Lockheed Martin Support Enables F-22 Deployments Worldwide

Posted: March 18, 2011 by admin in Airplane News, USAF
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

After a hectic 2010, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is logging a deployment-intensive pace in early 2011. The company continues to provide key support to the fleet as the Raptor projects power globally.

In January and February, the USAF had Raptors deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a rotational deployment for a Pacific Air Forces Theater Security Package; to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, for capabilities enhancement testing; and to Nellis AFB, Nev., for Red Flag, an air combat training exercise. F-22s from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, deployed to Japan performed with exceptional readiness, flying 100 percent of a robust sortie schedule in January.

The world’s premier air dominance fighter and the only fully operational 5th generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor deployed around the world in 2010, including to Andersen AFB, Guam; Japan; South Korea; and the United Arab Emirates. In a first for the F-22 fleet, Raptors from Holloman AFB, N.M., performed a re-deployment, traveling from Japan to Guam last year. The Holloman Raptors combined with F-22s from Langley AFB to make for 24 total Raptors on Guam at the time.

As the weapon system support integrator, Lockheed Martin supports Raptor deployments through comprehensive and responsive sustainment services as part of a Performance-Based Logistics contract. The company received a $726.6 million contract modification from the Air Force in February for fleet sustainment this year.

When F-22 units deploy, Lockheed Martin field service representatives deploy with them, providing support in areas such as avionics, systems engineering, low observables maintenance, technical information and mission planning. Thanks in part to the contributions of the representatives, Raptor performance in recent global deployments often proved greater than even that of home-station operations.

“The Raptor is a high-demand asset in vital strategic theaters, projecting power, bringing deterrence and enhancing security for the United States and allies,” said Jeff Babione, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s F-22 program. “We have been working alongside USAF F-22 maintainers to ensure aircraft availability, performance and reliability for pivotal operations around the world.”

Deploying to new areas brings new challenges. Highlighting F-22 performance capabilities in an austere overseas climate, 12 Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron based at Langley AFB, Va., flew more than 600 sorties and 1,300 hours while deployed to Andersen AFB from early June to mid October last year.

According to Lt. Col. Pete M. Fesler, squadron commander, Lockheed Martin sustainment representatives proved helpful not only in keeping Raptors flying, but in helping squadron maintainers sharpen their skills.

“Lockheed Martin representatives proved a great addition to our maintenance and operations team during our deployment,” said Lt. Col. Fesler. “Their engineering, maintenance and system expertise helped to grow our active duty and Air National Guard Airmen into better Raptor maintainers.”

Source: Defensetalk.com

***The fighter plane F-22 Raptor model airplane is  made from mahogany wood by skilled craftsmen of Pacific Aircraft. Visit our website today: PacificAircraft.com

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft deployed to aid Japan relief efforts

Posted: March 14, 2011 by admin in Airplane News
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) — It was last Friday, March 11, when Japan hits 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Two days after the said tragedy, United States has sent help in the form of personnel, equipment and a watchful eye in the sky: a U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron here.


In conjunction with an RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft from the 9th Operations Group’s Detachment 3 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the U-2 aircraft has been deployed to capture high-resolution, broad-area synoptic imagery, by using an optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing

Once the aircraft returns with the film, it will be shipped to Beale AFB, Calif., where experts with the 9th Intelligence Squadron will process and analyze the 10,500 feet of film.

“The broad, synoptic collection of large land mass and littorals are of great benefit to decision makers,” said Lt. Col. Spencer Thomas, the 5th RS commander. “It will aid them in determining locations and extent of damage the earthquake and tsunami have left.”

Colonel Thomas also said the imagery can be likened to X-rays of a medical injury.

“It’s like a personal injury; immediately after the event, one must determine where and how they have been injured,” he said. “Our mission serves that function.”

From start to finish, the mission is expected to take four to five days. Colonel Thomas said once they were notified, it took about 12 hours of planning and preparation to get the plane off the ground.

Staff Sgt. William Ehinger, a U-2 crew chief with the 5th RS, led his team quickly to ensure the aircraft was ready to launch.

“I am proud to be part of the humanitarian mission to help our allies,” he said. “In fact, all Airmen in the 5th RS are proud to be helping out to provide the data Japan needs to rebuild their country.”

Because the U-2 plane flies at such a high altitude — more than 70,000 feet — the pilot must wear a complete pressure suit similar to those worn by astronauts. This process of preparing the pilot takes a couple hours to complete.

The upload of the camera, which is much larger than a typical camera, weighs about 300 pounds, with the film weighing more than 120 pounds. Six hours later, the aircraft has been prepared.

“These kinds of missions require much, much more than a pilot, an aircraft and a sensor,” Colonel Thomas said. “The extended teamwork associated with this sort of effort reaches across multiple squadrons.”

During this humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission, Colonel Thomas said everyone involved was keenly focused on the task at hand, as they are in any mission.

“It’s an extended network of Airmen, Americans, reaching out to assist our friends and allies in Japan,” he said. “They’re our friends and we’re going to do whatever we can to help them.”

Source: AF.mil

***Check out Pacific Aircraft’s U-2 Plane Model and RQ-4 Global Hawk for only $124.95 each.

F-35C Breaks Sound Barrier for the First Time

Posted: March 9, 2011 by admin in Airplane News
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

The first F-35C test aircraft (CF-1) flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time over a test range near the Navy and Marine Corps F-35 Joint Strike Fighter integrated test facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River March 4.

During a test flight to expand the flutter envelope, CF-1 reached Mach 1.02 at 30,000 feet with U.S. Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col. Matt Taylor at the controls.

“It’s great to be part of bringing stealth capability to the big-deck carriers,” said Taylor. “We accomplished a large number of test points, and CF-1 handled great going past Mach 1. It was a privilege for me to take the F-35C over that milestone for the first time.”

CF-1 gathered enough supersonic flutter data for the team to continue supersonic envelope expansion in the near future.

Flutter is an evaluation of structural loads on the aircraft experienced at various speeds and while performing prescribed maneuvers. The test and evaluation team at NAS Patuxent River will expand the flutter envelope to demonstrate the required durability and reliability of the aircraft in advance of delivery of the aircraft to the fleet.

The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A JSF/CTOL and Lockheed Martin F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment. Carrier suitability testing for the F-35C variant is scheduled to begin later this year with land-based catapult and jet blast deflector testing.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program is in the system development and demonstration phase, focusing on delivering three different, new aircraft variants to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. The integrated test force at NAS Patuxent River is focused on testing and evaluation of the F-35B and F-35C.

Source: Defensetalk.com

***F-35 Joint Strike Fighter model planes are available at Pacific Aircraft. Visit the online store for more info: PacificAircraft.com

USAF B-1 Lancers get new braking system

Posted: March 7, 2011 by admin in USAF
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

B-1 Lancer can generate more than 30,000 pounds of thrust and reach speeds greater than 900 MPH, but can it stop safely after reaching such speeds? Thanks to an ongoing brake modification of the B-1B Lancer, the aircraft has a new, more effective means of coming to a stop.

The modification, which costs $15,787 per aircraft, removes the old, hard-brake swivels and replaces them with a flexible hose that generates less wear and tear on the braking system.

“The hoses are a safer option for the aircraft. They keep hot fluid from leaking from the swivels.”, said Justin Curtis, a 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron support aircraft mechanic.

Another benefit of the modification is a shorter maintenance time on the brake system.

“We estimate time spent changing the brakes on the B-1 will drop from two hours to 40 minutes,” Mr. Curtis said. “It’s just one more benefit that stacks up in this drive to replace the old braking system.”

This initiative to improve the brake system began to take shape in June 2009, when the first B-1 was fitted with the new system. Once the modification was approved, maintainers moved into the next phase of the program. The first high-speed taxi with the new braking system occurred in January 2010. After the successful test, permanent modifications began in October 2010. The maintainers here set a goal to have all Ellsworth Air Force Base 28 B-1 modified and ready to fly by May 13.

Mr. Curtis said that while aircrews won’t notice much of a change in the actual system itself, safety during takeoff and landing will be improved significantly.

“This new system greatly reduces the risk of a brake fire,” he said. “That kind of security can be a real weight off the minds of the aircrew, especially during a mission.”

Capt. Bishane Whitmore, a 37th Bomb Squadron B-1 weapons system officer, said the brake system improvements will do more than just improve safety.

“It’s a necessity that will help in the long run,” Captain Whitmore said. “The new system will improve safety and reduce time needed to do maintenance checks after each training mission. Anything that can do all that is a welcome asset to the aircrews training here and flying missions downrange.”

Source: AF.mil

***Looking for a B-1B Lancer model aircraft? Only Pacific Aircraft brings you museum-like quality, mahogany wood model planes right at your doorstep. Visit PacificAircraft.com now!

Facebook Photo Contest: Pose with your Aircraft!

Posted: March 2, 2011 by admin in Promos
Tags: , , ,
0

Relieve the glory of aviation by joining our Facebook Photo Contest: Pose with your Aircraft!

This March, Warplanes is doing a Facebook Photo Contest where lucky aviation fans get to win three scale replicas of one of US Air Force’s stealth fighter: The F-22 Raptor American Fighter Model Plane. All they need to do is take a photo of them with any aircraft and post it on Warplane’s Facebook page.

The fans get to “like” one or all of the photos. But they can only vote once (or click ‘like’ once) for each photo entry. By the end of the month, Warplanes will tally the number of likes and the five pictures that get the most number of “likes” will automatically win a model airplane!

The winners will also be featured on Warplane’s blog site and on the main page of warplanes.com for the whole month of April.

The most exciting part?

All who will submit entries for the contest will automatically get a discount when they order a custom model airplane! No expiration dates. Your discount price is valid the whole year through. Get your custom model airplane for only $199 (originally, $299-399!). Just shoot us an email at sales@warplanes.com to tell us you are one of the photo contest participants when you place an order.

Anyone who has a love for airplanes and passion for airplanes are encouraged to join! Veterans and newbie pilots are more than welcome to participate! The contest starts from March 1 to 31, 2010.

The contest mechanics are as follows:

* Warplanes, the leader in world-class model-making is rewarding our valued customers by giving away five F-22 Raptor Model Airplanes for the month of March. This is an astonishing replica of the Air force’s F-22 Raptor; a combination of stealth, super cruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in war fighting capabilities.

* To join, one has to post a photo of you together with your favorite aircraft on the Warplanes’ Facebook wall. It could be a recent photo of you taken during one air show. Or that photo you have standing next to the plane in that Air museum. It doesn’t matter if it was taken years ago. If it was taken during the world war, that’s even exciting. You can even include a short description together with the picture and share your story to us.

* The growing number of Warplanes fans will determine the winner. Five entries that get the most number of “likes” on our page will automatically get the awesome F-22 model airplane! (Here’s a trick: once posted, spread the news and tell all your friends to like your photo!). Everyone can “like” all of the photos but you can only vote once for each entry.

* Warplanes administrator will notify and get in touch with the winners as soon as they are determined. Winners will also be announced through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Plus, we are going to feature you (and your story) on our blog site!

* Wait There’s More! – All who will submit entries for the contest will automatically get a discount when they order a custom model airplane! No expiration dates. Your discount price is valid the whole year through. Get your custom model airplane for only $199 (originally, $299-399!). Just shoot us an email at sales@warplanes.com to tell us you are one of the photo contest participants when you place an order.

Let the whole world know about your adventure while winning a model airplane all at once! Now that’s a deal that doesn’t happen too often. :)

Source: community.warplanes.com

http://www.warplanes.com/content/custom-models

Space Shuttle Launch: Viewed From an Airplane

Posted: March 1, 2011 by admin in NASA
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

I’ve seen space shuttle launches from a variety of views and angles in the past, but this one is definitely the most unique yet. This video, which has caught a lot of buzz online, was caught by a passenger flying out of Orlando, Fla., who was given a rare opportunity to view and tape the Space Shuttle Discovery on its final launch Feb. 24.

Discovery has since docked with the International Space Station, and its 12-crew members are set to begin the first spacewalk of mission STS-133 today.

Perhaps NASA could take a tip from this amateur footage and look to add this unique perspective to future shuttle launches in order to gain public interest? Just a suggestion…

Source: cbsnews.com

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Resumes Flight Tests

Posted: February 23, 2011 by admin in Airplane Video
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
0

“Officials from Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) said that the company’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter resumed flights tests after a software flaw with the jet’s fuel pumps was corrected, reports Bloomberg. SmarTrend currently has Lockheed Martin in an Uptrend. Since 2008, SmarTrend subscribers trading Lockheed Martin using our alerts outperformed the stock by 94%. We are monitoring these developments and will alert subscribers to any change in trend.”

Source: DefenseTalk

***Purchase a F-35 Joint Strike Fighter model airplane for only $124.95 from Pacific Aircraft.com. Order now, 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

F-35 JSF issue divides Louisiana representatives

Posted: February 21, 2011 by admin in Airplane News
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Louisiana House members were divided over an amendment to eliminate funding for an alternative second engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which the Pentagon says it doesn’t need and can’t afford.

It was an interesting vote in the midst of all the budget cutting last week by the House because this is a reduction the Obama administration supports, but House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, opposed. Cancellation of the second engine will cost jobs in Boehner’s home state of Ohio.

In the end, 110 Republicans joined 123 Democrats in defying the speaker. Yes votes from Louisiana were cast by Reps. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, a good friend of Boehner’s; Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia and Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge. Voting against the cut, which will save $450 million this year and $3 billion over the next several years, were Reps. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, John Fleming, R-Minden and Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman.

Scalise explained his vote this way: “Moving forward with an alternate engine for the F-35 will invoke competition and save American taxpayers $20 billion over the life of the project, while improving equipment quality for our service men and women.”

Source: Nola.com

***Get a F-35 Joint Strike Fighter model airplane for $124.95 from PacificAircraft.com. Custom model planes for only $199.

Pilot will reunite with replica of his WWII Corsair aircraft

Posted: February 17, 2011 by admin in Airplane News
0

Sixty-five years after Coast community icon Jeremiah J. “Jerry” O’Keefe became a World War II ace on April 22, 1945, he’ll get another look at a plane similar to the Vought F4U-1D Corsair he flew as a 21-year-old Marine Corps aviator.

The public is also invited to view the Corsair, along with a restored P-51 Mustang, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Atlantic Aviation #L3 at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. The planes will stop en route to an event at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

“I haven’t seen one in 30 years,” O’Keefe said Monday. “It’ll be interesting.”

The last time he saw a Corsair was in Tupelo, by chance.

“It was flying in and out of there and I happened to be there on business and saw it,” he said. “I   didn’t get up close to it. I don’t know who owns it. It could be the same plane.”

This one, an F4U-5 Corsair, is owned by Dan Fordice, president of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation in Vicksburg.

“I’m going to shake his hand, thank him for what he did for our country and head out,” Fordice said.

The visit in honor of O’Keefe is in conjunction with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, said Kacey Hill with the museum.

“Dan is flying in support of the museum,” she said. “He feels passionate about it and this is his way of drawing attention to it. He thought it would be a perfect opportunity to stop on the way and tip his hat to Jerry.”

An oral-history recording O’Keefe made during the past year with the World War II Museum is part of its collection and will be used as a resource in the future.

O’Keefe, 87, is patriarch of 67 descendants, including 13 children. He served Biloxi in the House of Representatives from 1960 -64, was mayor from 1973 to 1981 and his name is on myriad institutions of Coast culture, mental health and business.

O’Keefe was part of Marine squadron VMF-323, known as the “Death Rattlers.” They were described as “the most successful Marine fighting squadron of 1945,” in “Aces in Combat: The American Aces Speak, Vol 5,” by Eric Hammel.

For his efforts in the Okinawa campaign, the young O’Keefe received the Secretary of the Navy Commendation, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and twice was given the Air Medal. The Navy Cross is the country’s second-highest award for valor.

Source: Sun Herald

***Want a replica of the F4U-1D Corsair? Pacific Aircraft specializes in making custom model planes.  And this February, we are giving it away for only $199. For inquiries, visit PacificAircraft.com.

Boeing Celebrates Premiere of New 747-8 Intercontinental

Posted: February 14, 2011 by admin in Airplane News
Tags: , , , , , ,
0

Boeing (NYSE: BA) today showcased its the new high-capacity passenger airplane, 747-8 Intercontinental. The said plane offers airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance.

There were approximately 10,000 guests, including customers, Boeing employees, government officials, partners and suppliers, gathered in the factory in Everett, Wash., to witness the premiere of the Intercontinental at an event themed “Incredible, Again.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh said the newest B747 incorporates technological advancements that make it an extremely productive airplane for customers.

“The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies ? applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner. We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.”, said Albaugh.

“The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet’s eco-efficiency even further,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts.”

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

“As the only airplane in the 400 to 500-seat market, the 747-8 Intercontinental will give operators an airplane perfectly suited for long, heavily traveled routes around the world,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The new 747-8 Intercontinental will set a new standard in economic and environmental performance, while providing a world-class passenger experience.”

The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.

The airplane unveiled today is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a significant departure from Boeing’s standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck.

Source: Earth Times

Boeing (NYSE: BA) today unveiled its new 747-8 Intercontinental, the new high-capacity passenger airplane that offers airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance.Approximately 10,000 guests, including customers, Boeing employees, government officials, partners and suppliers, gathered in the factory in Everett, Wash., to witness the premiere of the Intercontinental at an event themed “Incredible, Again.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh said the newest 747 incorporates technological advancements that make it an extremely productive airplane for customers.

“The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies ? applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner,” said Albaugh. “We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.”

“The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet’s eco-efficiency even further,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts.”

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

“As the only airplane in the 400 to 500-seat market, the 747-8 Intercontinental will give operators an airplane perfectly suited for long, heavily traveled routes around the world,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The new 747-8 Intercontinental will set a new standard in economic and environmental performance, while providing a world-class passenger experience.”

The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.

The airplane unveiled today is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a significant departure from Boeing’s standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck.

Older Entries
Newer Entries