RAF Waddington 2016 airshow in doubt

There are concerns that the RAF Waddington airshow, cancelled in 2015, might not happen next year as well as the Royal Air Force is facing issuing refurbishing the runway.

Ian Simons [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Scheduled to be completed this year, work will now continue till summer of 2016.

Source: RAF Waddington 2016 airshow in doubt

TV signals can track aircraft

Research carried out by air traffic control provider Nats, Thales UK and the R&D lab Roke Manor confirmed that a TV signal-based system can track aircraft flying up to 10,000ft.

By Lobodrl (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

In the experiment, a signal transmitted from at Crystal Palace in London was collected by three special receivers that measured the delayed waveforms to derive the location of the aircraft. Up to 30 aircraft can be tracked by this method.

Source: TV signals can track aircraft

French Air Force chief said U.S. air strikes against IS shouldn’t be targeting pickup trucks

Chief of staff of the French Air Force Gen. Denis Mercier has criticized the way the U.S.-led coalition carried out air strikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq.

By G.Garitan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

“In Libya we went after (Libyan leader Moamer) Kadhafi’s centres of gravity… it was by attacking these centres that we managed to topple Kadhafi, not by firing at 150 pick-up trucks a day. Otherwise we would still be there,” Mercier told journalists.
“It is exactly the same problem in Iraq today. We are shooting at the frontline but behind that we need to concentrate on the centres of gravity.”
Of note, Mercier did credit the coalition strikes from preventing ISIL from overrunning the two nations.

Source: French Air Force chief said U.S. air strikes against IS shouldn’t be targeting pickup trucks

Royal Australian Navy commissions 725 Squadron

The Royal Australian Navy has commissioned 725 Squadron into service on Jun. 11. It will operate as the training squadron for the MH-60R at Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross.

Photo: © Commonwealth of Australia

Source: Royal Australian Navy commissions 725 Squadron

Spain clears A400M to resume flying

The Spanish defense ministry has lifted the ban on A400M flights, the cargo plane is expected to resume flying in Spain soon.

Julian Herzog [GFDL or CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Spain clears A400M to resume flying

Brazil to borrow less from Sweden to fund Gripen project this year

Brazil has cut the amount of funds it will borrow from Sweden’s export credit agency SEK to pay for the purchase of 36 Gripen fighters.

By Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Brazil to borrow less from Sweden to fund Gripen project this year

Report recommends that Finland start Hornet replacement in next decade

A Finnish working group has recommended that Finland start a search for a new fighter to replace its Hornets starting from 2017-18.

By bomberpilot (imx00000136Uploaded by High Contrast) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A winner should be selected by the early 2020s so that the existing fighter can be retired before its planned service life expires in 2030.

Source: Report recommends that Finland start Hornet replacement in next decade

F-15Es deploy to Aviano, Italy

A total of 15 F-15Es from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, are currently at Aviano, Italy for a 2-week training exercise.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman

The 492nd had to move out Lakenheath as the runway there is under repair.

Source: F-15Es deploy to Aviano, Italy