Noticias Aeronáuticas del Mundo (archivo)

[moises]

Is the Tanker on the Chopping Block?
Project On Government Oversight (POGO)
There has been a lot of speculation as to what programs the Obama administration is going to cut in its defense budget. The F-22 Raptor has a target on its back, but a concentrated lobbying campaign and a large constituency for the program in Congress are leading to reports that there will not be any significant cuts.

GAO's critical report of the Future Combat Systems--and its significant costs--are leading to discussions of cutting back on the program, including pursuing less costly and less capable versions of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program.

And the most recent news, CQ's Josh Rogin reports, is that the controversial tanker program could be delayed by five years.

Colin Clark at DoD Buzz postulates that this is a strategy to keep both the tanker and other riskier programs:

One of the oldest ploys in the budget wars is to cut a program you absolutely, positively know Congress will fund no matter what you do. You move money from that program to one you know is on shakier ground. Then, when Congress funds both programs you can protest that it's something you really don't need and is pulling money from more deserving programs. Voila! You have zee cake and eat it too!

As Clark and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz point out, the tanker remains a top priority for the Air Force.

The DEW line points to a memo from DoD's Acquisition Chief John Young that reports that the current fleet of tankers "have plenty of life" and that the program can be delayed.

But given that there's also a strong constituency for this program in Congress, and that there's seemingly a stronger strategic justification for this program than there is for the F-22, I worry that this may result in the program being procured through the kind of earmarks the Washington Post chronicled this past Sunday or a split-buy that will result in the taxpayers being ripped off.

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[moises]

Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa
US Air Force
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan: Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa.

Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are training with Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots from the Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 102.

Tracking the action from their E-3 Sentry aircraft, members of the 961st Air Airborne Control Squadron will direct the simulated airwar.

The F/A-18 pilots are engaging in a high-speed, high-stakes contest of hide-and-seek with F-22s.

Lt. Col. Lansing Pilch, an F-22 pilot and commander of the deployed 27th EFS, said his squadron was honored to introduce the Navy pilots to the F-22. Colonel Pilch said with its state-of-the-art avionics suite, the fifth generation stealth fighter is a force multiplier that increases the capabilities of other fighter jets.

"The Super Hornet is an impressive, versatile aircraft," Colonel Pilch said. "Its wide range of capabilities could complement those of the F-22 extremely well in combat. Our goal with the fifth generation F-22 is to use our enhanced situational awareness to make those around us better. By training together, we will become a more effective joint fighting force."

The training makes the Navy and Air Force aviators an even more formidable joint team, capable of dominating the skies anywhere and anytime, said Col. Ronald Banks, the 18th Operations Group commander.

"We are fortunate to have the opportunity to fly with our sister service, especially since any contingency we may find ourselves in will be a joint operation," said Colonel Banks, an F-15 pilot with than 2,000 flight hours.

"Joint training allows us to refine our joint tactics, techniques, and procedures while simultaneously building confidence in our ability to fight together," the colonel said. "Joint operations are the standard for all future contingencies."

Capt. Paul Bobnock, 67th FS Weapons and Tactics chief, said the F-15 pilots and F/A-18 pilots took turns playing "blue" friendly and "red" opposing forces during mock air-to-air and air-to-ground training sorties.

A Longview, Texas, resident who has been flying the F-15 for six years, Captain Bobnock said flying with the F/A-18 allows the F-15 pilots to employ different tactics in response to this different airframe.

"We typically train against similar aircraft from our own squadron on a day-to-day basis," he said. "When I train against dissimilar aircraft, it introduces the unexpected."

It is imperative for fighter pilots to "train like they will fight," said Navy Capt. Michael Vizcarra, the commander of Fleet Activities Okinawa.

"I cannot overstate its (joint training) importance as all the services bring a variety of warfighting options to the combatant commander, and are typically utilized together to maximize their effects," Captain Vizcarra said. "The Pacific is the largest (area of operations) on the planet, and the ability of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to coordinate and execute together is an imperative and one that should be constantly exercised to ensure mission accomplishment."


An F-22 Raptor flies above Kadena Air Base, Japan, during an air refueling mission Jan. 23. The F-22 is deployed from 27th Fighter Wing Langley Air Force Base, Va. in support of U.S. Pacific Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chad Warren)

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[moises]

C-130J Super Hercules Continues to Be the Tactical Airlifter In Demand
Lockheed Martin
MELBOURNE, Australia: A Lockheed Martin official explained to reporters attending the Avalon Air Show today why the C-130J continues to be the platform of choice to meet the growing worldwide demand for tactical air mobility.

“The C-130J continues to be the airlifter of choice for many nations,” said George Standridge, vice president of Business Development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Two hundred fifty-seven C-130Js have been ordered through 2008 of which 171 have been delivered. Production will steadily increase from 12 aircraft in 2008 to approximately double by 2010. Lockheed Martin is currently in detailed discussions with several countries and looks forward to continued growth in the C-130J program.”

Standridge cited several recent C-130J program highlights. In 2007, the first C-130J Foreign Military Sale (FMS) aircraft were sold to Norway with a second FMS sale to India in 2008. During that same period, Canada bought 17 aircraft and Qatar became the first Middle East customer. Last month the United Arab Emirates announced its selection of the C-130J to modernize it airlift fleet.

Australia is among the nations that operate the C-130J and holds a unique place in the history of the program. It was the first ever non-U.S. customer for the C-130 and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is also the only service to have flown all variants of the Hercules.

“Just a few months ago we joined with the RAAF to celebrate 50 years of operational service,” said Standridge. “During those 50 years the RAAF has gained a reputation as an airlift operator that will do whatever it takes to get the job done, regardless of the environment.”

Standridge went on to explain how the C-130J is uniquely designed to “do whatever it takes” by performing a wide variety of missions. The airplane is currently performing missions including air combat (both airland and airdrop); air-refueling; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); weather-reconnaissance; electronic combat; and firefighting.

“There is no better time to be a part of this program,” Standridge said. “The aircraft is proven with strong operational performance, on time, high-quality deliveries and an unprecedented demand. We now have a backlog of 86 C-130Js, which is the highest we have had since the program was initiated. This backlog secures our production well into 2012.”

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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[moises]

No decision on US refueling tanker: Pentagon
Agence France-Presse
Washington: The US Defense Department said on Wednesday it has made no decision to delay the purchase of aerial refueling tankers, despite reports the White House asked it to put off the move.

The Pentagon declined to discuss details of a request reportedly made by the White House budget office to consider postponing buying the new fleet of refueling tankers, as well as canceling a new long-range bomber.

The multi-billion dollar projects have been eagerly watched, and coveted, by US and European aerospace rivals.

"I think it's fair to say that there's nothing new or different about that, that they (Office of Management and Budget) provide options, they provide suggestions, as do a number of people," Morrell told reporters.

"But they should not be confused with a directive of any kind."

He added that no decisions had been made on the tanker or other major weapons projects.

"I can assure you that no decisions have been made about any one of the programs that are under review and that, if you hear contrary, you're hearing false information," he said.

The 35-billion project for a new generation of refueling tankers has been plagued by disputes and scandal.

The politically-charged contract was initially awarded in February 2008 to Northrup Grumman and its European partner, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS).

But the deal was withdrawn in July after US aerospace giant Boeing successfully appealed the decision with backing from members of Congress.

EADS is the parent company of European aircraft manufacturer -- and fierce Boeing rival -- Airbus.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates in January said he hoped to reopen bidding in the spring on the tanker project, with a decision due in early 2010.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin called for fair competition on any future contract for the tankers during a visit to Washington earlier this month.

Gates has warned that budget pressures will require tough choices with some expensive weapons programs having to be cut or scaled back.

US defense giants and the lawmakers allied with them have sought to fend off the budget cuts, portraying the building of new aircraft carriers or fighter aircraft as a way of creating or saving jobs at a time of economic crisis.

Congressional Quarterly on Tuesday reported the request for a delay of the tankers and that the White house budget office had also suggested canceling a new long-range Air Force bomber, citing unnamed sources.

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[moises]

Boeing to Offer Super Hornet for Greece's Next-Generation Fighter Program
Boeing Company
ST. LOUIS: Boeing announced today that it will promote the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as the next-generation fighter for the Hellenic Republic (Greece).

"We are pleased to offer the Hellenic Air Force the advanced combat capability of the Block II Super Hornet," said Dan Korte, vice president and general manager of Global Strike Systems for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "In addition, we look forward to furthering long-term partnerships with the Hellenic government and aerospace industry."

The Super Hornet, with core strengths in both performance and technology, is the most advanced multipurpose strike fighter in production today, with a proven performance record through more than 500,000 hours of flight time. It is operated by the U.S. Navy and is currently being built for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The aircraft is the first operationally deployed strike fighter to incorporate next-generation capabilities, such as the Raytheon APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar integrated with advanced electronic-warfare systems. The Super Hornet program has continued to add capability to the aircraft while decreasing cost over its lifetime.

Boeing has delivered more than 380 Super Hornets to the U.S. Navy, all on or ahead of original production schedule. Australia is procuring Super Hornets to bolster its fleet of F/A-18 Hornets. Boeing is in discussions with several other international customers about their interest in procuring the Super Hornet.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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[moises]

C-130s undergoing inspections
US Air Force
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio: An immediate action time compliance technical order was issued by Air Force Materiel Command officials here March 4 to inspect all C-130 Hercules aircraft due to potential cracking of wing-joint barrel nuts.

The time compliance technical order was ordered after a C-130H undergoing routine scheduled maintenance at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga., was found with five of its upper 13 barrel nuts cracked.

The C-130 outer wing is attached to the center wing with 28 bolts and barrel nuts -- 13 upper and 15 lower -- on each side of the aircraft. The lower wing barrel nuts are not affected.

The barrel nuts are also used on some C-130 refueling-pod pylons and engine trusses.

Individual C-130 units are conducting the inspections and all suspect nuts are being replaced to ensure the integrity of the aircraft and safety of pilots, passengers and crewmembers.

Within the first three days after the time compliance technical order was issued, more than two-thirds of the Air Force fleet of nearly 600 aircraft had been inspected, and more than 40 percent returned to flight. Priority shipments of replacement barrel nuts are going to C-130 units at forward-deployed locations, and those with special operations and aeromedical missions.

To help make the replacement process easier, members of the 330th Aircraft Sustainment Group at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., have been working around the clock to handle questions and issues from the C-130 community, which includes other U.S. and foreign military services.

The cause of the cracks appears to be hydrogen embrittlement, a process by which various metals, particularly high-strength steel, become brittle and crack after being exposed to hydrogen.

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[moises]

Iraqi Vice Chief of Staff: Air Component Top Priority
US Air Force
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas: The Iraqi joint forces vice chief of staff discussed his country's top military priorities during a visit to Air Education and Training Command March 4. Chief among those priorities are the establishment of credible, effective air and naval components, General Nasier Arkan Al-Abadi said.

"The Iraqi air force is just starting its journey as an air force," General Al-Abadi said. "To be able to function as an air force, you need the pilots and the aircraft." Currently Iraq is short on both, he added.

For its part, AETC will continue training Iraq's air force as it embarks on a significant acquisition program that will see it equipped with training aircraft, helicopters, transport aircraft, and fighter aircraft over the next several years, said Lt. Col. Paul Bigelow, AETC Foreign Disclosure Office chief. "Our goal is to carry on building a long-term relationship and provide Iraq with its own sustainable self-defense capability."

AETC is responsible for recruiting, training and education in the U.S. Air Force, and provides training assistance to numerous foreign militaries, including Iraq's.

According to the general, the path to a fully functioning air force will include trainers such as the T-6 and pilot training at U.S. bases. The T-6 is used as an introductory trainer by the U.S. Air Force and several other air forces around the world.

The general's visit to AETC comes on the heels of a similar visit by Iraqi Minister of Defense Abdul Qadir in February, during which he toured Randolph and received briefings on the U.S. Air Force's F-16 training programs. During that visit, the Minister said that Iraq's goal is to take full control of its internal security by 2011.

General Al-Abadi agreed with that assessment, saying that the Iraqi Security Forces would be able to handle internal security by the time the last American troops are scheduled to leave Iraq.

"I think the Iraqi ground forces are able to cope with the counterinsurgency," he said. "It is not the same counterinsurgency that we had in 2006 or 2007; the security level is much better."

Certain parts of the country, such as Diyala and Mosul, remain less secure, but even in those areas progress is being made, he added.

The general noted that the powerful new capabilities his air force is poised to obtain will be used in a purely defensive capacity.

"Iraq is no longer a dictatorial nation," he said. "Iraq is now a sovereign country, a democratic country, a peace-loving country that would like peace with its neighbors and friendship with the U.S."

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[moises]

Russian-Chinese Su-33 fighter deal collapses
RIA Novosti
MOSCOW: Russia has refused to sell its Su-33 carrier-based fighters to China over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft, a Russian daily said on Tuesday.

The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper said that China and Russia had been in negotiations on the sale of 50 of the Su-33 Flanker-D fighters, to be used on future Chinese aircraft carriers, since 2006, but that the talks collapsed recently over China's request for an initial delivery of two aircraft for a "trial."

Russian Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the refusal was due to findings that China had produced its own copycat version of the Su-27SK fighter jet in violation of intellectual property agreements.

In 1995, China secured a $2.5-billion production license from Russia to build 200 Su-27SKs, dubbed J-11A, at the Shenyang Aircraft Corp.

The deal required the aircraft to be outfitted with Russian avionics, radars and engines. Russia cancelled the arrangement in 2006 after it discovered that China was developing an indigenous version, J-11B, with Chinese avionics and systems. The decision came after China had already produced 95 aircraft.

This time, Russia refused the Chinese offer even after Beijing had offered to buy 14 Su-33 aircraft, saying that at least 24 jets should be sold to recoup production costs.

However, the Moskovsky Komsomolets said that the Su-33 deal may be reviewed later because China desperately needs carrier-based aircraft to equip its first indigenous 48,000-ton aircraft carrier, due to be built by 2011. Beijing has also announced plans to build a nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier by 2020.

Chinese media recently quoted China fleet commander Adm. Xu Hongmeng as saying: "China will very soon have its own aircraft carrier."

The Su-33 is a carrier-based multi-role fighter, which can perform a variety of air superiority, fleet defense, air support and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft entered service with the Russian Navy in 1995 and are currently deployed on board the Nikolai Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.

Russian Su-33 naval fighters are significantly cheaper than any similar foreign models, such as the French Rafale-M, or the U.S F-35C or the F/A-22N Sea Raptor.


Russian Su-33 Fighter Aircraft on Aircraft Carrier

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[Maya]

Infortunadamente para los Rusos, estos llevan años tratando de conformar escuadrones embarcados, a base de probar apontajes del SU-33 en portas como el Kutznetzov.

Pruebas y solo pruebas... los Chinos, quienes pretenden copiar esta plataforma (Su-33) de los Rusos, todavia la tienen mas lejos, pues primero deben construir su porta pesado.. y eso todavia esta a bastantes años de distancia.

EE.UU. trae decadas (por no decir casi un siglo) de experiencia con la construccion, el manejo y el empleo de portas pesados en guerras o tiempos de paz.

Pero Bueh, nunca es tarde para cualquier otro pais y empezar a aplicar una doctrina global de defensa. Claro que con China, dependiendo ahora como se comporta la economia norteamericana, no luce muy promisorio el futuro para construir su portas.






Salud.

[Bogdan-The-Kozak]

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2009/03/ph ... tists.html
Interesante, alguien tiene otra info de este nEUROn ???

[Vitali]

Hombre... que un TU-95 pase por encima del Nimitz no significa absolutamente nada.

Significa que el Tu-95MS volo por encima del territorio estadounidense.

Tu que crees? que semejante mastodonte del aire, no fue detectado por los raderes del Nimitz?

Si se hubiera querido - no se haría detectar. Pero no entraba en planes.

Si el TU-95 desea volarle por encima (en tiempos de paz) lo hara. O que esperabas? Que el Nimitz y sus sistemas de defensa lo derribaran (por volar en espacioo aereo internacional) y empezar asi la tercera guerra mundial?

Esto no es el limite de empezar 3º guerra mundial. En tiempos de guerra fria cosas asi ocurrian. Pero se callaban los unos y los otros. Y sí, lo podian derribar - volar por encima de un barco militar en aguas internacionales es equivalente a volar por encima de dicha nacion.

El TU-95 volo sobre el Nimitz porque se les dio la regalada gana.

Pues si. Y donde estaban los F-18?

En un verdadero conflicto, el TU-95 no tendria el mas minimo chance. Los sistemas de detección del portason capaces de detectarlo a mas de 280 kilometros de distancia!

En un verdadero conflicto Tu-95MS ni tendría que entrar dentro del radio de deteccion del Nimitz.

Un porta, a diferencia de lo que piensas, SI REPRESENTA el poder militar y economico de una nación. No por nada los EE.UU tienen no menos de 13 portas nucleares y varios mas de propulsion convencional.

Parece ser que eres joven para entender que cada pais ajusta su ejercito a su doctrina, la cual depende no solo de dinero, sino - geolocacion y alcance (por ejemplo Rusia no los necesita, en cambio EEUU - sí, que los necesita), y geopolitica (lo mismo de antes).

Es practicamente la unica nacion que posee porta pesados. y pais que se respete y desee ingresar al club de potencias "que desean ser", opta por tener una o dos unidades en su arsenal.

Que les vaya bien con los portaviones, espero que en Afganistan les sirva.
Tu pensamiento es muy cerrado.

Aun asi los paises que los tienen (a.k.a. Francia, Inglaterra, Rusia, India, etc.) solo tienen uno o dos. Todos ellos portas medianos o ligeros. Solo por ahora Inglaterra esta proyectando construir un porta pesado, que tendra la novedad de lucir dos islas a estribor, en vez de la unica que se estila hoy dia.

Si se hubiera necesitado - tendrian mas. Geopolitica.

Aun asi, Inglaterra tendra solo ese porta pesado, Rusia no tiene por ahora ninguno (son todos medianos), China no tiene, Francia ligeros, Italia tambien, e India igual...... en cambio EE.UU..... tiene 13 nucleares!!

Tengo que decir - "oooohhh!" ?

Saca tus conclusiones.

Ya me las he sacado. Se gastan hasta 10 000 000 000 $ para construir y equipar a cada uno y en 30-40 años lo tiran a la vasura. Aunque para darle miedo (presion politica) a Iran - sirven bien. Para cualquier otra tarea son solo un juguete, que cuesta más que el beneficio que conlleva. Pero estan bien para el desarrollo tecnologico y los lobbystas de companias de producciones militares estadounidensas, que tienen posiciones muy fuertes en el gobierno de los EEUU. Sirven tambien para operaciones tácticas en paises como Iraq, Yugoslavia. Pero en caso de guerra hipotetica contra Rusia por ejemplo - estarán en el fondo del mar/oceano en unos 10 minutos.

[Luisfer]

Veo que Vitali sigue haciendo de las suyas, aunque igual veo que podemos coincidir en algunos puntos, sin embargo eso de que tienen pensamientos del siglo pasado me parece mas una opinión personal que otra cosa, o sea nada raro desde que te apareciste por aquí.

Pero sigamos viendo

Infortunadamente para los Rusos, estos llevan años tratando de conformar escuadrones embarcados, a base de probar apontajes del SU-33 en portas como el Kutznetzov.

No es solo de armamento y de allí comparar para sacar este tipo de conclusiones, se debe de tener en cuenta las doctrinas, Maya, y es allí donde realmente debieras ponerte a analizar quien necesita mas de los portaaviones y entendiendo que la necesidad es cubrir una debilidad.

Saludos

[TOPOTAMALDER]

un c-130 con el radar del ¿E2?
¿se podria hacer algo similar sobre un A-400?

[Orel .]

Por poder hacerlo, sí, otra cosa es que saliera rentable y, por tanto, pudiera interesar.

[Kaiser_87ct]

y con un airbus comercial seria posible tambien¿?tengo entendido que EADS le presento a corea una idea similar a la que he dicho,creo que con el A319.

saludos