La USAF comenzará en breve las pruebas de vuelo del avión hipersónico X-51
Hay cuatro vuelos de prueba planeados. El X-51 está diseañado para operar mas tiempo y a mas distancia que modelos anteriores. Boeing ha estado trabajando en el avión desde 2003. El avión será lanzado desde el ala de un B-52.
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U.S. Air Force Set To Begin X-51 Hypersonic Flight Tests
The U.S. Air Force is gearing up for the first of four planned test flights of a hypersonic aircraft designed to operate for much longer durations and cover far greater distances than previous platforms of its type, called X-51. The maiden flight of the X-51 Waverider aircraft — the first U.S. hypersonic vehicle to fly in six years — is scheduled to take place later in March. Boeing Defense, Space & Security Systems of St. Louis has been developing the aircraft since 2003 on behalf of the Air Force Research Laboratory and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
The missile-shaped X-51 will be carried aloft under the wing of a B-52 bomber.
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A pesar de China, Estados Unidos dice que la Fuerza Aérea de Taiwán necesita ayuda
Gran parte de los 400 aviones de combate de Taiwán, no están operativos debido a su antigüedad y a problemas de mantenimiento. Un informe ordenado por el Congreso americano, revela que Taiwán necesita modernizar su armamento, ante la creciente fortaleza mostrada por China. Estados Unidos es el principal proveedor de armamento de Taiwán. China rechazó duramente las últimas ventas realizadas por Estados Unidos a Taiwán. Es deseo de Taiwán, la compra de 66 nuevos F-16.(Leer mas...)

Despite China, U.S. says Taiwan air force needs help

Many of Taiwan's roughly 400 combat aircraft would not work in action due to age and maintenance problems. The report, ordered by Congress, says upgrades are needed as China gets stronger. The United States is Taiwan's top arms supplier but also wants to improve its ties with Beijing. China reacted angrily last month after President Barack Obama's administration unveiled its first arms package for self-ruled Taiwan.
Taiwan is seeking 66 new U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, but Washington officials wary of another China backlash have hedged on the request, saying they must evaluate Taiwan's overall defense needs.(Read more...)
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Arabia Saudí compra misiles Storm Shadow a la compañia MBDA
Arabia Saudí y el fabricante MBDA, han firmado un contrato para la compra del misil de crucero Storm Shadow como parte del proceso de modernización de los Tornado Saudíes. Se ha incluido en la compra el misil antitanque Brimstone. Como misil aire-aire a corta distancia, Arabia Saudí ha elegido el IRIS-T para los Tornado y los Typhoon en lugar del ASRAAM inicialemente en proyecto. MBDA se ha mostrado reacia a reconocer la venta, incluso existiendo imágenes de un Tornado saudí bajo modernización en la planta de BAE en Warton, despegando portando un misil Storm Shadow. (Leer mas...)

Saudi Arabia Buys MBDA Missiles

Saudi Arabia has signed a deal to acquire the Storm Shadow cruise missile from European weapons builder MBDA as part of a Tornado strike aircraft update package. The weapons package also includes the Brimstone anti-armor missile
Earlier plans to include the ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missile ended last year when the Saudis selected Diehl BGT Defence's rival IRIS-T for Tornado and the Typhoon fighter. French-based weapons firm MBDA, in which BAE is a major shareholder, has always refused to discuss negotiations even though a Saudi aircraft being modified at BAE's Warton aerospace complex in the U.K. was photographed taking off on a test flight carrying a Storm Shadow. (Read more...)
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Agusta Westland (Italia) establece alianza para fabricación en la India
AgustaWestland ha firmado una "joint venture" con Tata Sons India, para la construcción de una linea de ensamblaje en la India. El contrato incluye el ensamblaje del AW119 para el mercado mundial, con una producción de 30 unidades al año. El primero saldría de la línea de producción en 2011. AgustaWestland propone el AW119 para el concurso actual de Helicóptero de reconocimiento y vigilancia para las fuerza armadas.
Por otra parte Fincantieri de Italia, ha iniciado la construcción de dos petrolereros para la armada de India, con las siguientes características: 27.500 tm., 20 nudos, 175 metros de eslora, 25 metros de ancho, tripulaciòn de 250, y capacidad de portar helicopteros.(Leer mas...)

AgustaWestland (Italy) Sets Up Indian Joint Venture

Italian helicopter firm AgustaWestland has signed to create a joint venture with India's Tata Sons to build a final assembly line in India, was announced Feb. 16.
The deal envisages assembly work being undertaken on the line on AgustaWestland's AW119 helicopter for the worldwide market, with a production rate of 30 a year and the first aircraft potentially ready for delivery in 2011.
AgustaWestland is proposing the AW119 for the Indian military Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter program.
Fellow Italian firm Fincantieri announced Feb. 12 that it had launched in Italy the first of two fleet tankers ordered by the Indian Navy, with delivery scheduled by the end of the year. The 27,500-ton, 20-knot tankers are 175 meters long, 25 meters wide and 19 meters high, and will carry up to 250 crew and passengers as well as helicopters.(Read more...)
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Armada iraní bota primer destructor de construcción nacional
La Armada de Iran ha botado su primer destructor de construcción nacional "Jamaran", en el Golfo Pérsico. Su desplazamiento es de 1.400 tm y está equipado con radares y electrónica modernos, capacidad de guerra electrónica, tripulación de 120-140 y amplia variedad de armamento antibuque y aire superficie. Su velocidad es de unos 30 nudos y tiene capacidad para helicóptero. La armada iraní cuenta con equipamiento procedente de la época anterior a la revolución de 1979, y es de fabricación norteamericana. Iran está siendo sancianado por Naciones Unidas por el programa de enriquecimiento de uranio.(leer mas...)
Iran's navy launched its first domestically made destroyer "Jamaran"
Iran's navy launched its first domestically made destroyer "Jamaran" in the Persian Gulf on Feb. It has a displacement of around 1,400 tons and is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities, can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles with a top speed of up to 30 knots and has a helipad. Much of Iran's naval equipment dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution and is U.S. made. In the past year Iranian navy has carried out a number of missions in the Gulf of Aden and offshore Somalia where it was commissioned to escort Iranian merchant ships and oil tankers.
Iran is under U.N. sanctions for failing to obey Security Council resolutions demanding that an halt in uranium enrichment.(read more...)
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Australia va a modernizar su flota de 12 C-130.
Australia va a realizar una modernización por valor de 40 millones de dólares su flota de 12 C-130. La modernización permitirá a Australia cumplir con los requerimientos de tráfico aéreo internacional. Los trabajos se enmarcan dentro de un proyecto multinacional de usuarios del C-130J (USA, Reino Unido, Canadá e Italia). Tres aviones están basados en Oriente Medio y a menudo son llamados para operaciones de urgencia en el sureste asiático y el pacífico.(Leer mas...)
Australia has approved an A$45 million ($40 million) upgrade to its air force's fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J
Australia has approved an A$45 million ($40 million) upgrade to its air force's fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J military transports. Upgrade will enable Australia's fleet of C-130J to meet new global air traffic management requirements and continue to operate in global airspace.
The work will be part of the C-130J Joint User Group Global Project Arrangement, a multi-national programme that enables several operators to upgrade them together. This includes the USA, the UK, Canada and Italy. Three aircraft are based in the Middle East, and the fleet is often called upon for operations on short notice in South-East Asia and the Pacific region.
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Australia elegirá nuevo helicóptero naval en 2011
Australia elegirá nuevo helicóptero naval en 2011 con primeras entregas previstas en 2014. El concurso se producirá entre el Sikorsky MH-60R y el NH90, y sustituirá a los Seahawk y a los cancelados Super Seasprite. El pedido total será de unas 24 unidades.
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Australia plans to select a new naval combat helicopter in 2011
Australia plans to select a new naval combat helicopter in 2011 and begin taking deliveries in 2014. The competition will, as expected, be between the Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R and the NH Industries NH90. The winner will replace the navy's 16 Seahawks and its cancelled Super Seasprite project, which was ditched in early 2008 after falling seven years behind schedule and almost 50% over budget.
Canberra intends to order at least 24 new naval combat helicopters, enabling the navy to provide eight or more aircraft concurrently embarked on ships at sea.
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Australia ha aprobado la compra de siete Boeing CH-47F Chinook
Australia ha aprobado la compra de siete Boeing CH-47F Chinook por 670 millones de dólares. Las primeras entregas están previstas para 2014 y estarán completadas para 2017. Sustituirán a los actuales en servicio de la versión "D". La versión "F" ofrece una serie de mejoras(célula reforzada, mejor capacidad de desplazamiento, sistemas digitales).(Leer mas...)
Australia has approved the purchase of seven Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters
Australia has approved the purchase of seven Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters for 670 millones de dólares. The first two helicopters will enter service in 2014 and all seven will be operational by 2017. The helicopters will replace the Australian army's six older CH-47D helicopters. This comes after Australia said during its 2009 defence white paper that it could buy the CH-47F to augment its army's medium-lift capabilities. The "F" models offer a range of improvements(strengthened airframe, improved deployability, and digital systems.
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