1.
United Arab Emirates
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In 2013, the UAEs population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million are Emirati citizens and 7.8 million are expatriates. The country is a federation of seven emirates, and was established on 2 December 1971, the constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate is governed by a monarch, together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the monarchs is selected as the President of the United Arab Emirates, Islam is the official religion of the UAE and Arabic is the official language. The UAEs oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world while its natural gas reserves are the worlds seventeenth-largest, Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the UAE, oversaw the development of the Emirates and steered oil revenues into healthcare, education and infrastructure. The UAEs economy is the most diversified in the Gulf Cooperation Council, while its most populous city of Dubai is an important global city, nevertheless, the country remains principally reliant on its export of petroleum and natural gas. The UAE is criticised for its rights record, including the specific interpretations of Sharia used in its legal system. The UAEs rising international profile has led analysts to identify it as a regional. It appears the land of the Emirates has been occupied for thousands of years, there is no proof of contact with the outside world at that stage, although in time it developed with civilisations in Mesopotamia and Iran. This contact persisted and became wide-ranging, probably motivated by trade in copper from the Hajar Mountains, in ancient times, Al Hasa was part of Al Bahreyn and adjoined Greater Oman. Sassanid groups were present on the Batinah coast, in 637, Julfar was an important port that was used as a staging post for the Islamic invasion of the Sassanian Empire. The area of the Al Ain/Buraimi Oasis was known as Tuam and was an important trading post for camel routes between the coast and the Arabian interior. The earliest Christian site in the UAE was first discovered in the 1990s, a monastic complex on what is now known as Sir Bani Yas Island. Thought to be Nestorian and built in 600 AD, the church appears to have been abandoned peacefully in 750 AD and it forms a rare physical link to a legacy of Christianity which is thought to have spread across the peninsula from 50 to 350 AD following trade routes. Certainly, by the 5th century, Oman had a bishop named John – the last bishop of Oman being Etienne, in 676 AD. This led to a group of travelling to Medina, converting to Islam and subsequently driving a successful uprising against the unpopular Sassanids. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad, the new Islamic communities south of the Persian Gulf threatened to disintegrate, with insurrections against the Muslim leaders. The Caliph Abu Bakr sent an army from the capital Medina which completed its reconquest of the territory with the battle of Dibba in which 10,000 lives are thought to have been lost
2.
Military aviation
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Airpower includes the national means of conducting such warfare, including the intersection of transport and war craft. Military aircraft include bombers, fighters, transports, trainer aircraft, the first military uses of aviation involved lighter-than-air balloons. During the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, the French observation balloon lEntreprenant was used to monitor Austrian troop movements, the use of lighter-than-air aircraft in warfare became prevalent in the 19th century, including regular use in the American Civil War. Lighter-than-air military aviation persisted until shortly after World War II, gradually being withdrawn from various roles as heavier-than-air aircraft improved, heavier-than-air aircraft were recognized as having military applications early on, despite resistance from traditionalists and the severe limitations of early aircraft. The U. S. Army Signal Corps purchased a Wright Model A on 2 August 1909 which became the first military aircraft in history, in 1911, the Italians used a variety of aircraft types in reconnaissance, photo-reconnaissance, and bombing roles during the Italo-Turkish War. The Turks, lacking anti-aircraft weapons, were the first to shoot down an aeroplane by rifle fire, technological improvements were made at a frenzied pace, and the first all-metal cantilevered airplanes were going into service as the war ended. The Allies would later use rocket-equipped fighters in the role, immobilizing German armored divisions during the Battle of Normandy. This played a role in winning the Battle of the Atlantic. The introduction of the jet engine, radar, early missiles, helicopters, post World War II, the development of military aviation was spurred by the Cold War stand-off between the super-powers. In the early 1960s, missiles were expected to replace manned interceptors, missiles were also expensive, especially against low-value ground targets. The 1970s saw the return of the fighter, and a greater emphasis on maneuverability. The 1980s through to the present day were characterized by stealth technology, airborne Early Warning provides advance warning of enemy activities to reduce the chance of being surprised. Many also have functions that allow them to direct or vector friendly fighters onto incoming bogeys. Bombers are capable of carrying payloads of bombs and may sacrifice speed or maneuverability to maximize payload. Experimental aircraft are designed to test advanced aerodynamic, structural, avionic and these are usually well instrumented, with performance data telemetered on radio-frequency data links to ground stations located at the test ranges where they are flown. Fighters establish and maintain air superiority, speed and maneuverability are usually requirements and they carry a variety of weapons, including machine guns and guided missiles, to do this. Forward Air Control directs close air support aircraft to ensure that the targets are nullified. Ground-attack aircraft support ground troops by weakening or nullifying enemy defenses, helicopter gunships and specialized ground attack aircraft attack enemy armor or troops and provide close air support for ground troops
3.
Armed Forces of UAE
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The Union Defence Force is the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates and has primary responsibility for the defence of all seven emirates. It consists of 65,000 personnel, and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of order on the coast. France opened the Abu Dhabi Base in May 2009, in March 2011, the UAE agreed to join the enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Libya by sending six F-16 and six Mirage 2000 multi-role fighter aircraft. During the Gulf war, the US had troops and equipment stationed in the UAE as well as parts of the Persian Gulf. There are two distinct military organizations in the UAE, the military force is called the Union Defence Force. As part of the military of the United Arab Emirates Ground Force is responsible for land operations, the United Arab Emirates Air Force has about 4,000 personnel. The air force agreed in 1999 to purchase 80 US F-16 multirole fighter aircraft, other equipment includes 60 Mirage 2000s, British Hawk aircraft, and French helicopters. The air defense has a Hawk missile program for which the United States has been training, the UAE has taken delivery of two of five Triad I-Hawk batteries. United Arab Emirates Air Defence Force Responsible for aircraft, the United Arab Emirates Navy is growing, with more than 2,000 personnel and 72 vessels. United Arab Emirates Marines – The UAE maintains a battalion sized marine force called the UAE Marines. Federal Police Force Four Emirates maintained their own prior to the unification of the defence forces. Three were theoretically merged into the Union Defence Force in 1976, the officer corps were mainly British and Jordanian. The ADDF became the Western Command of the UDF in 1976, dubai Defence Force – Formed in 1971, by 1975 the DDF had 3,000 men with Ferret and Saladin armoured cars. It later expanded to 20,000 men in one infantry brigade group, Aermacchi MB-326 ground attack aircraft, the DDF became the Central Command of the UDF in 1996. Ras al-Khaimah Mobile Force – Formed in 1969, it initially had 300 men with Ferret and Saladin armoured cars, organised into one armored squadron and it eventually expanded to 9,000 men. It became the Northern Command of the UDF in 1996, in addition, the Sharjah National Guard was formed in 1972. It was essentially a paramilitary force of 500–600 men with Shorland armoured cars and it merged with the Federal Police in 1976
4.
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
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Code-named Operation Decisive Storm, the intervention initially consisted of a bombing campaign on Houthi Rebels and later saw a naval blockade and the deployment of ground forces into Yemen. Fighter jets and ground forces from Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia made their airspace, territorial waters and military bases available to the coalition. The United States provided intelligence and logistical support, including aerial refueling and it also accelerated the sale of weapons to coalition states. US and Britain have deployed their military personnel in the command and control centre responsible for Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen, Pakistan was called on by Saudi Arabia to join the coalition, but its parliament voted to maintain neutrality. On 21 April 2015, the Saudi-led military coalition announced an end to Operation Decisive Storm, the kingdom and its coalition partners said they would be launching political and peace efforts, which they called Operation Restoring Hope. However, the coalition did not rule out using force, saying it would respond to threats, the war has received widespread criticism and had a dramatic worsening effect on the humanitarian situation, that reached the level of a humanitarian disaster or humanitarian catastrophe. On 1 July UN declared for Yemen a level-three emergency – the highest UN emergency level – for a period of six months, Human rights groups repeatedly blamed the Saudi-led military coalition for killing civilians and destroying health centers and other infrastructure with airstrikes. The de facto blockade left 78% of the Yemeni population in urgent need of food, water, aid ships are allowed, but the bulk of commercial shipping, on which the country relies, is blocked. In one occasion, coalition jets prevented an Iranian Red Crescent plane from landing by bombing Sanaa International Airports runway, as of 10 December, more than 2,500,000 people had been internally displaced by the fighting. Many countries evacuated more than 23,000 foreign citizens from Yemen, more than 1,000,000 people fled Yemen for Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Oman. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, running unopposed for president, won the 2012 Yemeni elections, the Houthis, a Zaidi Shia movement and militant group thought to be backed by Iran, took control of the Yemeni government through a series of actions in 2014 and 2015. Saudi Arabia and other countries denounced this as an unconstitutional coup détat, Saudi media claim that Saleh or his son had approached Riyadh seeking such a deal. By September 2014, Houthi fighters captured Sanaa, toppling Hadis government, soon after, a peace deal was concluded between the Hadi government and the Houthis, but was not honored by either party. The deal was drafted with the intent of defining a power-sharing government, a conflict over a draft constitution resulted in the Houthis consolidating control over the Yemeni capital in January 2015. After resigning from his post alongside his prime minister and remaining under house arrest for one month. Upon arriving in Aden, Hadi withdrew his resignation, saying that the actions of the Houthis from September 2014 had amounted to a coup against him. By 25 March, forces answering to Sanaa were rapidly closing in on Aden, during the Houthis southern offensive, Saudi Arabia began a military buildup on its border with Yemen. In response, a Houthi commander boasted that his troops would counterattack against any Saudi aggression and would not stop until they had taken Riyadh, the Saudi capital
5.
Military intervention against ISIL
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Later, there were also minor interventions by some states against ISIL-affiliated groups in Nigeria and Libya. In mid-June 2014, Iran, according to American and British information, started flying drones over Iraq, simultaneously, the United States ordered a small number of troops to Iraq and started flying crewed aircraft over Iraq. In August 2014, the US and Iran separately began a campaign of airstrikes on ISIL targets in Iraq, since then, fourteen countries in a US-led coalition have also executed airstrikes on ISIL in Iraq and in Syria. In September 2015, Russian forces, with the permission of the Syrian government, began hundreds of bombing raids against ISIL, al-Nusra Front, since the airstrikes started, ISIL has been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria. There have been accounts of civilian deaths from the airstrikes. In mid-2016, the US and Russia planned to begin to coordinating their airstrikes, however, on the margins of the 4/5 September 2014 NATO summit in Wales, U. S. Those nine countries agreed to do so by supporting anti-ISIL forces in Iraq and Syria with supplies and air support, according to a statement that day from Kerry and U. S. Secretary of Defense Hagel. On 3 December 2014, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, on 30 September 2015, Russia began its air campaign on the side and in support of the Syrian government. Russia was also reported to have reached agreements on co-ordination of operations in Syria with Jordan, on 14 March 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial withdrawal from Syrian territory, citing the success of the ongoing ceasefire and greater security of the Syrian government. Until July 2015, the Turkish government attacked ISIL only once, in September 2014 Turkey joined a US-led coalition ‘to fight ISIL’. Turkish tanks shelled the village the day of the ground operation. The operation reportedly lasted over an hour and killed over 100 ISIL militants, the Turkish General Staff neither confirmed nor denied the special forces foray but did confirm shelling the village. On 24 July, a report appeared on a Turkish newspaper website stating that the United States had agreed with Turkey on a ‘partial no-fly zone’ in northern Syria. On 24 and 25 July launched an operation entitled ‘Operation Martyr Yalçın’ against both ISIL in Syria and the Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraq, deploying at least 70 F-16 fighter jets. Later that month Iran started flying drones over Iraq, and by August, according to sources like Reuters, One war correspondent suggested that Iran joined the air war against ISIL on 21 June. In July, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Iran sent several Su-25 aircraft to Iraq, in early August, those Su-25s began combat against ISIL, according to Business Insider. By September, according to Business Insider, Iranian Quds Force personnel were deployed to Samarra, Baghdad, Karbala, and the abandoned U. S. military post formerly known as Camp Speicher. At the end of November 2014, an Israeli website claimed to have seen Iranian F-4 Phantom II jet-fighters bombing ISIL in eastern Iraq, in March and May 2015, American commentators indicated Qasem Soleimani was leading Iraqs military strategy against ISIL
6.
Air vice-marshal
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Air vice-marshal is a two-star air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. Air vice-marshals may be addressed generically as air marshal, Air vice-marshal is a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7. It is equivalent to a rear-admiral in the Royal Navy or a major-general in the British Army or the Royal Marines, in other NATO forces, such as the United States Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces, the equivalent two-star rank is major general. The rank of air vice-marshal is immediately senior to the air commodore. Since before the Second World War it has been common for air officers commanding RAF groups to hold the rank of air vice-marshal. In small air forces such as the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Ghana Air Force, the equivalent rank in the Womens Auxiliary Air Force, Womens Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Womens Royal Air Force and Princess Marys Royal Air Force Nursing Service was air chief commandant. On 1 April 1918, the newly created RAF adopted its officer rank titles from the British Army, with officers at what is now air vice-marshal level holding the rank of major-general. In response to the proposal that the RAF should use its own titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navys officer ranks. For example, the rank that later became air vice-marshal would have been air rear-admiral, however, air vice-marshal was preferred and was adopted on 1 August 1919. This is worn on both the sleeves of the dress uniform or on the shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform. The command flag of an air vice-marshal has two red bands running through the centre. The vehicle star plate for an air vice-marshal depicts two white stars on an air force blue background, the Australian Air Corps adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920 and this usage was continued by its successor, the Royal Australian Air Force. However, the rank of air vice-marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1935 when Richard Williams, margaret Staib of the Royal Australian Air Force served in the rank of air vice-marshal from 2009 to 2012 when she retired from the Australian Defence Force. In India, Subroto Mukerjee was the first Royal Indian Air Force officer to gain the rank of air vice-marshal and he gained an acting promotion to air vice-marshal on 27 September 1948 and a substantive promotion several months later on 1 February 1949. It is also used in the Egyptian Air Force, Hellenic Air Force, Royal Air Force of Oman, in the Indonesian Air Force the equivalent rank is marsekal muda which is usually translated as air vice-marshal in English. Compare this with the rank up which is marsekal madya which is usually translated as air marshal in English. The Royal Canadian Air Force used the rank until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, Canadian air vice-marshals then became major-generals. In official French Canadian usage, the title was vice-maréchal de lair
7.
Fighter aircraft
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A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft, as opposed to bombers and attack aircraft, whose main mission is to attack ground targets. The hallmarks of a fighter are its speed, maneuverability, many fighters have secondary ground-attack capabilities, and some are designed as dual-purpose fighter-bombers, often aircraft that do not fulfill the standard definition are called fighters. This may be for political or national security reasons, for advertising purposes, a fighters main purpose is to establish air superiority over a battlefield. Since World War I, achieving and maintaining air superiority has been considered essential for victory in conventional warfare, the word fighter did not become the official English-language term for such aircraft until after World War I. In the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force these aircraft were referred to as scouts into the early 1920s, the U. S. Army called their fighters pursuit aircraft from 1916 until the late 1940s. In most languages a fighter aircraft is known as a hunter, exceptions include Russian, where a fighter is an истребитель, meaning exterminator, and Hebrew where it is matose krav. As a part of nomenclature, a letter is often assigned to various types of aircraft to indicate their use. In Russia I was used, while the French continue to use C and this has always been the case, for instance the Sopwith Camel and other fighting scouts of World War I performed a great deal of ground-attack work. Several aircraft, such as the F-111 and F-117, have received fighter designations but had no fighter capability due to political or other reasons, the F-111B variant was originally intended for a fighter role with the U. S. Navy, but it was cancelled. This blurring follows the use of fighters from their earliest days for attack or strike operations against ground targets by means of strafing or dropping small bombs, versatile multirole fighter-bombers such as the F/A-18 Hornet are a less expensive option than having a range of specialized aircraft types. An interceptor is generally an aircraft intended to target bombers and so often trades maneuverability for climb rate, fighters were developed in World War I to deny enemy aircraft and dirigibles the ability to gather information by reconnaissance. Early fighters were very small and lightly armed by later standards, and most were built with a wooden frame, covered with fabric. As control of the airspace over armies became increasingly important all of the major powers developed fighters to support their military operations, between the wars, wood was largely replaced by steel tubing, then aluminium tubing, and finally aluminium stressed skin structures began to predominate. By World War II, most fighters were all-metal monoplanes armed with batteries of guns or cannons. By the end of the war, turbojet engines were replacing piston engines as the means of propulsion, further increasing aircraft speed. Since the weight of the engine was so less than on piston engined fighters. This in turn required the development of ejection seats so the pilot could escape, in the 1950s, radar was fitted to day fighters, since pilots could no longer see far enough ahead to prepare for any opposition. Since then, radar capabilities have grown enormously and are now the method of target acquisition
8.
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
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The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft, over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U. S. Air Force, in 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons, the F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations. As of 2015, it is the second most common operational military aircraft in the world. Experiences in the Vietnam War revealed the need for air superiority fighters, boyds work called for a small, lightweight aircraft that could maneuver with the minimum possible energy loss, and which also incorporated an increased thrust-to-weight ratio. Air Force F-X proponents remained hostile to the concept because they perceived it as a threat to the F-15 program, however, the Air Forces leadership understood that its budget would not allow it to purchase enough F-15 aircraft to satisfy all of its missions. The Advanced Day Fighter concept, renamed F-XX, gained political support under the reform-minded Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard. As a result, in May 1971, the Air Force Prototype Study Group was established, with Boyd a key member and this was the region where USAF studies predicted most future air combat would occur. The anticipated average flyaway cost of a version was $3 million. This production plan, though, was only notional as the USAF had no plans to procure the winner. Five companies responded and in 1972, the Air Staff selected General Dynamics Model 401 and Northrops P-600 for the prototype development. GD and Northrop were awarded contracts worth $37.9 million and $39.8 million to produce the YF-16 and YF-17, respectively, with first flights of both prototypes planned for early 1974. To overcome resistance in the Air Force hierarchy, the Fighter Mafia, the high/low mix would allow the USAF to be able to afford sufficient fighters for its overall fighter force structure requirements. The mix gained broad acceptance by the time of the flyoff, defining the relationship of the LWF. The YF-16 was developed by a team of General Dynamics engineers led by Robert H. Widmer. The first YF-16 was rolled out on 13 December 1973, and its 90-minute maiden flight was made at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California and its actual first flight occurred accidentally during a high-speed taxi test on 20 January 1974. The test pilot, Phil Oestricher, decided to lift off to avoid a potential crash, the slight damage was quickly repaired and the official first flight occurred on time
9.
Mirage 2000
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The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was designed in the late 1970s as a fighter based on the Mirage III for the French Air Force. The Mirage 2000 evolved into an aircraft with several variants developed. The variants include the Mirage 2000N and 2000D strike variants, the improved Mirage 2000-5, over 600 aircraft were built and it has been in service with nine nations. The first production Mirage 2000C flew on 20 November 1982, deliveries to the AdA began in 1983. The first 37 Mirage 2000Cs delivered were fitted with the Thomson-CSF RDM and were powered by the SNECMA M53-5 turbofan engine, the 38th Mirage 2000C had an upgraded SNECMA M53-5 P2 turbofan engine. The Radar Doppler Impulse built by Thales for the Mirage 2000C entered service in 1987 and it has a much improved range of about 150 km, and is linked to Matra Super 530D missiles, which are much improved compared to the older Super 530F. Look-down/shoot-down capabilities are improved as well, but this radar is not usually used for air-to-surface roles. By the late 1980s, the Mirage 2000 was beginning to age compared with the latest models of F-16 fighters, in particular, attention was drawn to the aircrafts inability to engage multiple target simultaneously and the small load of air-to-air missiles it could carry. Consequently, Dassault in April 1989 announced that it would be working on a privately funded update of the Mirage 2000C which was to be named the Mirage 2000-5. A two-seat Mirage 2000B prototype was modified as the first Mirage 2000-5 prototype. A Mirage 2000C prototype was reworked to a similar standard. The first front-line aircraft variant to have been designed specifically in response to the market, Taiwan was the first country to order the type in 1992. The type was first delivered in 1996 and entered service in 1997, the upgraded aircraft were redesignated Mirage 2000-5F, and became operational in 2000. They retained the old system with the Serval/Sabre/Spirale units and did not receive the ICMS2 system. A two-seat version was developed as well, whose rear seat has a HUD but not an associated head-level display and lacks a built-in cannon, at the urging of the United Arab Emirates, Dassault worked on a further modification of the Mirage 2000-5. The aircraft uses retractable tricycle landing gear by Messier-Dowty, with twin nosewheels. A runway tailhook or a fairing for a parachute can be fitted under the tail
10.
Helicopter
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A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and these attributes allow helicopters to be used in congested or isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft and many forms of VTOL aircraft cannot perform. English language nicknames for helicopter include chopper, copter, helo, heli, Helicopters were developed and built during the first half-century of flight, with the Focke-Wulf Fw 61 being the first operational helicopter in 1936. Some helicopters reached limited production, but it was not until 1942 that a helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky reached full-scale production, with 131 aircraft built. Though most earlier designs used more than one rotor, it is the single main rotor with anti-torque tail rotor configuration that has become the most common helicopter configuration. Tandem rotor helicopters are also in use due to their greater payload capacity. Coaxial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and compound helicopters are all flying today, quadcopter helicopters pioneered as early as 1907 in France, and other types of multicopter have been developed for specialized applications such as unmanned drones. The earliest references for vertical flight came from China, since around 400 BC, Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. This bamboo-copter is spun by rolling a stick attached to a rotor, the spinning creates lift, and the toy flies when released. The 4th-century AD Daoist book Baopuzi by Ge Hong reportedly describes some of the ideas inherent to rotary wing aircraft, designs similar to the Chinese helicopter toy appeared in Renaissance paintings and other works. In the 18th and early 19th centuries Western scientists developed flying machines based on the Chinese toy. It was not until the early 1480s, when Leonardo da Vinci created a design for a machine that could be described as an aerial screw, that any recorded advancement was made towards vertical flight. His notes suggested that he built flying models, but there were no indications for any provision to stop the rotor from making the craft rotate. As scientific knowledge increased and became accepted, people continued to pursue the idea of vertical flight. In July 1754, Russian Mikhail Lomonosov had developed a small coaxial modeled after the Chinese top but powered by a spring device. It was powered by a spring, and was suggested as a method to lift meteorological instruments. Sir George Cayley, influenced by a fascination with the Chinese flying top, developed a model of feathers, similar to that of Launoy and Bienvenu. By the end of the century, he had progressed to using sheets of tin for rotor blades and his writings on his experiments and models would become influential on future aviation pioneers
11.
Boeing CH-47 Chinook
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The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary roles are troop movement, artillery placement and battlefield resupply and it has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external ventral cargo hooks. With a top speed of 170 knots the helicopter was faster than contemporary 1960s utility helicopters and attack helicopters, the CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. Its name is from the Native American Chinook people, the Chinook was designed and initially produced by Boeing Vertol in the early 1960s, it is now produced by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. It is one of the few aircraft of that era – along with the fixed-wing Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft – that remain in production and frontline service, with over 1,200 built to date. The helicopter has been sold to 16 nations with the U. S. Army, in late 1956, the United States Department of the Army announced plans to replace the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave, which was powered by piston engines, with a new, gas turbine-powered helicopter. Turbine engines were also a key feature of the smaller UH-1 Huey utility helicopter. Following a design competition, in September 1958, a joint Army–Air Force source selection board recommended that the Army procure the Vertol medium transport helicopter, however, funding for full-scale development was not then available, and the Army vacillated on its design requirements. Vertol began work on a new tandem-rotor helicopter designated Vertol Model 107 or V-107 in 1957, in June 1958, the U. S. Army awarded a contract to Vertol for the aircraft under the YHC-1A designation. The YHC-1A had a capacity for 20 troops, three were tested by the Army for deriving engineering and operational data. However, the YHC-1A was considered by most of the Army users to be too heavy for the assault role, the decision was made to procure a heavier transport helicopter and at the same time upgrade the UH-1 Huey as a tactical troop transport. The YHC-1A would be improved and adopted by the Marines as the CH-46 Sea Knight in 1962, the Army then ordered the larger Model 114 under the designation HC-1B. The pre-production Boeing Vertol YCH-1B made its initial hovering flight on 21 September 1961, in 1962 the HC-1B was redesignated the CH-47A under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. It was named Chinook for the Chinook people of the Pacific Northwest, the CH-47 is powered by two Lycoming T55 turboshaft engines, mounted on each side of the helicopters rear pylon and connected to the rotors by driveshafts. Initial models were fitted with engines rated at 2,200 horsepower each, the counter-rotating rotors eliminate the need for an anti-torque vertical rotor, allowing all power to be used for lift and thrust. The ability to adjust lift in either rotor makes it sensitive to changes in the center of gravity. If one engine fails, the other can drive both rotors, the sizing of the Chinook was directly related to the growth of the Huey and the Armys tacticians insistence that initial air assaults be built around the squad. The Army pushed for both the Huey and the Chinook, and this focus was responsible for the acceleration of its air mobility effort, improved and more powerful versions of the CH-47 have been developed since the helicopter entered service
12.
Bell 214
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The Bell 214 is a medium-lift helicopter derived from Bell Helicopters ubiquitous UH-1 Huey series. The Bell 214ST shares the same number, but is a larger. The original development of the Model 214 was announced by Bell in 1970 under the name Huey Plus, the first prototype was based on a Bell 205 airframe equipped with a Lycoming T53-L-702 engine of 1,900 shp. The first Bell 214A demonstration prototype followed and was evaluated in Iran during field exercises with the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, the trial was judged successful and an order for 287 214A helicopters followed. The intention was that aircraft would be constructed by Bell in their Dallas-Fort Worth facility. In the event,296 214A and 39 214C variants were delivered and it can be identified by the single large exhaust duct and wide chord rotor blades without stabilizer bars. Bell offered the Bell 214B BigLifter for civil use, the 214B was produced until 1981. Powered by a 2,930 shp Lycoming T5508D turboshaft, it has the rotor drive. The transmission is rated at 2,050 shp for take-off, the BigLifter features advanced rotor hub with elastomeric bearings, an automatic flight control system with stability augmentation, and commercial avionics. As of January 2012,29 Bell 214s were in service, including 25 Bell 214As with Iran. Approximately 41 Bell 214Bs are in commercial service, user countries are Australia, Canada, Norway, Singapore and United States. Bell 214 Huey Plus - The prototype 214 flew in 1970, powered by one Lycoming T53-L-702 turboshaft. Bell 214B BigLifter - Civil variant of the 214A, Bell 214B-1 - This variant of the Bell Model 214B is limited to a maximum 12,500 lb gross weight with an internal load due to different certification standards. The external load is the same as the 214B, the only difference between the 214B and 214B-1 is the dataplate, and flight manual
13.
Bell 412
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The Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. Development began in the late 1970s with two Bell 212s being converted into 412 prototypes, an advanced four-blade main rotor with a smaller diameter replaced the 212s two-blade rotor. A Bell 412 prototype first flew in August 1979, the initial model was certified in January 1981 with deliveries commencing in the same month. The 412 model was followed by the 412SP version featuring larger fuel capacity, higher takeoff weight, in 1991, the 412HP variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production. The current production version, 412EP, is equipped with a digital automatic flight control system. In 2013 Bell introduced the 412EPI which includes an engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, and the BLR Strake, over 700 Model 412s have been built. Operated by the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury and the Search, Bell Griffin HAR2 Search and Rescue helicopter based on the Bell 412EP, operated by No.84 Squadron RAF since 2003 at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Agusta-Bell AB412 Civil utility transport version, built under license in Italy by Agusta, agusta-Bell AB 412EP Italian-built version of the Bell 412EP. Agusta-Bell AB412 Grifone Military utility transport version, built under licence in Italy by Agusta, agusta-Bell AB412 CRESO Italian-built version, fitted with a ground surveillance radar. NBell 412 IPTNs licensed product of Bell 412 Panha 412EP Iranian domestically reverse-engineered version of AB 412EP,4 of these variant were introduced at October 8,2016 by Red Crescent of Iran. The Bell 412 is used by private and commercial operators and it is particularly popular in the oil industries, military and for law enforcement use. John Heinz III, which killed the senator, on December 10,2006, a Bell 412 medical helicopter Mercy Air 2 crashed in mountainous terrain near Hesperia, California. All three crew members on board died, all eight on board the helicopter died, including four key aides of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On November 22,2010, a Bell 412 belonging to the Cameroon defense forces crashed en route from Douala to the countrys capital Yaounde, according to government sources, the aircraft had three crew and two passengers. Witnesses reported a dense fog with reduced visibility in the area, the aircraft was undertaking anti-drug operations against drug lords and was in pursuit of a high speed boat when it crashed in the jungle. On April 13,2014, an Augusta-Bell 412 military helicopter slammed into a hangar and crashed as it took off at Julius Nyerere International Airport, in Dar es Salaam, occupants including Tanzanian Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal and other top government officials narrowly survived the crash
14.
Eurocopter Fennec
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The Eurocopter AS550 Fennec and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group. Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the fennec fox, the armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions. As a result of the Vienna Treaty, military variants of the Écureuil were marketed under a separate designation, in February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth 500 million USD. This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, the contract is now being re-competed, and the AS550 C3 is among the helicopters competing for the deal. However India chose Kamov Ka-226T over AS550 C3 in the refreshed tender, on 20 January 2011, Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL commandos rescued a hijacked Malaysian chemical tanker and its crew from Somali pirates. A Fennec helicopter provided reconnaissance and aerial gunfire to keep the mother ship at bay while commandos boarded the tanker. Single engine AS350 L1/L2 Ecureuil – Original military variants of AS350, AS550 C2 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B2. AS550 U2 Fennec – Unarmed version based on AS350 B2, AS550 C3 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B3. AS555 AR Fennec 2 – Armed with cannon and rockets, AS555 MN Fennec 2 – Unarmed naval version. AS555 MR Fennec 2 – Naval version, AS555 SN Fennec 2 – Armed naval version. AS555 SR Fennec 2 – Armed naval version, AS555 UN Fennec 2 – Training and utility version. AS555 UR Fennec 2 – Utility version, janes All The Worlds Aircraft 2003–2004. Official webpage Danish AS550 Fennec
15.
Eurocopter AS565 Panther
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The Eurocopter AS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue. During the 1980s, French aerospace firm Aerospatiale decided to develop a military version of their popular Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. The civil SA365 N variant of the Dauphin was used as the point for the project, the new rotorcraft was designed to perform utility, anti-tank, troop-transport. On 28 February 1984, the military variant prototype, designated as the AS365M and later named Panther, a total of three prototypes were built. In May 1986, Aerospatiale formally launched production of the AS365M, the initial production model, which was initially designated as the AS365 K, was shortly re-designated and became widely known as the AS565 Panther. In February 2016, Airbus Helicopters promised to relocate the production line for the AS565 Panther to India if it is selected by the Indian Navy for a proposed utility helicopter acquisition. The AS565 Panther is a twin-engine medium-sized multi-mission rotorcraft, the Panther is powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft engines, which drives the rotorcrafts main rotor as well as the fenestron anti-torque tail rotor device. The flight profile of the Panther has been described as being easy to manoeuver, possessing generous g-force limitations, in the commando-transport configuration, the Panther may carry up to 10 fully armed soldiers on board at a time in addition to the two pilots flying the aircraft. Various avionics are present upon the Panther, some variants are fitted with the advanced human-machine interface glass cockpit. The design of the cockpit and avionics systems, such as the management system. The cockpit was designed with extra panel space to accommodate future upgrades. According to Airbus Helicopters, the Panther family has been qualified to operate from the decks of over 100 classes of NATO vessels. The compact size of the Panther has enabled the type to be operated from smaller ocean-going vessels such as corvettes, to aid in shipboard landings under rough sea conditions and high winds, some variants can be furnished with the hydraulic Harpoon deck-lock securing device. The Panther can be armed with different sets of munitions and armaments. Damage resistance is increased by the adoption of self-sealing fuel tanks, the French Naval Aviation took delivery of 15 Panthers between 1993 and 1998 for maritime operations. In the Aden, the Panther has been used for maritime patrol, surveillance and troop-transport missions, such as the transportation of strike teams. In May 2009, France announced a major upgrade program for the Aeronavales Panther fleet, focused on cockpit upgrades
16.
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
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The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter developed and marketed by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter. It is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale SA330 Puma, in civilian service, a next generation successor to the AS332 was introduced in 2004, the further-enlarged Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma. In 1974, Aérospatiale commenced development of a new transport helicopter based on its SA330 Puma. The project was announced at the 1975 Paris Air Show. External distinguishing features from the SA330 include a ventral fin underneath the tail boom, a pre-production prototype, the SA331, modified from a SA330 airframe with Makila engines and a new gearbox, flew on 5 September 1977. The first prototype of the full Super Puma made its flight on 13 September 1978. The development of the military and civil variants was carried out in parallel, in 1981, the first civil Super Puma was delivered. In 1980, the AS332 Super Puma had replaced the older SA330 Puma as Aerospatiales primary utility helicopter, Indonesian Aerospace has also manufactured both the SA330 and AS332 under license from Aerospatiale for domestic and some overseas customers. A wide variety of specialised Super Puma variants followed the basic transport model into use, including dedicated Search and rescue, Military Super Pumas have been marketed as the AS532 Cougar since 1990. As a fallback option to the NHIndustries NH90, a Mark III Super Puma was also considered for development. This move is aimed to cut time and cost by simplifying production to a single baseline configuration that shall then be customised to meet the needs of both civil and military customers. The monocoque tail boom is fitted with tail rotor strike protection, the retractable tricycle landing gear is designed for high energy absorption qualities. Along with the doors,12 windows around the cabin area are jettisonable for emergency exits. A hatch in the floor to access the cargo sling pole is present in the cabin, as is individual stowage space for airborne equipment. The flight control system of the Super Puma uses a total of 4 dual-body servo units for pitch control of the cyclic, collective, and tail rotor, according to Airbus Helicopters, the avionics installed upon later variants has ensured a high level of operational safety. A navalised variant of the Super Puma has also manufactured for performing anti-submarine warfare. For the anti-surface role, it can be armed with a pair of Exocet anti-ship missiles, VH-34 is the Brazilian Air Forces designation for the helicopter used to transport the President of Brazil. Two modified Super Pumas were used as the main presidential helicopters, having been configured to carry up to fifteen passengers, the VH-34 model was progressively supplemented and later replaced by the VH-36, the later EC725
17.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
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It was originally developed and manufactured by French firm Aérospatiale, which was merged into the multinational Eurocopter company during the 1990s. Since entering production in 1975, the type has been in production for more than 40 years. The intended successor to the Dauphin is the Airbus Helicopters H160, deliveries of production models began later that decade. The initial production variant entered service under the designation of SA 365C. In 1982, the SA 356C Dauphin was succeeded by the more capable SA365 N, amongst several major design changes and improvements, the SA365 N featured more powerful engines, greater use of composite materials, a better cabin arrangement, and retractable landing gear. In January 1990, the type was formally redesignated as the AS365. The base Dauphin has been developed into several purpose-built variants. A variant of the Dauphin was specifically developed for and operated principally by the United States Coast Guard under the designation HH/MH-65 Dolphin. The AS365 Dauphin is a helicopter capable of travelling long ranges. Electrical power is provided by a pair of generators and a cadmium-nickel main battery. Various portions of the rotorcraft are made from composite materials, such as the blades that made of carbon fiber, other materials are used in portions of the fuselage. Various types and models of radar can be installed in the Dauphins nose.1 decibels below International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, the Dauphin can take off under a full load from sea level under Category A conditions. The main cabin area is designed to be reconfigurable, a feature which is promoted to emergency service and search. In a regular passenger transport layout, the cabin can accommodate up to 12 passengers in addition to the two pilots, up to seven passengers can be accommodated in a VIP layout. Access to the cabin is via sliding doors on either side of the helicopter. By 1980, a total of 265 AS360/361/365 Dauphins had been delivered, amongst the biggest early customers for the type was Saudi Arabia, which ordered 24 Dauphins, and Angola, with an order for 17 Dauphins. In February 1991, it was announced that the 500th Dauphin had been delivered to Bond Helicopters, by 1991, the Dauphin was being operated by 138 customers across 44 nations. In December 2006, Eurocopter president Fabrice Brégier stated that between 30 and 40 Dauphins were being delivered each year, prior to the 2004 Summer Olympics, five AS 356N3 Dauphins were procured for the Hellenic Coast Guard for harbor surveillance purposes
18.
Attack helicopter
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An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored fighting vehicles. Due to their heavy armament they are sometimes called helicopter gunships, weapons used on attack helicopters can include autocannons, machine guns, rockets, and guided anti-tank missiles such as the Hellfire. Many attack helicopters are capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, though mostly for purposes of self-defense. Todays attack helicopter has two roles, first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops. Attack helicopters are used to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. In combat, a helicopter is projected to destroy around 17 times its own production cost before it is destroyed. S. Army artillery spotter units over France, these aircraft were field-outfitted with either two or four bazooka rocket launchers attached to the struts, against German armored fighting vehicles. During the summer of 1944, U. S. Army Major Charles Carpenter managed to take on an anti-armor role with his rocket-armed Piper L-4. The only American helicopter in use during the war years, the Sikorsky R-4, was only being used for rescue and were very much experimental in nature. In the early 1950s, various countries around the world started to make increased use of helicopters in their operations in transport and liaison roles. Later on it was realised that these helicopters, successors to the World War II-era Sikorsky R-4, early examples include armed Sikorsky H-34s in service with the US Air Force and armed Mil Mi-4 in service with the Soviet Air Forces. This trend continued into the 1960s with the deployment of armed Bell UH-1s and Mil Mi-8s during the Vietnam War, by the 1990s, the missile-armed attack helicopter evolved into a primary anti-tank weapon. Able to quickly move about the battlefield and launch fleeting pop-up attacks, the helicopter gunship became a major tool against tank warfare, and most attack helicopters became more and more optimized for the antitank mission. Based on this realization, and with the involvement in Vietnam, the U. S. Army developed the requirements for a dedicated attack helicopter. The aircraft design selected for this program in 1965, was Lockheeds AH-56 Cheyenne, as the Army began its acquisition of a dedicated attack helicopter, it sought options to improve performance over the continued use of improvised interim aircraft. The three highest-ranked aircraft, the Sikorsky S-61, Kaman H-2 Tomahawk, and the Bell AH-1 Cobra, were selected to compete in trials conducted by the Armys Aviation Test Activity. Upon completion of the evaluations, the Test Activity recommended Bells Huey Cobra to be an interim armed helicopter until the Cheyenne was fielded. On 13 April 1966, the U. S. Army awarded Bell Helicopter Company a production contract for 110 AH-1G Cobras, the Cobra had a tandem cockpit seating arrangement to make the aircraft a smaller frontal target, increased armor protection, and greater speed
19.
Boeing AH-64 Apache
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The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American four-blade, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. It features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems and it is armed with a 30 mm M230 chain gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircrafts forward fuselage. It has four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, the AH-64 has a large amount of systems redundancy to improve combat survivability. The Apache originally started as the Model 77 developed by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Armys Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the AH-1 Cobra, the prototype YAH-64 was first flown on 30 September 1975. The U. S. Army selected the YAH-64 over the Bell YAH-63 in 1976, after purchasing Hughes Helicopters in 1984, McDonnell Douglas continued AH-64 production and development. The helicopter was introduced to U. S. Army service in April 1986, the first production AH-64D Apache Longbow, an upgraded Apache variant, was delivered to the Army in March 1997. Production has been continued by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, American AH-64s have served in conflicts in Panama, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Israel used the Apache in its conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, British and Dutch Apaches have seen deployments in wars in Afghanistan. Following the cancellation of the AH-56 Cheyenne in 1972, in favor of projects like the U. S, the Army wanted an aircraft better than the AH-1 Cobra in firepower, performance and range. It would have the maneuverability for terrain following nap-of-the-earth flying, to this end, the U. S. Army issued a Request For Proposals for an Advanced Attack Helicopter on 15 November 1972. As a sign of the importance of project, in September 1973 the Army designated its five most important projects as the Big Five. Proposals were submitted by Bell, Boeing Vertol/Grumman team, Hughes, Lockheed, in July 1973, the U. S. Department of Defense selected finalists Bell and Hughes Aircrafts Toolco Aircraft Division. This began the phase 1 of the competition, each company built prototype helicopters and went through a flight test program. Hughes Model 77/YAH-64A prototype first flew on 30 September 1975, while Bells Model 409/YAH-63A prototype first flew on 1 October 1975, after evaluating the test results, the Army selected Hughes YAH-64A over Bells YAH-63A in 1976. Reasons for selecting the YAH-64A included its more damage tolerant four-blade main rotor, weapons and sensor systems were integrated and tested during this time, including the laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missile. In 1981, three pre-production AH-64As were handed over to the U. S. Army for Operational Test II, the Army testing was successful, but afterward it was decided to upgrade to the more powerful T700-GE-701 version of engine, rated at 1,690 shp. The AH-64 was named the Apache in late 1981, keeping with the Armys traditional use of American Indian tribal names for its helicopters, in 1983, the first production helicopter was rolled out at Hughes Helicopters facility at Mesa, Arizona. Hughes Helicopters was purchased by McDonnell Douglas for $470 million in 1984, the helicopter unit later became part of The Boeing Company with the merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in August 1997
20.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
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The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Armys Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition in 1972, the Army designated the prototype as the YUH-60A and selected the Black Hawk as the winner of the program in 1976, after a fly-off competition with the Boeing Vertol YUH-61. Named after the Native American war leader Black Hawk, the UH-60A entered service with the U. S. Army in 1979 and this was followed by the fielding of electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk. Improved UH-60L and UH-60M utility variants have also been developed, Modified versions have also been developed for the U. S. Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. In addition to U. S. Army use, the UH-60 family has been exported to several nations, Black Hawks have served in combat during conflicts in Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and other areas in the Middle East. In the late 1960s, the United States Army began forming requirements for a helicopter to replace the UH-1 Iroquois, the Army also initiated the development of a new, common turbine engine for its helicopters that would become the General Electric T700. Based on experience in Vietnam, the Army required significant performance, the Army released its UTTAS request for proposals in January 1972. The RFP also included air transport requirements, Transport aboard the C-130 limited the UTTAS cabin height and length. Four prototypes were constructed, with the first YUH-60A flying on 17 October 1974, prior to delivery of the prototypes to the US Army, a preliminary evaluation was conducted in November 1975 to ensure the aircraft could be operated safely during all testing. Three of the prototypes were delivered to the Army in March 1976, for evaluation against the rival Boeing-Vertol design, the YUH-61A, the Army selected the UH-60 for production in December 1976. Deliveries of the UH-60A to the Army began in October 1978, after entering service, the helicopter was modified for new missions and roles, including mine laying and medical evacuation. An EH-60 variant was developed to conduct electronic warfare and special operations aviation developed the MH-60 variant to support its missions, due to weight increases from the addition of mission equipment and other changes, the Army ordered the improved UH-60L in 1987. The new model incorporated all of the made to the UH-60A fleet as standard design features. The UH-60L also featured more power and lifting capability with upgraded T700-GE-701C engines and its external lift capacity increased by 1,000 lb up to 9,000 lb. The UH-60L also incorporated the automatic control system from the SH-60 for better flight control due to handling issues with the more powerful engines. Production of the L-model began in 1989, Development of the next improved variant, the UH-60M, was approved in 2001, to extend the service life of the UH-60 design into the 2020s. The UH-60M incorporates upgraded T700-GE-701D engines, improved rotor blades, and state of the art electronic instrumentation, flight controls and aircraft navigation control. After the U. S. DoD approved low-rate initial production of the new variant, manufacturing began in 2006, after an initial operational evaluation, the Army approved full-rate production and a five-year contract for 1,227 helicopters in December 2007
21.
Surveillance aircraft
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A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance—collecting information over time. This article concentrates on aircraft used in roles, rather than for traffic monitoring, law enforcement. Surveillance aircraft usually carry no armament, or only limited defensive armament, a surveillance aircraft does not necessarily require high-performance capability or stealth characteristics. It may be a civilian aircraft. Surveillance aircraft have also included moored balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance is sometimes grouped with Intelligence, Target acquisition and Reconnaissance under the title ISTAR. Observation was the used for surveillance when the main sensor was the human eye. In 1794, during the Battle of Fleurus, the French Aerostatic Corps balloon LEntreprenant remained afloat for nine hours. French officers used the balloon to observe the movements of the Austrian Army, dropping notes to the ground for collection by the French Army, and also signalled messages using semaphore. One of the first aircraft used for surveillance was the Rumpler Taube during World War I, the translucent wings of the plane made it very difficult for ground based observers to detect a Taube at an altitude above 400 m. The French also called this plane the Invisible Aircraft, and it is also referred to as the worlds very first stealth plane. German Taube aircraft were able to detect the advancing Russian army during the Battle of Tannenberg, during World War II, light aircraft such as the Auster were used as air observation posts. Officers from the British Royal Artillery were trained as pilots to fly AOP aircraft for artillery spotting, the air observation role was generally taken over by light observation helicopters, such as the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, from the mid-1960s. Pre war, the British identified a need for an aircraft that could follow, to this end the slow-flying Airspeed Fleet Shadower and General Aircraft Fleet Shadower designs were built and flown in 1940 but they were made obsolete by the introduction of airborne radar. Spy flights were a source of contention between the US and Russia during most of the 1960s. Maritime patrol aircraft are typically large, slow machines capable of flying continuously for many hours, such aircraft include the Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod, the Breguet Atlantique, the Tupolev Tu-95, the Lockheed P-2 Neptune and the Lockheed P-3 Orion/CP-140 Aurora. Predator UAVs have been used by the US for border patrol, unmanned surveillance aircraft have been deployed or are under development in many countries, including Israel, the UK, the United States, Canada, China, India, South Africa and Pakistan. Unmanned surveillance UAVs include both airships—such as Sky Sentinel and HiSentinel 80—and airplanes, most air forces around the world lack dedicated surveillance planes. Several countries adapt aircraft for intelligence gathering
22.
Bombardier Dash 8
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The Bombardier Dash 8 or Q-Series, previously known as the de Havilland Canada Dash 8 or DHC-8, is a series of twin-engine, medium-range, turboprop airliners. Introduced by de Havilland Canada in 1984, they are now produced by Bombardier Aerospace, over 1,000 Dash 8s of all models have been built. The Dash 8 was developed from the de Havilland Canada Dash 7, with the Dash 8, DHC focused on improving cruise performance and lowering operational costs. The engine chosen was the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100, the aircraft has been delivered in four series. Models delivered after 1997 have cabin noise suppression and are designated with the prefix Q, production of the Series 100 ceased in 2005, and the Q200 and Q300 in 2009. In the 1970s, de Havilland Canada had invested heavily in its Dash 7 project, concentrating on STOL and short-field performance, however, only a handful of air carriers employed the Dash 7, as most regional airlines were more interested in operational costs than short-field performance. In 1980, de Havilland responded by dropping the short-field performance requirement and its favoured engine supplier, Pratt & Whitney Canada, developed the new PW100 series engines for the role, more than doubling the power from its PT6. Originally designated the PT7A-2R engine, it became the PW120. When the Dash 8 rolled out on April 19,1983, certification of the PW120 followed in late 1983. First flight was on June 20,1983, and the airliner entered service in 1984 with NorOntair, in 1984, Piedmont Airlines, formerly Henson Airlines, was the first US customer for the Dash 8. The Dash 8 design has better performance than the Dash 7, is less expensive to operate. The Dash 8 has the lowest cost per mile of any regional airliner of its era. In April 2008, Bombardier announced that production of the classic versions would be ended, a total of 671 Dash 8 classics were produced, the last one was delivered to Air Nelson in May 2008. The payload is increased by 2,000 pounds and the maintenance check intervals are increased,800 hours from 600 for an A-check and 8,000 hours from 6,000 for a C-check. Bombardier proposed development of a Q400 stretch with two segments, called the Q400X project, in 2007. In response to this project, as of November 2007, ATR was studying a 90-seat stretch, as of July 2010, Bombardiers vice president, Phillipe Poutissou, made comments explaining the company was still studying the prospects of designing the Q400X and talking with potential customers. At the time, Bombardier was not as committed to the Q400X as it had been previously, as of February 2012, Bombardier was still studying the issue, but as of 2011, the launch date is no longer targeted for the 2014 range. At least a three-year delay was envisioned, in October 2012, a joint development deal with a government-led South Korean consortium was revealed, to develop a 90-seater turboprop regional airliner, targeting a 2019 launch date
23.
CASA/IPTN CN-235
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Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport. Its largest user is Turkey which has 59 aircraft, the project was a joint venture between Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA and Indonesian Aerospace, formerly known as IPTN, which formed Airtech International to manage the programme. The partnership applied only to the Series 10 and Series 100/110, over 230 of all versions of CN-235 are in service and have accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours. Design began in January 1980 with first flight on 11 November 1983, Spanish and Indonesian certification was on 20 June 1986, the first flight of the production aircraft was on 19 August 1986 and CASAs FAA type approval was granted on 3 December 1986. In 1995, CASA launched development of a stretched CN-235 as the C-295, in December 2002, the Colombian Navy ordered two CN-235 for patrol and anti-drug trafficking missions. In January 2006, Thailand placed an order with Indonesian Aerospace for ten aircraft, six for the Ministry of Defence, in December 2007, Spain ordered two CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft for the Guardia Civil, for delivery 2008–2009. One CN-235 MPA aircraft was delivered by Indonesian Aerospace to the Indonesian defence ministry in June 2008, in August 2006, three CASA CN-235-10 aircraft remained in airline service, in Africa, with Safair and Tiko Air. Asian Spirit operated a lone CN-235-220 in the Philippines, correct as of June/July 2007, there are at least two CN-235s flying with the United States Air Force for an undisclosed role with the 427th Special Operations Squadron, located at the former Pope AFB, North Carolina. In early July 2008, the Mexican Navy announced that it would purchase six CASA CN-235s from Spain, in April 2010, Hervé Morin, French Minister of Defence, announced the order of eight CN-235-300s from Spain. In 2011, Indonesian Aerospace was still working on 4 CN-235-110 MPAs for South Korea Coast Guard with amount of $96 million, the Senegalese Air Force acquired two CN-235s in 2010 and August 2012 under a $13 million contract. They plan to buy two more aircraft for VIP and cargo duties, the Air Force is also interested in the maritime patrol version of the aircraft. Previously also known as CN-235NG, this variant planned to be launched after Indonesian Aerospace N-219 project is done. Further planned development is N-270, a version of N-245 that able to carry up to 70-90 passengers. Although the CN-235 was designed for purposes in the 1980s, it began to be used as a commercial plane. Possibly its lack of success was due to its 50-passenger capacity, CN-235-10 Initial production version, with GE CT7-7A engines. CN-235-100/110 Generally as series 10, but with GE CT7-9C engines in new composites nacelles, Series 100 is Spanish-built, series 110 Indonesian-built, with improved electrical, warning and environmental systems. Series 200 is Spanish-built, Series 220 Indonesian-built, cN-235-300 CASA Modification of 200/220 series, with the Honeywell International Corp. avionics suite. Other features include improved pressurisation and provision for optional twin-nosewheel installation, CN-235 MPA Maritime patrol version with 6 hardpoints to carry AM-39 Exocet-Missiles or Mk. 46-Torpedoes
24.
Trainer (aircraft)
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A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews. Civilian pilots are trained in a light aircraft, with two or more seats to allow for a student and instructor. The aircraft may be modified to withstand the conditions imposed by training flights. The two seating configurations for trainer aircraft are, pilot and instructor side by side, or in tandem, usually with the pilot in front, the tandem configuration has the advantage of being closer to the normal working environment that a fast jet pilot is likely to encounter. It is now the norm for pilots to begin their training in an aircraft with side by side seating. This, however, has not always been the case, given the expense of military pilot training, air forces typically conduct training in phases to eliminate unsuitable candidates. The cost to air forces that do not follow a graduated training regimen is not just monetary. There are two areas for instruction, flight training and operational training. In flight training a candidate seeks to develop their flying skills, in operational training the candidate learns to use his or her flying skills through simulated combat, attack and fighter techniques. Typically, contemporary military pilots learn initial flying skills in an aircraft not too dissimilar from civilian training aircraft. In this phase candidates are screened for mental and physical attributes. Aircraft used for this include the Slingsby Firefly, as at one time used by the United States Air Force Academy. The U. S. replaced the Firefly and the Enhanced Flight Screen Program with the Diamond DA20, at the end of this stage, pilot trainees are assessed as to where their attributes lie, as fast jet, multi-engine or rotary wing pilots. Those who are judged unsuitable for a commission, but show other attributes, may be offered the chance to qualify as navigators. Smaller and more financially restricted air forces may use ultra-light aircraft, gliders, after the ab-inito phase a candidate may progress to basic, or primary, trainers. These are usually turboprop trainers, like the Pilatus PC-9 and Embraer Tucano, prior to the availability of high performance turboprops, basic training was conducted with jet aircraft such as the BAC Jet Provost, T-37 Tweet, and Fouga Magister. Those candidates who are not suitable to continue training as fast jet pilots may be offered flying commissions, examples of such jet trainer aircraft include the supersonic T-38 Talon, the BAE Hawk, the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, the Aero L-39 and the Yakovlev Yak-130. Effective combat aircraft are a function now electronics as much as, if not more so than and it is at this stage that a pilot begins to learn to operate radar systems and electronics
25.
BAE Systems Hawk
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The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. It was first flown at Dunsfold, Surrey, in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk and it has been used in a training capacity and as a low-cost combat aircraft. Operators of the Hawk include the Royal Air Force and a number of foreign military operators. The Hawk is still in production in the UK and under licence in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with over 900 Hawks sold to 18 operators around the world, in 1964 the Royal Air Force specified a requirement for a new fast jet trainer to replace the Folland Gnat. Accordingly, in 1968, Hawker Siddeley Aviation began studies for a simpler aircraft, the design team was led by Ralph Hooper. This project was funded by the company as a private venture, the design was conceived of as having tandem seating and a combat capability in addition to training, as it was felt the latter would improve export sales potential. The RAF selected the HS.1182 for their requirement on 1 October 1971, the prototype aircraft XX154 first flew on 21 August 1974 from Dunsfold piloted by Duncan Simpson, Chief Test Pilot of HSA, reaching 20,000 ft in a flight lasting 53 minutes. All development aircraft were built on production jigs, the program remained on time, the Hawk T1 entered RAF service in late 1976. The first export Hawk 50 flew on 17 May 1976 and this variant had been specifically designed for the dual-role of lightweight fighter and advanced trainer, it had a greater weapons capacity than the T.1. In 1981 a derivative of the Hawk was selected by the United States Navy as their new trainer aircraft, all airframes are planned to undergo avionics upgrades to a common standard. By early 1998, a total of 734 Hawks had been sold, military customers often procured the Hawk as a replacement for older aircraft such as the BAC Strikemaster, Hawker Hunter, and Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Malaysia and Oman cancelled their arranged Tornado orders in the early 1990s, on 22 December 2004, the Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to BAE Systems to develop an advanced model of the Hawk for the RAF and Royal Navy. In October 2006, a GB£450 million contract was signed for the production of 28 Hawk 128s, the aircrafts maiden flight occurred on 27 July 2005 from BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome. According to BAE Systems, as of July 2012 they have sold nearly 1000 Hawks so far, in May 2015, Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics revealed that it was examining the prospects of performing its own Hawk upgrades, including armed light attack variants. Missile developer and manufacturer MBDA may provide their ASRAAM and Brimstone missiles to arm the new attack type, the Hawk is an advanced trainer with a two-man tandem cockpit, a low-mounted cantilever wing and is powered by a single turbofan engine. Unlike many of the trainers in RAF service, the Hawk was specifically designed for training. Hawker had developed the aircraft to have a level of servicability. The Hawk has been praised by pilots for its agility, in particular its roll, the design of the fuselage included a height differential between the two seats of the cockpit, this provided generous levels of visibility for the instructor in the rear seat
26.
Aermacchi MB-339
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The Aermacchi MB-339 is an Italian military trainer and light attack aircraft. It was developed as a replacement for the earlier MB-326, the MB-339 is of conventional configuration and all-metal construction, and shares much of the 326s airframe. It has a low, un-swept wing with tip tanks and jet intakes in the roots, tricycle undercarriage, the most significant revision was a redesign of the forward fuselage to raise the instructors seat to allow visibility over and past the student pilots head. The aircraft was fitted with a fin and powerplant for the initial versions was the same Rolls-Royce Viper 632-43, producing 4,000 lbf. The first flight took place on 12 August 1976 and deliveries to the Italian Air Force commenced in 1979 and it was still in production in 2004 in an enhanced version with a much-modernised cockpit. Over 200 MB-339s have been built, with half of them going to the Italian Air Force. The Lockheed-Aermacchi MB-339 T-Bird II was a contender in the USAs Joint Primary Aircraft Training System aircraft selection. Among the seven to enter, the Raytheon/Pilatus entry won, which became the T-6 Texan II, according to an article posted on the Italian website Il Porto Franci, called Armi e finanziamenti nel corno dAfrica, Eritrea paid about $US50 million for six MB-339 CEs in 1997. This is the original MB-339 with more advanced avionics for the attack role, RWR, uprated Viper 680-43 engine. It is capable of carrying Sidewinder AAMs, AGM-65 Maverick AGMs, unit price of the MB-339C would have to be somewhere around $US8.3 million dollars in 1997. The Argentine Naval Aviation was the first foreign user of the forerunner MB-326GB, in 1980, the COAN ordered ten MB-339As advanced trainer and light attack aircraft. These were delivered in 1981 and were operated by the III Escuadra Naval s 1 Escuadrilla de Ataque, during the Falklands War, late in April 1982, six of them were located at Port Stanley Airport, renamed Base Aérea Militar Malvinas. Other Aermacchis operated from three bases, at Almirante Zar, Bahía Blanca and Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego naval air station. On 3 May 1982 Lt Benitez crashed into high ground with approaching the airport at Port Stanley, on 21 May during a routine reconnaissance flight and flown by Lieutenant Owen Crippa, a MB-339A was the first one to attack the Royal Navy amphibious force. The Aermacchi hit the frigate HMS Argonaut, causing light damage, on 27 May, a MB-339A was shot down by a Blowpipe missile during the Battle for Goose Green, while attempting to attack British ships and landed troops. The Pilot, Teniente Miguel, was killed, three MB-339 airframes were captured by the British. One of these airframes is preserved at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, in 1996, the Eritreans ordered six Aermacchi MB-339CEs, with which the first combat unit of the ERAF was founded in 1997. They have proved their worth as training aircraft and even during the fighting in 1998
27.
Pilatus PC-7
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The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and it has been selected by more than 20 air forces as their ab initio trainer. Since the aircrafts introduction in 1978, close to 500 have been sold, over one million hours have been flown by PC-7s worldwide. The PC-7 is based on the earlier piston-powered Pilatus P-3, in 1973, the programme was restarted and another P-3 was obtained from the Swiss Air Force. After modification, this flew on 12 May 1975. Further extensive modifications followed later in the programme, including a new wing with integral fuel tanks, an altered tailfin. The first production aircraft flew on 12 August 1978, Swiss civil certification followed on 5 December of the same year, with deliveries, to Burma and Bolivia starting immediately thereafter. The aircraft is used by private customers and is both FAA and FOCA civil certified to comply to the general aviation regulations in Europe and the USA. The PC-7 Mk II is a development of the PC-9s airframe and avionics, fitted with the PC-7s smaller turbine to lower operating and it is used by the South African Air Force, with sixty examples having been manufactured. The aircraft were assembled in South Africa from kits supplied by Pilatus, the value of the contract was estimated to be 175 million USD in 1993. Due to political considerations, the aircraft were not fitted with the armament hardpoints, four PC-7 Mk II aircraft are used by the air force of Brunei. PC-7s were used by the Iraqi Air Force for close air support in the Iran-Iraq war and they were also used to deliver chemical weapons against Iranian troops. The Chadian Air Force has used its fleet of PC-7s to bomb rebel positions both in their own territory and in neighbouring Sudan. PC-7s were employed by the Guatemalan Air Force in air strikes and for air support during the Guatemalan civil war. The PC-7s deployed from the airfield in La Aurora armed with gunpods, in 1994, Mexican Air Force armed PC-7s were used to attack Zapatista Army of National Liberation during the Chiapas conflict in Mexico. This action was considered illegal by the Swiss government because the airplanes were sold for training purposes only, and as result, Switzerland issued a ban to sell more units to Mexico. In the mid to late 1990s, Executive Outcomes, a military contractor led by Eben Barlow. In June 2011, the Indian Air Force selected the Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer as its basic trainer and this order could be progressively increased to 181 trainers after technology transfer to India
28.
Grob G 115
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The Grob G115 is a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft, primarily used for flight training. It is built in Germany by Grob Aircraft, the E variant with a 3-blade variable pitch propeller is in Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and Royal Air Force service as an elementary flying trainer. The aircraft is constructed of composite materials. The main fuselage and each wing spar is a single piece and it has a fixed tricycle undercarriage with spatted wheels, a short nose bearing the 180 hp engine and a 3-bladed variable-pitch propeller. The aircraft was re-certified in 2013 with a new MT Propeller following issues with the previous design, the inverted oil system was also redesigned to improve lubrication during aerobatics. The cockpit features a broad canopy arch and spine, the side-by-side seats are fixed and pilot seating is adjusted with cushions as well as a rudder bar adjuster. The wings are tapered with square tips and the empennage consists of a large fin, the initial Grob G115 and G 115A models had an upright fin and rudder and were mainly sold to civilian aeroplane clubs in Germany, the United Kingdom and several other countries. The aircraft is capable of aerobatic manoeuvres. The Grob Heron was first bought by the Royal Navy, after its use five were bought by Tayside Aviation. There are only six recorded Herons in existence, two operated by Tayside Aviation, three owned and one in Germany. One was reported as written off after an accident, Aircraft were to be owned and operated by private industry, contracted to the Ministry of Defence. The aircraft chosen for this task was the Grob 115E, designated Tutor T1 by the MoD, until 2005 the Tutor was used by UASs to provide EFT to university students, many sponsored by the RAF. The Tutor is also used by AEFs to provide flying experience for cadets of the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force, the final AEF to receive the Tutor was 10 AEF based at RAF Woodvale in Merseyside, in 2001. 10 AEF was incidentally also the last AEF to receive the Bulldog in 1996, five Tutor T1s are also operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm for trainee pilot grading at RNAS Yeovilton. The aircraft was landed unpowered in a field, where damage was sustained to the undercarriage. Subsequent investigation revealed cracking in the blade roots across the fleet. No-one was injured in the incident, in June 2005 a Heron operated by Tayside Aviation suffered severe damaged when a flying instructor mishandled a go-around, veering off the runway and into a fence. The instructor was late in taking control from the student and may not have applied rudder control effectively in the attempted go-around, No injuries were sustained by the instructor or student
29.
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
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The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master is a military twin-engine transonic trainer aircraft. The first flight of the M-346 was performed in 2004, the type is currently operated by the air forces of Italy, Israel, Singapore, and Poland. Since 2016 manufacturer became Leonardo-Finmeccanica as Alenia Aermaccchi merged into the new Finmeccanica, the resulting aircraft first flew in 1996 and was brought to Italy the following year to replace the aging MB-339. By this point, the aircraft was being marketed as the Yak/AEM-130, in February 1996, Russia provided initial funding for the Yak/AEM-130 and pledged to purchase up to 200 aircraft for the Russian Air Force. In October 1998, it was reported that the venture was increasingly becoming an Italian-led effort due to a lack of support on the part of Russia. By July 2000, Aermacchi held a 50% stake in the development programme, Yakovlev, the M-346 is a highly modified version of the aircraft that was being developed under the joint venture. It uses equipment exclusively from Western manufacturers, such as the flight control system being developed by a collaboration between Teleavio, Marconi Italiana and BAE Systems. In July 2000, Aermacchi selected the Honeywell F124 turbofan engine to power the type in place of the originally intended Povazske Strojarne DV-2S powerplant, on 7 June 2003, the first M-346 prototype rolled out, this prototype conducted its maiden flight on 15 July 2004. In 2004, a contract for the development of a simulator for the M-346 was awarded to CAE. Further production contracts for CAEs full-mission simulator have since been issued, in March 2008 the Chilean ENAER signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alenia Aermacchi at the FIDAE air show. On 10 April 2008, a prototype, produced in the final configuration, was rolled out. In May 2008, Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the marketing, sales, training and support of two Aermacchi trainer aircraft, the M-346 and the M-311. On 20 June 2011, a Military Type Certification was granted to Alenia Aermacchi for the M-346 Master by the General Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments of the Italian Ministry of Defence in Rome. In the trainer jet role, the M-346 is unarmed, however, in November 2015, in late 2014, a series of armed tests involving the IRIS-T missiles took place. In 2015, a variant, designated as the M-346 LCA, was offered to Poland. In February 2016, the created, consolidated Leonardo-Finmeccanica company promoted the Aermacchi M346 in two new roles, companion training and dissimilar air combat training. The M-346 is designed for the role of lead-in fighter trainer. Outside of the role, the M-346 was designed from the onset to accommodate additional operational capabilities, including combat missions such as close air support
30.
Cargo aircraft
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A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft that is designed or converted for the carriage of cargo rather than passengers. Such aircraft usually do not incorporate passenger amenities and generally one or more large doors for loading cargo. Freighters may be operated by passenger or cargo airlines, by private individuals or by the armed forces of individual countries. Cargo aircraft represent a small proportion of the air freight market. The majority is carried in special ULD containers in the holds of normal passenger aircraft. Aircraft were put to use carrying cargo in the form of air mail as early as 1911, although the earliest aircraft were not designed primarily as cargo carriers, by the mid-1920s aircraft manufacturers were designing and building dedicated cargo aircraft. The Vickers Vernon, a development of the Vickers Vimy Commercial, in February 1923 this was put to use by the RAFs Iraq Command who flew nearly 500 Sikh troops from Kingarban to Kirkuk in the first ever strategic airlift of troops. The Victorians also helped to pioneer air routes for Imperial Airways Handley Page HP.42 airliners, the World War II German design, the Arado Ar 232 was the first purpose built cargo aircraft. The Ar 232 was intended to supplant the earlier Junkers Ju 52 freighter conversions, most other forces used freighter versions of airliners in the cargo role as well, most notably the C-47 Skytrain version of the Douglas DC-3, which served with practically every Allied nation. This aircraft, like most of its era, used tail-dragger landing gear caused the aircraft to have a decided rearward tilt when landed. A similar rear loading ramp even appeared in a different form on the nosewheel gear-equipped. Postwar Europe also served to play a role in the development of the modern air cargo. To rapidly supply the numbers of aircraft, many older types. In operation it was found that it took as long or longer to unload these older designs as the much larger tricycle landing gear Douglas C-54 Skymaster which was easier to move about in when landed. The C-47s were quickly removed from service, and from then on flat-decks were a requirement of all new cargo designs, in the years following the war era a number of new custom-built cargo aircraft were introduced, often including some experimental features. For instance, the USs C-82 Packet featured a cargo area. Although larger, smaller and faster designs have been proposed for many years and these designs offer the ability to carry the heaviest loads, even main battle tanks, at global ranges. The Boeing 747 was originally designed to the specification as the C-5
31.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
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The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac and it is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. Over forty variants and versions of the Hercules, including a civilian one marketed as the Lockheed L-100, the C-130 entered service with the U. S. in the 1950s, followed by Australia and others. During its years of service, the Hercules family has participated in numerous military, the C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules currently being produced. The new transport would have a capacity of 92 passengers,72 combat troops or 64 paratroopers in a compartment that was approximately 41 feet long,9 feet high. Unlike transports derived from passenger airliners, it was to be designed from the ground-up as a transport with loading from a hinged loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage. A key feature was the introduction of the Allison T56 turboprop powerplant, as was the case on helicopters of that era, such as the UH-1 Huey, turboshafts produced much more power for their weight than piston engines. Lockheed would subsequently use the engines and technology in the Lockheed L-188 Electra. The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter also had a ramp, which made it possible to drive vehicles onto the plane. The ramp on the Hercules was also used to airdrop cargo, the new Lockheed cargo plane design possessed a range of 1,100 nmi, takeoff capability from short and unprepared strips, and the ability to fly with one engine shut down. Fairchild, North American, Martin, and Northrop declined to participate, the remaining five companies tendered a total of ten designs, Lockheed two, Boeing one, Chase three, Douglas three, and Airlifts Inc. one. The contest was an affair between the lighter of the two Lockheed proposals and a four-turboprop Douglas design. The Lockheed design team was led by Willis Hawkins, starting with a 130-page proposal for the Lockheed L-206, both Hibbard and Johnson signed the proposal and the company won the contract for the now-designated Model 82 on 2 July 1951. The first flight of the YC-130 prototype was made on 23 August 1954 from the Lockheed plant in Burbank, the aircraft, serial number 53-3397, was the second prototype, but the first of the two to fly. The YC-130 was piloted by Stanley Beltz and Roy Wimmer on its 61-minute flight to Edwards Air Force Base, Jack Real, kelly Johnson flew chase in a Lockheed P2V Neptune. After the two prototypes were completed, production began in Marietta, Georgia, where over 2,300 C-130s have been built through 2009. The initial production model, the C-130A, was powered by Allison T56-A-9 turboprops with three-blade propellers, deliveries began in December 1956, continuing until the introduction of the C-130B model in 1959. Some A-models were equipped with skis and re-designated C-130D, four-bladed Hamilton Standard propellers replaced the Aeroproducts three-blade propellers that distinguished the earlier A-models
32.
Cessna 208 Caravan
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The Cessna 208 Caravan is an American single-engined turboprop, fixed-tricycle landing gear, short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft that is built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers with a pilot, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver it can seat up to fourteen passengers. The aircraft is used for cargo feederliner operations. The Cessna 208 is a high-wing braced cabin monoplane powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop in tractor configuration and it has a fixed tricycle landing gear but can also be fitted with floats or skis. The cabin has room for nine passengers and two crew when used as an aircraft with four doors, one for each crew member and an airstair door on right-side. The aircraft can be fitted with an underslung cargo pod. The basic 208 airframe can be outfitted with various types of landing gear, some common adaptations include skis, enlarged tires for unprepared runways, and floats on the Caravan Amphibian model. The Caravan interior can be outfitted with seats or as cargo holds, the standard high-density airline configuration has four rows of 1-2 seating behind the two seats in the cockpit. This variant is capable of holding up to thirteen passengers, although it is marketed as being able to make a profit carrying just four. The cabin can be configured in a low density passenger configuration, with 1-1 seating, as a combination of passengers and cargo, many variants include an underbelly cargo pod, which can be used for additional freight capacity, or for passenger baggage. A number of Caravans are operated as skydiving aircraft with the cargo hatch converted to a roll-up door. The prototype first flew in December 1982, the production model was certified by the FAA in October 1984. Since then, the Caravan has undergone a number of design evolutions, working with FedEx, Cessna produced first the Cargomaster and followed that with the stretched and upgraded Super Cargomaster. The passenger model, the Grand Caravan, was derived from the Super Cargomaster, in January 2013 a higher-powered version, the Grand Caravan EX, received FAA certification. This higher-powered version will be produced by a Cessna-AVIC joint venture in China, on April 28,2008, Cessna announced that the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit will be standard equipment on all new Caravans. In May 2012 Cessna announced that a line for the 208 would be established in China. The government-owned China Aviation Industry General Aircraft will conduct final assembly of Caravans at its plant in Shijiazhuang for the Chinese market, the move was made to make room for the Citation Longitude and Cessna Denali in Wichita. 208 Caravan I First production variant with a PT6A-114 turboprop engine, official named Caravan it is sometimes known as Caravan I to distinguish it from later variants
33.
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
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The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 carries forward the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world, additional roles include medical evacuation. It was designed to replace the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, and also some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s, continued to manufacture C-17s for export customers following the end of deliveries to the U. S. Air Force. Aside from the United States, the C-17 is in service with the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, NATO Heavy Airlift Wing, India, the final C-17 was completed at the Long Beach, California plant and flown on 29 November 2015. In the 1970s, the U. S. Air Force began looking for a replacement for its Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical cargo aircraft, the Advanced Medium STOL Transport competition was held, with Boeing proposing the YC-14, and McDonnell Douglas proposing the YC-15. Though both entrants exceeded specified requirements, the AMST competition was canceled before a winner was selected, the Air Force started the C-X program in November 1979 to develop a larger AMST with longer range to augment its strategic airlift. By 1980, the USAF found itself with a fleet of aging C-141 Starlifter cargo aircraft. Compounding matters, USAF needed increased strategic airlift capabilities to fulfill its rapid-deployment airlift requirements, the USAF set mission requirements and released a request for proposals for C-X in October 1980. McDonnell Douglas elected to develop a new aircraft based on the YC-15, Boeing bid an enlarged three-engine version of its AMST YC-14. Lockheed submitted two designs, a C-5-based design and an enlarged C-141 design, on 28 August 1981, McDonnell Douglas was chosen to build its proposed aircraft, then designated C-17. Compared to the YC-15, the new aircraft differed in having swept wings, increased size and this would allow it to perform the work done by the C-141, and to fulfill some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, freeing the C-5 fleet for outsize cargo. Alternate proposals were pursued to fill airlift needs after the C-X contest and these were lengthening of C-141As into C-141Bs, ordering more C-5s, continued purchases of KC-10s, and expansion of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. Limited budgets reduced program funding, requiring a delay of four years, during this time contracts were awarded for preliminary design work and for the completion of engine certification. In December 1985, a development contract was awarded. At this time, first flight was planned for 1990, the Air Force had formed a requirement for 210 aircraft. Development problems and limited funding caused delays in the late 1980s, criticisms were made of the developing aircraft and questions were raised about more cost-effective alternatives during this time
34.
Airbus A330 MRTT
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The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, the EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force. The Airbus A330 MRTT is a derivative of the A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft, Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft. Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit for probe-equipped receiver aircraft Being refuelled Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation for self in-flight refuelling. The A330 MRTT has a fuel capacity of 111,000 kg without the use of additional fuel tanks. The A330 MRTTs wing has common structure with the four-engine A340-200/-300 with reinforced mounting locations, the A330 MRTTs wing therefore requires little modification for use of these hardpoints for the wing refuelling pods. Available configurations include 300 passengers in a class and 266 passengers in two classes. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation missions, like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to 8 military pallets in addition to civilian Unit Load Device, an optional crew rest compartment, located in the forward cabin can be installed for a spare crew to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable embarkation and disembarkation when airbridges or ground equipment are not available. Standard commercial A330-200s are delivered from Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse to Airbus Military Conversion Centre in Getafe, Spain for fitting of refuelling systems, the tanker was certified by Spanish authorities in October 2010. It was first delivered to Australia on 1 June 2011, Qantas Defence Services converted the remaining four A330-200s at its Brisbane Airport facility on behalf of EADS for the Royal Australian Air Force. On 30 September 2016, Airbus Defence and Space completed the first flight of the new standard A330 MRTT, the new standard features structural modifications, aerodynamic improvements for a 1% fuel-burn reduction, upgraded avionics computers, and enhanced military systems. The first delivery is planned for 2018, the A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Australia was the customer for the A330 MRTT. Designated as KC-30A, the Royal Australian Air Force A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, the aircraft are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines. Australian KC-30A are operated by No.33 Squadron RAAF based at RAAF Base Amberley, Australia has designated the aircraft KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport
35.
Air force
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An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nations armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy, or a marine corps. Typically, air forces are responsible for gaining control of the air, carrying out strategic and tactical bombing missions, Air forces typically consist of a combination of fighters, bombers, helicopters, transport planes and other aircraft. Many air forces are responsible for operations of the military space, intercontinental ballistic missiles. Some air forces may command and control other air defence assets such as artillery, surface-to-air missiles, or anti-ballistic missile warning networks. In addition to pilots, air forces have ground support staff who support the aircrew, however, some supporting personnel such as airfield defence troops, weapons engineers and air intelligence staff do not have equivalent roles in civilian organizations. Balloon or flying corps are not generally regarded as examples of an air force, however, with the invention of heavier-than-air craft in the early 20th century, armies and navies began to take interest in this new form of aviation as a means to wage war. The first aviation force in the world was the Aviation Militaire of the French Army formed in 1910, in 1911, during the Italo-Turkish War, Italy employed aircraft for the first time ever in the world for reconnaissance and bombing missions against Turkish positions on Libyan Territory. The Italian–Turkish war of 1911–1912 was the first in history that featured air attacks by airplanes, during World War I France, Germany, Italy, the British Empire and the Ottoman Empire all possessed significant forces of bombers and fighters. World War I also saw the appearance of senior commanders who directed aerial warfare, the British Royal Air Force was the first independent air force in the world. The RAF was founded on 1 April 1918 by amalgamation the British Armys Royal Flying Corps, on establishment the RAF comprised over 20,000 aircraft, was commanded by a Chief of the Air Staff who held the rank of major-general and was governed by its own government ministry. Over the following decades most countries with any military capability established their own independent air forces. The Canadian Air Force was formed at the end of World War I and it became the permanent Royal Canadian Air Force when it received the Royal title by royal proclamation on 1 April 1924. It did not however become independent of the Canadian Army until 1938 when its head was designated as Chief of the Air Staff. Similarly, the Royal New Zealand Air Force was established in 1923 as the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, other British-influenced countries also established their own independent air forces. For example, the Royal Egyptian Air Force was created in 1937 when Egyptian military aviation was separated from Army command, outside of the British Empire, the Finnish Air Force was established as a separate service on 4 May 1928 and the Brazilian Air Force was created in 1941. Both the United States Air Force and the Philippine Air Force were formed as a separate branches of their armed forces in 1947. The Israeli Air Force came into being with the State of Israel on 18 May 1948, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force was not established until 1954, in World War II Japanese military aviation had been carried out by the Army and Navy
36.
United Kingdom
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country in western Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, the United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with another sovereign state—the Republic of Ireland. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland, with an area of 242,500 square kilometres, the United Kingdom is the 78th-largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th-largest in Europe. It is also the 21st-most populous country, with an estimated 65.1 million inhabitants, together, this makes it the fourth-most densely populated country in the European Union. The United Kingdom is a monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. The monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 6 February 1952, other major urban areas in the United Kingdom include the regions of Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. The United Kingdom consists of four countries—England, Scotland, Wales, the last three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in their capitals, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. The relationships among the countries of the UK have changed over time, Wales was annexed by the Kingdom of England under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. A treaty between England and Scotland resulted in 1707 in a unified Kingdom of Great Britain, which merged in 1801 with the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Five-sixths of Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922, leaving the present formulation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, there are fourteen British Overseas Territories. These are the remnants of the British Empire which, at its height in the 1920s, British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies. The United Kingdom is a country and has the worlds fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP. The UK is considered to have an economy and is categorised as very high in the Human Development Index. It was the worlds first industrialised country and the worlds foremost power during the 19th, the UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally. It is a nuclear weapons state and its military expenditure ranks fourth or fifth in the world. The UK has been a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since its first session in 1946 and it has been a leading member state of the EU and its predecessor, the European Economic Community, since 1973. However, on 23 June 2016, a referendum on the UKs membership of the EU resulted in a decision to leave. The Acts of Union 1800 united the Kingdom of Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved self-government
37.
Fixed-wing aircraft
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A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft, such as an aeroplane, which is capable of flight using wings that generate lift caused by the vehicles forward airspeed and the shape of the wings. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft, in which the form a rotor mounted on a spinning shaft. Glider fixed-wing aircraft, including free-flying gliders of various kinds and tethered kites, powered fixed-wing aircraft that gain forward thrust from an engine include powered paragliders, powered hang gliders and some ground effect vehicles. The wings of an aircraft are not necessarily rigid, kites, hang-gliders, variable-sweep wing aircraft. Most fixed-wing aircraft are flown by a pilot on board the aircraft, kites were used approximately 2,800 years ago in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available. Some authors hold that leaf kites were being flown much earlier in what is now Indonesia, by at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown, as it was recorded in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission. Ancient and medieval Chinese sources list other uses of kites for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. Stories of kites were brought to Europe by Marco Polo towards the end of the 13th century, although they were initially regarded as mere curiosities, by the 18th and 19th centuries kites were being used as vehicles for scientific research. This machine may have been suspended for its flight, some of the earliest recorded attempts with gliders were those by the 9th-century poet Abbas Ibn Firnas and the 11th-century monk Eilmer of Malmesbury, both experiments injured their pilots. In 1799, Sir George Cayley set forth the concept of the aeroplane as a fixed-wing flying machine with separate systems for lift, propulsion. Cayley was building and flying models of fixed-wing aircraft as early as 1803, in 1856, Frenchman Jean-Marie Le Bris made the first powered flight, by having his glider LAlbatros artificiel pulled by a horse on a beach. In 1884, the American John J. Montgomery made controlled flights in a glider as a part of a series of gliders built between 1883-1886, other aviators who made similar flights at that time were Otto Lilienthal, Percy Pilcher, and Octave Chanute. In the 1890s, Lawrence Hargrave conducted research on wing structures and his box kite designs were widely adopted. Although he also developed a type of aircraft engine, he did not create. Sir Hiram Maxim built a craft that weighed 3.5 tons, in 1894, his machine was tested with overhead rails to prevent it from rising. The test showed that it had enough lift to take off, the craft was uncontrollable, which Maxim, it is presumed, realized, because he subsequently abandoned work on it. By 1905, the Wright Flyer III was capable of fully controllable, stable flight for substantial periods, the flight was certified by the FAI. This was the first controlled flight, to be officially recognised, the Bleriot VIII design of 1908 was an early aircraft design that had the modern monoplane tractor configuration
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Rotorcraft
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A rotorcraft or rotary-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air flying machine that uses lift generated by wings, called rotary wings or rotor blades, that revolve around a mast. Several rotor blades mounted on a single mast are referred to as a rotor, the International Civil Aviation Organization defines a rotorcraft as supported in flight by the reactions of the air on one or more rotors. Rotorcraft generally include those aircraft where one or more rotors are required to provide lift throughout the flight, such as helicopters, cyclocopters, autogyros. Compound rotorcraft may also include additional thrust engines or propellers and static lifting surfaces, helicopters have several different configurations of one or more main rotors. A cyclocopter is a rotorcraft whose rotors are driven by the engine throughout the flight. At the present time flying model prototypes have been built in China, US, S. Korea, while similar to a helicopter rotor in appearance, the autogyros rotor must have air flowing up and through the rotor disk in order to generate rotation. Early autogyros resembled the fixed-wing aircraft of the day, with wings, late-model autogyros feature a rear-mounted engine and propeller in a pusher configuration. The autogyro was invented in 1920 by Juan de la Cierva, the autogyro with pusher propeller was first tested by Etienne Dormoy with his Buhl A-1 Autogyro. As power is increased to the propeller, less power is required by the rotor to provide forward thrust resulting in reduced pitch angles and rotor blade flapping. At cruise speeds with most or all of the thrust being provided by the propellers, a rotor kite or gyroglider is an unpowered rotary-wing aircraft. Like an autogyro or helicopter, it relies on lift created by one or more sets of rotors in order to fly, a rotary wing is characterised by the number of blades. Typically this is two and six per driveshaft. A rotorcraft may have one or more rotors, various rotor configurations have been used, One rotor. Powered rotors require compensation for the reaction causing yaw, except in the case of tipjet drive. These typically rotate in opposite directions cancelling the torque reaction so that no tail rotor or other yaw stabiliser is needed and these rotors can be laid out as Tandem – One in front of the other. Coaxial – One rotor disc above the other, with drive shafts. An uncommon configuration, the 1948 Cierva Air Horse had three rotors as it was not believed a single rotor of sufficient strength could be built for its size. All three rotors turned in the direction and yaw compensation was provided by inclining each rotor axis to generate rotor thrust components that opposed torque
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Territorial evolution of the British Empire
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The territorial evolution of the British Empire is considered to have begun with the foundation of the English colonial empire in the late 16th century. Since then, many territories around the world have been under the control of the British Empire or its predecessor states. When the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed in 1707 by the union of the Kingdom of Scotland with the Kingdom of England, the latter countrys colonial possessions passed to the new state. Similarly, when Great Britain was united with the Kingdom of Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom, collectively, these territories are referred to as the British Empire. Upon much of Ireland gaining independence in 1922 as the Irish Free State, from 1714 to 1837 the British throne was held by a series of kings who were also the rulers of the German state of Hanover. However, this was purely a personal union, with Hanover maintaining its political independence otherwise, the nature of the territories ruled as part of the British Empire varied enormously. No uniform system of government was ever applied to any of these, a number of countries within the British Empire gained independence in stages during the earlier part of the 20th century. Many of the territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Fifteen of these retain the British monarch as Head of State, the British monarch is also Head of the Commonwealth, but this is a purely symbolic and personal title, members of the Commonwealth are fully sovereign states. The British Empire refers to the possessions and territories under the control of the Crown. Although the Crown claimed absolute sovereignty over them, they were never part of the United Kingdom. The natures of the administration of the Empire changed both by time and place, and there was no system of government in the Empire. Colonies were territories that were intended to be places of permanent settlement, the Crown claimed absolute sovereignty over them, although they were not formally part of the United Kingdom itself. Generally their law was the law of England together with whatever British Acts of Parliament were also applied to them. Over time, a number of colonies were granted responsible government, a Crown colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later the British Empire, which were directly controlled by the Crown. Crown colonies were ruled by an appointed by the monarch. By the middle of the 19th century, the sovereign appointed royal governors on the advice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and this became the main method of creating and governing colonies. There also existed lower houses which were usually named Legislative Assembly or House of Assembly, the lower house was usually elected, but suffrage was restricted to free white men only, usually with property ownership restrictions
40.
Pakistan Air Force
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The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport and logistics capability to Pakistan. The PAF employs approximately 65,000 full-time personnel and currently operates 1,032 aircraft and its primary mandate and mission is to provide, in synergy with other inter-services, the most efficient, assured and cost effective aerial Defence of Pakistan. Since its establishment in 1947, the PAF has been involved in combat operations, providing aerial support to Inter–Servicess operations. Under the Article 243, the Constitution of Pakistan appoints the President of Pakistan as the civilian Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of Air Staff, by statute a four-star air chief marshal, is appointed by the President with the consultation and confirmation needed from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force is currently commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, two PAF F-86F Sabres of No.15 Squadron on Air Defence Alert were scrambled from Sargodha Air Base to intercept the IAF aircraft. Butt attempted to bring down the Canberra by firing his Sabres machine guns, when Yunis took over from his leader, the Canberra suddenly lost height while executing a turn over Rawalpindi. Yunis fired a burst that struck the Canberra at an altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down over Rawat, marking the first aerial victory of the PAF. Both crew members of the IAF Canberra, ejected and were captured by Pakistani authorities and were released after remaining in detention for some time. The PAF fleet at the time consisted of 12 F-104 Starfighters, some 120 F-86 Sabres, the PAF claims to have had complete air superiority over the battle area from the second day of operations. S. Equipment, claiming it to be superior to the operated by the IAF. However some Pakistanis refute this argument, as per them, the IAFs MiG-21, Hawker Hunter and Folland Gnat aircraft had better performance than the PAFs F-86 fighters. According to Air Cdre Sajad Haider, the F-86 Sabre was inferior in power and speed to the IAFs Hawker Hunter. It was a high-level interceptor designed to neutralize Soviet strategic bombers in altitudes above 40,000 feet, nevertheless, the IAF is believed to have feared the Starfighter although, it was not as effective as the IAFs Folland Gnat. According to Indian sources, the F-86F performed reasonably well against the IAF Hawker Hunters but not as well against the Folland Gnat, according to Indian sources most aircraft losses of IAF were on ground while PAF lost most in aerial combat. The PAF had achieved far more in terms of aircraft destroyed on the ground but without doubt. The two countries have made claims of combat losses during the war and few neutral sources have verified the claims of either country. The PAF claimed it shot down 104 IAF planes and lost 19 of its own, while the IAF claimed it shot down 73 PAF planes, according to the independent sources, the PAF lost some 20 aircraft while the Indians lost 60–75. Despite the intense fighting, the conflict was effectively a stalemate, during this conflict the PAF sent personnel to Egypt, Jordan and Syria to support the Arabs in their battle against the Israelis
41.
Emirate of Dubai
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The Emirate of Dubai, is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the capital of the emirate and was named after it, in December 1971, the emirate united with Abu Dhabi and the other emirates to form the United Arab Emirates. Until then, the emirates were British protectorates, ruler of the emirate is HRH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the emirate is governed by the Government of Dubai. The emirate is made up of other municipalities and villages. The inland exclave of Hatta is located about 134 km east of Dubai City and it is bordering Oman to the east and south, the village of Sayh Mudayrah in Ajman to the west, and Ras al-Khaimah to the north. Dubai travel guide from Wikivoyage www. Dubai. ae – Dubai Government official website
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Abu Dhabi
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Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates, and also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAEs seven emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014, Abu Dhabi houses federal government offices, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabis rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large. Today the city is the center of political and industrial activities. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy, Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world. Abu Dhabi is full of evidence that points to civilizations, such as the Umm an-Nar Culture. Settlements were also found farther outside the city of Abu Dhabi. There is evidence of civilizations around the mountain of Hafeet and this location is very strategic because it is the UAE’s second tallest mountain, so it would have great visibility. It also contains a lot of moisture in its springs and lakes, origin of the name Abu Dhabi The origin of the name Abu Dhabi is uncertain. Meaning Father of the Gazelle, when translated from Arabic. According to Bilal al-Budoor, assistant under-secretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, The area had a lot of dhibaa, an old story tells about a man who used to chase deer and was named the father of the animal. Abu Dhabis original name was Milh salt, possibly referring to the salty water of the Persian Gulf, some Bedouins called the city Umm Dhabi, while British records refer to the place as Abu Dhabi. According to some accounts, the name Abu Dhabi was first used more than 300 years ago. The first word of Abu Dhabi is pronounced Bu by inhabitants on the western coast. In the eastern part of the city, the pronunciation is Abu, origins of the Al Nahyan family The Bani Yas bedouin were originally centered on the Liwa Oasis. This tribe was the most significant in the area, having over 20 subsections, in 1793, the Al Bu Falah subsection migrated to the island of Abu Dhabi on the coast of the Persian Gulf due to the discovery of fresh water there. One family within this section was the Al Nahyan family and this family makes up the rulers of Abu Dhabi today
43.
NATO
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949. The organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party, three NATO members are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council with the power to veto and are officially nuclear-weapon states. NATOs headquarters are located in Haren, Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied Command Operations is near Mons. NATO is an Alliance that consists of 28 independent member countries across North America and Europe, an additional 22 countries participate in NATOs Partnership for Peace program, with 15 other countries involved in institutionalized dialogue programmes. The combined military spending of all NATO members constitutes over 70% of the global total, Members defence spending is supposed to amount to 2% of GDP. The course of the Cold War led to a rivalry with nations of the Warsaw Pact, politically, the organization sought better relations with former Warsaw Pact countries, several of which joined the alliance in 1999 and 2004. N. The Treaty of Brussels, signed on 17 March 1948 by Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, the treaty and the Soviet Berlin Blockade led to the creation of the Western European Unions Defence Organization in September 1948. However, participation of the United States was thought necessary both to counter the power of the USSR and to prevent the revival of nationalist militarism. He got a hearing, especially considering American anxiety over Italy. In 1948 European leaders met with U. S. defense, military and diplomatic officials at the Pentagon, marshalls orders, exploring a framework for a new and unprecedented association. Talks for a new military alliance resulted in the North Atlantic Treaty and it included the five Treaty of Brussels states plus the United States, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The first NATO Secretary General, Lord Ismay, stated in 1949 that the goal was to keep the Russians out, the Americans in. Popular support for the Treaty was not unanimous, and some Icelanders participated in a pro-neutrality, the creation of NATO can be seen as the primary institutional consequence of a school of thought called Atlanticism which stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic cooperation. The members agreed that an attack against any one of them in Europe or North America would be considered an attack against them all. The treaty does not require members to respond with military action against an aggressor, although obliged to respond, they maintain the freedom to choose the method by which they do so. This differs from Article IV of the Treaty of Brussels, which states that the response will be military in nature. It is nonetheless assumed that NATO members will aid the attacked member militarily, the treaty was later clarified to include both the members territory and their vessels, forces or aircraft above the Tropic of Cancer, including some Overseas departments of France. The creation of NATO brought about some standardization of allied military terminology, procedures, and technology, the roughly 1300 Standardization Agreements codified many of the common practices that NATO has achieved
44.
Egyptian Air Force
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The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal. Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Younes Hamed, the forces motto is Higher and higher for the sake of glory. The Egyptian Army Air Service was formed in 1932, and became an independent air force in 1937 and it had little involvement in the Second World War. From 1948 to 1973 it took part, with mediocre results, in four separate wars with Israel. It also supported the Egyptian Army during the North Yemen Civil War, from 1977 to 2011 it saw virtually no combat, but has participated in numerous exercises, including Operation Bright Star. Since 1992 the EAF has also provided support for the police. In recent years the Air Force has acted in the Sinai insurgency, the Second Libyan Civil War, the EAF primary role is the air defence of the nation, with secondary tasks of strike and army support operations. The EAF provides official government transport and carries out international search-and- rescue operations in the desert, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea. In 2014 the IISS estimated the total manpower of the Egyptian Air Force at approximately 30,000 personnel, including 10,000 conscripts. This contrasts with an estimate of some 35,000 personnel, with most aircrew being long-term professionals, in late 1928, the Parliament of Egypt proposed the creation of an Egyptian Air Force. The Egyptian ministry of war announced that it needed volunteers for the new arm to become the first four Egyptian military pilots, over 200 Egyptian officers volunteered, but in the end only three succeeded in passing strict medical tests and technical examinations. These three went to No.4 Flying Training School RAF at RAF Station Abu Sueir near the Suez Canal, after graduation, they traveled to the United Kingdom for specialised training. On 2 November 1930, the King of Egypt and Sudan, on 27 May 1931 the Egyptian Council of Ministers approved the purchase of five aircraft and the building of an airfield at Almaza with a budget of 50,000 pounds. The first commander of the EAAF was Squadron Leader Victor Hubert Tait RAF, Tait selected staff, weapons and initiated building a number of airfields. In 1934 the British government provided ten Avro 626 aircraft, which were the first real Egyptian military planes, a further 17 626s together with Hawker Audaxes for army cooperation and close support and Avro Ansons for VIP work followed shortly afterward. In 1937 the Egyptian Army Air Force was separated from the Army Command, new stations were built in the Suez Canal Zone, and the Western Desert. As the Egyptian border was threatened by an Italian and German invasion during the Second World War, as a result, few additional aircraft were supplied by Britain, however the arm did receive its first modern fighters, Hawker Hurricanes and a small number of Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks. In the immediate period, cheap war surplus aircraft, including a large number of Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXs were acquired
45.
Tripoli
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Tripoli is the capital city and the largest city of Libya. Tripoli, with its area, has a population of about 1.1 million people. The city is located in the part of Libya on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean. Tripoli includes the Port of Tripoli and the countrys largest commercial and it is also the site of the University of Tripoli. The vast Bab al-Azizia barracks, which includes the family estate of Muammar Gaddafi, is also located in the city. Colonel Gaddafi largely ruled the country from his residence in this barracks, Tripoli was founded in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians, who named it Oea. Due to the long history, there are many sites of archaeological significance in Tripoli. Tripoli may also refer to the shabiyah, the Tripoli District, Tripoli is also known as Tripoli-of-the-West, to distinguish it from its Phoenician sister city Tripoli, Lebanon known in Arabic as Ṭarābulus al-Sham meaning Levantine Tripoli. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean, describing its turquoise waters, Tripoli English pronunciation, /ˈtrɪpəli/ is a Greek name that means Three Cities, introduced in Western European languages through the Italian Tripoli. In Arabic, طرابلس it is called Ṭarābulus, compare Sanskrit, tri meaning the number 3, and pura meaning a fortress, castle, city or town. Hence, in Sanskrit Tripura also means Three Cities, the city then passed into the hands of the rulers of Cyrenaica, although the Carthaginians later wrested it from the Greeks. By the later half of the 2nd century BC it belonged to the Romans, who included it in their province of Africa, and gave it the name of Regio Syrtica. Around the beginning of the 3rd century AD, it known as the Regio Tripolitana. It was probably raised to the rank of a province by Septimius Severus. In spite of centuries of Roman habitation, the only visible Roman remains, apart from scattered columns, the fact that Tripoli has been continuously inhabited, unlike e. g. Following the conquest, Tripoli was ruled by dynasties based in Cairo, Egypt, for some time it was a part of the Berber Almohad empire and of the Hafsids kingdom. It was part of the Ottoman Empire between the 16th and 19th centuries, finding themselves in very hostile territory, the Knights enhanced the citys walls and other defenses. Though built on top of a number of buildings, much of the earliest defensive structures of the Tripoli castle are attributed to the Knights of St John
46.
Dassault Mirage III
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The Dassault Mirage III is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fighter aircraft produced by Dassault Aviation for the French Air Force and widely exported. Prominent operators included Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and Israel, though an older design, the second-generation fighter is a fairly maneuverable aircraft and an effective opponent in close-range dogfighting. In French service it was armed with air-to-ground ordnance or R.550 Magic air-to-air missiles, the versatility of the design enabled production of trainer, reconnaissance and ground-attack versions, as well as the Dassault Mirage 5, Dassault Mirage IIIV and Atlas Cheetah variants. A Mirage III was the first Western European combat aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in horizontal flight.3 in level flight, the aircraft had a tailless delta configuration, with 5% thickness and 60° sweep. The tailless delta configuration has a number of limitations, the lack of a horizontal stabilizer meant that flaps cannot be used, resulting in a long takeoff run and a high landing speed. The delta wing itself limits maneuverability and suffers from buffeting at low altitude due to the wing area. However, the delta is a simple and pleasing design, easily built and robust, capable of speed in a straight line. The first prototype of the Mystère-Delta, without afterburning engines or rocket motor and with a large vertical stabilizer. After a redesign, the stabilizer was reduced in size, afterburners. In late 1955, the prototype attained Mach 1.3 in level flight without rocket assist, the small size of the Mirage I restricted its armament to a single air-to-air missile, and it was decided during flight trials that it was too small for a useful armament load. After trials, the Mirage I prototype was eventually scrapped.2 kN, the Atar was an axial-flow turbojet, derived from the German World War II BMW003 design. The new fighter was named the Mirage III, like the Mirage I, the Mirage III had provision for a booster rocket engine. The success of the Mirage III prototype resulted in an order for 10 pre-production Mirage IIIA fighters. These were almost 2 meters longer than the Mirage III prototype, had a wing with 17. 3% more area, a chord reduced to 4. 5%, and an Atar 09B turbojet with afterburning thrust of 58.9 kN. The SEPR841 rocket engine was retained, it was fitted with Thomson-CSF Cyrano Ibis air intercept radar, operational avionics. The first Mirage IIIA flew in May 1958 and eventually was clocked at Mach 2.2, the tenth IIIA was rolled out in December 1959. One was fitted with a Rolls-Royce Avon 67 engine with thrust of 71.1 kN as a test model for Australian evaluation and this variant flew in February 1961, but the Avon powerplant was not adopted. The first major production model, the Mirage IIIC, first flew in October 1960, the IIIC was largely similar to the IIIA, being less than a half meter longer and having a full operational fit
47.
Al Ain
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Al-Ain, also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the largest inland city in the United Arab Emirates, the fourth-largest overall, and the second-largest in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. With a population of 650,000, it is located approximately 160 kilometres east of the capital Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, and has the highest proportion of Emirati nationals. Al-Ain is located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, inland on the border with Oman, the freeways connecting Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the country, each city being roughly 130 kilometres from the other two. Historically a part of Ṫawam or Al Buraimi Oasis, Al-Ain has been inhabited for over 4,000 years, with archaeological sites showing human settlement at Al-Hili and Jabel Ḥafeeṫ. These early cultures built beehive tombs for their dead and engaged in hunting and gathering in the area, the oasis provided water for early farms until the modern age. A companion of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, Kaab Bin Ahbar, was sent to the region to introduce Islam to the people. He settled and died in the oasis, the forts currently in Al-Ain were built in the late 19th or early 20th century to solidify Abu Dhabis control over the oasis. Wilfred Thesiger visited Al-Ain in the late 1940s during his travels across the Empty Quarter and he met Sheikh Zayed and stayed with him at Al-Muwaiji Fort. This network of fortresses protected the Oases and settlements from bandit attacks, in 1952 Saudi Arabia sent raiders to capture Al-Ains fortresses and incorporate the oasis into the Saudi kingdom. Forces from the Trucial Oman Scouts, as well as the army of Muscat-Oman, with British intervention, the Saudi forces surrendered, leaving the oasis back in the hands of Abu Dhabi and Muscat-Oman. In 1971 Queen Elizabeth II visited the Hilton Hotel in the area, still in use, following independence in 1971, Al-Ain experienced rapid growth and investment as part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, quickly becoming larger and more successful than Omans Al-Buraimi. In 1972 Oman and Abu Dhabi agreed on the borders to divide Al-Buraimi. Until Sheikh Zayeds death in 2004, Al-Ains municipal code forbade construction of buildings over four storeys, with the exceptions of the Hilton, Danat Al Ain Resort, in the 1990s, a serious uprising occurred among the labourers of the industrial district of Al-Ain, Aṣ-Ṣanaiya. This uprising was suppressed by the UAE army and local police forces, all the labourers involved were interned and deported. Until 2006, Al-Buraimi and Al-Ain shared an open border and this border was closed in November 2006, and passport controls were imposed. Al-Ain is located in the region of Abu Dhabi Emirate just south of Dubai. The Eastern region covers an area of approximately 13,100 km², Oman lies to the east, Dubai and Sharjah to the north, Abu Dhabi to the west and the Empty Quarter desert and Saudi Arabia to the south. The topography of Al-Ain is unique and varies as one travel to the east, Jebel Hafeet is considered one of the monuments of Al-Ain, lying just to the southeast and rising to 1,300 m in elevation
United Arab Emirates
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