Boeing and India signed Direct Commercial Sale contracts for AH-64E, CH-47F

A team from Boeing was in New Delhi on Sept. 28 to sign two Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) contracts with the Indian government.

By Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) (AH64D Apache – RIAT 2013) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The contracts are for 15 CH-47F and 22 AH-64E helicopters. A separate Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract is still to be signed for the AH-64Es’ radars and weaponry.

Source: Boeing and India signed Direct Commercial Sale contracts for AH-64E, CH-47F

AeroVironment is out of DARPA’s TERN program

AeroVironment announced on Sept. 22 that DARPA has not selected the company’s solution for the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) program to proceed to phase III.

Image: DARPA

The company and Northrop Grumman were selected for phase II of the program last year.

Source: AeroVironment is out of DARPA’s TERN program

All U.S. Air Force bombers now under one command

B-1B bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas’ 7th Bomb Wing and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota’s 28th Bomb Wing were ceremonially realigned to U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command’s Eighth Air Force on Sept. 28.

By United States Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

So officially on Oct. 1, the U.S. bomber community will be under one command.

Source: All U.S. Air Force bombers now under one command

Japan ready to deploy Aegis ships, PAC 3 if North Korea test rocket

Sankei Shimbun reported that Tokyo is mulling deploying Aegis destroyers in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea if North Korea proceed with the test of a rocket next month.

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

PAC-3 air defense systems will be deployed in Tokyo and Okinawa to prevent any debris from the rocket from hitting Japan.

Source: Japan ready to deploy Aegis ships, PAC 3 if North Korea test rocket

Bill Sweetman’s analysis of the two Chinese HALE UAV prototypes

Bill Sweetman has done a detailed analysis on the aerodynamic characteristics and potential uses of two high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft that appeared in China recently.

Sweetman concluded that Shenyang’s Divine Eagle, with its twin-body is likely to be a platform for an airborne early warning radar.
The Guizhou Soar Dragon, with its joined-wing configuration, is optimized to carry a wide variety of payloads.

Source: Bill Sweetman’s analysis of the two Chinese HALE UAV prototypes

Vulcan XH558 with the Red Arrows one last time – watch it from the cockpit

The last flying Vulcan bomber, XH558, flew with the Red Arrows one last time at the Southport Air Show on Sept. 19. Here’s the view of the historic flight from the cockpit of the Vulcan.

Source: Vulcan XH558 with the Red Arrows one last time – watch it from the cockpit

Russian UAV over Syria

A Russian Granat-3 UAV is seen over Syrian rebel positions in Idlib province.

Source: Russian UAV over Syria

One more month before India seals contract for 36 Rafales

Defence sources told Press Trust of India that negotiations for 36 Rafale fighter jets are likely to be wrapped up in another month.

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

The pace of the talks in recent weeks has been described as “hectic.”

Source: One more month before India seals contract for 36 Rafales

World’s last Sea Harriers to retire next year

India is expected to send its Sea Harriers into retirement next year, the same time aircraft carrier INS Viraat is decommissioned.

Indian Navy [CC BY 2.5 in or CC BY 2.5 in], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: World’s last Sea Harriers to retire next year

BBC flew on board RAF Sentinel R1 to observe surveillance mission over Iraq, Syria

A BBC film crew was able to go aboard a Royal Air Force Sentinel R1 and see its surveillance mission over the Iraqi, Syria border. Hit the source for the link to the video.

Photo: Sergeant Ross Tilly (RAF)/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: BBC flew on board RAF Sentinel R1 to observe surveillance mission over Iraq, Syria