the “-60 Whiskey” replacing the air force’s current fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawks in performing the personnel recovery role. These entered use from 1982.

“The official name of the HH-60W will be determined at a later date,” says the USAF, which will eventually operate a fleet of up to 112 of the new rotorcraft under a June 2014 deal worth a potential $7.9 billion.

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Sikorsky

“The aircraft will feature increased internal fuel capability, compared with today’s HH-60G helicopter, thereby giving the HH-60W the required range, while increasing its internal cabin space,” the air force says. “Using a tested platform already in production and integrating features currently in use on other aircraft will help control risk,” it adds.

A system requirements review for the CRH programme is due to be conducted during fiscal year 2015, with first deliveries of the new aircraft due to be made in FY2019.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Pilot killed in Middle East F-16 crash

TAMPA, Fla. (AFNS) -- A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed when an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in a noncombat-related incident Nov. 30 at approximately 11 p.m. EST. The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East shortly after take-off. The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria.

First responders remain on the scene. The cause of the incident is under investigation. It is the U.S. military's policy to defer identification for 24 hours to allow for notification of next-of-kin. Additional details will be released when they become available.

http://www.af.mil

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Boeing fixes KC-46 wiring issues, sets first flight for spring 2015

The first prototype of Boeing’s KC-46 aerial refueling tanker has been rewired to meet US Air Force standards and is being prepared for its first flight sometime in late spring 2015, the companies chief operating officer says.

“We’re doing final prep for first flight on tanker,” Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing’s president and COO, says on 3 December at the Credit Suisse Global Industrials Conference in Chicago. “We are feeling very good about where that program is at now that we’ve got some of those technical issues behind us. Now we’ll focus on executing the flight test program under development and then getting the programme into production.”

Boeing earlier this year alerted the air force to “anomalies” in the aircraft’s wiring, which is required to be triple redundant to meet military and US Federal Aviation Administration specifications.

The company launched a wiring audit that found about 5% of the aircraft’s 98,000 wiring bundles were installed too close to redundant counterparts. The first four engineering and manufacturing development aircraft had to be rewired before they could roll off the production line.

“Those have now been resolved and closed out,” he says. “That airplane is done. We completed factory functional test. That airplane has now rolled out of the factory.”

The aircraft is derived from Boeing’s 767 commercial jet and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 turbofans.

In addition to serving as an aerial refueling tanker, KC-46As can be configured to accommodate cargo or up to 114 passengers, or to serve as an aero-medical evacuation aircraft

The first test aircraft has been fueled in preparation for flight testing and is on the flight line, Muilenburg says. The first tanker flights are scheduled for the second quarter of 2015, he says. The air force is expected to make a Milestone C decision to enter low-rate initial production within the following three months. Boeing is then on the hook to deliver the first 18 operational tankers by 2017.

“We’re very confident that we will hit the mark on all three,” he says.

A provisional test 767-2C, a freighter variant of the aircraft, and the first EMD KC-46 are scheduled to fly in the second quarter of calendar year 2015. That is a change from September, when Maj Gen John Thompson, the air force’s KC-46 programme manager, said first flight would take place before the end of March.

The US air force needs at least 179 KC-46 tankers, which gives Boeing a “long, strong production profile”, he says. Potential international demand may increase orders from Boeing to between 400 and 500 aircraft, Muilenburg says.

http://www.flightglobal.com