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December 3, 1999
The US Air Force is looking for the funds to convert most of its laser-guided bombs to GPS satellite guidance so they will be able to strike targets in bad weather. The converted bombs will retain their laser-seekers and thus could be used in either mode. The Air Force wants to convert all of its laser-guided bombs to dual-seekers, but given how much money must be spent developing and stocking new weapons, it is unclear how much can be made available to refit old ones. --Stephen V Cole
The US Army has discovered faulty bearings in 404 of its 743 AH-64A and AH-64D Apache combat helicopters. The bearings were hardened by a faulty process prior to 1993; a different process has been used since that time and those bearings are safe. The faulty bearings can crack in flight, causing crashes. It will cost about $13.5 million to replace the forward hangar bearings in 343 aircraft and the rear hangar bearings in 381. (A total of 404 aircraft are affected.) Due to the time-lag to make new bearings, some aircraft will not return to duty for 10 months. Priority for the repairs will be given to the aircraft in the Balkans, Korea, and the Persian Gulf. The US Army has advised Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to inspect the bearings on their Apaches. --Stephen V Cole
Tests of the extended range Joint Direct Attack Munition will be delayed until next year due to schedule conflicts on the Eglin AFB test range in Florida. Boeing is to add a new fin to the JDAM which will double its range, which is currently somewhere between 64km and 80km.--Stephen V Cole
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