The French president’s office said today that Qatar has placed an order for 24 Rafale fighters.

By Hermann Keist (Deutsch: selbst fotografiert) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The 6.3 billion euros contract will be signed in Doha on May 4. The package includes weapons and training of 36 Qatari pilots and 100 technicians.

Source: Alert 5

The 555th “Triple Nickel” Fighter Squadron arrived at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan on Apr. 27 for a six-month deployment there.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz

They will replace the 4th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Source: Alert 5

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has endorsed the Army’s aviation restructure plan. The watchdog says the Army’s proposal is less expensive than a Guard proposal and better meets mission demands.

By Chief Warrant Officer A. Mark Leung (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1516282) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker that was reported as “missing” by some of the British media had landed safely at RAF Mildenhall, the 100th Air Refueling Wing said.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The jet, with call sign QID 72, experienced an in-flight emergency at approximately 12:20 a.m. on Apr. 29. It had take off from Naval Air Station Souda Bay, Greece and was heading to RAF Mildenhall.

Source: Alert 5

The unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter was used to demonstrate the safe evacuation of a wounded personnel during a test in March 2015.

By English: Cpl. Lisa M. Tourtelot [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

During the demonstration, ground operators were able to call in the K-MAX, designate a safe landing area and strap an injured team member into a seat on the side of the rotorcraft.

Source: Alert 5

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given a $20 million to Raytheon for the Tactical Boost Glide program.

By David Neyland [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Raytheon will use the money to continue developing and demonstrate technology to enable air-launched hypersonic boost glide systems.

Source: Alert 5

During his tour of the Kazan Aviation Plant, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that production of the Tu-160 bomber will resume.

By Alex Beltyukov – RuSpotters Team [CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

Two anonymous sources told Reuters that the Japanese military is mulling the idea of having air patrols over South China Sea together with United States.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Antoine King [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The move still requires consent from the civilian government.
A U.S. military source said Japan will have to approach the Philippines for access to its air bases to extend the range of its maritime patrol aircraft.

Source: Alert 5