U.S. Air Force shares forward refueling techniques with Australian forces

Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel were able to experience refueling from a C-130 while on the ground at a forward deployment area during Talisman Sabre 2015.
United States Airmen from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, partnered with the Australian Army during a refueling exercise at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, July 8 in Darwin, Australia during Talisman Sabre 2015. Talisman Sabre is a biennial exercise that provides an invaluable opportunity for nearly 30,000 U.S. and Australian defense forces to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase both countries’ ability to plan and execute a full range of operations from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts.
U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Steven Peterson

During the demonstration, members of the 353rd Special Operations Group and fuels specialists from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron was able to demonstrate how they would rapidly deploy a forward area manifold cart and hook up fuel hoses from their aircraft to a helicopter. Up to three helicopters could be refueled at one time.

Source: U.S. Air Force shares forward refueling techniques with Australian forces

Lockheed Martin’s JAGM scored two hits during recent Government-led flight tests

Lockheed Martin’s multi-mode Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) successfully hit two targets that were laser-designated during recent Government-led flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

The first test was straight forward with the missile being guided by semi-active laser. A second test involved both its laser sensor and on board millimeter wave radar.

Source: Lockheed Martin’s JAGM scored two hits during recent Government-led flight tests

India’s HeliNa anti-tank missile hits 2 out of 3 targets

India has test-fired a helicopter-launched version of its indigenous Nag anti-tank guided missile from HAL Rudra helicopter on Jul. 12.

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

Three missiles were tested at Chandan firing range in Jaisalmer and two of the missiles hit their targets at a range of seven kilometers. Previous tests were carried out at a range of only four kilometers.

Source: India’s HeliNa anti-tank missile hits 2 out of 3 targets

Video of F-16IQ touching down at Balad air base, Iraq

Four Iraqi Air Force F-16IQs arrived home at Balad air base on Jul. 13.

Source: Video of F-16IQ touching down at Balad air base, Iraq

Last U.S. Navy EA-6B flight at NBVC Point Mugu

A U.S. Navy EA-6B flew over Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu, on Jun. 26 for its final flight before being retired to the base’s missile park.

Photo: U.S. Navy

NBVC is home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s (NAWCWD) Electronic Warfare (EW) Laboratory.

Source: Last U.S. Navy EA-6B flight at NBVC Point Mugu

Italy renews lease of SIGINT aircraft with Lockheed Martin

For a couple of years, Italy has been leasing a Gulfstream III configured for SIGINT duties from Lockheed Martin. Defense News reported that a new lease will be in force till spring of 2016.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

Italy started leasing the Lockheed Martin testbed, known as Airborne Multi-INT Laboratory, back in 2012. Although the country has a requirement for such an aircraft, no funds were found to buy an aircraft.

Source: Italy renews lease of SIGINT aircraft with Lockheed Martin

Israeli Hermes 450 UAV fish out by Lebanese Armed Forces in Tripoli

Photo: Lebanese Armed Forces

Source: Israeli Hermes 450 UAV fish out by Lebanese Armed Forces in Tripoli

Canada terminating contract for two Ground Master 400 radars

Canada is to terminate a contract with Thales Canada for two Ground Master 400 air defense radars. Documents show costs had risen to more than $78 million by 2013 and both sides decided in February to end the deal.

The new radars were ordered to replace existing AN/TPS-70 radars at Bagotville and Cold Lake.

Source: Canada terminating contract for two Ground Master 400 radars