Air Forces

Could this aircraft be a definitive joint Argentina-Brazil development?

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As published by AINOnline, within the LABACE Convention which is taking place in the Congonhas Airport in Brazil, Desaer, a recent company with aeronautical engineers, formerly employed by Embraer and former military presented the ATL-100 light commuter concept. “Created by former Embraer
employees in 2017, Desaer resides at Incubaero, an incubator for start-ups
and new aerospace projects at the Fundação Casimiro Montenegro Filho, one of
the technology development institutes within the DCTA facility at São José dos
Campos. Parented by the Brazilian air force, the DCTA (Departamento de Ciência
e Tecnologia Aeroespacial, department of aerospace science and technology) is
Brazil’s national military research center for aerospace projects and
activities.”

As for the
ALT-100, a brief was presented that quotes: “To be powered by two turboprops in
the 1,000-shp class, the ATL-100 is an unpressurized transport of high-wing,
T-tailed configuration with low cost of acquisition and operation as key design
drivers. It has a square-section cabin that can be arranged to accommodate 19-passenger
seating in a single row on the left and double row on the right, 12 paratroops,
and two jumpmasters on sidewall tip-up seats, stretchers for the aeromedical
evacuation/air ambulance role, or three LD3 containers. The latter cannot be
accommodated within current utility types such as the Bandeirante, Viking Twin
Otter, Dornier Do 228, or LET 410.

Armed Forces

Paraguay received UH-1H helicopters donated by Taiwan

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The president Mario Abdo Benítez, the Defense minister, Gral. (SR) Bernardino Soto Estigarribia, and SENAD minister, Arnaldo Giuzzio, were this morning on the reception of donations made by the Republic of China (Taiwan). All 30 vehicles and the 2 helicopters were sent on containers and assembled locally. As taiwanese representatives declared, all have been refurbished to "zero hour". They will be officially presented next August 14th.

Air Forces

Colombia airmen plunge to death wrapped in flag during stunt

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BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Two members of Colombia's air force plunged to their deaths wrapped in their nation's flag when a cable hanging from a helicopter snapped while they were performing a mid-air stunt Sunday. The accident happened during a parade to mark the traditional Medellin Flower Fair. The city's airport was immediately closed in the aftermath of the accident. Videos circulating on social media show the moment when the two airmen fall to their death. Moments earlier they had been clinging to a metal cable and waving to the crowd below while carrying a giant Colombian flag through the air.

Air Forces

The FA-50AR begins to take shape between Argentina and South Korea

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Weeks after the most recent statements, Argentine and South Korean government officials continue negotiations for the purchase of 10 FA-50 Golden Eagle Lead in Fighter Trainer (LIFT) aircraft, any consideration that Leonardo’s M-346FA might had, now is gone. Amid the lack of more detailed official information from any of both parties, some milestones have been disclosed and to confirm that an actual framework is being agreed upon after the highest level of argentine government has given the "go". Representatives of Argentina and South Korea are agreeing to set up a joint venture to build, develop and support the FA-50AR, presumably between the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones S.A. (FAdeA) and Korea Aerospace Industries. The South Korean Government holds the majority of the shares in KAI. The remaining stock is completed by Hanwha Techwin and the U.S. based, Blackrock Fund, which happened to have also recently opened a branch in Buenos Aires.

Air Forces

The Argentine AF bought 8 Tecnam P2002 JF light aircraft

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In recent days, the Argentine Air Force acquired 8 Tecnam P2002 JF light aircraft from Aerotec Argentina, a distributor of Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam. The AF has been leasing the P2002's since 2016 for basic training in the Military Aviation School in Cordoba. Recent news calculated the amount of the operation of approximately 1.5 million U.S. dollars, still no official statements have been made yet. According to Tecnam: “The Argentine Air Force required that the Tecnam P2002JF CS/VLA would have a package of equipment and avionics superior to the standard civil version in order to extend the original capacities of the aircraft. Known as “Glass Cockpit + Night VFR“, This includes the Garmin G500 PFD digital instrument panel, an integrated GTN 650 COM / NAV / GPS navigation and communications system with antennas and instrumentation, speedometer and back altimeter, heated pitot, instrument lights and maps, dimmer and auxiliary alternator.

Brazil

Brazilian Navy’s Wild Lynx helicopter First Shipborne Landing

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As published by the Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Navy’ 1st Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter Squadron (EsqdHA-1) successfully completed its first landing aboard a ship with the converted and upgraded Mk21B (AH-11B in brazilian service) Wild Lynx helicopter last July 20th. 

The operations included three controlled approaches under Visual Meteorological Conditions, one pick-up, one vertical replenishment or VERTREP and four controlled approaches under Instrument Meteorological Conditions. The success of these first trials means EsqdHA-1 is now ready to send helicopter serial N-4004 to the “Lebanon XVI” deployment in the Mediterranean scheduled for August 4th. The Brazilian Navy signed contract in 2014 to upgraded eight Wild Lynx by Leonardo at Yeovil, UK. The helicopters were originally Mk21's, acquired in 1978 and upgraded as Mk21A Super Lynx in 2003. The first flight of the Mk21B was in September 2017 and the entire fleet upgrade is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

Air Forces

The argentine AF C-130s needs more and new engines

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Today and increasingly, the Argentine
Air Force C-130 and KC-130H’s are having operational setbacks. Engine failures
are not uncommon, and it gets ever more difficult to procure the necessary
funding to properly stock the AF. The argentine C-130’s are without
question, the most important aircraft in the nation, critical for a number of
duties including paradrop, search and rescue, transport and air to air refueling
(only KC-130). An important overhaul and upgrade program were implemented from
2014 and on by the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) in partnership with L-3
to integrate the Flight II+ suite in the argentine aircraft, also the two KC-130s
have been equipped with a Wescam MX-10 gyrostabilized platform with LLTV and IR/EO
sensors. Such an FMS sponsored upgrade was only recently paid and at a great cost, armed forces land and properties were auctioned in order to procure necessary payment also of brand-new Bell 412 EP helicopters, T-6C Texan II and their conversion to the C+ standard.

ARA Salta

The argentine navy’s submarine force is gone.

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Everything we know or we think to
know about the argentine navy’s submarine force sank with the ARA San Juan
submarine in November 2017. Long after the wreckage was found by the Seabed
Constructor’s AUVs, almost one year later, much will continue to be debated by
the military, the Defense Ministry and even the Congressional Committee that
investigated what happened. But actually, with oh so little information about
that submarine, which is lying with its crew of 44, on the argentine seabed. With great influence of upcoming general elections, the publishing of that congressional committee inquiry is plagued with controversy between the committee, the defense ministry, the Navy and even relatives of the 44 who perished onboard. Among the members of this committee is congresswoman and former defense minister, Nilda Garre, who authorized the final mid-life overhaul of the ARA San Juan.

Air Forces

U.S. and Colombia are expanding their Regional Helicopter Training Center

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The Colombian Air Force has recently received its 60th Th-67 “Creek” helicopter from the U.S. Army for its Regional Helicopter Training Center (RHTC). Such an idea came after the signature of the so called “Plan Colombia” in late 1990s between both nations. This program provides funding for military and police forces in support of counter drug and counter terrorism, but not exclusively for Colombia. Early on, the three phase Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training was made in Ft Rucker, Dale County, Alabama. Such a course was given by Spanish speaking contractors but after the 1999 agreements, an effort was made to transfer this course to the Colombian Air Force’s 4th Combat Command (CACOM 4) to which Th-67 helicopters were provided and the’ then called Joint Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training and now Regional Helicopter Training Center began as a proven and cost effective course.

140

Argentine Navy is considering scraping a Frigate and a Corvette due to budget cuts

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The lack of funds allocation for
a proper operation and maintenance of the Argentine fleet is compromising some
of its main combatants. Talks are in place of decommissioning two Sea Fleet’s ships,
Destroyer ARA “Heroina” and Corvette ARA “Rosales”. The ARA “Heroina” is a 126mts long, West Germany built, MEKO 360H2 frigate with a full load displacement of 4100 tons with a hangar for two medium helicopters. Commissioned in Nov 1983, with provisions for 8 MBDA MM-40 Exocet anti-ship missiles, up to 24 Alenia Aspide anti-air missiles in an 8 cell Albatros launcher (with auto reload). Has a single 5” Oto Melara gun and four twin barrel guns Breda Bofors 40L70.