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The first Lockheed Hercules to be converted to full passenger configuration has completed FA A flight testing and has received a supplemental type certificate (STC). The conversion work was undertaken by Lockheed Aeromod Center and enables the aircraft to be operated as a passenger carrying airliner. It will enter service as such with Merpati Airlines of Indonesia
Newsdesk – Military Aviation
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More Soviet Defence Reductions:
The United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) have concluded that as the Soviet economy is in a state of “near crisis”, the nation’s defence spending will reduce (in real terms) both this year and next. It is estimated that in 1989 Soviet defence spending dropped 4-5% compared to 1988, the peak year. Personnel levels have reduced by 200,000, spending on operations have been cut by 5% and research and development expenditure has been reduced by a massive 14%, according to the agencies’ estimates. Other cuts resulting from Mikhail Gorbachev promises made at the United Nations in 1988 include the withdrawal of 5,000 tanks, 600 combat aircraft and 6,000 artillery systems. Further, Soviet tank production fell by 51% from 3,500 to 1,700 units in 1989 and is expected to fall again this year, while fighter bomber production dropped from 700 to 625 units. On the other side of the coin is the fact that more modern equipment withdrawn has not been destroyed as hoped but merely placed into storage.
Aussies Glow Big at Boscombe Down:
An RAAF F-111C from Amberley demonstrated the true meaning of aerial firepower recently at the 50th Anniversary Battle of Britain Airshow at Boscombe Down in England when it conducted its “torching’ routine (wherein fuel jettisoned from between the jetpipes is ignited in spectacular fashion by exhaust gases from the engines in afterburner).
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