NOTÍCIAS

[Tigershark]

F-35B nears flight test
By Caitlin Harrington
04 June 2008

The F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) variant came a step closer to an imminent first flight on 25 May after completing a series of recent ground tests in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prime Contractor Lockheed Martin is gearing up for a flight test of the F-35B demonstrator aircraft, known as BF-1, possibly before 6 June, according to Lockheed Martin spokesman John Smith.

Lockheed Martin will conduct the first flight of the BF-1 after completing continuing taxi tests, which are designed to prove that the wheels are performing correctly, the aircraft is responding to the throttle and the breaks are working.

Smith said the BF-1 has already completed taxi tests at speeds as high as 65 kt. An attempt to taxi at 80 kt on 30 May caused a wheel to blow out; that test was due to be conducted again soon, followed by a final high-speed test at 110 kt.

Once the BF-1 has completed its inaugural flight, the US Department of Defense is expected to release funding for the purchase of six F-35B aircraft for the US Marine Corps.

The initial flight of BF-1 will not, however, involve any operations in STOVL mode. STOVL tests will not be attempted in the air until late this year or early in 2009, according to Smith.

Fonte:Jane's

[Sideshow]

Postando pelo Hoot do Zona Militar

[QUOTE=Hoot;253]Sapito for ever!

Seguranca & Defesa publico una nota en la cual se habria concretado un plan de
la FACh para la modernizacion de los Sapito a traves de Titan (Joint Venture entre
ENAER y un par de empresas israelies).



Los Sapitos confirmarian entonces lo que declaro la FACh en una entrevista
previa a FIDAE y es la de mantener un grupo de aviones de segunda linea para
expander el abanico de misiones de la FACh. El programa implicaria que los A-37
verian modernizada su cabina con pantallas multifuncion, uso de NVG's, etc.
El resultado final podria suponerse, seria parecido al visto en un mock up exhibido
en FIDAE 2008, que seria mas o menos esto:


(fotogradia de XeryuZ).


La FACh en AFM de Junio

En Perudefensa, el forista Chuncho transcribio una nota que realizo AFM durante
FIDAE 2008 que cubrio las actividades del contingente de la USAF junto a la
FACh, ademas de sacar algunas jugosas noticias respecto a la futura participacion
de la FACh en la edicion 2009 de Red Flag.

Aca va el copy/paste:



Fotos cortesia de Chuncho de PeruDefensa




saludos.[/QUOTE]

Um parece que teremos a USAF no próximo Cruzex

[Sniper]

É a segunda notícia sobre a USAF na CRUZEX essa semana...

Ja que os amarelões estão pagando pau, tomara que os yankees tragam alguns F-15 na próxima CRUZEX.

[Immortal Horgh]

Uma pena que ainda vai demorar para termos aeronaves de primeira linha na Cruzex


[ ]s

[P44]

Top Air Force Leaders Resign Following Nuclear Component Mishandling

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued June 5, 2008)



WASHINGTON --- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today announced the resignations of Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley following an investigation revealing a decline in the Air Force's nuclear program focus, performance and effective leadership.

Gates announced the resignations in the wake of a report detailing the accidental shipment of four non-nuclear ballistic missile nose-cone assembly components rather than the intended helicopter batteries to Taiwan in August 2006.

The report, prepared by Navy Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, director of naval nuclear propulsion, detailed what Gates called a shift of the Air Force leadership’s focus from, and degraded performance related to, its most sensitive mission.

Air Force leaders focused on the problem only after two internationally sensitive incidents -- one involving Taiwan and another in which an Air Force B-52 bomber flew across the United States carrying six armed nuclear cruise missiles, Gates said.

Both incidents could have been prevented if the Air Force had applied proper inspection and oversight, he said. He blamed a “lack of a critical self-assessment culture” within the Air Force nuclear program that might have identified and fixed systemic weaknesses.

Gates noted that he had to intervene personally to ensure a thorough investigation of what went wrong and how.

In the nose-cone incident, the secretary blamed the Air Force and Defense Logistics Agency for using supply system procedures designed to move large amounts of low-value material for shipping the sensitive classified parts.

“The specific cause of this event was the Air Force and Defense Logistics Agency’s sole reliance on, and lack of compliance with, existing supply system procedures to provide positive control of the four forward-section assemblies,” he said.

But Gates said the incident signals far deeper problems. “During the course of the investigation, other issues indicating a decline in the Air Force’s nuclear mission focus and performance became apparent,” he said. “Rather than an isolated occurrence, the shipment… was a symptom of a degradation of the authority, standards of excellence and technical competence within the nation’s ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) force.”

At a broader level, Gates cited declining expertise in the entire Air Force nuclear program – the result, he said, of lack of top-level focus and emphasis.

None of these problems happened overnight and some have root problems dating back a decade, he said. But Gates cited “contemporary failures and lack of effective oversight.”

In addition to removal of the top Air Force leadership, Gates announced a senior-level task force to recommend improvements needed to ensure accountability and control of nuclear weapons, delivery vehicles and components.

James Schlesinger, a former Defense Department and Energy Department secretary and CIA director, will lead the task force, Gates said. The task force will recommend organizational, procedural and policy changes needed within 60 days. Within 120 days, it will address defense-wide management and oversight of nuclear weapons and related materials and systems.

Gates said he plans to recommend a new Air Force secretary and chief of staff soon. Once they are confirmed, he said he will leave it to them to determine proper disciplinary actions for others identified in the Donald report.

The secretary expressed personal sadness about today’s decision, calling Wynne “a dedicated and honorable public servant” and noting Moseley’s decades of “courageous and devoted service.”

“They both deserve their gratitude for their service,” he said. “I have enjoyed serving with them and deeply regret that the issues before us require the actions I have taken.”

In his resignation letter, Wynne took accountability for the incidents and said he must live up to the same standards he expects of his airmen. Moseley said he takes “full responsibility for events which have hurt the Air Force’s reputation or raised a question of every airman’s commitment to our core values.”

Gates called today a sad day for the Air Force, the Defense Department and him personally, but said it also marks a return to the Air Force’s standards of excellence and accomplishment.

Noting his own Air Force roots, Gates said he stands in solid support of all airmen. “They have my respect, my support and my commitment to do everything I can in my remaining time to work with them and to sustain the tradition of service and excellence that has been the hallmark of the United States Air Force since its inception,” he said. (ends)



Top Two Air Force Leaders Resign


(Source: US Air Force; issued June 5, 2008)



The Air Force's top civilian and uniformed leader tendered their resignations to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates June 5.

"Recent events convince me that it is now time for a new leader to take the stick and for me to move on," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne in a statement. "Therefore I have given my request to resign to Secretary Gates. Even as I do, my heart, my thoughts and prayers remain with America's Airmen who will continue to do magnificent things for this great country."

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, who was appointed the 18th Air Force chief of staff in September 2005, has also tendered his resignation.

"Recent events have highlighted a loss of focus on certain critical matters within the Air Force," General Moseley's statement reads. "As the Air Force's senior uniformed leader, I take full responsibility for events which have hurt the Air Force's reputation or raised a question of every Airman's commitment to our core values.

"I think the honorable thing to do is to step aside," the statement continues. "After consulting with my family, I have submitted my request to resign to Secretary Gates. The Air Force is bigger than one Airman, and I have full confidence that the Air Force will continue working with the joint team to win today's fight, take care of its Airmen and meet tomorrow's challenges. I love the Air Force and remain proud of America's Airmen." (ends)



Resignation Statement from the Secretary of the Air Force


(Source: US Air Force; issued June 5, 2008)



WASHINGTON --- Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne issued the following statement today:

Since November 3, 2005, it has been my privilege to serve this country as the 21st secretary of the Air Force. I have relished the opportunity President Bush gave me to lead the strongest Air Force in the world during a time of war, and I have marveled at the tremendous accomplishments of our Airmen and civilians in their valiant defense of this country and its interests.

It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as their secretary while working side-by-side with General Moseley and the magnificent patriots serving in the Department of Defense and the United States government to win today's fight, take care of our people and prepare for tomorrow's challenges.

Recent events convince me that it is now time for a new leader to take the stick and for me to move on. Therefore I have given my request to resign to Secretary Gates. Even as I do, my heart, my thoughts and prayers remain with America's Airmen who will continue to do magnificent things for this great country. (ends)



Resignation Statement from the Air Force Chief of Staff


(Source: US Air Force; issued June 5, 2008)



WASHINGTON --- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley issued the following statement today:

Recent events have highlighted a loss of focus on certain critical matters within the Air Force. As the Air Force's senior uniformed leader, I take full responsibility for events which have hurt the Air Force's reputation or raised a question of every Airman's commitment to our core values.

For the past 36 years I have been privileged to serve my country as an Airman in the United States Air Force in peacetime and combat. I was honored and humbled to be appointed the Air Force's 18th chief of staff and have been proud to serve our Airmen and their families. Upon taking office, I worked hard with Secretary Wynne to ensure the Air Force provided the right forces at the right time to help our nation and allies win the global war on terror.

I think the honorable thing to do is to step aside. After consulting with my family, I have submitted my request to resign to Secretary Gates. The Air Force is bigger than one Airman, and I have full confidence that the Air Force will continue working with the joint team to win today's fight, take care of its Airmen, and meet tomorrow's challenges. I love the Air Force and remain proud of America's Airmen.

-ends-

[Tigershark]

http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Mundo/0,,M ... S+EUA.html

[Ed SP]

Segundo o texto a USAF vem como observadora na próxima Cruzex

[Bolovo]

POWS?

O Chile quer modernizar os Dragonfly? E os Super Tucanos?

[Penguin]

DATE:06/06/08
SOURCE:Flight International
India seeks 22 attack helicopters
By Siva Govindasamy

India has begun a competition to procure 22 attack helicopters for its air force, in the latest in a series of tenders aimed at modernising the service by the middle of the next decade.

A request for proposals has been issued to seven companies, which now have three months to respond to the more than $500 million requirement. The air force hopes to sign a contract within two years and complete deliveries within a further three-year period.

"The Indian air force has been asking for new attack helicopters for some time and this contract will fulfil that," says the defence ministry. "The modernisation is a priority and we are doing all we can to expedite the process."

The tender is to replace New Delhi's ageing Mil Mi-35 fleets. Requirements include a twin-engined helicopter that is highly manoeuvrable, has anti-armour capabilities, and is able to deploy turret guns, rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

An ability to operate in all weather and terrain is also necessary, along with the use of an electronic warfare self-protection suite.

EADS and India's Defence Avionics Research Establishment will pursue the latter programme requirement, having jointly developed and tested a new missile warning system based on the European company's AAR-69 MILDS design.

Boeing has pushed its AH-64D Apache Longbow in India for some time, and says the design's "capabilities align with the Indian government's requirements." Eurocopter says it will put forward its Tiger, while observers also expect the AgustaWestland AW129, Bell AH-1Z SuperCobra, Kamov Ka-50 and Mil Mi-28 to be the other Western contenders. India's Hindustan Aeronautics could offer its Light Combat Helicopter, which is still under development, but scheduled to have its first flight by mid-year.

Separately, New Delhi is still finalising the details of a $1.5 billion tender for 384 light utility helicopters to replace the HAL Cheetah and Chetak, with an RFP to be issued, potentially in late June.

The army will get 259 helicopters and the air force 125, with 197 to be bought in fly-away condition and the rest licence-produced by AgustaWestland, Bell, Eurocopter, HAL and Kamov are the likely recipients.

India in late April received RFP responses from six bidders for its air force's $12 billion multirole combat aircraft requirement for 126 new fighters, and earlier this year ordered six Lockheed C-130J transports.

New Delhi is also close to confirming Boeing's P-8I Poseidon for a maritime patrol aircraft requirement and to finalising a deal for 80 new Mi-17-IV multirole helicopters.

It has also ordered additional HAL-produced Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, and will induct two squadrons of indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft from 2010.

A first group of Indian navy air crews will meanwhile start training in Russia later this month, before flying the service's first of 16 new RSK MiG-29K/KUB fighters from August.

[Tigershark]

É impressionante o volume de aquisições da Índia,bem que os (B)RICs poderiam dar este exemplo ao Brasil....

[Immortal Horgh]

E o pior, nosso PIB é o segundo maior entre os BRIC.



[ ]s

[Alcantara]

Só que nós não temos um Paquistão (nuclear) de um lado, e uma China (nuclear), do outro lado da fronteira.
Não tem nem comapração a animosidade dessa área com a que o Brasil vive aqui na América do Sul.


Abraços!!!

[Carlos Mathias]

Mas também não precisa ser esta pasmaceira toda, né?

[FABIO]

pessoal alguma info sobre a chegada dos F-5 comprados a jordania?

[Tigershark]

Mas também não precisa ser esta pasmaceira toda, né?

Com certeza que não....