Egypt Conducts Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Libya

The Egyptian military said on Monday that it had carried out airstrikes in Libya in retaliation for the beheading of more than a dozen Egyptian Christians by a branch of the Islamic State extremist group there.
In a statement Monday morning, the Egyptian military said that it had conducted airstrikes at dawn against training camps and arms depots of the Islamic State group in Libya, but it did not provide further details. Egyptian warplanes had struck Derna, a town in eastern Libya that is a hub of Islamist militancy. It is also close to the Egyptian border, well within the range of the jets.
The airstrikes are a dramatic escalation of Egypt’s role in the continuing battle between armed factions in Libya for control of the country. With the backing of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt has worked covertly to support a Libyan general who is fighting to take back the capital and much of the coast from a rival coalition of militia groups, some of which are made up of Islamist extremists.
The Egyptian military said in a statement issued around 8:30 a.m. that the dawn strikes were “retribution and response to the criminal acts of terrorist elements and organizations inside and outside the country.”
Egypt’s air assault came less than 12 hours after the main Islamic State group released a video online that appeared to show fighters from the group’s self-proclaimed Tripolitania Province beheading more than a dozen Egyptian Christians.
The video of their beheadings Sunday night aroused special horror in Egypt and beyond because it was filmed with the theatrical brutality that has become a trademark of the Islamic State.
nytimes

Second C-295 for Viernam Conducts First Flight

Last week, were posted photos online of the military transport aircraft second C-295M of the Vietnam People's Air Force flight test for the first time in San Pablo Sevilla, Spain.
The flight was made on 01.12.2015, but the picture until now being published. This is the 2nd C-295M in contracts to buy 3 units to keep Vietnam signed with Airbus.
defense-studies

Russia May Finalize its New Flagship Aircraft Carrier by 2025

Russia may finalize the construction of a flagship air carrier for the country's navy before the end of 2025, the Russian Navy's chief of naval aviation said.
It will take up to ten years to wrap up the construction of the flagship carrier, which will include a whole system of state tests.
He added that the aircraft-related research work is now under way and that several projects related to the vessel's construction are already on the table.
A number of experts believe that the construction of a new ship of this class will begin after the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the Sevmash shipyards.
Right now, Sevmash workers are dealing with the overhaul and modernization of a heavy nuclear missile cruiser, the Admiral Nakhimov, the cruiser Peter the Great and the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.
sputniknews

USAF T-X Requirements Coming in 'Weeks'

The requirements for the US Air Force's next-generation trainer will be released within "weeks," the service's top training official said on Thursday.
Official did not go into details on what is actually in those requirements, but emphasized that T-X is only to develop a replacement for the T-38.
In the president's budget request, there is a small amount of funding under T-X for using it as an aggressor training system.
There is no decision that's been made yet to use the T-X in any other capacity.
As an example, Rand pointed to the question of whether T-X will have a radar, something that would be required if T-X is eventually turned into an agressor Red Air jet.
"I don't expect the T-X will come with a radar unless they can do it really smart and don't drive the cost up".
The T-X program is intended to replace the Air Force's fleet of T-38 training aircraft with a more highly advanced jet capable of training pilots for use in fifth generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35. The service plans on issuing a request for proposals on the program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, with a projected contract award in the fall of 2017.
The service signaled its intention to move ahead with T-X in its fiscal 2016 budget request.
There are two clean-sheet teams going head-to-head for the program in Northrop Grumman and a Boeing-Saab cooperative, while two legacy systems are being offered in the form of Lockheed Martin's offering of Korean Aerospace Industries' T-50, and the T-100, a collaboration between General Dynamics and Italy's Alenia Aermacchi based on the latter's M-346 design. Textron AirLand is also planning to enter a trainer variant of its new Scorpion jet in the competition.
defensenews

US Sends Back A-10 Thunderbolt II Aircraft To Germany To Counter Russian Threat

As a new ceasefire for eastern Ukraine was signed on Thursday, in an attempt to halt the worsening conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels, the United States is sending to Europe a warplane that was designed during the Cold War for one purpose: to destroy Russian tanks in Europe.
A dozen A-10 attack aircraft will move to Spangdahlem Airbase in Germany to support Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S.-led commitment to continued support of NATO partners as Russia expands its military presence on the doorstep of the alliance.
The airplanes, famed for their ability to find and destroy armored vehicles, will be also deployed to nations closer to Russia.
USAF A-10 will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe.
The A-10 recently escaped being cut from the Pentagon's budget thanks to the support of powerful allies in Congress.
The move comes at a crucial time for Europe, as Russian airplanes conduct flights close to NATO airspace reminiscent of the Cold War and fierce fighting between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian army continues in eastern Ukraine.
Back in the United States, however, the future of the A-10 is being fiercely contested. The Air Force wants to end the A-10's 40-year run to free up resources for its new F-35 fighter jet and save the $4.2 billion a year the old planes cost to run.
ibtimes

Nicaragua to buy MiG-29 to fight drug trafficking

Nicaragua plans to buy a batch of warplanes, including Russian MiG-29 fighter aircraft, to fight drug trafficking in coastal areas.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague passed a decision in 2012, awarding Nicaragua 75,000 square kilometers in the Caribbean that used to be Colombia’s. Now Nicaragua intends to take additional measures in this region to fight drug trafficking.
Nicaraguan military also consider buying additional patrol boats, eying Russia as a possible supplier. Russian Defense Minister will visit Nicaragua shortly on a Latin American tour that also includes Venezuela and Cuba.
rbth

Egypt opts for the Rafale

Dassault annonuces the Arab Republic of Egypt’s decision to equip its air force with the Rafale, continuing cooperation that dates back to the 1970s, and has seen the Mirage 5, the Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000 fly in the colors of Egypt. .
Sources says the deal is for 24 Rafale fighters.
dassault-aviation

Boeing offers Super Hornet with AESA radar To Malaysia

Boeing has been negotiating since 2002 on the Super Hornet deal with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which currently operates eight F/A-18Ds.
The version of the Super Hornet to be sold to Malaysia is called the Block II, which went into operation in 2007, and could easily integrate into current aircraft systems as Malaysia has already been flying the Super Hornet.
He said the Super Hornet is flying the most advanced AESA radar, the APG-79 by Raytheon.
defense-studies

Indonesia, Spain agree to extend C295 co-operation

Indonesia and Spain have agreed to extend an agreement between PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Airbus Defence and Space featuring PTDI's licensed production Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
An accord to facilitate such an arrangement, however, has not yet been signed and will depend on Indonesia ordering additional C295 aircraft. The TNI-AU is understood to have a requirement for a further seven units, taking its C295 inventory to 16 aircraft.
janes

RAF First F-35 Unit '17 (Reserve) Squadron' Stands Up Operations At Edwards AFB

The U.K. has become the first nation outside of the U.S. to begin "organic" F-35 JSF test operations following the standing up of the Royal Air Force 17 (Reserve) Squadron at Edwards AFB, California.
The joint RAF-Royal Navy operation will conduct operational testing and evaluation of the F-35B using three of the U.K’s initial four aircraft. Although initial operational capability (IOC) for the RAF is targeted for the end of 2018, the test fleet is expected to remain at Edwards to continue evaluation of future weapons and systems upgrades until the end of their lives.
Testing is already underway with the first U.K. aircraft, BK-1, following its trans-continental ferry flight from Eglin AFB, Florida, where initial pilot and maintenance crew training has been taking place. The second U.K. F-35B, BK-2, is due to arrive at Edwards by early March, with a third test aircraft, BK-4, expected to arrive in early 2016.
A fourth British F-35B, BK-3, has been transferred from Eglin to Beaufort Pilot Training Center at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, where it is operated as part of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501).
The U.K’s "Lightning Force" has a maintenance crew made up equally of RAF and Navy personnel.
aviationweek

NORAD: Russia Increasing Arctic Long Range Air Patrols

While Russian military aircraft have stepped up their activity everywhere from the North Sea to the Baltic to the Black Sea in the last year they have also been spotted more frequently closer to the U.S. territory in the Arctic, the head NORAD told on Tuesday.
Flights of Tupolev Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ Bombers have increased recently and they’ve been very aggressive in the Arctic in the amount of flights, not aggressive in how they fly.
Since the March seizure of the Ukrainian region of Crimea by Russian forces Moscow has significantly stepped up air patrols in Europe, Asia and near the Americas.
The flights extend as far North as the edge of American air space near Alaska and as far South as U.S. holdings in Guam.
In December, two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets intercepted a two Bears near the Beaufort Sea entering a U.S. and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
NATO interdicted a record number of Russian flights in 2014 and the Russians claim likewise the U.S. has stepped up its own flights near Russian territory.
usni

LSRAM Ship-killing missile aces third flight test

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)was released from an Air Force B-1B bomber and navigated a series of low-altitude waypoints, while detecting and avoiding an object in its flight pattern.
Integration efforts are continuing on the USAF B-1, followed by US Navy F/A-18.
LSRAM flies at subsonic speeds and relies on stealth to defeat jammers and elude intercept missiles. It's intended as a replacement for the Harpoon missile, which can't be redirected in flight. In comparison, the LRASM has a 1,000-pound warhead, twice the size of the Harpoon's, and its 200-mile range leaves the 75-mile Harpoon in the dust.
The new missile, which can also be fired from a vertical launch system tube, can be shot in "fire and forget" mode or it can be directed to a particular area, where the new missile will find the target on its own. It also can be sent new directions in flight, much like a Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile.
The program, which is funded through 2016, is scheduled to transfer to the Navy in fiscal 2016.
LRASM hasn't scored a kill just yet.
navytimes

Finaliza el EjercicioDACT con aviones de combate del Ejercito del Aire y AWAC de la OTAN

Mañana finaliza el Ejercicio #DACT con aviones de combate @EjercitoAire y #AWAC #MACOM #MACAN @NATO pic.twitter.com/zkmDZZ6QG0

— Ejército del Aire (@EjercitoAire) febrero 11, 2015

El Ejército de Tierra recibirá un nuevo simulador de helicópteros de Indra para el EC-135

Post by 100% CON NUESTRAS FUERZAS.

Ejercicio DACT 2015 del Ejército del Aire

Arranca el plan de adiestramiento avanzado de unidades de caza #DACT #Canarias #BaseAereaGando http://t.co/rpWeonQXiW pic.twitter.com/mlGGQV137n
— Ejército del Aire (@EjercitoAire) February 5, 2015

Nigeria looking for more attack aircraft

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received a proposal from a defence company for the sale of six Puma gunship helicopters, four Sukhoi Su-25KM ground attack jets, and two upgraded Su-25UB trainers.
According reports unidentified company had "reached an agreement with the NAF to substitute the initial order for Cobra AH-1V with alternative attack platforms".
The US State Department confirmed in November 2014 that it had blocked a deal to sell Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria because of concerns about its military's human rights record and ability to operate the aircraft. The Nigerian press reported that the attack helicopters would have been ex-Israeli Air Force Cobras.
The only Pumas upgraded into gunships were Romanian-built IAR 330s that were converted into the SOCAT armed version with a chin-mounted 20 mm gun and Rafael Spike guided missiles with the help of the Israeli company Elbit Systems between 2000 and 2005.
Elbit Systems was also involved in the Su-25KM 'Scorpion' upgrade programme along with Georgia's Tblisi Aircraft Manufacturing company.
janes

Reaper sale to the Netherlands approved

The US State Department has approved the of MQ-9 Reapers to the Netherlands.
Certification by the DCSA was delivered to Congress. The Netherlands has requested four Block 5 Reapers, four Block 30 or 50 ground control stations, and various sensor and communications systems.
c4isrnet

Israel Aerospace Industries Introduces Business Jet-Based Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) introduced the new generation ELI-3360 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), based on a modified Bombardier Global 5000 business-jet platform.
The system incorporates the advanced ELTA ELM-2022 Maritime Patrol Radar, an electro-optical sensor, the ELL-8385 ESM/ELINT system, and a comprehensive communications suite comprising radios, broadband SATCOM and data-links as well as advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) and self-protection Suite.
jewishbusinessnews

Bid for South Korea KF-X fighter project fails

Korean Air, failed to place a bid for the ROK Air Force's homegrown fighter program by the deadline, making the bidding invalid, the state arms procurement agency said, Monday.
KAI was found to be the sole applier after closing the bid Monday.
At least two bidders are needed for the auction to be valid, according to Korean law. A lack of bidders will lead to a second auction later this month.
Korean Air said last Thursday that it planned to submit a bid in collaboration with Europe's Airbus Defence and Space, but failed to do so.
KAI,has joined Lockheed Martin for the project.
The failure of Korean Air to make a bid by the deadline will likely cause a setback in the project because a time delay is inevitable.
DAPA initially planned to review proposals from the two teams and pick a preferred bidder by next month after closing the bid on Monday. The agency had planned to decide a winner by the first half of the year.
Under the law, when a first bid fails, DAPA moves on to a second one.
The project, codenamed KF-X, will develop indigenous F-16 class fighter jets, which are scheduled for service from 2025, to replace the aging F-4 and F-5 jets.
Korean Air and Airbus reached a verbal agreement early last week, and were scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding to take part in the project.
After its plan to participate in the program was made known to the public, experts and industry watchers predicted fierce competition between KAI and Korean Air.
koreatimes

Iran unveils indigenous Twin-Seat Saeqeh 2 Supersonic Fighter Jet

Iran's Defense Ministry has unveiled a new domestically-built advanced supersonic trainer fighter jet, named Saeqeh 2 (Thunderbolt 2).
The fighter jet will do close-range cover and backup tactical missions as well as advanced pilot training missions.
The new jet is the second generation of Saeqeh model.
Saeqeh was unveiled as a prototype in 2004 and later became operational in 2006. The jet is Iran’s second domestically-developed fighter with many calling it the Iranian F-18.
presstv

Kazakhstan to acquire Su-30SM fighters

Kazakhstan is to acquire the Sukhoi Su-30SM 'Flanker' as it looks to recapitalise its Soviet-era fighter force.
The disclosure was made by the Commander in Chief of the Kazakhstan Air Defence Forces , during a visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant where the Su-30SM is built.
The government announcement did not disclose aircraft numbers or delivery timelines.
The Su-30SM has been developed from the Indian Su-30MKI and is intended by the Russian Air Force as a stop-gap until the Su-35 and Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA enter service later in the decade. The two-seat Su-30SM features an improved radar, communications, and ejector-seat system. In addition, the aircraft's weaponry configuration has been adjusted to Russian specifications.
Kazakhstan currently fields MiG-27, Su-25, MiG-31, Su-27, and MiG-29, all inherited from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
Kazakhstan has recently been procuring Western aircraft for the first time in the guise of the Airbus C295 transport aircraft, as well as EC145 and Bell UH-1 Huey II helicopters (and has been touted as a potential customer of the Airbus A400M transport aircraft).
janes

France confirms Rafale talks with Egypt

French Defence Minister said on Sunday that "advanced" talks with Egypt were being conducted over a potential sale of Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets.
Also on Saturday, Dassault's CEO, told Le Figaro daily the company was close to signing its first Rafale export contract, without specifying a country.
reuters

HAL awarded contract for 14 Do-228s for Indian Air Force

HAL has been awarded a contract to provide 14 Do-228 twin-turboprop light transport and utility aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The contract, includes six spare engines, one flight simulator, and associated equipment.
The Do-228s will join 40 that began to enter IAF service in 1987.
HAL has licence-built 125 Do-228s for a variety of customers, including the Indian Navy and coastguard, and Seychelles and Mauritius.
janes

Airbus completes EC135 deliveries to Spain

The last of eight Airbus EC135 helicopters ordered for the Spanish Army's air-mobile force (FAMET) in December 2013 was handed over on 5 February at the company's Albacete factory.
The long-delayed deal was eventually reformulated to include a logistics support package for the aircraft - the first helicopter of its kind to be supplied for military use.
The same model is already widely used by Spain's paramilitary and national police forces as well as regional medical services, with more than 60 being operated in total.
All the military versions are being used by FAMET for training, including tactical missions and night flying, before the pilots move on to the Airbus AS532 Cougar, Airbus Tigre (Tiger) attack helicopter, and NHIndustries NH90.
janes

USAF F-22s escorted Jordanian fighters for airstrikes in Syria

U.S. Air Force F-22s and F-16CJs escorted Jordanian fighters for recent airstrikes in Syria.
The American stealth jets are now part of the "standard strike package" used by U.S. and coalition aircraft in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Jordan's airstrike on targets included dozens of weapons releases targeting multiple storage and staging facilities. U.S. officials in the U.S. Central Command combined air operations center tasked the F-22s and F-16s for escort of the Jordanian aircraft.
airforcetimes

UAE sends F-16s to Jordan to fight Islamic State

The United Arab Emirates said Saturday it ordered a squadron of F-16 fighters to Jordan, which an official said would participate in airstrikes on the Islamic State group after the UAE earlier suspended its involvement.

The UAE fighter jets will participate in airstrikes on Islamic State targets, said a Jordanian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the issue to journalists.

The UAE announcement, carried by the state news agency WAM, did not say what role the Emirati warplanes would play. An Emirati official declined to elaborate.

 usatoday

USAF wants to replace UH-1N Hueys with Black Hawks

UH-1N Hueys, used to protect nuclear missile sites, would be replaced with upgraded Army Black Hawks under the fiscal 2016 budget plan
The service's budget request states that the Air Force would purchase Army UH-60A Black Hawks and upgrades them to the UH-60L through existing government contracts. The upgrades include more powerful engines and an automatic flight control system.
gannett-cdn

Russia will Add 200 New Aircraft to Defense Arsenal to Maintain Higher Operational Readiness

As NATO becomes well entrenched in Eastern Europe, Russia has decided to boost its air capabilities, with almost 200 new airplanes and helicopters to be inducted into its air force and naval branches.
Most countries do not have a fleet of 200 aircraft in their arsenal.
Russia have also reintroduced long-range military air patrol to test the strength and weaknesses of air defences of NATO-aligned nations, an act reminiscent of the Cold War-era distrust between the West and the Russians.
The Russian dominance in aircraft and space technology is well catalogued. The latest induction would see 126 new aircraft and 88 helicopters.
The aircraft delivery would include Sukhoi Su-34 bombers, multipurpose Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets, Yak-130 trainers/light fighters and transport Ilyushin Il-76MD-90 planes. The Russian Air Force is also expected to receive cutting-edge radar stations, such as Nebo-M and Sopka.
The helicopter deliveries will include Ka-52 and Mi-28Nattack helicopters, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-35 combat helicopters and Ka-226.
ibtimes

USAF T-X: Northrop-Bae Systems turns to a new prototype, abandoning a modified Hawk

A Northrop Grumman-led team is dashing its plan to propose a modified BAE Systems Hawk trainer for the U.S. Air Force’s T-38 replacement program, opting instead for a clean-sheet design for the.
The shift is more bold than it is surprising. The team is paying for a brand-new prototype despite a slump in defense spending. But it has become increasingly evident that the Hawk is unsuited for the mission due to shortfalls in the fast-jet trainer’s ability to sustain Gs, perform high angle-of-attack maneuvering and execute tight turn rate and radius.
BAE’s Hawk would struggle to meet sustained G, high angle of attack and tight turn radius requirements sought in the U.S. Air Force’s T-38 replacement program.
The Air Force intends to buy as many as 350 of the trainers as part of a larger T-X system, including advanced training aids such as a sophisticated ground-based training platform and aids.

Argentina and China agree fighter aircraft working group

Argentina and China are to form a working group to look at the possible introduction into Argentine Air Force (FAA) service of a new Chinese fighter type.
The working group, which was discussed during a visit by between Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to Beijing, will look at the possible transfer of a range of military equipment to Buenos Aries. Chief among this equipment is either the Chengdu FC-1/JF-17 or the J-10 fighter aircraft.
Ahead of any transfer of aircraft, the working group will examine means by which the FAA might integrate such aircraft into its inventory, and support them once in service. Argentina stands to receive 14 fighter aircraft should the proposed transfer go ahead.
For some years now, Argentina has been trying to replace its antiquated and increasingly unserviceable Mirage IIIEA, Dagger, and A-4 Skyhawk fighter fleets with a newer and more capable type.
News of the Argentine-Chinese working group comes weeks after it was reported that Russia had courted Argentina with the possible lease of Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' strike aircraft. While the UK Ministry of Defence took these reports seriously enough to review the defence of the Falkland Islands, the Su-24s would have no really operational utility for the FAA.
Other, more realistic, options that have been touted over recent months include surplus Spanish Mirage F1s, Israeli Kfirs, and Saab Gripen E/Fs. All of these appear to have stalled for either economic or political reasons.
The Chinese FC-1/JF-17 has also been previously touted as a possible option for the FAA.
janes