Wreckage of missing RoCAF AT-3 discovered
A RoCAF AT-3 jet trainer that went missing on Sept. 22 has been sighted on the slope of a mountain this morning around 6:38 a.m. local time.
By 玄史生 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
The aircraft was located 2-3 kilometers north west of its last radar plot.
Source: Wreckage of missing RoCAF AT-3 discovered
Antonov and WB Electronics to jointly develop UAVs for Ukraine’s military
Antonov and Poland’s WB Electronics have signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 22 to jointly develop tactical unmanned aerial vehicles for Ukraine’s military.
Photo: Antonov
Antonov will design the air-frame and WB Electronics will supply the avionics.
Source: Antonov and WB Electronics to jointly develop UAVs for Ukraine’s military
Philippines slow in getting Subic ready for FA-50PH
The Philippine Air Force intends to deploy 12 of its KAI FA-50PH jets at former U.S. Navy airfield at Subic Bay. However, funds to upgrade the base are yet to be approved.
By: PH1(NAC) DAVID R. SANNERService Depicted: Navy (ID:DN-ST-91-11630) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Robert Garcia, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, warned that the government needs to act quickly as there will be a freeze on military spending in March due to elections in May next year.
An anonymous Philippine Air Force general said his service had requested $2.14 million to refurbish the base.
Source: Philippines slow in getting Subic ready for FA-50PH
USAF C-17 to bring French Air Force AS555 to Central African Republic
To assist in the draw down of Operation Sangaris in Central African Republic (CAR), France will deploy some of its AS555 helicopters there.
By Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
According to Jane’s, a U.S. Air Force C-17 will bring at least one rotorcraft to the African nation in the next few days.
Source: USAF C-17 to bring French Air Force AS555 to Central African Republic
All but four MC-12Ws transferred out of USAF inventory
The U.S. Air Force has transferred most of its MC-12Ws to the Army and Special Operations Command.
By United States Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Eleven went to the Army and 26 were given to SOCOM. Only four more aircraft are left in U.S. Air Force colors. These four will be gone by Oct. 1, a spokesman for Air Combat Command told Flight Global.
Source: All but four MC-12Ws transferred out of USAF inventory
Egypt likely to field Sagem Patroller UAV
Egypt is likely a new customer for Sagem’s Patroller MALE UAV following an agreement between Sagem and AOI-Aircraft Factory to assemble the aircraft in Egypt.
By Tangopaso (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Sagem will also have to set up a dedicated training center in Egypt as part of the deal.
Source: Egypt likely to field Sagem Patroller UAV
Final F/A-18C flight for VFA-94
VFA-94 “Mighty Shrikes” flew its last F/A-18C flight at NAS Lemoore on Aug. 26. The squadron will transition to the F/A-18F.
Photo: U.S. Navy
The historic flight was flown by commanding officer Cmdr. Mike Langbehn who later step down from the post on Sept. 23.
Source: Final F/A-18C flight for VFA-94
A-10s from Moody AFB land in Estonia
Twelve U.S. Air Force A-10Cs from the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron landed at Amari Air Base, Estonia Sept. 21.
U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins
The airmen and aircraft from Moody Air Force Base’s 23rd Wing will spend six months in Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Source: A-10s from Moody AFB land in Estonia
MK 82 bomb ended up at scrap yard, worker killed while dismantling it
A scrap yard worker in Tucson, Arizona was killed when he tried to dismantle a Mark 82 general purpose bomb.
By Ssgt. Ernest Sealing [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. Sen. John McCain has demanded an answer from the Pentagon why the bomb had ended up in a scrap yard.
“As a matter of national security, as well for the safety of the American public, this issue demands appropriate attention by the department’s senior leadership,” McCain wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.
Source: MK 82 bomb ended up at scrap yard, worker killed while dismantling it
MQ-9 to get sonobuoy capability
The MQ-9 will gain a sonobuoy capability next year, General Atomics announced at the Royal Navy’s maritime awareness conference on Sept. 24.
Graphic: General Atomics
The sonobuoys will be stored in a pod, that will take 12 hours to install on a MQ-9, and the Predator B will act as a communications relay to beam the data collected back to ground station via SATCOM link.
Testing will commence in early 2016, the modified aircraft will fly over sonobuoy emulators on land to test its relay capabilities.
Source: MQ-9 to get sonobuoy capability