David
Thu December 19, 2002 2:17pm
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A soldiers simulates firi
A soldiers simulates firing of a Dragon missile during a "battle" at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif
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David
Fri December 20, 2002 8:01am
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A member of the air crew
A member of the air crew of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter from the "Vanguards" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) provides an extra set of eyes to watch for any obstructions as the aircraft approaches the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for landing. The Sea Dragon helicopter is capable of transporting up to 55 troops and towing a variety of mine-countermeasures systems as their primary mission. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg.
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David
Fri December 20, 2002 8:44am
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An F/A-18
An F/A-18 ?Hornet? from the ?Golden Dragons? of Strike Fighter Squadron One Nine Two (VFA-192) stands secured and tied down on the aircraft carrier?s flight deck. An all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer?s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom.
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David
Wed January 8, 2003 12:02am
Rating: 8
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Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action.
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David
Wed January 8, 2003 12:02am
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Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action.
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David
Wed January 8, 2003 12:02am
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Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action.
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David
Wed January 8, 2003 12:02am
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Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action.
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 10:39am
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MH-53E Sea Dragon
Function: The MH-53E is used primarily for Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM), with a secondary mission of shipboard delivery.
History: The MH-53E was derived from the CH-53E Super Stallion and is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than its ancestor. The MH-53s can operate from carriers and other warships. Sea Dragon is capable of carrying up to 55 troops or a 16-ton payload 50 nautical miles or a 10-ton payload 500 nautical miles. The MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine-sweeping countermeasures systems, including the Mk 105 minesweeping sled, the ASQ-14 side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system.
General Characteristics, MH-53E Sea Dragon
Contractor:
Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Technologies Corporation
Power Plant:
Three General Electric T64-GE-416 turboshaft engines (4,380 shaft horsepower each)
Length:
Fuselage: 73 feet 4 inches (22.34 meters)
Overall: 99 feet (30.18 meters)
Height:
28 feet, 4 inches (8.63 meters)
Main Rotor Diameter:
72 feet, 3 inches (21.7 meters)
Weight:
21 tons maximum gross (18.9 metric tons)
Speed:
150 knots (172 mph or 241 kmh)
Ceiling:
27,900 feet
Range:
1,120 nautical miles (1,289 statute miles or 1,802 km)
Crew:
Two pilots, one to six aircrewman, depending on mission
Date Deployed:
1983; replaced last of CH-53E in 1994
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 6:40pm
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Dragon Eye UAV
Function: A small, man packable UAV to meet USMC over-the-hill/over-the-next-bulding RSTA requirements.
History: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are either remotely or autonomous pilotless drones typically used for reconnaissance. UAVs can trace their roots back to the AQM-34N Firebee. Derived from the Ryan Aeronautical Company Firebee sub-sonic target drone, the AQM-34N had a range of more than 2,400 miles, could fly above 65,000 feet, and had a top speed of 420 miles per hour. During the Vietnam war the Firebee recon drones were made more maneuverable and equipped with electronic countermeasures and jamming equipment to defend them from surface to air missiles and air interception.
UAVs are generally equipped with a payload bay which can house a variety of sensor packages, allowing mission planners to tailor the UAV's sensors for a specific mission requirement.
UAVs are generally divided into two categories: Tactical and Endurance. Tactical UAVs typically have a range of at least 200km while Endurance UAVs have a range beyond 200km.
?General Characteristics, Dragon Eye UAV
Developers:
NRL and MCWL;
BAI Aerosystems & AeroVironment
Control:
Manual launch and recovery
Wingspan:
45 inches
Length:
41 inches
Endurance:
60 minutes
Service Ceiling:
1,000 feet
Payload:
EO
Weight:
4.5 lbs.
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David
Sat January 18, 2003 9:41am
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It will be awhile before
It will be awhile before Air Force Special Operations Command gets its first CV-22 Osprey, but that hasn't lowered the command's enthusiasm for the aircraft. The eagerness to get the plane isn't just because the CV-22 will replace up to 89 aircraft currently in AFSOC's inventory. Neither is it just because the CV-22 can take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a turboprop airplane. AFSOC -- which has headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla. -- is confident in the belief that the CV-22 will enable the command to do what it can't do now. That is, conduct long-range, high-speed, vertical lift missions in an aircraft capable of getting troops into and out of an area in one night. Almost futuristic in its design, the CV-22 looks like a helicopter on the ground with two sets of propeller rotors on each wing tip. Once airborne, the rotors tilt forward so the aircraft resembles a dragon fly with turboprops.
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