Warbirds Online

Archive for the 'Modern Military' category

Beriev Bartini VVA 14

May 2, 2010 7:51 am

Bartini_VVA-14

One of the most interesting aircraft I have ever, looks like something out of Star Wars.

The Bartini Beriev VVA-14 Vertikal`no-Vzletayuschaya Amphibia (vertical take-off amphibious aircraft) was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. Designed to be able to take-off from the water and fly at high speed over long distances, It was to make true flights at high altitude, but also have the capability of ‘flying’ efficiently just above the sea surface, using ground effect. The VVA-14 was designed by Robert Bartini in answer to a perceived requirement to destroy United States Navy Polaris missile submarines.

Source: WikiPedia

Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker warbird N131SU first flight

March 21, 2010 7:36 am

The King has left the service

January 4, 2010 7:00 am

Altus AFB gets a KC-135 for display

December 13, 2009 3:36 pm

kc135altus

Brad over on the WIX forum reports that Altus AFB, OK has received a KC-135 for display.

It took a few weeks to get her together but there is now a KC-135A on display at Altus AFB. She is 58-0070 and just needs a paint job to be finished. The wings were hacked off for transport and scabbed back on with various patches, plates, angle iron and screws. Once it’s under paint you won’t be able to tell except for the steel plates on top and bottom of the wings that hold the spar together!

Check out the thread on WIX for a lot more photos.

Thunderbirds officials announce 2010 schedule

December 10, 2009 12:06 pm

12/9/2009 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) – Officials from the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” here announced its 2010 airshow schedule.

The team’s 57th show season is scheduled to take them to more than 65 shows in 27 states and Canada.

Lt. Col. Case Cunningham will join the team as commander and leader for the team and fly the No. 1 position.

Other officers beginning their first season with the team are Thunderbird No. 3, Capt. Chad Shenk, right wing; Thunderbird No. 6, Capt. Aaron Jelinek, opposing solo; Thunderbird No. 8, Maj. John Gallemore, advance pilot and narrator; Thunderbird No. 9, Capt Thom Bowden, flight surgeon.

The new team members will join returning officers Thunderbird No. 2, Maj. John Baum, left wing; Thunderbird No. 4, Maj. Sean Gustafson, slot; Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Rick Goodman, lead solo; Thunderbird No. 7, Lt. Col. Derek Routt, operations officer; Thunderbird No. 10, Capt. Petrina Hanson, executive officer; Thunderbird No. 11, Maj. David Lemery, maintenance officer; Thunderbird No. 12, Capt. Jason McCree.


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JASDF Blue Impulse

December 2, 2009 7:00 am

Japanese Eagle loses some feathers

December 1, 2009 11:36 am

Laser Gunship Fires; ‘Deniable’ Strikes Ahead?

August 20, 2008 9:04 am

From blog.wired.com

Boeing announced today the first ever test firing of a real-life ray gun that could become US special forces’ way to carry out covert strikes with “plausible deniability.”

In tests earlier this month at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Boeing’s Advanced Tactical Laser — a modified C-130H aircraft — “fired its high-energy chemical laser through its beam control system. The beam control system acquired a ground target and guided the laser beam to the target, as directed by ATL’s battle management system.”

“By firing the laser through the beam control system for the first time, the ATL team has begun to demonstrate the functionality of the entire weapon system integrated aboard the aircraft,” Boeing exec Scott Fancher said, in a statement.

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Picture Of The Day - Flyby

April 26, 2008 9:43 am

Russian Mig 29 shoots down Georgian UAV

April 23, 2008 6:24 am