U.S. Army selects Northrop Grumman to develop ARL-E

The U.S. Army needs a long-range radar for its Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) DHC-8. The service went with Northrop Grumman for a solution.

By Mark Harkin (N8200HUploaded by russavia) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The aerospace firm was given an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract to develop a synthetic aperture radar (SAR)/ground moving target indicator (GMTI) system.

Source: U.S. Army selects Northrop Grumman to develop ARL-E

Deliveries of A-29s to Afghanistan pushed back

The Afghan Air Force will have to wait till early next year to get their hands on their newly acquired A-29 Super Tucanos.

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dillian Bamman

The original plan has to have the first aircraft, twenty were ordered, reach home in the December of this year.

Source: Deliveries of A-29s to Afghanistan pushed back

First flight of KC-46A

The first fully-configured KC-46A aerial refueling tanker took off for its first flight at 13:24 PDT on Sept. 25 from Paine Field in Washington.

Photos: Boeing

After carrying out checks in the air, the aircraft will land at Boeing Field.

Source: First flight of KC-46A

Maiden flight of Chinese Long March-11 solid launch vehicle

China has succeeded in the maiden launch of its Long March-11 solid launch vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Sept. 25.

The launch put three “Tianwang-1″ satellites and one Pujian-1 satellite into orbit.
According to the video, China claims it can launch a Long March-11 rocket into space with just 24 hours of notice.

Source: Maiden flight of Chinese Long March-11 solid launch vehicle

Satellite imagery of Russian activity in Syria on Sept. 23

Latest satellite imagery of the Istamo Weapon Facility and Al-Assad airbase in Latakia, Syria from AllSource Analysis.

Images: AllSource Analysis

Source: Satellite imagery of Russian activity in Syria on Sept. 23

Russian fighters entered Syria with transponders off

A U.S. official told CNN that Russian fighter jets flew into Syria with their transponders switched off. The jets flew in close formation with a transport plane each time to avoid detection.

Source: Russian fighters entered Syria with transponders off

KF-X hits roadblock after failure to get clearance for 4 key technologies from U.S.

South Korea’s dream of developing its KF-X fighter has suffered a setback after KAI failed to get clearance from the U.S. for four key technologies from Lockheed Martin.

Photos: KAI

Source: KF-X hits roadblock after failure to get clearance for 4 key technologies from U.S.

Monitoring group said Syrian pilots flew bombing missions using Russian jets that just arrived

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian government pilots have used newly arrived Russian warplanes to bombard ISIL militants in Aleppo province in northern Syria.

The air strikes were carried out together with ground attacks in the areas surrounding Kweiris air base in the east of Aleppo province.

Source: Monitoring group said Syrian pilots flew bombing missions using Russian jets that just arrived

Il-38N operational with Russian Navy Pacific Fleet

Upgraded Il-38N maritime patrol aircraft have entered service with the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet, Ilyushin’s press service said in a statement.

By Alex Beltyukov (http://russianplanes.net/id141454) [CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Il-38N operational with Russian Navy Pacific Fleet

LA Times’ investigative report on JLENS

The Los Angeles Times said in its report that the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) is effectively a “zombie” program after 17 years of development and $2.7 billion spent.

Photo: U.S. Army

The news paper said its investigation had found that the system had poor reliability – it was designed to work 30 days non-stop – and was not able to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft. Software bugs are also hindering the radar’s communications with air defense networks.

Source: LA Times’ investigative report on JLENS