Dutch F-35 procurement to cost 550 million euros more
The Dutch government might have to spend an extra 500 million euros to procure its F-35 fleet due to the strengthening U.S. dollar.
By Liz Kaszynski, Lockheed Martin (bron: Ministerie van Defensie.) [CC0 or Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
Netherlands wants to have 37 F-35As to replace its F-16 fleet.
Source: Dutch F-35 procurement to cost 550 million euros more
301st Fighter Wing commander clocks 4,000 hours on F-16
Colonel John Breazeale, 301st Fighter Wing commander, achieved more than 4,000 flying hours in an F-16 during a training mission on Aug. 20.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha Mathison
Source: 301st Fighter Wing commander clocks 4,000 hours on F-16
Carlisle wants new BVR air-to-air missile to ‘out-stick’ the Chinese PL-15
Air Combat Command chief Gen Hawk Carlisle said that the development of a next-generation beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles is “an exceptionally high priority.”
By United States Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
He added that outmatching the new Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missile is an “exceedingly high priority.”
“The PL-15 and the range of that missile, we’ve got to be able to out-stick that missile,” he said.
Source: Carlisle wants new BVR air-to-air missile to ‘out-stick’ the Chinese PL-15
U.S. Air Force fields MQ-9 Reaper Extended Range
The extended range version of the MQ-9 has been operational field by the U.S. Air Force in August, General Atomics announced.
Photo: POA(Phot) Tam McDonald/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
The USAF has a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) for 38 Reaper ER aircraft.
Source: U.S. Air Force fields MQ-9 Reaper Extended Range
MBDA gets ASRAAM contract from U.K.
The Royal Air Force has placed a £300 million contract with MBDA for more AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles. The missiles will be produced at MBDA’s new Bolton manufacturing and assembly site that will be commissioned in mid-2016.
Photo: Geoffrey Lee/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: MBDA gets ASRAAM contract from U.K.
Northrop Grumman close to getting clearance for exporting AN/TPS-80
Northrop Grumman is expecting the Pentagon to approve the export of the company’s AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) by end of the year.
Mark Smith, Northrop’s business development director for tactical radars, said several countries have expressed interest in buying G/ATOR.
Source: Northrop Grumman close to getting clearance for exporting AN/TPS-80
First RS-28 Sarmat ICBM prototype to be ready by end of the year
An unidentified defense industry source told TASS that the first RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) prototype is in the final stages of development and will be ready by end of this year.
By Clay Gilliland from Chandler, U.S.A. (Russian SS-18 Satan) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The same source said the first test is expected early next year.
Source: First RS-28 Sarmat ICBM prototype to be ready by end of the year
France formulating plans for air strikes in Syria
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said his country has started making plans on air strikes in Syria. Le Drian said the strikes will start “in the coming weeks” during an interview with France Inter radio.
By Aldo Bidini [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
“As soon as we have well identified targets and we can carry out the strikes that we need to carry out against an enemy who is the Islamic state and who is threatening us,” he said.
Source: France formulating plans for air strikes in Syria
Royal Thai Army orders more STARStreak VSHORAD
Thales has secured a multi-million pound contract with DataGate in Thailand to supply the Royal Thai Army with the STARStreak air defence missile system.
By Nilfanion (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
This is a follow-on order from Thailand’s initial purchase of STARStreak in 2012.
Source: Royal Thai Army orders more STARStreak VSHORAD
P-8A from VP-8 fired AGM-84D
A P-8A from VP-8 carried out a AGM-84D Harpoon live missile shot on Aug. 12 during GUAMEX 2015. According to the press release, this was the first fully fueled Harpoon firing for the P-8A.
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Kofonow [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: P-8A from VP-8 fired AGM-84D