Military Heat

Also known as the Frisbee or the Wobblin’ Goblin the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter is the world’s first aircraft that incorporates stealth technology.Developed by the famous Skunk Works division of Lockheed Martin as a development of the Have Blue stealth technology demonstrator, the F-117 Nighthawk flew for the first time in 1977.First delivery was made in 1982 and in 1990 the US Air Force received the last of the 59 aircraft ordered. (Read more…)

Launched in 1985 but fully operational 10 years later, the Admiral Kuznetsov is the only aircraft carrier in the Russian Navy.Under the name Project 1143.5 or Orel Class, the Kuznetsov was constructed at Nikolayev South Shipyard on the Black Sea in the Ukraine. Construction began September 1st 1982 and the ship was laid down in 1983.Only 71% complete by summer 1989 the ship has undergone major maintenance and refits to return to the Northern Fleet.

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The continuation of the previous Company of Heroes game is here: Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts. I’ve got to say I didn’t play the first so I’m new to it. I like RTS (real time strategy) games, but not all. Starcraft was my favorite so far, and I was waiting for Starcraft II eagerly when I heard of the new Company of Heroes.

I’ve got to say I haven’t played anything like it so far. It’s simply breathtaking. The graphics are splendid, and up-to-date, and the game itself brings a whole new dimension to strategy games. This is the kind of game, that makes people buy new PC’s just to play it. (Read more…)

The heaviest combat aircraft ever to be built, the Tupolev TU-160 (NATO codename Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable geometry heavy bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

Due to the antiflash white finish and excellent maneuverability the TU-160 was nicknamed by its pilots the White Swan.There are currently 14 White Swans in service with the Russian Air Force.

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Formerly known as the Future Large Aircraft the Airbus A400M is the next generation tactical transport aircraft.Designed to meet the requirements of European NATO nations for a cost effective high speed turboprop the A400M will fill the gap between the C-130 Hercules and the larger C-17 Globemaster.

On August 28 2007 assembly of the first production Airbus A400M was started in Seville. (Read more…)

The RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced stealth attack/reconnaissance helicopter developed by Boeing and Sikorsky for the US Army.Designed to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and AH-1 Cobra, the Comanche was the first helicopter to incorporate the stealth technology.Compared to the AH-64 Apache helicopter the Comanche is four times less easy to observe and almost six times quieter.

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September 25 marked the delivery of the first production Boeing EA-18G Growler to the US Navy.The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a new airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft that will replace the EA-6B Prowler, the Navy’s current AEA aircraft that has been in service since 1971.The Growler was delivered to the Navy ahead of schedule and within allocated budget.

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I once was curious enough to put a finger above a hole in my microwave oven. The result? A pleasant heat wave, similar to that of opening a oven door, hits you. Now imagine this feeling but instead of a pleasant heat wave, a burning sensation.

This is the weapon that is expected to enter service in 2010 mainly a crowd disperser. It uses powerful microwaves at 95 GHz, that pass through your clothes without setting them on fire, and heat the water molecules of which your body is formed. The microwaves are not strong enough to cause severe burns, but rather to give the nerves under your skin a touch of pain, at a relative temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. (Read more…)

In support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the Royal Netherlands Army deployed the Fennek armed reconnaissance vehicle in southern Afghanistan.The Fennek is a light armoured 4WD reconnaissance vehicle, operated by a three man crew and deployed in units of two vehicles.A scout party formed up of two of these vehicles is able to operate independently for a period of up to five days.

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The Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered (SSBN) submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built, with a displacement of 48,000 tonnes and a length of 175 meters.The Soviet Navy deployed the Typhoon Class submarines in the 1980s.Made famous by the film Hunt for Red October the Typhoon Class submarines were developed under the name Project 941 for the Russian Akula (Shark) class.

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Last week the Iranian Air Force successfully tested the new Saeqeh fighter.On September 20 two fighter planes from the Azarakhsh (Thunder) fighter generation were successfully tested in Tehran.This new Iranian fighter, named Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) is the second type of Azarakhsh fighters.The Saeqeh is locally built and is based on adaptations of reversed-engineered, modified (twin-tail) American F-5 platforms developed by IRI, the Air Force and Iran’s Defense Ministry.

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A few days ago I wrote an article about the russian aircraft you can find on the civilian market.Since then I have received numerous questions so I have decided to do some research and make a list of all ex-military jets that are currently on sale on the civilian market.The list includes only ex-military jet-powered combat and trainer aircraft since these are the most interesting offers out there.

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The Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO 105 is the world’s first light twin engined helicopter.The BO 105 has won a well-deserved reputation for performance and reliability since it first flew over 40 years ago.Nicknamed the Flying Tiger this little helicopter is a delight to fly, offering great agility and superb flying characteristics thanks to its rigid rotor.Unlike most helicopters, the BO 105 is fully aerobatic offering great performance and maneouvrability.

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The Tejas single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft has been undergoing flight trials in preparation for operational clearance, and by mid 2005 had flown over 400 flights up to speeds of Mach 1.4. The Tejas light combat aircraft design and development program is being led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Indian Department of Defence with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the prime industrial contractor.

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Recently there has been a surge of Armee de l’Air (French Air Force) videos over the internet showing french pilots doing a lot of low flying and generally spectacular stuff.The french have a number of units all over the world and one of these places is the Replubic of Chad.The Mirages and Jaguars of Armee de l’Air have been operating in Chad since the 80’s and have been deeply involved during 80’s and 90’s in fights for Libyan containment (at least two French aircraft have been shot down), which have culminated with the bombing of the Libyan airfield of Ouadi-Doum.

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