Here it is Skreemr, the new Concorde supersonic jet rival

In the modern world everyone wants a bigger, more powerful, faster, and more everything. Here it is Skreemr, the supersonic jet more faster than the Concorde.

If previously Concorde has announced it will made Concorde 2.0 which has speed five times the speed of sound, now they already have a competitor. The Concorde's competitors considered great enough because Skreemr able to fly 10 times the speed of sound.

A concept aircraft named Skreemr (illustrated)  could reach speeds exceeding Mach 10 - that's 10 times the speed of sound. The design features four wings and two large rockets. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1HaEDiN)

The supersonic jet is made by two Canadian engineers named Charles Bombardier and Ray Mattison. Bombardier has recently announced his vision to create a super fast jet plane can carry passengers from New York to London in just 30 minutes.

Designers Charles Bombardier and Ray Mattison envisage the craft could be launched at using a magnetic railgun system (illustrated with the craft) to catapult it into the sky at high speed. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1HaEDiN)

The Skreemr's super fast speed will be obtained from the four wings and two rockets on the back. The aircraft will take off using a magnetic rail system that is fired into the air or the electrical take off system.

Liquid-oxygen or kerosene rockets would be fired to enable the concept plane (illustrated above) to rapidly climb higher in the sky and reach Mach 4, which is around twice the speed of Concorde. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1HaEDiN)

Any system that will be used, Bombardier said that it takes a long time to make. He worried passengers will be exposed to the pressure force is too strong if the aircraft is launched at speed of Mach 10, or 10 times faster than sound speed.

This aircraft can carry 75 brave people someday. Currently Bombardier is still making this aircraft for military purposes, but he said it is quite possible in the future the public can use this plane. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INDONESIA | DAILYMAIL]

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There's the Peugeot design touches on the Airbus H160 helicopter

Over the years the petrolheads know Peugeot as one of the reliable automotive manufacturers of Europe and world-class car. But who would have thought that the Peugeot also had a big hand in the manufacture of another variant vehicles.

Airbus H160 helicopter with the Peugeot design touches. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1OByc0s)

In collaboration with Airbus, one of the aviation companies and aircraft manufacturers in the world, Peugeot Design Lab was involved in design and the formation of the Airbus H160 helicopter. It can be seen in terms of physical and accents helicopter that thick with the Peugeot touch.

Right side view of Airbus H160 helicopter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1OByc0s)

The Airbus H160 is a helicopter that will be produced en masse in 2016, although physically helicopter is still in prototype form. Reportedly, Peugeot Design Lab was given a full mandate to provide his or her identity on this helicopter.

The futuristic shape covers the entire body and form of H160. Peugeot also adds to the uniqueness of the cockpit were impressed transparent and dynamic. In addition, the Peugeot's car identity also did not forget to be pinned on propeller and its aerodynamic dimensions.

Manufacturing of the Airbus H160 is intended for commercial purposes and non-commercial. Literally there is also a notion that the helicopter can also be owned by personal or corporate. Unfortunately there is no official price on the helicopter which is already planned since 2012. Do you want to have it? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]

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The First Flying Bike is nearly here in 2017

The flying motorcycle like in science fiction movies eventually will become apparent in the near future. Aero-X which will be the first flying motorcycle and will be released in 2017. As reported by the Morebikes, A California-based company, Aerofex who became the creator of this flying motorcycle claimed, the Aero-X can carry up to two people.

The Aero-X hoverbike is a hovercraft that rides like a motorcycle - an off road vehicle that gets you off the ground. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1VkPtZX)

"Aero-X will have a positive impact on the agricultural sector, herd management, and geo-survey, particularly in parts of the country that lack air transport," said Mark De Roche, the company's CTO and the Aero-X inventor.

Aero-X hoverbike going on sale in 2017. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1VkPtZX)

With a maximum haul weights up to 140 kg (310 lbs), the Aero-X can fly up to a height of 3 meters (10 ft) above the ground and a cruising speed reaches 70 km/h (42 mph). Aero-X is made by the super lightweight materials, namely carbon fiber for the body and also the propellers. As a result of this flying motorcycle has a dry weight of just 356 kg (785 lbs). This allowed it to take off vertically and also expected to run for about 75 minutes on a full tank of fuel.

Its use was also claimed easily. Aerofex mentioned the Aero-X operating systems is made the same as the conventional motorcycle with the control center at the handlebar.

"Its operation is simple, low cost, and the unique ability makes it suitable for transportation of disaster relief, search and rescue missions. The Aero-X well suited to the needs of the border guard facilities in the playground." added Mark.

The Aero-X hoverbike is around 4.5 m (14.8 ft) in length and 2.1 m (6.8 ft) in width. For the price, it will be marketed at a price of US. $85 thousand or equivalent to Rp.1.2 billion. Some of the additional features being considered for the Aero-X include whole vehicle airbags, flotation pontoons for water operations and trailers. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AEROFEX | MOREBIKES]

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This superdrone can carry human

Many people are fascinated by the presence of drone, because it able to fly while carrying a camera. Then, what if the drone can also to transport human beings?

That's not impossible thing for YouTube users named gasturbine101. He created a giant drone that can accommodate the payloads up to 148 kilograms. The drone named 'Swarm', a giant drone was built using 54-propellers. The model is practically the same as for a camera drone.

Swarm, a 54-propeller superdrone lifts off with a person inside. (Picture from: http://cnet.co/1JOYLHj)

As quoted from Cnet on Saturday, September 4, 2015, the difference is, the size of the Swarm many times greater. In addition, there is a passenger seat in the middle of the drones.

The passenger as well as Swarm controller and nobody controls it of the land like the camera drones. Of the Video uploaded, Swarm looks still not stable. Propellers as much and even then seems still difficult to lift the weights. For final results, watch the following video uploaded to YouTube. 

Even so, gasturbine101 claim Swarm can last 10 minutes in the air. According to him, Swarm also can be used safely. Previously, gasturbine101 had also upload his giant drone flight testing videos. But at that time there has been no passenger who riding the drone. ***  [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CNET]

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DARPA's robotic landing gear for helicopters

The helicopter is more advantageous in terms of takeoffs or landings because it does not need a large place like an ordinary aircraft but on the one hand, the helicopter had problems with takeoffs or landings where the place should be flat.

DARPA has just demonstrated a helicopter that has been modified its leg with the robotic landing gear in an unmanned flight near Atlanta, Georgia, that's designed to overcome these limitations by enabling landings on broken or uneven terrain with a high degree of safety. 

The robotic landing gear negotiating an obstacle landing while keeping the craft level. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1NyGqW4)

By making the foot robot in a helicopter where each leg to adjust automatically so that the helicopter can remain in a state of flat, will automatically helicopter can land in any kind of an uneven foundation.

The robotic landing gear can make the helicopter could have landed on the terrain with a slope till 20 degrees. The helicopter robotic landing gear developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology, funded by DARPA. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DARPA | GIZMAG]

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The world's largest plane will immediately flown

The widest in the world aircraft that projected to be aired and tested in the 2016's. The aircraft named 'Stratolaunch' was built by the founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen, since 2011. As quoted from Engadget on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, the aircraft is currently under construction at the final stage in the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

The world's largest aircraft named 'Stratolaunch' that built by Stratolaunch Systems will immediately flown in 2016. (Picture from: http://engt.co/1P7VOX9)

The aircraft designed by the company Stratolaunch Systems is not intended to break the world record, but the main purpose is to launch a satellite rocket from the air.The satellite carrier rocket will be picked up by Stratolaunch up to a certain height before being released and slid alone into space.

The flying sequences of a satellite carrier rocket from Stratolaunch plane. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1M6Yp3M)

By launching a satellite carrier rocket in the air, Stratolaunch Systems claims to be savings and fuel, as rockets do not need to launched from the land. The same aircraft also can be used again for the next launch mission.

Stratolaunch: Biggest aircraft in history to launch spaceships into orbit. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KSBI4F)

In addition, the launch rocket also will not be hampered by the weather because the aircraft could launch a rocket from any location as desired. However, the weight of rockets and satellites that can be carried by Stratolaunch be limited, following the design of the maximum carrying capacity of the aircraft.

The Staratolaunch design company, Scaled Composites which makes this plane by using the basic design of the two units of Boeing 747. The shape and design of Stratolaunch resembles the design of Virgin Galactic plane belonging to a wealthy businessman Richard Bransonn, the two airframe (fuselage), which integrates with wings.

The difference, if Virgin Galactic carrying space shuttle between its fuselage, then Stratolaunch carrying a satellite launcher rocket.

The Stratolaunch's wingspan (distance between the two ends of the wings) will reach 385 feet, or the equivalent of 117 meters. The wing span of 37 meters will be wider than the wingspan of the Airbus A380, the largest commercial transport aircraft today.

Because it was so great, then Stratolaunch require a runway longer than commercial aircraft in general to take off. If the aircraft along the runway generally require two to three kilometers for takeoff, then Stratolaunch along the runway took 3.5 to 4 kilometers.

Allen and his team hope the launch of rockets from the air will be common in the future, and open the door for space travel. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ENGADGET]

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Super agile flying car made in Germany

The flying car is not new in the automotive world in the modern era. Seeing the great discourse and forecasted of the traffic congestion will increasingly, making the world's automotive instigators rushes to create the innovative modern vehicles that can penetrate the land boundary and flying freely in the air, one of them named flying car.

Germany’s Carplane project unveiled the near-complete prototype of its twin-hull flying car at the Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show on April 15-18. The vehicle is planned to fly later this year. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADJOER)

The United States has the flying car named Terrafugia Transition. While in Slovakia there is also has flying car called AeroMobil. And this time a recent flying car came from Germany that appeared some time ago as new competitors with advanced technology and so-called "Carplane".

Carplane takes premium unleaded, not avgas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADJOER)

In the prototype, the wings will be removed, stowed and re-installed manually, but Carplane has designed a mechanism to enable automatic folding and unfolding of the wings in a production vehicle.

Left side view of Carplane. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADJOER)

This car has a slick aerodynamics composition with more wider body composition than the two other flying cars, so it looks like a flying van than a city car. But the difference is, it has a separate cabin between the passenger and the driver.

Rear side view of Carplane. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADJOER)

The German flying car has a total weight of 498 kg, and using a machine capable of generating power reaches 151 hp and a gearbox that allows power to be directed to the drive wheels in road mode, to the pusher propeller in flight mode, and to both wheels and prop for a short takeoff.

Carplane can be parked anywhere like cars in general. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADJOER)

According to Notuicias Automotivas, the maximum speed in the air is able to accelerate up to 222 km/h at an altitude of about 4,570 m. Meanwhile, when used in the road, the car has a topspeed of 176 km/h.
Carplane plans to certify its flying car as a very light aircraft under European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness rules. This will require the driver to have a private pilots’ license. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARPLANE | AVIATION WEEK]

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Take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane

Planes and helicopters have strengths and weaknesses of each. Aircraft can move quickly and bring a lot of cargo, while the helicopter moves more slowly, but it does not need a long runway and able to maneuver better.

Langley Research Center at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently tested a 6 meters-long drone, named GL-10 Greased Lightning. The drone is unique because half helicopter and half airplane. In a trial that conducted recently, the drone successfully demonstrated the ability of take off and landing by helicopter style and change its flying mode into "wing-borne" while in the air.

The latest NASA's drone named GL-10 Greased Lightning. (Picture from: http://wrd.cm/1OWWX7L)

GL-10 drone is a relative of the V-22 Osprey, a Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that developed by the US. Air Force and Navy in the 1980s. V-22 Osprey can take off from the middle of the woods by carrying up to 9 tonnes cargo and fly as far as 3,500 kilometers.

NASA's GL-10 Greased Lightning design diagram. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tnlNk5)

Turns toughness of the V-22 Osprey later inspired the creation of GL-10 drone. NASA wants the drones also have the power like that of the V-22 Osprey, but in a smaller size. GL-10 drone has four motors on each wings and two motors on the tail. So in total there are 10 motors. And NASA hope that the drone development could serve a variety of tasks.

NASA's GL-10 Greased Lightning on the ground. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tnlNk5)

"It could be used to send small packages, long-term sensing for agriculture, mapping, and other applications," said Bill Frederick, a NASA engineer who involved the drone development, as quoted from Wired on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

So far, NASA has made 12 GL-10 prototypes, which is made from cork with a weight of 2 kg, fiberglass prototypes with weighing 10 kilograms, until the proto that has a weights up to 100 kilograms of carbon fiber materials.

A number of prototypes have been destroyed after going through several testing processes. However, at the same time, the engineers can learn more and enhance the design. After the last trials in April, NASA will return to test the efficiency of the drone in the near future.

The team of engineers believe the drone was four times more aerodynamic than a helicopter. Not yet clear when NASA is targeting completion of the drone project. However, improvements continue to be made. The latest prototypes have been much better and not noisy. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIRED | EXTREME TECH]

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Looking at the NASA's Hybrid Wing Body project

Currently the passenger aircraft technology is very advanced. Many manufacturers are competing in the aircraft making with better efficiency, whether it be in terms of the efficiency of the engine, lifting force or other.

Similarly, the design of the airframe technology is also growing, and in the end was discovered a body aircraft design called the Blended Wing Body or Hybrid Wing Body. Hybrid Wing Body is characterized by the absence of the dividing line between the wing and the core body of a plane.

Image above is artist concept of one version of the blended wing body aircraft. (Picture from: http://1.usa.gov/1NMYPtH)

In the design of the Hybrid Wing Body although apparently looks of the structure between core body aircraft with wings as if fused, but the original structure of the core body aircraft with the wing structure has a structure that is separate and distinct. The aircraft design by Hybrid Wing Body has a flat body and in accordance with the airfoil shape.

A scale model of an early blended wing body design was tested in one of the NASA Langley wind tunnels. (Picture from: http://1.usa.gov/1NMYPtH)

Some of the advantages of Hybrid Wing Body is increasing the aircraft's lifting force that will automatically increase its fuel efficiency. The Hybrid Wing Body is able to have a ratio of lift to drag force 50% greater than conventional aircraft design.

Boeing's sub-scale X-48B Blended Wing Body technology demonstrator rests on the cracked surface of Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base before beginning its flight test program. (Picture from: http://1.usa.gov/1JdbW6Z)

When NASA developed this technology, they are faced with two challenges, namely; 

The first, how do to control these wings at low speeds. To deal with this problem, NASA perform simulations to make the X-48B and X-48C prototypes that is controlled via a remote control that has a total size of the wingspan up to 6 meters. Based on the test results of the prototype through the wind tunnel testing, so perform simulations on a plane which is controlled via remote control but has a larger size.

Remotely operated X-48C Blended Wing Body aircraft lifts off Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, on its first test flight August 7, 2012. (Picture from: http://1.usa.gov/1JdbW6Z)

The second challenge that is made in accordance with the size of the original aircraft with a pressurized cabin design that can withstand the pressure of the outside air. As is well known that in a conventional aircraft designs which generally uses a tubular design has advantages to withstand the pressure from the outside air so that the cabin pressure will be stable. Due to the design of tubular shape has advantages where the pressure distribution can be distributed more evenly in the cabin. While the X-48B prototype that has a flat design, off course the design will be more complicated that it was able to withstand the pressure of the outside air. Due to the flat design makes the pressure in the cabin is less spread evenly.

Then the core material that used in the X-48B prototype is the carbon composite preformed rod. These bars are coated with carbon fiber and then strapped onto foam strips to form a cross section and then finally mixed with the liquid epoxy to be a strong composite structure.

After testing, the results showed that in fact when there is pressure on certain parts will cause these parts to fail, with the bonding system as described earlier can protect from the occurrence of cracks and of course this will prevent a deadly accident on the flight. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NASA]

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Russian experimental fighter jets

Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut (in Russian: Су-47 Беркут - Golden Eagle) (NATO code name: Firkin), also designed as S-32 and S-37 during initial development, this is a supersonic fighter developed by Sukhoi. Distinguishing feature of this aircraft is the sweeper front wing, similar to Tsybin LL-3, which gives this aircraft amazing agility.

Russian ready to build strategic stealth bomber

Tupolev Design Bureau, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has completed the initial design of the PAK DA, the most sophiticated of Russian's strategic remotely bomber. And it estimated in three years Russia has been able to have this plane.

PAK DA (in some military aviation literature also written PAK-DA) is the new generation of Russian's strategic bombers draft with stealth technology that developed by Tupolev Design Bureau. The Tupolev PAK-DA (Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Aviatsii Dal'ney Complex) strategic stealth bomber is scheduled to be operational at least started in 2025 and the slowest start in 2030.

PAK-DA will eventually replace the role of Tu-95 MS, Tu-160 and Tu-22 3M aircrafts in the Russian Air Force weaponry. Director of UAC, Mikhail Pogosyan announced that the manufacture of some components for the assembly of prototype testing will begin in the near future.

Tupelov PAK-DA. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Bwnm0X)

The final design of PAK-DA is ready, but no one can predict the development of aviation in the future, so it is still a possibility to be modified. At the time of launch the PAK-DA project in 1999, the aircraft designers are faced with a difficult question: Is the Russian Air Force need subsonic or supersonic plane?

The sketch of Tupelov PAK-DA stealth bombers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1AnZaif)

Supersonic aircraft can break through all air defense weapons, but because of its aerodynamic features, this aircraft is too flashy for the enemy. In addition, the supersonic bombers fuel consumption is extremely wasteful, so the aircraft can not fly away in the air without refueling. Finally, aircraft designers chose to make a subsonic bomber aircraft. Viktor Bondar, Supreme Commander of the Russian Air Force stated the advantages of PAK-DA is the aircraft have more capacity than the Tu-160. In addition, weapons owned would be much more devastating. Meanwhile, other problems will be resolved by the presence of missiles.

The new plane will be built based on the scheme of "flying wing" which the aircraft type which airs only with wings, and no tail. The fuselage (airframe) is almost flat and dimensionally reduced. The general role of the fuselage to accommodating the crews, equipments, cargos, and so on, is charged on the wings. The wings are also could fitted with weapons and crews. Most manufacturing of the "flying wing" aircraft with "stealth" (low observable) technology. Possibly, this new bomber aircraft will be made in order to trick the radar with forming the ribs lines, to disperse the enemy radar beam.

Currently the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) conducting a study of the properties of "flying wing" aerodynamic. This makes Russia has a basis for producing stealth aircraft as the competitor of American-owned B-2 Spirit.

PAK-DA has a weighs 120 tons. No less than a quarter of the weight is an important transport goods such as fuels, crews, and armaments. The aircraft will also be equipped with a hypersonic weapon. The first prototype of PAK-DA will be completed in 2017. In 2019, the prototype will be conduct flight test and in 2025 the aircraft will enter into the Russian Air Force weaponry system.

The entry of new aircraft into the Russian Air Force will dismiss the use of Tu-160 and Tu-95 aircrafts, which are currently take a role as the Russian mainstay aircrafts for long-haul flights. After 2025, the bombers were to be retired and replaced by the PAK-DA. Currently, Russia has 32 units of Tu-95 MS strategic bombers and 16 unit of Tu-160 supersonic aircraft based in the city of Engels. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES ]

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Will the Typhoon fighter jets fills the Indonesian AIr Force fleet in the near future?

As we know, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is still reviewing candidates for replacement of F-5 Tiger fleets that will retire. And the replacement of F-5 Tiger as much as 12 units itself has been prepared on the Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional (or National Medium Term Development Plan) 2015-2019.

A selection has been ogled as the Sukhoi Su-35M from Russia, from the French Dassault Rafale, JAS Grippen of Sweden as well as an American fighter aircraft. While Eurofighter Typhoon proposed by the Indonesian Aerospace (IAe)/PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PT. DI) because the jets producer is very likely to share in terms of technology transfer and licensing of spare parts.

Eurofighter Typhoon. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tNYgw7)

Once grabbed a paddle, two three islands exceeded is the maxim used by the Indonesia goverment in the strategy of procurement and the strengthening of defense equipment. According to sources the JakartaGreater.com, with the purchasing of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, PT. DI will get the development of airframe, avionics (include multi-mode radar mission to be developed by PT. LEN Industri). The ability of PT. LEN Industri will continue to rise. Currently, PT. LEN Industri has developed medium range 2D radar and there is also a co-production of 3D radar. And PT. DI will be more confident in absorbing technology to develop the KFX/IFX fighter jets together with South Korean. The purchasing of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets with a contract value of US. $1.5 billion will come gradually, to replace the F-5 Tiger fleets.

Eurofighter Typhoon has a bigger snout, to make a larger room for AESA radar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xDqXLZ)

Purchase and transfer of technology from the Eurofighter Typhoon, it can be said one of Indonesian military diplomatic progress. As we know, some NATO countries are reluctant to share their fighter jets engine technology to the non-NATO countries. With this step, the Indonesian KFX/IFX fighter jet engine later, not necessarily the same as the South Korean fighter jets engine which are likely to use the American engine ie F-414-400.

With the purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon by the Indonesian Air Force, likely the future Indonesian fighter jets will using the Typhoon engine. In one presentation in South Korea, PT. DI said, the KFX/IFX that constructed must had a great thrust power. It is to pursue the KFX/IFX's 4.5G technology capabilities which will continues to be developed into the 5G stealth aircraft.

Eurofighter Typhoon cutaway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xDB3fo)

Typhoon has the thrust power advantages compared than Dassault Rafale. And the Typhoon's EJ200 engine is able to maintain its high speed, thus providing the a superior acceleration to the Typhoon after Mach 1.5 speed. Compared to Rafale, Although the Rafale's M88 engine can function both in limited airflow at high altitude, the aircraft will lose power which limits the Rafale at a speed of Mach 1.8 to 1.9 only, while the Typhoon still powerful through Mach 2 speed. Excellence of the EJ200 engine that owned by Typhoon become a great asset for Indonesia to develop an advanced IFX fighter jets. Typhoon fighter jets began to arrive in 2015, and will accompany the SU-27/30 fleets.

As we know, the 2014 Eurofighter Typhoon began equipped with the AESA radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array) which is a new sensor technology leap in the fighter jet, because the power source (transmitter) is derived from many TR modules contained in the antenna. The effect is the fighter jet has a high detection capability, targeting, tracking and self-protection capabilities. Thus the aircraft has the ability to full spectrum of air operations. Also the purchase of the Typhoon is diversification efforts coupled arms purchases of long-term plans.

Will the Eurofighter Typhoon replace the Indonesian F-5 Tiger fleets which will be retired? For that we must wait for the decision of the Republic of Indonesia goverment. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FLIGHT GLOBAL | JAKARTAGREATER.COM]

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Here it is the figure of bombers that might change the WW II result

An artist illustration of Horten Ho 229. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w3KJMc)

A glimpse of the aircraft picture above is similar to B-2 Spirit, a stealth bomber aircraft of the USAF that was developed in the 1980s under the Black Project (a secret military project). The aircraft that shown in the picture was a stealth bombers that has been developed since 1936 by the two Germans brothers, ie Walter Horten and Reimar Horten. This aircraft included into the 'Flying Wings' type because most of the body of the plane is in the form of wings, unlike the form of aircraft in general.

Horten Ho 229 prototype flying over Göttingen, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1IbYTRc)

Not many people know that the aircraft with stealth technology was already developed by the Germans during World War II. And from the Nazi's design and technology then traced by Northrop-Grumman Corporation to make the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers which we know as one of the US military mainstay today.

Horten Ho 229 was a German prototype fighter/bomber. It was the first pure flying wing powered by jet engines. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Htv685)

Since teenager, the Horten brothers already familiar with the world of aviation. They both have long admired the delta wing concept created by Dr. Alexander Lippisch. By the time when they are teenagers, the Horten brothers had managed to fly their homemade glider in 1933.

Front view of Horten Ho 229. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w3KJMc)

In 1943, the Luftwaffe (the Nazi-German Air Force) ordered the manufacturing mission of bomber aircraft that could carrying 1,000 kg of bombs, then fly as far as 1,000 kilometers, and can reach speeds of 1,000 kph. The mission is known as the 3 x 1000 Project. And the Horten brothers aircraft design which are considered most appropriate for the project. Then in February 1944, they has created the first prototype named Horten IX V1 or often also called the Horten Ho 229 was an aircraft prototype can be completed by them within six months in Göttingen.

Rear view of Horten Ho 229. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1w3KJMc)

After V1 version, the project continued with the V2 prototype version. This time the aircraft has been use the turbojet engines in accordance with the project requirements. The first flight test of V2 conducted on February 2, 1945 in Oranienburg. According to reports, the V2 prototype can be controlled properly. But it still has an interference of lateral instability. Even now, the disturbances in this section generally has become a hallmark of the flying wing aircraft type. And two months later in the third test flight, the V2 prototype got a bad luck. The aircraft can not be controlled because it has been losing the speed. And Erwin Ziller, the test pilot was killed instantly when his plane smashed into pieces.

After the accident, the remaining of Horten Ho 229 V2 prototypes was transferred to Gothaer Waggonfabrik (Gotha) in Friedrichsrode. In March 1945, they began to build the third prototype, the Ho 229 V3. This prototype is a modification version that has a larger size than the previous generation. Both the dimensions of size, engine capacity, as well as the fuselage material already using steel.

The bomber is almost finished when the Allied forces invaded Germany and took over Gothaer Waggonfabrik along with all of its assets. Furthermore, Ho 229 V3 aircraft prototype was brought to the US for further study. Then Horten Ho 229 V3 prototype was stored in NASM's Paul E. Garber Restoration in Silver Hill, Maryland. The video below was the reconstructed of Horten Ho 229.

Fortunately, the Luftwaffe did not succeed in making the production version of this plane and use it in the war against the Allies. But if they succeed, may be the result of World War II will be different. It was horrible. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HORTENWINGS]

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