Photos, Video of Swedish Gripens operating out of a highway in Finland

Last week , two Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters from 211 Squadron, F 21, landed on a road runway in Finland for the first time during exercise Baana 2015.

Photos: Louise Levin/Försvarsmakten

The exercise was challenging for the Swedish pilots as they had to fly in from Sweden and land on a section of highway 924 while under overcast conditions.

Source: Photos, Video of Swedish Gripens operating out of a highway in Finland

Tor–M2U can now fire while on the move

Almaz-Antei has modified the Tor-M2U air defense system for it to fire its missiles while on the move.

By Vitaly V. Kuzmin (http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/557) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

During the test at Kapustin Yar range in Russia’s southern Astrakhan region, the system was able to destroy its target eight kilometers away while moving at 25 km/h.

Source: Tor–M2U can now fire while on the move

Photos, Video of Operation Chammal: France’s first airstrike in Syria

France carried out its first airstrike in Syria at 0630 (French local time) on Sept. 27. Five Rafales, one Atlantique 2 and one C-135 took part in the raid. Total mission time was five hours.

Photos: French Ministry of Defense

Source: Photos, Video of Operation Chammal: France’s first airstrike in Syria

France launched air strikes in Syria

France has launched its first airstrike against ISIL in Syria today, the President Office announced in a statement.

By Capt. Jason Smith [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: France launched air strikes in Syria

Indian Air Force will try landing transports and refueling planes on highways

Encourage by its recent success in landing its Mirage 2000 fighters on a highway this May, the Indian Air Force wants to repeat the feat using large transport aircraft and aerial refueling planes.

Photo: Indian Ministry of Defense

The news report says the likely location is the 306 km long Agra-Lucknow Expressway that will be completed next year.

Source: Indian Air Force will try landing transports and refueling planes on highways

Moscow bringing back the railway-car–based ICBM

Russia is embarking on a program to revive its railway-car–based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) concept with a new program dubbed Barguzin.

By George Shuklin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Moscow bringing back the railway-car–based ICBM

RAF Sentinel to continue its mission in Middle East for another year

The British government will extend the mission of the RAF Sentinel surveillance aircraft in Middle East for another year.

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

Source: RAF Sentinel to continue its mission in Middle East for another year

Pilot of the F-35A that caught fire awarded Koren Kolligian trophy

Capt. Timothy K. Killham, who was at the controls of the F-35A that caught fire on Jun. 23, 2014, has been awarded the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy for flight safety.

U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash

Source: Pilot of the F-35A that caught fire awarded Koren Kolligian trophy

PAK-FA will now enter service in 2017

Russian Air Force chief Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said the Sukhoi PAK-FA will enter into service in 2017. Earlier news reports had stated 2016.

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

Source: PAK-FA will now enter service in 2017

Afghan AF’s most decorated pilot on MD-530F: “I don’t know why we have this plane here”

Col. Qalandar Shah Qalandari is the most decorated pilot in the Afghan Air Force, recently he took command of a squadron of MD-530F armed helicopters. However, he is disappointed with the rotorcraft.

By Staff Sgt. Perry Aston (USAF) (dvidshub.net) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Speaking to a journalist, Qalandari complained that the American-made helicopter lacked the range to reach areas where the Taliban normally operate. The helicopter is not able to climb high above the mountain ranges that encircle Kabul during summer time when loaded with full fuel and weapons.

Source: Afghan AF’s most decorated pilot on MD-530F: “I don’t know why we have this plane here”