Threads about the world of aviation outside of airshows. General aviation, airlines, spotting, etc.
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n33d4sp33d_85
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by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:17 pm
Nothing for free
Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth (TX) was awarded a USD 23 million contract in which it integrates the government of Belgium into the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft enterprise. At several locations within the massive F-35 programme work has to be done to get Belgium connected. Of course, most of this job is done at Fort Worth (TX), the birthing ground of the Lightning II, but also branches in Orlando (FL), Redondo Beach and El Segundo (CA) and Lancashire (UK) are covering the initial non-recurring engineering and programme support for Belgian F-35 production, logistics and sustainment.
The whole is part of the USD 5.1 billion agreement with the US government for the procurement of 34 F-35As. The country possibly opts for an additional fourteen Lightning IIs, but currently lacks money (about USD 1,2 billion) for these aircraft.
Belgium is the thirteenth country procuring the F-35, and the sixth European user after the UK, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Italy. The country decided to procure the F-35 on 25 October 2019, with first deliveries - initially to Luke AFB (AZ) - expected from 2023.
The connectivity is expected to be completed by September 2023.
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n33d4sp33d_85
- Posts: 17390
- Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
- Location: Fairfax, VA
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by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:18 pm
Ten jet fighters of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) trained last week with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91).
The jets, F-16s and F-35s, operated over the North Sea during the exercise in an area that measures some 150 to 400 km. Rafales from the Charles de Gaulle, as well as some escort ships from France, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Denmark, participated in the exercise too.
The Charles de Gaulle was planned for participation in the cancelled Frisian Flag exercise from Leeuwarden air base. The ship still continued its planned training in the North Sea, but without the Large Flying Exercise (LFE). Of course the KLu and the French took the opportunity to execute some (smaller scale) joint operations.
Within these operations, Dutch or French aircraft acted as aggressors who were meant to stop or "kill" incoming aircraft during simulated threats. The whole exercise was covered by the Air Operation Control Station (AOCS) Nieuw-Milligen, which was supported by E-2C Hawkeyes of the Charles de Gaulle.
During its time in the North Sea, the Aéronatique Navale (French Naval Aviation) also trained with aircraft from Denmark and Sweden.
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n33d4sp33d_85
- Posts: 17390
- Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
- Location: Fairfax, VA
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by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:20 pm
According to Reuters, who obtained access to an internal video, American Airlines will permanently retire additional aircraft due to the Corona outbreak.
The airline is set to retire its nine Airbus A330-300s, plus twenty Embraer E190s and 76 The Boeing Company B737-800s (the latter are the ones delivered between 1999 and 2001).
Earlier, American Airlines announced it will retire its sixteen B767-300ERs and 34 B757-200s.
In view of this latest news, the airline will now permanently retire at least 155 of its 947 aircraft.
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n33d4sp33d_85
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by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:09 pm
The PC-9s of Blue Air Training
Following our recent reportings about the US private contractor Blue Air Training*, Scramble Facebook News was today informed by the company about their new acquisitions! We thank James "Chef" Barlow, Founder and CEO of the company for its willingness to share this detailed information.
The PC-9s are currently being shipped from Australia to the USA. The well-known Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) red/white training colours will be replaced by a Blue Air Training paint job. "The aircraft will become grey to match the Blue Air Training A-90 Raider (TP-90 Redigo) fleet. The PC-9s will be furnished with shark teeth in honour to the 23rd Fighter Group, A-10 Warthog heritage. On top of that, the spinner will become blue", as Chef told Scramble Facebook News.
Chef continued: "The PC-9/As are a phenomenal add to the Blue Air fleet as a true 300 knot cruising "CAT-E" aircraft (ed. 166 knots or more and contains only certain military aircraft.). Their registrations are already filed with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and these were selected to honor A-10 Squadrons which Blue Air pilots personally been members of." These are the six PC-9/As of Blue Air:
Tail 45 is N774BA (former A23-045, construction number 545) in honor of the 74th Fighter Squadron "Thunder!"
Tail 52 is N775BA (former A23-052, c/n 552) in honour of the 75th Fighter Squadron "Attack!"
Tail 53 is N776BA (former A23-053, c/n 553) in honour of the 76th Fighter Squadron thereby representing all 23rd Fighter Group Flying Tiger A-10 Squadrons and their rich heritage.
Tail 54 is N354BA (former A23-054, c/n 0554) which was Chef's first operational A-10 Squadron (two tours with the 354th total)
Tail 62 is N810BA (former A23-062, c/n 0562) for the 81st Fighter Squadron
Tail 07 is N669BA (former A23-007, c/n 507) no honour yet
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n33d4sp33d_85
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by n33d4sp33d_85 » Thu Apr 02, 2020 8:53 pm
New pilot training concept for Sweden
The Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) is considering a new structure for the training of jet pilots. For the Grundläggande Flygutbildning (GFU, Basic Flying Training) and the Grundläggande Taktisk Utbildning (GTU, Basic Tactical Training) the Flygvapnet currently uses the Sk60 (Saab 105). This type has been in use since the early 1970s and is intended to stay around for a maximum period of five more years. The Sk60 is used for both GTU and GFU since 1986.
The new structure will see the introduction of a propeller aircraft to take care of the GFU (Basic Flying Training). Neither the number of aircraft needed nor the exact type of aircraft were mentioned at Saab's recent Annual Gripen Webcast of 27 March 2020. Scramble Magazine assesses that the Pilatus PC-21 will score highly in the selection.
For the advanced instruction phase, the Flygvapnet is considering involving the interim use of Saab 39 Gripen C and Gripen D models. These Gripens are expected to enter the programme around 2025 as a gap filler solution. For the long term, the Flygvapnet is looking at a new advanced trainer. According to Colonel Torgny Falthammar, the new Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk may be one of the contenders. Production of a new advanced trainer in Sweden is most probably favorable, so the T-7A looks a number one contender.
This interim use of Gripen C/Ds will be conducted as the Flygvapnet progressively introduces a 60-strong fleet of new Saab JAS39E Gripen fighter aircraft. The first Next Generation Gripens will be assigned to operational squadrons in 2023. For this, a joint verification and validation campaign is under way.
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