RN’s AW159 in joint training exercise with South African submarine

Royal Navy warships HMS Lancaster and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Gold Rover are in South Africa last week for a joint training exercise with South African Navy Type 209 submarine SAS Queen Modjadji.

Photo: Royal Navy

During the exercise, Lancaster’s AW159 Wildcat helicopter “maintained an eye in the sky helping the surface vessels locate their elusive underwater foe and then simulate the dropping of stingray torpedoes onto the submarine’s location.”

Source: RN’s AW159 in joint training exercise with South African submarine

Bulgaria to amend legislation to allow NATO to patrol its airspace

Bulgaria has tabled a draft amendment to the Law on Defense and Armed Forces to enhance NATO’s role in helping patrol its airspace.

By Chavdar Garchev (Чавдар Гърчев) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

At the same time, the planned changes will also guarantee the sovereignty of its air space.

Source: Bulgaria to amend legislation to allow NATO to patrol its airspace

VMFAT-101 brought their F/A-18B/C/Ds to MCAS Beaufort for training

Photo: Lance Cpl. Jonah Lovy

Source: VMFAT-101 brought their F/A-18B/C/Ds to MCAS Beaufort for training

Russia releases video of its first air strikes in Syria

The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video showing its first air strikes in Syria.

This second video is taken from amateur footage showing the aftermath of the bombing in Homs and Hama provinces.

Source: Russia releases video of its first air strikes in Syria

Mi-28NE for Algeria

Photo: Ми-26/aviaforum.ru
Source: Mi-28NE for Algeria

F-35C returning to sea on Oct. 5

The F-35C will resume its sea trials, this time aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Oct. 5. Two jets will remain on board till Oct. 15.

By CVN 68 (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1648898) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: F-35C returning to sea on Oct. 5

Italy blocking India’s entry into Missile Technology Control Regime

Italy has blocked India’s application to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) group, citing the ongoing Enrica Lexie case.

By Anirvan Shukla (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Italy blocking India’s entry into Missile Technology Control Regime

Afghan Air Force MD-530Fs, Mi-17s depart Kabul for first expeditionary operations in Helmand province

Afghan Air Force MD-530Fs and Mi-17s left Kabul for their first operations in Helmand province on Sept. 27.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch

Source: Afghan Air Force MD-530Fs, Mi-17s depart Kabul for first expeditionary operations in Helmand province

Snowbird CT-114 added to Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada’s collection

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada has acquired a CT-114, tail number 114004, painted in the livery of the Snowbirds aerobatic team.

By RAF-YYC from Calgary, Canada (Snowbird 6 CT114104Uploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This was the fourth Canadair Limited CL-41A Tutor and was delivered to the RCAF on Feb. 7, 1964.

Source: Snowbird CT-114 added to Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada’s collection

Contract award for LRSB within “next couple of months”

The Pentagon will again delay the award of the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRSB) contract. The military hopes to wrap it up “within the next couple of months.”

Source: Contract award for LRSB within “next couple of months”