Philippines second C295M arrived home

Airbus has delivered the second C295M maritime patrol aircraft for the Philippine Air Force to Clark Air Base on Sept. 16. The aircraft was flown from Spain by pilots from Airbus Defense and Space.

Photo: PAF

The third and final plane will be delivered by end of the year.

Source: Philippines second C295M arrived home

Satellite spots four Russian military helicopters in Latakia, Syria

A U.S. official said the latest satellite imagery had captured two Russian Mi-24 and two Mi-17 helicopters on the tarmac of Bassel al-Assad International Airport, in Latakia, Syria.

By Igor Dvurekov (http://russianplanes.net/id53229) [GFDL 1.2, GFDL 1.2 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The same person said there are no signs that the rotorcraft had flown but they are expected to do so once maintenance crews prepare them for flight.

Source: Satellite spots four Russian military helicopters in Latakia, Syria

USAF will soon decide if enlisted airmen can fly UAVs

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark Welsh, will make a decision by November whether to allow the branch’s enlisted airmen fly unmanned aerial vehicles.

By English: Staff Sgt. Don Branum, U.S. Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

During a panel discussion at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference this week, some command chief master sergeants had different views on the subject.
Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Caruso, the command chief of Air Force Special Operations Command, spoke on the legal aspect of the decision as there are no guidelines on whether enlisted airmen had the authority to drop weapons from aircraft onto targets.

Source: USAF will soon decide if enlisted airmen can fly UAVs

Selex ES’s Falcon Shield C-UAV system

Selex ES’s Falcon Shield counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system is one of the latest product in the market for detecting and defeating micro- and mini-UAVs.

Unveiled at DSEI 2015 in London, the system is scalable different types of environment that range from wide area through to high-clutter, ‘urban canyons’.

Source: Selex ES’s Falcon Shield C-UAV system

Thales unveils new launcher for STARStreak and LMM

At DSEI, Thales took the opportunity to unveil its Lightweight Multiple Launcher New Generation (LML NG) system that is capable of firing both the STARStreak and/or the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM).

Photo: Thales

The system provides two ready to fire missiles, allowing it to handle saturation air attacks or provide a complimentary surface to surface capability.

Source: Thales unveils new launcher for STARStreak and LMM

Pentagon weapons tester slams F-35B’s shipboard operational testing trial

The F-35B carried out its first and only shipboard operational testing trial aboard USS Wasp from May 18-25. The Pentagon’s top weapons tester later said the test was so flawed that it “did not — and could not — demonstrate that the … F-35B is operationally effective or suitable for use in any type of limited combat operation.”

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Natasha R. Chalk [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Project on Government Oversight obtained the memo written by J. Michael Gilmore, Director of the Operational Test and Evaluation Directorate, via the Freedom of Information Act recently.

Source: Pentagon weapons tester slams F-35B’s shipboard operational testing trial

Russia establishing forward air operating base in Syria

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said Russia’s recent activity in the city of Latakia, Syria suggests it is preparing to establish a forward air operating base there.

Photo: Stratfor

A separate report from Reuters quoted a U.S. official as saying that seven Russian T-90s have been offered at the airfield in Latakia.
Artillery pieces have also been arrayed to protect Russian personnel stationed there.

Source: Russia establishing forward air operating base in Syria

North Korea says its preparing a satellite for launch

North Korea’s KCNA state media reported that the nation’s National Aerospace Development Administration is preparing to launch a new satellite into space.

By Sungwon Baik / VOA (North Korea Rocket Launch – Photo Galleries) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The speculation now is that Pyongyang will carry out a rocket launch to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) on Oct. 10.

Source: North Korea says its preparing a satellite for launch

Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone will be promoted to Staff Sergeant

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh has announced the promotion of Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone to Staff Sergeant. Stone was credit with helping subdue a gunman on board a French train in Belgium.

By United States Air Force (http://www.af.mil) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“He has stayed very true to himself from the very beginning. He has not let the moment overwhelm him. He has represented the Air Force very well and very proudly and, basically, he has an instinct for saying and doing the right thing, which I think is going to be a very, very good attribute in a young NCO supervisor.”

Source: Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone will be promoted to Staff Sergeant