Today, an US Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress crashed 50 km north-west of the island of Guam. Departure airport was Anderson AFB.
Video
Archive for the 'Military' Category
B-52 Bomber crashes off Guam
Published by July 21st, 2008 in Aviation News, Aviation Safety and Military. 1 CommentF-22 Raptor at Boeing Airfield - Photos & Video
Published by July 19th, 2008 in Photos, Videos and Military. 1 CommentI just found some amazing F-22 footage from Boeing Airfield.
All Photos by thenewarea51 (via Flickr)
For full size, click on the pictures to visit the Flickr photo page.
Video by yyzd (via YouTube)
First Flight of AH-64D Apache Block III
Published by July 12th, 2008 in Aviation News, Boeing, Military and Helicopters. 0 CommentsThe Boeing Company, U.S. Army leaders, supplier representatives and other guests celebrated the first flight of the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter this week in Mesa, Ariz. Just prior to a ceremony attended by more than 300 people at the company’s Apache production facility, the aircraft was flown by two Apache-rated aviators - U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody and an Army experimental test pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rucie Moore.
Experimental test pilots - one U.S. Army soldier and one Boeing teammate - initially flew this Block III prototype aircraft over the Arizona desert on June 27 in preparation for this week’s ceremony.
Block III improvements include increasing digitization, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs, new composite rotor blade and landing gear upgrades. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increase the Apache’s cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability.
The Army awarded Boeing the first Apache Block III contract in June 2005. In accordance with contractual milestones, Boeing plans to begin Low Rate Initial Production in April 2010 and to deliver the first production AH-64D Apache Block III in June 2011.
Photo Credit: Boeing Image
Startup of an F-16AM Fighting Falcon of the Netherlands Air Force Display Team. I just love the jet engine sound 
Sorry for the shaky cam!
Boeing Delivers 1st Fleet EA-18G Growler
Published by June 4th, 2008 in Boeing, Military and Orders & Deliveries. 2 CommentsBoeing delivered the first fleet EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft to the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 on Tuesday at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., ahead of schedule and within budget.
Boeing previously delivered five EA-18G aircraft to the Navy’s flight test community.
A derivative of the combat-proven, two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, the EA-18G’s highly flexible design enables warfighters to perform an array of AEA missions, operating from either the deck of an aircraft carrier or land-based fields. The EA-18G integrates the capabilities of the most advanced AEA system with the advanced weapons, sensors and communications systems found on the Super Hornet.
The Navy selected the EA-18G to replace its current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, that has been in service since 1971. Boeing received the EA-18G System Development and Demonstration phase contract in December 2003 and delivered the first EA-18G Growler to the Navy in September 2006. The aircraft is scheduled to enter Operational Evaluation in September. The Navy program of record calls for 85 EA-18G aircraft.
Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor, leads the EA-18G Growler industry team. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and airborne electronic attack subsystem integrator. The Hornet Industry Team includes Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon. The System Development and Demonstration program concludes with an Initial Operational Capability in 2009. Naval Air Systems Command PMA-265 is the U.S. Navy acquisition office for the EA-18G.
The VAQ 129 Vikings serve as the Fleet Readiness Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, which is home port for all airborne electronic attack aircraft in the Navy’s arsenal. The Vikings began flying the EA-6B Prowler in 1971, and will receive the first five fleet EA-18Gs.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Boeing Sponsors Flight of Historic Airplanes Over Washington DC
Published by April 7th, 2008 in Aviation History, Boeing and Military. 1 Comment
The Boeing Company today announced that it is sponsoring a flyover of four historic military airplanes in honor of U.S. airmen who died during World War II and in subsequent conflicts.
The event will take place on Thursday, April 10, at 1:15 p.m. The airplanes will take off from Andrews Air Force Base, will cross the airspace around Ronald Reagan National Airport (which will close briefly to accommodate the event) and will circle the Air Force Memorial before returning to Andrews. Spectators will be able to view the flyover from the grounds of the memorial (accessed by car via I-395 and Columbia Pike) as well as from multiple points along the Potomac River in Arlington and Washington, D.C.
The American Air Museum (AAM) in Duxford, England, organized the flyover, which features a B-17 Flying Fortress (made by Boeing), a P-51D Mustang (made by North American Aviation, now a part of Boeing), a P-40 Kittyhawk (made by Curtiss Wright), and a Spitfire (made by Vickers Armstrong).
Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, president of the AAM and chairman of the Imperial War Museum in the United Kingdom, will preside over the event and pay tribute to the thousands of airmen who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom. Joining him for the ceremony at the memorial will be former British Prime Minister (and honored guest) Sir John Major; Lt. Gen. John Bradley, commander, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command; and Richard Ashton, executive vice president, AAM.
Source: Boeing
Boeing Begins Final Assembly of 1st P-8A Poseidon
Published by April 4th, 2008 in Boeing and Military. 1 CommentBoeing on Monday began final assembly of the first P-8A Poseidon for the U.S. Navy. The P-8A will provide increased capability in long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The start of final assembly follows closely on the heels of Spirit AeroSystems’ delivery of the first P-8A fuselage to Boeing in Renton, Wash. Mechanics loaded the fuselage into a tooling fixture and began installing systems, wires, tubing and other small parts. Boeing will join the P-8A’s wings to its body later this year.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Boeing Commercial Airplanes are working together to build the P-8A, a military derivative of the 737-800, on a new, third final-assembly production line in Renton, Wash. The third line takes advantage of the proven efficiencies, manufacturing processes and performance of the highly reliable Next-Generation 737.
The P-8A is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation. Under the current System Development and Demonstration contract, the team will build five test vehicles: three flight-test and two ground-test aircraft. Delivery of the first test aircraft to the Navy and first flight are scheduled for 2009.
The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. Initial operational capability is slated for 2013.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Photo - Rockwell B-1 Lancer Nose Art
Published by March 15th, 2008 in Photos and Military. 1 Comment
Yesterday I was browsing around through my many unreleased aviation pics. I thought this one might be interesting, so I uploaded it to Flickr. I know the quality is bad and it was raining, but anyway the subject is quite cool.
It shows the nose art of an US Air Force Rockwell (Boeing) B-1 Lancer Bomber. Hope you like it
More:
My aviation pics at Flickr
Some of my Airbus A380 photos
Boeing files protest against US Air Force Tanker selection
Published by March 11th, 2008 in Aviation News, Boeing and Military. 7 CommentsShowing what a sore loser they are, Boeing will file a formal protest today asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the decision by the U.S. Air Force to award a contract to a team of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) to replace current aerial refueling tankers with KC-45A tankers.
“Our team has taken a very close look at the tanker decision and found serious flaws in the process that we believe warrant appeal,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This is an extraordinary step rarely taken by our company, and one we take very seriously.”
Following a debriefing on the decision by the Air Force on March 7, Boeing officials spent three days reviewing the Air Force case for its tanker award. A rigorous analysis of the Air Force evaluation that resulted in the Northrop/EADS contract led Boeing to the conclusion that a protest was necessary.
“Based upon what we have seen, we continue to believe we submitted the most capable, lowest risk, lowest Most Probable Life Cycle Cost airplane as measured against the Air Force’s Request for Proposal,” McNerney said. “We look forward to the GAO’s review of the decision.”
Hope the GAO will support the Air Force decision and dismisses the Boeing whiners!
2nd KC-767 delivered to Japan
Published by March 5th, 2008 in Boeing, Military and Orders & Deliveries. 0 CommentsBoeing on Monday delivered the second KC-767 Tanker to Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), two weeks after delivering the first refueling aircraft to the Japanese military.
The KC-767 made the 13-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, from Wichita, near Boeing’s tanker modification center.
Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing’s advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the remaining two refueling aircraft in 2009 and 2010.
Boeing also is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first aircraft planned in 2008.
Source & Photo Credit: Boeing
US Air Force selects KC-30 Tanker
Published by March 2nd, 2008 in Airbus, Aviation News, Military and Orders & Deliveries. 19 CommentsWow, what a news! The Boeing monopoly for US military planes is finally broken.
The U.S. Air Force announced its selection of the Airbus KC-45A Tanker, culminating a multi-year evaluation. The programme award calls for 179 aircraft with an estimated contract value of US$ 40 billion. The initial KC-45A contract for Northrop Grumman covers four System Design and Development aircraft and is valued at US$ 1.5 billion.
Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, stated: “We have committed our energies to this important U.S. Air Force programme and to our team mate Northrop Grumman. Selecting a tanker based on the A330 MRTT will provide the U.S. Air Force with the most modern and capable tanker aircraft available today.”
Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus said: “Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force can count on the full resources of Airbus to support the KC-45A tanker’s production and delivery. All four System Design and Development aircraft are already in production. Preparatory work is now underway for our commitment to co-locate the final assembly of the tankers and A330 civilian freighter aircraft at Mobile, Alabama, creating the first new large commercial aircraft assembly facility in the U.S. in over 40 years.”
The KC-45A Tanker is based on the EADS Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport). Its airframe is derived from the popular Airbus A330 jetliner produced by EADS’ Airbus Division, of which more than 880 have been ordered worldwide in passenger and freighter configurations. The Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) is responsible within the EADS Group for all military derivative programmes based on Airbus platforms, including tankers.
The KC-45A Tanker assembly will employ 25,000 workers at 230 U.S. companies. The KC-45A’s refueling systems will be built at new facilities in Bridgeport, W.Va., and delivered to the KC-45A Production Center for aircraft integration.
The KC-45A will be built by a team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes primary subcontractor EADS North America and General Electric Aviation, Sargent Fletcher, Honeywell, Parker, AAR Cargo Systems, Telephonics and Knight Aerospace.
Compared to the Boeing KC-135 (based on the 707), the EADS KC-45 (based on the A330) has 25% more fuel capacity, much higher payloads and its General Electric CF6-80E1A4B engines feature 3 times more thrust.
Source: Airbus, Northrop Grumman
Safety Report - Northrop B-2A Spirit Crash
Published by February 24th, 2008 in Aviation News, Aviation Safety and Military. 3 CommentsDate: 23-FEB-2008
Time: 10:30
Type: Northrop B-2A Spirit
Operator: United States - US Air Force (USAF)
Registration: 89-0127
C/n / msn: AV-12
Name: Spirit of Kansas
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage: Unknown
Location: Andersen AFB, Hagatna - Guam
Phase: Take-off
Narrative:
The Spirit of Kansas crashed on the runway shortly after take-off. The aircraft was one in a flight of four B-2s that was returning to Whiteman AFB, Mo., following a deployment that began Oct. 5
Video
Source: aviation-safety.net
First KC-767 Tanker Delivered to Japan
Published by February 20th, 2008 in Boeing and Military. 0 CommentsBoeing today delivered the first Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp., for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is the first aerial refueling aircraft in Japan’s history.
The 12-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, originated in Wichita, Kan., near Boeing’s tanker modification center, following a final review by Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) Air Staff. Itochu will deliver the KC-767 Tanker to the MoD following in-country acceptance processes.
The tanker already made history Jan. 26 when it successfully did a refueling of a U.S. Air Force F-15E at night - the first nighttime refueling ever accomplished on a KC-767.
Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing’s advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing will deliver the second Japan tanker immediately following acceptance of this first Japan delivery.
Additionally, Boeing is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first two aircraft planned in 2008. The KC-767 also is Boeing’s offering in the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X competition for its next-generation tanker aircraft.
Source & Photo Credit: Boeing
Iraqi Mig-25 Foxbat found in sand dune
Published by January 28th, 2008 in Aviation History and Military. 3 CommentsAn Iraqi Air Force Mikoyan Mig-25 Foxbat in advanced reconnaissance version was dug out of a massive sand dune near the Al Taqqadum airfield (Iraq) by U.S. Air Force recovery teams. According to sources, this version, not being from the Gulf War era, was never seen before in the West and is equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare devices.
The Mig was one of over two dozen Iraqi jets buried in the sand, like hidden treasure waiting to be recovered at a later date.
View all photos at:
http://www.flightglobal.com/AirSpace/photos/mig25/default.aspx
Boeing Delivers Fourth Royal Australian Air Force C-17
Published by January 19th, 2008 in Boeing, Military and Orders & Deliveries. 0 CommentsBoeing today delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) its fourth C-17 Globemaster III during a ceremony at the company’s Long Beach, Calif., C-17 manufacturing facility.
The aircraft features the “Block 17″ configuration the most modern variant of C-17s built by Boeing, with upgraded software and avionics. The RAAF C-17 also has unique markings that differentiate it from U.S. Air Force C-17s. A black stallion on its tail identifies the airplane as part of the RAAF’s No. 36 Squadron, an airlift unit based in Amberley, Queensland. A kangaroo on the aircraft’s fuselage is part of the RAAF roundel, a distinctive emblem painted on military aircraft to indicate its nation of origin.
The aircraft joins three others delivered to the RAAF since late-2006. With the delivery of this new airlifter, the worldwide C-17 fleet now includes 171 U.S. Air Force C-17s as well as four in the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and two in the Canadian Forces. The RAF and the Canadian Forces each will receive two additional C-17s this year. The U.S. Air Force is on contract to receive 19 additional C-17s by mid-2009.
The C-17 is the world’s only tactical airlift aircraft with strategic capabilities. Capable of flying between continents and landing on short, austere runways, the C-17 is used worldwide for both military and humanitarian missions.
Today’s delivery leaves just 23 C-17s remaining on the production schedule. Without additional orders, the C-17 line will close in late 2009. Despite significant evidence of increasing airlift needs, the U.S. Air Force has not budgeted for additional C-17s the last two years, forcing congressional plus-ups to meet the needed requirement.
Photo Credit & Source: Boeing
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