April 24, 2011 Military Aviation News

Kiowa scout helicopters are still flying, still fighting

04/24/2011

The first time an Army helicopter pilot flew a Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowa into harm's way was 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War. It's been nearly 40 years since the Army last received a brand new OH-58 from Bell's Fort Worth factory. And between the Army and Bell, there are plans to keep them flying and fighting until 2030 - and perhaps well beyond. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, the designation given the aircraft when they were last rebuilt beginning in the mid-1980s, has been the workhors

'Non-slip paint' is a clue to possible reprieve for threatened Harrier jets

04/24/2011

Refitted aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is being prepared to accommodate combat aircraft, prompting further speculation that the government is preparing to perform a U-turn on the mothballing of the Harrier fleet. The Scotsman has learned that the ship's deck, which has been earmarked as a helicopter carrier, has been painted with special paint which would allow for Harriers to fly from it.

Death Pods Swarm Towards North Korea

04/24/2011

South Korea has received more of the several dozen AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Targeting pods it had ordered for its F-15K fighter-bombers. The growing threat of war with North Korea has led to the speeding up of orders for many critical items of military equipment. South Korea wants as many of its F-15Ks as possible equipped with the Sniper pod, and the pilots trained in its use. The U.S. Air Force buys Sniper XTP targeting pods for about $2 million each, and currently has over 500 of these pods, which ar

Dream Cruise, Air Show to be linked

04/24/2011

An unfortunate scheduling quirk set the Air Show and Dream Cruise on the same Aug. 20-21 weekend, but Hackel saw the misstep as an opportunity to simultaneously promote both events and urge people from throughout Michigan and the Midwest to make plans to attend both events.

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