April 17, 2012 Military Aviation News
04/17/2012
The recent crash in Morocco of an MV-22 Osprey that killed two Marines will have no affect on operations or the planned expansion of the tilt-rotor aircraft fleet, said Marine Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program Manager. The Osprey remains the “safest, most survivable aircraft we have out there," Masiello told reporters April 16 at the Navy League’s Annual Sea, Air and Space conference. “Our operations currently remain unchanged.”
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04/17/2012
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has again chosen Irish air space to undertake flight testing of one of its new aircraft. The company’s first military transport aircraft, the A400M Grizzly, spent several hours operating off the west coast yesterday. The four-engine turbo-prop transporter, or airlifter, is specifically designed to meet the needs of European Nato nations, as well as the requirements of international air forces.
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04/17/2012
One day in late November, an unmanned aerial vehicle lifted off from Shindand Air Base in western Afghanistan, heading 75 miles toward the border with Iran. The drone's mission: to spy on Tehran's nuclear program, as well as any insurgent activities the Iranians might be supporting in Afghanistan. With an estimated price tag of $6 million, the drone was the product of more than 15 years of research and development, starting with a shadowy project called DarkStar overseen by Lockheed Martin.
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04/17/2012
Military intelligence analysts could learn a thing or two from the people who produce popular reality TV shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” according to an Air Force report. The Air Force asked RAND’s Project Air Force team to research reality TV show and closed-circuit TV productions to figure out ways to better analyze data collected by the service’s unmanned aircraft fleet.
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04/17/2012
I've been a long time fan of the Ace Combat series, but it has been showing weakness of late. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation felt to me like the finale of the current form of business this arcade flight combat simulator had to offer. Time has definitely come for something new to liven up the formula, to appeal to the new breed of military gamers. Tom Clancy has been trying to steal the crown of air combat away with their HawX series.
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04/17/2012
Inspired by neighbor Brazil's resurgent arms industry, Argentina is hoping to revive its defense manufacturing with the successful launch of production of Pampa combat and training aircraft. Initially the production will meet domestic demand for the aircraft in Argentina's air force and the navy but government planners are looking ahead to Argentina entering defense export markets, analysts said.
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04/17/2012
Unmanned aircraft are nothing new. What is very new is the use of these aircraft for logistical support in a combat zone. The K-Max Helicopter made its first flight in December of 2011 and is currently being used by the Marines to move supplies. The K-Max is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Kaman Corp (KAMN). According to Kaman's website the K-Max is capable of carrying a payload of 6,000 pounds and can operate for over 12 hours a day.
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04/17/2012
BK-1, the United Kingdom’s first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II production aircraft, flew its inaugural flight Friday. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti took the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet through a series of functional flight checks during a sortie that lasted 45 minutes. The jet will complete a series of company and government checkout flights prior to its acceptance by the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
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04/17/2012
About 40 strategic bombers will participate in five-day drills in Russia’s Maritime Territory near the Japanese border, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Monday.
The long-range aviation exercise, which started earlier in the day, includes aerial bombing and launches of airborne cruise missiles at the Litovka test range, he said. Other training missions will include aerial patrol and midair refueling.
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