Despite the “drawdown” and end of combat, the US Army is reportedly fielding a new fixed wing aircraft in Iraq: the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
If the Gray Eagle looks oddly familiar, it should: this “new aircraft” is the Army’s version of the Air Force’s Predator.
The Army Times covers (and CNN repeats) the lengths to which Army troops are now going in order to avoid discharge for being overweight:
They’re increasingly turning to starvation diets, weight-loss pills, laxatives and even liposuction…
Soldiers write about wrapping themselves in Icy-Hot, Preparation H treatments, popping stool softeners, going to saunas to meet the Army’s requirements. Many of the comments say the military should reassess its weight standards.
Keep in mind this has nothing to do with the military’s rigorous Read more
Edwards Public Affairs recently wrote on a visit by animators from Walt Disney Studios in nearby Burbank, CA.
The artists, a group of Disney animators, visited the base Nov. 18 for developmental research on a feature film idea…
Driven by research, the Disney animators paid close attention to the shape and design of the F-22 in order to help them produce an authentic aircraft with “militaristic sensibilities,” should they pursue their film idea.
Edwards AFB is a popular site for movies, and has previously been used to film various portions of Iron Man and Transformers.
According to news reports, the July C-17 crash that killed four crewmembers shortly after takeoff in Alaska was caused by pilot error. The report’s press release and a video of the C-17 takeoff (up to just prior to impact), are available on the PACAF website. (The video has already made it to YouTube as well.)
The Air Force Times revisits the T-38 flyby of the Iowa-Ohio State game, citing architectural dimensions to try to analyze the videos and claim the jets were “flying at a fraction of the minimum altitude required.” (See prior article.)
Despite the CSI-like efforts of the Air Force Times, the Air Force (which has no connection with the paper) will conduct its own investigation and act based on those conclusions.
For its part, the University of Iowa Read more
As any aircraft design enthusiast knows, when someone creates a new aircraft design they do far more than consider the range, speed, or weapons capability. Far more prosaic issues are also important: How hard is it for the crew chief to change a tire? How quickly can it be gassed and reloaded?
How hard is it to get spare parts?
Apparently, the JSF engine, when enclosed in its Read more
A surprise attack by Japan on the Hawaiian Islands (which were not yet the 50th state) awoke the “sleeping giant” 69 years ago today, bringing the United States into World War II. Millions had already perished in a war that had consumed the world, though the US had largely stood by. They would do so no longer, and the world would be better for it.
The United States did not engage in war in the 1940s merely to avenge an attack or remove a threat. It sought a decisive and just end to conflict in uncompromising terms — it defended an “absolute right” in the face of a continuing wrong.
Those who recall the date that “lives in infamy” are becoming fewer in number.
As an aside, it is interesting to note the attack on Pearl Harbor lasted approximately 2 hours, and resulted in 15 Medals of Honor — 5 to living recipients — among other citations. By contrast, the 9-year conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in 4, one to a living recipient.
The unmanned X-37B space vehicle (or “Orbital Test Vehicle 1”), originally launched in April, returned to Vandenberg AFB after a seven-month mission described in only the vaguest terms by the Air Force:
The X-37B is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.
The vehicle and its mission remain a high point of speculation, particularly since its orbit — and its orbital changes — were widely visible.
The craft was reportedly “successful” in its test mission, and suffered only a few dents from space debris and a blown tire on its autonomous landing.