Taiwan has completed airfield improvements in Spratly Islands

Taiwan has completed works to improve the current runway at Taiping Island, the largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands.

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

Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau has built a storm sewer line, oil tanks and oil transmission pipelines. The hangar has been expanded to accommodate two C-130s and the runway has a new surface plus improved lighting.

Source: Taiwan has completed airfield improvements in Spratly Islands

German Eurofighters restricted from flying with external fuel tank

More troubles for the Luftwaffe Eurofighter fleet as the jets are now restricted from flying with external fuel tanks attached.

By Gerard van der Schaaf (30+57) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The restriction was implemented after the right fuel tank came off while a German Eurofighter was preparing to take-off in Estonia. Preliminary investigation found that the bolts for retaining the tank does not have the necessary torque.

Source: German Eurofighters restricted from flying with external fuel tank

Ecuador to phase out Dhruv helicopter after losing more than half the fleet

Ecuador has decided to ground its last remaining three Dhruv helicopters after four of them had crashed.

By Aztonyx [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

It will also terminate the support contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Source: Ecuador to phase out Dhruv helicopter after losing more than half the fleet

Lockheed Martin demonstrates laser weapon that fires in all direction at transonic speed

Up till now, a laser weapon system mounted on a aircraft can only engage targets in front while flying close to the speed of sound. Lockheed Martin has overcome the barrier with its Aero-adaptive Aero-optic Beam Control (ABC) turret.

Photo: U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

The system uses an optical compensation system, which uses deformable mirrors, to compensate for atmospheric turbulence that disrupts the laser beam.

Source: Lockheed Martin demonstrates laser weapon that fires in all direction at transonic speed

Six Polish F-16s on way to Israel for joint exercise

Six F-16s and approximately 80 airmen left Poland on Oct. 14 for Israel to participate in Exercise Blue Flag.

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

This is Poland’s second military exercise in Israel, the first took place in 2012.

Source: Six Polish F-16s on way to Israel for joint exercise

Russia’s military detachment in Syria now has a “hotline” to Israeli Air Force

The Russian military said its command center at Hmeimim air base in Syria had established a link with a command post of the Israeli air force.

Mil.ru [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Both sides held a training session on Oct. 14 on how to “avoid dangerous incidents” over Syria airspace.
Separately, the deputy chief of Russian Air Force, Maj. Gen. Sergey Dronov, arrived in Turkey on Oct. 15 to discuss Russia’s recent intrusion into Turkish airspace.

Source: Russia’s military detachment in Syria now has a “hotline” to Israeli Air Force

Su-35s carried out drills near Kuril Islands

Russian Su-35 fighters carried out drills near the Kuril Islands recently, the Eastern Military District announced on Oct. 15.

By Dmitriy Pichugin [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

A spokesperson emphasized that the event was pre-planned and complied with international regulations.

Source: Su-35s carried out drills near Kuril Islands

Lockheed Martin awarded 5 million contract for JASSM and JASSM-ER

Lockheed Martin will produce 140 baseline JASSMs for U.S. and international partners, 140 JASSM-ER missiles under a Lot 13 contract worth $305 million.

By USAF (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jassm6.jpg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Lockheed Martin awarded 5 million contract for JASSM and JASSM-ER

Former CH-46 crew chief gets upgrade to Navy Cross

Former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Kenneth A. Altazan got his Silver Star upgraded to a Navy Cross recently after new evidence emerged on his heroic actions as a CH-46 crew chief on a rescue mission in Vietnam forty-six years ago.

Source: HMM364.org

Source: Former CH-46 crew chief gets upgrade to Navy Cross

Orbital ATK awarded initial production contract for MJU-73/B flare

The U.S. Air Force is switching to the new MJU-73/B flare. An initial production contract was awarded to Orbital ATK for the aircraft countermeasure.

By English: Senior Airman Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force (www.defense.gov) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The MJU-73/B is internally funded and developed by the company.

Source: Orbital ATK awarded initial production contract for MJU-73/B flare