New Indian Air Force aerobatic team flying PC-7 to debut on Oct. 8
A new Indian Air Force aerobatic team flying the Pilatus PC-7 will join the Surya Kiran in making their debut during Air Force Day on Oct. 8 at Hindon air base.
Photo: Indian Ministry of Defense
Source: New Indian Air Force aerobatic team flying PC-7 to debut on Oct. 8
11 killed in C-130J crash in Afghanistan
Eleven people were killed when a C-130J crashed at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan on Sept. 2. Six were U.S. service members and the other five were civilians.
By Technical Sergeant Jeromy K. Cross (US Air Force Public Affairs [1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: 11 killed in C-130J crash in Afghanistan
RAND: U.S. maintains unparalleled air capability over China, but achieving air superiority will be tough
A RAND Project AIR FORCE report looks at the current capabilities of the Chinese and American air forces and found that although the U.S. has unparalleled air-to-air capability over China, it will be tough to attain air superiority during the first days or weeks of a possible conflict with China.
Source: RAND
Source: RAND: U.S. maintains unparalleled air capability over China, but achieving air superiority will be tough
First joint Russian-Serbian air exercise to start today
Eight Mi-8T helicopters and three MiG-29s from the Serbian Air Force are in southern Russia for a joint exercise with the Russian Air Force.
By Krasimir Grozev (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Air crews from both sides will take part in live-firing exercises at the Ashuluk range during BARS-2015.
Source: First joint Russian-Serbian air exercise to start today
USS Cowpens is first ship to undergo CG Phased Modernization Program
USS Cowpens (CG 63) was inducted as the first ship to undergo the CG Phased Modernization Program at Naval Base San Diego on Sept. 25.
By Camera Operator: PH1 ALAN WARNER, USN [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Guided-missile cruisers participating in the program will gain the (NIFC-CA) capability, SPQ-9B multipurpose radar, electro-optical sight system, AN/SQQ-89A(V)-15 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite with multi-function towed array (MFTA) and other hull and electrical upgrades.
Source: USS Cowpens is first ship to undergo CG Phased Modernization Program
First AC-130U to retire
The AC-130U to retire to Davis-Monthan Air Base left Hurlburt Field on Sept. 21. “Bad Omen” was delivered to the base in Feb. 17, 1995.
U.S. Air Force photos by Airman Kai White
All together, tail number 0163, had accumulated more than 2,300 sorties with over 10,000 flying hours during its twenty-years career.
Source: First AC-130U to retire
Russia building air defense base in Arctic
Interfax reported that Moscow intends to build an air defense base on Sredniy Island. The Northern Fleet has dispatched an icebreaker to carved a channel for construction ships to reach the area.
By Mohonu at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Source: Russia building air defense base in Arctic
Any F-35 pilot weighing less than 136 pounds cannot fly the jet
The U.S. military has slapped a restriction on any F-35 pilot weighing less than 136 pounds as there are worries that person might be injured during low-speed ejections.
Source: Any F-35 pilot weighing less than 136 pounds cannot fly the jet
France successfully test-fired M51 SLBM
France has successfully test-fired a version of the M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Sept. 30 from a test site in Biscarrosse.
The impact zone was located in the North Atlantic several hundred kilometers from the coast.
Source: France successfully test-fired M51 SLBM
USAF HH-60Gs, HC-130s deployed to southeast Turkey
The U.S. Air Force has deployed a number of HH-60Gs and HC-130s at Diyarbakir Air Base in southeast Turkey.
By Senior Airman John Pharr (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/870822) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: USAF HH-60Gs, HC-130s deployed to southeast Turkey