Tag Archives: Aircraft

Navy Transitioning to T-6 Trainer

The Air Force already retired the T-37B Tweet and is flying the T-6A Texan II as its primary introductory flight trainer.  The T-6 was the result of a “joint” program between the Air Force and Navy.  The Navy has been transitioning from its T-34C Turbomentor to the Navy version of the trainer, the T-6B.

An article at the Navy Times notes the T-6 is a huge leap from the earlier T-34 — even sporting ejection seats.  Distressed pilots in the T-34 had to manually jump over the side if they needed to exit the aircraft in flight, a la WWII.

New Bomber on the Air Force Docket

Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley have reportedly called for a new bomber to be added to the fleet.  The goal would be for it to work in a variety of regimes (asymmetric to conventional to nuclear) and the aircraft would be “optionally manned.”

The Air Force currently relies on a very small number of B-2s, an ever-aging number of B-52s, and the B-1.

Supreme Court to Review A-12 Contract Dispute

According to an Associated Press report, two contractors in the A-12 program, Boeing and General Dynamics, are fighting to avoid a government-demanded repayment of $1.35 billion (plus interest) from the failed aircraft acquisition.  The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the contractors’ complaint that the government invoked a state secrets defense that has prevented them from adequately defending their position in the decades-long running contract dispute.

Most people under the age of 40 probably don’t know what the A-12 Avenger even is.  The over-budget, behind-schedule program to replace frontline Navy aircraft was finally cancelled in 1991.

Pilots Eject from T-6, Indian MiG-27. Commuter Jet Slides In…

In a seemingly rough week for aircraft, a student and instructor successfully ejected from their T-6A Texan II near Laughlin AFB, Texas, late last week.  As usual, it will be more than 30 days before a report is released on the cause.

In India, a pilot successfully ejected from his MiG-27 before it crashed.

And according to FoxNews, a commuter jet had an unsafe gear and scraped a wing down the runway in New York.  (Video on YouTube.)

Air Force Birthday Re-Inspires Age Old Question

The Air Force celebrated its birthday on 18 September; the “celebration” inspired some to repeat the frequently asked question: Are pilots becoming obsolete?

But that specter of obsolescence is beginning to haunt some of the most tech-savvy men and women in America – Air Force pilots – as the service looks toward an unmanned air fleet capable of any and every kind of combat and support role, from close air support to cargo and refueling; a fleet “smart” enough to work together, even “swarming” to carry out tactical and strategic missions.

More at Military.com.

Australia to Receive First Export EA-18G Growler

The US government has reportedly agreed to allow the export of Boeing’s EA-18G Growler to Australia.  The Growler is an electronic attack aircraft built on an F/A-18 frame, though it replaces some of the offensive kinetic capability with electronic attack/defense suites instead.

See the prior discussion on the approval of full rate production (and the name) of the Growler, as well as other fighter pilot aircraft.

“Demons” in US Military Cause Protest, Sort of

If you can get past the title, Dr. James White’s article “Strippers Going to War” has an interesting perspective on religion in the military.  Dr. White is Professor of Theology and Culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

White’s topic is the Christian reaction — or over-reaction — to perceptions of sin or evil in the culture.  In one example, he cites the case of Pastor Donald Crosby of the Kingdom Builders Church of Jesus Christ in Warner Robins, Georgia.  (The story was originally covered by USA Today via WMAZ in Macon, Ga.)  The pastor enrolled his son in the local high school, only to discover their mascot was…a demon:

He’s been collecting signatures of protest ever since, saying that a pitchfork-wielding mascot sends the wrong message to teens.  “Hundreds of children gather into one place at one time chanting ‘Go Demons.’  It’s the equivalent of us gathering into a church on Sunday morning and shouting ‘Go, Jesus’ or ‘Hallelujah Jesus,’ the pastor maintains.

Interesting thing is, that’s not at all the history behind the mascot:

School principal Steve Monday says that the origin of the mascot isn’t religious at all.  In fact, it started in World War II from the 7th fighter squadron at Robbins [sic] Air Force Base, Read more

1 … 15 16 17 18 19 … 32