Photos/Videos (NO DISCUSSION)

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[vtsgoose1606687932]

Some pics of operation falcon autumn here in holland

 

http://gigapica.geenstijl.nl/2011/09/operation_falcon_autumn_1.html

[vanveken]

Some pics of operation falcon autumn here in holland

 

http://gigapica.geenstijl.nl/2011/09..._autumn_1.html

 

Great. Thanks..... :)

[Demokrator]

Some pics of operation falcon autumn here in holland

 

http://gigapica.geenstijl.nl/2011/09/operation_falcon_autumn_1.html

Wow you've got really nice equipment.

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EMALS Launches an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

 

Here’s a quick update on the progress of the Navy’s test program for its new electromagetic aircraft catapults, known as EMALS. Since the system’s first successful launch of an aircraft (an F/A-18E Super Hornet) on Dec. 18, 2010, engineers have fired a T-45 Goshawk trainer, a C-2 Greyhound and, as of Sept. 27, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye radar plane from the system.

The sea service plans to do about 63 to 65 EMALS shots for each type of aircraft at its test facility in Lakehurst, N.J., according to a NAVAIR press release on Tuesday’s cat shot.

While EMALS had its share of development problems, its been moving along quite well over the last year, and if aircraft testing continues to go smoothly, General Atomics could begin shipping parts of the new catapults for installation on the USS Gerald R. Ford later this year.

(Click through the jump for a video of the successful cat shot):

 

These launches are a big deal since EMALS is the first new type of aircraft catapult fielded by the Navy since the advent of the steam catapult 50-years ago. They’re set to equip both the U.S. Navy’s brand new 100,000-ton Ford class carriers and the Royal Navy’s two next-generation flattops of the 65,000-ton Queen Elizabeth class. The Royal Navy will apparently take delivery of the second EMALS shipset after the Ford receives her cats.

The electromagnetic system will take up far less space below decks than steam catapults and it will be far easier to adjust their power than the current system. This means that EMALS’ power can be dialed up to launch a heavy aircraft like a C-2 and then dramatically lowered to launch a drone like the UCLASS which may not be able to handle the strains of launching from a steam catapult.

 

Video:

 

http://www.military.com/video/military-aircraft-operations/takeoff/navy-aircraft-uses-new-catapult-system/1190492579001/

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Drone Helos the Only Choppers on Display at MDM ’11

 

The only helos on display at this years’ Modern Day Marine expo at Marine Corps Base Quantico reflect constant need for supply and intel for troops on the ground – be they Leathernecks or GI Joes.

One, the K-MAX, is a battleship gray, cargo-carrying aircraft designed to fly sans pilot, though there’s a cockpit in place the event that human touch is desired or needed. Further along the midway is a small, sleek black Boeing A160 Hummingbird helo (shown above).

There’s no cockpit in this chopper, which is being used as a stealthy eye in the sky.

“It’s completely unmanned, completely autonomous,” said Mansik Johng of Boeing, which picked up the program when it bought the company originally developing under DARPA funding it in 2004. “It can stay [aloft] about 18.7 hours. In fact, it set a world record for endurance for this class of vehicle.”

A primary customer is Special Operations Command, which has plans to acquire up to 20 of the black birds up through 2017, though the company also has a $30 million contract to supply two to Naval Air Systems Command, Johng said.

The company is preparing an unspecified number of Hummingbirds for their first deployment to Afghanistan in the coming year.

“It can carry different payloads,” he said, pointing out the Hellfire missiles mock-up on the Quantico display. “But primarily this is more of an ISR aircraft.”

Meanwhile, the K-MAX (shown above) is described as “a workhorse” that will ferry supplies and material out to combat forces in the field.

K-MAX is a Kaman Aircraft helicopter. The company has partnered up with Lockheed Martin to fully develop the helo as an autonomous or remotely controlled aircraft. Lockheed said it made a good showing of its capabilities a year ago, when a K-MAX carried more than 3,000 pounds of cargo to three pre-programmed delivery coordinates, delivering the cargo by sling autonomously, during a demonstration for the Marine Corps at the Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.

The Corps intends to pick up three of the aircraft for use in Afghanistan, according to reports. Lockheed spokeswoman Alexandra Wildfong said the K-MAX completed a required a Quick Reaction Assessment recently out in Arizona.

“We are currently waiting on a decision whether we’re going to deploy these in theater,” she said.

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F-35B JSF Sea Trials to Start Next Week

 

In case you haven’t seen it, the Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighter is set to begin sea trials aboard the amphibious assault ship, USS Wasp next week.

From Marine Corps Times:

“They start on 3rd October, and should last only two weeks,” said Lt. Gen. Terry Robling, the Marine’s deputy commandant for aviation. “But we have the USS Wasp for six weeks in case there are some anomalies.”

Robling expressed confidence that the sea trials would go well.

According to Lockheed Martin F-35 program manager, Tom Burbage, both the Lightning II aircraft and the amphibious assault ship Wasp have been instrumented for the trials.

Successful sea trials would be a coup for the Marines and the F-35B program, which then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates placed on two-year probation last year.

That’s pretty huge considering the event will mark the first time any variant of the F-35 has landed on a ship. While the F-35B has been making plenty of flight test progress this year, some are still worrying that it will be cut. Heck, one Marine aviator is even suggesting that the Corps consider buying F-22 Raptors if the Bravo doesn’t work out.

 

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Should the Marines Buy F-22s?:thumbup:

 

This is a pretty wild idea — the USMC flying the Air Force’s premier fighter jet.

One Marine is suggesting that is a possible option if the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter falls victim to budget cuts.

From Maj. Christopher Cannon in Marine Corps Gazette:

On the high end, the Marine Corps could opt for the most capable AAW platform available, the F–22. Embracing an aircraft Congress recently voted to stop producing may seem like an extreme course of action, but it makes the most sense for the Marine Corps for several reasons. First, F–22s could be purchased now and would be cheaper initially and cost less to maintain than F–35s in the future.

He adds:

Most significantly, the F–22 dwarfs the F–35 in stealth, speed, survivability, deployability, and firepower. With a more mature and more powerful active electronically scanned array radar, and with planned upgrades, the F–22 is a more credible and less risky investment to fulfill the VMAQ’s AEA mission. The F–22 also represents a better platform for AEA upgrades.

Significantly, this course of action would accept providing only 11 fifth-generation fighter-capable carriers. It may also require making inroads in positioning Marine F–22s in more expeditionary stations than those in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, and Virginia, where all F–22 aircraft are currently stationed. Forward postured Marine F–22s could provide the Nation with greater strategic reach than amphibious-based F–35Bs. With a supercruise speed of 1,220 miles per hour, an aerial refueled F–22 could make the 1,700-mile transit from Guam to Taiwan in less than 2 hours.

Cannon goes on to say the service could buy about 60 F-22s and a number of turboprop light attack planes to compliment the 50 F-35C carrier variant JSFs that it’s slated to recieve.

 

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The US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawks have always had a naval counterpart. SH-60B/F Seahawk/ LAMPS helicopters were outfitted with maritime radar, sonobuoys, and other specialized equipment that let them perform a wide variety of roles, from supply and transport, to anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and even surface attack with torpedoes or Kongsberg’s AGM-119 Penguin missiles. Like their land-based counterparts, however, the Seahawks are getting older. The Reagan defense build-up is receding into history, and its products are wearing out.

European countries chose to build new designs like the medium-heavy EH101 and the NH90 medium helicopter. They’re larger than the H-60s, make heavy use of corrosion-proof composites, and add new features like rear ramps. The USA, in contrast, decided to upgrade existing H-60 designs for the Army and Navy. Hence the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter (aka. “Romeo”) and MH-60S (aka. “Sierra”) Seahawks. MH-60Rs and MH-60Ss will eventually replace all SH-60B/F & HH-60H Seahawks, HH-1N Hueys, UH-3H Sea Kings, and CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters currently in the US Navy’s inventory. Both programs are underway, and will be covered in this DID FOCUS Article.

[nomdeplume]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-01/plane-crashes-into-nsw-ferris-wheel/3204912

 

The pilot of a light plane that crashed into a ferris wheel at a fair on the New South Wales mid-north coast says he simply did not see it.

 

Local pilot Paul Cox was flying with his son-in-law when he failed his first landing attempt on the airstrip next to the festival.

 

When he turned the plane around, he crashed into the ferris wheel.

Nobody killed or event hurt as far as I can tell - two children were stuck in one of the baskets and there were two people trapped in the plane. There's a decent close-up photo of the plane through the link.

[tflash]

What are they wearing on the helmet?

[GGTharos]

Laser receivers - so they know if they were killed, and the brass knows too - and by whom.

[manfrez01]

:thumbup::pilotfly:

[Flаnker]

[vanveken]

The Hungarian helicopter pilots over Afghanistan.

 

http://vanveken.blogspot.com/2011/10/24.html

 

Example

 

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Indian LCA Tejas Fighter Jet Test Fires Russian R-73 Short Range Air to Air Missile

 

 

 

India has conducted the test firing of the short range Russian R-73 WVRAAM missile from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Tejas LSP-4 was used in this test.

 

 

Under the idea that Indian air force should induct the indigenously developed combat aircraft even if it did fails to fulfill the requirements of the service, Indian air force has so far placed an order for 20 LCA Tejas MK-I fighter aircrafts and has an option to purchase another 20 LCA. First of these LCA MK-I is planned to be delivered to the Indian Air Force early next year.

 

 

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) has so far failed to meet the revised requirements set by the Indian Air Force. LCA MK-I is not likely to meet these requirement over and above the requirements of high thrust engine for the LCA MK-II. Indian airforce has selected the F414-INS6 MK-II version of LCA Tejas.

 

 

 

Under current plans LCA Tejas MK-II will be able to perform first flight in 2014 and after going through different tests and evaluations, LCA Tejas MK-II will enter into full-scale production in 2016.

 

 

First prototype of LCA Tejas was rolled out some 15 years ago in 1995. Prototype was powered by US GE F404 engine as Indian Kaveri jet engine designed and developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) was to be ready only in 2002. So far India has failed in its attempt to successfully develop the Kaveri jet engine. Kaveri jet engine has been flight tested for the first time using an IL-76 in Russia in November 2010. India has already placed an order for the 99 F414-INS6 for LCA MK-II which is planned to enter into production in 2016.

 

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Indian Su-30MKI... Some pics

 

http://vanveken.blogspot.com/2011/10/30.html

 

Example

 

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Ну ховеркрафты не совсем авиация, но все же

 

Indian Navy yesterday signed a contract with GRSE, Kolkotta for construction of eight Landing Craft Utility (LCU)for a cost of Rs 2100 Cr. The first ship is to be delivered in 35 months. The 800 ton LCU is propelled by two diesel engines and can carry Main Battle Tanks, BMPs, and personnel in various combinations.

[Antartis]

The Hungarian helicopter pilots over Afghanistan.

 

http://vanveken.blogspot.com/2011/10/24.html

 

Example

 

 

Is it Mi-24?

[AlphaOneSix]

Is it Mi-24?

 

Yes. But it's not Hungarian, it's Afghan Air Force.

[RIPTIDE]

Yes. But it's not Hungarian, it's Afghan Air Force.

Pilots. I think he means the trainers?

[RIPTIDE]

Indian Su-30MKI... Some pics

 

http://vanveken.blogspot.com/2011/10/30.html

 

Example

 

Where's the inner hardpoint on the right wing (left facing)? Removed completely?

[MoGas]

Where's the inner hardpoint on the right wing (left facing)? Removed completely?

 

u can remove hardpoints to reduce drag RIPTIDE, left wing has the data/reciever on it, and I guess, as you can see, F-15`s linedup on the leftside of the picture, they just fly a training against the F-15`s....:joystick:

 

And then the figured out, they need more Raptors.........;)

[RIPTIDE]

u can remove hardpoints to reduce drag RIPTIDE, left wing has the data/reciever on it, and I guess, as you can see, F-15`s linedup on the leftside of the picture, they just fly a training against the F-15`s....:joystick:

 

And then the figured out, they need more Raptors.........;)

Ya I just thought it odd it was asymmetrical. :D :music_whistling:

[mvsgas]

Look like SU-30MKI while on Nellis AFB a while ago...

Yep, look like the flew in that configuration, not that asymmetrical ACMI pod is not heavy.

No ACMI pod on this pics but same configuration.

Click to enlarge.

Indians make debut at Red Flag

An Indian Air Force SU-30 Fighter lands at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., August 6, 2008 for participation in Red Flag 08-4. This marks the first time in history that the Indian Air Force has participated in a Red Flag exercise here at Nellis. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)