PREDATOR SPY PLANES: Aircraft in high demand

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

Armed Predator spy planes, in high demand by U.S. battlefield commanders for finding and killing terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be operated remotely later this year by a new squadron at Creech Air Force Base, a base spokesman said.

Lawmakers Slam B-52 Retirement Plan

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

The chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee this week expressed dismay over the Air Force's proposed plan to retire nearly half of its venerable B-52 bomber...

Australia to Buy 4 Boeing C-17 Airlifters

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will acquire up to four new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a heavy airlift capability.

Deadly AC-130 Gunships Returning to Iraq

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

The U.S. Air Force has begun moving heavily armed AC-130 airplanes - the lethal "flying gunships" of the Vietnam War - to a base in Iraq as commanders search for new tools to counter the Iraqi resistance, The Associated Press has learned.

Warner opposes abandoning GE-Rolls engine for fighter

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner said he opposes a Pentagon plan to cancel a Rolls-Royce Group Plc-General Electric Co. program to produce a back-up engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Global Hawk Conducts Test Flight over Japan

Posted at: Sat Mar 4th, 2006

TOKYO, March 4-(Kyodo) - The U.S. Air Force flew its Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle in Japanese airspace last month, government sources said Saturday. Washington may have wanted to demonstrate the Global Hawk's performance to Tokyo, which pl...