RAF Puma Mk2 crashed in Afghanistan, five killed
Five people on board a RAF Puma Mk2 helicopter were killed as the rotorcraft came in to land at Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 11.
Photo: Royal Air Force
Only two British nationals were on board, they are the pilots from 230 and 33 squadrons.
The newly upgraded Puma 2 was deployed to Kabul this March to replace the Chinook force.
Source: RAF Puma Mk2 crashed in Afghanistan, five killed
India is latest country to be interested in the S-400
India is planning to acquire the S-400 air defense system, the Times of India reported. The Indian Air Force has tabled the proposal to the defense acquisitions council.
By Соколрус (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The flying branch is said to be interested in getting a dozen of the systems.
Source: India is latest country to be interested in the S-400
Watch Michelle Obama christens the newest Virginia-class submarine USS Illinois.
Video of Chinese CH-4 UAV in Iraq
Source: Video of Chinese CH-4 UAV in Iraq
Report says RAF Northolt, which is used by the Queen, is unsafe
The Telegraph has obtained a classified Ministry of Defense report which lists RAF Northolt, London, as unsafe.
Harrison49 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The VIP airfield is used by the Queen and Prime Minister and over the years, buildings erected around the aerodrome in West London have become obstacle for pilots operating out of the airfield.
Pilots also have to deal with motorists driving near the runway as the aircraft are just 9 meters above the traffic during finals. Hazard lights installed to stop road traffic during take off and landings are often ignored.
Source: Report says RAF Northolt, which is used by the Queen, is unsafe
KC-46A deploys boom and drogues for first time
The first fully-configured KC-46A prototype, EMD-2, deployed its drogue refueling baskets from the centerline and wing tips on Oct. 8. This was followed by the deployment of the boom on Oct. 9.
Boeing photos by John D. Parker
More footage of the J-15
A CCTV special on Dai Mingmeng, the first person to land the J-15 on a carrier, has unveiled some new footage of the jet at sea and on land.
Source: More footage of the J-15
Hudson Institute: Aircraft carrier is best option to meet emerging threats
In a study by Hudson Institute on the usefulness of building new large aircraft carriers, the three co-authors concluded that large, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the best option to deal with the emerging threat environment.
By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class James Thierry. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Hudson Institute: Aircraft carrier is best option to meet emerging threats
F-35C completes sea trials aboard CVN 69
Two F-35Cs have competed their sea trials aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on Oct. 9.
By U.S. Navy photo by Andy Wolfe [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Japan to decide on next indigenous fighter program in fiscal 2018
In an interview with Nikkei, the commissioner of Japan’s new defense acquisition agency said his agency will decide whether to proceed with the development of an indigenous fighter in fiscal 2018.
By Hunini (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Hideaki Watanabe explained that committing too soon could lead to cost overruns and long development times.
Source: Japan to decide on next indigenous fighter program in fiscal 2018