Military Aviation News and Discussion

[Sandhi Yudha]

Those bandits are quite heavily armed if they are able to take down a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet attack aircraft.

Bandit fire brings down Nigeria air force jet, pilot survives

ABUJA (Reuters) - Intense fire from bandits caused a Nigerian attack jet to crash in northwestern Zamfara State, but the pilot survived by ejecting from the aircraft, the Nigerian air force said on Monday.

www.thestar.com.my

The picture is from the wrong airforce, but at least they have the model/type right.

Nigeria: Military plane shot down by bandits – DW – 07/19/2021

A Nigerian jet has been downed in the northwest of the country. The pilot safely ejected and avoided capture.

m.dw.com

 

[Ananda]

Those bandits are quite heavily armed if they are able to take down a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet attack aircraft.

The Aceh Rebels (before the Political Settlement) already armed with RPG7 and some 12.5mm guns. That's created problem for TNI-AU OV-10. That's why TNI-AU (according the publication on OV-10 in TNI-AU operation), add additional armour platting. The Fretilin in East Timor also has some of that, altough some Aceh rebels considered the most equiped of Armed Insurgencies.

My point is, even in this region where Armed Insurgencies is harder to get logistics, there're ways for them to get heavy machine guns that can create problem for low flying COIN fighters and Helicopters. The African region (especialy Sub Sahara) has more easier on getting armed logistics (due to more porous border between them).

Nigerian Alfa Jet just like any other COIN Fighters on its generation, is not equiped with sophisticated sensors. I suspect they are more rellying on actual visual capabilities of the pilots when doing CAS support. Thus the probabilities of heavy machine guns being used to bring them down, actualy is quite big. Just like the OV-10 in COIN operations. This what make Anti Insurgencies operation in Africa is hard to handle.

 

[ngatimozart]

Well even if he flew into sustained 7.62mm machine gun fire, that could have the potential to ruin his day. Only takes a couple of rounds in the right place to cause the engine to go on strike or commence self destruction. The engines get real upset when some inconsiderate sod fires projectiles into them.

 

[ASSAIL]

I was checking fb this am and found this interesting story about a complete set of drawings of the Mosquito discovered in an old shed in the UK

The Secret Mosquito Stash

 

[John Fedup]

I was checking fb this am and found this interesting story about a complete set of drawings of the Mosquito discovered in an old shed in the UK

The Secret Mosquito Stash

My father’s good friend flew the Mosquito, fond memories of a superb aircraft to block out the sadness of friends who flew aircraft that weren’t so survivable. A true multi role aircraft that WW2 workers in Malton helped produce.

 

[ngatimozart]

I was checking fb this am and found this interesting story about a complete set of drawings of the Mosquito discovered in an old shed in the UK

The Secret Mosquito Stash

Would've helped AVSPECS when they rebuilt their three Mosquitoes for different clients. But a bit late for that. They are now flying in the US.

 

[At lakes]

ttps://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/300366867/plane-spotter-saves-pilot-after-seeing-shower-of-sparks-from-jet


One would have thought that with all the electronics available to pilots of high performance aircraft, there would have been some sort of alarm flashed in the cockpit that there was an issue with an engine and he should not have to rely on an aircraft spotter at the end of the runway.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

ttps://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/300366867/plane-spotter-saves-pilot-after-seeing-shower-of-sparks-from-jet


One would have thought that with all the electronics available to pilots of high performance aircraft, there would have been some sort of alarm flashed in the cockpit that there was an issue with an engine and he should not have to rely on an aircraft spotter at the end of the runway.

Yes, it's almost sound like a fabricated story, that something like that wasnt seen by the control tower or the wingman. I mean, according the story the wing man saw the damage on the engine, be he didn't saw this spectaculair spark shower. Looking to the photo it almost like that the majority of the sparks comes from above the fusalage and not from inside the exhaust.

And like @At lakes already said, it is remarkable that engine control system didn't detected any fluctuations in the engine speed, vibrations or exhaust gas temperature.

 

[John Fedup]

Some new concepts for high speed vertical take off and landing have been released by Bell. Three versions, one of which could be unmanned. Propulsion is a combination of folding rotors and turbofans. Clearly these are a long way off but very interesting. The largest design is almost 40,000 lbs heavier than a CV-22.

Bell Unveils VTOL Aircraft Concepts That All Feature Fold-Away Rotors For Jet-Speed Flight

The Pentagon is increasingly interested in much faster and more survivable aircraft that can land and takeoff like a helicopter but fly like a jet.

www.thedrive.com

 

[ngatimozart]

Some new concepts for high speed vertical take off and landing have been released by Bell. Three versions, one of which could be unmanned. Propulsion is a combination of folding rotors and turbofans. Clearly these are a long way off but very interesting. The largest design is almost 40,000 lbs heavier than a CV-22.

Bell Unveils VTOL Aircraft Concepts That All Feature Fold-Away Rotors For Jet-Speed Flight

The Pentagon is increasingly interested in much faster and more survivable aircraft that can land and takeoff like a helicopter but fly like a jet.

www.thedrive.com

Definitely looks interesting and will interesting to see what comes of it. The idea of electric motors driving the rotors with power generated by the turbofans is not silly and certainly would simplify things for the rotors being tilted. You aren't going to have all that mass requiring tilting and / or complicated gearbox and shaft arrangements.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Ghana's defence minster sought parliamentary approval for the procurement of six L-39NG aircraft from the Czech company Aero Vodochody on 2 August.
The Ghanaian media reported that the acquisition is now being reviewed by parliament's Defence and Interior Committee.

Aero Vodochody announced in April 2020 that Senegal had ordered four L-39NGs, making it the first military customer for the new aircraft after orders from several companies, including LOM Praha, which trains the Czech and other air forces. These four L-39NG were scheduled to be delivered in 2021, but until now none of the ordered aircrafts are delivered.

Ghana lines up L-39NG jet acquisition

Ghana's defence minster sought parliamentary approval for the procurement of six L-39NG aircraft from the Czech company Aero Vodochody on 2 August.

www.janes.com

On another continent a L-39 user already operates its recently received brandnew Aermacchi M-346FA light attack aircrafts. Surprisingly Turkmenistan didn't choose for the L-159 or L-39NG, probably Italy had a better package combined with the two Alenia C-27J. Its just remarkable that they also ordered the Embraer EMB 314, while still having so many Su-25s.

Turkmenistan's air force operating new M-346FA, C-27J, and A-29 aircraft

Video footage released by Turkmenistan's state-owned media indicates that the country's air force is operating three newly acquired aircraft types: the Leonardo M-346FA...

www.janes.com

 

[John Fedup]

DARPA has issued a RFI on a WIG cargo seaplane with the ability to carry at least 100 tons. Unknown if amphibious ability is required. A lot to like about Boeing’s Pelican design which dates back to 2000 IIRC. A 1,700 ton capacity with a 10,000 mile range over water was the envisioned specification. Perfect for the vast Pacific!

DARPA Requests Information For Wing-in-Ground Effect Aircraft For the U.S. Military - Naval News

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) released a Request for Information (RFI) in mid-August 2021 seeking a Wing-in-Ground (WIG) cargo aircraft for the US military. DARPA set some requirements for the WIG plane, but provided no data, sketches, artwork, examples, or models to...

www.navalnews.com

 

[Terran]

Because WIG types fly so low I doubt this is meant to operate over land. Which would pretty much dictate amphibious ops. In the past two concepts were drawn for WIGS in the USN one as a flying boomer the other a landing craft.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Because WIG types fly so low I doubt this is meant to operate over land. Which would pretty much dictate amphibious ops. In the past two concepts were drawn for WIGS in the USN one as a flying boomer the other a landing craft.

Some times it pays to read what is provided
Yes, unlike Boeing's Pelican this DARPA request specifies water takeoffs and landings. But, like Pelican it is expected to fly out of ground effect

The DARPA WIG aircraft RFI has these requirements:

• “Takeoff and land in the water (up to Sea State 3) for runway independence
• Maximize flight time in ground effect for increased range, endurance, and
  survivability
• Extended out of ground effect flight capability for obstacle avoidance, flight over
  land, weather avoidance, etc.
• High sea state operation for in-ground effect flight as well as takeoff and landing
  and extended on water operations
• Low-cost manufacturing techniques and design choices (e.g. unpressurized
  fuselage)
• Large operational payload (100+ tons) and capability of carrying multiple
  amphibious vehicles.”

 

[John Fedup]

Will copy this link to the general aviation thread but there does seem to some additional interest in WIG aircraft besides DARPA.


This boat-plane hybrid could transform inter-city commutes
Seaglider: This boat-plane hybrid could transform inter-city commutes

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Will copy this link to the general aviation thread but there does seem to some additional interest in WIG aircraft besides DARPA.


This boat-plane hybrid could transform inter-city commutes
Seaglider: This boat-plane hybrid could transform inter-city commutes

I wonder how many days you have to plug it in to charge up?

OK, but really. I'm pretty much used up with the "next big aviation thing that will transform commutes". And that's not even based on the incredibly high risk of doing WIG commutes over waterways in the vicinities of major cities that might attract such a service. Lots of small watercraft/vessels/aids to navigation puttering/bobbing about as an aircraft zips along at a couple hundred km/miles and hour, leaving the pilots with very little reaction time to see and avoid.

 

[Terran]

The US and EU both class WIGs as boats well the UK does as a plane. I point this out as for every potential use it’s limitations are that of a fast boat more than an aircraft. The Russians in the post Cold War era tried in those nascent days of the post USSR to sell the world on Ekronoplan liners. Clearly it didn’t catch on.
I think it has potential for a amphibious landing craft or a speed boat type. But as a means of city to city? High speed rail or Jet liners are better options.
We have heard all kinds of crazy “Green” ideas like resurrection of Zeppelins, Air taxis and Hyperloop now Ekronoplans. Unless some
Eccentric Billionaire with a love of Yachts yet dislikes water No new passenger zeppelin will appear. Jets liners are just to fast and efficient. Air taxis make about as much sense as a solid gold bath tub or filling a swimming pool with Perrier. The safety and regulatory requirements would make autonomous cars look easy. Not to mention the cost and energy requirements that are anything but green.
Hyperloop as pitched was a retry of an idea proved as a failure in 1873. The few would be makers now basically are pitching a Maglev in a tube. WIG? Vs a hydrofoil okay, vs a Cigarette boat fine. Vs Conventional aviation its slow can’t take advantage of the jet-stream can’t fly over weather. Terrain would be a tight restriction. I mean Generally speaking max altitude is rivaled by NBA superstars doing Slam dunks. As such it’s kind hard outside of potential military missions it’s hard to see a solid justification.

 

[Ananda]

Several days old photo from LM FB. Put it here, as something that LM Skunk Works team working now, X-59. This can be in general aviation or military aviation thread.

However I choose to put it here, since even though X-59 potential use for supersonics Airliners, but I do sense in the end it will be more use for Military development.

 

[kato]

It's sorta aviation news...

Scrambled Eurofighters intercepted a NATO HAW registered C-17 today after - diverting from its cleared flight path at 30,000 MSL from Hungary to Germany - it ignored air control while sinking to 3,000 MSL altitude. The aircraft was forced back to Hungary under escort.

Austria considers the invasion - and in particular the way the aircraft behaved - a "massive threat" to air safety as well as the "worst violation in 20 years" and is expected to file protests through diplomatic channels with NATO and/or Hungary.

 

[John Fedup]

It's sorta aviation news...

Scrambled Eurofighters intercepted a NATO HAW registered C-17 today after - diverting from its cleared flight path at 30,000 MSL from Hungary to Germany - it ignored air control while sinking to 3,000 MSL altitude. The aircraft was forced back to Hungary under escort.

Austria considers the invasion - and in particular the way the aircraft behaved - a "massive threat" to air safety as well as the "worst violation in 20 years" and is expected to file protests through diplomatic channels with NATO and/or Hungary.

Where was the air crew from? The HAW crew, I think, would be tier one nations from the EU?