First F-35A assembled by Italy will fly in October

This October, the first F-35A assembled by Italy, AL-1, will make its maiden flight from the assembly line at Cameri Air Base in northern Italy.

By MSgt John Nimmo Sr. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Once joined by AL-2, both jets will make a trans-Atlantic flight for Luke Air Force Base where Italian pilots will use them for training.

Source: First F-35A assembled by Italy will fly in October

Ukrainian Su-25s with pixelated camouflage

Three Su-25s and one Su-25UB have been overhauled recently and delivered to Ukraine’s 299th aviation brigade. All four were given a new pixelated paint scheme.

Photo: Social Media

Photo: Social Media
Source: Ukrainian Su-25s with pixelated camouflage

Boeing confident of selling last five C-17s by end of the year

Jeff Kohler, head of international sales and marketing for Boeing’s defense division, told Reuters that he is confident the last five remaining C-17s will be sold by the fourth quarter of this year.

By Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey, U.S. Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“I’ve got more interested customers than I have planes. Not every customer will be able to buy a C-17,” Kohler said.

Source: Boeing confident of selling last five C-17s by end of the year

Boeing eyes Middle East for A-10 exports

If Boeing is to export the A-10 when the jet is retired from the U.S. Air Force, one potential market will be the Middle East whereby the attack aircraft can be a low-cost counterterrorism system.

By Daniel J. McLain (Mate 2nd Class) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A company executive told Aviation Week that besides installing new engines, Boeing plans to add a new targeting pod and a helmet-mounted display system in the upgraded aircraft.

Source: Boeing eyes Middle East for A-10 exports

Afghanistan says transport planes are being used in air strikes

A senior military official from Afghanistan says the country is arming its transport planes with weapons and has been using them on air strikes against the Taliban.

By Staff Sgt. Todd Pouliot (USArmy.mil) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Afghanistan says transport planes are being used in air strikes

Italy to use M-346 as aggressor

Italian Eurofighter pilots will soon dogfight against the M-346. Defense News says the aircraft has been deployed to the Eurofighter Operational Conversion Unit of the 4th Wing to test out the concept of using the advanced jet trainer for air combat training.

By Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) (M346 – RIAT 2010Uploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Pilots could also use the trainer jet to sharpen their skills instead of using the Eurofighter.

Source: Italy to use M-346 as aggressor

Raytheon has developed software interface for SDB-II to be carried on F-16

In order for the F-16 to employ the new GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II, Raytheon has developed a software technology, called Interface Bridge, for the weapon to work with the 1760 interface.

Photo: Raytheon

Source: Raytheon has developed software interface for SDB-II to be carried on F-16

China denies its MANPADs are being used by militants in Middle East

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said no man portable air defence system (MANPADS) from China are in the hands of militants in Iraq and Syria.

By Ilison-osmani (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Geneva-based Small Arms Survey group said Chinese and Russian MANPADS have been obtained by armed groups in Iraq and Syria since 2011.

Source: China denies its MANPADs are being used by militants in Middle East