F/A-18 Hornet demonstrates air power. Photo's of the day

PACIFIC OCEAN  F/A-18E Super Hornet's from the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 participates in an air power demonstration over the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). TThe John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is returning from an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Fourth AW139 VIP To Join UK & Ireland Corporate Fleet

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the sale of the fourth AW139 intermediate twin helicopter for corporate transport in the UK & Ireland. This latest sale continues the success of the AW139 in the UK & Ireland corporate helicopter market in the last two years. The helicopter will be delivered in 2014 to an undisclosed customer. Almost 40 AW139 helicopters have been sold across Europe for VIP, corporate and government transport roles, making it the new benchmark in its weight class for executive and passenger transport. As  the only helicopter in its class to meet all the latest certification standards the AW139 is proving a popular replacement for older designs in a market, where safety, comfort and performance are the foremost considerations.

The AW139 delivers best-in-class performance with a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 kph), a range in excess of 500 nm (927 km), endurance of 5 hours and superior hover performance. With its power reserve, the AW139 assures Category “A” (Class 1) superior performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight. With the largest passenger cabin in its class the AW139 can accommodate up to 15 passengers or six to ten passengers is a number of spacious and comfortable VIP seating arrangements. The six large cabin windows provide passengers with a excellent view from the cabin with access via sliding doors or a hinged door. A wide range of customer specified optional equipment is available on the AW139 including audio visual equipment, telecommunications and refreshments stowage. The baggage compartment provides 3.4 m3 (120 ft3) of easily accessible storage with access from external doors and also the cabin if required.

The AW139’s modern design ensures ease of maintenance and high availability due to reduced numbers of components, easy access to all the main systems by ground technicians, extended life-cycles for critical components and advanced diagnostics technology. European customers can also undertake a range of training courses on the AW139 Level D Full Flight Simulators located at AgustaWestland’s ‘A. Marchetti’ Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy. The AW139 helicopter is part of AgustaWestland’s family of new generation helicopters that also includes the AW169 and AW189. These helicopters all possess the same high-performance flight characteristics and safety features whilst sharing the same common cockpit concept and design philosophy. This approach facilitates synergies for operators of more than one of these models in areas such as training, maintenance and support. Almost 720 AW139s have been sold in 60 countries to over 190 customers so far for many roles  including VIP/corporate transport, scheduled passenger transport, law enforcement, fire fighting, offshore transport, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief and maritime patrol. Nearly 700,000 flight hours have been logged by the world AW139 fleet so far.

The National Police Agency of Japan acquires four new helicopters from Eurocopter to be deployed to various prefectures

Eurocopter Japan recently signed contracts with Japan’s National Police Agency for a total of four helicopters. Comprising two medium-class and two twin-engine light helicopters, the new acquisitions will be deployed to Hyogo Prefectural Police (EC155 B1), Hiroshima Prefectural Police (AS365 N3+), Osaka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e) and Fukuoka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e), as replacements for ageing aircraft in the respective fleets.

The brand new EC155 B1 from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family will be the National Police Agency’s (NPA) first acquisition of this helicopter type. Incidentally, it is also the first Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft to be operated by Hyogo Prefectural Police, with delivery planned for 2015. Hiroshima Prefectural Police’s AS365 N3+ will also be delivered in 2015; while Osaka and Fukuoka will receive their EC135 P2e in 2014.

The ability to meet varying customer needs with a wide range of products, coupled with the availability of a total-support system in the country, have enabled Eurocopter Japan to increase its market share in the law enforcement sector over the years. NPA is currently operating a fleet of 29 Eurocopter light-twin and medium-class helicopters across the country, used for police activities including crime-prevention, investigative search and security patrols, as well as other public service missions such as life-saving operations and transportation.
 

(© Eurocopter Japan, Chikako Hirano)

“We are very honored to have signed the contract with NPA, which shows the trust they have in our products and appreciation of our total-support service commitment,” said Stephane Ginoux, President & CEO of Eurocopter Japan. “We can never emphasize enough on our will to offer the best and most comprehensive support and services for our customers not only in the area of maintenance, but also training, which is a crucial element in ensuring flight safety.”

Both the EC155 B1 and AS365 N3+ come from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family, with the EC155 B1 being the high-end, enhanced version equipped with the latest technologies. Versatile for multi-mission use and well-known for its low vibration and quietness thanks to Eurocopter’s famous Fenestron® tail rotor, the EC155 B1 has a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to 15 persons (2 pilots + 13 passengers) comfortably. Dauphins are particularly well-received in police, fire-fighting, disaster management and news gathering activities. There are currently 57 Dauphin helicopters operating in Japan.

The EC135 is a light twin-engine helicopter equipped with state-of-art technology, including Eurocopter’s Fenestron® tail rotor. Not only does it have a low noise level compared with helicopters in the same class, it is also able to perform many different types of missions with good fuel efficiency. Used widely for law enforcement and emergency medical services worldwide, it is also a popular machine in Japan, with 75 EC135s currently being operated in various types of missions.

‘C’ the Galaxy

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® facility in Palmdale, Calif., performed maintenance on one of just two C-5C Galaxy aircraft in the world in May 2013.  The C-5C features more cargo capacity than A & and B models due to removal of the entire passenger compartment. Each of the two C-5C aircraft is assigned to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and will eventually be modernized to become the C-5M Super Galaxy.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 118,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation’s net sales
for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

Today's Air Force visits the Boneyard, takes glimpse at aviation history (VIDEO)

Air Force Television News released a new, special edition of Today's Air Force on May 31.

Featured in this episode is a visit to the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., taking viewers for an inside look at what happens to Air Force planes after they've flown their last mission. Here, a dedicated team brings new life to old aircraft and retrieves aircraft parts for future use.

Then, Today's Air Force listens to the nostalgic stories of former Airmen who flew these planes decades ago and carry with them memories and stories of missions long past.

This 30-minute, bi-weekly news show can be seen every day on The Pentagon Channel and American Forces Television Service stations around the world. The show also airs on more than 140 public cable-access stations within the United States.

Today's Air Force: May 31, 2013

617 Sqn in the Middle East

31 May 2013

Royal Air Force personnel from 617 Squadron take part in a multinational exercise from 906 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) in the Middle East.

Exercise Shaheen Star 4, a Combined Air Operation (COMAO) exercise, was conducted over the skies of the Middle East during May 2013. 617 Squadron squadron from RAF Lossiemouth commenced flying on 3 May for three weeks, culminating in a large scale exercise. In addition to host nation, the exercise involved aircraft types from the United States Air Force (USAF) and the French Air Force (FAF), all being supported by the ground element from the Australian Defence Force (ADF).


The COMAO allowed 617 Squadron to train in high-end war fighting scenarios against 21st Century threats with other nations. In turn, this forged coalition relations as equipment and personnel were tested to the limit.The detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Mark Still, stated: “The exercise satisfied and exceeded it’s aims of increasing the squadron’s capability. It also provided the opportunity for 617 Squadron to enhance UK Defence relations in this region through personal liaison with the Host Nation, USAF, FAF and ADF.” Corporal Sean Williamson, a squadron avionics technician, stated: “Our primary role is to provide fast air cover for troops on the ground. This exercise has allowed us to train these skills in a similar environment to Afghanistan, as we prepare to deploy there later this year.” 617 Squadron return home to RAF Lossiemouth at the end of May in order to continue training and begin preparation for their deployment on Operation Herrick at the end of the year.

Editor: Flt Lt Tim Peakman.
Photography: Cpl Babbs Robinson.

Italian Army Takes Delivery of Its First NH90 TTH Helicopter in FOC Configuration

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first NH90 TTH in FOC (Final Operational Capability) configuration for the Italian Army has been delivered today during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Venice Tessera plant in the presence of Gen. Giangiacomo Calligaris, Commander of Italian Army Aviation, and Gen. Francesco Langella, ARMAEREO. This delivery brings to 21 the number of NH90 TTHs delivered to the Italian Army from an order for 60. This latest delivery marks another major milestone for the Italian Army NH90 programme. Five aircraft currently deployed in Afghanistan have now flown 470 flight hours with outstanding performance, reliability and mission effectiveness in the extreme and demanding environmental, weather and operational conditions there. The Italian Army also operates the NH90 programme fleet leader which has now flown approximately 900 flight hours.

AgustaWestland is also supplying integrated operational support through the PLS (Phased Logistic Support) programme scheme to ensure the Italian Army can maximize the operational effectiveness of its NH90 fleet.  AgustaWestland's Venice Tessera plant, covering 24,000 m2, is the new Italian final assembly line for the 160 NH90s ordered so far by Italy (Army and Navy, 60 and 56 helicopters respectively), the Netherlands (20), Norway (14) and Portugal (10). The Venice Tessera plant has expanded becoming the NH90 programme hub for all AgustaWestland customers, including the provision of maintenance, spare parts, engineering services, upgrades and modifications as well as future developments of new product configurations.

The NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variant is a 11-tonne class helicopter configured to perform tactical transport missions in all environments by day and night. The NH90 TTH helicopters’s mission flexibility allows its users to perform additional roles such as internal/external load transport, heliborne operations, special operations, search and rescue, casualties evacuation and training missions. The NH90 TTH is the most modern helicopter in its weight class available in the market. It features a high level of system integration built around a dual bus core avionic system, full glass cockpit with multi-Function displays, fly-by-wire controls with a four-axis Automatic Flight Control System. The dedicated mission system includes among others: piloting forward looking infrared system, helmet mounted sight and display, obstacle warning system, electronic warfare system, tactical control and tactical communication system, weather radar, digital map generator and an on-board monitoring and diagnostic system. Up to 2 x M134D miniguns and ballistic protection further enhance its self-defence capabilities. It also features a fully composite crashworthy fuselage. The two modern GE/AVIO T700 – T6E1 engines provide the Italian Army’s NH90s with power reserve in all environments. The NH90 helicopter has provisions for a number of role equipments to enable mission flexibility and effectiveness coupled with a high level of safety and survivability. More than 140 NH90s have been delivered to 13 countries logging almost 40,000 flight hours to date. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter programme is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%). The NH90 helicopter programme is the largest ever launched in Europe, with firm orders now reaching 529 units for 19 armed forces of 14 nations: France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia, New-Zealand, Spain and Belgium.

Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Conduct First Arrested Landing of X-47B Unmanned Demonstrator

Shore-based test adds momentum, confidence for upcoming carrier trials.

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – May 6, 2013 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Navy have conducted the first fly-in arrested landing of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator.

Conducted May 4 at the Navy's shore-based catapult and arresting gear complex here, the test represents the first arrested landing by a Navy unmanned aircraft. It marks the beginning of the final phase of testing prior to carrier-based trials planned for later this month.
"This precision, shore-based trap by the X-47B puts the UCAS Carrier Demonstration [UCAS-D] program on final approach for a rendezvous with naval aviation history," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy's UCAS program manager. "It moves us a critical step closer to proving that unmanned systems can be integrated seamlessly into Navy carrier operations."
During an arrested landing, the incoming aircraft extends its landing hook to catch a heavy cable extended across the aircraft landing area. The tension in the wire brings the aircraft to a rapid and controlled stop.
Carl Johnson, vice president and Navy UCAS program manager for Northrop Grumman, said this first arrested landing reinforced what the team already knew.
"The X-47B air vehicle performs exactly as predicted by the modeling, simulation and surrogate testing we did early in the UCAS-D program," Johnson said. "It takes off, flies and lands within a few feet of its predicted path."
The arrested landing test culminates more than three months of shore-based carrier suitability testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The testing included precision approaches, touch-and-go landings, and precision landings by the X-47B air vehicle.
For the arrested landing, the X-47B used a navigation approach that closely mimics the technique it will use to land on an aircraft carrier underway at sea.
Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins.

Images

The Northrop Grumman-built X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator completed its first shore-based fly-in arrested landing on May 4 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The landing begins the final phase of testing prior to carrier-based trials planned for later this month.

The first fly-in arrested landing by the X-47B unmanned demonstrator represents the first arrested landing by a Navy unmanned aircraft. During an arrested landing, an aircraft extends its landing hook to catch a heavy cable extended across the landing area. The tension in the wire brings the aircraft to a rapid and controlled stop.

Turkish Industry Takes Off In Support Of F-35

ISTANBUL, Turkey, May 8, 2013 – Nine Turkish companies participated in the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Industry Recognition Event during the IDEF

tradeshow today. Each of these companies has contributed to the ongoing work involving the international production and operational capability of the F-35 Lightning II, which results in hundreds of jobs for Turkey. Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defense Industries (SSM), was recognized for the role SSM provides in the form of leadership, vision, and the commitment of Turkish industry as a best value contributor on the F-35 Program.

“Lockheed Martin values the partnership we have established with the Turkish government, military and industry during the past quarter century with the F-16 and the C-130,” said Steve O’Bryan, vice president, F-35 Program Integration and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “That relationship continues to flourish as every F-35 delivered has Turkish components.”
The nine Turkish companies supporting the development production of F-35 the future operational capability include:

• Alp Aviation has been supporting the program since 2004 and currently manufactures F-35 production airframe structure and assemblies, production landing gear components and production F135 engine titanium integrated blade rotors for the engine.
• Aselsan is developing manufacturing approaches for advanced optical components, which are part of the F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System. They are also working with Northrup Grumman on the F-35 CNI Avionic Interface Controller and will initiate full scale production activities in the near term.
• Ayesas currently is the sole source supplier for two major F-35 components – missile remote interface unit and the panoramic cockpit display.
• Fokker Elmo manufactures 40 percent of the F-35 Electrical Wiring & Interconnection System (EWIS) and will also deliver and support TAI with all center section wiring systems. Fokker Elmo will also develop the EWIS for the engine, for which a major share is produced in Fokker Elmo Turkey in Izmir.
• Havelsan has been supporting the F-35 training systems since 2005. Additionally, Havelsan has been instrumental as the Turkish lead for developing the construct of the future Turkish F-35 Integrated Pilot and Maintenance Training Center (ITC) and associated training systems in Turkey.
• MiKES has been supporting the F-35 Program since 2004 and MiKES has delivered F-35 aircraft components and assemblies for British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) and Northrop Grumman.
• ROKETSAN has been strategically selected by the Turkish Government to lead the integration and production of the precision-guided Stand-off Missle (SOM) which will be carried internally on the F-35 aircraft.
• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been strategically supporting the F-35 Program since 2008. Currently supplying production hardware that goes into every F-35 production aircraft. In conjuction of Northrup Grumman, TAI manufactures and assembles the center fuselages, produces composite skins and weapon bay doors, and manufactures fiber placement composite air inlet ducts. Additionally, TAI is strategically manufacturing almost 50 percent of F-35’ Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) including Air-to-Ground Pylons and adapters. Furthermore, TAI has signed a strategic agreement with Pratt and Whitney and will become the future engine FACO and MRO&U lead in country and in the region. TAI who has also been assigned to represent the organic depots of the Turkish Armed Forces within the Autonomic Logistic Global Sustainment (ALGS) system.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least ten other countries.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 118,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

Dambusters Week

15th,16th &17th May 2013

May is a very busy month for commemorating one of the most famous events in Lincolnshire’s rich aviation heritage, the 16^th of May will be the 70^th anniversary of the DamBusters Raid, mounted from RAF Scampton just north of the City of Lincoln.
On 15^th May Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire are holding a Gala Charity showing of the original 1955 black and white ‘DamBusters’ film at the Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa.  The cinema is one of the oldest in the country and the film was made primarily on location in Lincolnshire.  The event will be followed by a reception at the Petwood Hotel, which was the officers mess for the DamBusters Squadron following the move to Woodhall Spa.  The whole evening is completely sold out.
The RAF will be holding its own tribute to Guy Gibson and the airmen of 617 Squadron with a Sunset Ceremony at RAF Scampton on 16^th May which will probably be broadcast live by the BBC.
Then on Friday 17^th May Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire has organised a service of Commemoration in Lincoln Cathedral.  This event is being attended by people from all over the United Kingdom and from overseas.  So popular is this event that all of the tickets have been taken up.  If you are visiting Lincoln that afternoon do look out for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster which will fly in tribute over the Cathedral after the service.
All in all it will be a busy week in Lincolnshire for aviation heritage