France to start reconnaissance flights over Syria starting from today

French President Francois Hollande announced his country will send reconnaissance flights over Syria starting from Sept. 8. Francois also said air strikes in Syria could come later.

By 1st Lt Christopher Mesnard [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: France to start reconnaissance flights over Syria starting from today

North Korea could launch long-range rocket on Oct. 12

Analysts in South Korea are divided on whether North Korea will test a long-range rocket on Oct. 12, which marks the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party.

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

Source: North Korea could launch long-range rocket on Oct. 12

VAQ-209 fired AIM-120 for first time in squadron’s history

VAQ-209 finally had the chance to fire the AIM-120 air-to-air missile in the squadron’s history on Sept. 1. The testing took place off the coast of Virginia as part of a multi-plane multi-missile Tactical Support Wing training event.

Source: VAQ-209 fired AIM-120 for first time in squadron’s history

Boeing given contract to test High Altitude Anti-Submarine Weapon

The Pentagon has awarded Boeing with a $23 million contract modification for testing of the high-altitude antisubmarine warfare weapons capability on the P-8A.

By U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Boeing given contract to test High Altitude Anti-Submarine Weapon

Watch the maiden flight of the first Italian-built F-35

AL-1, the first F-35 assembled in Italy, has made its first flight from the Cameri Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility on Sept. 7.

This was also the first F-35 flight outside the United States.
Lockheed Martin F-35 test pilot Bill “Gigs” Gigliotti took the jet on a 1 hour 22 minutes check flight.

Source: Watch the maiden flight of the first Italian-built F-35

RAF 41 Squadron 100th anniversary paint scheme

Photos: RAF

Source: RAF 41 Squadron 100th anniversary paint scheme

U.S. Marine aviation deaths hit 5-year high

This year, 18 U.S. Marines have lost their lives in aircraft mishaps so far. This figure is at a five-year high with three months to go before the end of the year.

By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Angel Roman-Otero. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The last time the figure spiked was back in 2012 when 15 Marines were killed in aviation related accidents.
The latest fatality was Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lewis who died when the CH-53 he was in did a hard landing at Stone Bay near Camp Lejeune on Sept. 2.

Source: U.S. Marine aviation deaths hit 5-year high

Probably the closest picture yet of the KJ-500


Source: Probably the closest picture yet of the KJ-500

Elbit Systems gets contract to provide European country with UAS-based intelligence system

A European country has given Elbit Systems around $78 million to supply an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-based intelligence solution.

By Gerald L. Nino [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Elbit Systems gets contract to provide European country with UAS-based intelligence system