After fatal crash in Hawaii, Ospreys no longer allowed to hover in dust clouds for > 30 seconds

The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered all MV-22B pilots from taking longer than 30 seconds to land during Reduced Visibility Landing (RVLs) conditions.

Source: After fatal crash in Hawaii, Ospreys no longer allowed to hover in dust clouds for > 30 seconds

Britain’s second Rivet Joint will head to Middle East once delivered

The second Boeing RC-135V/W for the Royal Air Force is to be delivered next month and the spy plane will soon head to the Middle East for the fight against Islamic State militants.

Photo: SAC Blake Carruthers/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Britain’s second Rivet Joint will head to Middle East once delivered

Indian Navy has revealed the specifications for its next indigenous aircraft carrier

The Indian Navy has written to Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, DCNS, and Rosoboronexport for proposals on designing a 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier.

Indian Navy [CC BY 2.5 in or CC BY 2.5 in], via Wikimedia Commons

The indigenous warship, IAC-2, must carry 30-35 fixed wing warplanes and 20 helicopters. It should be have a top speed of 30 knots and above and more importantly, have a catapult to launch aircraft.

Source: Indian Navy has revealed the specifications for its next indigenous aircraft carrier

Philippines to reactivate Subic Bay as military facility, will station FA-50PH there

The former U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay, Philippines will reopen as a military base for the Philippine navy and air force next year.

Photo: KAI

The first two FA-50PH fighters ordered from South Korea will be deployed to the former Naval Air Station Cubi Point at Subic Bay. All twelve aircraft will be based there under the 5th Fighter Wing.

Source: Philippines to reactivate Subic Bay as military facility, will station FA-50PH there

Japanese-owned Mitsubishi Zero getting approval for first flight over Japan

A flight-worthy Mitsubishi Zero fighter that happened to be owned by a Japanese is getting ready for its first flight over Japan.

Photo: Zero Enterprise Inc.

Project organizer Zero Enterprise Inc is in the process of filing paperwork with the Ministry of Transport for the flight.

Source: Japanese-owned Mitsubishi Zero getting approval for first flight over Japan

VMFA-121 will only bring 10 F-35Bs to Iwakuni in 2017

Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the USMC’s Deputy Commandant for Aviation, revealed that only F-35Bs with VMFA-121 will be deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in 2017.

By Lance Cpl. Raquel Barraza (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1004233) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The other six aircraft will go out to sea on board a LHD.

Source: VMFA-121 will only bring 10 F-35Bs to Iwakuni in 2017

F-35 to make civilian airshow debut next week in Oshkosh

The F-35 will be making its first civilian airshow debut on Jul. 20 at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh.

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

Flying in will be a F-35A from the U.S. Air Force’s 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base.

Source: F-35 to make civilian airshow debut next week in Oshkosh

Brazil to final contract for Gripen soon

Brazilian Defense Minister Jacques Wagner has assured that his country will sign the final contract to buy Saab Gripen fighters this year.

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

Source: Brazil to final contract for Gripen soon

FAI confirms Orion UAV’s world record

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has recognized the 80-hour, 2-minute and 52-second world record flight by a Aurora Flight Sciences Orion UAV in December 2014.

Photo: Aurora Flight Sciences

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) also notified Aurora that the record-breaking Orion flight was being formally recognized by NAA as one of the most memorable aviation milestones of 2014.

Source: FAI confirms Orion UAV’s world record