AirSkyBuster: Aircraft and Airplane

F-15SE Silent Eagle (Four)

2012-05-27T07:49:00.002-07:00

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F-15SE Silent Eagle (Four) F-15SE Silent Eagle, jet, fighter, multirole, combat, Boeing, stealth, fifth generation, USA, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The pair of Singaporean F-15SG fighters on static display here are the most advanced Strike Eagles ever built–but not for much longer because the huge order from Saudi Arabia that was confirmed recently allows Boeing to fit a fly-by-wire system. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 4. Boeing confirmed to AIN here in Singapore this week that the company would be offering its full Silent Eagle package of stealth modifications to Korea for that country’s 60-plane KFX-3 requirement. It’s been quite a journey for the F-15 since December 2005, when Singapore chose the veteran design over the “fourth-generation” Dassault Rafale. At the time, that decision seemed to be motivated by political as much as technical considerations. But as Singapore defense minister Teo Chee Hean noted when the first F-15SGs arrived in Singapore in April 2010, “The F-15 is a combat-proven aircraft renowned for its weapon load, speed, range and agility…with state-of-the-art sensors, avionics and weapons.” The last of 24 F-15SGs will be delivered this year. Korea also preferred the Strike Eagle to the Rafale and has already bought 61 F-15Ks in two batches. The two Asian countries have sustained F-15 production long after the U.S. Air Force stopped buying F-15Es. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SGs differ from the Korean F-15Ks in having an AESA radar–the Raytheon APG-63(V)3. Moreover, the navigation and targeting suite provided by Lockheed Martin is state-of-the-art, comprising a Lantirn navigation pod with terrain-following radar and forward-looking infrared, a Sniper XR EO/laser targeting pod and the AAS-43 Tiger Eyes infrared search-and-track system. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 4. The U.S. package also included the joint helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS) and a full suite of weapons, including Raytheon AGM-154 joint standoff weapons (JSOWs) and AIM-9X air-air missiles. The F-15SGs also have some Israeli content: an advanced integrated electronic warfare system provided by Elisra and–though not acknowledged by the company–an Elbit Systems mission computer. This allows Singapore to overcome U.S. restrictions on the reprograming of these sensitive equipments. The 84 new and 70 upgraded Saudi Strike Eagles confirmed last December in a record sale worth $29.5 billion will be designated F-15SA. They will have the same Raytheon AESA radar, General Electric F110 engines and some of the same weapons as the Singapore aircraft. The change to fly-by-wire flight control system (FBW FCS) will not be difficult to integrate, and brings the benefits of increased agility and reduced weight, Boeing vice president Asia Pacific Joe Song told AIN. The F-15SA will have a new digital electronic warfare system (DEWS) provided by BAE Systems. This consolidates the six black boxes of the old analog system on the F-15E/K into one, thus saving more weight. It also provides much greater capability, reliability and affordability. The FBW FCS and the DEWS will enter flight test at the end of this year, Song said. Other new features of the F-15SA will be two additional wing hardpoints for weapons, and dual-seat integration of the JMHCS. Turning to what may be the ultimate F-15–the Silent Eagle–Boeing first unveiled the set of modifications that can reduce the aircraft’s radar cross section (RCS) in March 2009. But unless the F-15SE has already been quietly marketed to Singapore, the first serious offer will be to Korea. The mods comprise a conformal weapons bay (CWB) created by modifying the aircraft’s existing conformal fuel tanks; RCS-reducing airframe coatings; and vertical tails that are canted 15 deg outward. Song told AIN that the entire F-15SE package will be offered to Korea for KFX-3. The CWBs have already been test-flown, and the V-tail configuration will be in the wind tunnel soon. The U.S. government has yet to sanction the offer of RCS coatings, but since the U.S. will also be offering the Lockheed Martin F-35 to Korea, Boeing is expecting approval. The F-15SE offer will also include large, 11- by 19-inch displays in each cockpit. Will Korea follow Japan and go for the F-35? Song believes that Boeing is in a strong position. “We’re the incumbents. The Koreans love their F-15Ks, and the Silent Eagle offers 85-percent commonality,” he claimed. The F-35 may not be available in time, he added, and the price is uncertain amid the current slowing of the production ramp-up. Boeing is currently negotiating a performance-based logistics contract with Korea for the F-15Ks. The company also gained kudos by building in-country a software upgrade facility that which the Koreans also use for their F-16s. Responses to the RFP for the KFX-3 are due in June, with a decision scheduled for October. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a third contender. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 4

F-15SE Silent Eagle (Three)

2012-05-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

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F-15SE Silent Eagle (Three) F-15SE Silent Eagle, jet, fighter, multirole, combat, Boeing, stealth, fifth generation, USA, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The F-15SE Silent Eagle is an innovative design solution developed in response to international customer requirements for a cost-effective, high-performance fighter aircraft to defend against future threats. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 3 offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section reduction features that provide the user with maximum flexibility to dominate the ever-changing advanced threat environment. The aircraft's Conformal Weapons Bays can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weapons. Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on the aircraft. With the added advantage of redesigned conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, the Silent Eagle becomes a very attractive fighter for Boeing's international customers. Depending on the specific mission, the customer can use the CFTs that are designed for internal carriage or change back to the traditional CFTs for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage. The Silent Eagle will be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). The standard weapons load used on current versions of the F-15 is available with the traditional CFTs installed. The aircraft's canted vertical tails improve aerodynamic efficiency, provide lift, and reduce airframe weight. Another aerodynamic improvement is the Digital Flight Control System, which improves the aircraft's reliability and reduces airframe weight. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 3. Survivability improvements include a BAES Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar. On March 17, 2009 the Boeing Company in St. Louis unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle (F-15SE), a new F-15 configuration designed to meet the future needs of international customers. "The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our international customers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, as well as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovative Silent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs." Boeing had completed a conceptual prototype of the CFT internal-carriage concept, and planned to flight-test a prototype by the first quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch. Boeing subsequently eliminated the distinctive canted tails from the early prototype and production configuration of the proposed stealthy Silent Eagle. The F-15SE flight-test prototype incorporated radar absorbent materials and the conformal fuel tanks modified into weapons bays. The canted tail design, highlighted during Boeing's F-15SE unveiling in March 2009 in St Louis, Missouri was abandoned until later stages of the program. Boeing managed to increase its aircraft radar invisibility by reducing the dimensions of the fuel tanks and pumps compartments relocating to freed space. The F-15 Silent Eagle hunting can reach a speed of 2,600 km/h and navigate over distances of up to 3,000 miles. The Boeing Company Silent Eagle flight demonstrator aircraft F-15E1 completed a successful first flight on 08 July 2010 from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. During the 80-minute flight, F-15E1 opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. The ITV was not launched. "The Silent Eagle demonstration flight validated our initial engineering design approach," said Boeing F-15 Development Programs Director Brad Jones. "Our intent was to verify all systems are operational in a flight environment. This flawless flight allows us to move into the next phase. In the next couple of weeks, we will ferry F-15E1 to the test range and launch an AIM-120." "Everything about the flight went according to plan," said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. "We saw nothing unusual during the flight, and we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range; that is pretty much unheard of on a first flight." The design, development, and test of this internal carriage system are available as a collaborative project with an international aerospace partner. In June 2010 the Flightglobal website reported that Boeing will offer Korea South the F-15 Silent Eagle. The US Government previously gave its go-ahead for the F-15 Silent Eagle exports to some countries including Korea South. The Korean Air Force plans to acquire American multifunctional fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter in the future. Boeing's F-15 modified will be in competition with the F-35, but it will cost less. The South Korean government was expected to launch a competition for a fighter contract in early 2011. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 3

F-15SE Silent Eagle (Two)

2012-05-27T07:29:00.002-07:00

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F-15SE Silent Eagle (Two) F-15SE Silent Eagle, jet, fighter, multirole, combat, Boeing, stealth, fifth generation, USA, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The F-15SE Silent Eagle is the newest and hottest F-15 version to date - existing only as a technology demonstrator but with high hopes of potential foreign (i.e. non-US) sales. It is basically a modified Strike Eagle and these modifications pack a very powerful punch. The stealth and electronic enhancements are admittedly aimed at the A/A role, the A/G roles of the Strike Eagle remain basically the same (which still represents the highest standard in the world of strike fighters). F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 2. Boeing plans to offer the aircraft for non-US customers for mainly defensive counter-air missions, rather than offensive ground strikes in well defended airspaces. Conformal Weapons Bays ( CWB): A/A and A/G ordnance carried "outside" the jet increase the RCS of the aircraft. For this reason F-15SE features 4 internal weapon bays capable of carrying missiles and bombs. These bays are built into the conformal fuel tanks hence their name. This is a unique feature of the Silent Eagle, greatly increasing its stealth capabilities at the cost of reducing CFT fuel capacity considerably, which reduces aircraft's combat radius by 180-200 nm (to about 800 nm for A/G missions and 720 nm for CAP missions - using F110- GE-129 engines). Please note that these are factory data obviously calculated for ideal conditions. Real life combat radius will be somewhat smaller than these. Note that the Silent Eagle maintains a modular approach: the CWBs are built into a standard CFT, which attaches to the aircraft just like an ordinary CFT. This means that if there are no requirements for reduced RCS (no A/A opponents are expected), the aircraft can quickly be equipped with normal CFTs, thus increasing range and loiter time. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 2. The change of CFTs requires around 2 hours and can be performed easily under field conditions. For another 1 hour work the underwing pylons can be put back on the jet for another hardpoint and two more external fuel tanks. This way the Silent Eagle can fly counter-air missions at the starting stages of an air campaign and once air dominance is achieved, it can convert back to the "traditional" mud mover role and fly A/G missions afterwards. Weapons: As for A/A ordnance, the Silent Eagle can internally carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder and the AIM-120 AMRAAM, one missile per CWB. From the AMRAAM family only the an AIM-120C or later model can be carried internally, since this has smaller wingspan designed specially for internal carriage. For A/G ordnance the jet is able to internally carry 500 lbs and 1,000 lbs JDAM bombs (one weapon per CWB) and the 250 lbs GBU-39 SDB (two weapons per CWB). For a multirole mission, internally carried weapon loadouts can be split between the above mentioned A/A and A/G weapons. If no stealth capabilities are needed, the aircraft can be changed back to a normal strike profile, using normal CFT's - in this configuration the aircaft performs just like an F-15E Strike Eagle in terms of weapon payload and employment capabilities. Vertical Stabilators: The twin tails of the F-15SE are canted outwards by 15 degrees (see image above), this helps to decrease the aircraft's RCS in air-to-air engagements. This is probably the most visible difference between the Strike Eagle and the Silent Eagle. As an added bonus, canted tails (the same design is used on the F/A-18 Hornet) improve aerodynamic efficiency, generate lift and reduce airframe weight (by allowing to remove some 400-500 lbs of ballast weight from the front section of the aircraft) too. RCS Reduction: Although the aircraft's fuselage is very similar to the Strike Eagle by the look, it's quite different in reality. Boeing engineers incorporate stealth technology by using coatings and treatments which reduce radar reflections and thermal loads of the fuselage. Note that the US government limits the use of specific materials in aircrafts to be sold outside the US - this may vary from customer to customer according to actual political considerations. According to Boeing, the special radar absorbing coatings offer an equivalent amount of front-aspect stealth that modern 5th generation fighters. This sounds nice, but not too specific. Boeing remains a bit unclear in this topic to say the least: in 2009 they claimed to have the same amount of stealth that Lockheed Martin's F-35 JSF offers, but in 2010 they softened their statement somewhat by saying that the Silent Eagle offers the same level of front-aspect stealth than the "international release version" of the JSF, but Lockheed Martin officials denied even the very existence of such international release standards. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 2

F-15SE Silent Eagle (One)

2012-05-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

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F-15SE Silent Eagle (One) F-15SE Silent Eagle, jet, fighter, multirole, combat, Boeing, stealth, fifth generation, USA, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Boeing today unveiled a new F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 1 prototype aimed at the international market with such "fifth-generation" add-ons as radar absorbent coatings, internal weapons carriage and integrated digital avionics, plus featuring a distinctive V-tail. Improving the fourth generation fighter’s profile on air-to-air radar is Boeing’s key goal for the F-15SE, which the company plans to offer to five foreign countries with an estimated market for 190 orders. Radar absorbent materials added to leading edges are designed to soften the F-15SE’s head-on radar signature. Canting both vertical stabilizers by 15° is intended to reduce radar returns to the side. Finally, embedding missiles and bombs inside conformal fuel tanks also reduces radar signature in all directions, and allows the F-15SE to perform its warfighting mission even with “clean” wings. Boeing claims the end-result is an aircraft that can match the frontal-aspect stealth profile of any fifth generation fighter in configurations cleared by the US government for export release. “We know we can get to the US government release level for international customers,” says Brad Jones, Boeing’s manager for future F-15 programmes. To be fair, Boeing acknowledges the F-15SE’s stealth improvements do not help against ground-based radar systems, which are critical for waging offensive strikes against opponents armed with surface to air missile systems. Lowering the F-15SE’s thermal signature - a critical stealthy feature for the Lockheed Martin F-22 - is also not part of Boeing plans. But Boeing says the F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 1 is aimed at international customers more likely to use the aircraft for defensive, counter-air missions, rather than offensive strikes in defended airspace where all-aspect stealth is necessary for survival. Despite the stealth improvements, Boeing insists the F-15SE would not tradeoff sensor or aerodynamic performance. The Raytheon APG-63(V)3 radar would remain canted slightly forward rather than tilted back, preserving coverage and range at the expense of head-on radar cross section. Moreover, Boeing has designed the F-15SE to also function as a non-stealthy, multi-role aircraft with the F-15E’s full payload of 13,200kg (29,000lb) of weapons. The conformal fuel tanks with the internal weapons bay can be quickly removed after landing, allowing the aircraft to takeoff with a full payload within 2h. Another key feature of the F-15SE is the electronic warfare system. Boeing has selected the BAE Systems digital electronic warfare system (DEWS), which includes a digital radar warning receiver, digital jamming transmitter, integrated countermeasures dispenser and an interference cancellation system. The aircraft could continue to jam enemy radars even as its own radar and RWR continues to operate, Boeing claims. Boeing launched the F-15SE, initially dubbed "Project Monty", last September. The company-owned F-15E testbed was quickly modified with the V-tail and conformal fuel tanks to provide a ground-based demonstrator. Flight trials for a risk reduction programme are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2010. The first aircraft could be available for delivery to foreign customers three years after a deal is signed. Boeing plans to offer the F-15SE to Israel, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, with all being current F-15 customers. Notionally, Boeing estimates the F-15SE’s cost, including airframe, spares and training, at $100 million each. The F-15’s single-largest customer – the US Air Force – is not officially a sales target for the F-15SE. However, Boeing says that all of the stealth, avionics and structural upgrades can be retrofitted on any existing F-15E. Company officials have briefed three agencies within the US Air Force, including Air Combat Command, but only as a “courtesy”, the company says. F-15SE Silent Eagle Wallpaper 1

Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Four)

2012-05-24T04:56:00.002-07:00

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Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Four) Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, Russia, technology, KnAAPO, Frolov Chakra, supermaneuverability, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 4 is a super-maneuverable thrust vectoring fighter derived from an Su-35 prototype. The last Su-35 prototype - number 711 - was fitted with Lyulka Saturn AL-31FU engines that incorporate two-dimensional thrust-vectoring (TVC) nozzles. Externally similar to the Su-35 - apart from the nozzles - the Su-37 has a side-stick controller and has demonstrated some amazing manoeuvres, including a complete 360deg Cobra - known as a Kulbit. This single-seat and/or two-seat multi-role combat aircraft was first shown in model form at 1991 trade shows. Some wind tunnel tests completed as the aircraft entered the basic design stage in 1992, with foreign partners being sought for development. Unlike the other twin-engine Su-27 derivatives, the Su-37 concept originally featured a single Soyuz/Tumansky turbofan engine rated at 180 kN (40500 lb st) thrust with afterburning. What finally emerged from the design process was a super maneuverable version of the Su-35 with a pair of AL-37FU afterburning turbofans with axisymmetric, steerable nozzles and thrust vector control (TVC). When the Su-37 was shown at Farnbrough in 1996 it stole the show, performing an astounding aerobatic display. The Su-37 represents a new level of capability compared with the Su-27 and Su-35. The Su-37 test aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1996 from the Zhukovsky flight testing center near Moscow. This impressive single-seat all-weather counter-air fighter and ground attack aircraft, derived from the SU-27, has an updated airframe containing a high proportion of carbon-fiber and Al-Li alloy. The engines, avionics and armaments are also improvements on those originally installed in the SU-27. The AL-37FU engines are configured for thrust vector control, with the axisymmetric steerable thrust vector control nozzle is fixed on a circular turning unit. The steel nozzle in the experimental engines is replaced in production engines by titanium units to reduce the weight of the nozzle. The nozzle only moves in the pitch axis, and the nozzles on the two engines can deflect together or differentially to achieve the desired thrust vector for a particular maneuver. The Su-37 has a variety of other innovative equipment such as a radar configured for simultaneous surveillance of airspace and the ground and a high-precision laser-inertial/satellite navigation system. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 4. The all-weather digital multi-mode phased array radar operates in either air and ground surveillance modes or in both modes simultaneously. Ground surveillance modes include mapping (with Doppler beam sharpening), search-and-track of moving targets, synthetic aperture radar and terrain avoidance. The Su-37 is also equipped with a rearward facing radar in the tail stinger area of the fuselage. The Su-37 features fly-by-wire and relaxed static instability, which along with 2D thrust vectoring give the aircraft tremendous agility. In the 1980's General Designer Mikhail P. Simonov insisted that the Su-37 be equipped with axisymmetric vectoring nozzles instead of the 2D vectoring nozzles. When Sukhoi did research and testing for each configuration, they found that the 2D nozzle suffered from serious technological problems. However, in the end, the 2D Su-37 was produced, of which no major problems were seen to jeopardize the Su-37's operational performance. It incorporates state of the art ECM in wing-tip pods, allowing improved survivability in electronic warfare environments. The Su-37 can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons on 12 stations. The number of missiles and bombs carried can be increased to 14 with the use of multi-payload racks. At the 1996 Farnborough Air Show, Sukhoy's SU-37 astounded international observers with maneuverability previously unseen in a combat aircraft. The thrust-vectoring SU-27 variant stole show headlines with flight demonstrations widely described in the aviation press as "spectacular." One air show reporter opined that the SU-37 shows that the Russian aviation industry "is still alive." The Su-37's astounding maneuvers included the "Super Cobra", demonstrated for the first time. In this move, the aircraft enters with a speed of 400 kmh and is pulled through to an alpha of 135 degrees, then recovered to the vertical and held in place for 4-6 seconds. The nose is then allowed to fall to the horizontal position, emerging at 150kmh with no loss of height. Another used the thrust vectoring to flip the Su-37 onto it's back (a full 180 degress), and then to rotate it upright and continue in the opposite direction. The most impressive maneuver was the kulbit (somersault). With an entry speed of 350 kmh the aircraft flipped onto it's back, a 180 degree flip facing the opposite direction, inverted and practically stationary. After 'pausing', thrust vectoring completes the kulbit (a 360 deg somersault) with a nose down angle of 30 deg and an exit speed of 60 km/h. Sukhoi used payments earned in the sale of an Su-27 license to China to finance the Su-37 development. Russia's Air Force has not ordered any Su-37s. Sukhoi is studying the possibility of developing a two-seat version of the Su-37 with enhanced strike capabilities. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 4

Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Three)

2012-05-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

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Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Three) Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, Russia, technology, KnAAPO, Frolov Chakra, supermaneuverability, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 3 is a super-maneuverable thrust vectoring fighter derived from an Su-35 prototype. The Su-37 represents a new level of capability compared with the Su-27 and Su-35. The Su-37 test aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1996 from the Zhukovsky flight testing center near Moscow. This impressive single-seat all-weather counter-air fighter and ground attack aircraft, derived from the SU-27, has an updated airframe containing a high proportion of carbon-fibre and Al-Li alloy. The engines, avionics and armaments are also improvements on those originally installed in the SU-27. The AL-37FU engines are configured for thrust vector control, with the axisymmetric steerable thrust vector control nozzle is fixed on a circular turning unit. The steel nozzle in the experimental engines is replaced in production engines by titanium units to reduce the weight of the nozzle. The nozzle only moves in the pitch axis, and the nozzles on the two engines can deflect together or differentially to achieve the desired thrust vector for a particular maneuver. The Su-37 has a variety of other innovative equipment such as a radar configured for simultaneous surveillance of airspace and the ground and a high-precision laser-inertial/satellite navigation system. The all-weather digital multi-mode phased array radar operates in either air and ground surveillance modes or in both modes simultaneously. Ground surveillance modes include mapping (with Doppler beam sharpening), search-and-track of moving targets, synthetic aperature radar and terrain avoidance. The Su-37 is also equipped with a rearward facing radar in the tail stinger area of the fuselage. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 3 features fly-by-wire and relaxed static instability, which along with 3D thrust vectoring give the aircraft tremendous agility. It incorporates state of the art ECM in wing-tip pods, allowing improved survivability in electronic warfare environments. The Su-37 can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons on 12 stations. The number of missiles and bombs carried can be increased to 14 with the use of multi-payload racks. Sukhoi used payments earned in the sale of an Su-27 license to China to finance the Su-37 development. Russia's Air Force has not ordered any Su-37s. Sukhoi is studying the possibility of developing a two-seat version of the Su-37 with enhanced strike capabilities. The 711 Blue was demonstrated to the press at Zhukovsky in spring 1996, by which time it was re-designated Su-37. Its debut to the general public came in September that year at the Farnborough Airshow, piloted by Sukhoi test pilot Yevgeny Frolov. A big talking point of the show was its performance of the "Super Cobra", when the aircraft pitched up to 180°, literally flying tail first, albeit for only a few seconds; this maneuver evolved into the 360° "Frolov Chakra" somersault. The following year, the aircraft arrived on the fifth and last day of the Paris Air Show to perform five aerial displays, the fourth of which was marred by a minor incident when the emergency undercarriage extension handle was moved, preventing gear retraction. It appeared at that year's MAKSAirshow and Dubai International Defence Exhibition, as well as the 1998 FIDAE air show in Chile; for the latter two the Su-37 appeared under the enigmatic designation, "Su-37MR". In 1998, a second Su-37 (T10M-12) was similarly converted before making its first flight on 23 March the same year. Flight tests and demonstrations at air shows continued until 2000. In 2001, 711 was outfitted with the AL-31F and updated fly-by-wire flight control system and avionics. In December 2002, 711 crashed during a ferry flight, effectively bringing an end to the programme; the fault was later traced to a software malfunction. The Su-37 did not reach the production stage, although by mid-2000, Sukhoi introduced several modernizations of Su-27, such as Su-30MKI and second generation Su-35, the Su-35BM, which feature similar improvements such as improved avionics and radar systems, and thrust vectoring engines. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 3

Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Two)

2012-05-24T04:23:00.000-07:00

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Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (Two) Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, Russia, technology, KnAAPO, Frolov Chakra, supermaneuverability, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 2 multirole, all-weather fighter aircraft demonstrator is derived from the family of aircraft based on the Su-27, which was developed in 1977 by the Sukhoi Experimental Design Bureau in Moscow and is in service with the Russian Air Force and a number of other countries. This family also includes the Su-27UB, Su-30, Su-33, Su-32FN and Su-35, and has the Nato codename Flanker. The Russian Air Force is currently operating two Su-37 aircraft. The new feature of the super-manoeuvrable Su-37 fighter is the two-dimensional thrust vector control engines, which allow the aircraft to recover from spins and stalls at almost any altitude, while it is also equipped with full digital fly-by-wire controls. The first flight of the Su-37 prototype was in April 1996, with a public appearance at the Mosaero show. This was followed by a demonstration flight at the Farnborough 1996 Airshow. The aircraft demonstrated new manoeuvres, such as the ability to point the nose away from direction of flight for sustained periods, rotating the nose through 360° and recovering from tail slide by rolling into an entirely different plane. State funding for the aircraft was withdrawn for a time, but it was restored in 1999 and Su-37 is undergoing flight testing. The cockpit is fitted with four liquid crystal displays for tactical and navigation data, onboard system monitors, and operating conditions control panel. The pilot has a side short-travel control stick instead of a central stick, an avionics control handle and strain-gauging (pressure-to-throttle) engine thrust controls. Avionics for the aircraft were produced by Kronstadt, St Petersburg. The Su-37 can carry up to 14 air-to-air missiles and up to 8000kg of ordnance. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 2. The twelve external hardpoints can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets and an ECM (electronic countermeasures) pod. The aircraft is fitted with one GSh-301 30mm gun with a maximum rate of fire of 1,500 rounds a minute. The aircraft can be equipped with Vympel R-73E short-range air-to-air missiles with infrared terminal homing and RVV-AE long-range air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance. R-73E (Nato codename AA-11 Archer) is an all-aspect, close-combat missile capable of engaging targets in tail-chase or head-on mode at altitudes between 0.02km and 20km, and target g-load to 12g. The Vympel RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) air-to-air missile, also known as the RR-77, can intercept targets at speeds up to 3,600kph and altitudes from 0.02 to 25km. The Su-37 can be fitted with air-to-surface missiles such as the Kh-25 (AS-12 Kegler) short-range missile and Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge) with a 317kg penetrating warhead. The aircraft is fitted with a multifunction, forward-looking, NO-11M pulse Doppler phased array radar, which can track up to 15 targets simultaneously and provide target designation and guidance to air-to-air missiles. NO-11M is manufactured by NIIP, the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design. There is also a rear-looking NIIP NO-12 radar and optronic fire-control and surveillance system. There are also systems for terrain-following and terrain-avoidance, mapping and multichannel employment of guided weapons. The Su-37 is powered by two AL-31FU TVC (thrust vector control) turbofan engines. This engine was developed by the Lyulka Engine Design Bureau (NPO Saturn) and is a derivative of the AL-31F twin-shaft turbofan engine on the Su-27. The modular design includes a four-stage, low-pressure (LP) compressor; a nine-stage, high-pressure (HP) compressor; annular combustion chamber and single-stage LP and HP turbines, afterburner and mixer. Each engine provides 83.36kN thrust and 142kN with the afterburner and is steerable from -15° to +15° along the vertical plane. The thrust vector control is fully integrated into the digital flight control system. The TVC nozzle can be deflected both synchronously and differentially, depending on manoeuvre. The nozzle is connected to the annular swivel and can be moved in the pitch plane by two pairs of hydraulic jacks. The thrust vector control allows manoeuvres at speeds nearing zero without angle-of-attack limitations. The vectoring controls can be operated manually by the pilot or automatically by the flight control system. The Su-37 all-weather multirole fighter aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 2,440km/h. The range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 3,700km and 18,000m respectively and the aircraft weighs around 18,500kg. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 2

Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (One)

2012-05-24T04:13:00.002-07:00

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Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F (One) Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, Russia, technology, KnAAPO, Frolov Chakra, supermaneuverability, demonstrator, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 1 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-F) nicknamed "Diablo" inside Sukhoi, is an experimental single-seat, supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter, designed by Sukhoi. A further development of the original Su-27 "Flanker", it was modified from the first-generation Su-35 (formerly "T10M") prototypes. The Su-37 features an upgraded avionic suite and fire-control system, but its most notable additions are the thrust-vectoring nozzles. Only two prototypes were converted. During the Su-35 flight test programme, active controls during dogfighting maneuvers could not be attained. At the same time, Sukhoi was exploring the application of thrust-vectoring nozzles for fighter jets, giving it better dogfighting attributes. The first Su-37, converted from the eleventh Su-35, performed its maiden flight in April 1996 at Zhukovsky. It was joined by a second prototype in 1998. Throughout the entire program, the Su-37 demonstrated its potential to prospective operators at numerous air shows, performing maneuvers which were previously thought as impossible, among which was a 360° somersault. Despite its potential tactical advantage, the Su-37 did not enter production, and instead remained as a technology demonstrator for updated Su-27 family aircraft such as the export Su-30 and the Su-35BM. The earliest records on thrust-vectoring technology research within Sukhoi began in 1983. The design bureau studied two-dimensional (2D) vector nozzle, which was believed by the West to be the best way of controlling thrust. Sukhoi modified an Su-27UB-PS twin-seater with a 2D nozzle to verify the feasibility of this kind of nozzle. However, the design bureau's General Designer, Mikhail Simonov, believed asymmetrical nozzles (3D) to be more suitable. At the request of Sukhoi, experiments on both types of nozzles were carried out by the Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA). Meanwhile, Sukhoi was busy with the T10M (later renamed Su-35 in 1993) program, which was a comprehensive upgrade over the Su-27. The T10M would incorporate aerodynamic modifications, improved avionics and armament, and have a better propulsion system, designed to give it greatly enhanced agility. The first Su-27M prototype (T-10S-70) made its maiden flight on 28 June 1988. Changes from the Su-27 include canards, upgraded engines, new radar, and a digital fly-by-wire flight-control system. Later Su-35 prototypes featured glass cockpits and modified vertical stabilizers. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 1. The Su-35's construction made significant use of composites, including aluminium-lithium (Al-Li) alloy. The aircraft, like the Su-27, could perform the previously unattainable "Pugachev's Cobra" and tailslide, but during these low-speed maneuvers, active controls could not be achieved because the flight control surfaces were ineffective. In 1995, the eleventh T10M prototype, T10M-11, was delivered to Sukhoi's experimental workshop to be outfitted with exclusive systems. Built by KnAAPO, its structure has increased carbon-fibre and Al-Li content. Installed was the 2D thrust-vectoring Lyulka AL-31FP, an interim measure pending the availability of the AL-37FU (Forsazh Upravleniye, "afterburner-controlled"). The Al-31FP, in fact, is a hybrid version combining the Al-31F and the vectoring nozzle of the Al-37FU. Being fitted with a 2D vector nozzle, the Al-31FU is only variable in pitch, plus or minus 15°. The engine not only incorporates a new-generation 2D TVC nozzle but also is resistant to engine surge even during inverted and flat spins, giving better reliability and maneuverability even when the angle of attack is 180°. The fire-control system was also improved. An upgraded Phaztron N-011M Zhuk-M pulse-Doppler radar was fitted. It can scan 180° horizontally and 55° up and down, and is capable of tracking 20 aerial targets and guiding eight air-to-air missiles. In the aircraft's tail sting is an N-011M rearward facing radar, which has a 120° view horizontally and in elevation. The Su-37 also features an upgraded electronic warfare support measures package. It can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons on 12 hardpoints. The vast range of weapons, of which the Su-37 can carry 8,000 kg (17,600 lb), is supplemented by the 150-round 30 mm GSh-301 cannon. Instead of traditional analogue instruments, the cockpit has four T-form Sextan Avionique (Thales) LCD multi-function displays (MFD). These display air data/navigation, systems status, weapons/systems selection and tactical situation information. The pilot, who sits on the K-36DM ejection seat inclined 30° to help counter the effects of high g-forces, is provided with a head-up display (HUD). The pilot steers with a side-stick and pressure-sensing throttles. The two-grip flying control configuration was designed to prevent the pilot from losing contact with the controls when the aircraft is engaged in fast vectored-thrust maneuvers. Both the fixed throttle and the side-stick controller provide secure points for the pilot to brace his hands. Sukhoi Su-37 Flanker-F Wallpaper 1

JF-17 Thunder (Four)

2012-05-05T08:31:00.003-07:00

JF-17 Thunder (Four) JF-17 Thunder, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, China, Pakistan, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Originally known as Super-7, the FC-1 Xiaolong was developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation under a joint venture of China and Pakistan. The FC-1 is a lightweight multi-role fighter powered by a single Klimov RD-93 (derivative of the RD-33) turbofan. It is capable of beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air combat, as well as laser-guided weapons delivery. Because the FC-1 has been developed primarily for the PAF and export market, it provides a low-cost replacement for many developing countries that are currently operating the ageing MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed and Northrop F-5 series. The unit price is estimated to be US$15 million. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 4. The origins of the 'Super-7' can be traced back to 1986 when Pakistan and China wanted to modernise the J-7 with western avionics and engine. The project was named 'Saber II' by the PAF and would replace its F-6s. In January 1987, Grumman Aerospace was seleted as primary contractor and several other western firms competed to provide the engine and avionics. By 1989 the projected costs had significantly increased (some sources say 40%) and was deemed a highly financial risk by the Pakistan Air Force. On top of that, Chinese relations with the west broke down. Subsequently the contract was cancelled. Chengdu continued the development under the new designation FC-1 (Fighter China-1) aimed at creating an affordable fighter for the export market. In 1995 Pakistan regained interest in a joint development with China. The 1993 US sanctions prevented the PAF from acquiring Western technology or weapons. In June 1999, China and Pakistan signed the joint development and production agreement to co-develop the FC-1. Chengdu was selected as primary contractor and the Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) was contracted to provide the Klimov RD-93 turbofan engine and design assistance too. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 4. The FC-1 design of today has little in common with the J-7 and is believed to be based on Mikoyan's concept for a single-engine fighter based on the MiG-29. The FC-1 also shows features from the F-16 design, although the layout is somewhat more conventional. In Pakistan the new fighter received the designation JF-17 (Joint Fighter-17) and is planned to replace the F-7, Mirage III/5 and Q-5. The Pakistan Air Force will probably be the biggest customer and thus is strongly involved in the development of the aircraft. However Chinese avionics were not meeting the PAF requirements and introducing Western avionics still proved to be a problem with the sanctions in place. It was not until the platform development and avionics system were de-coupled in early 2001, that the program started making progress. Also progressing was Chinese technology. PAF agreed to the use of Chinese avionics, although it still have to made its mind up regarding the fire-control radar. The most likely contender being the Italian-built Grifo S7 radar, PAF F-7P, F-7PG and Mirages are also equipped with Grifo radars. The first FC-1 was rolled out on 31 May 2003. It made its first flight on 24 August 2003, although some say 2 or 3 September 2003. It was quickly followed by a second airframe (PT-2) for static tests and two more flying prototypes. The third prototype PT-3 has joined PT-1 in the flight testing program on 9 April 2004 and PT-4 is scheduled to fly later in 2005. PT-4 will be testing integration of the Chinese radar and PL-12/SD-10 BVR missile. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 4

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JF-17 Thunder (Three)

2012-05-05T08:25:00.002-07:00

JF-17 Thunder (Three) JF-17 Thunder, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, China, Pakistan, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon (Xiaolong) in China (initially known as Super-7), is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft co-developed by China and Pakistan. Currently four prototypes are flying. A joint venture between CAC and Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC) will begin initial production of 16 aircraft in 2006. The designation of the aircraft in the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) is JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 3. It is still not clear whether the Pakistan Air Force (PLA) Air Force will eventually acquire any of this aircraft. If they do introduction can be as soon as 2007. In 1986 China signed a US$550 million agreement with Grumman to modernise its J-7 (Chinese copy of the MiG-21 Fishbed) fighter aircraft under the "Super-7" upgrade project. Western companies from the US and Britain were competing to provide the engine and avionics. The project was cancelled in early 1990, in the wake of the cooling of political relations with the West, as well as in response to a 40% increase in the cost of the project. However, Chengdu managed to continue the programme with its own resources and the project was re-branded as FC-1 (Fighter China-1). JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 3. Following the 1993 US sanction against China and Pakistan on the transfer of ballistic missile components and technology, problems of acquiring Western technology has driven Pakistan to seek helps from its Chinese ally. Beijing and Islamabad concluded a joint development and production agreement in June 1999 to co-develop the FC-1 fighter aircraft. According to the agreement, China Aviation Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) and Pakistan each contribute 50% of the development costs, which was estimated as about US$150 million. Chengdu was chosen to be the primary contractor, with Russian Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) providing assistance in some design work as well as its RD-93 turbofan engine to power the aircraft. The first FC-1 rolled out from the assembly line on 31 May 2003, and its 15-minute maiden flight took place on 24 August 2003. So far four prototypes have been built, with the second for static tests and the rest in flying tests. The initial production of 16 aircraft is expected to start in mid-2006, and the PAF has a requirement for 150 aircraft under the designation of the JF-17 to replace its Chengdu F-7P fighters in current service. Pakistani aviation industry will also be involved in the production of some avionics for the aircraft. The FC-1 is mainly targeting the international market as a potential replacement for the second-generation fighters such as the Northrop F-5 Tiger, Dassault Mirage III/5, Shenyang J-6, MiG-21/F-7 Fishbed, and Nanchang Q-5 aircraft. CATIC and CAC are trying to persuade the PLAAF to acquire additional FC-1s to reduce the unit price, but a firm contract has yet been reached. In addition, CATIC/CAC is also trying to promote the aircraft to other potential customers including Bangladesh, Egypt and Nigeria. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 3

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JF-17 Thunder (Two)

2012-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

JF-17 Thunder (Two) JF-17 Thunder, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, China, Pakistan, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
JF-17 Thunder aircraft is an advanced multi-role light combat aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex under a strategic collaboration project. The aircraft is designed to be cost-effective and can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistan Air Force, and various other air forces. The first prototype made its first test flight in 2003. The letters "J & F" included as title of the aircraft denoting "Joint Fighter". Pakistan renamed Super-7 as JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 2 in 2003. The JF-17 Thunder, whose performance is matched only by F-16s in the Pakistan Air Force's current inventory, would be replacing the aging fleet of Mirage, F-7s and A-5s. The aircraft is being considered as a match for the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is expected to form the backbone of the Indian Air Force in future. There are, however, some features like advanced and futuristic avionics and cost effectiveness that give the JF-17 an edge over the LCA. The JF-17 is a light weight, all weather, multi-role aircraft having a capability to fly at a speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust to weight ratio. The aircraft has the ability to engage targets at all speeds and altitudes within the conventional flying envelope. In the surface attack and interdiction role, the aircraft can strike at long distances. The combat jet has been installed with an advanced flight control system, which is a mix of conventional and fly-by-wire controls, making it highly agile and maneuverable. The aircraft would be capable of carrying short-range, beyond visual range, anti-ship as well as anti-radiation missiles. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 2. Additionally, the carriage of high and low drag bombs, laser guided bombs, run away penetration bombs and cluster bombs would be catered for. However, the air chief parried a question regarding the aircraft's ability to carry nukes. This machines has prominent maneuver cabability, greater range, airborne period and combat radius, fine short distance take off and landing characteristic and stronger weapon carrying capacity. The prominent center low altitude and the high subsonic maneuver operational capacity, has a better interception and to the place attack capability, all-weather, single shot, single-seat. This machine uses nearby the medium aspect ratio the strip wing normal arrangement, entire machine has 7 outside viewpoints, may be hanging many kinds of empty, the open area weapon, and may outside hang 3 auxiliary oil tanks, outside hangs the ability 3,600 kilograms. This machine has used the advanced air operated contour and the big thrust force, the low consumption turbofan engine, as well as the advanced digital fax flies controls the system, the integrated aviation electron and the armament system, has in the launch to be apart from the ball, to realize the multi- goals beyond line of sight attack ability, has many kinds of advanced precise function and so on navigation, battlefield situation sensation, target detection and recognition, operational attack as well as electronic warfare. Because has used the contemporary advanced design and the manufacture technology, the owlet dragon/FC-1 airplane had achieved the third generation fighter aircraft synthesis fighting efficiency, can contend with with now the advanced fighter aircraft, simultaneously has the low cost the characteristic, completely adapts the modern warfare request and the military airplane market demand. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 2

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JF-17 Thunder (One)

2012-05-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

JF-17 Thunder (One) JF-17 Thunder, multirole, combat, jet, fighter, China, Pakistan, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The PAC JF-17 Thunder is a light-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). Its designation "JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 1" by Pakistan is short for "Joint Fighter-17", while the designation "FC-1 Xiaolong" by China means "Fighter China-1 Fierce Dragon". The JF-17 was primarily developed to meet Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) requirement of the for an affordable,[9] modern multi-role combat aircraft as a replacement for its large fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters, Nanchang A-5 bombers, and Chengdu F-7 interceptors. It was also to have export potential as a cost-effective and competitive alternative to significantly more expensive Western fighters. In 1999, Pakistan and China signed the contract to jointly develop the FC-1/Super 7. Initial difficulties in acquiring an avionics and radar package from Europe led to many problems, which was solved in 2001, when design of the airframe was "de-coupled" from the avionics. In 2003, the maiden flight of the first prototype occurred in China. The Pakistani designation "Super-7", meanwhile, were replaced with "JF-17". Later test flights with a modified design occurred in 2006. Deliveries to the PAF for further flight testing and evaluation began in 2007 and the aircraft's first public aerial display took place that year in Islamabad. The PAF officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron, No. 26 Squadron, on 18 February 2010 with fourteen aircraft. The JF-17 is expected to cost approximately US$15 million per unit and the PAF has a confirmed order for 150 JF-17s, which may increase to 250 aircraft. Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe had placed orders for the aircraft while Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Algeria showed interest. By 1989, Pakistan had abandoned Project Sabre II, a design study involving Grumman and China to re-design and upgrade the Chengdu F-7, due to economic sanctions by the U.S. In the same year, China and Grumman started a new design study to develop the Super 7, another re-designed Chengdu F-7. Grumman left the project when sanctions were placed on China following the political fallout from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. After Grumman left the Chengdu Super 7, the Fighter China project was launched in 1991. Pakistan, meanwhile, required a new fighter to replace its fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5s, Chengdu F-7s, and Nanchang A-5s. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 1. In 1995, Pakistan and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint design and development of a new fighter, and over the next few years, the two countries worked out the project details. In June 1995, Mikoyan joined the project to provide "design support" and had "seconded a team of engineers to CAC." In October 1995, it was reported that Pakistan was to select a Western company by the end of the year to provide and integrate the avionics for FC-1, which was expected to go into production by 1999. The avionics were stated to include radars, INSs, HUDs and MFDs. Competing for the contracts were Thomson-CSF with a variant of the RDY radar, Sagem with avionics similar to those used in the ROSE upgrade project and GEC-Marconi with its new Blue Hawk radar, but FIAR (now SELEX Galileo) was expected to win the radar contract with the Grifo S7 because the company had earlier ties with the PAF. In mid-February 1998, Pakistan and China signed a letter of intent covering airframe development. Russia's Klimov offered a variant of the RD-33 turbofan engine to power the fighter. In April 1999, South Africa's Denel offered to arm the PAF's Super 7 with the T-darter beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM), rather than the R-Darter as reported previously. In June 1999, the contract to jointly develop and produce the Chengdu FC-1/Super 7 was signed. The project was to be a 50–50 partnership with the air forces of both countries being committed to ordering the fighter. After GEC-Marconi had abandoned the bidding to supply an integrated avionics suite, FIAR and Thomson-CSF proposed a number of avionics suites based on the Grifo S7 and RC400 radars, respectively despite previously hoping to use the PAF's Super 7 to launch its new Blue Hawk radar. Due to sanctions placed on Pakistan after the country's 1998 nuclear tests, design work progressed very slowly over the next 18 months, preventing delivery of the Western avionics to the PAF. JF-17 Thunder Wallpaper 1

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RQ-4 Global Hawk (Four)

2012-04-28T08:30:00.002-07:00

RQ-4 Global Hawk Wallpaper 4 | AirSkyBuster.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (Four) RQ-4 Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman, Surveillance UAV, United States Air Force, United States Navy, NASA, Luftwaffe, unmanned aerial vehicle, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (Four) UAV system comprises an air vehicle segment consisting of air vehicles with sensor payloads, avionics, and data links; a ground segment consisting of a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE), and a Mission Control Element (MCE) with embedded ground communications equipment; a support element; and trained personnel. The Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) is provided by Raytheon and consists of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electro-optical (EO), and infrared (IR) sensors. Either the EO or the IR sensors can operate simultaneously with the SAR. Each of the sensors provides wide area search imagery and a high-resolution spot mode. The SAR has a ground moving target indicator (GMTI) mode, which can provide a text message providing the moving target's position and velocity. Both SAR and EO/IR imagery are processed onboard the aircraft and transmitted to the MCE as individual frames. The MCE can mosaic these frames into images prior to further dissemination. Navigation is via inertial navigation with integrated Global Positioning System updates. RQ-4 Global Hawk (Four) is intended to operate autonomously and "untethered" using a satellite data link (either Ku or UHF) for sending sensor data from the aircraft to the MCE. The common data link can also be used for direct down link of imagery when the UAV is operating within line-of-sight of users with compatible ground stations. The ground segment consists of a Mission Control Element (MCE) and Launch and Recovery Element (LRE), provided by Raytheon. The MCE is used for mission planning, command and control, and image processing and dissemination; an LRE for controlling launch and recovery; and associated ground support equipment. (The LRE provides precision differential global positioning system corrections for navigational accuracy during takeoff and landings, while precision coded GPS supplemented with an inertial navigation system is used during mission execution.) By having separable elements in the ground segment, the MCE and the LRE can operate in geographically separate locations, and the MCE can be deployed with the supported command's primary exploitation site. Both ground segments are contained in military shelters with external antennas for line-of-sight and satellite communications with the air vehicles. The Global Hawk carries the Hughes Integrated Surveillance & Reconnaissance (HISAR) sensor system. HISAR is a lower-cost derivative of the ASARS-2 package that Hughes developed for the Lockheed U-2. HISAR is also fitted in the US Army's RC-7B Airborne Reconnaissance Low Multifunction (ARLM) manned surveillance aircraft, and is being sold on the international market. HISAR integrates a SAR-MTI system, along with an optical and an infrared imager. All three sensors are controlled and their outputs filtered by a common processor. The digital sensor data can be transmitted at up to 50 Mbit/s to a ground station in real time, either directly or through a communications satellite link. RQ-4 Global Hawk (Four)

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RQ-4 Global Hawk (Three)

2012-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

RQ-4 Global Hawk Wallpaper 3 | AirSkyBuster.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (Three) RQ-4 Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman, Surveillance UAV, United States Air Force, United States Navy, NASA, Luftwaffe, unmanned aerial vehicle, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (Three) is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial reconnaissance system which provides military field commanders with high resolution, near real-time imagery of large geographic areas. The programme is funded by the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office (DARO) and managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Air Force. Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ryan Aeronautical Centre is the prime contractor and the principal suppliers include Raytheon Systems (sensors), Rolls-Royce North America (turbofan engine), Boeing North American (carbon fibre wing) and L3 Communications (communications system). The Global Hawk air vehicles are built at the Northrop Grumman (formerly Teledyne Ryan) aeronautical facility in San Diego. In March 2001, the US Department of Defense awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the programme which concluded in February 2003 with the final delivery of the seventh pre-production (block 0) vehicle. In June 2001 a contract was placed to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) for two production air vehicles and the mission control element of the system's ground station, to be completed by December 2003. RQ-4 Global Hawk (Three). The first production vehicle (block 10) rolled out in August 2003. A further LRIP contract for four vehicles was placed in February 2003 and a third in October 2004 for two vehicles. Block 10 deliveries were completed in June 2006. The US Navy had two RQ-4A air vehicles delivered in 2005. In April 2008, the USN selected the RQ-4N marinised variant of the Global Hawk RQ-4B Block 20 for the broad-area maritime surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirement. The system design and development (SDD) contract awarded to Northrop Grumman requires the delivery of two UAVs with mission payloads and communication suites, one forward operating base mission control system, one systems integration laboratory and one main operating base mission control system. The RQ-4N will have a Northrop Grumman active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Raytheon electro-optic / infrared sensors, L-3 communications suite and Sierra Nevada Corp. Merlin electronic support measures (ESM). The RQ-4N is planned for maiden flight in 2011 and service entry in 2014. RQ-4 Global Hawk (Three)

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RQ-4 Global Hawk (Two)

2012-04-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

RQ-4 Global Hawk Wallpaper 2 | AirSkyBuster.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (Two) RQ-4 Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman, Surveillance UAV, United States Air Force, United States Navy, NASA, Luftwaffe, unmanned aerial vehicle, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
On 26 January 2012, the Department of Defense announced that the Global Hawk Block 30 program would be terminated. It had been determined that though the RQ-4 Global Hawk (Two) 30 program had been initiated to provide essentially the same capability as the U-2 manned aircraft, but at a much reduced cost to both purchase and operate, these savings had not materialized. Although this was said to be "a significant disappointment," the experience with Global Hawk Block 30 was expected to help other Global Hawk programs like the US Air Force Global Hawk Block 40, NATO's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS), and the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS). The Global Hawk (Tier II+) High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HAE UAV) program was an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) designed to satisfy the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office's (DARO) goal of providing extended reconnaissance capability to the Joint Force commander. Extended reconnaissance was defined by the Director, DARO, Major General Kenneth Israel, as "the ability to supply responsive and sustained data from anywhere within enemy territory, day or night, regardless of weather, as the needs of the warfighter dictate." Two complementary HAE UAV systems were being developed under this program, a conventional design (Tier II Plus) and an Low Observable configuration (Tier III Minus). RQ-4 Global Hawk (Two) UAV was designed to be optimized for high altitude, long range and endurance. It is to be capable of providing 28 hours of endurance while carrying 3,000 pounds of payload and operating at 65,000 feet mean sea level. The integrated sensor suite consists of SAR, EO, and IR sensors. Each of the sensors provides wide area search imagery and a high-resolution spot mode. The radar also has a ground moving target indicator mode. The HAE UAV was expected to be capable of long dwell, broad area coverage, and continuous spot coverage of areas of interest with high resolution sensors. Global Hawk's 24-hour operationally persistent dwell would support persistently viewing and tracking targets like critical mobile targets. The Global Hawk was focused on the radar integrated into the system for all-weather, wide-area and spot capability that could provide high quality imagery with targeting accuracy. The Global Hawk radar and EO/IR payload are carried simultaneously. Radar is capable of multiple modes, SAR strip at one meter, SAR spot at a foot, GMTI mode down to four knots operating all at 20 to 200 kilometers range. The EO/IR payload provided NIIRS 6 or 5.5 depending on whether it's EO or IR. Global Hawk was designed to integrate with the existing tactical airborne reconnaissance architectures for mission planning, data processing, exploitation, and dissemination. It would provide both wide area search radar and EO/IR imagery (40,000 sq nm per mission) at 1m resolution and up to 1900 spot images per mission at 0.3m resolution, and would support targeting accuracy of at least 20m CEP. The Global Hawk UAV system comprises an air vehicle component (with air vehicles, sensor payloads, avionics, and data links), a ground segment (with a launch and recovery element or LRE), a mission control element (MCE) (with embedded ground communications equipment), a support element, and trained personnel. RQ-4 Global Hawk (Two)

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RQ-4 Global Hawk (One)

2012-04-28T07:22:00.001-07:00

RQ-4 Global Hawk Wallpaper 1 | AirSkyBuster.
RQ-4 Global Hawk (One) RQ-4 Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman, Surveillance UAV, United States Air Force, United States Navy, NASA, Luftwaffe, unmanned aerial vehicle, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The Northrop Grumman (formerly Ryan Aeronautical) RQ-4 Global Hawk (One) (known as Tier II+ during development) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft. In role and operational design, the Global Hawk is similar to the Lockheed U-2, the venerable 1950s spy plane. It is a theater commander's asset to provide a broad overview and systematic target surveillance. For this purpose, the Global Hawk is able to provide high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)—that can penetrate cloud-cover and sandstorms—and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) imagery at long range with long loiter times over target areas. It can survey as much as 40,000 square miles (103,600 square kilometers) of terrain a day. It is used as a high-altitude platform for surveillance and security. Missions for the Global Hawk cover the spectrum of intelligence collection capability to support forces in worldwide military operations. According to the Air Force, the capabilities of the aircraft allow more precise targeting of weapons and better protection of forces through superior surveillance capabilities. The Global Hawk costs about US$35 million to procure each aircraft. With development costs included, the unit cost rises to US$218 million. Initial operational capability was declared for the RQ-4 Block 30 in August 2011. In January 2012, the Air Force announced that no further RQ-4 Block 30 aircraft would be procured, and that the existing fleet would be mothballed to reduce costs. The first seven aircraft were built under the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program, sponsored by DARPA, in order to evaluate the design and its capabilities. Due to world circumstances, the capabilities of the aircraft were in high demand, so the prototype aircraft were operated by the U.S. Air Force in the War in Afghanistan. In an unusual move, the aircraft entered initial low-rate production while still in engineering and manufacturing development. Nine production Block 10 aircraft (sometimes referred to as RQ-4 Global Hawk (One) configuration) were produced, two of which were sold to the US Navy. Two more were sent to Iraq to support operations there. The final Block 10 aircraft was delivered on June 26, 2006. In order to increase the aircraft's capabilities, the airframe was redesigned, with the nose section and wings being stretched. The changes, with the designation RQ-4B Block 20, allow the aircraft to carry up to 3,000 pounds of internal payload. These changes were introduced with the first Block 20 aircraft, the 17th Global Hawk produced, which was rolled out in a ceremony on August 25, 2006. First flight of the Block 20 from the USAF Plant 42 in Palmdale, California to Edwards Air Force Base took place on March 1, 2007. Developmental testing of Block 20 took place in 2008. Future Block 30 and 40 aircraft, similar in size to the Block 20, are scheduled for development from 2008 to 2010. When the Global Hawk was produced it was in a sale plan for more than 5 countries including USA and Germany. The United States Navy took delivery of two of the Block 10 aircraft to be used to evaluate maritime surveillance capabilities, designated N-1 (BuNo 166509) and N-2 (BuNo 166510). The initial example was tested in a naval configuration at Edwards Air Force Base for several months, later ferrying to NAS Patuxent River on March 28, 2006 to begin the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program. Navy squadron VX-20 was tasked with operating the GHMD system. The GHMD aircraft flew in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise for the first time in July 2006. Although RIMPAC operations were in the vicinity of Hawaii, the aircraft was operated from Edwards, requiring flights of approximately 2,500 miles (4,000 km) each way to the operations area. Four flights were performed, resulting in over 24 hours of persistent maritime surveillance coordinated with USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Bonhomme Richard. As a part of the demonstration program, Global Hawk was tasked with maintenance of maritime situational awareness, contact tracking, and imagery support of various exercise operations. The imagery obtained by Global Hawk was transmitted to NAS Patuxent River for processing before being forwarded on to the fleet operations off Hawaii, thus exercising the global nature of this aircraft's operations. Northrop Grumman entered a version of the RQ-4B in the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAV contract competition. On 22 April 2008 the announcement was made that the Northrop Grumman RQ-4N had won the bid, with the Navy awarding a contract worth US$1.16 billion. In September 2010, the RQ-4N was officially designated the MQ-4C. RQ-4 Global Hawk (One)

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Yakovlev Yak-130 (four)

2012-04-22T01:45:00.000-07:00

Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 4 | AirSkyBuster.
Yakovlev Yak-130 (four) Yakovlev Yak-130, Mitten, Advanced trainer jet, Light fighter, Russian Air Force, LIFT, Yakovlev design bureau, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 4 combat trainer was selected as the winner of the trainer competition of the Voyenno Vozdushnyye Sily, Russian Federation Air Force, in April 2002. The aircraft is also actively marketed for export by Yakovlev, the Irkut company, and by Rosoboronexport. The Russian Air Force has a future requirement for 300 Yak-130 aircraft that can be deployed as a light strike aircraft or as a trainer for a range of fourth or fifth-generation fighters. An order was placed for the first 12 aircraft to replace aging Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros in 2002. The aircraft entered service in the Russian Federation Air Force at the military pilot training academy in Krasnodar in July 2009 and was showcased in the MAKS 2009 air show. The production line for the aircraft at the Aviation Plant Sokol in Nizhny Novgorod, known as NAZ Sokol, is fully operational and the roll out of the first production series aircraft took place in May 2003. A series of flight tests of the serial production aircraft was started in April 2004. The Russian Air Force ordered official testing in May 2005. The full trials of the advanced combat trainer, including spin and combat tactics trials, were completed in December 2009 prior to delivery of the first two production aircraft to the Russian Air Force. The first Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 4 ordered by the Russian Air Force completed its flight acceptance test at Sokol in August 2009. The Russian Airforce received the first four of 12 Yak-130s between February 2010 and April 2010. Another five aircraft were delivered in April 2011. In March 2006, it was announced that Algeria had placed an order for 16 Yak-130 trainers. The first flight of the Yak-130 built for Algerian Air Force was completed in September 2009. Deliveries are due to begin in 2011. In September 2011, the Algerian pilots were permitted to take solo flights on the aircraft after completion of three months theoretical and practical trainings. In January 2010, the Libyan Air Force ordered six Yak-130 aircraft. The Vietnamese Air Force has ordered eight Yak-130 aircraft. In December 2010, the Kazakh Defence Minister signed an agreement with his Russian counterpart to use the Yak-130. Syria and Indonesia have also shown interest in Yak-130 combat trainers. A joint programme for trainer development between Yakovlev of Russia and Aermacchi of Italy began in 1993 and the Yak / AEM-130D demonstrator first flew in 1996. In 1999, the partnership was dissolved and the Yakovlev Yak-130 and the Aermacchi M346 became separate programmes. By the second quarter of 2003, the Yak-130 prototype had successfully completed 450 flights, including high-manoeuvrability flight demonstrations such as a controlled angle of attack of 42°. The Yak-130 completed the first stage of state joint tests in April 2009 which includes incorporating basic armaments. It arrived at Lipetsk Air Base in February 2010. The Yak-130 has a maximum g-loading of +8g to -3g and is capable of executing the flight manoeuvres specific to current operational and developmental combat aircraft, including Su-30, MiG-29, Mirage, F-15, F-16, Eurofighter, F-22 and F-35. Other variants of the Yak-130 considered included a navalised carrier-based trainer aircraft, a lightweight reconnaissance aircraft and an unmanned strike aircraft. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 4

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Yakovlev Yak-130 (three)

2012-04-22T01:40:00.002-07:00

Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 3 | AirSkyBuster.
Yakovlev Yak-130 (three) Yakovlev Yak-130, Mitten, Advanced trainer jet, Light fighter, Russian Air Force, LIFT, Yakovlev design bureau, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 3 is a russian made subsonic two-seat new-generation aircraft intended for basic and advanced flight training of air school trainee pilots to fly fourth- and fifth-generation combat aircraft, for maintaining flying skills of pilot personnel of regular air units, and flying combat missions in local armed conflicts. Development of the plane began in 1991, and the maiden flight was conducted on 26 April 1996. In 2005, it won a Russian government tender for training aircraft, and in 2009 the first planes were put into service in the Russian Air Force. As an advanced training aircraft, the Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50. It can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance duties, carrying a combat load of 3,000 kg. The Yak-130 features design simplicity, high reliability of its airframe, powerplant and aircraft systems, a long lifetime, independent basing capability, as well as high maintainability ensured by its automated onboard diagnostics and monitoring system. The potentialities invested in the Yak-130 design and layout concept will enable its designers to develop a light combat aircraft and other modifications. The Yak-130 is composed by an advanced aerodynamic configuration with an integrated aircraft layout, a swept wing with wing-root extension and leading edge flaps, high-lift wing devices, a vertical tail displaced forward relative to an all-moving stabilizer in combination with a high thrust-to- weight ratio - provides high takeoff/landing and maneuvering characteristics for the combat trainer, including controllable flights at an attack angle of 42 degrees. The Yak-130 is the first Russian aircraft to have all digital avionics. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 3 has an open-architecture avionics suite that consists of two computers and a three-channel multiplex data exchange system. Navigation is provided by a platform-free laser gyro system and a GLONASS/Navstar GPS receiver. Provision is made for equipping the aircraft with a radar capable of discriminating targets in free space and against the underlying surface. The information and control field of each cockpit consists of three multifunctional color liquid-crystal indicators that provide the pilot with complete flight/navigation and combat information. The crewmember in the front cockpit can use a head-up display and a helmet-mounted target designator. A programmable digital multichannel electric remote control system of this combat trainer makes it possible to simulate stability and controllability characteristics of virtually any Russian or foreign fourth- or fifth-generation fighter. The Yak-130 has an air-conditioned and pressurised two-seat all-glass tandem cockpit. The Yak-130 is powered by two up-to-date Al-222-25 turbojet engines with a thrust of 2,500 kgf each. The engines' air intakes are fitted with devices preventing ingestion of foreign objects. For training purposes, part of these combat trainers will be equipped with air refueling probes. The aircraft's twin engines are mounted under extended wing roots, which reach as far forward as the windscreen. The export variant of the Yak-130 can be fitted with the DV-2SM engine. The internal fuel tanks, comprising two wing tanks and a centre fuselage tank, carry up to 1,750kg of fuel. With two suspended fuel tanks (each 450l) the maximum total fuel load is 2,650kg. The aircraft is fitted with single point pressure or optional gravity refuelling. The aircraft can be fitted with an in-flight refuelling probe. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 3

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Yakovlev Yak-130 (two)

2012-04-22T01:33:00.002-07:00

Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 2 | AirSkyBuster.
Yakovlev Yak-130 (two) Yakovlev Yak-130, Mitten, Advanced trainer jet, Light fighter, Russian Air Force, LIFT, Yakovlev design bureau, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The aircraft's twin engines are mounted under extended wing roots, which reach as far forward as the windscreen. Originally the AI-25 engine was selected, but this was later changed to the Klimov-modified RD-35M rated at 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) thrust each. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 2. The export version or future variants can be fitted with the L'yulka Saturn Al-55 engine if chosen by the buyer. The airframe is part metal, but with extensive use of composites, giving it a projected lifespan of 15,000 hours and 25,000 landings. The wing's delta shape has a 31 degree taper on the leading edge. All flight control surfaces are fully powered. Internal fuel capacity is 2,060 litres (454 gallons), with an optional 700 litre (154 gallon) conforming belly tank. The undercarriage uses Yakovlev's trademark low-pressure tires for operations from unpaved runways. The steerable nosewheel retracts backward, while the main units retract into the engine duct fairings. The large canopies are sideways hinged, and there is a large, curved forward windscreen. The cockpit is pressurized, and both positions have two (in export versions three) multi-function displays, along with a heads-up display (HUD) for navigation and weapons aiming. Both seats are equipped with Zvezda K-36 zero/zero altitude ejection seats. A wide range of weapons can be carried on the aircraft's seven external pylons, including guided missiles and gun pods. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 2. Combat training suite on the Yak-130 includes simulated and real firing systems with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, bomb dropping, gun firing and on-board self-protection systems. The instructor can set and control "target behavior" from his seat in the aircraft. It has an automated on-board diagnostics and control system which makes the aircraft easy to operate and maintain. It has an improved airframe with a design lifetime of 10,000 flight hours and 20,000 flight cycles during a calendar lifetime of 30 years and can operate from unpaved airfields. The Yak-130 is the first Russian aircraft to have all digital avionics. The Yak-130 has an air-conditioned and pressurised two-seat all-glass tandem cockpit. The first Yak-130s entered Russian Air Force service in July 2009. However, deliveries have been slow. On 29 May 2010, one aircraft crashed near Lipetsk during testing (both pilots ejected). As of January 2012, it is believed that only eight aircraft are operational in their advanced jet trainer role. The first export orders were signed in 2006, when Algeria ordered 16 Yak-130s and Libya put an order for 6 planes. In August 2009 the first trainer assembled for Algerian Air Force performed its maiden flight. 3 YaKs were in delivered November 2011, 13 are still remaining to be delivered. Deliveries to Libya were expected in 2011-2012, but the Libyan National Transitional Council cancelled Libya's order for Yak-130s in September 2011 as part of a review of all existing arms contracts. Syria has agreed to purchase 36 aircraft. The Uruguayan air force is considering the aircraft for the future replacement of the A-37, while Russia has offered the Yak-130 to Serbia as part of a US$3 billion loan for the upgrading of the Serbian armed forces. Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 2

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Yakovlev Yak-130 (one)

2012-04-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 1 | AirSkyBuster.
Yakovlev Yak-130 (one) Yakovlev Yak-130, Mitten, Advanced trainer jet, Light fighter, Russian Air Force, LIFT, Yakovlev design bureau, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 1 (NATO reporting name: Mitten is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) developed by the Yakovlev design bureau. Development of the plane began in 1991, and the maiden flight was conducted on 26 April 1996. In 2005, it won a Russian government tender for training aircraft, and in 2009 the first planes were put into service in the Russian Air Force. As an advanced training aircraft, the Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50. It can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance duties, carrying a combat load of 3,000 kg. In the early 1990s, the Soviet government asked the industry to develop a new aircraft to replace the Czech-made Aero L-29 Delfín and Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers. Five design bureaus put forward proposals. Among them were Sukhoi's S-54, Myasischev's M-200, Mikoyan's MiG-AT, and Yakovlev's Yak-UTS. In 1991, the other proposals were dropped and only the MiG-AT and Yak-UTS remained. Development of Yak-UTS started in 1991 and the design was completed in September 1993. The same year, Yakovlev entered an agreement with the Italian company Aermacchi to work together on the plane, which now became Yak/AEM-130. The Yak-130 version was to be offered for the Russian and the M-346 version for the Italian market. On 10 April 2002, it was announced that Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 1 had been chosen as the winner of the tender for trainer aircraft for basic and advanced pilot training, beating the MiG-AT. Yak-130 completed its maiden flight, registered as RA-431130, on 25 April 1996 at Zhukovsky. The plane was put on display for the first time at the Paris Air Show in June, 2005. The same year, the Russian Air Force made its first order for 12 Yak-130 planes. On 30 April 2004, the first pre-series Yak-130, assembled at the SOKOL plant in Nizhny Novgorod, performed its maiden flight. It was followed by three more pre-series aircraft. In December 2009, the aircraft completed state trials and was cleared for service in the Russian Air Force. First serial aircraft was delivered to a training center in Lipetsk on 19 February 2010. It was expected to receive rest from the initial batch of 12 planes during 2010. The Russian airforce intends to buy at least 72 Yak-130s, enough to equip four training regiments. Russian Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Colonel Aleksander Zelin, announced on November 8, 2011, that the Russian Defence Ministry was to sign a contract within two weeks with Irkut Corporation for 65 additional aircraft. Zelin stated that deliveries were expected to be completed by 2017. Yak-130 is an advanced pilot training aircraft, able to replicate characteristics of Russian 4+ generation fighters, as well as the Sukhoi T-50 fifth generation fighter. The developer estimates that the plane can cover up to 80% of the entire pilot flight training program. In addition to its training purpose, it is also able to function as a light-attack and reconnaissance plane. It can carry a combat load of 3,000 kg, including weapons, auxiliary fuel tanks, weapon guidance, electronic intelligence and electronic countermeasures pods. According to its chief designer Konstantin Popovich, during a testing phase that ended in December 2009, the plane was tested with "all airborne weapons with a weight of up to 500 kg that are in service in the Russian Air Force". Yakovlev Yak-130 Wallpaper 1

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AV-8B Harrier II (four)

2012-04-16T07:01:00.002-07:00

AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 4 | AirSkyBuster.
AV-8B Harrier II (four) AV-8B Harrier II, McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace, Boeing, BAE Systems, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft, United States, United Kingdom, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The Maverick AGM-65 anti-tank missile is installed on the Italian Harrier II Plus. The AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range, air-to-air missile, a predecessor to the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM, is held in the arms inventories of many countries, including the user countries of the Harrier II Plus aircraft. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 4. The Harrier II Plus is capable of deploying the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile from MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics), which is a fire-and-forget, sea-skimming missile also carried on the Sea Harrier, and the air-launch version of Harpoon AGM-84 surface strike missile from Boeing. USMC Harriers are fitted with the 1,000lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). AV-8B aircraft have been fitted with the Northrop Grumman Litening II targeting and reconnaissance pod. Litening II consists of a CCD TV camera for video reconnaissance and FLIR and laser spot tracker or rangefinder for targeting. These are to be replaced with the latest generation Litening Advanced Targeting pod. Sensors on the Harrier II Plus. The Harrier II Plus is equipped with the Raytheon APG-65 digital radar to provide day and night and adverse weather capability. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 4. The APG-65 is a jam-resistant, all-weather detection and tracking radar. In the air-to-air role, the radar operates in search, track and combat modes. Long-range interception missions use the radar's long-range detection capability and, for the close-in air defense role, the radar uses rapid acquisition modes for the aircraft's 25mm cannon and heat-seeking missiles. In the air-to-surface role, the APG-65 radar provides high-resolution, long-range surface mapping and detection, and tracking of land-based and sea-based targets. The radar has the capability to locate small, fast patrol boats in high sea states and to detect large naval ships at long range. Avionics. The avionics suite of the Harrier II Plus is similar to that of the US Marine Corps' Night Attack AV-8B. It is equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, night-vision goggles (NVG) and an NVG-compatible cockpit. The image from the FLIR is projected on the wide-field-of-view, head-up display or on one of the multipurpose, head-down displays to provide night-time and reduced-visibility capability. Pegasus engine. The Pegasus engine 11-61 (F402-RR-408) from Rolls-Royce provides a high thrust-to-weight ratio and retains its performance in hot and high-altitude conditions. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 4

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AV-8B Harrier II (three)

2012-04-16T06:56:00.002-07:00

AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 3 | AirSkyBuster.
AV-8B Harrier II (three) AV-8B Harrier II, McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace, Boeing, BAE Systems, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft, United States, United Kingdom, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The AV-8B V/STOL strike aircraft was designed to replace the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft. The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950's. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL aircraft are particularly well-suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 3 + features the APG-65 Radar common to the F/A-18, as well as all previous systems and features common to the AV-8BII. The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and destroy surface and air targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct other such air operations as may be directed. Specific tasks of the AV-8B HARRIER II include: Conduct close air support using conventional and specific weapons. Conduct deep air support, to include armed reconnaissance and air interdiction, using conventional and specific weapons. Conduct offensive and defensive antiair warfare. This includes combat air patrol, armed escort missions, and offensive missions against enemy ground-to-air defenses, all within the capabilities of the aircraft. Be able to operate and deliver ordnance at night and to operate under instrument flight conditions. Be able to deploy for extended operations employing aerial refueling. Be able to deploy to and operate from carriers and other suitable seagoing platforms, advanced bases, expeditionary airfields, and remote tactical landing sites. Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was highlighted by expeditionary air operations performed by the AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 3. The Harrier II was the first Marine Corps tactical strike platform to arrive in theater, and subsequently operated from various basing postures. Three squadrons, totaling 60 aircraft, and one six-aircraft detachment operated ashore from an expeditionary airfield, while one squadron of 20 aircraft operated from a sea platform. During the ground war, AV-8Bs were based as close as 35 nautical miles (40.22 miles) from the Kuwait border, making them the most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in theater. The AV-8B flew 3,380 sorties for a total of 4,083 flight hours while maintaining a mission capable rate in excess of 90%. Average turnaround time during the ground war surge rate flight operations was 23 minutes. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 3

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AV-8B Harrier II (two)

2012-04-16T06:49:00.002-07:00

AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 2 | AirSkyBuster.
AV-8B Harrier II (two) AV-8B Harrier II, McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace, Boeing, BAE Systems, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft, United States, United Kingdom, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The Harrier II Plus (AV-8B), manufactured by BAE SYSTEMS and Boeing, is a VSTOL fighter and attack aircraft operational with the US Marine Corps (USMC), the Spanish Navy and the Italian Navy. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 2 Plus extends the capabilities of the Harrier with the introduction of a multi-mode radar and beyond-visual-range missile capability. The USMC received the first AV-8B in 1993. It has 215 aircraft. The Italian Navy has 18 and the Spanish Navy 17. The UK Royal Air Force has 60 Harrier GR.7 aircraft which were upgraded to GR.9. The Harrier GR9 entered service in September 2006, with delivery of the first 24 aircraft. First operational deployment of the GR9 was in January 2007 at Kandahar, Afghanistan, as part of the NATO International Security Force (ISAF). Since 1969, 824 Harrier variants have been delivered. Manufacture of new Harriers concluded in 1997. The last aircraft remanufactured to the Harrier II Plus configuration was delivered in December 2003, marking the end of the Harrier production line. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 2 has been deployed in Operation Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2007, the US Department of Defense awarded a $258.5m performance-based logistics contract to Boeing Company for the AV-8B Harriers operated by USMC, Italy and Spain under the Harrier Integrated Supply Support (HISS) programme. The contract will last for five years with an option to extend for five more years. Services offered under the programme include asset repair management, devolution management, reliability and maintainability enhancements, warehousing, technology insertion, transportation and other advanced supply support solutions. Harrier II Plus cockpit. The cockpit is fully integrated for day and night operability and is equipped with head-up and head-down displays, a digital moving map, an inertial navigation system (INS) and a hands-on throttle and stick system (HOTAS). Weapons. The Harrier II Plus is capable of deploying a wide range of weapon systems, including the air-to-air AMRAAM and Sparrow missiles, air-to-surface AGM-65 Maverick missiles, anti-ship Harpoon and Sea Eagle missiles, a 25mm cannon, and a range of bombs and rockets. The AIM-120A Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) from Raytheon Missile Systems is an all-weather, fire-and-forget, air-to-air missile, equipped with an active radar seeker and a high-explosive warhead. The range is over 50 miles, and the speed of the missile is 1.2km a second. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 2

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AV-8B Harrier II (one)

2012-04-16T06:42:00.002-07:00

AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 1 | AirSkyBuster.
AV-8B Harrier II (one) AV-8B Harrier II, McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace, Boeing, BAE Systems, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft, United States, United Kingdom, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image.
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) ground-attack aircraft. An Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the Harrier II is the final member of the Harrier family that started with the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 in the early 1960s. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 1 is primarily used for light attack or multi-role missions, and is typically operated from small aircraft carriers, large amphibious assault ships and simple forward operating bases. The British Aerospace Harrier II variant of the AV-8B was developed for the British military. The AV-8B is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Spanish Navy and Italian Navy. The TAV-8B is a dedicated two-seat trainer version. The Harrier II and other models of the Harrier family have been called "Jump Jets". The AV-8B was extensively redesigned by McDonnell Douglas from the earlier AV-8A/C Harrier. It has a new wing, an elevated cockpit, a redesigned fuselage, and other structural and aerodynamic refinements. The number of hardpoints was increased from five to seven. Later upgrades, which resulted in the AV-8B(NA) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus, added radar and night-attack capabilities. British Aerospace joined the improved Harrier project in the early 1980s. Since corporate mergers in the 1990s, Boeing and BAE Systems have jointly supported the program. AV-8Bs have participated in numerous conflicts, providing close air support for ground troops and performing armed reconnaissance, proving themselves versatile assets. US Army General Norman Schwarzkopf named the USMC Harrier as one of the seven most important weapons of the Gulf War. The aircraft took part in combat during the Iraq War beginning in 2003. The Harrier II has served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since 2001, and was used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. Italian and Spanish Harrier IIs participated in overseas conflicts, in conjunction with NATO coalitions. American and Italian AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 1 are expected to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the first-generation Harriers entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Marine Corps (USMC), it became increasingly apparent that they were handicapped in range and payload. The AV-8A, the American designation for the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, in STOL configuration, could only carry less than half the 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) payload of the A-4 over a radius smaller than that of the diminutive aircraft. To address this issue, in 1973 Hawker Siddeley and McDonnell Douglas began joint development of a more capable version of the Harrier. Early efforts concentrated on an improved Pegasus engine, designated Pegasus 15, which was undergoing testing by Bristol Siddeley. The engine was more powerful but had a diameter 2.75 inches (70 mm) larger, too big to readily fit into the Harrier. A joint American and British team completed a project document defining an Advanced Harrier with the Pegasus 15 engine in December 1973. The Advanced Harrier was intended to replace original RAF and USMC Harriers, as well as the latter's A-4. The aim of the Advanced Harrier was to double the AV-8's payload and range capabilities, and was therefore unofficially named "AV-16". The British government pulled out of the project in March 1975 due to decreased defense funding, rising costs, and a small 60-aircraft requirement by the RAF. The US was unwilling to fund development by itself, and ended the project later that year. AV-8B Harrier II Wallpaper 1

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Airbus A400M (four)

2012-04-12T22:19:00.002-07:00

Airbus A400M Wallpaper 4 | AirSkyBuster.
Airbus A400M (four) Airbus A400M, Airbus Military, Long-range military transport, turboprop, tactical airlifter, Grizzly, aircraft, airplane, military, defense, attack, widescreen, wallpaper, photo, picture, image
Airbus A400M Wallpaper 4 has a much larger payload than the C-160 Transall and C-130 and the design makes extensive use of composite materials. The capability for short soft field landing and take-off is part of the requirement and the aircraft has six-wheel high-flotation main landing gear. The need for airdrops and tactical flight requires good low-airspeed flight and the aircraft also has long-range and high-cruise speed for rapid and flexible deployment. Final assembly of the composite (carbon-reinforced plastic - CRP) wingbox is taking place at Airbus UK in Filton. GKN Aerospace of the UK has supplied the complex carbon composite wing spars. Denel Aviation of South Africa is the supplier of the fuselage top shells and wing-fuselage fairings. EADS, Augsburg, is supplying the 7m×4m composite cargo door. Fuselage assembly is at Airbus Deutschland in Bremen. Final assembly of the A400M aircraft takes place at EADS CASA in Seville. Cockpit of the military transporter. The cockpit is fully night-vision compatible and provides accommodation for two pilots and an additional crew member for special mission equipment operations. It is fitted with a fly-by-wire flight control system developed for the Airbus range of civil airliners. Two sidestick controllers are installed to allow the pilot an unrestricted view of the electronic flight displays. The throttle controls are placed centrally between the two pilot stations. Thales and Diehl Avionik Systeme are developing the Airbus A400M Wallpaper 4 FMS400 flight management system, based on integrated modular avionics modules, an adaptation of systems being fitted on the Airbus A380 airliner. The avionics will include cockpit control and display systems with nine 6in × 6in displays and a digital head-up display which features liquid crystal display (LCD) technology and enhanced vision systems (EVS), for enhanced situational awareness, automated CG calculation, automated defensive aids systems, simple EMCOM switching, simplified switching, uncluttered screens, automated tanker and receiver fuel control and auto fuel tank inerting. The A400M for Germany will be fitted with a terrain-masking low-level flight (TMLLF) system, from EADS Military Aircraft, for low-level flight control. The TMLLF system has a Saab Avitronics flight computer. EADS Defence & Security Systems digital map generator is also being fitted. There is a military mission management system (MMMS), from EADS Defence Electronics, which includes two mission computers. The MMMS controls cargo handling and delivery, calculating the load plan and the computed air release point before an air drop, as well as fuel management and fuel operational ranges. The MMMS also manages the tactical ground collision avoidance system (T-CGAS) and military / civil communications. Rockwell Collins was selected to supply the HF-9500 high-frequency communications system and the avionics full duplex ethernet (ADFX). Cobham Antennas Division provides the SATCOM antennas. Airbus A400M Wallpaper 4

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