Fri, Mar 29, 2024
New Training System Designed With Help of CAE
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems bragged about adding "new capabilities to its Predator Mission Trainer" weapon system with some new 'enhanced operating software' "in a move that will be welcomed by many of its international customers. The Predator Mission Trainer (PMT) simulator inside GA-ASI's North Dakota training center tested out the PMT Plus software, designed by CAE-USA in tandem with the manufacturer. That will allow international flight crews to train on the latest iteration of the Operational Flight Program (OFP) software in use on real-world airframes, in addition to getting experience with the Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC).
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Thu, Mar 28, 2024
Just in Time for Block 4, the Finicky F135 Gets Some Much Needed Polishing
Pratt & Whitney has gotten full funding in the new fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill for an F135 Engine Core Upgrade, a program that will "modernize the F-35's propulsion system to increase durability and fully-enable Block 4 capabilities and beyond starting in 2029." The funding sets aside almost $500 million just for the F135's ECU, allowing Pratt & Whitney to really go to town on the system. The final result will be something that can fit in the A, B, and C model of F-35s, be retrofittable to older Blocks of aircraft, and universally available to all in the program.
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Wed, Mar 27, 2024
From 2009 (YouTube Version): Nalls Summarizes the Civilian Harrier’s First Year on the Air Show Circuit
Art Nalls’ made history when in the 2009 air show season, he premiered the first civilian “Harrier” show on the circuit. Aero-TV caught up with Nalls at the 2009 ICAS Convention. In addition to successfully completing the six show benchmark, Nalls’ announced several other accomplishments; beyond completing the designated air show schedule, another pilot received qualification for the civilian Harrier. Though the retired USMC major general has had over 2,500 hours in the Harrier, Joe Anderson is not new to the Harrier cockpit; however, at 63 years old, Anderson is now the oldest, currently flying Harrier pilot in the world.
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Tue, Mar 26, 2024
Pacific Wrecks to Scour Papua New Guinea for Remains of Top Scoring Ace Plane
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center has embarked on a search for the remains of its WWII ace namesake's aircraft, working with preservation specialist Pacific Wrecks in an effort to find the P-38 Lightning "Marge". Pacific Wrecks, a preservation group looking to save whatever's left of historic crashes before they're permanently lost to the climate, believes they have a line on the location. Justin Taylan, founder, has a plan to find the remains of Marge, and he's been bootstrapped to the tune of 63,000 dollars to see the mission through.
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