Military Aviation News and Discussion
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Big_Zucchini
Well-Known Member
I don't know how keen Israel will be on buying Boeing platforms in the future. Tankers are a strategic issue for Israel, and Boeing blocked Israeli requests to convert existing 7x7 planes for a lower cost, and much faster, forcing it to buy KC-46A which are delayed for too long.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
I can certainly understand that. Perhaps buying MRTTs from the US would be politically doable assuming Airbus would build them in the US but unless the USAF gets on board I really can’t see Airbus doing this.
Israel is capable of converting airliners to tankers, using its own AAR kit. The Israelis could buy secondhand A330s & convert them. The only question is whether Airbus would sell spares, etc. That's what killed the plan to convert used 767s: Boeing refused to provide any support or allow anyone else to.
Big_Zucchini
Well-Known Member
After ~20 years (one source says since 90's, most say since early 2000's), the IDF ends censorship on armed drones.
This is not a really big news in the world of aviation, but it could have implications on future sales of these drones, as they can now be exhibited fully armed in international exhibitions, and not only secretly to individual buyers.
One known weapon of choice is the Mikholit (in Hebrew), aka IAI Sledgehammer.
www.timesofisrael.com
The Sledgehammer / Mikholit is assumed to be used by the IAF for sonic blasts on populated areas, or in other words as the warning element in its roof knocking procedure. Basically a small missile with no warhead hits the roof of a building and produces a bang strong enough for everyone around to hear. Then if the building is populated, people escape it, and thus it is possible to evacuate large areas of civilians from warzones.
In other news, IAI has scored a $200 million contract with an unknown European country for recon aircraft.
m.ynet.co.il
It is yet unknown which aircraft was chosen for the conversion, but it is said the G550, on which IAI built such aircraft for several countries including Israel, is no longer in production.
This is not a really big news in the world of aviation, but it could have implications on future sales of these drones, as they can now be exhibited fully armed in international exhibitions, and not only secretly to individual buyers.
One known weapon of choice is the Mikholit (in Hebrew), aka IAI Sledgehammer.
After almost two decades, IDF finally admits to using armed drones in airstrikes
Military censor says 'no impediment' to publishing Israel's attack UAV capabilities; Hermes 450 used in Tuesday strike on Hamas post
www.timesofisrael.com
The Sledgehammer / Mikholit is assumed to be used by the IAF for sonic blasts on populated areas, or in other words as the warning element in its roof knocking procedure. Basically a small missile with no warhead hits the roof of a building and produces a bang strong enough for everyone around to hear. Then if the building is populated, people escape it, and thus it is possible to evacuate large areas of civilians from warzones.
In other news, IAI has scored a $200 million contract with an unknown European country for recon aircraft.
התעשייה האווירית תספק מטוסי מודיעין למדינה באירופה ביותר מ-200 מיליון דולר
בזמן שמטוסי המודיעין שמכרה התעשייה האווירית לאיטליה משתתפים בפעילות נאט"ו סביב אוקראינה, מדווחת החברה על חוזה משמעותי נוסף עם מדינה החברה בברית הצפון אטלנטית. מדובר בחוזה רביעי למכירת המטוסים למדינות באירופה
m.ynet.co.il
It is yet unknown which aircraft was chosen for the conversion, but it is said the G550, on which IAI built such aircraft for several countries including Israel, is no longer in production.
Musashi_kenshin
Well-Known Member
Yes, alongside the increasing chances that Japan will become an official partner even if their plane has some differences, Tempest is looking better than it ever has. Some people may be surprised at Japan choosing a European project to cooperate with, but it would mean they'd have far more control over the plane and future upgrades than going with US assistance.
In contrast, looks like further delays for FCAS are incoming. I'm not surprised that work-share is at the heart of it.
Terran
Well-Known Member
“On the next-generation fighter, Dassault must be the uncontested leader,”. I don’t think anyone is surprised. The French have to have the chair on it due to them wanting their needs first. It’s why Tempest will likely have an easier time. No one is trying to put it on a carrier deck. So requirements are smoother.
Musashi_kenshin
Well-Known Member
This is the weakness of the American pitch. In the post-Trump era it's simply not possible to know the US will be reasonable when it comes to defence. LM may say "of course we'd let you upgrade the new jet for a reasonable price", but they can't bind a future CEO or US administration. Equally I think there is a real possibility that NGAD is blocked from export orders by Congress due to the sensitivity of its technologies, at least for a time.
If this was 2000 or even 2010 I'd say the Americans would still be favourites given their longstanding defence relationship with Japan, but in era where the latter is starting to accept it needs to be more self-reliant I believe there is a real possibility the US option will be dumped.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Advanced Weapons in Support of Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft Program and related equipment for an estimated cost of $397 million. Big chance that the this new equipment is procured for replacement of stuff used in the war in Yemen.
Kuwait’s purchase of 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and bombs of various types worth $397 million for its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft fleet. The bombs, which include 250 MK-84 General Purpose 2,000-pound bombs; 501 MK-83 General Purpose 1,000-lb bombs, among other kit, would come from Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin.
Kuwait – Advanced Weapons in Support of Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft Program | Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Kuwait’s purchase of 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and bombs of various types worth $397 million for its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft fleet. The bombs, which include 250 MK-84 General Purpose 2,000-pound bombs; 501 MK-83 General Purpose 1,000-lb bombs, among other kit, would come from Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin.
Kuwait – Advanced Weapons in Support of Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft Program | Defense Security Cooperation Agency
US approves Eurofighter weapons for Kuwait
The US government has approved the sale of weapons to Kuwait for use aboard the country's Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, deliveries of which were recently...
www.janes.com
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Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
So Polen urgently needs fighterjets, and to save time a total of 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft are ordered for the Siły Powietrzne RP (Polish Air Force) and all will be in the latest Block 20 configuration, capable of carrying AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles. The first twelve aircraft will be delivered in 2023.
They also ordered a first instalment of 180 K2 Black Panther tanks and howitzers from South Korea.
scramble.nl
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/77EYQZJ4XVMFNJ2OK5MQ2YP3N4.jpg)
www.reuters.com
They also ordered a first instalment of 180 K2 Black Panther tanks and howitzers from South Korea.
Polish Air Force buys FA-50 light fighters
Polish Air Force buys FA-50 light fighters According to the Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blasczak, Poland discussed the purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets with the US...
Poland to buy jets, tanks and howitzers from South Korea, says minister
Poland will buy 48 FA-50 fighter jets, a first instalment of 180 K2 Black Panther tanks and howitzers from South Korea, Warsaw's defence minister was quoted as saying on Friday, as the country strengthens its army because of the war in Ukraine.
www.reuters.com
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
DARPA is showing interest in rotational detonation engine development. RDEs could offer better performance for missiles with a smaller footprint. The same possibilities exist for future jets. There might be opportunities for the USN as well with estimates that fuel savings could be improved by 20%.
www.sandboxx.us
DARPA’S NEW MISSILE HINTS AT TRULY GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
Last week, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) quietly unveiled a new high-speed missile program called Gambit. The program is meant to leverage a novel method of propulsion that could have far-reaching implications not just in terms of weapons development, but for high-speed...
www.sandboxx.us
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
This article suggests a dim future for Europe’s 4 and 4.5 gen fighters following the Czech decision on the F-35. The last paragraph is somewhat of a warning though. I wonder what secrets can realistically be learn d from a F-35 that actually crashes on land as opposed to a jet that ends up in the ocean?
www.airforce-technology.com
Is Prague’s F-35 move checkmate for Europe’s jets? Airforce Technology
The Czech Republic’s announced intention to negotiate for the F-35 could be another feather in the cap for the US-designed fighter.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
At least nine helicopters assigned to Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk were damaged Tuesday in a storm.
This looks pretty expensive.
www.navytimes.com
This looks pretty expensive.
Nine Navy helicopters damaged in Norfolk storm
Damaged aircraft includes the MH-60 Seahawk and MH-53E Sea Dragon, the Navy said.
www.navytimes.com
FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
Other reporting announced 10 aircraft damaged. All meeting criteria as a Class A ground mishap. ($2.5 million or more in damage or total loss)At least nine helicopters assigned to Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk were damaged Tuesday in a storm.
This looks pretty expensive.
Nine Navy helicopters damaged in Norfolk storm
Damaged aircraft includes the MH-60 Seahawk and MH-53E Sea Dragon, the Navy said.
One MH-53E and 3 MH-60s (models not specified) blown over.
The damage to the MH-53E Sea Dragons is significant, as the USN only has at most 30 of the type in service.
10 Navy Helicopters Suffer Major Damage, Several Blown Over in Sudden Norfolk Storm - USNI News
At least 10 Navy helicopters were damaged in a sudden storm that blew through Norfolk Naval Station, Va., Tuesday afternoon, USNI News has learned. According to a Navy initial assessment reviewed by USNI News, the storm resulted in 10 Class A ground mishaps – mishaps that result in more than...
news.usni.org
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
With the delivery of the last Pilatus PC-21s to Murcia/San Javier on 20 June 2022, the training role of the Aviojet has been transferred to 792 Escadron. This unit operates a fleet of 24 PC-21s
The first Aviojets were delivered to the Academia General del Aire (AGA) on 17 January 1980, so the Ejército del Aire operated the CASA C101 for more than 40 years.
www.scramble.nl
The first Aviojets were delivered to the Academia General del Aire (AGA) on 17 January 1980, so the Ejército del Aire operated the CASA C101 for more than 40 years.
EdA ends training role of the CASA 101
EdA ends training role of the CASA 101 The Ejército del Aire (EdA, Spanish Air Force) ended the training role of the CASA 101 Aviojet with 793 Escadron (Escuela Basica) at Murcia/S...
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
This article raises some interesting questions about the actual status of the NGAD program. One positive IMHO is the apparent commitment to keep the prime aerospace players viable. Future engine developments will likely be first. As for NGAD and the future naval fighter, a continuing mystery as to which companies will be involved.
www.defenseone.com
Engine Deals Reveal US Wants to Maintain Three Warplane Makers
But the multibillion-dollar deals raise questions about just how far along the Next Generation Air Dominance program is.
www.defenseone.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
This article talks about upgrading the Su-25s with being capable of deploying nuclear weapons, but the Belarus Air Force already has more than 30 MiG-29 and they will get a total of 12 Su-30SM soon. So why spending time and money of this?
www.defensenews.com
Belarus claims nuclear weapons mods are completed on its warplanes
The plan is for Russia to upgrade Minsk's Su-25 aircraft, but some Western analysts have doubts about the feasibility.
www.defensenews.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
A sad day for Finnish aviation industry.
The Valmet L-70 Vinka is retired from Ilmavoimat service, the last Vinka service flight of the Air Force was on 31 August 2022.
With this the Ilmavoimat has removed the last Finnish designed and built aircraft from its fleet.
www.scramble.nl
The Valmet L-70 Vinka is retired from Ilmavoimat service, the last Vinka service flight of the Air Force was on 31 August 2022.
With this the Ilmavoimat has removed the last Finnish designed and built aircraft from its fleet.
Last flight of Finnish AF Vinka
Last flight of Finnish AF Vinka The Valmet L-70 Vinka primary school planes will be removed from Air Force service in early September after over 40 years of service. The last Vinka...
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
96 AH-64Es.....thats an enormous amount.
In my opinion unrealistic. Even the largest economies of Europe have less than 70 combat helicopters in their fleets. With that amount, Poland will be the largest AH-64 user in the world outside the US.
www.scramble.nl
In my opinion unrealistic. Even the largest economies of Europe have less than 70 combat helicopters in their fleets. With that amount, Poland will be the largest AH-64 user in the world outside the US.
Poland intends to acquire 96 AH-64E Apaches
Poland intends to acquire 96 AH-64E Apaches The Polish Minister of Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, announced that Poland intends to acquire 96 new attack helicopters and the Boeing AH-...