Tag Archives: boeing

Technology

Silly-vilian airliner brought back from the dead, to serve in the military!

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U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez.

On 03MAR2021, a mummified civilian airliner was hauled off to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, drafted for use as an emergency response trainer for the U.S. military.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

The 40 miles trip from Wilmington Air Park took three days.  Its new home is the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

N798AX was a 767-200 series, last used by Germany’s DHL, first used by Japan’s All Nippon Airways, then Hokaido International Airlines, then by ABX Air in the United States before being leased to DHL.  DHL used the 767 for just under a year before its retirement,  N789AX was just over 34 years old when ‘retired’.  In November 2020, N789AX was broken-up at Wilmington Air Park, Ohio.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

It is not a Boeing 707, or a KC-135 (which itself is not a 707).  It is a Boeing 767, and will be used to mimic the military version of the 767; the KC-46.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

The zombie 767 will join a zombie KC-135, which was delivered to School of Aerospace Medicine at the end of March 2020, to train flight nurses, medevac technicians and critical care air-transport team members in the movement and treatment of patients onboard aircraft.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

The School of Aerospace Medicine also uses a zombie C-130, and five other aircraft, for the same training.

USAF photo by R.J. Oriez.

TaCaMO: One plane controlling the nation’s nuclear arsenal!

Vehicle I-D: C-54 SKYMASTER, AN AIRBORNE WILLY WONKA?

Technology

TaCaMO: E-6B Mercury

Video

“This plane was built for the Cold War. It serves as the link between the national decision makers and the nuclear triad.”-Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Penington, Task Force 124, July 2007

U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis, 23AUG2019.

U.S. Navy E-6B from Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, flies over Colorado, 23AUG2019.

U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis, 23AUG2019.

The E-6B has a greatly strengthened airframe/wings/landing gear compared to its E-6A incarnation, due to greater weight caused by lots of electronic gear and extra fuel capacity.  By 2003, the entire E-6A fleet was converted to B standard.

U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis, 23AUG2019.

E-6B Mercury refuels from a KC-135.  The KC-135 and E-6B are not the same type of aircraft.  The E-6B is based on the Boeing 707, the KC-135 is not.  While the KC-135 is based on the same prototype-predecessor it was developed independently from the 707, and airframe parts are not interchangeable.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob Skovo.

E-6B Mercury, assigned to Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, taxis on the flightline of Offutt AFB, Nebraska, 15JUL2019.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob Skovo.

Notice what looks like a drogue type refueling system at the tail-end of the plane, it is reportedly a type of VLF antenna that’s five miles (8km) long when fully reeled out!

U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger, 03OCT2017.

Panel removal from E-6B Mercury engine nacelle, 03OCT2017, Offutt AFB.  The U.S. Navy (USN) has its own maintenance unit on Offutt AFB, for the purpose of maintaining aircraft used in Airborne Command Post (AbnCP, aka Looking Glass), and Take Charge and Move Out (TaCaMO) missions.

U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger, 02OCT2017.

A worn out E-6B Mercury training aircraft on Offutt AFB, under USN guard, while waiting for turn-around inspection, 02OCT2017.

USAF photo by Josh Plueger.

USN E-6B Mercury takes flight from the USAF base of Offutt, Nebraska, 28AUG2015.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob Skovo.

In 2007, E-6Bs with Task Force 124 were also serving as airborne radio relay stations over Iraq: “Our role here is basically as a convoy relay. When the convoys are moving and they can’t get a hold of someone to report something or even perform a radio check, they can contact us. Because we’re so high in the air we have a greater line of sight and therefore can communicate with all convoys and reporting authorities.”-Lieutenant Junior Grade Amy Simek, TF-124 battle staff mission commander

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob Skovo.

USN photo, November 1984.

Take Charge and Move Out (TaCaMO) operations began in early 1960s, using EC-130s, for the purpose of directing nuclear ballistic missile launches from submarines.

E-6A, Boeing photo, June 1987.

E-6As took over from EC-130s starting at the end of 1989.  The USN E-6B is capable of launching U.S. land based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and was actually developed to replace the USAF’s EC-135 Airborne Command Post (AbnCP, aka Looking Glass) aircraft. 

 E-6Bs launched into their new job, replacing EC-135s, in Autumn 1998. 

Official video explainer, E-6B crew controls missile launch from Vandenberg AFB, April 2017:

E-6B cockpit simulator.

EC-135E: 10329 COMES BACK TO LIFE, AGAIN!

KC-135: The Last ISO for the 916TH

BATS & BEARS, OH MY!

Technology

Vehicle I-D: F-15EX has arrived! Commander says “It’s an EX-citing day!”

Video

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant John McRell.

On 11MAR2021, Boeing delivered the first production F-15EX to Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, for testing and evaluation.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant John McRell.

The 96th Operations Group 40th Flight Test Squadron, and 53rd Wing 85th Test & Evaluation Squadron, will put the F-15EX (aka EX1) through the mill.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant John Raven.

Can you spot EX1?

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant John Raven, 11MAR2021.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant John Raven.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Joshua Hoskins.

The F-15EX is hard to distinguish from the F-15E Strike Eagle.  A couple of ECM ‘ears’ protruding on the sides of the cockpit.  The blade antennae are different.  The pods on top of the tail fins are now symmetrical.  Some ECM bumps protruding from the rear.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Joshua Hoskins.

F-15EX arrives, parks next to F-15E, video by Jennifer Vollmer:

Official USAF video report, reveals that while it is a two seater it actually needs only one crew to operate:

Official USAF music video:

EX2 is also expected to make an appearance over Eglin AFB, soon.

Vehicle I-D, February 2021:   F-15EX-CITEMENT!

U.S.

Biden’s War: Connecticut deploys to Africa!

Video

On 10MAR2021, just short of six hundred Connecticut National Guard personnel deployed to ‘The Horn of Africa’.  Now that Joe Biden is President, it’s his war now!

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker.

New England Patriots football team airliner, a Boeing 767-300ER, is used to transport more than one hundred Army National Guard infantry, from Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, to somewhere in East Africa (after a short diversion to Fort Bliss, Texas, for deployment training).

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker.

The Patriots’ 767s are former American Airlines airliners.  Two ‘AirKraft’ 767s were bought in 2017.

Video from 07MAR2021, by Staff Sergeant Katie Gandori, of Connecticut’s 1-102 Infantry prepping for deployment:

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker.

Back in April 2020, the Patriot’s airliner delivered one million Chinese made N95 masks to Massachusetts.

(Project Air Bridge: RECORD SETTING PANDEMIC AIRBRIDGE CONTINUES.)

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker.

Video interview, by Timothy Koster, where Command Sergeant Major Daniel Morgan and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Tantillo respond to questions about deploying under the pandemic panic-attack restrictions of CoViD-19:

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker.

The Patriot’s airliner was one of several ‘silly-vilian’ contracted airliners that were used to deploy the state militia.

Connecticut National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Katie Grandori.

Connecticut National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Katie Grandori.

Trump’s War:  IDAHO MILITIA’S EUROPEAN DEPLOYMENT CANCELED, SUDDENLY DEPLOYED TO MIDDLE EAST

Great Reneger:  DEPLOYMENTS SO COMMON EVEN BEERS ARE NAMED AFTER THEM

Technology

Vehicle I-D: Red Hawk replaces Talon, another example of foreigners controlling U.S. taxpayers

Video

The Boeing and Saab (of Sweden) T-7A Red Hawk is the new advanced trainer for the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

Boeing photo.

In September 2018, it was announced that a contract worth $9.2-billion was given to Boeing-Saab for their T-X (Boeing-T-X) training aircraft (first flying in December 2016), to replace the vintage T-38 Talon.

Boeing photo.

Boeing T-X first flight, cockpit view, 20DEC2016:

Boeing photo.

The two B-T-X prototypes fly over Saint Louis, Missouri, April 2017.

The T-7A is more in-line with prepping pilots to fly the F-35.  In May 2019, Saab announced it would build a Red Hawk factory in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Video, Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test over Saint Louis, Missouri, July 2019:

 On 23FEB2021, Boeing published this video claiming production was underway at its Saint Louis, Missouri, factory: 

Boeing photo.

The USAF wants 351 T-7A Red Hawks (name chosen in September 2019), 46 simulators, and associated ground equipment, with the first Red Hawks arriving on base sometime in 2023-24.

Boeing: T-7A Red Hawk

Saab: T-7A Red Hawk

Vehicle I-D: T-38 PACER CLASSIC-3

USAF F-35A “COMBAT READY” IN UTAH

TAXPAYER PARIAH F-35 CALLS IDAHO HOME!

APACHE TO MUSTANG

Technology

NASA’s twisty-bendy F/A-18A

Video

The Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) program (aka Boeing Phantom Works X-53) sought to determine the advantages of twisting flexible wings for primary maneuvering roll control at transonic and supersonic speeds, with traditional control surfaces such as ailerons and leading-edge flaps used to aerodynamically induce the twist. The idea is to design lighter, more flexible high aspect-ratio wings for future high-performance aircraft, which could translate to more economical operation or greater payload capability.

NASA photo, February 2003.

Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) F/A-18A (acquired in 1999 from the U.S. Navy) undergoes wing torsion testing at NASA’s Flight Loads Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, March-April 2001.

NASA photo, March 2001.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, April 2001.

Official NASA video:

NASA says the AAW program actually began in 1996, on paper.  Wings from NASA’s retired F/A-18 #840, formerly used in the High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) project, were modified and installed on #853.

NASA photo, October 2001.

New paint-job, October 2001.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 24OCT2001.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

Before the official public unveiling, Centennial of Flight Commission decals were place on both sides of AAW 853, below the aft portion of the cockpit.  NASA says the AAW program was influenced by the fact that the Wright Brothers twisted the wings of their Wright Flyer to get it to turn.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 27MAR2002.

In March 2002, NASA officially unveiled the modified AAW F/A-18A.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 21MAR2002.

NASA photo, August 2002.

More wing torsion/vibration testing, August 2002.

NASA photo, August 2002.

NASA Photo by Tom Tschida, 22AUG2002.

15NOV2002, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

First flight of AAW F/A-18A #853 was 15NOV2002.

NASA photo by Carla Thomas, 15NOV2002.

During early flights it was determined that some of the original F/A-18 wings panels were too flexible at high speeds to create the desired roll rate.  The leading edge flap was divided into individually controlled sections, which seemed to solve the problem.

07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

February 2003.

07FEB2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

25JUN2003, NASA photo by Jim Ross.

Chased by another NASA F/A-18A, June 2003.

Official NASA video, 2003:

NASA photo, December 2004.

Flying over the U.S. Borax mine, near the Rogers Dry Lake, December 2004.

15DEC2004, NASA photo by Carla Thomas.

Official NASA video:

Official NASA video, March 2005:

The AAW program was officially completed in 2005.  The total cost of the AAW testing is estimated at $45-million.

NASA photo by Tony Landis, 18JUN2009.

In June 2009, the AAW #853 got a new lease on life, replacing an older NF-15B Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls (IRAC) test aircraft, becoming the IRAC F/A-18A.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

By April 2010, the tail flash/stripe was changed from reading AAW, to FAST (Full-scale Advanced Systems Testbed).

Official NASA video, 853 first flight as IRAC, April 2010:

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

One of the side benefits of aircraft testing is the creation of new computer systems which can be applied to other aircraft, military and civilian.

06APR2010, NASA photo by Tony Landis.

NASA VIKING, NO NOT THE MARS LANDERS! OR, LAST FLIGHT OF A VIKING.

F-16XL LAMINAR FLOW, ONCE AGAIN NASA (TAXPAYERS) SAVING THE ‘PRIVATE SECTOR’ AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

NASA’S 737, TEST-BED FOR THE CIVILIAN AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

Technology

NASA’s 737, test-bed for the civilian airliner industry!

Image

In a country where the capitalist corporate world is supposed to be independent of government interference, or even assistance, the U.S. airliner industry has been totally reliant upon taxpayer funded NASA for developing more efficient, and safer, technologies.

NASA’s Boeing 737-130 was the workhorse of such taxpayer funded testing and developments.  Serial Number SN-19437 (N515NA, tail #515) was born in 1968 (some sources say 1967), and reported for duty at NASA’s Langley Research Center in 1973.  Apparently 515 was the first prototype Boeing 737 built.

I must point out that between 1938 and 1978 the U.S. airline industry was under the total regulation of the federal government, being de-regulated beginning in 1978 with the hopes that capitalist competition would reign in growing costs of operation, but in reality has created the money-grubbing passenger unfriendly monstrosity of today.   Even with de-regulation the airliner industry still relies on taxpayer funded testing of new technologies.

515 took part in dozens of developments:  Microwave Landing Systems, velocity vector display development, CRT electronic cockpit displays, profile descent control law development, total energy control law development,  helmet mounted displays.  Also, satellite-based Global Positioning System for auto-landings, ground-air data-link in lieu of voice communication, traffic flow management ATC-compatible 4-D Flight Management System development, wind shear detection research.  Just to name a few.

In 1985, 515 joined several other NASA and FAA aircraft in the U.S. state of Maine, as well as in Canada, to study Runway Friction in bad weather.

In 1989, 515 got a new paint-job.

According to NASA, 515 was constantly modified, and even had two cockpits, the second cockpit being located where the airliner’s first class passengers would sit.

1990s NASA video showing 515 is use for wind-shear research.  The research was done because of the increasing number of crashes being caused by the weather phenomenon called wind-shear:

High lift wing testing, 1990s.

515 retired in  2003, and now resides at the Museum of Flight, in Seattle, Washington.

NASA: F-16XL LAMINAR FLOW, ONCE AGAIN NASA SAVING THE AIRLINER INDUSTRY!

NASA’S C-133 APOLLO DROP SHIP

 

Technology

NASA’s C-133 Apollo drop ship

Video

A 13-thousand-pound (5896.7-kilos) Apollo Command Module 19A test mock-up (aka boilerplate) was used to test various systems before the actual Apollo was launched, including parachutes.

NASA photos.

On 03JUL1968, NASA’s C-133 Cargomaster drops the Apollo ‘boilerplate’ for parachute (aka Earth Landing System) testing.

The first ELS test was conducted on 03MAY1963.  Between 1963 and 1968, 34 drop tests, using various ‘boilerplate’ modules with different parachute configurations, were completed.

Silent NASA video:

‘Boilerplate’ coming down on the Southern California-El Centro desert, 16JUN1968.

Original Northrop Ventura Corporation documentary film:

See an actual boilerplate module at Columbia Memorial Science Center, in California.

NASA photo 1963.

NASA also used the C-133 to haul what was called the Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket.  The Centaur Upper Stage shuttle rocket has been periodically brought back to life as a cheaper alternative to the Space Shuttle.  NASA C-133s also transported stages for Atlas, Saturn and Titan rockets to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

NASA’s Viking, no not the Mars Landers! 

Travis Air Force Base: C-133 Cargomaster

Technology

KC-135: The last ISO for the 916th

Video

Photos by Staff Sergeant Mary McKnight.

In October 2019, on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, the 916th Maintenance Squadron (of the 916th Air Refueling Wing) completed their last isochronal (ISO) inspection of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The KC-135 has been replaced by the KC-46 Pegasus.

The last ISO on the 916th KC-135 was started in August, but took longer than expected due to delays caused by severe weather: “The ISO (isochronal) aircraft was placed on the flightline as a precaution to protect it from possible damage. The hangar it was in leaves the empennage exposed to high winds which could cause more damage because of the close tolerance to the hangar doors.”-Senior Master Sergeant Karl Rehkamp, 916th Maintenance Squadron maintenance flight chief

Explainer video report, by Technical Sergeant Michael McGhee:

KC-135:  BATS & BEARS, OH MY!

Kit Bashing, Technology

KC-135: Bats & Bears, oh my!

Video

Iowa Air National Guard 185th Air Refueling Wing’s 75th Anniversary colors, 22DEC2020. Photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot.

After more than six decades the KC-135 Stratotanker flies on, and by the end of 2020 some even got new clothes for 2021.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 22DEC2020.

Iowa’s bat tail was first used on F-16s in the 1990s.  Iowa’s bat logo was first used over Viet Nam in the 1960s, to represent the unit’s night operations.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 01MAR2022.

The nose of the KC-135 has a diamond surrounded by silhouettes depicting the type of aircraft flown by the Iowa unit since 1946.  The 185th switched from single seat aircraft to the KC-135 in 2003.

Video of Sioux City Bat tanker by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 22DEC2020:

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 15OCT2020.

In October 2020, Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing revealed a new polar bear logo on their KC-135s.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Kaylee Dubois, 18DEC2020.

The tail flash at the top of each Stratotanker’s vertical tail will bear the name of one of nine interior tribal/native communities.  The final two will bear the name Fairbanks and North Pole.

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 17DEC2020.

Dramatic music video unveiling (by Technical Sergeant William A Keele) of Alaska’s polar bear tail KC-135, 15OCT2020:

Alaska Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Julie Avey, 17DEC2020.

Here’s a New Jersey Air National Guard KC-135R from May 2020 covid-19 flyover ops:

New Jersey Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant Cristina J. Allen, 12MAY2020.

KC-135: Pandemic Overflight

Rivet Joint-Airseeker: RC-135V/W PATRIOT & RED COAT

Bare Metal: KC-135R GETS STRIPPED

2019: KC-135 CITY OF DERBY