Air Training

[buglerbilly]

BAE Systems Welcomes Royal Brunei Air Force Students to Tamworth for Basic Flight Training

(Source: BAE Systems; issued May 20, 2010)

TAMWORTH, Australia --- BAE Systems has further expanded its unique military flight instruction program at its Tamworth Flight Training Centre.

Students from the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) will shortly commence basic pilot training at Tamworth, reinforcing BAE Systems capability as a leading provider of military flight training services.

Earlier this week in Brunei, Colonel Abu Bakar of the RBAF signed a contract with BAE Systems for five RBAF students to commence basic pilot training at BAE Systems Flight Training at Tamworth on 7 June 2010.

Mr John Quaife, General Manager Aviation Solutions said that “BAE Systems was pleased to partner with the RBAF in providing basic and advanced flying training solutions that will support the RBAF in meeting their pilot capability requirements.”

“The contract will see five students complete a training program provided solely by BAE Systems instructional staff at the Tamworth flying training college, utilising CT4B training aircraft.” said Mr Quaife.

Worth approximately $700,000 AUD, the contract represents the first phase in a training program that will eventually see the students assigned to operational roles in both rotary wing and the multi-engine fixed wing aircraft operated by the RBAF.

This most recent agreement marks a continuation of a training relationship with Brunei that has been developed over many years.

Back in August 2009, two pilots from No 3 and No 5 Squadrons of the RBAF graduated at Tamworth as Qualified Flying Instructors after attending an intensive, specially designed six-month course.

Mr Quaife has welcomed the trust placed by the RBAF in the quality of training provided by BAE Systems and the ideal facilities and weather afforded by the Tamworth based solution.

Although the Brunei requirement is modest, the RBAF remains a discerning customer with a clear focus on quality of training and value for money.

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

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[buglerbilly]

DATE:28/05/10

SOURCE:Flight International

UK issues questionnaire for rest of MFTS fleet

By Craig Hoyle

Potential bidders for the UK Military Flying Training System's fixed-wing, rotary and rear-crew elements have been issued with pre-qualification questionnaires to register their interest in the more than £1 billion ($1.4 billion) requirements.

Due to be completed by 17 June, the documents will help to inform the Ministry of Defence's training system partner, Lockheed Martin/VT joint venture Ascent Flight Training, of potential equipment solutions.

While the UK's new coalition government is to conduct a Strategic Defence Review into its spending priorities, Ascent managing director Barry Thornton believes the tri-service MFTS programme is unlikely to undergo major changes to current planning assumptions.

"There's an enduring need for training tomorrow's frontline aircrew. There's no reason why it should be threatened - flying hours are not optional," he says.

"MFTS continues to deliver value for money, and it's improving," says Thornton. "We will remove holdovers and gaps in training, and do it at a lower cost. I'm really confident that it's all moving in the right direction."

Ascent's current training system design remains "very much the favoured solution", he says, and "through-life costs will be highly important in the decision process" for selecting the new equipment, which is expected to remain in use for around 25 years.

BAE Systems says it intends to respond to the questionnaires for all three new elements as a potential prime contractor for the remainder of the MFTS aircraft fleet.

VT has completed site surveys at several bases likely to be used as part of the future MFTS infrastructure, with these including RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire and RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

Ascent is also looking at the possibility of conducting more helicopter training at frontline bases to "download" work from the operational conversion unit-level, after first training students at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.

Aircraft already acquired for the MFTS infrastructure include BAE's Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer (below), now based at RAF Valley in north Wales. Cockpits for the type's two full-motion simulators have been sent to CAE in Montreal, Canada, for the integration of their visual systems, and the first students will begin their instruction on the aircraft in 2011.



The first of four Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350ERs now being converted for the Royal Navy's observer training task will be rolled out at FR Aviation's Bournemouth site in Dorset around July.

[buglerbilly]

SAAF to unveil upgraded Astra

Written by defenceWeb

Monday, 12 July 2010 13:20



Which reminds me, when are ours due to be replaced?

The South African Air Force will tomorrow unveil its upgraded Pilatus PC7 MkII Astra basic flying trainer at a ceremony to be held at Air Force Base Langebaanweg as part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the South African National Defence Force. Thirty-five of the aircraft were upgraded at a cost of R400 million.

The SAAF says the upgrade features a state-of-the-art glass cockpit, a new avionics system and other training-related equipment. The upgrade was performed by black-empowered aviation company Aerosud under the supervision of the Swiss original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as part of a programme coated at R400 million in 2007. Work started at Air Force Base Langebaanweg in November last year.

The upgrade “will allow a smooth transition of advance training to other specialisation systems within the Air Force (Combat, Helicopter and Transport fleets). The aircraft has now an all weather capability that will allow more advance training capabilities,” the SAAF says in a statement.

The PC7 has been in service since 1996. The upgrade has prolonged its life span to 2025. “This was necessitated by a study performed during 2005 which indicated that the onboard avionic suite might face serious obsolescence from 2008 onwards. Furthermore, it was realised that, replacing the individual obsolete component is cost effective as it essentially forms the heart of the avionic system. The conclusion was to replace the entire avionic suite.”

The first of 60 aircraft acquired for the SAAF at a cost of $175 million to replace the North American Harvard as its basic trainer was delivered on October 17, 1994.

The contract was signed by then-Defence Minister Gene Louw on February 12, 1993 and provided for 55% offsets. It was SA's first post-apartheid defence purchase.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:20/07/10

SOURCE:Flight Daily News

Boeing starts preliminary work on clean sheet design for T-38 replacement

By Siva Govindasamy

Boeing has begun preliminary design work on a possible replacement for the US Air Force's Northrop T-38 Talon advanced jet trainer.

However, the US defence contractor plans to "assess the requirement further" before deciding whether it will go ahead with that option or partner an existing manufacturer, says Dennis Muilenburg, president and chief executive of Boeing Defence, Space and Security.

"There are three potential paths forward for that requirement. We could go with an off-the-shelf solution, it could be a clean-sheet solution, or a combination of the two. It is important to work with the customer and decide what they want," he says.

"Work is under way on all of those three paths and we want to understand what will work best for the customer."


© Northrop Grumman

He adds that Boeing has been engaging the USAF at its Phantom Works research and development division, and this could help it to find a solution.

"Phantom Works is useful for helping to figure out future scenarios. And we will use that to help the customers work out what may be required going forward," says Muilenburg.

The USAF's existing options include buying three off-the-shelf platforms with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, BAE Systems Hawk and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 Golden Eagle. This would replace more than 450 T-38s over the next two decades.

In 2008, Boeing became an international marketing partner for the Aermacchi M-346 and it has been supporting the Italian company in global competitions.

Earlier this month, Flight International reported that the M-346 had edged out the T-50 in Singapore's highly anticipated advanced jet trainer requirement. Boeing's training systems division will provide the ground-based training system to support the M-346 in Singapore.

Both the M-346 and the T-50 are expected to be in the fray for other international AJT competitions in India and Indonesia, while the United Arab Emirates has yet to sign a contract with Aermacchi even though it selected the M-346 a few years ago.

[buglerbilly]

BAE Predicts Breakup of Eurotraining Program

Posted by Bradley Peniston | July 21st, 2010

By TOM KINGTON, FARNBOROUGH, UK – Despite being invited to pitch its Hawk jet trainer to the nine-member Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) program, a senior BAE Systems official has predicted the program could fail to fully materialize.


A BAE Systems Hawk jet trainer on static display at Farnborough. (Defense News photo by Bradley Peniston)

“In an ideal world it would stay coherent,” said Ian Reason, business development director for Air Sector Training at BAE. “But it is most likely that it will fragment.”

BAE Systems, Thales, Dassault and a partnership of Aermacchi and EADS have responded to an RFI for the Eurotraining program, which envisions European pilots training on a common fleet at a limited number of bases.

“It will be difficult to find a consensus, with too many hurdles in the current climate,” said Reason. “We have told nations we can contribute to them as a group or individually.”

Reason said that if the program does manage to stay intact, it could evolve away from the current vision.

“They could add Phase Two training as well as Phases Three and Four, with flexible exits, and could even include rotary and large aircraft training,” he said.

Reason also criticized the Aermacchi-EADS partnership, which will be offering the Aermacchi M-346 trainer.

“We are focusing on the whole training package, while the Italians are focusing on the M-346 and on using a base at Lecce in Italy. If you are going to try and shape the solution, you may not offer best value,” he said. “And how will anyone else get any work if Italy has the aircraft and the base?”

BAE Systems has now delivered 23 of 28 Hawks to the RAF, ahead of Aermacchi’s first delivery this year of an M-346 to its launch customer, the Italian Air Force.

[buglerbilly]

M-346 Pitch to USAF: 70% American-Made

Posted by Bradley Peniston | July 21st, 2010

By TOM KINGTON, FARNBOROUGH, UK – The Italian M-346 jet trainer will be built from scratch in the United States with 70 percent U.S. content if it wins the USAF competition to replace the T-38 trainer, an official said at the Farnborough Air Show on July 21.


The M-346 jet trainer on display at Farnborough. (Defense News photo by Bradley Peniston)

“We have to make this into a U.S. product,” said John H. Young, the newly appointed CEO of Alenia North America, a unit of Italy’s Finmeccanica.

Speaking at the Farnborough Air Show, Young said that he would be bringing his experience as COO of EADS North America and CEO of EADS Tanker North America between 2006 and 2008 to the task of convincing America to buy a European aircraft.

“You have to demonstrate you are building in the U.S.,” said Young, who worked at Northrop Grumman for 30 years before joining EADS.

The USAF has issued a request for information to contractors for the purchase of around 350 new trainers. A request for proposals is expected next year, with a selection possible in 2012.

As part of an analysis of alternatives, U.S. pilots are due in Italy at the end of August to fly the M-346, said Young.

Alenia is seeking a U.S. prime contractor for its bid by year’s end, said Young, but in the meantime is sending a request for information to all 50 U.S. states to find a location for a production and assembly line.

“We will take the mature production line at Venegono in Italy and replicate it,” he said.

Alenia already has a deal in Jacksonville, Fla., to build an assembly line for its C-27J, yet U.S. orders of the aircraft have fallen short of the minimum required to justify the new plant. The location will not however be considered a candidate for a M-346 line, since C-27J orders could yet pick up, said Young.

Finmeccanica CEO Pierfrancesco Guarguaglini has speculated that the license for the construction of the M-346 may need to be handed over to a U.S. prime, just as Finmeccanica has given license for its AW101 helicopter to Boeing.

Young was less convinced.

“I think there is a smaller probability of that than with the 101,” he said.

From the 50 percent of U.S. content in the plane today, Alenia is aiming for 70 percent if the M-346 can beat the competition from the likes of the BAE Hawk and the KAI/Lockheed Martin T-50 to win the contest. Production of the Honeywell engine that powers the M-346 would be transferred from Taiwan to Phoenix, Ariz., he said.

Young said that after his experience selling the EADS tanker in the United States, he was looking forward to a more technical, and less political competition.

“We will not be slinging mud; we will stay focused on the product and not on reading the morning papers,” he said.

He did however have some observations to make about his potential competitors.

“I expect KAI would build at least some of their aircraft in Korea,” he said.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:24/07/10

SOURCE:Flight Daily News

FARNBOROUGH: Diamond to develop military jet version of D-Jet

By Murdo Morrison



Diamond Aircraft is developing a military trainer version of its D-Jet single-engined personal jet, which will be pitched at under $3 million.

Diamond chief executive Christian Dries revealed yesterday that engineers at the company's Ontario plant will begin work on a prototype of the D-Jet trainer once the civil version goes into production at the end of next year.

The aircraft is likely to be fitted with Martin-Baker lightweight ejection seats unveiled at the ILA show in Berlin in June, although a contract has not been signed. Privately owned Diamond is seeking a partner to launch the jet trainer. "I work with private money so I cannot do this on my own as I have to be careful to manage my cash flow," says Dries, who expects the prototype to be flying around the end of 2012.

The move follows another Farnborough coup for the Austrian manufacturer, with Boeing on Tuesday signing a memorandum of understanding with Aeronautics to market the Israeli company's unmanned air vehicle version of Diamond's DA42 piston twin, the Dominator. Boeing says the UAV will be pitched at a "rapidly expanding" market for medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.

Diamond has proved itself one of the most innovative general aviation manufacturers, developing a special mission version of its DA42 when the basic trainer market began to decline at the end of last decade, opening an assembly line in China and developing an optionally piloted DA42 prototype with Aurora Flight Sciences. It is also conducting trials with EADS on an algae-powered DA40 piston single and has developed its own diesel engine, the Austro Engines AE300.

[buglerbilly]

DefenseTycoon Vekselberg plans training aircraft plant in Russia - paper

Viktor Vekselberg

10:29 23/07/2010© RIA Novosti. Alexei Druzhinin



Russian Renova Group, owned by tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, may build a plant for the production of training aircraft, based on the technology of the Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus, Vedomosti daily reported on Friday.

The project will only go ahead if Renova manages to conclude delivery contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, a source close to the group told the paper.

If launched, the plant will produce aircraft based on the Pilatus PC-9 M and PC-21 models. The PC-9 M is a single engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft with a strong dorsal fin. The PC-21 model is a single-turboprop, low wing swept monoplane advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit.

Renova is currently estimating possible demand for these aircraft. Construction of the plant will be efficient if it delivers 50 planes a year.

The training aircraft would be sold to the Russia's Defense Ministry and potential customers abroad, although negotiations with foreign partners have not yet begun.

An official from the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the project is being discussed, although Russian Air Forces representative Vladimir Drik told Vedemosti he had not heard about the project.

The project may face problems with the certification of its plants in Russia and with tough Swiss regulations on the export of military products, experts told the paper.

Vekselberg chose Pilatus for the project because 13.97% of its shares belong to the Swiss Oerlikon, which is controlled by Renova. However, the manufacturer's role in the project has yet to be defined.

MOSCOW, July 23 (RIA Novosti)

[buglerbilly]

Iraqi Air Force Increases T-6A Inventory

(Source: United States Forces – Iraq; issued Sept. 21, 2010)



One of three Iraqi Air Force T-6A Texan II turboprop trainers arriving at COB Speicher, near Tikrit, where it already operates eight similar aircraft. Four more are due to arrive in November.(USF-Iraq photo)BAGHDAD --- Iraqi air force pilots took possession of three T-6A aircraft in Amman, Jordan, and flew them to Tikrit Sept. 21, bringing their total T-6A inventory to 11.

Like U.S. military pilots, the Iraqis must master the T-6A before going on to fly more sophisticated multi-role fighter aircraft.

The Iraqi air force received its first four T-6As in December 2009, followed by four more last February, with an additional four scheduled for delivery in November.

These additional planes will help the Iraqi air force reach its goal of developing a self-sustaining pilot training program by increasing its capability to train new pilots and strengthening the foundation for a professional, credible and enduring Iraqi air force, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric Weingaertner, a training advisor with Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air Force.

The timing of the T-6A arrival coincided with the first graduation ceremony for 20 new Iraqi Air Force pilots – eight fixed-wing and 12 rotary-wing -- at the Iraqi Air Force College. All previous ceremonies took place in Kirkuk.

This graduation now brings the total number of Iraqi air force pilots trained through this program to 102 – 55 fixed-wing and 47 rotary-wing.

The Iraqi Air Force College opened its doors for classes in Tikrit March 11.

The U.S. Air Force’s 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron is currently training 12 instructor pilot candidates to serve as instructors in the T-6A aircraft. The first four of these instructor pilots are projected to complete training by summer 2011, and the remaining eight by fall 2011.

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[buglerbilly]

DATE:22/09/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Argentina launches work on IA-73 trainer

Some 25 years after it began work on its last aircraft - the IA-63 Pampa - Argentina's FAdeA has disclosed plans to develop a new trainer.

The company's board of directors gave the go-ahead for the new IA-73 programme in late August, and general manager Marcelo Ferroni says the company is now fine-tuning the design as it holds discussions with Argentinian air force authorities.

Aimed at first replacing the service's Beechcraft B45 Mentor ab initio trainers, the IA-73 is also expected to later succeed the Embraer EMB-312 Tucanos currently operated at the air force's Córdoba flight school.

But with Argentina's air force, army and navy to soon merge their training syllabi, the IA-73 is also being tailored to replace other fixed-wing assets, such as the Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor.

"Our intention is to develop a single-platform training package," Ferroni says. "We want to become a training systems provider and are attuning ourselves to local [South American] training aircraft needs."

FAdeA plans to conclude the IA-73's design definition early next year, and to achieve a first flight in early 2013. The company expects to launch production of the type in late 2014 or early 2015.

Meanwhile, Ferroni says FAdeA has over the last three months been engaged in negotiations with Embraer with an eye to participating in the company's KC-390 tanker/transport programme. Entry into the programme would "reinsert FAdeA back into the international market", he says, and provide access to key production technologies.

[buglerbilly]

New Generation Advanced Fighter Trainer for the RSAF

Posted: 28 Sep 2010, 1200 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) to acquire 12 M-346 aircraft and a ground-based training system for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) replacement programme. The aircraft will be provided by Alenia Aermacchi, while the training system will be supplied by Boeing. ST Aerospace will undertake the overall management of the AJT programme. The 12 M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system are expected to be delivered from 2012.

The acquisitions of the M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system mark a significant milestone in the RSAF’s force development, enhancing the capabilities and operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Last updated on 28 Sep 2010

[buglerbilly]

DATE:29/09/10

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURE: Poland unveils first modernised Orlik trainer

By Bartosz Glowacki

Poland's first modernised PZL-130 Orlik trainer was unveiled at the PZL Warszawa - Okecie facility of Airbus Military on 22 September.

Dubbed the Orlik TC-II, the aircraft features a Pratt & Whitney PT6-25C engine, which replaces its original Walter M601T, plus new wings, Garmin avionics and rearranged cockpit instruments.

The upgrades result in the Orlik TC-II having an improved climb rate, an increased top speed of 246kt (456km/h), a claimed 40% improvement in manoeuverability and a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.


Poland's first modernised PZL-130 Orlik trainer was unveiled at the PZL Warszawa - Okecie facility of Airbus Military on 22 September

A new maintenance system has also been devised for the improved type, with each airframe now expected to have a service life of 10,000-12,000 flight hours.

PZL representatives say the enhancements could save the Polish air force about 250 million zlotys ($84 million) in operating costs over the next 30 years for a fleet of 28 aircraft.

Poland's defence ministry signed a 148 million zlotys deal with Airbus Military last January to upgrade 16 PZL-130s to the Orlik TC-II standard. Deliveries to the 4th Flight Training Wing at the air force academy in Deblin should conclude in March 2014.

An agreement is expected soon to modify the air force's remaining 12 aircraft to a TC-III standard, which will add a synthetic training capability to the Orlik's cockpit avionics.

Airbus Military will send a TC-II-standard trainer to India in mid-October using two Polish air force C-295s for tests expected to last until 2 November. The type is being offered to meet an Indian air force trainer requirement, with Poland's ETC-PZL Aerospace Industries company supporting the bid.

Uruguay has been named as another possible customer for the type, while Airbus Military will also offer the TC-II as a contender for a Spanish air force tender for between 50 and 70 new turboprop trainers.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:08/10/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Grob targets Asian buyers for G120TP trainer

By Murdo Morrison

Reborn light aircraft manufacturer Grob believes its yet-to-be-certificated G120TP can win over a quarter of the market for basic trainers as it focuses its marketing efforts on India and other potential Asian customers.

This month the German manufacturer will pit the all-composite turboprop - unveiled at June's ILA air show in Berlin - against five rivals in a flying evaluation at Jamnagar air base in India. It is the latest stage in the contest to choose a 75-aircraft part replacement for the air force's now grounded Indian-built Hindustan Aeronautics HPT-32 Deepaks.

The Indian competition is the biggest challenge yet for the new owners of Grob, who rescued the Bavarian firm from insolvency early last year and hung their hopes on a radically improved version of the decade-old G120 piston elementary trainer. This is rekitted with a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop, three-screen Elbit Systems cockpit and Martin-Baker ejection seats.

When tender bids follow Grob is confident the G120's basic price of around $3.5 million will give it the edge over faster but higher-priced competitors such as the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1 and Pilatus PC-9.

Grob says the improvements give the G120 capabilities unlike other elementary trainers and allow several training stages to be carried out from basic instruction to missions such as target acquisition and low-altitude flying that would traditionally require higher-powered turboprops or even jets.

Budget constraints are forcing air forces to rethink how they train pilots, says co-chief executive Andre Hiebeler, one of the team of investors in the new Grob Aircraft. "One hour on a jet buys 30h on a turboprop like ours."

Hiebeler also hopes to sign in November a contract to supply eight G120TPs to an undisclosed central Asian country under a pay-by-the-hour lease scheme in partnership with a local company. He is in addition confident that Grob will be invited to respond to an Indonesian request for proposals after pilots from the country's air force flew the G120TP prototype in June.

The new owner - Hiebeler's Munich-based family-owned H3 - is also looking at reviving dormant parts of the 40-year-old composite specialist, which as Grob Aerospace foundered in 2008 after efforts to develop the SPn light business jet and partner Bombardier in the Learjet 85.

Hiebeler says he is in talks with two "global players" in the field of unmanned air vehicles about developing an optionally piloted version of the G520 Egrett, a single-engined, experimental high-altitude surveillance aircraft, five versions of which were built by Grob in the early 1990s.

They are also discussing resurrecting the twin-engined G850 Strato 2C ultra-high-altitude aircraft, a German-government-funded programme cancelled at the end of the Cold War after one prototype flew. It still sits outside Grob's offices in the village of Tussenhausen-Mattsies.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:08/10/10

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURES: New Colombian air force trainer makes flight debut

By Craig Hoyle

Lancair International has performed the first flight of its new Synergy ab initio trainer for the Colombian air force, following the kit aircraft's assembly by state-owned aerospace company CIAC.

Lancair test pilot Pete Zaccagnino made the initial flight with the two-seat aircraft from Madrid, Colombia on 29 September. The trainer "performed well and met expectations", the company says.


© Lancair International

Two more Colombian-assembled examples will be handed over to the air force this year under a 25-aircraft order, with the rest to enter use during 2011.

With a fixed landing gear and powered by a 210hp (155kW) Textron Lycoming IO-390 engine, the Synergy will replace the service's remaining Cessna T-41D Mescaleros.

The new aircraft is based on Lancair's Legacy general aviation platform, but features a 20% larger wing with longer flaps, plus a redesigned vertical stabiliser and rudder.


© Lancair International

"These changes yield a high-performance aircraft that is a stable, easy-to-fly training platform with a low stall speed," the US company says.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:27/10/10

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURES: Turkish air force to receive first KT-1 trainers

By Tolga Ozbek

The Turkish air force will begin replacing its Cessna T-37 jet trainers with Korea Aerospace Industries' KT-1 next month, with the new type now undergoing flight testing.

Ankara is to receive 40 KT-1s under a deal signed in June 2007, with the first five to be completed by KAI. The remainder will be produced under licence at Turkish Aerospace Industries' Akinci facility.

A first batch of three South Korean-built aircraft are being flight-tested by TAI, and should be delivered in late November, the company says.

Turkey's undersecretary of defence industries procurement agency is in talks with KAI to remove an option for a further 15 KT-1s from the programme.

Meanwhile, TAI will roll out its first flight test example of Turkey's indigenous "Hurkus" basic trainer in January. The turboprop-powered aircraft should make its flight debut late in 2011.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:05/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Philippines takes delivery of SF-260F primary trainers

By Greg Waldron

The Philippine air force has taken delivery of its first four Alenia Aermacchi SF-260F primary trainers, with 14 more expected to be handed over in the first quarter of 2011.

The aircraft were manufactured in Italy, but assembled locally by Aerotech Industries Philippines. The first examples were originally scheduled for delivery in 2009, but "contract issues" with Aerotech resulted in the delay, the air force says.

The arrival of the aircraft should alleviate the 150-170 pilot training backlog that has been accumulated, the service says, adding: "We hope to get the line moving again."

Before the arrival of the new SF-260Fs, the Philippine air force had only 14 operational trainers: 10 Cessna T-41 Mescaleros and four SF-260s.


© Alenia Aermacchi

[buglerbilly]

HELSINGIN SANOMAT
INTERNATIONAL EDITION - HOME
You arrived here at 05:00 Helsinki time Saturday 6.11.2010

Finnish Air Force decommissioning 41 Hawk trainer jets



Most of Finland’s fleet of British-built Hawk trainer jets are to be decommissioned over the next four years. The Finnish Air Force is getting rid of 41 of the 67 two-seat Hawks in its arsenal.

Ten of the planes have already been grounded, due to metal fatigue in the bodies and wings of the aircraft.

“Worn out is worn out”, says Air Force Commander, Major General Jarmo Lindberg.

In 2001 the government’s report on security and defence policy stated that it is possible for the Defence Forces to give up the operative use of the Hawks.

More recently, the Hawks have been consigned purely to use as training planes, for which purpose a smaller fleet is feasible.

The Air Force will hold on to 26 of the aircraft, which are to have digital machinery and navigation systems installed.

Most of the Hawks that are to be kept were bought slightly used from Switzerland two years ago. The refurbished aircraft are expected to remain operational for at least 20 more years.

The Air Force is ready to sell the jets that it is decommissioning, but finding a buyer might not be easy. The defence contractor Patria has offered to fix 16 of the ageing planes for the Polish Air force. Poland is expected to make a decision on the matter at about the end of the year.


Hawk trainer jets in storage. On the left are decommissioned planes whose wings have been removed. The red planes on the right are recent acquisitions from Switzerland, which are undergoing repairs.
Photo:
REIJO HIETANEN

Let’s see if there is a possibility to make use of the equipment that is being phased out. If there is not, then there isn’t. We and the Air Force have a very pragmatic attitude about this”, says Jukka Holkeri, director of marketing at Patria.

In the next 5-7 years the Air Force will also have to replace its fleet of Vinka propeller planes, which are the training aircraft it has used for beginning pilots.

The Air Force has outsourced the Vinka pilot training to Patria, which takes place at the Luonetjärvi base north of Jyväskylä.

The Air Force has discussed replacing the Vinka fleet, possibly in cooperation with the Swedish Air Force, whose jet trainer, the Saab 105, will become obsolete at about the same time as the Vinka.

However, training procedures of the Finnish and Swedish air forces differ considerably. In Finland, beginner pilots start out with propeller planes before moving on to jet trainers and fighters. Sweden uses jets at all stages.

The fleet of 50 Hawk trainers dates back to the late 1970s, and was a very controversial purchase at the time.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:15/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

CAE to provide equipment for Royal Navy King Airs

By Craig Hoyle

CAE is to produce airborne tactical mission trainers to support the instruction of UK Royal Navy observers using four modified Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, following a contract award from Cobham Aviation Services.

To be introduced through the Rear Crew Stage 1 element of the UK Military Flying Training System programme, the King Airs will replace the RN's remaining British Aerospace Jetstream T2s from 2011. Cobham began conversion work on the new fleet at Bournemouth airport in Dorset late in 2009 under a deal worth around £57 million ($91.7 million).

Capable of simulating inputs such as electronic support measures, tactical display and datalink equipment, CAE's airborne tactical mission trainer will be adapted from a ground-based system developed for Lockheed Martin, the Canadian company says.


© Royal Navy

Each King Air will have a Telephonics 1700 search radar, two student consoles and two instructor operator stations. After completing their training, RN observers will progress on to types such as the service's AgustaWestland Merlin HM1 multi-mission helicopter and future AW159 Lynx Wildcat.

The RN's active fleet of Jetstream trainers has been reduced to eight Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Astazou-powered airframes, says Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

Meanwhile, the UK's Disposal Services Authority (DSA) was due to receive solicitations of interest by 1 November linked to its proposed sale of four surplus Jetstream T3 trainers.

Formerly operated by the RN, the Garrett TPE331-engined aircraft have been kept in storage since their removal from use, and "are considered unserviceable", according to a DSA notice.

"Any bids must be supported by an outline plan that addresses the removal and storage of the aircraft and, if the intention is to recover the aircraft to flying standard, demonstrate the capability to comply with applicable air worthiness standards," it says.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:16/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

BAE Systems confirms partners for MFTS bid

By Alan Dron

BAE Systems' bid to become fixed-wing aircraft service provider for the UK's Military Flying Training System (MFTS) has taken a step forward, with the signing of exclusive memoranda of understanding with three organisations.

The agreements will see BAE lead a team also consisting of Babcock Aerospace, Gama Group and Pilatus Aircraft.

Under MFTS, the UK Ministry of Defence and Ascent - a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Babcock - are seeking flying training capabilities for the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy for the next 25 years.

The advanced jet training part of the syllabus has already been addressed with the acquisition of BAE's Hawk 128, known as the Hawk T2 in RAF service. Still to be chosen are aircraft to fill the elementary, basic and multi-engine aircrew training categories.

Under the new agreements, Pilatus will offer its PC-21 for the basic trainer role, which will be linked to a through-life availability service in conjunction with Babcock.

The latter already has experience in this field, operating the current elementary flying training (EFT) fleet, as well as the air experience and University Air Squadron organisations, which seek to attract potential future pilots from among school and university student age groups.

Babcock will deliver "an EFT-capable platform and synergies for a through-life maintenance servicing solution", says BAE. Gama will handle similar responsibilities for the multi-engine section of the proposal.

Babcock will also provide design, build and maintenance support for the necessary infrastructure programme.

BAE and its partners aim to submit their proposal to Ascent in January 2011.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:17/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURE: Zhuhai10 - AVIC launches L-15 version with afterburner

By Greg Waldron

China's AVIC Defence has developed a version of its L-15 advanced jet trainer with an afterburner, upgraded cockpit and radar.

The company announced the upgraded aircraft, the L-15 Lift, at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The new version had its first flight on 20 October.

"The L-15 Lift is a new generation supersonic advanced trainer developed by AVIC Hongdu to meet lead-in fighter training requirements, on the basis of the L-15 trainer," the company says.

The L-15 Lift uses a Ukrainian-made afterburning turbofan with full authority digital engine control software. This provides a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1:1, allowing the aircraft to hit supersonic speeds.


© Billypix
The L-15 Lift uses a Ukrainian-made afterburning turbofan

AVIC says the new engine, in addition to relaxed stability, means the L-15 Lift can "reach or even exceed" the manoeuvrability of third-generation fighters.

Presenting the new aircraft at the show, AVIC, without disclosing specifics, said the L-15 Lift's climb rate is comparable with aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-16 or Dassault Mirage 2000.

The L-15's fuselage has also been enlarged to accommodate a phased array radar. As for the cockpit, the L-15 Lift has a head-up display and three multifunction displays in the forward seat, and three displays in the rear. This compares with just two multifunction displays for each pilot in a AJT version.

In another change, the new design's tail and flaps are also made from composite materials.

If orders are forthcoming, the L-15 Lift could be delivered in two years. "We will be very competitive in price compared with similar trainers," says AVIC.

The new aircraft, which performed a flying display at the show, will compete directly with advanced jet trainers such as the Yakovlev Yak-130 and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed T-50.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:23/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURES: UAE's first PC-21 makes flight debut

By Craig Hoyle

Pilatus has performed the first flight of a PC-21 trainer produced for the United Arab Emirates, ahead of starting deliveries to the Khalifa bin Zayed air college in Al Ain early next year.

Achieved on 22 November, the milestone came exactly one year after the UAE signed a production contract for 25 PC-21s and related equipment worth over SFr500 million ($506 million). "The schedule agreed within the contract was always considered very aggressive but has been achieved exactly as planned," the Swiss manufacturer says.


All images © Pilatus

Conducted from Buochs airfield, the debut sortie included checks of the turboprop's controls, stall and inverted flight characteristics, plus engine restarts at 10,000ft (3,050m).





"Delivery of the 25 PC-21 aircraft and the other key components of the Pilatus training system are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2011," the company says.

Previous sales of the PC-21 have seen a combined 25 aircraft delivered to Singapore (19) and Switzerland (6). The latter earlier this year confirmed its intention to expand its fleet by another two examples.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68B engine, the PC-21 has a maximum operating speed of 370kt (684km/h): around 70kt faster than the PC-7 already used by the UAE.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:24/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Israel issues advanced jet trainer request

By Arie Egozi

Israel's defence ministry has sent a request for information to Alenia Aermacchi and Korea Aerospace Industries for a new fleet of advanced jet trainers.

The Israeli air force has already evaluated the companies' respective M-346 and T-50 designs as potential replacements for the Douglas A/TA-4 Skyhawks used at its flight academy.

The new request was issued after Israel's anti-trust commissioner confirmed that a proposed joint venture arrangement between the nation's two leading defence companies remains under evaluation.

Involving Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the joint venture aims to purchase the selected aircraft and sell flight hours on the type to the air force. The companies also want to assemble parts of the chosen type in Israel and equip it with some locally made systems.

[Deks]

Sorry if I've missed this, but why wasn't the hawk in the running?

[buglerbilly]

Sorry if I've missed this, but why wasn't the hawk in the running?

Probably a couple of things: -

1) Some view the Hawk as "old fashioned" and hence NOT what they are looking for in a new airframe. Stupid really as the physical airframe is mature and hence low risk, whilst the risk and cost element lies in the electronics suite the aircraft contains. There is a view that being non-supersonic its not a "de rigeur" aircraft for combat pilots wearing brylcreem or jell or whatever the shit is that they put on their heads.................
2) Politically, BAE is viewed in Israel as pro-Arab and to an extent this is true, BAE's commercial focus remains to the Arab nations as they are the larger buyers.............

[Gubler, A.]

Sorry if I've missed this, but why wasn't the hawk in the running?

Because the Hawk didn't meet the flight spec of the IDF/AF. While the Hawk is no slouch they are replacing A-4s here not Machis or other such. Their training regime at this level requires a lot of extreme flight. The Hawk with a t/w of 0.6 just can't compete with the Yak-130 (aka M-346) and T-50 with their high alpha aerodynamics and 0.8-1.0 t/ws.

[buglerbilly]

Six more aircraft needed for RMAF training programmes — Chief

Posted on November 28, 2010, Sunday

IPOH: The Royal Malaysian Air Force needs six more planes for its training programme, RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said yesterday.
He said that a request had been made to the Defence Ministry for MK-II aircraft to replace the PC-7 which had been used since 1984.

“We now have 10 MK-II aircraft, which were bought last year. We are asking for six more,” he told reporters after the passing out parade of 328 junior servicemen and 62 servicewomen at the RMAF Training Institute here.

If the ministry did not have the allocation for the aircraft, or required time to meet the request, the PC-7 would have to be upgraded, he added.

Rodzali said the RMAF training institutes at Kinrara and Subang in Selangor and Kuantan in Pahang will be moved to a new centre in the Klang Valley soon.

He said the move would not affect the training institutes here and in Ipoh and Alor Setar.

Edited..............

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=77504

[buglerbilly]

Air Force to get 4 new Marchetti aircraft

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 11/28/2010 5:17 PM | Updated as of 11/28/2010 5:17 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Air Force (PAF) officers who have been waiting in line to fly a training aircraft have had their prayers answered.

The PAF will receive Sunday 4 more SF-260 Marchetti planes from an Italian firm that bagged the P622-million deal to supply a total of 18 trainer aircraft under the Armed Forces Modernization Program.

The planes are scheduled to be received by PAF officials at the Haribon Hangar of the 410th Maintenance Wing in Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

They will be delivered by Alenia Aermacchi of Italy, through its local partner Aerotech Industries.

They are part of the 18 trainer planes that the firm is obliged to deliver to the Air Force under the contract it signed last year. Last November 4, the firm made its first set of delivery of 4 units of Marchetti aircraft.

The Air Force is expecting that the delivery of the 18 trainer planes would be completed by second quarter of next year.

“The acquisition of 18 basic trainer aircraft is a modest modernization for the Philippine Air Force and a big boost for PAF's capability to train PAF pilots," said Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol.

The acquisition of the trainer aircraft is projected to solve the backlog of Air Force officers who are waiting in line for training of actually flying an aircraft.

“The increase in the number of SF-260FH fleet and positive changes made in improving the training curriculum for pilot training will further enhance and develop pilots professionally and keep them up to date with the changing times and advancements of technology in accordance with the Philippine Air Force's thrusts in contributing to peace and development of our country," said Okol

Okol said student pilots will learn aerobatic techniques by flying the SF 260 trainer planes. “Dubbed as the perfect screener, the SF-260 FH is used in other countries to select potential candidates to progress to high performance aircraft," he said.

"The aircraft's great power output complements its design to perform with agility during high speed maneuvers. The reinforced low wing design and retractable tricycle landing gear is part of its design to withstand stress during high G maneuvers and to maximize high speed and low drag during aerobatics and advance maneuvers," he added.

Okol said exposure and experience gained in flying the SF-260 "gives the students a general perspective and feel of handling a more advanced aircraft."

"Once graduated, quality and competent pilots are expected to operate the air assets of the Air Force and perform various missions related to rescue operations, security, and other support functions to peace and national development," he said.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:03/12/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Brazilian air force retires last Xavante trainers

After nearly 39 years of service, the Brazilian air force formally retired its Embraer EMB-326 (AT-26) Xavante fleet on 2 December. The event is expected to signal the start of a search for a replacement jet trainer.

Local sources indicate that the service is finalising the technical and operational requirements for a new lead-in fighter trainer, with an eye on releasing a request for proposals in 2011.

Air force sources list the prime candidates as the Alenia Aermacchi M-346, BAE Systems Hawk 128 and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50. However, other contenders are also expected to enter the fray for the 18-24 aircraft requirement

The Brazilian manufacturer assembled 182 EMB-326GBs under licence between 1971 and 1983. Of these, 166 were sold to the Brazilian air force. Employed primarily as an advanced trainer and light strike aircraft, the Xavante's career with the service began winding down in 1998, making way for the Alenia Aermacchi/Embraer AMX and Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano.

However, in 2005, 14 ex-South African air force Atlas Impala Mk 1/2s were purchased to cover a jet trainer shortfall. Embraer had previously proposed a new version of the two-seat AMX, but the project was shelved because of industrial reluctance in Brazil and Italy to jointly develop the design.

The search for a Xavante replacement had been placed on hold until Brazil's F-X2 fighter had been selected. But delays to that programme have spurred the air force to place its trainer programme in the fast lane. It could seek a decision no later than 2012, with initial deliveries to be made in early 2014, sources say.

Three of Brazil's Xavantes are expected to remain in service with the air force's flight-test unit at São José dos Campos until 2013. Other low-time airframes are expected to be handed over to the Paraguayan air force.

[buglerbilly]

Hawker Beechcraft T-6 Trainer Continues to Earn High Marks around the World

(Source: Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; issued Dec. 7, 2010)

DUBAI, U.A.E. --- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) T-6 military trainer continues to exhibit strength in the global marketplace as it demonstrates versatility, exceptional adaptability and dependability in a variety of roles. The T-6 is currently being evaluated by military forces in Africa and India, as well as the United States.

“The T-6 continues to provide countries around the world with an affordable, reliable and proven option as a primary military trainer, while the AT-6 provides a formidable option for light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business.

HBC’s demonstrator T-6 trainer was recently displayed at the African Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo in Cape Town, South Africa. It was flown from HBC’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan., to the AAD site at Ysterplaat Air Force Base – a distance of 9,461 miles – in a total elapsed time of nearly 39 hours. The trip included stops in Algeria, Nigeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia.

The aircraft then continued its journey to participate in field trials conducted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jamnagar in India. Throughout its eight-week tour covering an impressive 26,412 miles and 110 flight hours, the T-6 did not experience any maintenance issues.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 as their primary trainers.

The Beechcraft T-6 offers military organizations worldwide the most proven and most cost-effective training system available today. The T-6 is a primary trainer aircraft that accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers. In addition, the T-6 delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for the most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, the aircraft has been used to train pilots in approximately 20 different countries.

The AT-6 draws its heritage from HBC’s T-6 A/B/C Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air support and meet the demands of the irregular warfare environment, the AT-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of self-protection mechanisms, multiple secure communications functions, advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and the ability to employ both precision and non-precision weapons.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Pilatus Wins PC-21 Follow-Up Order from the Swiss Air Force

(Source: Pilatus; issued December 17, 2010)

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is delighted that the Swiss Air Force is to expand its successful PC-21 Jet Pilot Training System (JEPAS) with a follow-up order for two further PC-21 turboprop training aircraft with logistics and engineering services, plus another debriefing system. The contract with armasuisse, the Procurement and Technology Unit of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), was signed in Stans on 17 December 2010, and is worth some 30 million Swiss francs. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2012.

The Swiss Air Force took delivery of a fleet of six Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft in summer 2008. Since 2009, young Swiss Air Force pilots transfer directly to the F/A-18 fighter jet after basic training on the NCPC-7 and thorough instruction on the PC-21 Jet Pilot Training System (JEPAS). The PC-21’s state-ofthe- art cockpit is designed to simulate the functionalities of a modern combat aircraft and enables the operator to train pertinent skills at a very early stage of training. As a result, trainee pilots can safely bypass the expensive jet trainer phase.

Oscar J. Schwenk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, comments as follows on the contract: “The Swiss Air Force has achieved its main goal inpurchasing the PC-21s, which is to train future military pilots to a higher standard in a shorter timeframe with the help of a high-performance, cost-effective training system designed to allow a direct transfer to the F/A-18 fighter jet. We are tremendously proud of the Swiss Air Force for their pioneering work! Our innovative PC-21 training system is creating a stir, and has also attracted the attention of numerous other air forces.”

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is very pleased to have been awarded this follow-up order, and is proud to see the JEPAS PC-21 training programme used by the Swiss Air Force with such success. As partner to the Swiss Air Force and armasuisse, Pilatus would like to reiterate its commitment to customer service, Swiss precision and uncompromising quality in every respect.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Alenia Aermacchi: roll-out of first two Italian Air Force T-346A trainers



12/21/2010

Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica, unveiled today the first two M-346 advanced trainers from the first batch of six aircraft for the Italian Air Force.

The roll-out took place at the Alenia Aermacchi factory at Venegono Superiore and was attended by company executives and representatives of the Armed Forces and local government.

Within a few months the first two T-346A - as the M-346 is designated by the Italian Air Force - will be delivered to the Experimental Flying Unit at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base, near Rome, where they will undergo operational evaluation testing.

During 2011 the Italian Air Force will receive the other four aircraft, becoming the world’s first air force equipped with a new advanced training line based on the M-346, the most modern trainer available today on the market to train military pilots destined to fly the latest 4th and 5th generation fighters.

Today marks the beginning of a new phase for the M-346. The new highly automated production line is already working on the other four Italian Air Force aircraft and has launched production of the 12 trainers ordered by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Alenia Aermacchi’s commercial activities are particularly active in Europe and in the rest of the world. The air forces of various countries have expressed great interest in this new aircraft, which is capable of meeting the specific requirements of different operators.

[buglerbilly]

Regulator allows Elbit, IAI to collaborate on jet bid

IAF will pick the US-South Korean T-50 or Italy's M-346 as its trainer for the Ministry of Defense tender.

21 December 10 09:45, Yuval AzulaiAntitrust Authority director general Ronit Kan has allowed Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) to collaborate on a Ministry of Defense tender for the procurement and maintenance of the new Israel Air Force jet trainer. The new trainer will be selected in a few months to replace the obsolete Skyhawks.

Elbit Systems and IAI will set up a joint company, which will buy and maintain the Israel Air Force (IAF) trainers. The IAF will pay for use of the planes, based on preset rates. The Ministry of Defense and IAF will pick either the T-50, jointly produced by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), or Italy's M-346 made by Alenia Aermacchi as the new trainer.

Elbit Systems and IAI, which frequently bid against each other in foreign tenders, especially for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), approached Kan four months ago about the Ministry of Defense tender for the supply of the trainers and their regular maintenance. The IAF will hire the services of the tender winner on the basis of use of the trainers.

Elbit Systems and IAI need Kan's approval to make a joint bid in the tender as they are rival companies.

IAF officers, including several pilots, have tested both the T-50 and the M-346, and found that they meet the IAF's combat pilot training needs.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 21, 2010

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010

[buglerbilly]

DATE:13/01/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Alenia Aermacchi tests low radar cross-section kit for M-346

By Luca Peruzzi

Alenia Aermacchi has completed a low radar cross-section research project on its M-346 Master advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, the company says.

A series of unspecified external airframe modifications and material applications were tested to reduce M-346's radar cross-section. The work was especially focused on the aircraft's frontal area, including its two engine air inlets.

Conceived as an easy to install and remove kit, the enhancements were assessed last year by Alenia Aermacchi in partnership with Pisa-based Ingegneria dei Sistemi (IDS). The work drew on the latter's previous research experience linked to other naval, ground and air programmes and was supported using funds from Italy's four-year national defence research plan.


© Alenia Aermacchi

The kit was first applied to aircraft models and ground tested at IDS's facilities, before a final configuration was approved for flight-testing. Sources say that during the latter campaign a modified M-346 demonstrated unchanged flying and performance characteristics, with no operational limitations encountered across its entire flight envelope.

A low radar cross-section kit could be applied to a light-attack variant of the M-346 already being developed by Alenia Aermacchi.

[buglerbilly]

S. Korea rolls out armed version of T-50 trainer jet

2011-01-24 18:27

South Korea on Monday rolled out the first armed version of its T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft, designed to carry out entry-level tactical training missions, according to the state military acquisition agency.

The armed variant of the T-50, the nation’s first homegrown trainer jet, is intended to train fledgling military pilots on air-to-air and air-to-surface missions before their full operational deployment, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said.

The TA-50 can mount precision-guided weapons such as AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and TGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, according to DAPA officials.

The final unit of the TA-50 will be delivered by 2012. DAPA officials refuse to confirm the total number of the TA-50s to be put into operation, citing security reasons.

From 2013, the country will also begin deploying a more heavily armed version of the TA-50. Named the FA-50, the multi-role fighter jet is designed for light attack combat missions, officials said.

Jointly developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the country’s sole aircraft maker, and U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, South Korea unveiled the T-50 “Golden Eagle” in 2005.

In order to strengthen aerial defense capabilities and develop the local aviation industry, the country has spent 2.2 trillion won ($1.96 billion) on the T-50 project over eight years, starting in 1997.

After the first T-50 was delivered in December 2005, the Air Force began training with the T-50 in April 2007. The T-50 has a maximum speed of mach 1.5, with a maximum range of 800 nautical miles.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldm.com)

[buglerbilly]

And here are the pics............

DATE:26/01/11

SOURCE:Flight International

PICTURES: KAI rolls out first production T/A-50

By Greg Waldron

Korea Aerospace Industries has rolled out the first production T/A-50, the light-attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer.

The South Korean air force has ordered 22 F/A-50s for lead-in fighter and ground-attack training, says an industry source. These will be delivered by the end of 2012.


© Korea Aerospace Industries

Virtually identical to the T-50, the T/A-50 (above) is equipped with a three-barrelled 20mm cannon with 200 rounds. It can also carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons and has an ITT EL-2032 mechanically scanned radar.





Both images © Korea Aerospace Industries

The T/A-50 has achieved weapons certification for the Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick (above) air-to-ground and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, although it is not certificated to use the latest AIM-9X variant.

In 2013, following the end of T/A-50 production, KAI hopes to transition to building its developmental F/A-50, which could begin testing in 2012. Seoul has committed to buying 60 F/A-50s and could eventually order up to 150 to replace its air force's Northrop F-5Es.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:01/02/11

SOURCE:Flight International

FLIGHT TEST: Grob Aircraft G120TP - Pocket rocket

By Peter Collins

Problems with the development of the Grob180 SPn business jet led Grob Aerospace to declare insolvency in late 2008. But early 2009 brought the emergence of Grob Aircraft, a new private company that inherited Grob Aerospace's trainer aircraft and support businesses.

Owned by five investors, Grob Aircraft operates under the corporate umbrella of H3 Aerospace. It is based at the Grob Aerospace production facility and airfield at Tussenhausen-Mattsies, around 65km (40 miles) west of Munich in Germany.

Since 1971, more than 3,500 Grob aircraft and gliders have been delivered. These include 420 G115 and G120 trainers. The G120TP is a development of the piston-powered G120A and retains the latter's massive bubble canopy, roomy side-by-side seating configuration, retractable gear and carbonfibre fuselage, wings and tail. However, it incorporates a new nose section to house the Rolls-Royce turboprop engine and a completely new digital cockpit.


© Grob Aerospace

All-carbonfibre construction endows the aircraft with light weight, exceptional strength (>26g crashworthiness), zero risk of corrosion, exceptionally smooth aerodynamic surfaces, easy repair and a quoted structural service life of 15,000 flying hours.

Maximum take-off weight is 1,590kg (3,500lb) as a utility limit and 1,550kg as a full aerobatic limit. Basic empty weight is 1,095kg. Full fuel capacity is 290kg, which, combined with an assumed combined instructor-plus-student weight of 200kg, means that the G120TP should not be weight restricted when readied at the start of an instructional day.

Aerobatic limits are +6g/-4g, while the maximum operating altitude is 25,000ft (7,620m) (crew oxygen/unpressurised) with an initial quoted rate of climb of 2,780ft/min (14.1m/s) at MTOW, mean sea level and ISA. The aircraft will be cleared for visual flight rules and instrument flight rules operation, day or night, in non-icing conditions.

The new G120TP engine is a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F rated at 380shp (285kW) at maximum continuous power or 456shp with a 5min limit on maximum power. The 250-B17F is a derivative of an engine widely used on helicopters. It is powered by jet fuel, eliminating the complexity and expense of using avgas.

The engine drives a short-span, five-bladed MT propeller capable of reverse thrust, with the propeller in beta range. VMO has been boosted to a calibrated air speed of 245kt (455km/h) in the 0-10,800ft altitude range, while MMO is Mach 0.45 above 10,800ft. Maximum range at 10,000ft is 735nm (1,360km). The take-off distance to 50ft is just less than 400m and the landing distance from 50ft just less than 500m. These are outstanding performance figures for this class of aircraft.

Additionally, Grob is upgrading and digitising the G120TP cockpit. The revamped flightdeck will include an instrument console featuring three Elbit 8 x 6in (205 x 150mm) electronic flight information system (EFIS) multifunctional displays, a digital combined standby flight display and a dedicated digital engine parameter display, giving the G120TP a fully glass cockpit.


© Peter Collins

The left and centre EFIS displays will be multifunctional and programmable, and therefore able to display air-to-air radar symbology, threat radar warnings, ground moving maps, weapons stores management information, aircraft systems synoptic pages, electronic checklists, and instructor set-up and training event debriefing pages. The right-hand EFIS screen will always act as the pilot flying display (PFD), cockpit-configurable to analogue or tape data side format, and will feature separate digital architecture from the mission-configurable displays to ensure protection of its flight data.

Embedded simulation within the aircraft will supply virtual air-to-air radar targets to the EFIS screen selected as the radar display, or virtual ground-to-air radar threats to the EFIS screen selected as the radar warning receiver display, and project threat information on to a ground moving map acting as a tactical situation display.

The cockpit will also deploy a computerised mission planning and mission debrief system that incorporates on-board "flash card" reader/recorder and off-board laptops. The simplified fighter-type hands-on throttle and stick will feature nine multifunction switches on the stick top and six on the throttle. A throttle on the left side of each seat will be operable in single-lever, jet-like fashion.

HELMET DISPLAYS

The cockpit's helmet-mounted display and synthetic head-up display will project flight and simplified navigation/target information on to the visor of an Elbit Systems Targo trainer helmet. Dual Martin-Baker 15B lightweight seats - the lightest seat that the UK manufacturer has ever produced - will offer zero/60kt escape capability with the canopy shattered by a seat-top spike. Optional extras will include a traffic collision avoidance system, terrain warning, weather detection and cockpit voice recorder.

The quoted performance envelope and the various cockpit upgrades will grant the G120TP, when certificated, a level of tactical sophistication and training potential that is little short of revolutionary in this type of elementary/basic training aircraft.

Grob plans to gain the initial European Aviation Safety Agency/US FAR 23 certification of the G120TP at the end of 2011 and target certification of the three-screen EFIS in 2012. The projected purchase price (dependent upon options) is around €2 million ($2.7 million).

Flight International's G120TP evaluation was conducted with D-ETPG, a company proto*type fully representative of the production aircraft/engine combination that Grob will aim to certificate in 2011, but with a development G120A hybrid test cockpit that had conventional analogue instruments on the left-hand side, a single Elbit EFIS screen acting as the PFD (set to analogue format) on the right-hand side and ancillary engine/navigation/communications displays in the centre.


© Peter Collins

The cockpit was fitted only with individual Martin-Baker 15B ejection seat "outer shells", so backpack type parachutes were worn for escape. The canopy featured a single lever manual jettison handle.

Since most of the planned G120TP embedded simulation was not available for me to evaluate in this prototype, my role was to be as an elementary/basic student graded for fighters and flying his/her final handling test at the end of the elementary flight training phase. My objective was to answer a simple question: could the aircraft challenge a young student while at the same time delivering that challenge in a safe and docile manner?

My safety pilot was Grob test and demonstrator pilot Uli Schell, who would sit in the left-hand seat and handle the radio/navigation. I would fly two complete sorties from the right-hand seat (since the prototype did not have a second left-hand throttle), the first sortie at medium and low levels and the second at high level. Both sorties would be conducted from Tussenhausen airfield (elevation 1,857ft) with CAVOK conditions, wind 240/5-10kt, QNH 1017, outside air temperature -6°C (21°F) and a snow-cleared Runway 15/33 (1,149 x 20m) - but with all the tarmac surfaces completely ice covered.

On strap-in, the cockpit immediately felt spacious with the canopy offering an almost 360° field of view including rearwards over the horizontal stabiliser and fin. The G120TP cockpit instrument console glareshield line will be cut back from that of the G120 to further improve the forwards and downwards field of view even though the short, sharply tapering nose of the G120TP prototype offered little obscuration in this sector on the ground on the seated side.

With any side-by-side seating, Grob and Martin-Baker will need to work closely together to ensure that seat arm/disarm mechanisms of the 15B ejection seats are unambiguous and that individual seat straps and umbilical cables to each pilot - linking to oxygen, mic-tel, helmet-mounted display, the dinghy and so on - are as simple, neat and as robustly connected via the seat as possible.


© Grob Aerospace

Engine start was effected using an external battery supply, although the normal method will be the aircraft internal battery. With the internal battery now in the nose for balance, Grob is considering a repositioning of the external battery connection point to the wing root. With 15% N1, the condition lever was placed into the idle gate with the engine stable after 30s. Thereafter all power was controlled by throttle primarily using percentage torque (TQ), with approximately 90% TQ equating to maximum continuous power.

SMOOTH RESPONSE

With the PFD erect, take-off flap selected and the simple checklist complete, we were ready to taxi gingerly to the runway. My first distinct impression as I left the chocks was that, as I increased engine power, the engine/propeller response was akin to that of a sewing machine: beautifully smooth, instantly available and precise to control.

Taxi speed could be governed exactly on the icy surface, without wheel brakes, by graduating the propeller in and out of the beta range. The throttle-mounted, finger-operated trigger protecting the beta range was easy to manipulate.

I elected for a rolling take off from Runway 15 to prevent any slip developing on the icy runway surface due to the light crosswind. Approximately 95% TQ gave a take-off roll of around 400m for a rotate at an indicated airspeed of 75kt. Power response on acceleration was jet-like and I noticed virtually no ground swing.

Gear (140kt limit) and take-off flap (160kt limit) were raised immediately with just a hint of nose-up trim change as the flaps came fully up. With 120kt achieved by the end of the short runway, I banked the aircraft over sharply in a 70-80° wingover on to the reciprocal heading while maintaining 120kt and climbing at around 3,000ft/min.

My second distinct impression during the wingover was that this aircraft immediately felt like a mini-fighter. I had to remind myself that this was a prop and not a jet because it was so powerful, and yet the power was so linear in its delivery.

In the climb to flight level 80 the aircraft showed that it was highly responsive but very well-damped to pitch (elevator) inputs at all airspeeds, and the sustained maximum roll rate with full aileron at 160kt was 75-80°/s.

When at FL80, I conducted two constant-speed wind-up turns, one at 160kt and one at 200kt. With 90% TQ set - at 10° nose down and 160kt - the aircraft was pulled progressively up to +5g showing that the back stick displacement/g gradient was linear and that the manoeuvre boundary at this g level was indicated by stick force and very light wing buffet, but with no wing rock.



At 200kt and 15° nose down, passing 5g, the manoeuvre boundary was not the aircraft itself but my own body needing a g suit.

The next test point showed clean stall indications starting at 82kt, with light buffet acting as a natural stall warning but augmented by an unmistakable stall warning audio horn and a red warning light in the cockpit. The actual clean stall at 72kt showed no sign of wing drop.

With full flap, the stall occurred at around 60kt, with a rate of descent of 1,000ft/min and some wing drop that was still controllable within the fully developed stall, but with the same unmistakable audio and visual cockpit stall warning.

Several three-turn spins were then conducted from FL90 using the standard spin entry of pull back stick, full rudder and full opposite aileron, starting from 80kt. The spin was mildly oscillatory in pitch during the first turn, and yaw rate was high throughout, especially during the second full turn. But by the third turn the spin was stable and the spin characteristics completely acceptable. Standard spin recovery (full opposite rudder, aileron central and stick forward to neural) showed the aircraft taking one turn to recovery.

With recovery from the dive to level flight, a complete three-turn spin event used just 2,500ft of altitude. A further recovery with full anti-spin rudder but stick released showed the spin taking just a little longer to stop, but doing so in almost exactly the same manner and with only a minimally increased height loss.

My recommendation would be to fit the cockpits with a large, fluid-type slip ball so that students and instructors can instantly identify the spin turn direction. The split yaw/bank indicator "pyramid" in the PFD was not designed for this sort of manoeuvring and is not easy to find or interpret if a pilot gets disorientated.

A quick aerobatics sequence showed what my earlier tests indicated: that the aircraft was a delight to fly and with no vices that could catch out an aspiring student pilot. I marvelled at the power and smoothness of the engine/propeller combination. If height was needed to be regained at medium level for a training event, with power applied the aircraft simply zoomed effortlessly back to altitude like a jet.

WEAPONS ATTACK

Next I descended to low level at an altitude of 500ft above the ground for a short low-level navex and simulated "pop-up" weapons attack. A 90% TQ gave a cruise indicated airspeed of 210kt with ease, a large power margin in hand and a fuel flow rate of just 1.82kg/min. Low-level ride was a little bumpy but still perfectly acceptable for the navex or IP-Target map reading. Forward field of view downwards through the front canopy on the seated side was surprisingly good and I could track objects on the ground down to around 250-300m in front of the aircraft without obscuration.

Aileron forces had increased but not markedly so, and they did not detract from manoeuvring the aircraft hard to simulate defensive missile breaks, pop-up/roll-in attacks or tactical low-level turns. The low-level performance of this aircraft was nothing short of amazing.

Returning to the airfield to run and break, several different tight visual circuits were flown to both overshoot and to roll. Typical downwind was at 120kt with take-off flap and gear selected, turning finals at 100kt with full flap (110kt limit) selected for an 80kt final approach. The large bubble canopy makes "cross cockpit" circuit flying easy. The aircraft exhibits excellent speed stability on finals so that maintaining flightpath approach angle/airspeed - very accurately - seemed almost effortless.

Going deliberately low on approach could be instantly corrected with a direct 1-2s burst of power, without other attendant problems of yaw or power lag or TQ overswing. Grob is considering fitting the throttle with a mechanical detent to separate the maximum continuous power (MCP) range from the maximum power range, as up to 90% TQ (approximately MCP) is completely adequate power for circuit work, roller landings and low overshoots.

On the final landing, the aircraft was slowed to a walking pace on the icy runway using just propeller reverse thrust, and the stopping action was predictable and easy to control.

On the second sortie, with oxygen masks fitted, the aircraft was climbed to 25,000ft in 14min. A 60e_SDgr bank turn at M0.30 showed no sign of wing buffet. A descent at M0.45 (MMO), idle TQ, 15° nose down, generated a descent rate of 5,000ft/min.

At MMO, aileron forces were high, but the aircraft was perfectly controllable. The second sortie was concluded with a practice forced landing, with a high key of around 2,500ft above the ground, a low key of 1,250ft and an initial glide of 100kt, with the final landing point being simple to target once full flap was selected.

Both sorties were exactly 1h each in duration and each sortie used just 81.7kg of jet fuel. This fuel use indicates that a fully fuelled G120TP could support three 1h instructional sorties - with proper reserves for the final sortie - from just one full internal tank of jet fuel (289kg). This is unbelievable economy, even for a turboprop.

In my opinion, the G120TP will render all of its current single-engined propeller competitors in the elementary/basic category virtually obsolete, at a stroke, when certificated. The exquisite matching of the R-R 250-B17F turboprop to its five-bladed MT propeller and to the G120 airframe is, in itself, an undeniable success and one that is clearly evident to me even well before certification.

However, much more than this, I believe the G120TP represents a "systems of systems" training concept that will revolutionise future military training standards beginning from a student pilot's first day. The G120TP concept offers a level of "embedded frontline simulation" training capability that many frontline air forces currently do not possess, even at the present advanced/tactical stages. The advantages of introducing initial student pilots to a 21st century configured trainer, when they are selected to fly 21st century front line types in a 21st century air force, are, to my mind, immense.

The first challenge for any air force will be where to set the training boundaries for this aircraft, such is the incredible training potential that its systems will incorporate. The second will be to reassess the role of the flight instructor at this first stage of training given the vast amount of frontline weapon systems simulation and tactical awareness that can be introduced to a student once basic flight techniques have been mastered at the elementary level.

I feel that the G120TP is a natural complement to the higher-performance - but more expensive - Pilatus PC-21/Aermacchi M-311 flight, attack and systems trainer types and the Aermacchi M-346/KAI T-50/Hawk 128 lead-in fighter trainer types.

The G120TP comes with such a low purchase price and minimal direct operating costs, but with such high performance and massive training potential for its size, that the complete package seems to me to be amazing value for money within present, cash-constrained defence budgets. Grob still has a busy period as it works towards certification, but it has placed this aircraft at exactly the right spot within the future trainer aircraft marketplace.

My predication is that, in the next 12-24 months, many military test pilots and military instructor pilots will follow in my tracks along the small country road leading to Tussenhausen and evaluate this aircraft as it nears certification and then enters production.

[buglerbilly]

FEBRUARY 11, 2011, 6:02 A.M. ET.

Embraer May Develop Trainer Aircraft With India .

By SANTANU CHOUDHURY

BANGALORE -- Brazil's Embraer S.A. may develop a basic turboprop trainer aircraft jointly with India to meet potential demand from the air forces in both nations, a senior company executive said Friday.

Embraer expects also to shortly win a contract from India to supply nine multi-mission aircraft, Orlando J F Neto, executive vice president for defense market, said.

Embraer is among several defense companies worldwide who are participating at the ongoing Aero India show on expectations that the south Asian country will buy more weapons, aircraft and other defense equipment to modernize its armed forces. India's federal government has allocated a military budget of 1.47 trillion rupees ($32.23 billion) in the current fiscal year through March.

Mr. Neto said the Brazilian air force currently has between 100 and 150 Tucano turboprop trainer aircraft--manufactured by Embraer--which will need to be upgraded or replaced with a new trainer aircraft by 2018.

"So, we will also have a room for replacement and so there is a scope to co-develop and co-produce a basic trainer," Mr. Neto said. "Both countries can probably spend the money equally and produce about 100-150 planes each."

Mr. Neto said "contractual discussions" are on with India for the country's proposed acquisition of nine multi-mission aircraft. Embraer has offered the Legacy aircraft platform for the tender.

"It [the multi-mission aircraft] will be for surveillance, electronic jamming, communication jamming and VIP transportation," he said. "We are in the final stages of discussions."

Mr. Neto said the company will deliver the first of three Embraer 145 jets India has order in the second half of this year. The jets will be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions by the Indian air force.

The jets will come integrated with the Airborne Early Warning and Control system that has been designed and developed by India's government-owned Defense Research & Development Organisation.

Embraer received the $250 million contract for the three jets in 2008.

Mr. Neto said delivery of the remaining two jets will be completed by early next year.

He said there is a possibility to export the Embraer 145 aircraft fitted with the India-developed early warning radar to other countries jointly with India.

"We do see room for exports," he said. "This product will attract attention from other nations in the [Asia-Pacific] region and elsewhere."

Write to Santanu Choudhury at santanu.choudhury@dowjones.com

[buglerbilly]

DATE:24/02/11

SOURCE:Flight International

UAE stops talks with Alenia Aermacchi on M-346 contract

By Siva Govindasamy

Negotiations between the United Arab Emirates and Alenia Aermacchi over the possible sale of M-346 advanced jet trainers have stopped, with industry sources saying there is no word on when they might resume.

Abu Dhabi announced at IDEX 2009 that it had selected the M-346 over the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 in its advanced jet trainer competition, with deliveries then scheduled to begin in 2012. Negotiations then began for a contract worth €1 billion ($1.37 billion) for 48 M-346s, including several in a light-attack configuration, plus flight simulators and other ground-based training systems.

Mubadala Development was to have established a local final assembly line for the type, and manufacture composite aerostructures for the civil sector.

Two years on, however, the contract has not been signed. UAE military chiefs have been saying that their focus has been on "higher priority" procurements such as existing orders for Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J transports, and with Airbus Military for A330 multi-role tanker transports.


© Alenia Aermacchi

Abu Dhabi is also assessing the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Dassault Rafale to replace its Dassault Mirage fighters.

There have also been reports that there was a misunderstanding over the aircraft's specifications, and that components wanted by the UAE were not included. Industry officials at IDEX 2011, however, say other issues have also resulted in the delay.

"Political problems that are outside my domain have resulted in the delays," says Vincenzo Giangrasso, Alenia Aermacchi's vice-president for customer services. "We still hope to overcome the situation and we just need some patience. We are pretty sure that a solution will be found shortly."

Giangrasso adds that the Italian company remains confident of concluding a deal, given that the M-346 remains the UAE air force's preferred choice. "We have discussed the technical issues with the end user, and the air force is very happy with the aircraft. The air force did a very professional job in their technical evaluation," he says.

Industry sources say that it is unlikely that a fresh tender will be called, and add that the situation just "needs a bit of time" before both parties start talking again. The door appears to remain closed to KAI and the T-50, with officials from the South Korean company agreeing.

"Obviously, we would love to get back into the competition and offer the T-50. But we have not had any discussions with the UAE officials about the T-50 since they picked the M-346, and we are not expecting that to change any time soon," says a KAI official.

Both Alenia Aermacchi and KAI, however, expect the Middle East and Gulf to remain major markets for their trainers, given the large number of fighter competitions that are going on in the region.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:22/03/11

SOURCE:Flight International

TAI resumes KT-1 assembly after ejection seat mishap

By Tolga Ozbek

Turkish Aerospace Industries has resumed final assembly work on KT-1 turboprop trainers after investigating the accidental ejection of a civilian flight-test engineer during a test sortie.

Details have only just emerged of the incident, which happened on 9 February during a flight conducted from TAI's facilities at Akinci air base near Ankara. As the company test pilot of aircraft "08" rolled the trainer inverted there was an uncommanded ejection involving the rear seat passenger.


©Turkish Aerospace Industries

The engineer landed without injury using a Martin-Baker Mk16LF ejection seat. The aircraft's pilot returned safely to Akinci.

TAI is building the Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1 under licence for the Turkish air force. The company says its assembly line has resumed activities after an investigation found no faults with other aircraft.

Turkey's first five of 36 KT-1s were completed in South Korea, with the rest being assembled by TAI. The company is working on the ninth trainer. Deliveries are planned to finish next year.

[buglerbilly]

SAAF orders new Aden gun pod

Written by defenceWeb

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 14:46



The South African Air Force has placed an order for the procurement of a 30mm Aden gun and gun pod with British-based Aircraft Equipment International (AEI) Systems. The contract, placed Thursday, is worth just over R2 million.

The Aden is carried on the BAE Systems Hawk Mk120 lead-in fighter trainer, 24 of which are operated by 85 Combat Flying School at Air Force Base Makhado in Limpopo. The first two were delivered on May 24, 2006 and the last by the end of August 2008. The aircraft does not carry an internal cannon and the 30mm Aden is instead carried in a centreline pod. A number of these pods and cannon were acquired as part of the R7.2 billion Project Winchester.

Thursday's order follows on two smaller spares orders in 2008 and 2009.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:01/04/11

SOURCE:Flightglobal.com

PICTURES: Italy's first T-346A trainer makes flight debut

By Craig Hoyle

The Italian air force’s first T-346A advanced jet trainer made a 40min debut flight from Alenia Aermacchi’s Venegono production site on 31 March, with the aircraft due to enter service soon.

During its first flight, the M-346 variant reached an altitude of 15,000ft (4,570m), and underwent checks on its handling and systems functionality, the company says. The aircraft had been rolled out at Venegono last December, along with a second example.

“The aircraft demonstrated its excellent characteristics in terms of handling, energy and man-machine interface,” says Alenia Aermacchi chief test pilot Quirino Bucci.




Both images © Alenia Aermacchi

Alenia Aermacchi says the remaining Italian aircraft under contract are now in build on its new M-346 final assembly line at Venegono, along with 12 more for launch export customer Singapore. Italy has so far signed for six of the aircraft from a planned acquisition of 15 to be used at the air force’s training school at Lecce air base.

A T-100 version of the M-346 is being proposed as a potential solution to the US Air Force’s T-X trainer requirement, and Alenia Aermacchi also says that “the air forces of several nations have expressed great interest in this aircraft”.

[buglerbilly]

Botswana Defence Force Selects PC-7 MK II

(Source: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.; issued April 20, 2011)



STANS, Switzerland --- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is proud to announce that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) selected the PC-7 Mk II turboprop trainer aircraft to replace their Pilatus PC-7 fleet which has been in service since 1990.

The decision confirms the continued trust that the Botswana Defence Force places in Pilatus and the Pilatus aircraft as a training system. Once Pilatus, always Pilatus.

The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss Francs to procure a fleet of 5 PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground based training system including computer based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. The contract was signed in Gaborone on 13 April 2011.

Delivery of the aircraft, ground based training system and logistic support package is scheduled to be completed in early 2013, enabling the BDF pilot training to transition to the new PC-7 Mk II platform during 2013.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is committed to continue serving the BDF, a long standing partner of Pilatus, with its world renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd was founded in 1939 and is currently world market leader in the manufacture and sale of single-engine turboprop aircraft. It is the only Swiss company that develops and produces private and training aircraft. Pilatus, which is headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, is licensed to maintain and perform upgrades on a variety of aircraft. With a workforce of almost 1300 at its head office, Pilatus is one of the biggest employers in Central Switzerland.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Patria Receives a New Tecnam P2002 JF Training Aircraft

(Source: Patria; issued May 9, 2011)



Patria Pilot Training has received its first Tecnam P2002 JF training aircraft at Helsinki-Malmi airport, Finland. Patria has ordered nine similar aircraft in total, to replace its current fleet of seven AS202 Bravos. The flight school has the option of purchasing three more aircraft during 2011.

The first aircraft, registered as OH-TPA, arrived by truck from the factory with its wings detached. Remaining eight aircraft will be flown to Helsinki by Patria´s own staff from the factory in Capua, Italy.

"The new Tecnam P2002 JF will bring Patria’s basic training to an entirely new level of quality in Finland. The aircraft comes with modern avionics based on Garmin 500 avionics. It will provide trainees with a smooth transition from initial to instrumental training, which will be carried out in the Cirrus SR22, states Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria Aviation.

The combined fleet will help Patria's flight trainees to develop the skills they need in a modern cockpit environment, important to their future professional careers with commercial airlines. With regard to operating costs and engine technology, the new Tecnam represents the latest technology and also allows Patria to enlarge its fleet, should this become necessary in the future.

”The new Tecnam is environmentally friendly, as it has a low noise level and minimum fuel consumption. We want to maintain a modern training aircraft fleet; this will help us to remain a good neighbour to people living within the noise impact zone of Helsinki-Malmi airport", emphasises Matikainen.

The remaining eight Tecnam P2002 aircraft will be delivered in May, and the fleet will enter service for pilot training by the end of this month. Patria Pilot Training’s new Part 145 maintenance organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of the new aircraft. Maintenance will take place in the Patria house at Helsinki-Malmi airport.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

First Flight of Hawk Mk 66 with Upgraded Cockpit

(Source: Finnish Air Force; issued May 6, 2011)

The Finnish Air Force is making good progress with the service introduction of its ex-Swiss BAE Systems Hawk 66 jet trainers. A red-and-white Hawk with a new glass cockpit fitted in Finland made its first flight on Thursday 5 May.

On the first flight from the Finnish Air Force Flight Test Center's base at Halli, the crew verified that the aircraft had safe flight characteristics and checked the engine and other systems for normal operation. Airborne time was 1 hour and 1 minute.

The aircraft's original Swiss tail number U-1267 had been replaced by the Finnish military registration HW-374. The aircraft was purchased from Switzerland in 2007 in conjunction with seventeen other pre-owned Hawk Mk 66s. The Finnish Air Force has operated the Mk 51 and Mk 51A versions of the Hawk since 1980. These aircraft retain their original gray or green camouflage.

The Hawk Mk 66 fleet will be assigned to the Training Air Wing at Kauhava in 2011 and 2012 for fast jet and tactical flight training. All Mk 66s will undergo a cockpit upgrade which replaces conventional analog instruments with digital multi-function displays. The aircraft will also be fitted with a new digital mission planning and recording system.

The Mk 66 upgrade program is a joint effort of Patria Aviation and the Finnish Air Force. The Flight Test Center will continue test flights with HW-374 throughout the spring and well into the summer.

The Finnish Air Force will introduce into service 18 upgraded Hawk Mk 66s in 2011–12.

The next aircraft out of the upgrade line will be HW-376. It is scheduled to make its first post-upgrade flight during May. The Finnish Air Force plan calls for the upgrade of 26 Hawk Mk 66s, Mk 51s, and Mk 51As by 2015. At the time of writing, nine aircraft have been upgraded.

So far just one Hawk Mk 66s has flown in Finland. The Flight Test Center carried out a small number of test flights with the aircraft – that still bore its ex-Swiss tail number U-1261 and had not yet been upgraded – from its base at Halli in 2009 and 2010.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

DATE:17/05/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Turkey's Hurkus trainer to fly next year

By Tolga Ozbek

Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to conduct the first flight with its Hurkus ("Free Bird") turboprop trainer in August 2012.

Launched four years ago and sponsored by Turkey's undersecretary of defence industries, the Hurkus programme will deliver three models, ranging from a primary military and civilian trainer to a light attack aircraft.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, the aircraft is planned to have a top speed of more than 250kt (462km/h), and to be capable of performing manoeuvres between +7g and -3.5g.


© Turkish Aerospace Industries

The first Hurkus A will be manufactured by the end of this year, said TAI, with more than 1,800 of the required 3,300 parts already produced.

After securing certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority, the company aims to start deliveries by 2014. The Turkish air and land forces have both expressed interest in the project.

[Unicorn]

This seems the appropriate place for this

Aircraft incident at RAAF Base East Sale

At approximately 3.15pm today, a single Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) PC-9/A aircraft experienced a suspected engine failure and crashed at RAAF Base East Sale Victoria.

The two crew members of the aircraft ejected safely, in accordance with well-practiced emergency response procedures.

Following a swift search and rescue response by base emergency personnel, the crew members were assessed by medics at the scene as being stable and are now being transferred to hospital.

Defence has notified the next of kin and will provide any and all support necessary to the crew and their families.

As a precaution, all RAAF PC-9A flying operations have been temporarily suspended, while the cause of the incident is fully investigated.

The safety of all Defence personnel is the highest priority and the RAAF has in place comprehensive emergency response procedures which were activated during the incident.

No further information is available at this time.

UPDATE


Update on PC-9/A Pilots

The two aircrew involved in today’s PC-9/A accident have been assessed at hospital to be in a satisfactory condition. The aircrew will be kept overnight at hospital for X-rays and precautionary observation.

An Aviation Accident Investigation Team will be onsite at RAAF Base East Sale on Thursday 19 May to begin the investigation.

Defence has notified the next of kin and will provide any and all support necessary to the crew and their families.

The crew was comprised of a qualified flying instructor and an instructor trainee (ie, a qualified pilot training to become an instructor of other pilots), undertaking a routine training flight.

The aircraft crashed about 1 kilometre short of a runway, on the edge of the base. There were no other personnel involved in the incident.

Background previously released:

At approximately 3.15pm today, a single Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) PC-9/A aircraft experienced a suspected engine failure and crashed at RAAF Base East Sale Victoria.

The two crew members of the aircraft ejected safely, in accordance with well-practiced emergency procedures.

As a precaution, all RAAF PC-9A flying operations have been temporarily suspended, while the cause of the incident is fully investigated.

The safety of all Defence personnel is the highest priority and the RAAF has in place comprehensive emergency response procedures which were activated during the incident.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:19/05/11

SOURCE:Flight International

EDA signs helicopter crew training deal

By Craig Hoyle

Six NATO and Partnership for Peace nations will receive helicopter crew training services in the UK under a two-year contract awarded via the European Defence Agency. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK will send students to Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, England, under the deal with AgustaWestland.

Using a new facility at the Empire Test Pilots' School, the interim helicopter-tactics training service will provide 20 courses to pilots, navigators, flight engineers and rear crew members.

"The training will help prepare contributing member states' helicopter crews for joint deployment on allied military operations at the same time as they develop their own indigenous tactics training capabilities," AgustaWestland said.

Each three-week course will deliver "individual, joint, collective and coalition training" for up to 20 students, according to the company, tailored to meet operational requirements in Afghanistan. "The founding principle is to deliver whole crew training based on recent operational experience," AgustaWestland said.


© Crown Copyright

Starting later this year, classes will cover tactics, techniques and procedures in areas including airspace management, formation flying, troop insertion and extraction, threat countermeasures and combat search-and-rescue. Students will then receive synthetic training using two high-fidelity simulators. Each has a 180° visual system and can be rapidly reconfigured to represent the cockpit and cabin of different aircraft types, including the AgustaWestland AW101 (above) and the Mil Mi-171.

Door-gunner training will also be provided.

"The collaboration between these six nations has significantly reduced cost and de-risked future national programmes, whilst still delivering high value and tangible benefits," EDA helicopter project officer Andy Gray said.

The multinational agency first explored the combined interim training system idea in 2008, when it awarded a feasibility study to AgustaWestland.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:19/05/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Morocco gets latest batch of T-6C trainers

By Craig Hoyle

Hawker Beechcraft has delivered 12 of the 24 T-6C turboprop trainers on order for the Royal Moroccan Air Force, the company has announced.

Morocco will use its new trainers to replace legacy fleets of Beech T-34s and Cessna T-37s. It ordered the type in September 2009, shortly before also signing a deal to acquire 24 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters. The nation was the first international buyer for the T-6C, which is the export version of the US military's T-6B Texan II primary trainer.

"The new T-6Cs will greatly improve the level and effectiveness of the Royal Moroccan Air Force's training," said Jim Maslowski, Hawker Beechcraft's president, US and international government business. "They replicate systems and capabilities consistent with modern frontline strike fighter aircraft and are more economical to operate than the previous generation of trainers."


© Hawker Beechcraft

The manufacturer ferried a first batch of four T-6Cs to Morocco from its Wichita production site in Kansas in January 2011.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:24/05/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Lockheed ponders T-50 re-engining for T-X programme

By Stephen Trimble

Lockheed Martin has considered re-engining options for the T-50 Golden Eagle as the company waits for the US Air Force to finalise requirements for the T-X trainer contract.

With the 17,700lb thrust (78.7kN) General Electric F404, including afterburner, the Lockheed/Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 is already the most powerful jet in the competition to replace the Northrop T-38C trainer.

But the air force's requirements have not been set, and options range from a rebuilt T-38C to a clean-sheet design, with an off-the-shelf trainer somewhere in the middle.

If a clean-sheet design is selected, the Lockheed/KAI team may seek to upgrade the T-50's engine to compete with potential new offerings from Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

Michael Griswold, Lockheed's director of T-50 business development, said the 22,000lb thrust GE F414 would be considered.

Griswold also confirms Rolls-Royce has offered the 20,000lb thrust EJ200 engine that currently powers the twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon. Last year, Dan Korte, president of R-R Defence Aerospace, said the EJ200 had been offered to T-X bidders.

Even if a F414 is selected for a T-X version of the T-50, Griswold said, the EJ200 may still be a re-engining option for international customers, especially existing Typhoon operators.

The case for replacing the F404, however, may never materialise. Although the air force is still debating the options, the Fiscal 2012 budget request asks for about $300 million for a three-year, engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase. If that funding profile is maintained, the air force's only option would be buying an off-the-shelf trainer.

The candidates include the T-50, the Alenia Aermacchi M346 rebranded as the T-100 and the BAE Systems Hawk 128.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:26/05/11

SOURCE:Flight International

BAE Systems bullish over Hawk T-X prospects

By Craig Hoyle

BAE Systems is confident of winning the US Air Force's T-X advanced jet trainer competition, with company officials predicting that the service's decision will be based on price, rather than performance.

"We are going to win T-X, based on the requirements they have and the budget," said Ian Reason, BAE's business development director for training solutions and services.

US-based BAE Systems Inc will lead the company's pursuit of the T-X requirement, offering a development of the Hawk 128, which is now in service with the UK Royal Air Force as the Hawk T2. With the design likely to face competition from the Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 and a T-100 development of Alenia Aermacchi's M-346, Reason said the contest would come down to more than handling performance.

"If you score us on how much sustained g you can pull, we'll lose every time," he said. "But no-one can gold-plate their training any more. We've got a great product because it's designed as a trainer, rather than a light-attack aircraft with a secondary trainer function."

Reason's comments, made at BAE's Warton site in Lancashire, England, on 25 May, come soon after an Alenia official voiced his belief that the Hawk would fail to progress in the expected T-X competition because of claimed performance shortfalls. The UK company swiftly refuted its rival's claims.

The potential bidders are waiting for the release of formal requirements from the USAF in advance of a potential 350-aircraft deal to replace its Northrop T-38C trainers. Additional US purchases could boost this number to around 500, according to Reason, with further sales opportunities to be available from offering the selected type via Washington's Foreign Military Sales programme.

Meanwhile, BAE is also pursuing near-term sales prospects with countries including Iraq, Oman, Poland and Saudi Arabia. Although the company has delivered the last of 28 Hawk T2s to the UK, "we still have assembly in India, and the supply chain is active," Reason said. "We have retained the critical skill sets to start up production again in the UK, India or the USA.

"We are well positioned to repeat the success of the last 30 years with the Hawk for the next 30 to 50 years," he said. "It's a fifth-generation training aircraft, available now."

[buglerbilly]

DATE:10/06/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Poland issues RFP for trainers

By Bartosz Glowacki

The Polish defence ministry has issued a request for proposals to the five manufacturers interested in competing for its 16 aircraft lead-in fighter trainer contract.

Aircraft must be equipped with a fly-by-wire flight-control system as well as long-range radar and possess anti-jamming capabilities. They should be also capable of carrying Mk82 bombs and laser-guided Paveway IIs.

The competitors are Alenia Aermacchi, offering the M-346 Master; BAE Systems with the Hawk AJT; Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin offering their T-50P; Aero Vodochody with the L-159T1; and Finnish firm Patria, offering ex-Finnish air force Hawk Mk51/51As. The firms have until 29 July to submit final offers.

Deliveries will be made in two tranches. The first eight aircraft will be in a training configuration and will go to the Polish air force's 4th Training Wing by 30 November 2014. The second batch, with full training and combat capabilities, will arrive by late 2016. The first eight will then be upgraded to full combat status.

Warsaw is aiming to sign off on the deal by late 2011 or early 2012.

[buglerbilly]

BAE Systems pulls out of Polish defence tender

Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:17am EDT

* PLN 1.45 bln tender for 16 training-combat planes

* Italian, Korean firms can meet final tender requirements

* Deadline for final offers July 29

By Gabriela Baczynska

WARSAW, June 14 (Reuters) - Europe's biggest defence contractor BAE Systems (BAES.L) has pulled out of the race for a 1.45 billion zloty ($530.5 million) contract to supply Poland with 16 training-combat aircraft, the company said on Tuesday.

Officials said Korean Aerospace Industries' (KAI) T-50, the only supersonic aircraft in the tender, met all Warsaw's technical requirements, with Italian Alenia Aermacchi's (SIFI.MI) M-346 Master its only potential rival.

The deadline for final offers is July 29.

"This is our final decision," Steve Mead, BAE Systems' Vice-President for Central and Eastern Europe, told Reuters.

"We have offered a trainer with combat capabilities, while Poland's defence ministry in the end went for combat first, and training second," he added.

Poland, the biggest ex-communist NATO member, wants to replace its ageing training and combat air fleet. The tender also requires the aircraft supplier to invest in Poland. Britain's BAE Systems was competing against companies from Italy, Finland, the Czech Republic and South Korea in the initial stage of the tender.

Warsaw would be only the second foreign buyer, after Indonesia, of KAI's T-50, on which the company has cooperated with the U.S.-based Lockheed Martin (LMT.N).

BAE Systems played down the Korean offer saying it was coming from outside NATO.

"Poles are much more likely to find themselves in an operation with NATO rather than Korea," Mead said.

Poland's defence ministry was not immediately available for comment, but KAI said its aircraft was fully compatible with the F-16s the Polish air forces were now using.

"In line with Poland's operational priorities, the T-50P has the combat capabilities of a light-combat aircraft, capable of carrying out missions... and supplementing Polish F-16 missions," Jaenam Lee, KAI's T-50 Regional Manager, said in a statement.

Poland wants to update its air defences and has already purchased F-16 planes from the United States. On Monday, Washington and Warsaw signed a deal for the stationing of the U.S. airforce personnel on Polish soil.

[I]($1=2.733 Zloty)

(Editing by Erica Billingham)

[buglerbilly]

DATE:21/06/11

SOURCE:Flight Daily News

PARIS: CMC upgraded Finnish air force Hawk Mk66 Trainer takes first flight

Canada's Esterline CMC Electronics upgraded Finnish air force Hawk Mk66 advanced trainer has taken its first flight. Patria selected CMC to provide its cockpit 4000 avionics suite upgrade to the service's fleet of Mk66 trainer aircraft. In January 2007, CMC also provided similar enhancements to the air force's Mk51 trainer aircraft. The air force will have a fleet of 26 upgraded Hawks, consisting 18 Mk66 and 8 Mk51 advanced trainers, said CMC.

The Hawks provide basic and advanced training at Kauhava air base for pilots of the Boeing F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet-equipped front-line team, added the company.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:30/08/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Top 100 - KAI guns for advanced jet trainer market

By Greg Waldron

Korea Aerospace Industries has placed in 56th position this year, up from 63rd in the last top 100 ranking. The company's advance was due to operating profits of $106 million in 2010, compared with $44 million in 2009.

Korea's dominant aerospace player attributes its strong operating numbers to a number of factors. Foremost among these is increased revenue from full-scale production of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer and its T/A-50 attack variant, as well as production of the KT-1T basic trainer for the Turkish Air Force.

The company said these programmes helped revenue grow to $1 billion in 2010 from $954 million in 2009.

"KAI has continuously tried to improve the management of our business since the company's founding in 2000," says KAI. "We believe our efforts have started to pay off, leading to lower production costs as well as an increase in production efficiency."


© KAI
KAI's T-50 Golden Eagle is bringing in a strong revenue stream for the Korean Company

In the coming years KAI hopes to place a greater emphasis on producing systems for commercial aircraft. The company is involved in both the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 programmes. It produces the wing rib for the A350, and the wing box for the 787.

"Currently the ratio of production of military to civilian projects is 60-40, but we hope to change this to 50-50 in the near future," says KAI.

In 2011 the company has scored a major coup with the first international sale of the T-50, with Indonesia committing to 16 aircraft. The type is also involved in competitions in Poland and Israel. The aircraft, which was co-developed with Lockheed Martin, will be a contender in the USA T-X competition to replace the Northrop T-38 Talon.

Long term, the company says the market for AJTs is 3,300 over the next 20 years, and it hopes to get 30% share of this.

AT A GLANCE
• Top 100 rank - 56
• HQ - Seoul, South Korea
• Aero revenues - $1,112m
• Sales growth - 16.6%
• Operating margin - 9.5%
• ROCE - 12.6%
• Employees - 2,950
• CEO - Kim Hong-Kyung

[buglerbilly]

DATE:06/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Turkey launches jet trainer, fighter development studies

By Tolga Ozbek

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has received a development contract for a project to create an indigenous jet training and combat aircraft.

According to the agreement between the company and Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı (SSM), the two-year project will focus on showing the needs and capacity of the nation's industry.

The SSM decided late last year that a Turkish jet trainer should be designed to replace the Turkish air force's Northrop T-38s during the 2020s.

TAI is currently modernising the in-service fleet with advanced avionics and a glass cockpit.

Under the new project, TAI will also perform conceptual design work on a new combat aircraft to replace the air force's modernised Northrop F-5s and McDonnell Douglas F-4Es.

TAI's work will concentrate on determining the operational requirements for new equipment, plus the concept definition of aircraft and subsystems.

It will also assess national capacity building and research facility needs, and investigate international co-operation models.

At the end of the two-year effort, the results of the technical and administrative studies will be evaluated by the SSM's executive committee, which will make a decision on the next phase of the project.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:15/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Poland's Orlik trainer to get glass cockpit

By Bartosz Glowacki

Airbus Military Polska is to develop a new version of its PZL-130 Orlik turboprop trainer, under an agreement with Poland's Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL).

Signed at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) show in Kielce earlier this month, the deal will see one of the air force's current Orliks equipped with glass cockpit avionics, to be sourced by Airbus Military and installed by the ITWL.

The Orlik TC-IIGC demonstrator will be flown in modified form in early 2013, and should receive certification later the same year.

"This upgrade will greatly reduce the pilot's workload, improve the safety and efficiency of flight operations and position the Orlik for the international market place," Airbus Military Polska added.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:16/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Poland extends deadline for LIFT contest

By Bartosz Glowacki

Poland has again delayed a decision in its contest to acquire 16 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft, with final offers now due to be delivered by 28 October.

Italy-based Alenia Aermacchi and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are respectively offering their M-346 and T-50P designs to meet the requirement. Responses had initially been sought by late July, and this deadline was then extended to 29 August, before the latest announcement.

"The additional two months will allow ministry of national defence experts to narrow down and refine the final specifications," said Marcin Idzik, Poland's undersecretary of state for armament and modernisation. "This [new] deadline is ultimate," he added.


© Alenia Aermacchi
The M-346 is in contention for the Polish LIFT contract

However, the deferral means a selection decision will not be made until after Poland's parliamentary elections, scheduled for 9 October. "Shifting the date of delivering bids is normal during strategic tenders," Alenia Aermacchi chief executive Giuseppe Giordo said during the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce earlier this month. "We are ready to fulfil all Polish air force requirements."


© Lockheed Martin
Warsaw is being offered a variant of South Korea's T-50 trainer

KAI T-50 regional manager Jaenam Lee said: "KAI understands shifting the date for delivering bids. We believe that the newly-established Polish government will finalise the tender and choose a new aircraft in late 2011 or early 2012."

[buglerbilly]

DATE:21/09/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Argentina to buy 40 more Pampas

Argentina's defence minister, Arturo Puricelli, has confirmed that a further 40 FAdeA IA-63 Pampas are to be purchased over the next four years, with delivery of the first aircraft due in late 2012 or early 2013.

With sources stating that work has already started on the first 10 airframes, it is understood the majority of the advanced trainers are earmarked for the Argentinian air force.

However, sources in Buenos Aires said 10 or 12 are to be allotted to the nation's naval air arm, to fill the void left by the retirement of its last Embraer EMB-326s in 2007.

The new aircraft will be built to the Pampa Series II standard, powered by a Honeywell TFE731-40-N2 engine, rated at 4,250lb static thrust. This offers a 21% power gain over the TFE731-2C used on earlier examples.

A prototype aircraft was successfully test flown with the new engine last June, and the Argentinian airframer expects to conclude certification trials early next year.

Meanwhile, the company has not dropped plans to develop a next-generation Pampa NG - with this to be optimised for the light strike role, with seven stations for external stores.

Additional features will include an air-to-air refuelling probe, redesigned air intakes, strengthened landing gear and a radar or laser rangefinder.

Split between two Mendoza-based units, the 12 surviving Pampas from an original 16-aircraft batch have all been upgraded to near Series II standard.

They are expected to be rotated through FAdeA's installations for re-engining, along with six newly built IA-63s delivered between 2004 and 2008.

[buglerbilly]

Belgian firm unveils new Top Gun flight simulator

By Ben Deighton

BRUSSELS | Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:17am EDT

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A Belgian company has unveiled the ultimate fighter jet training tool, a fully immersive 360-degree flight simulator designed to reproduce reality exactly as a pilot sees it.

The dome is the first flight simulator to give trainee pilots a full unobstructed 360 degree view of the world as they conduct virtual missions, said Barco (BAR.BR), a maker of high-definition projectors and displays.

"It's not an improvement, it's a new generation of simulators," Geert Matthys, research and development manager at the company, said.

"If a pilot has a cockpit where he can see 360 degrees, he also needs to be trained in a system which supplies 360 degrees, all deviation from real life can be dangerous," said Matthys.

The simulator can be used in a series, with several pilots working together to play out complex training missions such as mid-air refuelling.

"For the first application there will be eight systems positioned next to each other and they will do mission training with each other," said project manager Kathy Verledens.

It can also train up pilots for solo sorties.

The development team has taken since 2009 to get the device just right.

An array of 13 high-definition projectors shine onto the outside of a 3.4 metre diameter acrylic sphere. The trainee pilot sits on the inside looking at the inner surface.

The dome, which can be used to train pilots to use a variety of fast fighter jets, was first sold to Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA), which is currently installing it with its customer, the Israeli Air Force. The system should be fully operational in 2012.

Barco engineers use lasers to line up the 10 megapixel projectors so that the different projected images are perfectly aligned.

One of the main technical challenges was to replicate the exact contrast that a pilot sees, stopping the brightness of the image throwing too much light onto the darker areas.

"In general use you have 50 percent of your dome filled with white, but in a dome all this white reaches other parts of the dome where you have black, so it's acting as ambient light," said Matthys.

"We take care of the reflections in such a way that the system contrast is kept to a high level and this, in combination with high resolution and high brightness over 360 degrees, is a breakthrough in the industry."

(Reporting By Ben Deighton, editing by Paul Casciato)

[buglerbilly]

Lotsa pretty pics of the BARCO set-up.......

The ultimate in virtual reality: New simulator which gives fighter pilots a 360-degree view of the world

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 8:30 PM on 17th October 2011

A Belgian company has unveiled the ultimate fighter jet training tool: a fully immersive 360-degree flight simulator designed to reproduce reality exactly as a pilot sees it.

The dome is the first flight simulator to give trainee pilots a full, unobstructed 360 degree view of the world as they conduct virtual missions.

'It's not an improvement, it's a new generation of simulators,' Geert Matthys, research and development manager at Barco, said.


A new generation: Geert Matthys, research and development manager at Barco, demonstrates the 360 degree view of the simulator

'If a pilot has a cockpit where he can see 360 degrees, he also needs to be trained in a system which supplies 360 degrees, all deviation from real life can be dangerous,' he added.

The simulator can be used connected to other machines, with several pilots working together to play out complex training missions such as mid-air refueling.

'For the first application there will be eight systems positioned next to each other and they will do mission training with each other,' said project manager Kathy Verledens.

It can also train pilots for solo sorties.


Realistic: The dome is the first flight simulator to give trainee pilots a full, unobstructed 360 degree view of the world as they conduct virtual missions



Multi-purpose: The simulator can be used in a series, with several pilots working together to play out complex training missions such as mid-air refueling

The development team has taken since 2009 to get the device just right.

An array of 13 high-definition projectors shine onto the outside of a 3.4 metre diameter acrylic sphere. The trainee pilot sits on the inside looking at the inner surface.

The dome, which can be used to train pilots to use a variety of fast fighter jets, was first sold to Elbit Systems, which is currently installing it with its customer, the Israeli Air Force. The system should be fully operational next year.

Barco engineers use lasers to line up the 10 megapixel projectors so that the different projected images are perfectly aligned.


Sky's the limit: The Israeli Air Force will be the first to use the new simulator


The dome can be used to train pilots to use a variety of fast fighter jets and should be fully operational next year


Crystal ball: An array of 13 high-definition projectors shine onto the outside of a 3.4 metre diameter acrylic sphere. The trainee pilot sits on the inside looking at the inner surface

One of the main technical challenges was to replicate the exact contrast that a pilot sees, stopping the brightness of the image throwing too much light onto the darker areas.

'In general use you have 50 per cent of your dome filled with white, but in a dome all this white reaches other parts of the dome where you have black, so it's acting as ambient light,' said Matthys.

'We take care of the reflections in such a way that the system contrast is kept to a high level and this, in combination with high resolution and high brightness over 360 degrees, is a breakthrough in the industry.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2050120/New-perspective-First-flight-simulator-offers-360-degree-view-world.html#ixzz1b6uJc13j

[buglerbilly]

Poland ditches military jet tender

Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:39am EDT

* Korean KAI and Italian Alenia were final bidders

* New tender for training aircraft in works

WARSAW Oct 27 (Reuters) - Poland has scrapped a 1.45 billion zloty ($456 million) tender for training-combat aircraft in which Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) had faced off against Italy's Alenia Aermacchi in final talks, the defence ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry will now launch a tender focusing solely on the jets' training capabilities, which could attract more bidders after companies from Finland and the Czech Republic pulled out of the current tender for 16 aircraft.

Britain's BAE Systems also pulled out, saying Warsaw had to decide between training or combat jets.

"The defence ministry is preparing to launch a new tender to buy a typical training jet," Deputy Defence Minister Marcin Idzik told a news conference.

Poland, the biggest ex-communist NATO member, urgently needs to modernise its ageing air fleet, especially its training aircraft, after a series of deadly accidents laid bare deficiencies in the air force's training procedures.

The nation has seen several military aircraft accidents in recent years, most notably in April 2010 when a plane carrying the country's president, Lech Kaczynski, crashed while trying to land in thick fog in western Russia, killing all 96 on board.

In 2008, 20 high-ranking air force personnel returning from an air safety conference were killed when their plane crashed in woodland in northern Poland.

In both cases, final reports from the incidents highlighted insufficient training and disregard for safety procedures.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed his defence minister after a report on last year's crash in Russia showed recommendations after the 2008 accident had not been implemented and that similar factors contributed to the second disaster.

[buglerbilly]

Acceptance of the First T-346A for the Italian Air Force Completed

(Source: Alenia Aermacchi; issued Nov. 14, 2011)


Formal acceptance of the first T-346 jet trainer opens the way for it to enter service with the Italian air force, which has an initial batch of six on order. (Aermacchi photo)

VENEGONO, Italy --- The General Directorate of Air Armaments (DGAA) in Rome was the venue for the acceptance ceremony for the T-346A, the first aircraft of the M-346 series, built by Alenia Aermacchi.

The official documents were signed after intensive checks carried out in a constructive and proactive manner at the Alenia Aermacchi plant in Venegono by the Testing Commission appointed for this purpose by the DGAA. At the end of this period, acceptance flights were conducted in order to confirm that all its systems would function in day-to-day operations, and two final acceptance flights were completed by pilots from the Italian Air Force’s Flight Test Unit.

"The acceptance of the first aircraft in the M-346 series, which will very soon be in service with the Italian Air Force, testifies to the success of Italian high-tech industry and represents the achievement of an undoubtedly important objective thanks to the efforts of all who work at Alenia Aermacchi”, said Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica and Alenia Aermacchi, and head of Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics division.

“This handover highlights our longstanding and constructive collaboration, going back many years, with the Air Force. We are also proud to be able to supply the pilots of our country’s air force, who are among the best-trained in the world, with a next-generation trainer”.

The first T-346A, to be followed shortly by a second, will initially be assigned to the Flight Test Unit at the Pratica di Mare air base, where it will undergo operational tests. The Air Force will take delivery of the other four aircraft and the associated ground-based training system by 2012, thus becoming the first air force in the world to have the use of a training line based on the M-346, the most modern aircraft currently on the market for training the military pilots of next-generation defence aircraft.

The contract, worth EUR 220 million, for the purchase by the air force of a first batch of six M-346 aircraft and a ground-based training system, was signed at the end of 2009, and the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 trainer received its military type certificate from the Italian Ministry of Defence’s certification office in June 2011. Such approval is an indispensable requirement if the aircraft is to be used in military operations.

M-346 background

The M-346 is the most Advanced/Lead-In Fighter trainer available on the market today, and the only one in the world designed to train pilots for next-generation, high-performance military aircraft. The advanced design solutions provide also high safety standards and reduced acquisition and operational costs.

The M-346 embodies the latest “design-to-cost” and “design-to-maintain” concepts, with avionics modelled upon those of new generation military aircraft such as Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-16, F-18, F-22 and the future JSF.

The M-346 is the ideal platform for the latest-generation integrated training systems. Its flexible platform is configured also for operational roles as an affordable advanced defence aircraft (AADA).

In addition to the contract with the Italian Air Force, at the end of September 2010 Alenia Aermacchi signed the first international contract with the Republic of Singapore within the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) Program, which is aimed to replace the current fleet of trainers. In February 2009, the M-346 was also selected by the United Arab Emirates for their new trainer requirement.

The M-346 also offers the best response to the demands of the countries participating in the Eurotraining programme.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

DUBAI: Mushshak gets glassed

By: Greg Waldron Dubai

2 hours ago

Source:

A Pakistan Aeronautical Complex MFI-395 Super Mushshak with a fully-integrated glass cockpit has appeared for the first time in Dubai.

The single-engine piston aircraft is used as a basic trainer by the Pakistan air force. A previous variant, the MFI-17 Mushshak, is used in the basic trainer role by Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Syria.


© Billypix

Pakistan hopes to market the Super Mushshak both for military and commercial use. "You can use it both in the air force, or on the golf course," said a PAC marketing executive.

The Super Mushshak features two large multi-function displays, one each for the pilot and co-pilot. It is on the static line next to the JF-17 fighter.

[buglerbilly]

DUBAI: Finmeccanica looks to expand trainer aircraft line-up

By: Luca Peruzzi Dubai

1 hours ago

Source:

Finmeccanica is planning to expand and upgrade its military aircraft product line as it seeks a greater share of the Middle East defence market, said Alenia Aeronautica/Aermacchi CEO Giuseppe Giordo.

Business opportunities in the region are being pursued by an integrated sales and marketing team in three main aeronautics product areas, including training, transport and special mission aircraft, in addition to the Italian manufacturer's participation in the Eurofighter and ATR regional airliner programmes.

Giordo told Flight Daily News that the plans include an avionics upgrade for the SF-260TP turboprop screener, the introduction of a new turbofan-powered basic trainer derived from the M-311 platform and a new version of the M-346 Master capable of being used for advanced trainer/LIFT (lead-in fighter trainer) and combat missions. The company is exhibiting an M-346, a T-346A and a C-27J Spartan at the show.


© Alenia Aermacchi

The evolved M-311 would feature a new and more powerful turbofan, an enlarged and advanced cockpit, together with airframe structural enhancements. The project is open for industrial partnerships, "where Middle East customers could play an important role looking to reinforce their developing aerospace sector", said Finmeccanica.

Alenia Aermacchi is expected to deliver the first two T-346A advanced trainers to the Italian air force by the end of 2011, after which they will be subjected to a one-year-long initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase by the service's test wing, with the participation of Singapore air force observers. Italy's ministry of defence is receiving six (plus nine option) T-346As while Singapore is buying 12 M-346s. Both contracts include a comprehensive ground-based training system.

Alenia Aermacchi is willing to launch the development of a dual (training and combat) capable version of the M-346 Master advanced trainer/LIFT by the beginning of next year. The new version will feature an enhanced avionics and mission systems package including Selex Galileo's active electronically scanned array radar, the Selex Elsag communications suite based on secure radios and data Link 16, a helmet-mounted display and an electronic warfare suite based on Elettronica's RWR, and including a chaff and flare dispensing system. The dual-role M-346 will exploit the aircraft's capability to carry on nine stations an external 3,000kg load including air-to-air and air-to-ground missile and gun pods, such as new air-launched MBDA Marte Mk2/S-A anti-ship and Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, in addition to auxiliary fuel and targeting/recce/EW/training pods. The new version could be ready for production in 18-24 months from launch date, according to Alenia Aermacchi.

[buglerbilly]

Patria Delivers First Modernised Hawk Mk 66 Aircraft to the Finnish Air Force

(Source: Patria; issued November 17, 2011)


Patria has delivered the first Hawk Mk 66 to the Finnish air force. These aircraft, bought from Switzerland, are being extensively upgraded. (YKR photo)

In a recent handover ceremony in Kauhava, Patria delivered the first of a series of modified, ultramodern twin-seat Hawk Mk 66 aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. Working closely with the Finnish Air Force, Patria has assumed responsibility for the specification, design and implementation of all system integration for the modernisation project, which will span three years.

In 2007, the Finnish Air Force purchased 18 pre-owned Hawk Mk66s from Switzerland. These supplemented the Hawk Mk 51/51A fleet purchased earlier. In 2009, this was followed up by an order placed with Patria, for an extensive cockpit and avionics upgrade of the aircraft. The upgrade includes the replacement of all important avionics devices and cockpit display systems by new digital IT systems. The design is based on the upgrade already implemented on MK 51/51A aircraft. Under the current programme, Patria is also responsible for developing software for the aircraft’s mainframe, the Mission Computer.

This year, Patria will deliver six modified aircraft to the FiAF, to be followed by eight more aircraft next year. According to the plan, all 18 aircraft will be modernized and delivered during the course of 2013.

Patria has special expertise in aviation

Upgrades require extremely extensive expertise, ranging from in-depth knowledge of avionics to understanding of software development processes. Patria has assembled the bulk of the Finnish Mk 51 aircraft; it has been maintaining and servicing Hawks since 1980, when the Finnish Air Force brought the aircraft into service. In addition, during this period Patria has carried out large-scale maintenance operations and modifications of the aircraft.

“During the course of the project, Patria has amassed considerable expertise in aviation. The potential of the Patria software competence will ensure that Hawk training aircraft can be developed domestically far into the future and thus meeting future needs in flight training. An important factor in the project's success lay in seamless cooperation with the Finnish Air Force,” stresses Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria Aviation.

High-quality pilot training with modern aircraft

Following the upgrades, the Mk 66 aircrafts’ avionics systems will incorporate the full range of features required for modern flight training. ”The Hawks’ training efficiency will be improved and, instead of the Hornet interceptors currently used, the Hawk fleet will be deployable for a number of training modules, but at more affordable operating costs,” explains Matikainen.

The new, upgraded aircraft will further increase the Kauhava-based Training Air Wing’s capacity to provide high-quality fighter training for both Finnish pilots and foreign customers.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

BAE Systems Demonstrates Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) as it Prepares for T-X Trainer Competition

(Source: BAE Systems; issued November 30, 2011)

ORLANDO, FL --- BAE Systems is demonstrating how the concept of Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) can be practiced by the United States Air Force’s T-X Trainer program using its Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS). The demonstration is taking place this week at the 2011 I/ITSEC training and simulation conference in Orlando, FL.

The BAE Systems Mission Training Team, supporting the Hawk AJTS program, has developed a scenario to demonstrate the Company’s capabilities in creating operational training scenarios utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and integrating them to provide the best training experience for each participant.

The aim of the scenario is to demonstrate how introducing both simple and complex DMO scenarios into training can help provide many learning points for student pilots. These types of synthetic exercises provide a training environment that can be accessed from remote and widespread locations, and can be quickly adjusted in complexity to accommodate the capabilities of the trainees. This means that student pilots can undertake ongoing development and training from their respective bases.

The Joint Fires scenario being demonstrated at I/ITSEC features an operational mission carried out within the vicinity of Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. Three Hawk aircraft will participate in the training exercise; one aircraft configured in the air-to-ground role supported by two additional Hawk aircraft in the Defensive Counter Air role.

The mission will be orchestrated from the BAE Systems Booth (#2501), which will provide a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) to coordinate the strike and with pre- and post-strike reconnaissance undertaken by a Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS). All three Hawks will join the demonstration from the BAE Systems Hawk AJTS Demonstration Trailer (Booth #3211).

Other participants in the exercise will be computer generated F-16C aircraft providing Defensive Counter Air protecting the attacking aircraft and the RPAS. Offensive forces include surface to air missiles, mobile anti-aircraft artillery and ground forces and equipment.

BAE Systems, Inc. is planning to offer the Hawk AJTS, uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the U.S. Air Force, as a potential replacement for the venerable, but aging T-38 trainer aircraft. BAE Systems, Inc. has teamed with Northrop Grumman to compete in the U.S. Air Force’s T-X program; BAE Systems, Inc. will prime the pursuit and Northrop Grumman will serve as the manufacturing partner for the new Hawk aircraft.

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[buglerbilly]

More planes set to arrive German air force plans to bring 24 Eurofighter jets for training at Holloman

Alamogordo Daily News

By Laura London, Staff Writer

Posted: 12/07/2011 09:57:27 PM MST

Interesting opportunity for the USAF to do some air combat training with German Eurofighters?

The German air force plans to bring a new plane to Holloman Air Force Base on which to train, according to Col. Frank Kiesel, commander of the German Air Force Flying Training Center, who came to the regular Alamogordo City Commission meeting Tuesday to make the announcement.

Kiesel said the German airmen at the GAFFTC train to fly the Phantom and Tornado, but the German air force plans to move Eurofighter training to Holloman as well.

Kiesel said the German air force is restructuring. The German air force has been training pilots in the U.S. since 1958, and at Holloman since 1992. Kiesel said the GAFFTC currently has more than 600 airmen at the base, plus their dependents. He said the GAFFTC graduates 30 to 40 students per year.

Kiesel said GAFFTC instructors are usually assigned to Holloman for three years and often request to return because they like the Tularosa Basin.

"The German air force has a long future at Holloman," Kiesel said.

Kiesel estimated the Eurofighter will increase personnel at the GAFFTC by 30 to 40. He said 24 Eurofighters are planned to locate at Holloman.

Kiesel said he could not commit to a timeline for when the Eurofighter will arrive at Holloman. It will first go to bases in Germany, then come for training here. He said the German military still has decisions to make, and infrastructure must be built at the GAFFTC to accommodate the new plane.

"It may take a while," Kiesel said, referring to when the planes will start arriving.

Commissioner Robert Rentschler asked if the Germans will keep training on the Tornado here also, and Kiesel affirmed that the GAFFTC will be training on both the Tornado and Eurofighter. He said the Germans will use the Tornado until 2025, although he couldn't say for certain if it would be at Holloman that long. He said the memorandum of understanding the Germans have with Holloman for Tornado training is good until 2019.
Commissioner Aaron Rance asked if the GAFFTC will get remotely piloted aircraft. Kiesel said they would -- in fact, he said they may get the Reaper but there has been no decision yet.

Mayor Ron Griggs thanked Kiesel for stopping by and welcomed him to return in the future. He said Alamogordo has experienced a lot of growth since the Germans came to Holloman, and a significant portion of that growth can likely be attributed to the GAFFTC.

Contact Laura London at llondon@alamogordonews.com.

[buglerbilly]

PICTURES: Serbia receives first Lasta basic trainers, eyes more Mi-17s

By: Igor Salinger Belgrade

1 hours ago

Source:

The Serbian air force (ViPVO) has taken delivery of its first two Utva Lasta basic trainers, the service's commander-in-chief, Brigadier General Ranko Zivak, said on 9 December.

Designated the V-54 by Belgrade, the first production example for ViPVO arrived at Batajnica airbase in mid-October and will be handed over to 252 Training Sqn.


© Igor Salinger

Brig Gen Zivak said its entire order of 15 aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.

The Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5D-powered Lastas are the first new aircraft for the Serbian armed forces since the last Utva G-4 Super Galeb jets were delivered around two decades ago. The entire order will be fulfilled as ViPVO gears up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in December 2012.


© Igor Salinger

Serbia's examples are based on the P2 prototype and feature more modern avionics - using Garmin's G500 system - than the batch of 20 Lasta 95Ns previously delivered to Iraq.

ViPVO said the upgraded equipment will cut training costs.


© Igor Salinger

The Lasta is equipped with two hardpoints and can carry unguided 57mm rockets, gun pods or "dumb" bombs.

Meanwhile, Brig Gen Zivak said that it is looking to procure a number of Mil Mi-17 helicopters, in addition to two refurbished models that were recently introduced to the service.

[buglerbilly]

Hawker Beechcraft Signs Contract with Mexican Air Force for Six T-6C+ Trainers

(Source: Hawker Beechcraft Defense Co.; issued Jan. 9, 2012)



WICHITA, Kan. --- Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) today announced the first sale of its new Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainer to the Mexican Air Force (FAM).

The T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft, is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes. The first two of six contracted FAM T-6C+ aircraft will be delivered to an advanced training base in Mexico's northern region in early 2012. The new T-6C+ trainers will replace the FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet.

“We look forward to providing the Mexican Air Force with the highly effective, ultra-reliable and low-maintenance Beechcraft T-6C+,” said Jim Maslowski, president, HBDC. “We see this sale of six aircraft as just the beginning of a long and productive relationship with the FAM.”

The T-6C+ features hard-point wings, Heads-Up Display, Up-Front Control Panel, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities. The systems are integrated with a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), providing the student pilot and instructor with a simpler interface to the digital cockpit.

The CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite is the first in its class to incorporate a fully integrated and FAA-certified dual FMS/GPS navigation suite that meets the required navigation performance standards for current worldwide airspace equipment. The open architecture design of the Cockpit 4000 provides the flexibility to expand capabilities and continuously meet current and future training needs.

In addition to accommodating instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers, the T-6 delivers world-class training capability that is appropriate for teaching the most basic introductory flight training tasks through the more challenging and complex advanced training missions that could previously be accomplished only in far more expensive jet aircraft.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers. To date, the T-6 has been used to train pilots, navigators, and weapons systems operators from approximately 20 different countries.

Hawker Beechcraft is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico.

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[buglerbilly]

UK launches Hawk T2 instructor training, as BAE steps up T-X push

By: Craig Hoyle London

38 minutes ago

Source:

The UK has moved a step closer to training the first student pilots using its BAE Systems-built Hawk T2 fleet, while the company is also poised to strengthen its bid to sell a further development of the type to the US Air Force.

A first cadre of 10 military instructors began their training on the Hawk T2 at Royal Air Force base Valley in Anglesey, northwest Wales on 9 January, according to a source linked to the UK's Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme. After completing their course, the instructors will begin providing training to students using the T2 aircraft of 4(R) Sqn from 2 April 2012.


© BAE Systems
BAE has delivered all 28 Hawk T2s ordered for the RAF under the advanced jet trainer element of the MFTS scheme.

Meanwhile, the company will on 12 January announce the addition of a new member to its bid team pursuing the USAF's pending T-X trainer requirement, which will replace a fleet of almost 500 Northrop T-38 Talons. BAE late last year confirmed that the selection of a Hawk-based solution would see Northrop Grumman assume responsibility for manufacturing the type in the USA.

BAE flew two of the RAF's Hawk T2s to the USA late last year to support its promotion of the single-engined type, and exhibited the aircraft during air shows at bases in Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.


© BAE Systems
BAE Systems is promoting a development of its Hawk 128/T2 for the US Air Force's T-X requirement

The USAF has yet to issue a formal request for proposals for its T-X requirement, but other candidates already being promoted for the deal include a proposed T-100 variant of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50.

[buglerbilly]

Syria Signs $550M Deal for Russian Jets: Report

Jan. 23, 2012 - 08:04AM

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE





Nice Trainer........oh by the way it can carry a "few" weapons, bombs, missiles and rockets............

MOSCOW — Syria has signed a $550 million (425 million-euro) contract to purchase 36 Yak-130 advanced training fighter planes from Russia, the Kommersant business daily reported Jan. 23.

The deal was signed in December with Russia's Rosoboronexport state defense corporation, Kommersant cited a source close to the agency as saying, adding that production of the jets would begin once the advance payment was made.

The two-seater entered serial production in 2009, with the defense ministry placing an order for 55 of the combat trainers from the Irkut defense corporation, according to Russian press.

The jets destined for Syria will be built separately from the ones commissioned by the Russian air force, Kommersant said.

"As soon as Syria transfers the advance to Russia, the factory will immediately assume the assembly of the second set for Syria," the unnamed source told the paper.

A Rosoboronexport spokesman declined to comment.

The U.S. has expressed repeated concerns over Russia's military trade ties with Syria, which have continued despite the violent crackdown on protests pursued by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia, which, along with China recently blocked U.N. Security Council action against Assad, has defended the ties as legal under international law.

"We are only trading items with Syria that are not banned by international law," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week.

Quite, BUT the fact that the YAK's have excellent secondary air-to-ground capability means they are borderline for meeting/not meeting UN requirements!

[buglerbilly]

Iraq Eyes Czech-Made Jet Fighters: Ministers

Jan. 23, 2012 - 07:54AM

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

PRAGUE — The Czech Republic is looking to sell dozens of Czech-made L-159 subsonic jet fighters to Iraq, Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra said after talks Jan. 23 with his Iraqi counterpart in Prague.

"The talks are very intensive ... and concern dozens of planes," Vondra told reporters after meeting Iraq's acting Defence Minister Saadun al-Dulaimi. Al-Dulaimi said Iraq was "really very interested in the planes," which it wants as soon as possible.

Vondra said the Czech side was offering new fighters made by Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody, as well as 36 unused L-159s, which the defense ministry has been trying to sell for years.

"Iraq is logically interested in new planes ... but it also wants the fighters as fast as possible, so we can use at least part of the unused planes owned by the defense ministry," Vondra said, refusing to give details about the price of the planes, which are facing competition from Britain's Hawk and South Korea's TA-50.

Aero Vodochody, controlled by Czech-Slovak private equity group Penta, is the largest Czech aircraft producer and a subcontractor for Sikorsky, Saab and EADS and other manufacturers.

[buglerbilly]

Top Iraqi Representatives Declare Their Interest In L-159 ALCA Aircraft

(Source: Czech Republic Ministry of Defence; issued January 24, 2012)


Despite having already ordered two batches of F-16s, Iraq is now also considering the Czech L-159 ALCA light fighter, better suited to close air support. (Aero photo)

It doesn't say it hear BUT its my understanding that both air training AND close air support are to be covered by these aircraft...........

Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra welcomes Iraqi delegation led by Defence Minister of the Republic of Iraq Sadoon Al-Dulaim on 23 January 2012.

The talks focused on further billateral cooperation in the field of defence and current situation in the region of the Near East.

Minister Vondra at the press conference emphasized that even though the Czech Republic and the Republic of Iraq are geographically distant, both countries are connected by eighty-year long intensive diplomatic relations which are to be followed. “We laid foundations of future cooperation during a trip of (Czech) Prime Minister Petr Necas to Badgad last May and today we could elaborate upon specific possibilities of mutually advantageous cooperation. Simply said, it consists of three areas - aircraft, modernisation of the Iraqi military and education,” Minister Vondra said.

“There is a wide range of possibilities in military cooperation, it is not about aircraft only. The potential of the Czech Republic is really considerable and we are highly interested in cooperation with the Czech military,” Minister Sadoon Al-Dulaimi said.

The media were interested mainly in the sale of subsonic L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft to the Republic of Iraq.

“It has been a years-long marathon and I hope that this day has again brought us closer to the finish. The Iraqi Defence Minister did assure me that the Republic of Iraq is still interested in this type of aircraft,” Vondra said, adding that besides the L-159s he offered support with training of ground and flying personnel, capabilities of VOP Sternberk, education of Iraqi students at the University of Defence in Brno and experience in the field of protection against mass destruction weapons, and demining capabilities as well.

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