India to have 5 airstrips ready near border with China

A total of five airstrips in the state of Arunachal Pradesh will be ready for use next month. The runways have been upgraded to handle large aircraft such as the C-17, C-130J and An-32.

By U.S. Air Force by Jet Fabara [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In one case, 150 km of roads leading to an airstrip were upgraded so that troops and heavy machinery could be rapidly deployed.

Source: India to have 5 airstrips ready near border with China

USS George Washington departs San Diego

After a brief delay due to last-minute repairs, USS George Washington has departed San Diego for Virginia. During its transit in South America, the carrier will participate in exercise Southern Seas 2015.

Source: USS George Washington departs San Diego

Australia to start air strikes in Syria

The Australian government has cleared the air force to start conducting air strikes against ISIL targets in Syria.

By Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Prows, Combined Joint Information Bureau /Released (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2059838) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Australia to start air strikes in Syria

CNBC goes on board Italian KC-767 to see it refuel the F-35

CNBC was invited aboard one of the Italian KC-767 tanker that is currently in the United States carrying aerial refueling certifications with the F-35. Hit the source for the video.

Photo: F-35 Integrated Test Force

Source: CNBC goes on board Italian KC-767 to see it refuel the F-35

Welsh wants Boeing to come up with “predictable” timetable for KC-46

The head of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. Mark Welsh, told Defense News he wants more oversight on the Boeing KC-46 program.

Photo: Boeing

“We’re at a point now where we really need to see the first flight of this tanker, the actual tanker variant,” Welsh said. “Then, we need to have a predictable milestone chart between now and the required-assets-available date in August of ’17 that we can track down with some definitive consistency from this point forward.”

Source: Welsh wants Boeing to come up with “predictable” timetable for KC-46

Producing more F-35s could stress suppliers

The F-35 program manager, Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, said ramping up the production of the fighter could stress suppliers as they would have to produce more spare parts for repairs and modifications.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“We are asking the supply base between now and 2019 to do an awful lot,” Bogdan said.

Source: Producing more F-35s could stress suppliers

Raytheon demonstrates swappable EW payloads for MALD-J

The U.S. Naval Research Lab and Raytheon have demonstrated successful captive flights of a modular, rapid replacement architecture for electronic warfare (EW) payloads on the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer (MALD-J).

By Service Depicted: Air Force (ID:DFSD0108201 / 990702F9448S009) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The CERBERUS payload is customized for a specific mission and threat. During testing at the Northern Edge exercise in Alaska, four separately developed EW payloads were used in 12 operationally relevant missions.

Source: Raytheon demonstrates swappable EW payloads for MALD-J

Japan plans to have 8 operational spy satellites by next decade

Japan is planning to boost the number of intelligence gathering satellites in operation from the current four to eight by fiscal 2023.

By 20nana75 (squared by Juan Pablo Arancibia Medina) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

At the moment, Japan has three optical spy satellites in orbit and a same number of synthetic aperture radar satellites. Four are operational, one is on standby while the last one has exceeded its operational lifespan.

Source: Japan plans to have 8 operational spy satellites by next decade

South Korea moves forward to introduce 12 S-3 Vikings into service

Yonhap new reported that South Korea is going ahead with a plan to introduce 12 S-3 Vikings into service with the Navy. A military program review group has given the green light.

By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kristi J. Earl. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

However, the proposal still has to be cleared by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration

Source: South Korea moves forward to introduce 12 S-3 Vikings into service

Aero Vodochody to protest French training aircraft tender

Aero Vodochody said it plans to protest the French tender for training aircraft, saying the criteria discriminates its L-39NG jet trainer.

By Alan Lebeda [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

The Czech company said to be selected for evaluation, its aircraft must meet Continuing Airworthiness regulations that are meant for civil aircraft builders.

Source: Aero Vodochody to protest French training aircraft tender