Monthly Archives: April 2015

Cathay Pacific A340 diverted to RNZAF base for seven hours due to weather

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340-300 had to be diverted to Ohakea Air Force base for seven hours as bad weather prevented the airliner from landing at Auckland.

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Photo: BRENDON DEERE

All 266 passengers and 15 crew on board Flight CX197 had to remain inside the aircraft while at Ohakea as there was no customs at the base.

Cathay Pacific spokeswoman Pauline Ray added that the pilots had to take a mandatory break before flying as well. The airline flew replacement pilots and crew, as well as two engineers to Ohakea using a chartered plane.

The flight, which landed at 12.30 p.m., finally took off at 7 p.m.

Source: Alert 5

Locklear: Chinese reclamation works in South China Sea could lead to new ADIZ

Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Locklear, told Congress that China’s may be able to enforce a Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over South China Sea once reclamation works on islands it occupied there are completed.

Spratly with flags
By CIA. Cropped and Flags added by Estarapapax. (Central Intelligence Agency.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“It allows them to exert basically greater influence over what’s now a contested area. Expanded land features down there also could eventually lead to the deployment of things such as long-range radars, military, and advanced missile systems,” he said.

Source: Alert 5

Boeing working on a Harpoon Next Generation

Boeing is looking at a new Harpoon Next Generation anti-ship missile that will have its range double from 67 nm to 134 nm.

USS Fletcher (DD-992) launching RGM-84 Harpoon
By USN [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The upgrade – consists of a more fuel-efficient engine, additional fuel, and a smaller 300-pound class warhead – can be retrofitted by existing customers of Harpoon Block II missiles themselves.

Company officials say the kit is expected to be ready in 2018.

Source: Alert 5