MiG-31 FOX HOUND

MANUFACTURED BY: MIKOYAN AVIATION NPO (MiG), RUSSIA TYPE - FIGHTER/INTERCEPTOR/ANTI-SATELLITECREW - TWO IN TANDEM PILOT/WEAPONS OFFICERARM - FOUR HARD POINTS - TWO ON EACH WING, FOUR BELLY HARD POINTS - TYPICAL ANTI-AIR MISSION FOUR R-33 AAMRANGE - 1,630 MILES INTERNAL - HAS AIR REFUELING CAPABILITYWING SPAN - 44.1 FT.LENGTH - 74.5 FT.HEIGHT - 20.2 FT.WEIGHT - 90,000 POUNDS TAKE OFFENGINE - TWO AFTERBURNING SOLOVIEV D-30GGUIDANCE - GPS SUPPLIED BY ROCKWELL INTERNATIONALSPEED - 1,900 MPH OR MACH 2.8 AT ALTITUDE
UNCONFIRMED**** Russia and China concluded an agreement to transfer twenty four MiG-31 FOXHOUND fighters to China in 1992. The agreement included a deal to manufacture up to 200 more inside China. The transfer cannot be confirmed in that NO MiG-31 aircraft have appeared in the PLAAF inventory at this time. U.S. intelligence sources indicate that the MiG-31 may be used by the PLAAF in an anti-satellite role by firing a specialized missile.

J-11 SU-27SK FLANKER

SUKHOI SU-27SK "FLANKER" EXPORT VERSION SOLD TO CHINA AND VIETNAM MANUFACTURED BY: SUKHOI STATE DESIGN BUREAU MOSCOW, RUSSIA TYPE - SUPERSONIC STRIKE FIGHTERLENGTH: 71.9 FEET SPAN: 48.2 FEET RANGE: 1,900 MILES (WITHOUT AIR REFUEL)HEIGHT: 19.4 FEETWEIGHT: 50,000 POUNDSENGINE: 2 AF-35 AFTERBURNING TURBO FANSTOP SPEED: MACH 2.3WEAPON LOAD: 13,670 POUNDS I/R AND RADAR HOMING AIR TO AIR MISSILES R-73 AND R-77 LASER GUIDED BOMBS AIR LAUNCHED VERSION SS-N-22 SUNBURN AS-17 KRYPTON ANTI-RADAR MISSILE (KH-31) SU-30 VERSION EQUIPPED FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS DELIVERY

SU-30 STRIKE FIGHTER

MAKER: SUKHOI, RUSSIA
TYPE: SUPERSONIC STRIKE FIGHTER
LENGTH: 71.9 FEET
SPAN: 47.8 FEET
RANGE: 1,900 MILES
HEIGHT: 15.5 FEET
WEIGHT: 85,300 POUNDS MAX
ENGINE: TWO LYULKA SATURN AL-31F TURBOFAN
TOP SPEED: MACH 2.2 AT ALTITUDE
WEAPON LOAD: 17,600 POUNDS ON 12 HARDPOINTS
30 MM CANNON
I/R AND RADAR HOMING AIR TO AIR MISSILES
R-73, R-77, PL-10, PL12
LASER GUIDED BOMBS
AS-17 KRYPTON ANTI-RADAR MISSILE (KH-31)
The PLA SU-30 MKK is equipped with the Tikhomirov NIIP N001VE radar which can range up to 90-110 km in counter-air mode, 70-80km against ground targets and 200-250 km against large ships. The MKK2 version is possibly equipped with the Phazotron Zhuk-M-S which has a 140km in counter-air mode, and 300km against large ships. The SU-30 can be equipped with the Kupol M400 side-looking radar pod that can control up to 10 fighters. The MKK3 is equipped with a Tikomirov “Panda,” radar that has a 190 km counter air mode or may be equipped with the new version of Zhuk-M-S.
The SU-30 is equipped with an extensive electronics suite including the OLS-30 IRST (Infrared Search and Track) system that has a 80-100km range. SU-30 pilots are equipped with the Surya-K Helmet Sight for close in air-to-air combat. SU-30 also have the Sapsan-E ir/laser targeting pod for ground attack, a APK-9 data link pod for Kh-59ME missile, A-737 satnav system, the L-150 Pastel RWR Radar Warning system, a 96x chaff/flare dispenser, the Sorbitsya ECM and the Spektr data link.

J-10 STRIKE FIGHTER

MAKER: CHENGDU CAIC, CHINA
TYPE: SUPERSONIC STRIKE FIGHTER
LENGTH: 47.4 FEET
SPAN: 28.5 FEET
RANGE: 1,900 MILES
HEIGHT: 15.5 FEET
WEIGHT: 21,500 POUNDS EMPTY
ENGINE: ONE LYULKA SATURN AL-31F TURBOFAN
TOP SPEED: MACH 2.2 AT ALTITUDE
WEAPON LOAD: 9,900 POUNDS
I/R AND RADAR HOMING AIR TO AIR MISSILES
R-73, R-77, PL-10, PL12
LASER GUIDED BOMBS
AS-17 KRYPTON ANTI-RADAR MISSILE (KH-31)

FC-1 LIGHT FIGHTER

MAKER: CAC-1 (FORMER CHENDU CAIC), CHINA
TYPE: SUPERSONIC LIGHT FIGHTER
LENGTH: 45.3 FEET
SPAN: 30.9 FEET
RANGE: 900 MILES
HEIGHT: 16.3 FEET
WEIGHT: 28,000 POUNDS MAX
ENGINE: ONE KLIMOV RD-93 TURBOFAN
TOP SPEED: MACH 1.6 AT ALTITUDE
WEAPON LOAD: I/R AND RADAR HOMING AIR TO AIR MISSILES
SD-10, PL-10, PL12
LASER GUIDED BOMBS
The FC-1 has its roots in the now defunct Super-7 program which fell apart after he Tiananmen Square demonstrations were put down by the PRC. FC-1 development continued under the MiG design bureau using data from the rejected MiG-33 strike fighter.
The FC-1 has 7 stores stations - four under the wing, two on the wing-tips and one under the fuselage. Fixed weapon is a 23-mm inner cannon hidden inside fuselage.
In addition to the PL-8 short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, which was derived from Israeli Rafael Python-3 technology, the FC-1 could also carry SD-10 medium-range missile. It may also be fitted with indigenously developed PL-11 or PL-12 medium-range AAM for BVR combat

Pakistan Air Force :

Primary mission statement of the PAF was given by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan during his address to the passing out cadets of the PAF Academy Risalpur on 13th April, 1948. His statement has been taken as an article of faith by all coming generations of PAF personnel:" A country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor, Pakistan must build up her Air Force as quickly as possible, it must be an efficient Air Force, second to none". But the present scenario has forced and enabled the Force to come up with an improved and up-to-date Mission Statement, "To provide, in Synergy with other Armed Forces, an efficient, assured and cost-effective aerial defence of Pakistan".

FC-1 / JF-17 Multirole Fighter Aircraft

Official designation: Fighter China-1 (FC-1) XiaolongPAF designation: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) ThunderFunction: Air-superiority; Ground attackDesigner: Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute)Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry (Group) Corporation Ltd. (CAC)Maiden flight: 25 August 2003Operator: Pakistani Air ForceEstimated cost: US$15~20 million
The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is the result of a joint Sino-Pakistani development programme that started in 1999, with each side contributing 50% of the total development cost. Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China is the prime contractor for aircraft development and manufacture, while Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is the main partner responsible for post-sale service and maintenance, as well as the production of some parts for the aircraft in Pakistan. The aircraft was designed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute). Russia supplied its Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine for the aircraft.
The initial order was from the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) for eight aircraft, which were delivered in 2007~08. A further order for 42 aircraft worth about US$800 million was signed in March 2009. The aircraft is currently being built by CAC at a rate of 15 aircraft per annum, and this will increase to 30 aircraft per annum later. The total number required by the PAF could be as many as 250, worth US$3~5 billion.
Several other countries also showed interest in the aircraft. Despite previous reports suggesting that the FC-1 would also be equipped by the PLAAF, no order has been reported so far.

Pakistan Air Force totals eight JF-17 Thunder aircrafts

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) now has a total of eight JF-17 Thunder aircrafts. Six more aircrafts were recieved this March while two were recieved last year for the celebration of Pakistan Day during the same month.
All of the eight aircrafts according to the officials will be used for testing and evaluation purposes for the air force and are not meant to be inducted as of yet. Four or more JF-17 Thunder aircrafts will show up on the March 23rd, Pakistan Day parade.
JF-17 Thunder aircraft is an advanced multi-role light combat aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex under a strategic collaboration project. The aircraft is designed to be cost-effective and can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistan Air Force, and various other air forces.
The production facilities have been setup for the aircraft in Pakistan. The first batch of 50 JF-17 Thunder aircrafts will be equipped with the Chinese/Pakistani avionics and missiles, while the later aircrafts are to be equipped with more advanced radars and missiles.
France has offered Pakistan its RC-400 radar and MBDA MICA missile for the aircraft. However, rumour suggests that AESA radar of different choices may finally be the later choice of the Pakistan Air Force and the MBDA Meteor missile too is on the cards.
The serial production of JF-17 Thunder has already started and the production capacity would be gradually taken to 25 aircraft per year by 2011.
The Air Cheif Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force has said that about 60 percent of the aircraft’s frame and 80 percent of its avionics would be manufactured in Pakistan by 2010.

Israel Air Force - attack on nuclear facilities in Iraq

Israel Air Force - attack on nuclear facilities in Iraq In 1981 8 IAF F-16A fighters covered by 6 F-15A jets flew to Iraq and bombed the nuclear facilities of Osiraq. The attack was code named ... Tout ? Operation Opera. The distance between Israeli military bases and the reactor site was significant (over 1000 miles). The results - The reactor complex was heavily damaged, according to plan. No More..ne of the Israeli task force's planes were damaged by Iraqi defenses. Although almost out of fuel, all fourteen jets returned to Israeli territory and landed safely. --------------------------- Israel Air Force - IAF The Israeli Air Force is considered the strongest air force in the Middle East, and one of the best and most sophisticated in the world. 687 enemy airplanes have been shot down in dogfights since Israel's birth. Only 23 Israeli planes have been shot down by enemy planes since 1948 ? a statistic which puts the dogfight victory ratio between Israel and its Arab neighbors at 30:1. The IAF is holding world records at the amounts of enemy's warplanes shoot-downs, air combats, special operations, and air to ground operations at the jet era. Less..

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A-10 Thunderbolt II

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, is a twin-engine aircraft that provides close-air support of ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs. The simple, effective and survivable single-seat aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Capabilities
The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 713 aircraft have since been produced. Over 350 A-10 aircraft are in service with the US Air Force, Air Combat Command, the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard.
A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10/OA-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.
The single-seat cockpit is protected by all-round armor, with a titanium "bathtub" structure to protect the pilot that is up to 3.8cm thick. The cockpit has a large bulletproof bubble canopy, which gives good all-round vision.
The A-10 can carry up to six Maverick air-to-surface missiles and up to four AGM-65/B/D/G/H/K Sidewinder missiles.

Air Force One

Air Force One is a Boeing 747-200B that has been modified to meet presidential requirements. The aircraft is known by the radio call sign used when the president is aboard: Air Force One

Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan Air Force (Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) (PAF) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces and is responsible for defending Pakistani air-space from intrusions. It also provides air support for ground troops. Air Force Day is celebrated in Pakistan on the 7 September, the day after the annual celebration of the Pakistan Defense Day. On Air Force Day the air force has air shows and other events to mark the PAF's role in defending the nation. The Pakistan Air Force has 65,000 full-time personnel and operates 523 combat aircraft, making it the seventh

Pakistan Air Force

When the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was established on August 15, 1947, it had only a small amount of aircraft and only few to fly that amount. There were even fewer places to fly from. The PAF came into being with only thirty-two C-47 Dakotas and types like Tempests, Harvards, Tiger Moths and Auster V's which were delivered to No. 5, 6 and 9 Squadron. Operating these types of aircraft in Pakistan was far from ideal. The Dakotas were having severe trouble flying at their maximum altitude of 10.000 feet to avoid the tops of the world's highest mountains. Because most mountains in northern Pakistan are even taller than that, only one route, which lead through the narrow Indus Valley, could be used to reach the important supply-airfields Chilas, Bunji, Gilgit and Skardu.

airpower summary: Predator strikes enemy forces

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an MQ-1 Predator engaged anti-Afghan forces near Nurestan using rockets and strafing fire from the A-10s, and a Hellfire missile from the unmanned aircraft system. The strike took place during a firefight on the ground in which anti-Afghan gunmen hit a coalition patrol with assault weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. The strikes allowed the friendly unit to withdraw and inflicted casualties on the anti-Afghan attackers. Near Musa Qala, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet used a guided bomb unit-38 to hit an enemy building, taking out an active anti-Afghan fighting position. Enemy gunners had been pouring fire on a coalition convoy after detonating an improvised explosive device to start their ambush. During the engagement, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle also provided a covering show of force, expending flares that allowed coalition forces to move a vehicle that had been disabled by an IED blast. A coalition aircraft flew a show of force over Shindad after a dismounted coalition patrol started taking enemy automatic weapons fire. The maneuver caused enemy forces to stop firing that allowed the unit to regroup.

Bringing in the load

Senior Airman Steven Tawney secures a load of liquid nitrogen on a flat-bed trailer during Phase I of Exercise Beverly Morning 09-03 March 31 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Base personnel will be conducting the exercise March 30 through April 3 to maintain operational readiness.More