Investigations revealed chaotic scene inside CH-53E when it crashed in Gulf of Aden last year

A CH-53E from VMM-263 (Reinforced) missed the flight deck of USS Mesa Verde while descending to land and crashed into waters off the coast of Djibouti on Sept. 1, 2014. Documents released through the Freedom of Information Act revealed the chaotic scene inside the rotorcraft as it started sinking.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelvin Edwards [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A decision not to strap down baggage inside lead to luggage being tossed around the cabin as the aircraft rolled to the right in the water. Marines were trapped under the litter and many struggled to exit as water rushed in.

Source: Investigations revealed chaotic scene inside CH-53E when it crashed in Gulf of Aden last year

Ukroboronprom unveils its copy of the Bell 47

Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom has unveiled a new helicopter it designate as Lev-1. The company admitted that the rotocraft is based on the Bell 47.

Photos: Ukroboronprom

The helicopter is being offered to the military for medevac missions and like the American H-13, medical evacuation panniers are fixed on the skids as well. It is powered by the GTD-350 engine.

Source: Ukroboronprom unveils its copy of the Bell 47

France leased An-70 to transfer equipment back from Central African Republic

France went to Antonov and leased one of its An-70 cargo plane to help transfer 23.6 tons of equipment from Bangui, Central African Republic to Istres, France.

Photos: Antonov

The entire operation took place over a period from Sept. 22 to 26. The plane was in the air more than 20 hours and flew over 13,600 km.
The trip to France included a stop in Ndjamena, Chad where the plane had to lift off close to its maximum take−off weight in hot conditions of 33 degrees Celsius.

Source: France leased An-70 to transfer equipment back from Central African Republic

Potential Foreign Military Sale of 4 MQ-9s to Spain

The U.S. Congress has been informed on the potential sale of four MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft to Spain.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Paul Ridgeway [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Potential Foreign Military Sale of 4 MQ-9s to Spain

RoKAF Transport Management Officer

Source: RoKAF Transport Management Officer

Indonesia needs 12 more air defense radars

Commander of Indonesia’s National Air Defense Command said his country lacks sufficient numbers of air defense radars to adequately protect its airspace.

Photo: satrad231.blogspot.com

Air Vice Marshal Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja said only 20 radars are available for his use while the true requirement is for 32 radars. Without sufficient number of radars, he is forced to rely on secondary radars from the civilian air traffic control service. However, military aircraft entering Indonesian airspace might not switch on their transponders.
The situation is especially acute in the areas of Kalimantan, North Maluku, South Maluku, Papua and West Sumatra.

Source: Indonesia needs 12 more air defense radars

U.S. F-16s were about 20 miles away from Russian Su-34s in Syria

CBS News was given a rare excess into the USAFCENT’s command center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. On the large screen in the room, one could see the number of coalition and Russian aircraft flying over Syria.

Source: CBS News

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Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown told CBS News that the Russians had closed to within 20 miles with U.S. F-16s operating out of Turkey. An infographic in the video depict the Russian jets as Su-34s. For unmanned aircraft, the Russians has come even closer.
“The closest has been within a handful of miles of our remotely piloted aircraft,” said Brown.

Source: U.S. F-16s were about 20 miles away from Russian Su-34s in Syria

KF-X still on schedule

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the KF-X indigenous fighter program is still on schedule for completion by 2025.

Source: KAI

After failing to secure the transfer four core technologies from Lockheed Martin, an official from DAPA assured that South Korea will seek cooperation with other foreign companies if necessary.
The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has also brought forward the development of an indigenous AESA radar from 2020-2024 to 2017-2021. The key challenge of this program is to code the software algorithms, 90 percent of the hardware knowledge has already been achieved.

Source: KF-X still on schedule

Belorussians protest against planned Russian air base

Around 1,000 Belorussians took to the streets to protest a plan to allow Russia to set up an air base in the country on Oct. 4.

By Bartek Kozłowiec (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Organizers of the protest said the move would turn the former Soviet republic into a Kremlin “vassal.”

Source: Belorussians protest against planned Russian air base

Cameron introduce “Protector” program to replace MQ-9s

British Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Oct. 3 that his government will embark on a program to buy two new “Protector” unmanned aerial vehicles to replace 10 current MQ-9s.

Photo: Sgt Pete Mobbs RAF/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

The new UAV will be able to fly longer distances, is quieter and carry the very latest technology.

Source: Cameron introduce “Protector” program to replace MQ-9s