Aviapedia

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation introduce J-10

China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation had officially introduced their new production recently, the J-10.
The J-10 is known to be a milestone or even a Great Leap Forward in China’s aviation industry.
The J-10 is an all whether operational fighter which has been catergorized to 3rd generation, with 11 hardpoints for 4500kg of weapon loading weight, fuel tanks and ECM equipment, it is capable of carrying both the Chinese and Russian weaponry, including the Chinese PL-8,PL-11,PL-12,Russian R-73,R-77 and other anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles.
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Mig-35 first official demonstration

Photo by Sergey Kuznetsov

On the 6 of February new Russian multifunctional fighter MiG-35 will be presented to the Indian Air Forces, right before the “Air India 2007″ international aerospace and defence exhibition in Bangalore. Today it was announced by the “MiG” Russian Aircraft Corporation.

On the opening at 7th of February exhibition in Bangalore MiG corporation is planning to demonstrate not only MiG-35 but navy fighter MiG-29KUB as well, which was created by the India NAVY request.

Russian press will see both fighters on the 22 of January on the territory of Flight Research Institute named after M.M. Gromov, Moscow.
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Tornado’s 25th anniversary!

On January 6th 1982, Royal Air Force’s IX Squadron (the based at RAF Honington in Suffolk) got its first Panavia Tornado Gr1 variable-wing attack plane into service. This was the beginning for the 220 Tornados to enter service with the RAF.

The Tornado was produced in joint-venture in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. When it eventually entered service it replaced a variety of other types like the Blackburn Buccaneer and Vulcan in RAF as low-level attack planes.

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Lockheed BAE F-35 Lightning II made its first flight

BAE Systems employees celebrated the first flight of the first BAE built F-35 Lightning II. The first flight was a success. Lightning II’s Conventional Take Off and Landing variant took to the skies from Lockheed’s Texas Forth Worth air field on Friday 15 December. The first flight consisted of flight handling testing, systems and engine testings and lasted around an hour. This was a great hallmark in aviation history on both sides of the Atlantic. It culminated the great technology relationship between the USA and the United Kingdom.

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Indian Flankers beat RAF Tornados

Indian Air Force pilots with their Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters continues to grow their reputation on international exercises. They have beaten the US F-15 and F-16 pilots many times in recent years Cope India exercises. Now Indian pilots beat RAF Tornado pilots.

Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force had their first air combat exercise since 1959 after 47 years. One main goal on the exercise was the preparing to get three E-3D AWACS planes into service with the Indian Air Force during the next year.

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First Sukhoi Su-30MK2s to Venezuela

Russian biggest aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has delivered the first batch of two Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighters ordered by Venezuela. The Su-30MK2s were built by Sukhoi’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur company. The Sukhois were airlifted to Venezuela in an Antonov An-124 Ruslan transport plane. The planes are expected to take a part in a military parade in Venezuela on December 10.

Russia and Venezuela have signed a US$ 1.5 billion contract for the sale of 24 Su-30MK2 fighters. The Sukhoi Su-30MK2s are said to be essentially the same as the Chinese Su-30MK2s and compromises only Russian parts.

China plans to modernize its Su-27 Flanker fleet

China has serious intentions to upgrade its Su-27 Flanker fleet. This was reviled by the Russian Kommersant online daily newspaper which announced on 27 November that Russian engine manufacturers Salut Moscow Engineering Production Enterprise and Rybinsk Saturn have competed on supplying engines for China’s Su-27 Flanker upgrading program.

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Another 24 Su-27 to be upgraded to Su-27SM

“We are preparing new contract with Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KnAAPO) for the upgrade of another 24 Su-27 fighters to the Su-27SM” said Mikhail Pogosyan, General Director of Sukhoi Aircraft Military Industrial Complex.
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China purchases Su-33s from Russia

The Russian main weapon exporter, Rosoboronexport is completing negotiations with China of delivering up to 50 Su-33 (Su-27K) Flanker-D ship-borne fighter variant of the famous Su-27 Flanker-B. The possible deal is stated to be a worth of US$2.5 billion. China will acquire the first two Su-33s in 2007 or 2008 for evaluations and trials. The fighters will be produced by Komsomolsk-no-Amur’s Sukhoi facility.
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Tomcat’s last flight

One of the most famous fighter ever, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat made its last flight on September 22. 2006 in a flight display at Oceana Naval Air Station. The world famous, immortalized by the 1980’s movie Top Gun, the F-14 Tomcat gathered about 3000 guests to see the ‘Cat’ for the last time in air.
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