BUFF

By ANDREI CHANG Column: Military MightPublished: February 25, 2008TOOLBAR Print Story Add CommentsHONG KONG, China, Based on the design of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27SK fighter, China has come up with its own domestic version, the J-11B multi-function fighter. Three J-11B prototypes have been manufactured since 2006. After their factory flight tests, they have been evaluated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force 1st Fighter Division, based in Anshan in China's northeast Liaoning province. A Chinese military industry source has confirmed that pre-production of the fighters will begin this year. "We will not need to assemble more Su-27SKs, because it is old technology given from Russia," the source said. The J-11B has undergone drastic changes from the original Russian design. A source from the Chinese aerospace industry says that except for the Russian-made engines, 90 percent of the major subsystems fitted on the J-11B, including the radar and optical electronic systems, are made by China. The Chinese aviation company AVIC 1 has already completed testing the 1474 serial radar system to be deployed in the J-11B. The fighter's weapons will also integrate indigenous systems. A Chinese pilot with more than 20 years of flight experience expressed his high opinion of the Su-27 fighter, describing it as "very easy to fly." However, as the source from the Chinese military industry points out, some of the parts used on the Su-27SK have a very short lifespan, which has led to a high rate of technical accidents. For instance, frequent problems with the fighter's infrared search and track system have restricted its use in the regular training of combat forces. To investigate this issue, the author paid a special visit to the Ural Optical and Mechanical Complex in Ekaterinburg, Russia. A Russian source revealed that the company had signed two contracts with a Chinese company to supply parts for an updated IRST system, the OLS-31E. Execution of the contract, valued at US$1 million, began in 2007. Research and development of the China-made IRST system to be fitted on the J-11B fighters is already completed. The physical appearance of this new IRST is very close to the original Russian OLS-31E, making it appear to be an imitation edition of the Russian system with some upgrades. In fact, the overall performance of the J-11B is now on a par with the Russian-edition Su-27SMK. The J-11B's fire control radar system uses mechanical scanning, integrates more functions and features a modular design. The fighter also features substantial changes in the fire control system and the cockpit so the J-11B will be able to fire China's indigenous PL-12 air-to-air missiles and a whole series of other precision-guided weapons. The cockpit has three large color multifunctional displays and two small color multifunctional displays. In recent years, China's pace of development in airborne equipment has been very fast. The design of its J-10B cockpit has been quite precocious; the rear cockpit seems to have four multifunctional color displays and two small multifunctional displays. In addition, the J-11B will be fitted with China's indigenous strapdown inertial navigation system, 3-axix data system, power supply system, emergency power unit, brake system, hydraulic system, fuel system, environment control system and molecular sieve oxygen generation systems. The fact that China is producing a large proportion of the J-11B parts domestically indicates that its demand for parts imported from Russia will decline dramatically during the second phase of the fighter's production. Also, some of the subsystems and equipment are compatible with those used in the J-10A and J-10B fighters. It is expected that the J-11B's flight control system will also be manufactured in China. This was the leading reason why Russia could not determine whether China would continue to produce Su-27SK fighters in the next phase. In reality, the joint contract between Russia and China for the Su-27SK/J-11 development has now been virtually abandoned by the Chinese side without any consultation with Russia.

The RAF has moved a step closer to taking delivery of its fifth C-17 transport aircraft following a ceremony at the Boeing facility at Long Beach in California. General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue, Chief of Defence Materiel, attended the 'Fly Away' ceremony for the UK's fifth C-17 aircraft, known as UK5. The ceremony at Long Beach also included the 'major join' of UK6, which involved joining the wings to the main body of the aircraft. He then flew on UK5 to San Antonio, Texas, where the finishing touches will be added, before it arrives at its final home of 99 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton, in April 2008. UK6 is due to be delivered in June 2008. Before departing for the ceremony, General O'Donoghue said: "This is a significant milestone. A fifth C-17 will increase our ability to transport troops and heavy equipment quickly to operations, boosting vital military logistics capability. The aircraft's performance and durability on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is outstanding." Since entering service in mid-2001, the UK C-17 fleet has been continuously employed in support of ongoing coalition operations, routine tasking and humanitarian relief. The C-17 can carry the equivalent of three Warrior armoured vehicles, thirteen Land Rovers, one Chinook, or three Apache gunships. It enables the RAF to get the right equipment to theatre rapidly. As well as being able to carry loads of up to 75 tonnes and fly long distances of up to 2,400 miles, the C-17's ability to land on unpaved airfields in remote, land-locked regions make it a versatile transport aircraft, equally suited for a variety of missions. In July 2006 approval was given for procurement of the four C-17 aircraft at the end of the lease in 2008. An additional contract was signed with Boeing in August 2006 for the procurement of a fifth C-17 aircraft. On 26 July 2007 the Secretary of State for Defence announced the intention to procure a sixth C-17 aircraft to reinforce the air bridge into current operations. The C-17 Project (Lease, Purchase and Support) value is in the order of £2 billion. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceN...C17Aircraft.htm

& the USN has over 200 T-45 Goshawks - heavily modified, yes but still Hawks.

Good for Buddy Holly fans too though. If I ever get there I'll be going to Lubbock as well.

Where will we be able to get a copy (& any chance of getting a signed one)? I've got a friend from there (Salisbury not Harare! ) & I was lucky enough to spend a month there about 15 years ago touring the country before it all really went in the crapper. It's such a shame to see the country totally ruined - needless to say none of my friend's family are there anymore.

it was 1 of the 4 rotating back to Whiteman after the planned B-52s arrival to take over from them so somehow I don't think so ... gotta love the press.

23 February 2008 Bidar, Karnataka: The Indian Air Force on Saturday inducted the BAE Systems-built Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) as part of the training squadron at the Air Force Station Bidar, nearly 150 km from Hyderabad. The aircraft will train the new generation of Indian Air force fighter pilots. The induction ceremony involved a breathtaking display of air manoeuvres by the Hawk AJT and was also attended by the defence minister, AK Antony, air chief, Fali H Major and a host of officers and dignitaries. The induction of the Hawk aircraft fulfils a long-standing requirement of the Indian Air Force for an Advanced Jet Trainer. With its proven design and advanced avionics, the Hawk-132 aircraft is expected to bridge the gap between the performance spectrum of the Intermediate trainer and frontline fighter aircraft which trainee pilots would eventually fly, an official said. The aircraft is expected to greatly enhance flight safety and will have a beneficial impact on the quality of training being imparted to fighter pilots, he said. The contract for purchase of 66 AJTs was finally signed in 2004 amid much debate in the country over frequent crashes of the MiG-21 fighter aircraft which earned them the sobriquet "flying coffins". Of the 66 AJT Hawk-132 aircraft, 24 will be bought from the British Aerospace Systems while the remaining 42 will be manufactured under license by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd at Nashik and Bangalore.

Feb 22, 2008 (Fort Worth Star-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BA | news | PowerRating | PR Charts -- After nearly three decades and upwards of $25 billion for development, testing, and re-testing of the V-22 Osprey, Bell Helicopter, and the Boeing Co. are about to hit the jackpot. A senior Navy official said Friday that within the next month, the service will issue a five-year, $11 billion-plus contract to Bell and Boeing, all but assuring uninterrupted production of the Osprey through 2012 and beyond. "At this point, we've reached agreement on the prices on the contract. There's no major hurdles to get through, just some administrative details," William Balderson, deputy assistant Navy secretary for aircraft procurement, said in an interview. The contract will be for 167 aircraft, both MV-22s for use by the Marines and CV-22 versions for the Air Force, including the 26 planes already on order as part of the fiscal year 2008 budget. Details of the contract have yet to be released, but Navy budget documents show the service expects to spend an average of about $80 million each for 141 MV-22s from 2008 through 2012, or about $11.2 billion. That figure doesn't include the Air Force version, which has equipment and costs more per plane. The multi-year contract gives the government a lower price, Balderson said, because it allows the manufacturers to plan ahead and purchase materials and parts in larger quantities. Bell and Boeing, which jointly build the V-22, should get about $65 million per aircraft, with the government buying the engines and other components separately. No more Pentagon approvals are needed for the Navy to issue the contract, Balderson said. When the Pentagon gave approval for full rate production of Osprey in September 2005 it gave the Navy the authority to enter into a long-term production contract. Balderson said that during the 4 1/2 months the Marines have been operating the Osprey in Iraq, nothing has occurred to shake the confidence of Navy and Marine officials in the aircraft. "We're very pleased with the performance of the aircraft and the reliability of the aircraft," the Navy official said. Marine officials have kept a pretty tight rein on news about the Osprey's use in Iraq, allowing only a few selected journalists to see the aircraft in operation or talk to the troops and have gotten generally favorable reports. Maj. Eric Dent, a Marine spokesman, said the 10 Ospreys of VMM-263 squadron have flown more than 2,700 hours in "combat missions" -- essentially all missions flown while in a combat zone. "It continues to perform as expected," Dent said. The Marines have acknowledged that keeping the aircraft in flying condition has been a challenge. Dent said the availability, or mission capable rate, is running slightly less than 70 percent rate -- about seven of 10 airplanes available to fly at any time. "It's about where we would expect it to be at this point," Dent said. "The goal is to be at 82 percent." Published reports indicate the aircraft, which are based in the now relatively peaceful Al Anbar province of western Iraq, have seen little in the way of actual combat action and as far as any one knows even been shot at. A few missions were flown with troops for "armed reconnaissance" but saw no hostile action. One report noted that military commanders in the theater much preferred flying the V-22 rather than helicopters because of the aircraft's greater speed and smoother ride. Marine insiders say internal correspondence shows the service has been very concerned about accelerated wear and tear on the aircraft's components due to the sandy conditions in Iraq, and have limited its operations mostly to air bases and other prepared landing sites. Parts scavenging from aircraft in the U.S., a not uncommon practice in wartime but heavier than usual, has been required. The Marines put out a press release recently touting the ability of three V-22s to successfully carry 32,000 pounds of "food, water, clean laundry and mail" from a base to an outpost in nets slung below the aircraft. That works out to about five tons per aircraft, a load that could be carried by a single heavy CH-53 helicopter. Given the news reports of the V-22s use in Iraq, skeptics of the Osprey say it's still questionable what the Marines and taxpayers are getting for their money. The V-22 is three to five times as expensive as comparable modern helicopters, but is faster and can fly higher. "I think they can fly it ok as a truck and they're proving that," said Phil Coyle, former director of the Pentagon's weapons testing office that issued scathing reports about the aircraft's usefulness, safety and reliability even before the 2000 crashes. But if all the V-22 is used for as a truck or VIP transport, Coyle said, "I think they've got enough already. They don't need more."

welcome to CA. The answers to most questions are already here somewhere if you search, usually in the knowledge base. Try http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=19172

2/22/2008, 5:28 p.m. CST The Associated Press MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A B-52 bomber on a training mission made an emergency landing at the Minot airport due to aircraft malfunctions and deteriorating weather, the Air Force said. A statement from the Minot Air Force Base said five crew members from the 20th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana declared an in-flight emergency and landed safely early Friday morning. Col. Joel Westa, the Minot base commander, said in a statement that the Barksdale crew "performed admirably in very tough conditions." The Air Force would not elaborate on the "aircraft malfunctions." Tech. Sgt. Marelise Wood said the crews were repairing the B-52 at the Minot airport on Friday afternoon. Once repaired, the bomber would be flown to the Minot Air Force Base and then to the Louisiana base, she said. The Minot Air Force Base's 5th Bomb Wing, which operates 35 B-52 bombers, is several miles northwest of the city airport. Barksdale Air Force Base is the country's only other B-52 base. Airport director Patrick Dame said conditions in Minot were foggy when the bomber landed at the city airport. Dame said military aircraft routinely land at the Minot airport but a B-52 using the municipal runway "is highly unusual." The airport's 7,700-foot runway was able to accommodate the bomber, Dame said. The emergency landing did not disrupt any commercial traffic at the airport, he said. © 2008 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

a place that I've always wanted to visit - hope that you took plenty of pics.

DATE:20/02/08 SOURCE:Flightglobal.com US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y enter final test phase By Graham Warwick After months of work to correct deficiencies, the US Marine Corps' upgraded Bell AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters have begun the second and final phase of operational evaluation. Opeval Phase 2 began at the US Navy's test centre at China Lake in California on 11 February and is scheduled to last for 90 days. This is a crucial hurdle for the H-1 upgrade programe, which had to be restructured after suffering schedule delays and cost overruns. H-1 programme manager Col Keith Birkholz says eight deficiencies identified during the first phase of operational testing at the end of 2006 have been remedied. These included malfunctions of the Lockheed Martin electro-optical/infrared target sight system. The Thales Top Owl visor-projected helmet-mounted display was deferred because of a visual anomaly called hyperstereopsis, which made it unsafe to use when flying close to ground. Instead head-up information is projected on a monocular display or night-vision goggles. Issues with the health and usage monitoring system have been overcome, says Birkholz, while the latest software load incorporates several fixes. Other deficiencies corrected involve auxiliary power unit hot starts, tail rotor blades and chip detectors. "Overall, we expect to get a satisfactory grade" from opeval Phase 2, he says. There is one outstanding issue, which the AH-1Z shares with the US Army's Boeing AH-64D attack helicopter - rocket gas ingestion by the General Electric T700 engines. "This is similar to the Apache issue, the same type of micro compressor stall," says Birkholz. "It's a small ripple through the drive system that's not noticeable except on flight-test instrumentation. It's not fixed yet, but we are working on it." The US Marine Corps has time to work on a fix because the upgraded AH-1Z will not become operational until 2011, while the UH-1Y is scheduled for initial operational capability in September of this year, ready for deployment early in 2009. The AH-1Z was deferred and UH-1Y accelerated because USMC needs to replace its UH-1Ns as fast as possible, says Birkholz. The N has a gross weight of 10,500lb and can carry little payload in the hot and high conditions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Re-engined with T700s and fitted with a four-blade rotor, the Y has a gross weight of 18,500lb, doubling the UH-1's range and payload, he says. Although the H-1 upgrade began as a remanufacturing effort, Bell is building almost all of the 100 planned UH-1Ys as new aircraft and has received a contract for the engineering to produce new-build AH-1Zs. Birkholz says the expected attrition of AH-1Ws means there will not be enough airframes to remanufacture, so the final 40 of the planned 180 AH-1Zs will built new. With the US Marine Corps increasing in size, this also means it will be able to buy more H-1s as required, Birkholz says.

now also available here http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=25780&hl=

Weapon Data Editor v02.20.08 View File compatible with WOI and FE+Expansion Pack 1 Submitter BUFF Submitted 02/22/2008 Category SF/WO* Utilities/Editors

I don't make the news, merely pass it on ...

MIAMI — Two fighter pilots are missing after their jets collided in mid-air off the Florida Panhandle Wednesday during a training mission. Search and rescue teams are en route to the crash while the conditions of the two pilots is unknown. The two F-15 C Eagle fighter jets disappeared about 3 p.m. ET off the Florida Panhandle over the Gulf of Mexico, said Eglin Air Force Base spokesman Sgt. Brian Jones. The Coast Guard sent three helicopters, a plane and two boats to the scene. "We don't know what led to the disappearance," said Master Sgt. Andrew Leonhard, an Air Force spokesman. "We had no contact from the pilots." The crash occurred about 50 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base

Mk.3 photos http://www.flightgear.dk/amk3c.htm

By David Donald February 21, 2008 Aircraft AIDC’s modernization program for the F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF)–also known as the Ching-kuo–is nearing the end of its latest development period. Phase I of the development test and evaluation campaign came to an end in 2007, and Phase II should draw to a close by the end of this year. A mid-life update program for the IDF began in 2001. At the heart of the modernization lies the replacement of the core avionics computers, with expanded processing and memory. The radar gets an upgrade with electronic counter-countermeasures features, and new weapons include an expanded air-to-ground repertoire. In the air-to-air role, the upgraded F-CK-1 employs the active-radar TC-2 missile developed by CSIST. The system allows the simultaneous engagement of four targets rather then the current two. AIDC has converted two IDFs to the new standard, an F-CK-1C single-seater (10005) and an F-CK-1D two-seater (10006). Airframe changes include strengthened undercarriage and more powerful brakes to handle increased weights. Much of the increase comes down to the two conformal fuel tanks that fit to either side of the aircraft’s spine. Each tank adds 600 pounds of fuel. The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) flies 128 IDFs in service, and no decision has yet been made for the MLU to enter production. But there is a good possibility that the program will receive the go-ahead soon, allowing initial operational test and evaluation to begin next year. AIDC and the ROCAF have plans for a two-phase program, with around two squadrons updated in the first phase and the remainder to follow.

By Paolo Valpolini February 19, 2008 Defense Alenia Aermacchi expects to soon ink an order for 18 SF-260 primary trainers from the Philippines National Defence Department as part of a package aimed at modernizing the Asian nation’s armed forces. The Philippines armed forces have been using SF-260 trainers since the early 1970s, when they took the first of an order for 46 piston-powered aircraft, replaced in 1991 by 18 SF-260TP turboprops. The latest order calls for delivery of the standard SF-260F version powered by 260-hp, six-cylinder Textron Lycoming AEIO-540 D4A5 engines. The $38 million contract includes provision for ground equipment and spares, as well as pilot and specialist training. Aerotech Industries Philippines Inc., based at the Clark Special Economic Zone, will undertake final assembly. The first four aircraft are to be delivered within one year from the contract signing. Three more four-aircraft batches will then ship at six-week intervals, with delivery of the last two scheduled for within 18 months of the contract signing. In the Far East, Alenia Aermacchi competes with its M346 lead-in fighter trainer for the Fighter Wings Course in Singapore, which wants a new aerial training platform to replace the aging TA-4SUs in service for the Republic of Singapore Air Force, currently based at Cazaux French Air Force Base. The contract will also provide for training services for a fixed number of years, and it might develop into a private finance initiative. The M346 competes against the KAI T-50 and BAE Systems Hawk 128. Indonesia is also considering replacing its advanced trainer fleet and has evaluated the M346 as a possible replacement for its Hawk Mk53, although the timing of the potential bid remains uncertain. As for Malaysia, Alenia Aermacchi won a contract in late 2006 for eight MB339-CMs, which includes offsets for local maintenance providers. The contract calls for delivery of the first two aircraft this November, followed by two more every two months until May 2009. The Royal Malaysian Air Force said it intends to buy four more aircraft of the same model, subject to mid-term review by the 9th Malaysian Financial Plan in the first half of this year. Delivery of those aircraft would take place within 24 months from contract signing. ‘I’m Here About the Position’ The Alenia Aermacchi M346 jet trainer landed in Singapore on February 14 before starting a series of customer demonstration flights and participating in flying displays here at the show. Making its farthest deployment to date, the twin-engine trainer flew 6,500 nm from Venegono, Italy, stopping in Crete, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India and Thailand en route. The trip took four days for test pilots Olinto Cecconello and Quirino Bucci. Fitted with two 153-gallon underwing tanks, the lead-in fighter trainer, as the manufacturer calls it, appears with a prominent refueling probe used in recent weeks for a series of in-flight fuel transfer tests from an Italian Air Force Tornado attack aircraft.

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 The Air Force's grounded Skyhawk fleet is suffering yet another indignity. The planes have been stored outside the Woodbourne Air Base for the last two months and were carefully sheathed in white latex to preserve them from the elements - but now, the latex is already failing. Act MP Heather Roy says: "Just two months after the jets were wheeled outside to sit in the weather with what we were told was a robust latex covering, they're now ripped, peeling and weathering quite seriously." The double layer coating cost amost $100,000 - the Defence Force has confirmed to 3 News that the outer layer is bubbling due to water damage and has torn on at least three of the aircraft. Defence Minister Phil Goff says the white coating protects the exterior and expensive cockpit controls from the sun, but they have an undercoat as well. "I'm advised by the Defence Force that the protection is not only adequate but better than what the planes had before," Goff says. The Labour Government scrapped the combat wing in 2002 and has been trying to sell the aircraft since. They have a $50 million offer but the US State Department will not give it the rubber stamp. Roy claims some of the former jets have only a third of the latex they should, saying: "Here they are having to pay $94,000 out of their operational funding, that should be spent on core business, not on decommissioned stock that the government can't sell." The Air Force says the contractor that coated the planes does not know what has caused the latest hiccup - they say the latex is still under warranty, so the Skyhawks will get another coat. But this is yet another embarrassing problem for the expensive jets.

February 19, 2008, 4:33 PM (GMT+02:00) DEBKAfile’s military sources report: The Israeli Air Force’s 122 Nachshon special missions squadron has taken delivery of the “Eitam” – a modified GulfstreamGulfstream GG-550 executive jet, fitted with the newest Israeli airborne early warning system (AEWAEW & C) developed by Israel’s EltaElta SystemsSystems. Crammed onto the new, extra-small Eitam platform is a long-range intelligence, target tracking and operational control system that can produce aerial pictures deep inside enemy territory, while warning attack formations of approaching threats. Its electronic support measures (ESMESM) and communications equipment in support of AEWAEW & C enable the Israeli Air Force’s intelligence and electronic warfare arms to operate hundreds of kilometers inside enemy territory. Eitam can cover Syria, without leaving Israeli air space and target Iran from a great distance. The new craft can stay airborne for 10 hours at the relatively safe altitude of 40,000 feet. It also has an in-flight refueling capacity. This third-generation system developed by Israel Air Industries/Elta Phalcom is the first to be fitted into such a small airframe. Eitam is therefore a smaller target than the conventional, large and expensive AWACs craft. It is also designed to interface with Israel’s spy satellites, Dolphin submarines which, according to foreign sources, are capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles, other Israeli early warning systems and the IsraeliIsraeli DefenseDefense ForcesForces ground commands. The three Eiatm craft delivered to the Nachshon squadron feature two radar systems operating simultaneously on different frequency bands and, mounted on their fuselage, phased array antennas that provide 360-degree coverage of wide spaces. It replaces the E-2C aircraft retired in the 1990s. Israel has taken orders for this miniaturized airborne early warning system from India for its fleet of Ilyushin-76 aircraft and the Singapore Air Force.

By Michal Zdobinsky 19 February 2008 The Czech Republic has provided the Afghan National Army (ANA) with the first three of six modernised Mil Mi-17 helicopters as plans were revealed for the long-term build-up of the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC). The Czech government approved a donation, equivalent to CZK610 million (USD35 million), of six Mi-17 transport helicopters and six Mil Mi-24 combat/attack helicopters from the Czech Air Force in April 2007 following a NATO and Afghan government appeal for assistance in building the ANA's capability. The remaining three Mi-17 helicopters should be handed over by May 2008. All of the helicopters have undergone an overhaul programme at the Letecké Opravny Malesice (LOM) aircraft repair works in Prague, Czech Republic, with the USD33 million upgrade costs borne by NATO. The Mi-17s were the first to be modified due to the ANA's critical lack of transport helicopters. Each has received the more powerful TV3-117VM engine and add-on cockpit armour, while the cargo hold/troop compartment is protected by a matting of ballistic fabric. Each window in the hold has a firing port for personal weapons. Lateral outriggers with racks for the attachment of six 57 mm unguided rocket launchers have also been fitted, and the helicopters are also equipped with a NATO-standard identification friend-or-foe (IFF) transponder in addition to new intercoms and radios. Following assembly and testing the three Mi-17s were taken over by ANA representatives on 17 December 2007 and the formal handover with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commanders took place in January.

DATE:20/02/08 SOURCE:Flightglobal.com Singapore 2008: India to induct two squadrons Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from 2010 By Siva Govindasamy India is to induct two squadrons of the long-delayed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from 2010, with up to six squadrons possible if the first batch impress in operations. The decision is a shot in the arm for the programme, which national research organisation Aeronautical Development Agency developed and state-owned contractor Hindustan Aeronautics is responsible for production. The long-delayed and much derided aircraft was to enter service early this decade, but design and performance issues and problems with the development of an indigenous engine have delayed it. “There were hitches in the past but in the tests that we have been doing over the last few months indicate that those have been resolved. The programme was streamlined and it is a much better aircraft now. We are confident that it can serve our needs,” says Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, Chief of Air Staff, at the Singapore Airshow. The induction of the LCA, a replacement for India’s aging MiG fighters such as the MiG-21s that is scheduled to be retired in 10 years, will boost the service’s operational capability. The programme’s problems and delays in the progress of a tender to select 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), led some analysts to say that the Indian Air Force’s operational capability could soon fall below optimal levels. New Delhi has tried to overcome this by ordering additional Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters that are licence-produced in India by HAL. Responses to the request for proposals (RFP) for the MRCA competition will be submitted in the first week of March, and ACM Major says that the first aircraft will be delivered in 2012. “As the Chief, I’m in a hurry to rejuvenate the service as soon as possible,” he adds. “I will do my darnest to ensure that we keep to that schedule.” The Boeing F/A-18E/F, Lockheed Martin F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, RAC MiG-35, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen are in contention for the $12-15 billion contract, an indication that India seeks to move away from its traditional dependence on Russian arms. The relationship with Moscow, however, remains strong through joint programmes to develop a Medium Transport Aircraft and fifth generation fighter. “The relationship with Russia is excellent, they have been very good friends. But the political imperatives of the past that dictated that we source almost everything from them has changed. That’s good for India, which has top companies from around the world keen to do business with us. It leaves us in a good position to get the best deal,” says ACM Major.

By Lee Spears Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Boeing Co., the second-largest U.S. defense contractor, is pursuing orders for 130 F-15 jet fighters from Asian customers as nations increase military spending. Possible orders from South Korea and Japan would add to the 32 F-15s awaiting delivery in the region, Stephen Winkler, director of F-15 international programs at Chicago-based Boeing, said in a press briefing today at the Singapore Airshow. The orders will extend the F-15 production line in St. Louis, Missouri through 2012, he said. Boeing and Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. are competing for overseas orders as growth in U.S. military spending slows. The proposed 2009 U.S. military budget from President George W. Bush's administration asks for $515.4 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent, compared with an 11 percent gain this year. South Korea, which ordered 40 F-15K fighters in 2002, may ask for another 20 from Boeing by next month and another 60 later, Winkler said. Japan may order as many as 50 F-15s to replace two aging squadrons of F-4 fighters, he said. Boeing has delivered 32 of the 40 F-15s that South Korea ordered in 2002 and will deliver the final eight by next year, Winkler said. Singapore has 24 of the fighters on order, he said. The U.S. is phasing out the earlier model F-15s in favor of the new Lockheed Martin Corp. F-22 fighter. The Air Force, which says it needs more than 300 F-22s, has been limited by the Pentagon into buying 183. To contact the reporter on this story: Lee Spears in Singapore lspears2@bloomberg.net .