Peek the design of Indonesia and South Korea collaboration fighter jets

The specification of the KFX/IFX (a 4.5th generation fighter jet as the results of cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea) could be different between that Indonesia and South Korea, although the physical design was final.

"A series of talks has been done despite the physical design has been established. The model can be seen at the Indo Defence 2014," said Deputy Manager of KFX/IFX Program, Korea Aerospace Industry, Hwang Sung, on the Indo Defence 2014 in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 5, 2014.

The KFX/IFX fighter jets. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KbBlQf)

He also did not disclose the types of technology which is said will be the "future" technology and will be distributed to Indonesia. About this, an aviation technology experts, Dr. Mulyo Widodo on the end of 2013 has stated, "Although some (technology) is still being sought, we believe Korea can achieve it. They have a clear roadmap in the development of fighter jets. They've started with KT-1, then T-50, TA-50 and thereafter: FA-50. Moreover, they also have dozens of NASA and USAF veteran who could became the place to ask and they are now lecturers at several universities," he said.

The KFX/IFX fighter jets model in the KAI both at the Indo Defence 2014. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tIRNT1)

The KFX/IFX Program was initiated by South Korean President (at the time), Kim Dae-jung, in 2001, still in the financing development stage despite composition agreement between Indonesia and South Korea have been determined in the financing contribution ie 20 versus 80. In total, based on the negotiations the two governments , will be made 120 units of KFX/IFX. Hwang also unwilling to answer, whether the composition of the "financing contribution" 20:80 will determine the technical specifications of KFX/IFX fighter jets which will be owned by Indonesia and South Korea. 

About the physical form of KFX/IFX fighter jets, the real physical design and scale models could be seen on the KAI booth at the Indo Defence 2014. In the visible, the physical form is very similar to the F-22 Raptor; where it has two engines with double upright wings and cockpit design and the front part of the fuselage similar, even in the weaponry bays of its compartment hidden. It also helps the grasp of its radar cross section to be very minimal. Similar technology commonly found on the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lighting II.

The specification differences, he said, could at some point depending on the needs of each unit owner-generation fighter aircraft that predicted has an advanced stealth technology and performance capabilities complement of Dassault Rafale (France), Eurofighter Typhoon, although still under Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II.

He said, the determination of the type and source of avionics devices, for example, is still undecided. Many ambition who want to be implanted in the body KFX/IFX, among them mastery of stealth technology, which in some limited types of combat aircraft could be alleviated by the application of a particular paint that can absorb radar waves exposure.

Hwang very confident that Indonesia remains at its founding to realizing the KFX/IFX fighter jets up to full operation. When asked why the manifestations since the idea rolled out take a long time, he said, "Eurofighter Typhoon also takes a long time to be fully operational." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]

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Infiniti Concept Vision GranTurismo

Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo realized in virtual form for the GranTurismo 6 game. This supercar is not only designed for gaming, but also provide the information of Infiniti's high performance in the future.

Infiniti's Vision for Gran Turismo revealed. (Picture from: http://aol.it/13FMI21)

The project began as a global design competition to design Infiniti "A Pure Infiniti GT Car". The winners who designed this model is derived from the Infiniti design team in Beijing.

Front side view of Infiniti Vision Gran Turismo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w4vcKG)

According to the Japanese car company, this concept car includes a thorough examination and calculation of technical features such as aerodynamics and engine performance. There are also features a front mid-ship / trans-axle powertrain available. Its rear weight distribution is 45:55.

Left side view of Infiniti Vision Gran Turismo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w4vcKG)

Rear side view of Infiniti Vision Gran Turismo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w4vcKG)

While there are aerodynamic air flow control at the bottom of the front and rear diffusers unique shape. Rear spoiler allows the car can show high performance without compromising the impact of the body design.

For those who want to try this supercar performance can be downloaded on the GranTurismo 6 exclusively on the PlayStation 3 system. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG]

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China is developing a stealth bomber

China is developing a new stealth bomber called the H-20. The stealth bombers development will increase the strength of Chinese strategic bombers, said Bill Sweetman, a military journalist and Richard D. Fisher, a researcher on China's military development as reported by Wantchinatimes.com.

At present, China is still in the development stage for future strategic bombers, as well as the United States also is developing stealth strategic bombers through the Long-Range Strike Bomber project and Russian with the PAK DA bombers program, according to reports Aviation Week & Space Technology.

The H-20 bombers likely to be developed and manufactured by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAIC), one of the main developers of the China's planes. And H-20 bombers are likely to be configured with low observable features and subsonic speeds.

China is developing a new stealth bomber called the H-20. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/11cvWpu)

According to the report of China Aviation News in January 2014, since 2008 China has mentioned designing the strategic stealth bombers. The design was designed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, which is the parent company of XAIC.

Plan for the future development of China bombers actually also has resonated since October 2013. At the time, Colonel Wu Guohui, a professor of China's National Defense University told the China Aviation News: "In the past China weakened in bomber (aircrafts), but in the future China will develop long-range bombers."

Colonel Wu Guohui explained that stealth bomber has two advantages over ballistic missiles. First, ballistic missiles could be fired only once, while the stealth bomber flown many times. Second, once launched, ballistic missiles can not return to base, while the stealth bomber would return to base if the mission was canceled.

Although the China's Air Force has yet to confirm their plans, but the analysts estimates the H-20 bombers might be done around 2025. In the future, China will require stealth bombers to achieve two strategic ambitions. First, to prevent the US dominated over the First Island Chain, which stretches from Alaska to the Philippines. Second, to further strengthen their leadership in the Far East. China Air Force H-20 along with the aircraft carriers and amphibious assault of China Navy ship will give them a major force projection capabilities.

Like the United States, which has invested U.S. $1.2 billion per year for developing new stealth bomber to replace the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bomber, Wu said that it is time for China to develop their own bombers. Strategic bombers like the US B2 and China Xian H-6 has now become easy targets for the advanced air defense missile systems today. Similarly, Russia is now developing the PAK DA stealth bombers to meet the needs of future wars.

Although the China's Air Force has yet to confirm their plans, but the analysts estimates the H-20 bombers might be done around 2025. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/11cvWpu)

Currently, only the United States, which has been producing and operating a stealth bomber, such as the Lockheed A-12, Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and the B-2 Spirit. And now, the B-2 bomber is the only US-operated.

While waiting for the H-20 program finishes, PLA-Air Force continues to develop an upgraded version of the H-6 bombers and upgrade of previous models with the new weaponry. And the China intentions to buy more advanced bomber namely the Tupolev Tu-22m3 was not approved by Russia, making the country has no other choice but to upgrade their existing bombers or develop new bombers. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARTILERI.ORG]

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ICON A5, a sports car in the sky

Flying an aeroplane is no longer a difficult dream for most people, especially in the United States, as long as it is so difficult to get a pilot's license. In line with the launch of a new regulation by the FAA on rule changes for the category of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) in 2004, where the new rule allows each person can fly a plane without having to go through a long training process and do not need strict medical records are sometimes inhibit them to obtain certification.

ICON A5, a sports car in the sky. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1exfgbl)

For prospective pilots only takes 20 hours of flight training and just have to pay less than $3,500. But there are rules that must be obeyed the SPL (Sport Pilot License) pilot holders. They are only allowed to fly to a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters from the ground and aircraft speed must not exceed a maximum of 222 kph and should not conduct night flights. Similarly, the number of passengers is limited to a maximum only two people including the pilot and the minimum pilot age is 16 years.

ICON A5 with fully wings span. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The aircraft was first developed by Kirk Hawkins, a former USAF F-16 fighter pilot who was capture business opportunities of the expansion of new generation aircraft based on the FAA's new rule, allowing the vehicle to fly that offers convenience for consumers but has a different attraction to the sport plane in general.

ICON A5 with folded wings span. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The idea is akin to a person buying a sports car and operating it can quickly. Bailer was intercepted when Hawkisn met with Steen Strand, well known product designer who has 14 years of experience designing sports equipment, Hawkins vision to create 'sportcar in sky' getting closer to reality.

Precisely in 2005, Hawkins founded ICON Aircraft with the developtment facilities located in Southern California. Not without reason this place was chosen as the base aircraft industry. California is known as a state that produces quality human resources in the field of aerospace as well as automotive design center of the world.

Interior view of ICON A5. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1exfgbl)

ICON Aircraft engineering team supported by people who have been involved in the development of phenomenal aircrafts such as Voyager, Global Flyer and Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne of Scaled Composite which located in Mojave, California.

Over the three years since the founding of ICON Aircraft, in June 2008 the hard work of developtment team successfully finished their first aircraft prototype named ICON A5, a petite amphibious sport aircraft with a capacity of two passengers. A month later, on July 15, 2008 ICON A5 flying premiere of a lake in California. Test fly directly addressed by the ICON's test pilot and also Aero engineer, Jon Karkow.

Left side view of ICON A5 Interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

The first flight took place properly, the aircraft's performance even more than expected, but still conducted sustainable test until the aircraft ready going into production line. Since the beginning, ICON A5 is designed like a sports car, it could be seen from the shape of the snout and the sloping windshield and a pair of headlights that look like sports car.

ICON A5's simple flight instruments console. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1n06IC9)

So see the cabin, sports car feel more resilient feel, its dashboard panel really different than most aircraft. Detail design is perfect, until the pilot is believed to be sitting in the cockpit aboard a sports car feel rather than being steered plane.

Its equipment facilities include a simple analogue flight instruments, pilot's numerous flying aids, LCD multifunction display, plus a port for modern gadgets like iPod and MP3 to listen to music as well as the addition of glass can be removed while the fly.

To make the ICON A5 more practical, Icon's engineers thought the facility for owners and users of aircraft, such as the main wing can be folded manually or automatically. In folded back condition, the plane would have easily raised the trailer and furthermore can be towed by a car from the garage to the airport, river or lake nearby.

Special aircraft carrier trailer has also prepared by Icon Aircraft as an option. Then the landing gear can be retracted when flying or the landing wheels facilities can also be removed completely in Seaplane version.

ICON specs include a maximum speed of 120 mph and maximum range of 555 km. It measures 23' long and 7.1' high, with a wingspan of 34'. Other features include folding wings, retractable landing gear, Seawings platforms for easy access and docking.

The construction of aircraft structures are built using carbon fiber material, make very light weight and efficient in fuel use. By using a single Rotax 912 ULS engine power of 100 hp neatly embedded just behind the cabin that can consume the aviation or general fuel.

As the security features offered on the Icon A5 is a GPS moving map system that can provide information to the pilot about the nature and the local weather conditions in real time, then Wing Angel of Attack (AoA) indicator, patent-pending Propeller Guard and parachute that can inflate mini rockets launched from the roof when the plane experienced engine trouble while flying.

The aircraft with standard fittings sold at the price of $139,000. It is not expensive when compared with a sport car like Ferrari that sold at $224,640. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ICON AIRCRAFT | POPULAR MECHANICS]

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High-speed Air Cruising Helicopter Technology

AVX Aircraft Company unveil a helicopter with double propeller to accelerate the pace while in the air. This aircraft technology companies targeting the helicopter speeds of up to 435 kph (270 mph).

The AVX Aircraft concept has coaxial rotors, ducted fans and a top speed of over 270 mph (435 kph). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zAdaFA)

As reported by Gizmag on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, the U.S. government held the Army's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) program. This program allows a contract of U.S. $100 billion to the latest generation of military helicopters developers.

The AVX is a multi-use coaxial helicopter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zAdaFA)

One of the developer candidates is AVX Aircraft Company, they developing a helicopter with a futuristic design that supported two double propeller. This latest-generation helicopter could replace the old generation helicopters such as Black Hawk, Apache and Chinook.

AVX JMR in Attack configuration showing weapons cutaway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zAdaFA)

The latest version of this helicopter is claimed to be stronger, bigger and can go faster. Heavy helicopter reaches 12 thousand pounds and can haul loads 5,900 pounds. The air fleet could carry 12 combat troops and crew plus 4 crew. Not only airplanes, AVX previously reveal a flying car concept that supported by 'coaxial rotor' system.

AVX Aircraft in Utility-Transport configuration showing floor plan for troop (14) seating. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zAdaFA)

The future helicopter also has two additional fans located in the rear side of the helicopter. In addition, there is a pair of wings on the front side to help maneuver more quickly while in the air.

AVX JMR in Attack configuration. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zAdaFA)

AVX also pinned the weapon system on the attacking helicopters model. There is a 'turret' which is placed at the bottom of the helicopter and another weapon system that can be placed at the helicopter's doors. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIZMAG]

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Acquainted with Citroen Helicopter

French car manufacturer, Citroën was not only famous for its super comfortable vehicle thanks to its hydropneumatic technology. However, manufacturers are based in the Saint Ouen's also been creating a helicopter.

Citroën's Wankel-powered RE-2 helicopter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1lAAwoc)

As reported by Autoevolution on Saturday, June 14, 2014, revealed that Citroën creates the helicopter in year of 1973. The helicopter named the RE-2 has a transport capacity for two people.

The idea of ​​making this helicopter come from many American Bell 47 helicopters are milling about in the skies of France. Citroën as automotive companies were jealous and then create a diversified business by creating a helicopter that can use as their marketing weapon in the country.

Citroën's helicopter using a Wankel engine that can generate power of 170 and 190 horsepower. The Wankel engine is also used in the GS Birotor cars that produced in 1973.

RE-2 has received a pretty good reception, because of the innovative project to produce and sell about 850 units of the helicopter. Moreover, RE-2 has been using for fuel injection systems and rotor sizes are larger than other helicopters. This helicopter has a weight of 700 kg and has a cruising range as far as 430 km with a maximum speed reaches 205 kph.

The project which started in 1973 was completed in two years and a prototype of the RE-2 delivered to the French Air Force. Citroën had to wait for several months to obtain temporary flight permit from the French government while doing further development on RE-2.

Unfortunately, the age of the RE-2 only lasted for six years for the month of May 1979 Citroën halted the helicopter production. Currently, the last Citroën RE-2 seen on display at the museum belongs to the automotive companies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

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Futuristic air light public transportation concept

Brazilian visual artist, Eduardo Galvani has a future transportation concept that is very unique and called the Fly Citycopter. According to him, Fly Citycopter is an air transportion vehicle to deliver people to different places easily and more energy efficient.

Fly Citycopter concept by Eduardo Galvani. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iigE4O)

Futuristic concept vehicle who proposed by Galvani is a light helicopter that can fly and land automatically. Made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium, Fly Citycopter using a combination of propeller and electric motor that can carry two people to fly a maximum speed of 130 mph. In addition, solar cells embedded on the outside of the device in order to absorb energy during flight, thus reducing air pollution.

Front view of Fly Citycopter concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iigE4O)

"For some people, the air vehicle is still a distant dream, but if we memilikirkan carefully and combine these parts then we will realize that the materials and technology to be used has been available. With everything we can to make this dream come true. Personal helicopters can be a means of transportation that is efficient and economical, "said Galvani.

Interior view of Fly Citycopter concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iigE4O)

It is in fact, to make Fly Citycopter fly carrying passengers wherever not as easy as imagined. Galvani hopes the concept can inspire creative people to collaborate and develop cleaner and more attractive transportation vehicle as a means of public transport. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | YANKO DESIGN]

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Masculine appearance of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo

BMW reveals exclusive design concept for the popular game Gran Turismo 6. Currently, the concept car called the BMW Vision Gran Turismo with a similar character M235i but enhanced with a wide body design.

BMW Vision Gran Turismo. (Picture from: http://aol.it/1gclVz9)

If observed, the character designs are very aggressive racing. Front bumper looks "flat" with air holes here and there. Characteristic of BMW are often called "Kidney Grill" made of carbon. Difusser integrated front-side to the rear bumper. Appears in the exhaust side of the body adds to the masculine impression.

In the stern mounted "small wings" that will help the aerodynamics. Not to forget, graphics paint adopts the style of BMW cars that are used as a safety car in the international racing arena. This lightweight car has a weight only 1,179 kg, due to the use of carbon fiber in various angles. Weight distribution is set to 50/50.

Rear three quarter of BMW Vision Gran Turismo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1lLw19x)

Power comes from the six-cylinder 3,000 cc engine, complete with turbo, which is capable of spewing power up to 549 PS with torque reaching 679 Nm. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential transmission, driven with paddle shift system on the rear wheel.

Although only virtual and will not "see the light of the sun", this concept car was very seriously built by BMW. Apparently the German manufacturer was not to be outdone by its competitors who also enliven the popular racing games such as Mercedes-Benz, Alpine, Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen, up to Aston Martin.

"The development of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo combines years of experience with pattern design of BMW Motorsports. This car symbolizes racing future trends that make virtual gamers feel the quality of real racing with BMW, "says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Brand Communication BMW, BMW i and BMW M. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEFTLANENEWS]

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Black Hawk helicopter controlled by Remote Control

The team of researchers from the United States is working on a recent innovation in the world of technology and flight, the helicopter is controlled with a remote control. Unmitigated, remote control helicopter is Black Hawk.

The Optionally Piloted Black Hawk (OPBH) Demonstrator program aims at developing aircraft capable of flying without a pilot. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/Pw4Ao3)

This technology is now highlighted the unmanned aircraft called drones that can be remote controlled. Drone that has a half-size motorcycle that has also been used for warfare missions. However, because of the small, drones are only used to send packages of goods.

While Black Hawk type is troop transport helicopter that is often used in warfare missions. Unfortunately, the Black Hawk that are required to float suspended in the air while lowering the troops so often become the perfect target for the enemy's rocket launcher.

Therefore, the Black Hawk remote control technology, so-called the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk (OPBH), designed to avoid the death of the pilot when hit by an enemy rocket attacks.

The Black Hawk helicopter with the remote control does not have difference with the conventional Black Hawk. Equally able to transport troops, it's just that their movements are controlled by pilots on the ground. OPBH pilots such as are playing with the remote control helicopter toy.

Meanwhile, to avoid the problems of OPBH, such as running out of battery or sending signals to the helicopter remote control is not going well, the team made a special monitoring system OPBH. System called Matrix that will monitor all movements and helicopter engines, and have control of their own to take action in accordance with instructions of human or automated. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIZMAG]

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Solar energy aircraft being prepared for its round-the-world solar flight

Scientists continue to develop fuels that could make aircraft capable of operating for a long time in the air. And solar energy potential is developed to obtain the fuel efficiency of the aircraft. As reported from Engadget on Thursday, April 10, 2014, an achievement that the first aircraft has been successfully travelling around the world for 175 days, involving four pilots in the year of 1924.

Solar Impluse 2 being prepared for its round-the-world solar flight. (Picture from: http://www.voanews.com/)

Currently the Switzerland crews are planning to make new breakthroughs which will fly around the world using solar energy aircraft. The plane is an updated model of a solar-powered aircraft built five years ago and flown across the United States last year.

The Solar Impulse 2 will begin test flights next month in preparation for a planned around-the-world trip next year. Pilot Andre Borschberg said he expects to take five days and five nights to travel around the world. But he said Solar Impulse 2 could stay in the air indefinitely.

The aircraft has a long wingspan, which is about 240 feet. And on this innovative aircraft mounted approximately 17 thousand solar panels. The solar panel absorbs sunlight and storing it in batteries, which is then processed into energy to fly the plane. Reportedly, the aircraft speed can only reach 88 mph.

This brand-new aircraft is not intended as a super fast plane, but its ability to be able to fly for a long time and adopt eco-friendly fuel. Hopefully, this plane can still fly for one week. Currently, the pilots are testing the solar energy aircraft in Europe and the United States. Solar energy is expected to lower the cost to the lowest level. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ENGADGET | VOA NEWS]

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NAZI's radical aircraft prototype

The Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” was a radical prototype aircraft produced by Nazi germany during the final years of the war when the allies were starting to push ever closer to Berlin. The aircraft was essentially a very early version of a homing missile, and it was just one of several similar projects to be under development in Germany at the time. The primary target of the Bachem Ba 349 was to be the allied bombers which were slowly bringing the German war machine to a halt.

Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” prototype. (Picture from: http://www.diseno-art.com/)

The Bachmen Ba 349 was designed by Dr Eric Bachem, an engineer who until 1944 worked for aircraft manufacturer Fieseler. In fact the Ba 349 was a development of one of his Fieseler designs. The aircraft was built from wood, glued and nailed together. The pilot was afforded some protection in the form of a bulletproof windshield and an armour plated seat.

Diagram of Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” prototype. (Picture from: http://www.diseno-art.com/)

Powering the Bachem Ba 349, nicknamed “Natter” (adder in English), were five rockets. Four Schmidding SG34 solid fuel rocket boosters provided the thrust to fire the aircraft up its 20-metre high vertical launch ramp and into the air. After 10 seconds these burnt out and were jettisoned. A larger bi-fuel rocket motor inside the fuselage provided the thrust for the remainder of the flight.

Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” prototype flying test. (Picture from: http://www.diseno-art.com/)

Once in the air the Ba 349 was directed towards the enemy bombers using an autopilot system controlled from the ground. When the aircraft was roughly a mile from its target, the pilot would take control, aim it at the bombers and fire his entire load of 19 R4M rockets. Following this single attack run, the Ba 349 would turn away, or fly up and over the bombers, and once out of range of the gunners aboard the allied aircraft the pilot would jettison the nose of the aircraft, release a parachute which would bring the rear of the Ba 349 safely to the ground (containing the valuable and reusable primary rocket) and parachute down separately himself. It was designed to be cheap, simple to operate, navigate and was intended to be flown by inexperienced pilots.

The Natter first flew in 1944 – without a pilot. Remarkably it was a success. So two months later a second prototype was launched, this time with a dummy pilot on board. Again this was a success, and the dummy pilot was brought safely to the ground by parachute. The third flight was to be manned. The pilot was a 22-year old Luftwaffe test pilot called Lothar Sieber. On 1 March 1945 he strapped himself into a Ba 349 and took off.

About 100 meters (330 ft) the aircraft pitched onto its back, although continuing to climb at roughly 30 degrees. At about 500 metres (1,600 ft) the cockpit canopy was seen to fly off as the aircraft continued to climb before it disappeared into the clouds. It is estimated that the Natter reached an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) before it went into a nosedive and slammed into the ground at tremendous speed just 32 seconds after take off. Sieber was killed instantly. The exact cause of the crash is still unknown. However Bachem surmised that the canopy was not properly attached and that when it came off it caused Sieber’s head to snap back suddenly and possibly knock him unconscious. The catastrophic damage caused when the aircraft hit the ground meant there was very little which could be learnt from the wreckage. Posthumously, Sieber is credited with being the first man to take off vertically using rocket power. It is also theorized he may have been the first person to break the sound barrier.

Nevertheless, three more manned flights took place after the accident. All three passed without incident, and Bachem began building more aircraft for delivery to fighting units. 36 aircraft were produced in total. But thankfully it was too little, too late, and amazingly, by coincidence, the day the first Ba 349 Natters were to be launched fully armed and used against allied bombers, American tanks were charging towards the launch sites in Hasenholz and the whole unit was forced to retreat.

Despite being just a day away from being used in the war, the Bachem Ba 349 was never used in anger. One original example, captured in May 1945 by US troops, still survives and is held at the Smithsonian Institution’s Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland. There are other examples of the Ba 349 in museums around the world, however many of these are either reproductions or made up from different airframes and components. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DISENO-ART]

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Looking at one of the Soviet's giant air transporters

Advanced planes that "appear" in the search wreckage of Malaysia Airlines's MH370 plane not only made in the United States. For example, two units China's Ilyushin IL-76 which began to plunge on Monday, March 24, 2014 are the aircraft which was developed by the Soviet Union.

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a first Soviet four-jet heavy transport designed to fly strategic military cargos. (Picture from: http://sains.kompas.com/)

In the first day of their searching mission, the China's IL-76 aircrafts successfully detect the objects thought to be MH370 debris. But two advanced aircrafts of Australian's P-3 Orion and U.S. P-8 Poseidon which were conducted searching mission since the previous day did not find any results.

What's special about China's IL-76's? As in the quotation of the Military Aircraft site revealed that the China's aircraft can operate in adverse weather conditions, a condition experienced by MH370 searching team today. IL-76 Aircraft was developed in 1967. The aim of this development is to provide an aircraft fleet that can carry 40 tons of cargo for a distance up to 5,000 km in less than six hours.

Two Chinese Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 aircrafts, expected to join the search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 in Perth. (Picture from: http://www.smh.com.au/)

This aircraft was first used by the Soviet Union in 1974. After a time, many of European, Asian, and African countries has ordered the aircraft. Various types of aircraft were developed, from which is used for both civilian to military.

Size comparision between Ilyushin Il-76 Candid and Lockheed CC-130H Hercules. (Picture from: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/)

One of the role of these is aircraft was the Soviet Union mission in Afghanistan between 1979 to 1991. IL-76 aircraft had flown 14,700 times within that period, for carried the Soviet soldiers and logistics.

IL-76 aircrafts were delivered by China to find MH370 is IL-76MD. This aircraft is one of the IL-76 developments for military purposes. This type is longer than IL-76M, a base type of IL-76 aircraft for military purposes.

Cockpit  view of Ilyushin Il-76 Candid. (Picture from: http://yellowairplane.com/)

In general, the aircraft has a length of 46.6 meters and uses four jet engines. Until now, the aircraft is being developed. Recent development of IL-76 is IL76MD-90A which has a more powerful engine, better fuel system and "glass cockpit".

According to Sydney Morning Herald, stating that the MH370 debris searching mission now more focused on observing by sight, not based on radar data. Related to this, IL-76 has advantages over the P-8 Poseidon and P-3 Orion. Because it has more number of windows, thus the MH370 debris searching with IL-76MD through direct observation would be easier.

Is the object later found IL-76 today is really a MH370 debris? We do not know yet. But at least, the China's IL-76MD has given a clue. In addition to IL-76MD, China also mobilized a domestic production aircraft, Shaanxi Y-8. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SIDNEY MORNING HERALD | MILITARY TODAY]

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