Australian Tiger attack helicopters in Papua New Guinea for exercise
Australia’s Tiger attack helicopters have deployed to Papua New Guinea for an exercise with the local military’s Air Transport Wing at Jackson’s Airport, Port Moresby from Aug. 16 to Sept. 7.
By Andrew Mercer (www.baldwhiteguy.co.nz) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Australian Tiger attack helicopters in Papua New Guinea for exercise
Moroccan Mirage F1 crashed after bird strike
A Royal Moroccan Air Force Mirage F1 was lost after encountering a bird strike while landing at Sidi Slimane Air Base on Aug. 17.
By Aminovich (en:Image:Moroccan Mirage F1CH 7.jpg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The pilot ejected after the jet’s engine failed.
Source: Moroccan Mirage F1 crashed after bird strike
Indian Air Force deploys Mirage 2000s to remote airfield
Since Aug. 17, the 5,693ft runway at Saifai airport at Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India has Mirage 2000s taking off and landing daily as part of a five-day exercise to test its suitability as an alternative base during an emergency.
aeroprints.com [CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The fighters came from nearby Gwalior and the exercise is being conducted during day and night time.
Source: Indian Air Force deploys Mirage 2000s to remote airfield
USAF swapping out CRT MPDs on F-15E
Industrial Electronic Engineers (IEE) has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force to provide new 6.25″ x 6.25″ Multi-Purpose Display (MPD) for the F-15E Strike Eagle Program.
By: Master Sgt. Lance Cheung, U.S. Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The new 1024×1024 LCD displays replaces CRTs on the fighter. It has the same form, fit and function of the existing unit.
Source: USAF swapping out CRT MPDs on F-15E
MDA plans reboot of ABL
Missile Defense Agency director, Vice Adm. James Syring, said his agency is looking into arming a UAV with a low power laser to test the feasibility of using drone to shoot down ballistic missiles in the boost phase.
By US Missile Defense Agency [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Syring told attendees at the Space & Missile Defense conference that the new approach will be different from the previous Airborne Laser program.
“It is a very different approach than we did in the past of just leaping to something and investing everything we had.”
Analysts however sound a caution tone. To have a working laser that fires off one-megawatt of energy will require substantial improvements to generate that kind of power with the least weight.
Source: MDA plans reboot of ABL
Pentagon planning for 90 UAV orbits a day by 2019
A Pentagon spokesman told reporters that the U.S. military plans to have 90 orbits by unmanned aircraft each day in four years’ time.
By Lance Cheung, USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. Army, Special Operations Command and contractors will chip in 30 plus orbits in order to attain the higher figure. The U.S. Air Force will still fly the bulk of most orbits.
Source: Pentagon planning for 90 UAV orbits a day by 2019
First flight of fully-equipped KC-46 delayed again by one month
The recent accident whereby wrong fuel chemicals were pumped into the fuel system of the first fully-equipped KC-46 has caused the maiden flight to be delayed by another month.
“This issue will extend the projected first flight date by roughly a month beyond the previous plan to fly (the plane) in late August, early September,” Boeing spokesman Chick Ramey said in an email to Reuters.
Source: First flight of fully-equipped KC-46 delayed again by one month
Russian planning to install new early warning radar in Azerbaijan
TV Zvezda reported that Moscow intends to install a new early warning radar in Azerbaijan. The Voronezh-DM will replace the old radar at Gabala, which was decommissioned in 2012 after Baku declined to renew its lease.
Kremlin.ru [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Russian planning to install new early warning radar in Azerbaijan
BAE Systems’ Sabreliner collided with C172 over Brown Field Municipal Airport, five killed
A BAE Systems’ Sabreliner a training mission with the U.S. Navy has collided with a Cessna 172 over Brown Field Municipal Airport on Aug. 16. Five were killed in the accident.
By Alan Radecki Akradecki (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner, there were four on board the Sabreliner. BAE on Monday named three employees on board the plane. The fifth was the pilot of the Cessna.
Source: BAE Systems’ Sabreliner collided with C172 over Brown Field Municipal Airport, five killed
MQ-4C Triton begins testing inside anechoic chamber
The MQ-4C has started testing inside Patuxent River’s anechoic chamber on Aug. 12. It will remain inside the chamber for the next eight weeks.
Photo: U.S. Navy
Source: MQ-4C Triton begins testing inside anechoic chamber