Military aviation news - July 2006
Military plane crashes in western Russia, two pilots killed
A Su-24M plane crashed in western Russia, killing two pilots, a source in the Baltic Fleet headquarters said Sunday.
"The plane crashed while taking off from the Chernyakhovsk aerodrome. Both pilots died, failing to catapult," the source said.
The crashed Su-24M Fencer tactical bomber belonging to naval aviation was intended to participate along with three other planes in an air parade on the occasion of Navy Day. Despite the accident, the other three planes performed their flights over the Baltic Sea in Baltiisk, the source said.
Last time, a Su-24M plane crashed on March 15, 2006 in the Voronezh Region in central Russia. Both pilots managed to catapult.
Source: RIA Novosti
Posted: Sun, Jul 30, 2006 20:29 (CET)
Eurofighter Typhoon capability soars ahead with latest contract
Farnborough/Hallbergmoos – The Eurofighter Typhoon development programme took a major step forward at the Farnborough International Airshow today [July 20th] with Eurofighter GmbH and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) signing a contract for the integration of a Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and the Enhanced Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb on Royal Air Force Typhoons.
Posted: Sat, Jul 22, 2006 15:23 (CET)
Saab ships first of 28 South African Gripens
South Africa’s first of 28 Gripen multirole fighters has been shipped to the country from Saab’s Linköping manufacturing site in Sweden ahead of a 14-month flight test campaign.
The SAAF is to receive a total of 19 single-seat Gripen Cs and nine two-seat D-model aircraft under its current production order, although Saab-led Gripen International hopes to secure a follow-on contract for the type after 2010.
First Flight South African Gripen D © Saab
More details at flightglobal.com
Posted: Tue, Jul 4, 2006 13:11 (CET)
Official inauguration of the 1st Rafale squadron of the AAF
On June 27, the first Rafale squadron of the French Air Force was inaugurated on the air basis 113 of St-Dizier.
Chaired by the Prime Minister, the official ceremony took place with the Minister for Defense, the highest military authorities and many personalities of the French aircraft industry.
More photos and video at Dassault
