iscover
The flight test program of the Northrop/MDC YF-23 ATF is reportedly proceeding well. The aircraft has completed its first supersonic flights using only dry thrust in an initial demonstration of its unprecedented 'supercruise' capability. The P&W YF119 turbofan-powered aircraft has also completed its first aerial refuelling. Testing continues, with the second YF-23, to be powered by GE YF120 engines, undergoing final preflight checkouts.
Newsdesk – Military Aviation
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Raaf Faces Five-Year Skill Gap:
The Royal Australian Air Force may take up to five years to recover from personnel losses caused by the spate of heavy airline aircrew recruitment of recent years. In an interview with Jane’s Defence Weekly, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air V iceMarshal T O’Brien, stated that the drain of experienced, skilled personnel from the RAAF had virtually ceased. Qantas and most other airlines which were taking RAAF personnel have slowed their recruitment drives, which is enabling the RAAF to retain aircrew. The RAAF claims it can now man all of its operational aircraft, though AVM O’Brien did concede that it may take five years to overcome the “experience gap” caused by trained personnel departures.
Thrust V Ector Flanker for Service:
A new version of the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker using two dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles for higher manoeuvrability is in the final stages of its test program. Confirmation that the test program is underway is the first indication that the enhanced manoeuvrability Flanker 1s being considered for frontline operations. The 2D thrust nozzle development is just one of a number of ongoing improvements to the Flanker aimed at improving manouvreability and performance. Further improvements are being made to the Su-27’s AL-31F engine by the Lyulka engine design bureau with the aim being increased thrust, life cycle and reliability as well as reduced maintenance costs. The improved engine is expected to have a thrust rating of at least 30,000lb. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the foreplane equipped Flanker version has entered service with the Soviet navy for eventual use aboard their aircraft carriers. The foreplane improves the coefficiency of lift for the naval fighter variants and is unconnected with the 2D nozzle program
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