PMA-213 has completed development testing of the IFF Mode 5 equipment, also known as RT-1763C/APX-111(V) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT).
Photo: U.S. Navy
The new transponder will be a component in the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) network.
Source: Alert 5
The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) recently selected Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for their F-16 fleets,.
By Hunini (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Pod deliveries began in early 2015 to meet operational need requirements, says Lockheed Martin.
Source: Alert 5
A new 60m offshore support vessel (OSV) for the Indonesian Navy has reached its home territorial waters.
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Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said one of its F-16 fighter is missing during a mission over Yemen on May 10.
By Ndunruh (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The pilot of a second jet in the formation did not observe the mishap pilot ejecting.
Source: Alert 5
The U.S. Navy has decided to let VFA-97 be the first operational fighter squadron to transition to the F-35C.
By Looper5920 at en.wikipedia; 25 June 2006 (original upload date) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
The conversion will take place in 2018 after VFA-101 stands up at NAS Lemoore in 2017.
Source: Alert 5
Brazilian Minister of Defense Jaques Wagner told Sputnik that his country will soon make an official request to purchase the Pantsir-S1 air defense system.
By Vitaly V. Kuzmin (http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/372) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Alert 5
Nepal says it has stopped three British CH-47 Chinooks from entering the country for post-earthquake relief efforts.
Photo: SAC Andy Seaward/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
“We have told the British authorities that they cannot fly their Chinook helicopters here because our technical team says they are likely to damage the houses and other buildings in the Kathmandu valley,” spokesman Tara Pokharel told AFP.
The move came after a Osprey blew the roof off a small building with its downdraft in a quake-hit village during a delivery flight.
Source: Alert 5
A 707 tanker from Omega Air suffered an uncontained engine failure on the No. 1 engine after departing NAS Point Mugu on Apr. 10.
By Eugene Butler [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
The crew landed the plane without incident at its destination, Southern California Logistics Airport.
A post-flight inspection found damaged turbine blades, holes in the turbine exhaust case, a hole in the engine cowling, and a small puncture in a trim tab on the left outboard aileron.
Source: Alert 5
Britain and Germany have grounded their A400M fleet following the fatal crash of a A400M in Spain on May 9.
By Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) (A400M – RIAT 2010Uploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
It is not clear if France, Malaysia and Turkey will ground their aircraft as well.
Source: Alert 5
Ashahi Shimbun reports that the U.S. Air Force may bring the CV-22 to Yokota Air Base as early as the end of this year.
By Senior Airman Laura Yahemiak (www.af.mil) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Up to 10 CV-22s will eventually call home in Yokota.
Source: Alert 5