Aviation News Mega-Thread

Threads about the world of aviation outside of airshows. General aviation, airlines, spotting, etc.

User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17157
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:52 pm

Looking good! Cargolux Airlines International S.A.’s latest addition to the fleet has been painted at Shannon in this retro-livery.

The The Boeing Company B747-400F LX-NCL is c/n 35170 and was previously operated by CargoLogicAir as G-CLAE. It flew to Luxembourg earlier today and will enter service soon.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
Two new Royal Netherlands Air Force Lightning IIs delivered

Low clouds and rain did not deter two new F-35As for 322 squadron of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) to make the ferry flight from Cameri (Italy) to their new home: Leeuwarden Air Base (the Netherlands).

Serials F-011 and F-012 arrived on 14 July 2020 with radio call sign Netherlands Air Force 322. Leeuwarden now hosts four F-35As. The Netherlands initially ordered 37 Lightning IIs for the KLu in 2001. In October 2019 another nine were ordered. The last deliveries are expected in the 2023/2024 timeframe.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
The Chinese 5th generation jet (*), the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) J-20B Dragon stealth fighter, formally entered mass production. The latest version, with upgrades to its engines with thrust vector control (TVC), was unveiled during a ceremony on 12 July 2020.

Back in 2018, China already unveiled a J-10C multirole fighter with a WS-10 Taihang TVC engine at the China air show in Zhuhai. Currently, the TVC system is installed on the J-20C's Russian Saturn AL-31 engines. Within two years, the TVC system will be placed on the Chinese WS-15 engine, which will be installed on the J-20B. However, work on the WS-15 has fallen behind schedule as it still fails to meet requirements.

Careful analysis show that China has built about fifty J-20s by late 2019. These bisioc J-20s are not meeting the 5th gen criteria. The J-20B, at least one produced each month, is said to meet the criteria. But most probably, the Dragon still falls far behind the capacity of the rival fighters like the F-35A/B/C and the F-22A.

(*) 5th gen is a multi-role jet fighter classification, which is roughly defined by an all-aspect stealth technology (even when armed), low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), advanced avionics, super cruise (supersonic speed, without using the afterburner), super manoeuvrability, highly integrated avionics, and computer systems capable of networking with other war assets for situation awareness within the battlespace.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
USAF F-15EX contract awarded and first picture released

The Department of the Air Force has awarded a nearly USD 1,2 billion contract for its first lot of eight F-15EX fighter aircraft.

The contract, awarded to Boeing, provides for the design, development, integration, manufacturing, test, verification, certification, delivery, sustainment and modification of F-15EX aircraft, including spares, support equipment, training materials, technical data and technical support.

The F-15EX will replace the oldest F-15C/Ds in the service’s inventory. Eight F-15EX aircraft were approved in the fiscal year 2020 budget and twelve were requested in the FY21 budget. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 76 F-15EX aircraft over the five-year Future Years Defense Program.

“The F-15EX is the most affordable and immediate way to refresh the capacity and update the capabilities provided by our aging F-15C/D fleets,” said General Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command. “The F-15EX is ready to fight as soon as it comes off the line.”

The F-15EX is a two-seat fighter with US-only capabilities. It features a deep magazine that can carry a load of advanced weapons. The platform also requires minimal transitional training or additional manpower and little to no infrastructure changes, ensuring the continuation of the mission.

“When delivered, we expect bases currently operating the F-15 to transition to the new EX platform in a matter of months versus years,” Holmes said.

The most significant difference between the F-15EX and legacy F-15s lies in its Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture. The OMS architecture will enable the rapid insertion of the latest aircraft technologies. The F-15EX will also have fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system, advanced cockpit systems, and the latest mission systems and software capabilities available for legacy F-15s.

“The F-15EX’s digital backbone, open mission systems, and generous payload capacity fit well with our vision for future net-enabled warfare,” said Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. “Continually upgrading systems, and how they share data across the Joint Force, is critical for defeating advanced threats. F-15EX is designed to evolve from day one.”

The first eight F-15EX aircraft will be fielded at Eglin AFB (FL), to support testing efforts. The delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled for the second quarter of FY21. The remaining six aircraft are scheduled to deliver in FY23. The USAF is using the Strategic Basing Process to determine the fielding locations for subsequent aircraft lots.

The US Air Force also announced the overall Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with a ceiling value of nearly USD 23 billion for F-15EX. Plans are to ask for 64 jets from FY22 to FY25. The service could buy as many as 144 aircraft, according to Boeing.

On the photo, released by the USAF, the first built USAF F-15EX is seen with fiscal year serial 20-0001 on the tail. It remains to be seen what the official USAF designation will be; we think it may be F-15F.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
Last edited by n33d4sp33d_85 on Tue Jul 14, 2020 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
0 x


User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17157
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:29 pm

The third A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transporter (MRTT) Phoenix for the Armée de l'Air (AdlA, French Air Force) has arrived at its new homebase Base Arienne (BA) 125 Istres (France) on 10 July 2020.

The aircraft, (serial 043), was delivered four months ahead of schedule and carries the markings of ERVTS 01.031
"Bretagne".
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
In a filing to the Department of Transportation, Breeze Airways has said that it entered into an agreement with Compass Airlines to take-over the airline's interstate scheduled air license. The acquisition is an effort of Breeze to accelerate the possibility to launch operations.

Compass Airlines was a production carrier operating E175s for other US airlines, but closed down after it lost its largest contract with Delta Air Lines.

Breeze plans to start charter operations in December this year and move to scheduled operations in May 2021.

The airline decided not to move forward to lease 28 Embraer E195s from Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, but has instead signed a lease agreement with lessor Nordic Aviation Capital to lease fifteen E190s.

Breeze also has orders for A220-300s, of which the first aircraft is expected to arrive in September next year.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
The Аэрофлот - Российские авиалинии Group has announced a major restructuring and repositioning of the airlines in the group.

Aeroflot will be positioned as the main long-haul carrier and will also focus on the so-called premium medium-haul routes like London and Paris. The airline will standardize its fleet around the Airbus A320, A330 and A350, complemented with the The Boeing Company B777-300ERs.

Авиакомпания Победа (Pobeda) is to focus on handling all medium- and non-premium routes and will continue to operate as a LCC. Their current fleet of 32 B737-800s will be expanded with the 48 B737-800s from Aeroflot in the coming months.

Авиакомпания "Россия" / Rossiya Airlines will be the airline in the group that takes on the Russian built aircraft. The fleet will transform into a 250-aircraft strong fleet consisting of 235 SSJs and MC-21s as well as fifteen A320s.

The shares of the Group in Авиакомпания «Аврора» (Aurora) are expected to be sold in favor of an expended Rossiya Airlines.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
0 x

User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17157
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:48 pm

Will USAF's Extenders have a second life ahead?

Having originally entered service at Seymour Johnson AFB (NC) in December 1986, the first USAF McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender with serial number 86-0036 was officially retired on 13 July 2020.

Whilst departing its home base Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ) for the last time, the retired 305th Air Mobility Wing (And associate Air Force Reserve 514th Air Mobility Wing) Extender received a traditional water salute. A total of three KC-10As from the Air Force’s Backup-Aircraft Inventory were congressional approved for retirement during Fiscal Year 2020. It is expected that all three will end up being stored with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, near Tucson (AZ).

After these three have arrived at "the Boneyard" in Arizona, mainly to be used for spare parts, 56 will still be in the USAF's inventory. Those will be phased out over the next few years and eventually all will have been replaced by Boeing's long delayed, plagued by problems, KC-46A Pegasus. At this moment the USAF is also investigating awarding contracts to private companies to provide aerial refueling for exercises, training, and testing. With this USAF's initiative and interest, Scramble assesses that some of the 56 Extenders, as a win-win situation, will be used by civilian contractors in due time.

At the beginning of November 2019, one KDC-10 Tanker from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF) was purchased by the US Omega Air Refueling Company. The second, still being used by the RNlAF, will follow in the future. The former RNlAF KDC-10s bring in the much needed boom capability. This in addition to the hose and drogue already operated within the existing fleet of Omega. The different combinations will give Omega the capability to potentially refuel every operative type of aircraft in the US military or other countries military inventory. With this in mind, it is not surprising at all to think that Omega will purchase the KC-10. It is expected that, because it is very expensive and difficult to convert DC-10 aircraft with refueling capacity, and some of the USAF KC-10s will have many airframe hours left, the latter will then come from those stocks.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
FlySAA returned two of its four Airbus A350-900s to their lessor Avolon. On 10 July ZS-SDD was flown from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Teruel (Spain). Yesterday ZS-SDC followed.

Both aircraft are the first two A350s ever to be stored at the Spanish airport.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
Helvetic Airways has decided to upgrade four of its seven remaining E190-E2s to larger E195-E2s. All seven aircraft are scheduled to be delivered next year.

The airline currently has five E190-E2s in its fleet and is gradually resuming flights after the Corona-pandemic.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
RAF Protector RG1 ordered

The United Kingdom Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has signed a USD 81,5 million (£65 million) contract to build the first three General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GAASI) Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aerial system and three Ground Control Stations. The Protectors are planned to enter Royal Air Force (RAF) service by mid-2024.

The contract (including an option of thirteen additional Protectors) was announced in a unique environment: the virtual 2020 Air and Space Power Conference. The Protector will provide the RAF with its global reach, meeting the UK’s defence and security needs for decades to come, while providing another increase to the unmanned inventory for the Armed Forces.

The contract marks the future replacement of the current RAF Reaper force. The new UAS' will be based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire (UK) and will be assigned the Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) mission. The UAS will be equipped with enhanced data links and can be armed with next-generation, low collateral, precision strike weapons, like the UK-developed Brimstone missile (MBDA) and US developed Paveway IV Laser Guided Bomb.

Meeting stringent NATO and UK safety certification standards, the Protectors are capable of operating in civilian airspace to support civilian agencies in the UK; for example in search and rescue and disaster response missions.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
0 x



User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17157
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:09 pm

Russian naval aviation received the first Be-200ES amphibious aircraft

On 14 July 2020, AviaPressPhoto web resource has provided info about the delivery of the first series Beriev Be-200ES amphibious aircraft for the Авиация Военно-Морского Флота Российской Федерации (AVMF-RF, Russian Federation - Naval Aviation). The aircraft with serial number 311, marked tail number 20 yellow, named after Soviet civilian pilot Alexander Mamkin was built by TANTK **) and first flown on 14 February 2020 in Tagangrog *). It was handed over to the 190th training mixed aviation regiment belonging to the 859th Center for Combat Training and Retraining of Naval Aviation Flight Command of the Russian Navy.

The delivered Beriev is the first aircraft of the revised contract for three Beriev Be-200ES search and rescue aircraft with fire fighting function, signed in 2018 between the Russian Ministry of Defence and PJSC UAC (United Aircraft Corporation). The contract originates back to 2013 and originally included six amphibious Beryevs for the Russian Navy - two Be-200ES and four Be-200PS aircraft (without fire fighting function) for 8.4 billion rubles overall (USD 117 million). Due to cost overruns and delays the construction of the aircraft (serial numbers 309-310 and 351-354) at TANTK did not advance beyond the initial stage which led to termination of the original contract in 2017 and subsequent lawsuit at the Moscow Arbitration Court which called for recovery of an advance payment of 6.7 billion rubles from TANTK. In the end, this situation resulted in a renewed contract for three Be-200ES aircraft signed in 2018.

Finally, the aircraft with serial 311 represents the sixteenth Be-200 built overall and the seventh aircraft of the Be-200ES type made at TANTK Taganrog, with previous six Be-200ES (serial numbers 303-308) delivered between 2016-2018 to the MChS Rossiy (EMERCOM - Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Natural Disaster Management). Another nine Be-200s were built prior to that - two flight prototypes at TANTK (Be-200 in 1998 and Be-200ES in 2002) and seven production Be-200ES at the IAZ Irkutsk Aviation Plant, six for the Russian EMERCOM and one for the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
0 x

User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17157
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:51 pm

Deal on 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft expected to be awarded in December 2020

Although Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) already reported in February 2020 *) that they agreed on the overall costs picture on the deal for 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), livefistdefence.com reports that the deal is likely to be rewarded to HAL in December 2020. The complete paperwork is awaiting final clearance from India's Finance Ministry.

When the Finance clearance is given, the contract can be signed. The negotiations for the 83 aircraft already started in November 2016 and just took to February this year to have them finalised to the current quote of USD 5,5 billion. Once the contract is inked, HAL promises to start deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A in three years. To keep the production lines open, an intermediate contract for 18 Tejas LCA Mk1 Trainer aircraft is under review at this moment.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-R
0 x


Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Semrush [Bot] and 27 guests