The Royal Netherlands Air Force's Pilots Will Train On The M-346 Of Italian Air Force

The Royal Netherlands Air Force’s Pilots will train in Italy on M-346 jets in service with the Italian Air Force, thanks to the agreement that has been signed by the Chiefs of Staff of the two Air Forces in Milan last week that envisages the detachment of an instructor and two student pilots of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, to be stationed at ItAF's Lecce-Galatina AFB Flight School.
The instructor and the two students will follow the standard training programmes of the Italian military pilots.
The new training programme, recently reconfigured to catch up with operational and technological advances, thanks to the entry in service of the new M-346 trainers , is evaluated with great interest by several air forces that plan to operate new-generation aircraft.
aleniaaermacchi

Lockheed urges more X-47B testing

Lockheed Martin wants to see the continuation of the X-47B demonstrator programme led by Northrop Grumman as the US Navy’s unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) competition enters a “waiting period” with no firm requirements so far revealed.
Lockheed’s director of unmanned systems strategy, says that industry and the navy still have much to learn about unmanned operations within a battle carrier group that is swarming with manned aircraft.
flightglobal

Moroccan F-16 jet from Saudi-led coalition in Yemen goes missing

A Moroccan F-16 warplane taking part in the Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting in Yemen went missing on Sunday, the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said in a statement.
The pilot of a second jet in the same squadron could not see if the pilot had ejected from the jet, which was hit at 6 p.m. local time.
An investigation is under way.
trust

Germany and United Kingdom ground A400M after Spain crash

Germany has grounded its A400M military transport aircraft after a similar plane crashed in Spain during a test flight on Saturday, the defense ministry said.
The move echoes a decision taken by Britain's Royal Air Force after the crash, in which four people died.
There was no immediate word from France, Malaysia and Turkey, which also operate the aircraft.
Germany took delivery of its first and so far only A400M, with a delay of four years, shortly before the end of 2014.
The country has ordered 53 in total, but intends to sell 13 so that its armed forces will ultimately keep only 40.
Airbus said in April Germany would receive another two to four planes this year after new schedule delays. It plans to deliver 14-18 A400Ms in total this year.
reuters

A400M Crash in Seville, 10 Killed

#Noticias Un avión militar de carga A400M se estrella en Sevilla al despegar http://t.co/ta1NrfLieC

— Maria Garcia Marti (@mariademadrid) Mayo 9, 2015

An A400M military cargo plane has crashed in Seville on Saturday on takeoff. The Aircrat, whose final assembly is done in the Airbus Military plant in Seviile. On the plane, which had not yet been delivered to your buyer and remained the property of the European manufacturer, they were among "eight to 10" people, all killed in the crash.
The Aircraft has crashed about a mile north of the San Pablo Airport in Seville.
elpais

Sweden will replace C-130H with either KC-390 or A400M

The Swedish air force is likely to field a replacement for its aged Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports at some point during the next decade, with potential candidates including the Embraer KC-390 and Airbus A400M.
Sweden Air Force will mark the 50th anniversary of its introduction of the Hercules, with its active fleet now including five transports and one KC-130H tanker. Two other aircraft have already been retired and are in storage in the UK, and the service could in time decide to reduce its operational fleet to only four examples.
Sweden’s recently published defence bill for the 2016-2020 period identifies the need to address the C-130H replacement issue only post-2021. The nation’s air force has already shown interest in Embraer’s developmental KC-390 transport and tanker. Sweden could also investigate the potential acquisition of the A400M. Several of the latter model are likely to become available early next decade, as Germany and Spain have said they will not be able to fully field their on-order fleets.
flightglobal

Norway's F-16 Fist Interception of Russian Airplane in Nato Baltic Air Policing Mission

The Norwegian F-16 aircraft sent to guard Nato’s eastern border have had their first run-in with a Russian aircraft, after an Antonov An-22 transport aircraft came close to entering Lithuanian airspace.
The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace continually, giving the Norwegian pilot no cause to intervene. But it did not have its transponders on, as this is not a requirement for aircraft travelling through international airspace.
Norway on Thursday took over the revolving Nato mission in the Baltic States, which it will carry out for the next four months.
Italy, the last country to have the job, sent its fighters out no fewer than 60 times in four months to intercept Russian planes.
In December a Norwegian F-16 found itself in a near collision with a Russian MiG, which suddenly appears at its right.
thelocal

Israeli F-16I pilots Train to Deal Against S-300 System

The Israeli air force has used a bilateral exercise with its Greek counterpart to prepare for apotential situation where it will have to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.
In late April, the service took part in joint training with the Greek air force, which included performing missions against the nation's Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile system. The same equipment will soon be supplied to Iran, under a proposed deal with Moscow.
The Israeli and Greek air forces have staged a number of joint exercises over the last few years.
NATO member Greece has been in possession of S-300s since the late 1990s, and is operating the air defence systemfrom a base in Crete. Athens is also negotiating with Russia for the purchase of additional missiles.
According to foreign sources, the Israeli air force has acquired technical data about the long-range surface-to-air missile system, and now its pilots have had a chance to simulate a scenario in which they attack a site heavily protected with the S-300 and other advanced anti-aircraft systems.
flightglobal

Antonov begins An-178 flight trials

Antonov has begun flight trials of its new An-178 transport aircraft.
The maiden flight took place out of Kiev-Antonov Airport in Ukraine on 7 May, and lasted for approximately one hour. No specific details relating to the flight were revealed.
The An-178 is intended to replace the An-12, An-26, and An-32 airlifters. The An-178 is, in essence, an An-158 regional jet with a rear loading ramp. The two types share a number of components, including the front fuselage and cockpit, and nosewheel leg.
The aircraft has a maximum payload of 18 tonnes; and a range of 1,000 km fully loaded. Its cruise speed is 445 kt, and requires a 2,500 m runway from which to operate.
janes

US approves V-22 sale to Japan

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 17 Bell-Boeing V-22B to Japan.
The sale is intended to enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities.
The version of the Osprey outlined in the notification is the MV-22B Block C operated by the US Marine Corps. .
Japa announced the selection of the V-22 in November 2014.
The platforms are due to equip a new JGSDF amphibious unit made up of two expeditionary divisions and two brigades.
janes

Turkey May Buy Russia's S-300 Air Defense System

Turkey is still considering purchasing Russia’s S-300 air and missile defense system, according the deputy head of Rosoboronexport— Russia’s state-owned arms exporter.
Turkey is currently looking to spend between $3.4-$4 billion on an air and missile defense system as part of its T-LORAMIDS program. Russia had put in a bid for its Antey-2500 air defense system (the export version of the S-300) for that contract, along with defense companies from Europe, the United States and China..
In September 2013, Turkey shocked many by announcing it had selected the proposal submitted by China (CPMEIC) to jointly develop its HQ-9 system (FT-2000). This raised the hackles of Ankara’s NATO allies, including the United States, who said the HQ-9 system was not interoperable with NATO’s larger, Patriot-based air defense system.
In addition, many NATO allies, including Washington, said that connecting the HQ-9 to NATO’s Patriot systems would leave the latter vulnerable to Chinese espionage. Furthermore, CPMEIC, the maker of the HQ-9, is under U.S. sanctions because of its arms sales to countries like North Korea and Iran.
nationalinterest

Rooivalk 2 under consideration

South Africa's Denel group is studying the possibility of bringing the Rooivalk attack helicopter back into production in an updated variant.
Sources involved in considering the future of the Rooivalk have suggested the Rooivalk 2 might be fitted with the new EO/IR turret developed by Airbus Optronics - formerly Denel Optronics - that includes both a laser designator and a laser beam generator for beam-riding missiles such as the Ingwe.
There has also been discussion of adding an air-to-air missile for self-defence.
Two countries have already expressed interest in the Rooivalk 2.
janes

US Near to Sell 40 Super Hornet to Kuwait

The US s nearing agreement to sell up to 40 F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet strike fighters to Kuwait.
The deal, has yet to be officially announced, but officials in Washington have confirmed an agreement is close.
Any deal will would require approval from the US Congress, but it's unlikely a proposed sale to Kuwait, a staunch US ally in the Persian Gulf, would meet serious opposition.
A major Super Hornet sale would breathe new life into the Boeing production line, which is working on new aircraft for the US Navy and Australia, but which will deliver the last of those aircraft by the end of 2017. Boeing officials have said production of two aircraft per month, or 24 per year, is necessary to keep the St. Louis, Missouri production line at the break-even point.
The Navy has not officially requested any Super Hornet variants since the 2014 budget. But Congress added fifteen EA-18G Growler electronic attack variants into the 2015 defense acts, and the service listed 12 Super Hornets in its 2016 unfunded requirements list.
In Kuwait, Boeing had been up against the Eurofighter Typhoon. Kuwait tentatively agreed in early 2014 to go with the Typhoon, but subsequently backed off.
It is not yet clear how many single-seat F/A-18Es and two-seat F/A-18Fs are involved in the Kuwait deal. Some media accounts reported a deal for 28 of the Boeing aircraft, while US sources indicate as many as 40 F/A-18s could be sold -- probably under an initial deal for 28 aircraft with an option for 12 more..
If confirmed, Kuwait would become the second international customer for the Super Hornet, after Australia, that operates 24 F/A-18Fs, and is set to take initial delivery this summer of the first of 12 EA-18G Growlers.
defensenews

Singapore Requests Upgrade for 60 F-16C/D/D+ Aircraft

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore for the F-16 Block 52 Upgrade Program.
The Government of Singapore has requested a possible sale for the upgrade of 60 F-16C/D/D+ aircraft.
Items included in the proposed sale are :
-50 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System,
-90 AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator/Transponders,
-150 LAU-129 Missile Launchers,
-8 KMU-572/B 500lbs Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits,
-9 KMU-556/B 2000lbs JDAM Tail Kits,
-2 FMU-152 Munition Fuze Units,
-10 MK-82 500lbs Inert Bombs,
-3 MK-84 2000lbs Inert Bombs,
-12 LN-260 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS/INS),
-20 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB),
-92 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System/ Low Volume Terminals
(MIDS/LVT),
-2 SDB Guided Test Vehicles,
-Computer Control Group and Tail Assembly for GBU-49,
-DSU-38/40 Proximity Sensor for JDAM,
-GBU-39 Tactical training Round,
-ADU-890/E and 891 Adaptor Group for Common Munitions Built-In-Test/Reprogramming
Equipment,
-Encryption/Decryption devise,
-MIDS/LVT Ground Support Station,
defense-studies

Australia commissions first two CH-47Fs Chinook

The first two of seven CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters for the 5th Aviation Regiment of the Australian Army were commissioned in a ceremony at RAAF Townsville on 5 May.
The remaining Chinooks will be delivered by the end of July. Initial operating capability (IOC) would be achieved by December 2015 and full operating capability (FOC) by January 2017.Although the new aircraft are being received in a common configuration with the US Army's baseline CH-47Fs, they also incorporate optional Boeing-designed rotor brakes and ship tie-down adaptors to enhance operations from the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) two Canberra class landing helicopter docks (LHDs).
janes

Argentina begins P-3 Orion update

The Argentine Navy has begun a service-life extension programme for its four P-3B Orion maritime patrol fleet.
The first P-3B (serial 6-P-56) was delivered to Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) Brigadier San Martin on 27 April. The aircraft is to operate for another 15 years after its modernisation programme, the service said.
The programme includes a comprehensive structural revision and integration of new ISR sensors.
janes

Portugal deploys F-16s to Romania

Four F-16AM of the Portuguese Air Force will arrive at the Romanian Air Force 71st Air on 4 May.
The aircraft of Squadron 201 'Falcões' and Squadron 301 'Jaguares' from Monte Real airbase No. 5 will be stationed in Romania until 30 June as part of 'Falcon Defence 2015' unitary concept training mission. This is intended as a reassurance measure for the alliance's eastern members and also to meet specific NATO interoperability and standardisation requirements.
The deployment follows closely behind the 1 September and 31 December 2014 deployment of six Portuguese F-16AM aircraft to Siauliai airbase in Lithuania for NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.
From September 2016 to late 2017, 12 Portuguese F-16s (nine single-seat F-16AM and three twin-seat F-16BM aircraft) will be transferred to the Romanian Air Force as part of a deal sealed by both countries in 2013. The aircraft will progressively replace the ageing MiG-21 LanceR fighters currently fielded by Romania.
Portugal will keep 39 aircraft in its inventory including the three F-16A Block 15s granted by the United States as excess defence articles and now being modernised by OGMA-Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal.
janes

Bulgaria may sign deal with Russian firm on repairs to two MiG-29 fighters

Having said earlier that Bulgaria would not extend a costly contract with a Russian firm to maintain the country’s ageing fleet of MiG fighter aircraft, Defence Minister said that Bulgaria could sign a deal on having two repaired.
For several years, Bulgaria has faced the issue of replacing its non-Nato-standard Russian-made jet fighters with Western military aircraft.
No government has made a decision on the jet fighter acquisition, with part of the debate being whether to buy new fighters or to acquire second-hand ones.
Bulgaria could get a donation of second-hand US jet fighters from Washington.
sofiaglobe

Embraer eyeing slowdown of KC-390 program if Brazil cannot pay

Embraer has to consider slowing down development of the KC-390 military cargo jet if the Brazilian Air Force, which is funding the program, does not catch up on late payments, Chief Executive Officer said on a Thursday conference call.
The Brazilian government has fallen behind on around $300 million in payments on defense contracts due to efforts to shore up the federal budget
reuters

India Likely To Sign AH-64 and CH-47F Deal During US Defense Secretary Visit

India is likely to sign a nearly $2.5 billion deal for 22 AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters during an upcoming visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.
India downselected the Apache over the Russian Mi-28N in 2012 to replace its aging Russian Mi-25/35 aircraft. The Russians also lost out to Boeing in the race to sell heavy-lift helicopters after the Indian air force said it preferred the Chinook over the Mi-26T2.
India operates a Russian-built fleet of aging Mi-35 attack helicopters that urgently need to be replaced.
aviationweek

China building second aircraft carrier

China is building its second aircraft carrier, a senior naval officer has told media, the most explicit confirmation yet of a widely expected move that will boost Beijing’s maritime power.
China’s first aircraft carrier was a 300-metre Soviet-era vessel bought from Ukraine and commissioned in September 2012 -- at the time a milestone for the country’s growing military might.
newsltncomtw

Slovak 'Hip' replacement settles on nine Black Hawks

Slovakia announced on 29 April that it will buy nine Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters.
The MoD will procure the helicopters via the US Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The procurement price will include full life-cycle support for the aircraft as well as training for aircrews and ground personnel.
janes

US offers Scorpion to India

US defence secretary two-day visit to India in early June is expected to raise the levels of bilateral strategic and defence co-operation between India and the USA.
The US is expected to offer the Textron AirLand Scorpion light-attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft currently being developed to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha of India Air Force who is believed to have expressed interest in the Scorpion, believes the twin-seat platform can double as an intermediate jet trainer (IJT). The IAF badly needs an IJT due to delays to the Sitara (Star) platform, which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been developing since 2005.
janes

U.S. military aircraft arriving in Nepal

To aid in earthquake relief efforts, the US has sent four MV-22 Ospreys and two KC-130 cargo aircraft to Nepal.
nepalitimes

Bulgaria May Withdraw MiG-29s From Service

Bulgarian Defense Minister has announced the Air Force likely will pull its 12 MiG-29 fighter jets out of service rather than proceed with what he called an "overpriced" maintenance and repair deal with Russia.
Signing an extended deal, until 2019, would be unfavorable to Bulgaria, and so he refused to sign the contract.
The proposed cost was triple the actual value of such a contract, according to the minister.
The aircraft are currently serviced by Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. That deal is scheduled to expire in September.
The Defense Ministry has shortlisted three offers to acquire new combat aircraft, which include a US bid of F-16s, which were withdrawn from service, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Sweden's Gripen
When Bulgaria joined NATO in March 2004, Sofia vowed to replace six of its MiG-21 aircraft and acquire eight new fighters by 2016.
defensenews

USAF's Aviano F-16s deploy to Afghanistan

F-16s from Aviano Air Base, Italy, have deployed to Afghanistan to provide close-air support for Afghan and remaining U.S. units in the country.
The airmen and F-16s assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron landed April 27 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, to support operations Freedom's Sentinel and Resolute Support. The unit will remain for six months.
The squadron is taking over for F-16s from the 4th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The unit arrives as U.S. aircraft have been flying fewer missions in Afghanistan. In March, aircraft conducted 52 airstrikes for a total of 128 this year. Aircraft conducted 2,363 airstrikes in all of 2014, down from a high of 5,411 in 2011.
Meanwhile, other aircraft have been increasing airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. In March, U.S. and coalition aircraft conducted 1,600 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
airforcetimes

Brazil, Venezuela evince interest in BrahMos missile

The supersonic cruise missile system BrahMos, which is a joint venture between India and Russia, has caught the attention of countries like Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Brazil in Latin America and also of South Africa.
The LatAm countries have been in talks with officials from BrahMos and expressed interest in mobile autonomous launchers for coastal defence batteries, ship-based weapon complex for submarines and frigates. Recently, the Brazilian Navy official had discussions with the BrahMos officials about the possibility of buying the missiles from India.
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed by DRDO and Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The missile could be launched from surface, submarine or air. Latin American countries as well as South East Asian countries have expressed their interest for the missile particularly for their naval and coastal defence.
After Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first BrahMos-A missile-integrated Su-30MKI aircraft to the Indian Air Force, Indian and Russian designers concentrated on creating the supersonic mini-BrahMos (BrahMos-M) which will be marketed as BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missiles, meant to boost the defence capability of India’s Navy and Air Force.
Developed by the DRDO, NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia and BrahMos Aerospace, the new missile will have lighter weight and smaller diameter in comparison with BrahMos-A. Equipped with a compact engine it will reach speeds of Mach 3.3, carrying a payload of 300 kg to a range of 300 km. With a weight of 1.4-1.6 tons and a length of 6 m, the BrahMos-NG will be a breakthrough as it will meet the requirements of both the Indian Navy as well as the Indian Air Force.
financialexpress

Vietnam Buys Deadly New Missiles Capable of Hitting China

Vietnam is in the process of acquiring 50 anti-ship and land attack 3M-14E Klub supersonic cruise missiles for its fleet of SSK Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines.
The Klub is a Russian-made conventional supersonic cruise missile, “designed to destroy targets protected by sophisticated active air defenses and countermeasures,” deagel.com explains. It is an export variant of Russia’s “carrier killer” 3M-54 (NATO designation: SS-N-27A “Sizzler”) and capable of long-range precision strikes.
While it is unknown whether the anti-ship variant of the weapon sold to Vietnam is the 3M-54E Klub-S (range 220km) or 3M-54E1 (range 300km) – both of which can be launched from submarines – the land-attack variant is almost certainly the 3M-14E (range 300km), capable of carrying a 450kg warhead.
Principal targets for the new missile could be the Chinese naval base at Sanya on China’s Hainan Island and military facilities.
The launch platforms for Vietnam’s new weapons will be six 4,000-ton Type 636 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines.
The Vietnamese Navy has already commissioned two Kilo-class vessels – the HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City – in 2014, while it received the third sub, the HQ-184 Haiphong, in February of this year.
Once the last vessel is commissioned, Vietnam will have the most modern submarine force in all of Southeast Asia. Its principal purpose will be to act as a credible deterrent force to Chinese “adventurism” in Vietnam’s maritime domain.
thediplomat

US House panel blocks A-10 retirement

The House Armed Services Committee has approved a plan to keep the A-10 in the air.
The committee passed an amendment late Wednesday from former A-10 pilot Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., to block any attempt by the Air Force to cut any Warthogs. The amendment is on top of language in the defense authorization bill to authorize about $682 million to keep the A-10s flying.
The amendment and the full bill now head to the full House floor for a vote, and the Senate will mark up its version of the bill later this year. Multiple senators, including Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have vowed to protect the jet.
The vote came as the Air Force rescinded a warning that keeping the A-10 would delay the deadline of making the F-35 deployable.
airforcetimes

US Navy ships escorting U.S.-flagged merchants in strait

Navy ships in the Persian Gulf are accompanying U.S.-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's recent seizure of one cargo ship and its harassment of another in international waters, a defense official has confirmed to Navy Times.
A dozen ships are operating in the area and capable of providing support, the official said on Thursday. U.S. warships frequently transit the strait, but it is more unusual for the U.S. to routinely convoy U.S.-flagged merchants through.
The warships include ships with the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which entered 5th Fleet three weeks ago and spent several days in the waters off Yemen, a show of force that compelled Iranian ships to turn around.
The move, first reported by Defense One, comes as tensions rise in the region, with news that Iranian navy ships harassed one U.S.-flagged shipping vessel in international waters and later boarded a Marshall Islands cargo ship, a country under U.S. protection.
navytimes