Saturday, June 12, 2010

DTN News: We will Not Give Israel Air Corridor For Iran Strike Says Saudi Arabia

DTN News: We will Not Give Israel Air Corridor For Iran Strike Says Saudi Arabia **Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf refutes Times of London report saying Saudi Arabia practiced standing down its anti-aircraft systems to allow an Israeli bomb run. Source: DTN News / By Haaretz Service (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 13, 2010: Saudi Arabia would not allow Israeli bombers to pass through its airspace en route to a possible strike of Iran's nuclear facilities, a member of the Saudi royal family said Saturday, denying an earlier Times of London report. Earlier Saturday, the Times reported that Saudi Arabia has practiced standing down its anti-aircraft systems to allow Israeli warplanes passage on their way to attack Iran's nuclear installations, adding that the Saudis have allocated a narrow corridor of airspace in the north of the country. Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, the Saudi envoy to the U.K. speaking to the London-based Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, denied that report, saying such a move "would be against the policy adopted and followed by the Kingdom." According to Asharq al-Awsat report, bin Nawaf reiterated the Saudi Arabia's rejection of any violation of its territories or airspace, adding that it would be "illogical to allow the Israeli occupying force, with whom Saudi Arabia has no relations whatsoever, to use its land and airspace." Earlier, the Times quoted an unnamed U.S. defense source as saying that "the Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way. "They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren’t scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [U.S.] State Department."Once the Israelis had passed, the kingdom’s air defenses would return to full alert, the Times said.Despite tensions between them, Israel and Saudi Arabia share a mutual hostility to Iran. "We all know this. We will let them [the Israelis] through and see nothing,” the Times quoted a Saudi government source as saying. According to the report, the four main targets for an Israeli raid on Iran would be uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz and Qom, a gas storage development at Isfahan and a heavy-water reactor at Arak. Secondary targets may include a Russian-built light water reactor at Bushehr, which could produce weapons-grade plutonium when complete.Even with midair refueling, the targets would be as the far edge of Israeli bombers' range at a distance of some 2,250km. An attack would likely involve several waves of aircraft, possibly crossing Jordan, northern Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Aircraft attacking Bushehr, on the Gulf coast, could swing beneath Kuwait to strike from the southwest, the Times said. Passing over Iraq would require at least tacit consent to the raid from the United States, whose troops are occupying the country. So far, the Obama Administration has refused this. On Wednesday the United Nations passed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran in an attempt to force it to stop enriching uranium. But immediately after the UN vote, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed the nuclear program would continue. Israel hailed the vote – but said sanctions were not enough and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to rule out a raid. Netanyahu's predecessor, Ehud Olmert, is believed to have held secret meetings with high-ranking Saudi officials over Iran. *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Indian Air Force To Begin Test Trials C-17 Globemaster III Heavy-Lift Transport Aircraft This Month June, 2010

DTN News: Indian Air Force To Begin Test Trials C-17 Globemaster III Heavy-Lift Transport Aircraft This Month June, 2010
Source: DTN News By Roger Smith
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 13, 2010: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to begin trials of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift transport aircraft, of which it intends to purchase 10, by the end of the month, an official said. "It should happen in the next two weeks," the official told media on condition of anonymity. "The trials should last about 10 days," he added of the evaluation process of the aircraft, which has a carrying capacity of 75 tonnes. The trials are likely to be conducted in the same manner as the IAF is evaluating the six combat jets in contention for an order for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft. This means the C-17, which can take off from unprepared airstrips as short as 3,000 metres, will be put through its paces in the icy heights of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, the deserts of Rajasthan and the humid conditions of south India. Price negotiations will begin after the trials and the first aircraft should arrive within two years of Boeing receiving a letter of acceptance, the official said. Asked how long it would take for IAF pilots to convert to the C-17, the official said: "Pilots who have done a reasonable number of hours on the Il-76 (the IAF's current heavy lift aircraft) can convert to command status in a few months." The US Congress has cleared the sale of the C-17 to India. The Obama administration had notified Congress April 23 of the potential sale of 10 aircraft and sought objections or approval. The aircraft are being sold to India under the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, with the maximum package value of $5.8 billion. This includes the 3.8 percent administrative fee the government charges to ensure timely delivery and guarantee the supplies. According to DTN News, the actual cost of the C-17 aircraft would be less as India would not be buying all the options that are offered with it and the 3.8 percent fee would be payable only on the actual amount of the deal. In some countries, the administrative fee ranges up to 18 percent. The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, had said last year that it was looking for ten C-17s, described in its parlance as VHTAC, or Very Heavy Transport Aircraft, as a replacement for its ageing fleet of Soviet vintage IL-76 transports. He also spoke of a repeat order for 10 more aircraft. The US Air Force has ordered 223 C-17s, of which 198 have been delivered. The aircraft, which first flew in 1991, was inducted in 1995. Boeing plans to continue production for about five years to ensure deliveries to the US Air Force (24), the United Arab Emirates (six), Britain (seven) and India (10).
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Ornge Takes Delivery Of The First FIPS-Equipped AW139 EMS

DTN News: Ornge Takes Delivery Of The First FIPS-Equipped AW139 EMS
Source: DTN News / AgustaWestland
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 12, 2010: AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Ornge of Ontario, Canada, has taken delivery of the first of ten AW139 medium twin helicopters. The helicopters are being produced at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility. The contract includes an option for two additional aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with an advanced full aero-medical interior and is the first EMS-configured AW139 in North America featuring the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) for flights in known icing conditions with real all weather capability. The delivery of this aircraft follows the recently achieved TCAA Certifications for the FIPS system with EASA and FAA Certification already achieved. The AW139 is the first helicopter in its weight category to receive FIPS Certification. Lou Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, North America said “We are proud to deliver the best medium twin helicopter for emergency medical service duties to such a leading aero-medical operator and to the benefit of the large community they serve. The AW139 will enable Ornge to significantly enhance its operational capabilities thanks to outstanding performance, dedicated mission tools and a state-of-the-art de-icing system which is a first on the world helicopter market. This ensures Ornge will successfully accomplish the mission of saving lives even in the most demanding weather conditions when other types would be confined to the hangar.” “As innovators in transport medicine, Ornge is always in pursuit of cutting-edge advances in aviation that will positively impact our efforts to deliver excellence in patient care,” said Dr. Christopher Mazza, President and CEO of Ornge. “We believe that the FIPS-equipped AW139 represents a major step in that advancement, and we are proud to be the first system of our kind in North America to take receipt of one. With greater ability to respond to our environment through FIPS, as well as the many other capabilities and features of the AW139, this helicopter will provide our pilots, paramedics and patients with unparalleled safety and operational flexibility in the sky.” Designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, the AW139 is capable of carrying up to four litters and four medical attendants, in the most spacious cabin and with the best power reserve of any other helicopter in the medium twin-engine class. The internal dimensions of the large and unobstructed AW139 cabin make it an ideal choice for EMS and SAR applications. The flat floor and ceiling provide maximum cabin space and easy reconfiguration. An eight cubic meter cabin that is 1.42 meters high allows medical attendants easy access to casualties. Litter layout ranges from two to four in medevac configuration. If cabin access to the large baggage compartment is utilized, litter capacity can be increased to six. The AW139 is the fastest helicopter in its class with a maximum cruise speed of 167 knots and has outstanding performance, even in hot and high conditions, thanks to the two powerful P&W PT6C-67C engines. More than 460 AW139 helicopters have been ordered so far by over 120 customers in almost 50 countries to perform various roles including EMS, search and rescue, offshore transport, VIP/Corporate transport, law enforcement, fire fighting, utility and government duties. Ornge is a not-for-profit charitable organization that coordinates all aspects of Ontario's aero-medical transport system. Ornge operates one of the largest aero medical and critical care land transport medicine programs in North America and currently has more than 400 employees in eight areas of operation. This includes over 200 paramedics, paediatric transport paramedics and transport medicine physicians. Ornge's expertise in transport medicine lies in its ability to serve more than 12 million Ontarians throughout a geographic area of 1 million square kilometres, delivering its scope of services through comprehensive door-to-door acute care aero medical transport.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com