Supreme Allied Commander Europe: Russia creating A2/AD bubble in Syria

Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, said recent Russian activities in Syria has lead to “another A2/AD bubble being created in the eastern Mediterranean.”

The other zone in the Mediterranean is centered around Russian-occupied Crimea.
“Russia has developed a very strong A2/AD capability in the Black Sea,” said Breedlove. “Essentially their [anti-ship] cruise missiles range the entire Black Sea, and their air defense missiles range about 40 to 50 percent of the Black Sea.”

Source: Supreme Allied Commander Europe: Russia creating A2/AD bubble in Syria

India to buy seven squadrons of modified Tejas Mk 1A

The India government has agreed to buy at least seven squadrons of modified Tejas Mk 1A fighters while it waits for Mk 2 version.

By Ashwin Kumar [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Air Force had earlier placed an order for 40 Tejas Mk 1s.

Source: India to buy seven squadrons of modified Tejas Mk 1A

Chengdu J-10B operational with PLAAF

A Chengdu J-10B fighter in PLAAF markings, signifying the operational debut of the fighter.

Source: Chengdu J-10B operational with PLAAF

AN/MPQ-64F1 radars sold to Latvia

Thales-Raytheon Systems has been given a $22 million FMS contract to supply the AN/MPQ-64F1 radar to Latvia. The completion date for the contact is Oct. 31, 2016.

By US ARMY. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: AN/MPQ-64F1 radars sold to Latvia

Footage of Russian warplanes in Syria

French TV channel TF1 has managed to film Russian warplanes that recently arrive in Latakia, Syria. The camera crew managed to capture an Antonov transport, Su-24 fighter bombers and Mi-24s at the airport.

Source: Footage of Russian warplanes in Syria

Lockheed Martin started construction of world’s largest digital phased array radar

Lockheed Martin’s Space Fence System has cleared the Critical Design Review (CDR) conducted by the U.S. Air Force. Construction of the world’s largest digital phased array radar has begun on Kwajalein Island, the company said.

Image: Lockheed Martin

S-band radar system design was considered technically mature after a three-day CDR by U.S. government officials in Moorestown.
“Completion of CDR marks the end of the design phase and the start of radar production and facility construction of the Space Fence system,” says Steve Bruce, vice president for Advanced Systems at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business.

Source: Lockheed Martin started construction of world’s largest digital phased array radar

RAF Waddington air show scrapped

The Royal Air Force has decided to stop organizing the RAF Waddington air show due to ‘increased security concerns.’

Alan Wilson [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: RAF Waddington air show scrapped

Iraq willing to allow Russian reconnaissance flights on ISIL in its airspace

An Iraqi defense ministry spokesman said Baghdad is willing to allow Russian reconnaissance aircraft to spy on ISIL while flying over its airspace.

By Jenyk (http://spotters.net.ua/file/?id=87882&size=large) [CC BY-SA 4.0 or CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

“If Russia needs to participate in aircraft reconnaissance flights, it can make a formal request to the Iraqi government and there will be no objection in my opinion,” said Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim on Sept. 28.

Source: Iraq willing to allow Russian reconnaissance flights on ISIL in its airspace

First aerial fuel transfer from RAAF KC-30A to F-35A

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed the first fuel transfer from a RAAF KC-30A to a USAF F-35A at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Photos: USAF

A total of 59 contacts were conducted of which five contacts transferred 43,200 pounds of fuel during the four hour sortie.

Source: First aerial fuel transfer from RAAF KC-30A to F-35A

Live-firing exercise by PLA Army Aviation Corps

Source: Live-firing exercise by PLA Army Aviation Corps