Pilots & Planes Military

Sikorsky Troy completes structural modernization of its first S-61T

adminppm — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:55:14 +0000

Sikorsky Aircraft’s Troy, Ala., facility announced today it has completed the structural modernization of its first S-61T^™ airframe, which will now
undergo completion at Carson Helicopters for eventual delivery to the U.S. State Department for diplomatic service in Afghanistan.

The State Department signed an agreement in 2010 to purchase up to 110 modernized S-61^™ aircraft that Sikorsky is refurbishing under its
S-61T^™ Program, managed by its aftermarket business Sikorsky Aerospace Services. The program includes the upgrade and installation of
composite main rotor blades, state-of-the-art glass cockpit, modular wiring harness, and modern survivability and force protection enhancements – all of which dramatically improve aircraft capability and supportability. These enhancements result in an aircraft with improved safety, and 15 percent greater performance with a lower operating cost. The number of aircraft the State Department purchases will depend upon need and availability of government funding.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services launched the program in 2010 with Carson Helicopters, and so far has delivered 14 modernized S-61 aircraft to the State Department. The Troy facility employs more than 640 people and produces SEAHAWK^® airframes, and BLACK HAWK and CH148 Cyclone^™ subassemblies for U.S. and foreign military customers. In 2012, the facility also began modernizing S-61 airframes

A330 MRTT ‘refuels’ A400M

adminppm — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:39:59 +0000

An Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter has successfully performed simulated refuelling contacts with an Airbus Military A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport.
The A400M made some 30 contacts with the hose and drogue of the A330 MRTT´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). No fuel was passed in these tests which consisted of “dry contacts”.

The A330 MRTT that took part in the tests is one of the aircraft to be delivered to the UK Royal Air Force, where it is known as Voyager, as part of the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) programme.
The FRU is typically used to refuel large aircraft such as the A400M and the tests demonstrated the stability of both aircraft when flying in close formation and when refuelling.

Last Italian F-16s replaced by Typhoons

adminppm — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:56 +0000

Eurofighter Typhoons of the Italian Air Force (ItAF) have replaced the last of the air forces’ F-16 jets to leave the Typhoon solely responsible for the defence of Italian airspace. Entering into service in 2004 and now operational with four Typhoon Squadrons (Gruppi) across both northern and southern Italy – two at Grosseto air base and two at Gioia del Colle - Eurofighter is, from today onwards, the only air defence asset in the Italian Air Force.

Replacing the F-16 as a more modern weapon system, the Typhoon aircraft will bring to the air force operational benefits thanks to better effectiveness and capabilities of the new fighter as well as offering logistics benefits due to the standardisation of having only one operational line for air defence duties.

The ItAF leased 34 F-16s from the USAF for a period of five years, followed by an additional five years under the programme “Peace Caesar”. The aircraft has been effectively used to fill a gap during the transition from the F-104 and the Eurofighter.

62 Typhoon aircraft have been delivered to the Italian Air Force to date and during operations in Libya in 2011, the Italian Air Force fleet completed over 200 missions and flew 1294 flying hours from their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Trapani, Sicily.

Deal: India orders PC-7 MkII

adminppm — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:28:08 +0000

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd announced today that the Indian Air Force has entered into a contract to procure a fleet of 75 PC-7 MkII turboprop aircraft, together with an integrated ground based training system and a comprehensive logistics support package. The contract also contains an option clause for extending the scope of this contract within three years from initial signature and we are optimistic that this will indeed be executed.

The Indian Air Force joins more than 30 other countries to modernise its training pipeline with the most modern, capable and cost effective system for Basic Flying Training on the market today. The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world with approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,500 aircraft operating from more than 60 air bases. This contract will extend the fleet of Pilatus turboprop trainers to more than 900 aircraft operating worldwide.

Delivery of the aircraft and the complete training system is scheduled to commence in Q4 2012. The decision to select the PC-7 MkII training system was made after a thorough evaluation by the Indian Air Force, which looked at all available options. Pilatus Aircraft Ltd views this contract for the Indian Air Force as a major success and believes it will encourage other forces to take a close look at our pilot training solution.

New RLNAF detachment arrived in Afghanistan

adminppm — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:50:52 +0000

The 20th Air Force detachment of the RNLAF has arrived at the military base in Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan. The 100-personnel-strong detachment had left Eindhoven airbase the previous day to relieve the incumbent air force unit after their four month tour.

The so-called Air Task Force (ATF) takes part in the International Security Assistance Force by contributing 4 F-16 fighter aircraft. The unit, comprising both pilots and support personnel, is primarily deployed to protect the Dutch police trainers in the neighbouring province of Kunduz. The new ATF, led by detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel Bart Bakker, is presently still settling in and preparing to take over their predecessors’ tasks soon.