Thai Navy’s Chinese-made frigate successfully tested datalink with Gripen, Saab 340 AEW

A Royal Thai Navy Naresuan-class frigate has successfully tested its tactical datalink with a Saab Gripen fighter and Saab 340 AEW on Sept. 21.

Source: Thai Navy’s Chinese-made frigate successfully tested datalink with Gripen, Saab 340 AEW

Russian military jets over Syria, Su-24?

A video that was reported to have been filmed in Syria shows four Su-24s in formation with a large transport plane over Homs.

A second older video is said to contain footage of Su-30s that Russia is alleged to have deployed to Syria.

Source: Russian military jets over Syria, Su-24?

Venezuelan Air Force Su-30MKV pilots confirm killed in crash

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that two Su-30MKV pilots that were missing when their jet crashed on Sept. 17 had died.

By André Austin Du-Pont Rocha (Mexico Air Spotters M.A.S.) [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Captain Ronald Ramirez and Captain Jackson Garcia were on a mission to intercept an unidentified aircraft that entered the country when the crash occurred.

Source: Venezuelan Air Force Su-30MKV pilots confirm killed in crash

Canada was in talks to acquire Mistral carrier before elections were called

Canadian politicians were actively engaging France to try acquire a Mistral helicopter carrier that was built for Russia.

By Ludovic Péron (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Canada was in talks to acquire Mistral carrier before elections were called

Israeli Air Force’s first operational UAV mission 44 years ago

The first Israeli Air Force operational unmanned aerial vehicle mission took place 44 years ago on Sept. 22, 1971.

Photo: Israeli Air Force

A Ryan Firebee that arrived in the country a few weeks earlier was tasked with photographing Egyptian surface-to-air missile batteries near the Suez canal after a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser by a missile on Sept. 17, 1971.

Source: Israeli Air Force’s first operational UAV mission 44 years ago

USN T-6 crashed in New Mexico

Two people aboard a U.S. Navy T-6A Texan II were slightly injured after they ejected during a training mission over Las Cruces, New Mexico.

By RAF-YYC from Calgary, Canada (USN T-6 Texan IIUploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The aircraft was assigned to Training Wing 4 during the accident on Sept. 19.

Source: USN T-6 crashed in New Mexico

Unknown UAV appears in Chengdu, China

Google Earth has revealed a previously unknown UAV parked in Chengdu, China. China Aviation News recently ‘leaked’ a news report on the successful flight test of a high Mach number test plane. Could this be it?

Source: Unknown UAV appears in Chengdu, China

Carlisle reiterates on need to counter the range Chinese PL-15 BVRAAM

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Sept. 15, ACC cheif Gen. Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle reiterated the threat of the Chinese PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile.

By Tech. Sgt. James Stewart [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Fast forward the video to the 16:00 mark on his comments on the PL-15.

Source: Carlisle reiterates on need to counter the range Chinese PL-15 BVRAAM

India to seal helicopter purchase during Modi’s visit to U.S.

India will finally ink the contract for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook helicopters during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New York this month.

By Pacific Aviation Museum (2H8A9536 copy) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The program has been delayed by nearly three years and Boeing had to offer 13 price extensions.

Source: India to seal helicopter purchase during Modi’s visit to U.S.

USAF expected to order 12 T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits

The U.S. Air Force is expected to finalize paperwork to buy 12 T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits from Rolls-Royce by end of this month.

By DoD photo by Master Sgt. Ben Bloker, U.S. Air Force. (Released) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: USAF expected to order 12 T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits