MiG-21 approaches its twilight years

Belgium - An icon of the Cold War, the MiG-21 came to symbolize the military might of the Soviet Union as it squared off against the West in conflicts from Vietnam to Africa and the Middle East.
Now, exactly 50 years after it entered service, the jet fighter is approaching the twilight of its career in frontline service - with NATO, the former Soviet Union's main rival.
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The rugged and agile jet earned a reputation as a versatile and effective short-range interceptor with low operating costs and excellent performance. Just like the Kalashnikov AK-47 automatic rifle - another robust and reliable weapon that epitomized Soviet power - the MiG-21 holds a unique place in military history.
"It was one of the best fighters ever, very reliable, and a real challenge to all pilots who fought against it," said David Ivry, a former chief of the Israeli Air Force who battled MiG-21s as a squadron leader in the 1967 Six-Day War and as a commander in the 1973 and 1982 wars.
MiGs derived their name from the initials of their designers, Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. Codenamed Fishbed by NATO, the MiG-21 gained fame during the Vietnam War, where it was used by the North Vietnamese air force to intercept American bombers.
Although heavily outnumbered, the small Fishbeds could evade radar and ambush U.S. formations with hit-and-run attacks in which many U.S. jets, including top-of-the line F-4 Phantoms, were downed or forced to abort their missions.
"The MiG-21 was lighter and more agile than the Phantom, which gave it a better chance to survive in a dogfight," wrote Russian aviation historian Vladimir Babich, who analyzed the MiG's performance in Vietnam.
The U.S. Air Force first gained vital insight into the Mig-21s capabilities after a defecting Iraqi pilot brought one to Israel in 1966. The Israelis also exploited their findings during the 1967 Six-Day war, when their surprise air strikes destroyed the Arab air forces on the ground.
Although the plane's performance was enhanced over the years, designers never succeeded in overcoming the limited fuel capacity, stemming from the design's small size. Another weakness was thick windshield framing that reduced the pilot's forward visibility, a serious problem during aerial combat.
Still, more than 10,000 MiG-21s were built, making it the most widely produced jet fighter ever built.
The delta-winged Mach 2 interceptor - Mach 2 is double the speed of sound - was widely exported and became the backbone of about 50 air forces in Europe, Africa and Asia. It was used in a dozen armed conflicts in the past 30 years, more than any other fighter in history.
In the 1970s, the U.S. introduced two jets which outperformed the MiG-21 - the new F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The Soviets countered with MiG-29s and Sukhoi-27s. By the 1980s the aging Fishbeds were relegated to second-line duties, like reconnaissance.
Russia has long since retired the MiG-21, but it remains operational with numerous air forces around the world.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the USSR's former East European allies joined NATO, bringing more than 200 of their aging MiG-21s into the Western alliance.
Most have since been replaced, but the old warhorse soldiers on in NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, and in Croatia, scheduled to join the alliance in 2009. All three plan to retire the Fishbed over the next three or four years.
Alen Warnes, editor of Air Forces Monthly, a specialized British publication, noted that the MiG-21 is the last fighter from the 1950s to remain operational and that no other fighter has achieved such longevity.
"No aircraft has influenced military aviation in post-World War II Europe more than the MiG-21," Warnes said

Britain Launches New Giant Nuclear Submarine As US Firms Eye New Contracts

Britain's largest and most powerful attack submarine, the giant nuclear-powered HMS Astute, was given a beery royal launch Friday. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, launched the vessel not with the traditional magnum of champagne at the dockyard in Barrow, Lancashire, northwest England, but with a bottle of home-brew beer made by the ship's crew.
About 10,000 people, including workers, crew, military chiefs, dignitaries and schoolchildren witnessed the launch by the wife of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne.
"As an admiral's wife myself, I am delighted to be in Barrow-in-Furness today for the naming and launching of Astute," Camilla said.
"I shall follow her progress with particular interest as she serves in the fleet.
"I name this ship Astute. May God bless her and all who sail in her," she said, before pulling a lever to break the beer bottle against the submarine's hull.

New BOEING 797 -- INCREDIBLE! - Chain Mail Hoax

The latest chain-mail hoax to appear on the Internet, touts Boeing as developing a new 797 model which will use blended wing design and carry 1000 passengers...this is NOT true! However Boeing is testing blended wing design for military aircraft. This is what the email typically looks like... *Look at this new aircraft.... Boeing to take on Airbus with (1000 seat) giant **797 Blended Wing plane.**Boeing is preparing a 1000 passenger jet that could reshape the Air travel industry for the next 100 years. The radical Blended Wing design has been developed by Boeing in cooperation with the NASA Langley Research Center. The mammoth plane will have a wing span of 265 feet compared to the 747's 211 feet, and is designed to fit within the newly created terminals used for the 555 seat Airbus A380, which is 262 feet wide.The new 797 is in direct response to the Airbus A380 which has racked up 159 orders, but has not yet flown any passengers. Boeing decide to kill its 747X stretched super jumbo in 2003 after little interest was shown by airline companies, but has continued to develop the ultimate Airbus crusher 797 for years at its Phantom Works research facility in Long Beach, Calif.The Airbus A380 has been in the works since 1999 and has accumulated $13 billion in development costs, which gives Boeing a huge advantage now that Airbus has committed to the older style tubular aircraft for decades to come.There are several big advantages to the blended wing design, the most important being the lift to drag ratio which is expected to increase by an amazing 50%, with overall weight reduced by 25%, making it an estimated 33% more efficient than the A380, and making Airbus's $13 billion dollar investment look pretty shaky.High body rigidity is another key factor in blended wing aircraft, It reduces turbulence and creates less stress on the air frame which adds to efficiency, giving the 797 a tremendous 8800 nautical mile range with its 1000 passengers flying comfortably at mach .88 or 654 mph (+-1046km/h) cruising speed another advantage over the Airbus tube-and-wing designed A380's 570 mph (912 km/h).The exact date for introduction is unclear, yet the battle lines are clearly drawn in the high-stakes war for civilian air supremacy.*

Boeing 777

Description: The Boeing 777 is the first aircraft to be fully digitally designed using 3D computer graphics eliminating the need for costly full-scale mock-ups. The result is an aircraft larger than all other twin-engine and tri-engine aircraft and smaller than Boeing 747 aircraft while aimed at the medium and long range markets and bringing the low-costs benefits owned by twin-engine aircraft. The long range Boeing 777 program was launched in 1990 with an order from United Airlines and entered airlines service in 1995. The aircraft is currently available in five models: 777-200, 777-200ER (Extended Range), 777-200LR (Longer-Range), 777-300 and 777-300ER.Introducing a new wing design, more efficient and powerful GE90, PW4000 or Trent 800 engines, and lighter structures, the 777 is a fuel-efficient aircraft. Fuel savings allow to offer lower prices to airlines' customers while minimizing environmental impact.The Boeing 777 freighter is the last 777 family member scheduled to enter commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2008, introducing for the first time a cargo dedicated model in the 777 product line. Boeing expects its newest 777 to become the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter providing longer range and more capacity than any other aircraft in its class.The 777 freighter design will evolve from the B777-200LR long range passenger aircraft, due to enter service in 2006. 777-200LR platform was selected by its longer range and payload capacity, which will be the strength features of the new cargo airplane. With more than 222,000 pounds of payload weight and accommodating 27 standard pallets on its main deck and 10 in its lower cargo hold, the 777 freighter will fly 5,200 nautical miles (9,700 km).The operating costs and trip cost will be lower than any large cargo aircraft. The General Electric GE90-115B engine was selected to power the newest 777. In May 2005, Boeing released the 777 Freighter was going to be powered by the General Electric's GE90-110B1L engine. The Boeing company expects to ensure world's freighter market leadership through the successful 747 and the planned 777 freighters well into the 21st century.Boeing and Air Canada announced an important agreement on 25 April 2005 to renew the fleet of the Canadian carrier including 36 Boeing 777 jetliners and up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The agreement was valued at $6 billion at list prices. Air Canada agreed to buy 18 firm order 777s plus purchase rights on 18 additional aircraft. The 777 models were not yet determined but it was anticipated to consist of 777-300ER, 777-200LR Worldliner and 777 freighters with deliveries beginning in 2006. The carrier also ordered 14 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners and took options on another 46 787 aircraft with deliveries beginning in 2010. Final agreement announcement was expected by mid-2005. On 18 June 2005, Air Canada cancelled the order due to conflicts with the employees which were undermining the company's wealth. Finally, the purchase contract was signed on November 9, 2005. Boeing 777 deliveries were delayed to 2007 while 787 deliveries were due to commence in 2010 as originally planned. On April 2006, 2007, Boeing and Air Canada agreed to cancel two 777 freighter orders.On May 19, 2005, French carrier Air France placed an order for five Boeing 777 freighters plus options on three additional airplanes. Air France will replace its current fleet of Boeing 747-200F beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008. The 777 freighter is expected to become the world's largest twin engine cargo aircraft available on the commercial range by 2008. The 777 freighter program was officially launched on 24 May 2005.On 20 November 2005 at Dubai Air Show Emirates placed an order for 42 Boeing 777 airplanes plus additional 20 aircraft option which was deemed as the largest deal for 777 airplanes ever. The firm order aircraft powered by GE90-115B engines were valued at $9.7 billion. The purchase contract included 24 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LRs and 8 777 Freighters with first aircraft delivery due in 2007. The engine contract, including OnPoint Solution service agreement for overhaul and maintenance, awarded to General Electric was valued at $2.5 billion.On 19 July 2006, Boeing and India-based Flyington Freighters signed an agreement for the purchase of four widebody 777 freighters. The deal was announced at the Farnborough Air Show in England.On 18 October 2006, China Southern Airlines placed an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters with first delivery anticipated in fourth quarter 2008.On 7 November 2006 FedEx Express ordered 15 Boeing 777 freighters and took options on an additional 15 of the airplanes. First deliveries are due in 2009.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

Description: The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a lightweight, compact fighter aircraft designed to perform a wide range of military mission profiles. More than 4,000 F-16s have been or will be produced for 24 nations worldwide. The first F-16A achieved initial operational capability in 1979. As of 2004, more than 11 million flight hours have been logged by F16s from 20 air forces worldwide. The United States Air Force remains the world's largest operator for the type with more than 1,200 units in service of all models. USAF's Block 50/52 cumulative mishap rate was 2.3 losses/mishaps per 100,000 flight hours in FY2004.In air-to-air engagements the F-16 is highly maneuverable and in the air-to-surface role the aircraft has demonstrated the capability to accommodate any guided and unguided weapon. It carries internally a 20mm M61A1 gun for close-in air-to-air engagements. In addition, the F-16C/D is able to launch the AIM-9 Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. To deliver precision guided munitions the Falcon can accommodate the LANTIRN targeting/navigation pod system, as well as the LITENING and others. The targeting and navigation pods have provided day and night, all-weather strike capability to the F-16 all along its service life.The F-16C/D multi-role fighter can fly deep inside enemy territory, deliver precision guided munitions in non-visual conditions and defend itself against enemy aircraft even in day and night, adverse weather. This performance was demonstrated for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991. F-16C/Ds played a vital role during air campaigns over the former Yugoslavia (1999), Afghanistan (2001), and recently Iraq (2003).The two-seat Block 50 F-16D, also known as F-16DJ, is a Block 40 follow-on with more powerful engine models and new weapon options. The US Air Force has integrated the HTS pod in some F-16DJs for suppression of enemy air defenses using the HARM missile. The Block 50 F-16D was deployed in 1991.The US Air Force Block 50 F-16D will receive the advanced Sniper XR targeting/navigation pod replacing older systems currently in the US inventory, as well as software updates for integration of smart munitions such as AGM-154, JDAM bombs, and AGM-158. The US Air Force expects the F-16DJ to remain in service until 2025.Beginning Summer 2004, US Air Force and five European Participating Air Forces (EPAFs) - Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal - operating the F-16 aircraft received the a new software packages called M3+ by the US Air Force and the corresponding EPAF version designated M3. The most notable new capabilities added to F-16s thru the M3/M3+ software packages were Link 16 data link and the helmet mounted cueing system (HMCS). USAF F-16 capabilities under M3+ encompassed AGM-158 long-range attack missile and Sniper XR targeting pod, while European F-16s gained the capability to deliver JDAM bombs.