Fleet size, Stand-off Jammer fate in doubt

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

Despite recent indications from Pentagon officials that the size of the Air Force's B-52 bomber fleet may be cut nearly in half, service officials have not asked the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing to alter modernization plans for the venerable fleet, according ...

Nasa spending to support shuttle

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

Despite massive budget shortfalls and a looming retirement date, the US space agency (Nasa) will not abandon its shuttle programme and will keep its promise to finish building the International Space Station.

Fuel leak grounds Steve Fossett

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

Adventurer Steve Fossett has postponed his three-day non-stop flight around the world because of mechanical problems and poor wind conditions. His Virgin GlobalFlyer plane was set to take off from the space shuttle runway in Florida, but the American stood down his team just before 1...

Defense Budget 101 - How much are we really spending?

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

The new military budget-released Monday by the White House and the Pentagon-has even more smoke, mirrors, and rabbit-stuffed sleeves than usual. Let us first dispel the official claim, blithely recited by most news reports, that this budget amounts to $439.3 billion—in itself a stag...

One Small Step for Drones

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

PALMDALE, Calif. -- For decades, Lockheed Martin Corp. has pioneered innovative warplanes -- the kind that take pilots higher, faster and more stealthily into enemy airspace. Now, the defense giant is diving into a sizzling market that it previously ceded to rivals, one that will keep pilots on the ...

Nighthawk set for retirement

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

WASHINGTON - The F-117A Nighthawk, the stealth fighter that launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, is "long in the tooth" and among the Southern California defense programs being put out to pasture, Pentagon officials said Monday as they ...

India's MiG-29 jets to be upgraded by Russia

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

NEW DELHI: India is finalising a proposal to have its fleet of 67 MiG-29 multi-role fighters refurbished for $888 million by the Russian company RSK-MiG, but the upgrade programme is already two years behind schedule.

US Air Force budget has $8 bln for tankers by 2011

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush's defense budget plan for fiscal 2007 earmarks $250 million to start replacing the military's aging fleet of aerial refueling tankers, a top U.S. Air Force budget official said on Monday.

Fossett aims for longest nonstop flight record

Posted at: Tue Feb 7th, 2006

CAPE CANAVERAL (Reuters) - Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett sets out on Tuesday for what he hopes to be the longest nonstop flight ever made by an aircraft. The 61-year-old Fossett, who already holds piloting, ballooning, sailing and other endurance records, was not entirely confi...