Visit us at www.belgian-wings.be http://www.facebook.com/groups/Belgianwings http://www.sv4b.be/ http://www.wingsofmemory.be/Eng.htm www.belgianaviationnews.be Many happy landings
2014-02-23
GAR Global Aviation Magazine - Issue 22: February / March 2014
More than 190 pages of aviation, Do you need something more on a Sunday morning ?
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Remembering COPE India.. ....
Very interesting article about the rising power of new players in the Air Superiotity arena.
Thx Louis for sharing
Su30 Indian Air Force (Wikipedia)
While the Pentagon brass tried to knock the IAF’s achievement, the USAF gave their Indian counterparts their due. Aviation Week & Space Technology’s David A. Fulghum, who spoke to the pilots of the 3rd Wing, quotes Colonel Mike Snodgrass, commander of the USAF’s 3rd Wing based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Arkansas: “The outcome of the exercise boils down to (the fact that) they ran tactics that were more advanced than we expected...They could come up with a game plan, but if it wasn't working they would call an audible and change (tactics in flight).”
About the capabilities of IAF pilots, USAF team leader Colonel Greg Newbech said: “What we’ve seen in the last two weeks is the IAF can stand toe-to-toe with the best air force in the world. I pity the pilot who has to face the IAF and chances the day to underestimate him; because he won’t be going home.About the different IAF fighters the six F-15Cs from the 3rd Wing encountered, Snodgrass said: “The two most formidable IAF aircraft proved to be the MiG-21 Bison, an upgraded version of the Russian-made baseline MiG-21, and the Su-30MK Flanker, also made in Russia”.
“They made good decisions about when to bring their strikers in. The MiG-21s would be embedded with a (MiG-27) Flogger for integral protection. There was a data link between the Flankers that was used to pass information. They built a very good (radar) picture of what we were doing and were able to make good decisions about when to roll (their aircraft) in and out.”
The Times of India summed up the aerial encounter: “The US Air Force underestimated the Indian Air Force pilots and their numerical skills. They thought these are another set of Iraqi or Iranian pilots.”
A different spin in D.C.
Used to hearing the United States is second only to god, the US leadership nearly burst a collective artery. The 3rd Wing had barely packed up its kit at Gwalior when Republican Congressman from California, Duke Cunningham, told a House Appropriations defence subcommittee hearing that USAF F-15Cs had been defeated more than 90 percent of the time in direct combat exercises against the IAF.
Handicapped and totally unprepared
First up, it’s true the F-15Cs that participated in Cope India 2004 were not equipped with the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. But then neither were the Indian jets. Secondly, at India’s request the USAF agreed to mock combat at 3-to-1 odds, which meant the six American jets were up against 18 IAF aircraft. And finally, the Americans agreed not to simulate their beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles. Doesn’t look like a fair fight.
But wait, ask yourself, which air force would spend millions of dollars on a fortnight long exercise that ends in a turkey shoot? Not the IAF, which is a highly professional service. Also, why would the USAF bring all that high-octane military gear all that way just to get a drubbing?
The IAF believes its strength is dogfighting, for which it trains hard as Western air forces. Secondly, the service did not deploy its advanced Su-30 MKI Flanker, only the older Su-30, because the MKI’s radar frequencies are classified. There’s little advantage in letting your adversary’s patron know your combat strategies.
The Indians wanting to even the odds is understandable but the United States accepting these handicaps seems counterintuitive. But in fact the USAF agreed because it was desperate to get a close look at the legendary Flanker.
The lopsided result can be explained in the difference in combat styles of the two air forces. While the IAF varied aircraft mixes, altitudes and formations, the American pilot seemed stuck in the static Cold War-style of ground-controlled interceptions, which gives little leeway to the individual pilot. Weaknesses in crew performance and limitations in their range of action were evident during the simulated aerial combat.
The 1982 wipeout of the Syrian Air Force by the Israelis in which 82 Syrian MiGs were downed against the loss of just two American-built Israeli Air Force jets had reinforced the myth of superiority of US jet fighters. Cope India 2004 showed the quality of the men in uniform matters more than the jets they fly.
Cope India 2005: Repeat performance
Another copout being used by some in the US defence fraternity is Cope India 2004 was staged to pave the way for the F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. However, these big-ticket projects – or rather white elephants – were already on their way, and did not need a push. It’s not like the guys at Lockheed were woken up the night after the Gwalior drubbing and asked to get back to work.
Air power dynamics
Ten years after that paradigm shifting exercise, the IAF strike forces are of an entirely different magnitude. The MiG-21s are being retired, and the MiG-27 will be gone by 2017. However, the increasingly modern versions of the Su-30MKI – having a loiter and combat persistence ability that has no Western equivalent – will continue to give the IAF’s adversaries and American aircraft designers many sleepless nights.
For the US, Cope India should be a wakeup call. Its overreliance on stealth and long range radar is resulting in a generation of leaden footed and predictable pilots. While this strategy will prevail against puny adversaries such as Iraq and Libya, the equation is entirely different when the opponent is well trained and innovative – like India or Vietnam.
Also, not underestimating the enemy would be a good idea too. For instance, while the performances of the IAF’s Mirage-2000 and Su-30 were expected, the MiG-21 Bison came as a nasty surprise to the USAF. The positive attributes of the MiG-21 such as low radar visibility, instantaneous turn rate and “jackrabbit acceleration" were critical factors at Cope India.
This has serious implications for air forces inducting stealth fighters. At some stage aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 will have to come within visual range and that’s when pocket rockets like the MiG-21 can be deadly. As Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation so succinctly put it, “In visual combat everybody dies at the same rate.”Plus, its new of helmet mounted sight and high-off-boresight R-73 air-to-air missiles turned the MiG-21 into a “Great Equaliser” in the WVR (within visual range) combat scenario. It also validated the claim of Russian officials that they are capable of converting second generation late-model MiG-21 fighters to Generation 4 combat platforms.
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s good the Americans discovered their shortcomings in peace rather than war. Had the pilots of the 3rd Wing come up against the might of Russian air power during the Cold War, they probably wouldn’t have winged it back to Arkansas.
Thx Louis for sharing
Forwarded message - From: Louis Nève
Cope India: How the IAF rewrote the rules of air combat
Rakesh Krishnan Simha
.jpg/800px-SU-30MKI-g4sp_-_edit_2(clipped).jpg)
Su30 Indian Air Force (Wikipedia)
Exactly 10 years ago, in the space of just 13 days, the Indian Air Force dealt a massive blow to the myth of invincibility of the US Air Force. At the Cope India exercise held at the Gwalior air force range on February 15-27, 2004, Indian pilots reportedly notched up an astounding 9:1 kill ratio against the all-powerful USAF, sending shock waves through the American defence establishment.
While the Pentagon brass tried to knock the IAF’s achievement, the USAF gave their Indian counterparts their due. Aviation Week & Space Technology’s David A. Fulghum, who spoke to the pilots of the 3rd Wing, quotes Colonel Mike Snodgrass, commander of the USAF’s 3rd Wing based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Arkansas: “The outcome of the exercise boils down to (the fact that) they ran tactics that were more advanced than we expected...They could come up with a game plan, but if it wasn't working they would call an audible and change (tactics in flight).”
About the capabilities of IAF pilots, USAF team leader Colonel Greg Newbech said: “What we’ve seen in the last two weeks is the IAF can stand toe-to-toe with the best air force in the world. I pity the pilot who has to face the IAF and chances the day to underestimate him; because he won’t be going home.About the different IAF fighters the six F-15Cs from the 3rd Wing encountered, Snodgrass said: “The two most formidable IAF aircraft proved to be the MiG-21 Bison, an upgraded version of the Russian-made baseline MiG-21, and the Su-30MK Flanker, also made in Russia”.
“They made good decisions about when to bring their strikers in. The MiG-21s would be embedded with a (MiG-27) Flogger for integral protection. There was a data link between the Flankers that was used to pass information. They built a very good (radar) picture of what we were doing and were able to make good decisions about when to roll (their aircraft) in and out.”
The Times of India summed up the aerial encounter: “The US Air Force underestimated the Indian Air Force pilots and their numerical skills. They thought these are another set of Iraqi or Iranian pilots.”
A different spin in D.C.
Used to hearing the United States is second only to god, the US leadership nearly burst a collective artery. The 3rd Wing had barely packed up its kit at Gwalior when Republican Congressman from California, Duke Cunningham, told a House Appropriations defence subcommittee hearing that USAF F-15Cs had been defeated more than 90 percent of the time in direct combat exercises against the IAF.
Handicapped and totally unprepared
Cunningham’s revelation kicked up a huge uproar in Washington DC. Some Western military observers attempted to debunk the results, claiming the USAF did not bring its true ‘go-to-war-gear’ to these exercises and that the American pilots fought with several handicaps. What really happened?
First up, it’s true the F-15Cs that participated in Cope India 2004 were not equipped with the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. But then neither were the Indian jets. Secondly, at India’s request the USAF agreed to mock combat at 3-to-1 odds, which meant the six American jets were up against 18 IAF aircraft. And finally, the Americans agreed not to simulate their beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles. Doesn’t look like a fair fight.
But wait, ask yourself, which air force would spend millions of dollars on a fortnight long exercise that ends in a turkey shoot? Not the IAF, which is a highly professional service. Also, why would the USAF bring all that high-octane military gear all that way just to get a drubbing?
The IAF believes its strength is dogfighting, for which it trains hard as Western air forces. Secondly, the service did not deploy its advanced Su-30 MKI Flanker, only the older Su-30, because the MKI’s radar frequencies are classified. There’s little advantage in letting your adversary’s patron know your combat strategies.
The Indians wanting to even the odds is understandable but the United States accepting these handicaps seems counterintuitive. But in fact the USAF agreed because it was desperate to get a close look at the legendary Flanker.
The lopsided result can be explained in the difference in combat styles of the two air forces. While the IAF varied aircraft mixes, altitudes and formations, the American pilot seemed stuck in the static Cold War-style of ground-controlled interceptions, which gives little leeway to the individual pilot. Weaknesses in crew performance and limitations in their range of action were evident during the simulated aerial combat.
Why the USAF came up short
Also, US fighter pilots train in a closed system where delusion in the America military’s superiority reigns supreme. The belief is that overwhelming numbers – recall the 1000 bomber raids over defenceless and tiny Iraq – and technological pyrotechnics allow the US to dominate without sweating it out.
The 1982 wipeout of the Syrian Air Force by the Israelis in which 82 Syrian MiGs were downed against the loss of just two American-built Israeli Air Force jets had reinforced the myth of superiority of US jet fighters. Cope India 2004 showed the quality of the men in uniform matters more than the jets they fly.
Cope India 2005: Repeat performance
Because of the storm kicked up by Cope India 2004, the following year the IAF and USAF opted for exercises that had mixed teams of Indian and American pilots on both sides. But observers and participants at Cope India 2005 said in a surprising number of encounters – particularly between USAF F-16s and Indian Su-30 MKIs – the Indian pilots came out on top.
Stealth myth
Stealth myth
Cope India 2005 proved the previous year’s IAF performance was no fluke. Retired air commodore Jasjit Singh, who was also director of the new Delhi-based Centre for Air Power Studies said: “Since the Cold War, there has been the general assumption that India is a third world country with Soviet technology, and wherever Soviet-supported equipment went, it didn't perform well. That myth has been blown away by the results.”
Another copout being used by some in the US defence fraternity is Cope India 2004 was staged to pave the way for the F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. However, these big-ticket projects – or rather white elephants – were already on their way, and did not need a push. It’s not like the guys at Lockheed were woken up the night after the Gwalior drubbing and asked to get back to work.
Air power dynamics
Ten years after that paradigm shifting exercise, the IAF strike forces are of an entirely different magnitude. The MiG-21s are being retired, and the MiG-27 will be gone by 2017. However, the increasingly modern versions of the Su-30MKI – having a loiter and combat persistence ability that has no Western equivalent – will continue to give the IAF’s adversaries and American aircraft designers many sleepless nights.
For the US, Cope India should be a wakeup call. Its overreliance on stealth and long range radar is resulting in a generation of leaden footed and predictable pilots. While this strategy will prevail against puny adversaries such as Iraq and Libya, the equation is entirely different when the opponent is well trained and innovative – like India or Vietnam.
Also, not underestimating the enemy would be a good idea too. For instance, while the performances of the IAF’s Mirage-2000 and Su-30 were expected, the MiG-21 Bison came as a nasty surprise to the USAF. The positive attributes of the MiG-21 such as low radar visibility, instantaneous turn rate and “jackrabbit acceleration" were critical factors at Cope India.
This has serious implications for air forces inducting stealth fighters. At some stage aircraft like the F-22 and F-35 will have to come within visual range and that’s when pocket rockets like the MiG-21 can be deadly. As Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation so succinctly put it, “In visual combat everybody dies at the same rate.”Plus, its new of helmet mounted sight and high-off-boresight R-73 air-to-air missiles turned the MiG-21 into a “Great Equaliser” in the WVR (within visual range) combat scenario. It also validated the claim of Russian officials that they are capable of converting second generation late-model MiG-21 fighters to Generation 4 combat platforms.
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s good the Americans discovered their shortcomings in peace rather than war. Had the pilots of the 3rd Wing come up against the might of Russian air power during the Cold War, they probably wouldn’t have winged it back to Arkansas.
New Book Léon de Brouckère - Belgisch Luchtvaartpionier
Until now the works of the pionneer Léon de Brouckère was a subject of discussion here as it was very few information availlable.
Thankx to Jan Lantmeeters book, this story will be now known.
Thanks to Dirk & Jan for sharing
Thankx to Jan Lantmeeters book, this story will be now known.
Thanks to Dirk & Jan for sharing
From: Jan Lantmeeters
Verkrijgbaar vanaf 12 april 2014:
Zie ook www.luchtvaartboeken.nl
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Jan Lantmeeters
*: Jan Lantmeeters, Schabartstraat 38, 3600 Genk
2014-02-21
Lu sur 7s7: "L'aéroport de Charleroi n'a jamais reçu d'aides"
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European Space Agency : Le regard perçant de Proba-V travaille sans relâche
18-02-2014 09:24 AM CET
Plus de 5000 images, 65 cartes quotidiennes et six synthèses mondiales sur dix jours, plus un coup d’œil rapide aux Jeux Olympiques : durant ses deux premiers mois de travail, le mini satellite d’observation de la végétation Proba-V a produit une précieuse récolte pour une centaine d’équipes scientifiques du monde entier.
European Space Agency : Haarscherpe beelden van Proba-V de klok rond
18-02-2014 09:24 AM CET
De minisatelliet Proba-V is ‘made in Belgium’ en heeft gedurende zijn eerste twee operationele maanden een rijke oogst aan gegevens verzameld over de vegetatie op onze planeet voor zowat honderd wetenschappelijke teams over heel de wereld. En hij krijgt weldra een Vietnamees broertje.
Datanews : La Flandre aura sa 'dronevalley': de petits avions sans pilote au pays des fruiticulteurs (Brustem)
L’ex-aérodrome militaire de Brustem devrait devenir la “fruit- & dronevalley” de la Flandre.
Thinkstock
“Nous pourrons développer la jeune industrie des drones à Brustem et tester les appareils. Cette industrie en est encore à ses débuts, mais les petits avions sans pilote offriront bien plus de possibilités que simplement délivrer du courrier et de petits colis. C’est ainsi que les drones pourront être utilisés pour détecter et combattre les maladies des plantes”, a ajouté Heerlen.
Les petits avions sans pilote sont mis au point par l’entreprise Skyeye (http://www.aerialvideoproductions.eu/) installée à Genk et spécialisée dans les applications drone et les services pour le secteur audiovisuel.
http://datanews.levif.be/ict/actualite/la-flandre-aura-sa-dronevalley-de-petits-avions-sans-pilote-au-pays-des-fruiticulteurs/article-4000535830875.htm?nb-handled=true&utm_source=Newsletter-21/02/2014&utm-medium=Email&utm-campaign=Newsletter-RNBDATANFR
Lu sur 7s7: La grève de Francfort cause des annulations à Bruxelles
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Video Avro Lancaster
Thx Alex for sharing
Un vieux bombardier de la guerre 40-45 dans un musée, c'est impressionnant.
Mais quand il vole, c'est encore bien mieux.
Mais quand il vole, c'est encore bien mieux.
A voir en plein écran, écouter au casque avec du volume.
JT
J' ai le plaisir de vous présenter, ce magnifique reportage, dédié à cet avion le "LANCASTER"
Pour les férus ou les nostalgiques de cette ancienne génération d' avion,
je vous souhaite un bon vol, comme si vous y étiez.
Tout y est : (Les 7 hommes d'équipage à leur poste)
- Le bruit des moteurs ( 4 x Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 de 1280 CV chacun, voire de 1460 CV chacun en version Mk 1)
- Les vibrations (Si,Si... avec la caméra)
- 1500 pieds en palier (450 m)
- Vario 0
- 2100 trs sur les 4 moulins
- Mitrailleurs à leur poste, mitrailleuses engagées (8 à 10 mitrailleuses de 7,70 mm suivant la version - Cal 303)
- "Paré à larguer" (de 6500 à 8000 kgs de bombes)
Manque plus que les odeurs d'huile et d' essence...
Cliquer sur l'adresse ci-dessous
http://player.vimeo.com/video/15498493
http://player.vimeo.com/video/15498493
Avro Lancaster Flight from Transgressive Media on Vimeo.
Date: October 2nd, 2010.
Location: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
www.warplane.com
2014-02-20
Event Luchtvaartdag 2014 03 08
Thx Dirk for sharing. Excellent initiative from the Flemish authorities and a good occasion to meet friends
Het Vlaams gewest houdt op 8/3/2014 een “opendeur” op de luchthavens van Antwerpen, Brussel, Oostende en Wevelgem.
Hierbij voorblad van het programmaboekje.
Website : www.luchtvaartdag.be
Video : "F16 and Spitfire / Belgian Air Force [Full HD]"
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Avion détourné vers Genève : en dehors des heures de travail, la ...
Thx Alex, (Thx God ! We have still an Air Force Here ;-))
Forwarded message - From: Alex Malengrez <
Incroyable apathie de l'aviation Suisse,
Subject: Avion détourné vers Genève : en dehors des heures de travail, la ...
Book De Krijger : La bataille de mons
A wonderfull new book from De Krijger
BOURDON (Yves) — Le premier choc. La Bataille de Mons. 23-24 août 1914. Mere, De Krijger, 2014. In-8° collé, 364 p., illustrations.
En quatrième de couverture :
Le 4 août 1914, l'armée allemande pénètre en Belgique. Un temps arrêtée par l'action des forts de Liège, elle poursuit sa marche inexorable vers l'ouest. La position fortifiée de Namur tombe ; puis ce sera la désastreuse bataille de Charleroi qui entraîne une retraite française généralisée.
Le 22 août, le BEF (corps expéditionnaire britannique), partiellement rassemblé après son débarquement sur le continent, est envoyé vers Maubeuge. Pensant soutenir l'avance de l'allié français, il est dirigé vers l'ouest de la Belgique (Binche-Mons-Borinage) sans avoir été mis au courant ni de l'importance des forces qui lui seront opposées ni de la désastreuse situation militaire sur le terrain. C'est dans le secteur minier de Mons-Borinage que le choc se produira entre envahisseurs allemands et défenseurs britanniques. La disproportion des forces est importante mais, confronté à la toute puissance allemande, le BEF tiendra sur place et freinera l'avance des troupes impériales. Aucun des deux belligérants n'avait pourtant désiré combattre en ces lieux difficiles à attaquer mais encore plus malaisés à défendre. Seul le hasard fit que cet engagement d'importance, qui deviendra la « Bataille de Mons » (23-24 août 1914), eut lieu en milieu urbain, causant de nombreuses destructions dans des agglomérations surpeuplées et semant la misère dans les cités ouvrières. Mais, malgré ce coup du sort, le fait d'armes britannique de Mons entrera dans la légende en Grande-Bretagne. Et même plus puisque beaucoup y verront une influence divine lors de l'apparition des fameux « Anges de Mons »...
Dans cet ouvrage original fort bien documenté, l'auteur décrit avec une parfaite précision et un grand sérieux le déroulement complet des engagements de tous les bataillons du BEF tout en soulignant le courage, l'abnégation et les souffrances des combattants des deux camps et en sortant de l'oubli de superbes actions d'éclats – comme la charge de cavalerie des 9th lancers et 4th Royal irish dragoon Guards, action issue en droite ligne d'un autre âge (et illustrant la couverture du présent ouvrage).
http://monsenlivresetenimages.blogspot.be/2014/02/la-bataille-de-mons-23-24-aout-1914-par.html
La Bataille de Mons. 23-24 août 1914, par Yves Bourdon.
BOURDON (Yves) — Le premier choc. La Bataille de Mons. 23-24 août 1914. Mere, De Krijger, 2014. In-8° collé, 364 p., illustrations.En quatrième de couverture :
Le 4 août 1914, l'armée allemande pénètre en Belgique. Un temps arrêtée par l'action des forts de Liège, elle poursuit sa marche inexorable vers l'ouest. La position fortifiée de Namur tombe ; puis ce sera la désastreuse bataille de Charleroi qui entraîne une retraite française généralisée.
Le 22 août, le BEF (corps expéditionnaire britannique), partiellement rassemblé après son débarquement sur le continent, est envoyé vers Maubeuge. Pensant soutenir l'avance de l'allié français, il est dirigé vers l'ouest de la Belgique (Binche-Mons-Borinage) sans avoir été mis au courant ni de l'importance des forces qui lui seront opposées ni de la désastreuse situation militaire sur le terrain. C'est dans le secteur minier de Mons-Borinage que le choc se produira entre envahisseurs allemands et défenseurs britanniques. La disproportion des forces est importante mais, confronté à la toute puissance allemande, le BEF tiendra sur place et freinera l'avance des troupes impériales. Aucun des deux belligérants n'avait pourtant désiré combattre en ces lieux difficiles à attaquer mais encore plus malaisés à défendre. Seul le hasard fit que cet engagement d'importance, qui deviendra la « Bataille de Mons » (23-24 août 1914), eut lieu en milieu urbain, causant de nombreuses destructions dans des agglomérations surpeuplées et semant la misère dans les cités ouvrières. Mais, malgré ce coup du sort, le fait d'armes britannique de Mons entrera dans la légende en Grande-Bretagne. Et même plus puisque beaucoup y verront une influence divine lors de l'apparition des fameux « Anges de Mons »...
Dans cet ouvrage original fort bien documenté, l'auteur décrit avec une parfaite précision et un grand sérieux le déroulement complet des engagements de tous les bataillons du BEF tout en soulignant le courage, l'abnégation et les souffrances des combattants des deux camps et en sortant de l'oubli de superbes actions d'éclats – comme la charge de cavalerie des 9th lancers et 4th Royal irish dragoon Guards, action issue en droite ligne d'un autre âge (et illustrant la couverture du présent ouvrage).
30 euros (code de commande : 21269).
Si vous souhaitez commander ce livre,
envoyez-nous un message à
courrier@loiseaulire.com
ou à
loiseaulire@gmail.com
en indiquant le code de commande et le pays vers lequel le colis devrait être expédié,
en réponse, nous vous communiquerons
les conditions de paiement et d'envoi.
courrier@loiseaulire.com
ou à
loiseaulire@gmail.com
en indiquant le code de commande et le pays vers lequel le colis devrait être expédié,
en réponse, nous vous communiquerons
les conditions de paiement et d'envoi.
http://monsenlivresetenimages.blogspot.be/2014/02/la-bataille-de-mons-23-24-aout-1914-par.html
L'année 2014 marque le lancement des commémorations de la grande guerre 14-18. Et particulièrement la ...
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