Category Archives: Technology

Technology

Vehicle I-D: EA-6B Prowler upclose & thirsty

Video

Video, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker refuels Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2) EA-6B over Iraq, June 2018:

Video, night refueling over Persian Gulf, June 2018:

Video, EA-6B Prowler assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) gets fuel from a KC-130 near Welton, Arizona, 05OCT2017:

Over Iraq, August 2017.

Video, somewhere over The Middle East, KC-10 Extender refuels EA-6B, July 2016:

Off the coast of North Carolina, refueled by KC-130J Super Hercules, September 2015.

Gulf of Alaska, June 2015.

U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler refueling over Afghanistan, 30DEC2014.

September 2011, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139 EA-6B gets fuel from Strike Fighter Squadron 154 F/A-18E Super Hornet.

Video, refueling over Afghanistan, May 2011:

Somewhere over The Middle East, May 2011.

Video, refueling over Iraq, May 2011:

Over Afghanistan, March 2011.

Being refueled by F/A-18E Super Hornet over Austria, March 2009.

Refueled by S-3B Viking off the coast of Japan, March 2008.

Refueling over Kyrgyzstan, March 2006.

Vehicle I-D: KC-130J REFUELS MV-22B IN FLIGHT, COOL VID!

Vehicle I-D:  AERIAL REFUEL USMC CH-53 STUD

Pandemic Overflight: KC-135

Kit Bashing, Technology

Model kit E-8 JSTARS gate guard

Image

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

Personnel at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, volunteer to assemble a giant model of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), 20MAY2020.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

The official reason for the giant model is “to inspire pride”.

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Goldberger, 20MAY2020.

1:1 SCALE WIND TUNNEL MODELS?

U.S. MARINES USE ‘FAKE NEWS’ MIG-23

RETIRED USN CRAFTSMAN RECALLS DAYS OF BEING PAID TO BUILD GIANT MODEL PLANES!

Technology

Hi-Tech Fail: XQ-58A, the other Valkyrie, already a failed museum piece?

Video

On 23JAN2020, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (Kratos) conducted a successful 4th flight of the XQ-58A low-cost, long-range attack ‘drone’ (Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology), over the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG) in Arizona.

Length 9.14m, wingspan 8.2m, dry weight 1134kg, maximum take-off weight 2722kg.  Internal bomb-bay with two GBU-39 bombs, wings will have hard points for weapons, maximum payload of 544kg.  Turbofan engine producing 2000lb thrust.

“The Valkyrie is a remarkable accomplishment requiring a highly collaborative approach to meet the program’s performance and cost objectives, all while achieving first flight in 30 months.”-Doug Szczublewski, AFRL, November 2019

Apparently one of the innovations of the XQ-58A team is the creation of an 11-feet long air intake duct made with resins.

Kratos representatives say the XQ-58A and its launcher can fit inside a standard Conex shipping container.  (USAF finds new use for Conex: NEGATIVE PRESSURE FLYING HOSPITALS?)

Short silent video from the first flight, 05MAR2019, over YPG:

In October 2019 the new Valkyrie crashed while landing, high-speed winds and failure of the ‘recovery system’ being blamed.  Supposedly it does not need a paved runway to land on (using parachutes and airbags), and can conduct a wide-range of missions (surveillance, reconnaissance and long-range combat) at far less the cost of current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, aka drones).

Second test flight on 11JUN2019. USAF photo.

It is also hoped that it can act as an unmanned wingman for piloted, and super expensive, F-35 aircraft (by encrypted data link).  The USAF has been very quiet about this new aircraft, so far releasing only a couple of pics and the short silent video.   Despite 2019’s crash, production has already started: “We are leaning forward here, ahead of the expected contract awards as we are highly confident that receipt of initial Valkyrie production contracts is not if, but when….”-Eric DeMarco, Kratos

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, 09DEC2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Joshua King.

USAF video, from December 2020, admitting that the XQ-58A was a failure:

During the 09DEC2020 test, the F-35 Lightning-2, and an F-22 Raptor, were supposed to be able to ‘communicate’ with their unmanned wingman, the XQ-58A. It didn’t work. Photo via Air Force Magazine.

In July 2021, the ‘advanced’ XQ-58 Valkyrie suddenly became a museum piece in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. USAF photo by Ty Greenlees.

The company that made the XQ-58A (with taxpayer funding) still lists it as one of their available products.  According to a July 2022 U.S. Air Force Magazine article, two more XQ-58A drones are being used in the Skyborg program (TERMINATOR: NEW F-16/X-62 SKYBORG), interestingly the decision to do so came at the end of 2020.

Vehicle I-D: XB-70A VALKYRIE

Technology

Vehicle I-D: XB-70A Valkyrie

Video

Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force photo.

High Mach speed stripped the then standard thickness paint from the aircraft.

Instrument panel of XB-70 #1, NASA photo.

Silent NASA video of take-off from Edwards AFB, 1965:

The original chase plane was a TB-58 Hustler. The trainer version of the Hustler bomber was fast and could keep up with the XB-70 by cutting inside the Valkyrie’s turns. NASA photo.

The 1st XB-70A (#62-001, tail #20001) taking off with TB-58 bomber-trainer acting as chase plane.  The TB-58 could fly at Mach-2, but the XB-70A could hit Mach-3.

Silent NASA video of XB-70A landing at Edwards AFB in 1965:

NASA photo, 1965.

The windshield could be raised to reduce drag.

NASA photo, 08JUN1966.

On 08JUN1966, the 2nd XB-70 (62-207) was destroyed in a high speed crash caused by a chase F-104N (with the orange & yellow tail) drifting into the Valkyrie’s right wing, flipping over the top of the Valkyrie, hitting the bomber’s vertical stabilizers and left wing. NASA says this photo was taken just before the collision.

It was suggested that the drooped wing tips created a vortex that sucked the F-104 into the XB-70.  The F-104 pilot and the XB-70’s co-pilot were killed, the XB-70 pilot managed to eject.  The other chase aircraft are T-38, F-4B and YF-5A.

Edwards AFB, California, 1967, NASA photo.

Edwards AFB, California, 1967, NASA photo.

XB-70A and white painted X-15, Edwards AFB, California, 1967, NASA photo.

The 1st Valkyrie went on to conduct more super-sonic research flights until replaced by the YF-12A.

NASA photo, 1968.

NASA photo, 1968.

Valkyrie 20001 after arrival at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, February 1969.

Being flown down the road to its retirement home known as a museum, 1971.

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force video explaining the XB-70:

NASA’S Russian Tupolev 144 SST

Bare Metal: NASA TRUCKS

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic Perfidy: Negative Pressure Flying Hospitals, wait didn’t we use those before, Viet Nam?

Video

U.S. Air Force personnel of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron simulate transporting COVID-19 patients on a static C-130 Hercules aircraft during training on the Negative Pressurized Conex- Lite (NPC-L) at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. USAF photo by Senior Airman Ashley Perdue, 07AUG2020.

“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in the Air Force….. ….This is a crazy effort.”-Captain Conner Favo, 28th Test & Evaluation Squadron, a famous last words statement as a similar device was used during Viet Nam (see below)

Travis AFB, California. USAF photo by Lan Kim, 05AUG2020.

A multi-agency team involving the U.S. Department of Defense, contractors and universities, has been preparing for massive aeromedical evacuation operations of pandemic victims (prior to the Pandemic, some how), and has developed what it calls Negative Pressure Conex (NPC) containers to isolate those future victims in while being flown to military hospitals.

“The team in the 28th TES is no stranger to bio-containment. We provided this support when developing the Transportation Isolation System for the Ebola crisis, and we’re making every effort to ensure our fellow service members have safe transportation during these times.”-Captain Conner Favo, 28th Test & Evaluation Squadron

Video, NPC testing on the ground:

 

They modified a steel cargo container known as a Conex (most often seen on cargo ships and tractor-trailer rigs) with an air conditioning system to create a negative pressure inside the Conex while being flown on a C-17 Globemaster-3 or C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft.  This is considered important to be able to keep the positive pressurized aircraft and its crew from being contaminated.

NPC testing on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Chris Drzazgowski, 01MAY2020.

Video, NPC testing onboard C-17 transport:

NPC testing on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Chris Drzazgowski, 01MAY2020.

The NPC is designed to transport up to 28 victims and medical personnel.

NPC-Lite system loaded inside a C-130 Hercules, on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. U.S. Army photo by Brian Feeney, 13JUN2020.

Official USAF video report:

 

Testing was done in April/May of 2020, by the personnel of 437th Airlift Wing, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.  Other U.S. Air Force units involved include the Agile Combat Support Directorate and the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Defense Systems Branch.

U.S. Army Contracting Command slashed a 4-month contracting award process to just 7 days, with delivery of the prototype in only 13 days at an approximate cost of $2-million.  The first operational NPCs are expected to go into use by the end of May 2020.

USAF photo sometime between March & April 1973, Clark Air Base, Philippines.

Realize that a lot of tax dollars have been spent on this not so new technology that is being sold as innovative.  I say not so new, because back in the early 1970s the USAF used a similar ‘NPC’ on a C-141A Starlifter.

USAF photo sometime between March & April 1973, Clark Air Base, Philippines.

It was called Special Aerial Medical Care Unit (SAMCU), and could be environmentally controlled.  However, the USAF had only one SAMCU, based in the Philippines, in case it was needed to evacuate extremely wounded personnel from Viet Nam. When looking at the photos of the SAMCU, notice how similar it looks to the ‘new’ NPC.

FEMA says pandemic isn’t done, BUILDING MASSIVE ISLAND HOSPITAL?

Going Viral: THE NEW TASK FORCE 31

PANDEMIC OVERFLIGHT: A-10C (FOR COVID?) THUNDERBOLT-2

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic OverFlight: A-10C (for CoViD?) Thunderbolt-2

Video

Salute to Heroes, Operation American Resolve, America Strong, or whatever is the latest Defense Department name for it, apparently massive flights of military aircraft flying over metro areas makes people feel more secure about fighting the “invisible enemy” of a Pandemic.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jacob T. Stephens, 14MAY2020.

In Arizona, A-10C and F-16D from Davis Monthan AFB fly over Tucson, 14MAY2020.

USAF photo by Second Lietenant Kaylin P. Hankerson, 15MAY2020.

23rd Wing A-10Cs flew over hospitals in both Florida and Georgia, 15MAY2020.

Video, Idaho’s 124th FW A-10Cs join USAF and RSAF F-15 Strike Eagles in CoViD-19 morale booster flight around the Gem State:

https://www.facebook.com/CBS2Boise/videos/1909010232564549/?t=19

(The 124th Fighter Wing strongly supports the communities in Idaho.  As part of our commitment to be a great neighbor, we often showcase our A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at various events such as airshows, patriotic observances and some collegiate sporting events.)

USAF photo by Airman First Class Andrew Kobialka, 15MAY2020.

Idaho’s A-10s suddenly deployed to Middle East during Pandemic OverFlights

Video, Indiana Air National Guard’s 122nd FW begins CoViD-19 Air Force Salutes flyovers, 28APR2020:

Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing over Terre Haute, 02MAY2020.

122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, over Fort Wayne on 13MAY2020.

Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing A-10Cs over local hospitals, 08MAY2020.

Michigan Air National Guard photo by Munnaf H. Joarder, 13MAY2020.

Michigan Air National Guard A-10 and KC-135 Stratotanker, 13MAY2020.

Michigan Air National Guard photo by Munnaf H. Joarder, 13MAY2020.

Music video of Michigan National Guard A-10 flyover, it was the only A-10 covid-19 music video that didn’t have sappy music or was interspersed with people saying “thank you”:

Pandemic OverFlight: C-130 HERKS FOR HEROES

ROBOTS STRIP AN A-10 NAKED!

124TH MILITIA A-10 SHOOTIN’ & SCOOTIN’ THRU IDAHO NEVADA CALIFORNIA

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic OverFlight: B-52, bomb the virus back to the stoneage!

Video

Salute to Heroes, Operation American Resolve, America Strong, or whatever is the latest Defense Department name for it, apparently massive flights of military aircraft flying over metro areas makes people feel more secure about fighting the “invisible enemy” of a Pandemic.

U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem, 14MAY2020.

B-52 Stratofortress from the 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California, flies over Lancaster and Palmdale, 14MAY2020.

USAF photo by Giancarlo Casem, 14MAY2020.

From the ground video, USAF 2nd Bomb Wing and 307th Bomb Wing B-52s, and Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing F-15 Eagles, over New Orleans:

From the air video of same aircraft over Louisiana, 05MAY2020:

USAF photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller, 01MAY2020.

Bare Metal:

USAF photo by Greg L. Davis.

B-1B & B-52H

MINI B-52H LANDS AT BARKSDALE

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic OverFlight: KC-135

Video

Salute to Heroes, Operation American Resolve, America Strong, or whatever is the latest Defense Department name for it, apparently massive flights of military aircraft flying over metro areas makes people feel more secure about fighting the “invisible enemy” of a Pandemic.

A KC-135 leads a pack of F-16s and F-35s on a Air Force Salutes flight over Arizona, 01MAY2020.  At least 15 aircraft were involved.

Video from the cockpit of a F-35 of a KC-135 over Phoenix, Arizona, 01MAY2020:

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Chris Thornbury, 06MAY2020.

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, flies over Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, 06MAY2020, Wichita, Kansas.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Nick Kibbey, 14MAY2020.

452nd Air Mobility Wing KC-135 over Riverside University Health System Medical Center, California, 14MAY2020.

Hawaii Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Alison Bruce-Maldonado, 14MAY2020.

Video, KC-135 flying over multiple hospitals through out the Hawaiian islands, 14MAY2020:

The crew of a Michigan Air National Guard 127th Wing KC-135 just before taking off for a Michigan Strong flyover, 13MAY2020.

Video, 108th Wing KC-135 with 177th Fighter Wing F-16s, Air Force Salutes flight over New Jersey, 12MAY2020:

KC-135R from the 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, in formation with F-35s from the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base, 12MAY2020.

Ohio Air National Guard KC-135 flies with an F-16 during Operation American Resolve, 13MAY2020.

Tail boom of 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, 12MAY2020.

Nebraska Air National Guard photo by Major Scott Ingalsbe, 13MAY2020.

Nebraska Air National Guard Stratotanker, 13MAY2020.

USAF photo by Second Lieutenant Christopher Thibeaux-Moore, 15MAY2020.

Pandemic fighting KC-135R Stratotanker gets airborne over Florida, 15MAY2020.

Bare Metal: KC-135R GETS STRIPPED

KC-135 STRATOTANKER BATH

EC-135E FIRE-BIRD, 10329 COMES BACK TO LIFE, AGAIN! OR, WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA KC-135 KIT.

Influenza, Technology

Pandemic OverFlight: C-130 Herks for Heroes

Video

Salute to Heroes, Operation American Resolve, America Strong, or whatever is the latest Defense Department name for it, apparently massive flights of military aircraft flying over metro areas makes people feel more secure about fighting the “invisible enemy” of a Pandemic.

Video of USAF Reserve’s 908th Airlift Wing over Alabama, 12MAY2020:

Reflection of Little Rock Air Force Base C-130J in the windows of a Arkansas hospital, 08MAY2020.

California Air National Guard’s 115th Airlift Squadron over the Mojave Desert near Palmdale, 14MAY2020.

Video, USAF Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing C-130 flyover of Colorado, 06MAY2020:

Video, Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing flyovers 14MAY2020:

Video, Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing’s C-130H3 flying over a hospital, 15MAY2020:

 

Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing, 01MAY2020.

America Strong flyover; MS Gulf Coast403rd Wing’s 815th Airlift Squadron over Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, 28APR2020.

Video, Hurricane Hunter WC-130J flies over Huntington Ingalls Shipyard, Pascagoula, Mississippi, as ships’ horns blow,  05MAY2020:

Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Airlift Wing above Pablo, 06MAY2020.

Video, Nevada Air National Guard’s ‘High Rollers’ C-130 CoViD-19 morale overflight, 28APR2020:

Video, 27th Special Operations overflight of Portales, New Mexico,  11MAY2020:

Video of New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing HC-130J Combat King-2 over Long Island, 15MAY2020:

New York Air National Guard LC-130 (Ski-Bird) assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing flies over the state capitol, 12MAY2020.

A C-130H out of Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, conducting a second round of pandemic overflights on 07MAY2020.  Not only did Ohio aircraft fly over Ohio, but also locations in Pennsylvania.

Two Ohio Air National Guard 179th Airlift Wing C-130Hs also flew pandemic overflights, 15MAY2020.

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, this Blue Angels C-130 was temporarily brought out of retirement to give moral support, 06MAY2020, unfortunately it was not flown.

Video, West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing decided to kill two birds with one stone by conducting Aeromedical Evacuation training at the same time:

ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS EARLY, AGAIN,1ST WC-130J HURRICANE HUNTER LAUNCHED!

DOES THE ‘C’ IN C-130 STAND FOR COVID?

RECORD SETTING PANDEMIC AIRBRIDGE CONTINUES

Technology

Atlantic hurricane season begins early, again,1st WC-130J Hurricane Hunter launched!

Video

“Mother Nature doesn’t operate on a calendar, so this is a reminder to always be prepared.”-Colonel Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing USAF Reserve

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Christopher Carranza, 16MAY2020.

Despite the Atlantic Hurricane Season not officially starting until June, on 16MAY2020 the U.S. Air Force Reserve launched its hurricane tracking WC-130J aircraft based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Christopher Carranza, 16MAY2020.

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is concerned about a possible developing tropical depression or storm near the Bahamas (on 16MAY2020 it was called Invest 90L).

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Christopher Carranza, 16MAY2020.

Short video of first WC-130J launch of 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season:

On 17MAY2020, Invest 90L became Tropical Storm Arthur.  This is the sixth year in a row that a Tropical Storm developed in May.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Christopher Carranza, 16MAY2020.

During ‘invest’ flights the WC-130Js fly at low altitudes (500 to 1,500 feet, 152 to 457 meters) to determine if there is a closed circulation.  Once a system becomes a storm the WC-130Js fly at higher altitudes (5,000 to 10,000 feet, 1524 to 3048 meters), and fly through the eye of the storm several times during a mission. Dropsondes are launched from the aircraft into the storm, which then communicate with the National Hurricane Center via satellite link.  (What’s a storm tracking Dropsonde?)

WC-130J & WP-3D: HUNTING DORIAN

WC-130J SUPER HERCULES TRACKS HURRICANE HARVEY

AIRBORNE HURRICANE HUNTERS, WHEN DID IT ALL START?