URS to Support the B-2 Bomber Program by Providing Engineering Services

On Jan. 28, URS Corporation announced that it has been awarded a task order from the U.S. Air Force to provide engineering, program management, planning, analysis and logistics support for the B-2 Bomber program. The task order, which has a one year base term and four one-year option periods, has a maximum value of $63 million to URS if all option periods are exercised. The task order was awarded under the General Service Administration (GSA) Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services’ Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.
Commenting on the award, Randall A. Wotring, President of Federal Services for URS, said: “We are pleased to have been selected for this task order, which allows us to continue to support the U.S. Air Force through our services for the B-2 Bomber program.”

Also known as the Stealth Bomber, the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is an American heavy bomber with “low observable” stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses and deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons. Because of its considerable capital and operational costs, the Congress slashed initial plans to purchase 132 bombers to just 21 during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The B-2 is the only aircraft that can carry large air to surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration. The program has been the subject of espionage and counter-espionage activity and the B-2 has provided prominent public spectacles at air shows since the 1990s.

-asdnews.com

-wikipedia.org

 

New problems for 737 AEW&C

 

Boeing 737 AEW&C

 

Boeing has announced a new setback for the long-delayed plan to deliver fully operational 737 airborne early warning and control system aircraft to Australia and Turkey.

The company’s fourth quarter earnings statement included a new charge against earnings valued at $136 million on the AEW&C programme.

Boeing blames the writedown on “additional software development and testing required for acceptance of the Wedgetail aircraft” by the Royal Australian Air Force. The charge also covers the “resolution of issues associated with the test programme” for the Turkish air force’s Peace Eagle programme, it adds.

The programme has suffered repeated delays due to development problems with the aircraft’s Northrop Grumman multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar, Boeing’s design for the heavily modified 737-700 and the BAE Systems Australia suite of electronic support measures.

Turkey has ordered four 737 AEW&C aircraft under its Peace Eagle programme, while South Korea also has four under contract via its Peace Eye project.

The 737 AEW&C features Northrop’s unique approach to achieving 360° radar coverage with a “top-hat” array. The MESA radar includes two side-looking arrays, as well as a top-hat array that uses “endfire” techniques to steer the radar beam forward and aft of the aircraft.

 

 

-         flightglobal

Boeing Begins Assembly of P-8A LRIP

Boeing plans to start assembly of the first of six low-rate initial production (LRIP) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft by midyear, following the award of a $1.6 billion U.S. Navy contract.

P-8A touches down at Pax River

The LRIP-1 contract includes spares, logistics and training devices, and comes as Boeing continues to make rapid progress with the first batch of flight and ground test aircraft under the P-8A System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract awarded in 2004.

Three of the six SDD aircraft are in flight test at NAS Patuxent River, Md., while a fourth is undergoing systems installation at Boeing Field in Seattle. The fifth aircraft arrived at Boeing Field on Jan. 22 from the 737 assembly line at nearby Renton, Wash., while the sixth aircraft, a late addition to the original SDD contract, is now in final assembly.

Boeing also completed the initial ground tests on the static airframe earlier this month and in September will transfer the aircraft to Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, California, for live-fire exercises. S2, the fatigue test airframe, will begin testing later this year, Boeing says.

The Navy is expected to take delivery of 117 P-8As by 2025 as replacements for the Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion, with entry into service due in 2013. Boeing also has started assembly work on the first of eight P-8Is for the Indian Navy and is in talks with the Australian Navy about an additional order.

The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is intended to conduct anti-submarine warfare and shipping interdiction and to engage in an electronic intelligence (ELINT) role. This will involve carrying torpedoes, depth charges, AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It will also be able to drop and monitor sonobuoys.

 

-aviationweek.com

-wikipedia.org

 

Iraqi government to buy F-16s from U.S.

Iraq confirmed on the 26th that it has approved a plan to purchase an initial squadron of Lockheed F-16 fighter aircraft from the United States.

In an effort to upgrade its Air Force, Iraq’s government spokesman said the cabinet has ratified a contract to buy 18 advanced F-16s as the centerpiece of billions of dollars Iraq is expected to spend on arms in coming years.

The F-16 is considered a powerful symbol of political and military cooperation with the United States and it’s a potential key to fostering post-withdrawal U.S. and Iraqi security ties.

In an air combat role, the F-16′s maneuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.

- keyc.com
– wikipedia

 

 

SAM Plans a Heavy MRO Base in Thailand

Scandinavian Aircraft Maintenance (SAM), a Norwegian maintenance, repair and overhaul firm, is setting up a heavy maintenance base at an airport in Korat, central Thailand, with its off-shoot in Thailand, SAM Thai.

SAM President and CEO Ole-Petter Monsbakken said, “SAM Thai was created to serve Asia with maintenance for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.”

The company plans to provide line and heavy maintenance services in Thailand but is still waiting for regulatory approvals. It has been biding its time by getting contracts for work on aircraft parts and then having the work done at its facilities in Scandinavia.

Monsbakken said one way SAM Thai could move into line maintenance is to use Scandinavian Aircraft Maintenance’s EASA part-145 approval to win line maintenance work from European carriers operating to Thailand.

As for the heavy maintenance facility, SAM Thai has approval from the land owner, the Thailand department of civil aviation, to start construction at Korat Airport. Additionally, SAM Thai is waiting for approval from Thailand’s Board of Investments.

Monsbakken said SAM owns 49% of SAM Thai, and the other 51% is owned by Thai nationals in accordance with the country’s foreign ownership laws.

He also said that the plan is to build two hangars at Korat Airport, one for helicopters and one for fixed-wing, adding that the fixed-wing facility will be able to accommodate one Boeing 747-400.

Korat’s runway can handle only aircraft as large as an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, although the authorities plan to extend it to accommodate 747-400s said Monsbakken. He also adds that it is more likely that SAM Thai will initially focus on heavy checks for A320s and 737s.

Monsbakken also stated, “We will invest in an educational center [in Korat] for training pilots and technicians.”

SAM’s move into Thailand comes at a time when Thai Technical, the MRO firm of Thai Airways International, is struggling to take on third-party work because it is busy taking care of Thai Airways’ fleet.

But the Thai government has stated publicly it wants Thailand to be an MRO hub for Asia. There are also new airlines starting in Thailand, such as Jet Asia Airways, which plans to handle line maintenance in-house and outsource heavy maintenance either to ST Aerospace in Singapore or Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Also, a startup called Crystal Thai Airlines plans to engage Global Engineering for line maintenance and Thai Aviation Industries for heavy maintenance.

 

-aviationweek.com

 

RNLAF’s CH-47F (NL) Chinook makes first flight

Representatives of Boeing, its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft.

The new Chinooks are equipped with survivability equipment, a forward-looking infrared system, and fast rope positions, which will be used to support Special Forces operations. The engines will include air particle separators for operation in harsh environments. These additions will make the RNLAF CH-47F a versatile, multi-role aircraft for worldwide operations.

Boeing expects to begin delivering the aircraft later this year, making the RNLAF the first international customer to field the new CH-47F.

The flight tests have included assessments of the advanced operational capabilities enabled by the aircraft’s Avionics Control and Management System cockpit and newly integrated Digital Automatic Flight Control System. By the conclusion of the tests, the aircraft will be certified airworthy by the Netherlands Military Aviation Authority.

“The Chinook has over the years proven itself to be a true workhorse for the Netherlands Air Force,” said Air Commodore Theo ten Haaf, Commanding Officer Defence Helicopter Command of the RNLAF. “The aircraft proved to be ‘the right tool’ for a difficult and challenging job, especially in austere environments and during the combined air and ground operations in Afghanistan. Both ground troops and aircrew speak highly of it.”

He added, “The CH-47F is a major improvement over the 47D model. The arrival of these new aircraft in the RNLAF will ensure that the RNLAF continues to operate with the best in the field of tactical transport helicopter operations both now and in the future.”

- Boeing

RAF could see Tornado fleet cut in half

 

The Royal Armed Forces are braced for another round of drastic cuts as the Ministry of Defense has to make up a £1.6 billion shortfall for the next financial year.

The RAF is bracing itself to its fleet of 134 Tornado GR4 fighter-bombers being slashed in half to just 60 jets to save up to £300 million a year. Key defence officials are meeting on Tuesday to thrash out the details of how to make immediate savings to the 2011/2012 budget.

Despite challenging the previous government over the helicopter shortages in Afghanistan a key decision will be the likely announcement to cut 12 extra Chinooks that were part of a package ordered by Gordon Brown.

Other important equipment programmes are going to be axed in what will be an embarrassing revision of last October’s Strategic Defence and Security Review. The MoD has been forced into making the extra cuts after it miscalculated savings in the next financial year.

It was supposed to save £8 billion by 2014-15 as a 7.5 per cut real terms cut to its budget. Half of this was meant to come through headline equipment cuts such as the Harriers, Nimrod reconnaissance planes, frigates and the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Illustrious. The rest was to come through axing 17,000 Servicemen and 25,000 MoD staff as well as “efficiency savings”.

“We have 34 major procurement programmes and it’s a question of what’s nice to have and what’s necessary to have but no one can see how to take that decision because they’re all regarded as vital,” said an officer involved in the planning.

“There is not an endless supply of money and people need to realise there is a serious financial situation and there are difficult choices to make,” one MoD official said.

- The Telegraph

RAF Receives 7th Boeing C-17

On Jan. 24, London - Boeing and its Boeing Defense UK subsidiary announced the arrival of the Royal Air Force’s seventh C-17 Globemaster III airlifter at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England. The aircraft was officially delivered on Nov. 16 from Boeing’s facility in Long Beach, California, and underwent modifications at the company’s San Antonio facility before flying to the United Kingdom.

ZZ177 arrives at RAF Brize Norton

Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, Royal Air Force, said “The RAF C-17 fleet, along with the rest of the Airbridge, delivers an incredible capability to our deployed forces on the front line.” He added “I am also extremely proud of the outstanding contribution that all our aircraft and personnel are making toward continued progress in Afghanistan.”

Assigned to 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, the UK fleet of C-17s provides critical airlift capability for the nation’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and has supported humanitarian and disaster-relief missions to Pakistan, Haiti and Chile. 99 Squadron’s C-17s are equipped with upgraded software and avionics, as well as additional fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s nautical mile range to over 4,000 miles. In normal operations, the aircraft carries a crew of three — two pilots and one air-loadmaster.

Boeing UK C-17 Program Manager Liz Pace said “May 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the delivery of the Royal Air Force’s first C-17, which continues to perform superbly — anytime and anywhere.” She added “The RAF uses its C-17s more than any other service today, which is why it has surpassed 60,000 flight hours with just six aircraft.”

The UK Ministry of Defense announced it would acquire its seventh C-17 in December 2009, less than one year before delivery.

- asdnews.com

 

UK Chinook Mk4 Flight Testing Begins

On Jan. 24, Boeing and its Boeing Defense UK subsidiary announced that the Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team has begun flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first flight took place on Dec. 9 in Hampshire, England.

Chris White-Horne, Mk4 project team leader for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, said “Project JULIUS, as the Mk4 program is known, will modernize the current Royal Air Force Chinook fleet – essentially giving us new aircraft.”

Project JULIUS will modify 38 Mk2/2A Chinooks into the Mk4/4A configuration and eight Mk3 Chinooks into the Mk5 configuration. All the aircraft will be delivered to RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

A major part of the modification for both the Mk4/4A and Mk5 aircraft is the Thales TopDeck cockpit. Thales UK is under contract with Boeing to supply its Cockpit Display System/Mission Avionic System, which will provide improved situational awareness, increased safety and options for capability enhancement. The upgraded and integrated cockpit display includes four multifunction displays, two stand-by flight displays, updated communications interfaces, and two new air data computers.

David Pitchforth, managing director, Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support, said “The first of the modified JULIUS Chinook helicopters is expected to be available to commanders before the end of 2011.” Pitchforth also said that “The entire Mk2 fleet will be fitted with the JULIUS cockpit by early 2015, followed by Mk2A and Mk3 modifications by 2015 and 2016, respectively.”

The modifications also include the addition of a third crew-member seat and an update of Airworthiness & Safety Certification and Qualification for the modernized Chinook. The aircraft are being modified at the Gosport Fleetlands facility operated by Vector Aerospace, Boeing’s principal subcontractor for deep support of the RAF Chinook fleet. Vector Aerospace has established a dedicated production line at Fleetlands to support the JULIUS program, with specialist component manufacture provided from its Almondbank facility near Perth, Scotland.

Tim Rice, managing director, Vector Aerospace UK, said “Vector Aerospace is delighted to be associated with this significant milestone. It is a testimony to the skill and dedication of our teams in Fleetlands and Almondbank, who have worked in a spirit of true partnership with our customer Boeing and the key equipment suppliers.”

-planenews.com

 

Indonesia still waiting for answers on used F-16s

 

 

Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI Imam Sufaat

Indonesia’s Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal TNI Iman Sufaat told reporters that they are still waiting on US’ decision for 24 ex-American F-16s.

“We hope to soon have an answer about it,” he said during the meeting of leaders of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) Air Force (AU) at the Air Force Academy (AAU) in Yogyakarta, on Monday.

He said they have submitted a request to the United States (U.S.) about the grants of the F-16 fighter aircraft in 2009, but they never heard any reponse.

“There is no answer from the U.S. probably because many countries have also submitted a grant request F-16 fighter aircraft. They also wanted to get grants to the plane,” he said.

He said the Air Force will also buy a  OV-10 Bronco aircraft, helicopters and an F-22 aircraft since there are additional funds accelerated procurement of major equipment of weapons systems (defense equipment) amounting to Rp 4 trillion.

” This is in accordance with a strategic plan development program of the Air Force for the year 2010-2014,” he added.

- AntaraNews.com