B-1B Lancers Upgraded

As part of the Sustainment-Block 16 program, Rockwell’s supersonic strategic bomber, B-1B Lancers are currently getting their most advanced hardware and software upgrades. The upgrades include a fully integrated data link in the station and vertical situation display in the front. Updates on the navigation, radar and diagnostic systems are also being done. The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron Assistant Director, Major Thomas Bryant said that the following upgrades will give them an entirely new aircraft.

The crew station will now receive five new color displays all capable of providing moving maps and data link integration. While the weapon system officers will now have a full “QWERTY” keyboards and controllers to interface with the integrated battle station software.

The pilots will receive a new digital flight instrument display providing more precise flight parameters. The pilot and co-pilot stations each will start receiving a new 8-inch by 10-inch multi-function display installed in the crew station.

“Command and control assets will have the ability to send us targets electronically, automatically linking into our system rather than manually entering the coordinates” Bryant said. “The new data link capability is huge for the B-1B Lancer.”

These new situation displays provide independent interactive, moving maps and link information to the front station supplying them identical information available to the station. Developmental testing for the entire Sustainment-Block 16 package is scheduled to begin around March of 2013. The B-1B Lancers will then be tested and will start to operate in September of 2013.

The former Rockwell manufacturer, now part of Boeing, B-1 Lancer aircraft is a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force (USAF). The B-1B Lancers started service on 1986 with the USAF Strategic Air Command as a nuclear bomber.

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Source: http://www.defencetalk.com

Boeing Delivers the 5th C-17 Globemaster III to UAE Air Force

Earlier this month, the Boeing was able to deliver the fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force. The other four C-17s was already delivered  last 2011 and the UAE Air Force is waiting for one more airlifter later this year.

UAE Air Force is Boeing’s sixth C-17 international customer. The UAE Air Force received their first airlifter on May 10, 2011. Since then, the UAE Air Force and Air Defence C-17 had more than 2,000 flight hours and carried more than 3,000 passengers and about 4 million pounds of cargo.

“It’s amazing to see all that the UAE has accomplished with its fleet of C-17s in such a short time, including standing up a new base; qualifying three aircraft commanders and four mission-ready loadmasters; and conducting humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift Vice President and C-17 Program Manager. “We’re proud to be a part of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence mission long after each C-17 is delivered. With a mission-capable rate above 90 percent, UAE C-17s are ready to save lives and deliver hope whenever they are needed.”

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is known as a large military transport aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas in which later merged with the Boeing company. The C-17 is widely-used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases all over the world. The C-17 Globemaster III can also perform tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions.

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Source: http://www.defencetalk.com