Erdoğan heading to China expecting a better deal on HQ-9

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on a state visit to China and he will renegotiate the deal to buy an air defense system from China during the trip.

By Jian Kang (2009.beijing. troops parade) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

“The most suitable bid came from China but certain developments led to delays. We will revisit these matters during this trip. If we receive a proposal that enriches the bid, we will view this positively,” Erdogan told a news conference in Ankara before departing.

Source: Erdoğan heading to China expecting a better deal on HQ-9

USAF planning to convert some AC-130Us and 1 F-15E into laser testbeds

Maj Gen Jerry Harris, vice-chief of Air Combat Command, says a number of AC-130Us are being withheld from retirement to serve as testbeds for directed energy weapons.

By Senior Airman Andy M. Kin, USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: USAF planning to convert some AC-130Us and 1 F-15E into laser testbeds

Royal Moroccan Air Force getting three refurbished CH-47Ds

The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command has dispatched three refurbished CH-47Ds to Morocco and the aircraft are expected to be handed over to the Royal Moroccan Air Force next month.

Courtesy Photo

They were refurbished by Columbia Helicopters in Oregon under a Foreign Military Sales case.

Source: Royal Moroccan Air Force getting three refurbished CH-47Ds

Final flight for OH-58Ds at Fort Drum

The U.S. Army’s 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s OH-58D Kiowa Warriors flew their final flights at Fort Drum on Jul. 28.

Photo: U.S. Army

The last group of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Kiowa Warriors passing over Memorial Park. 10th Mountain and Fort Drum family members gathered in the park while 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry – Six Shooters made their final pass.
Posted by U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division on Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Source: Final flight for OH-58Ds at Fort Drum

Reuters: Dassault expecting Rafale orders from Malaysia, UAE next year

An anonymous source told Reuters that Dassault is expecting two more export orders for the Rafale by the beginning of next year.

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

Malaysia and UAE are two countries that are in advance stages of negotiations, the source added.

Source: Reuters: Dassault expecting Rafale orders from Malaysia, UAE next year

RTAF BT-67 nearly hit by homemade rockets

A Royal Thai Air Force BT-67 training flight had to abort its mission after homemade rockets launched by villagers in Kamphaeng Phet cross their flight path.

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

Authorities allow villagers to launch the rockets during the bung fai bamboo rocket festival last month. The latest rocket launches caught the pilots by surprise.

Source: RTAF BT-67 nearly hit by homemade rockets

Former F-15 pilot with 2,000 hours clocks another 1,000 on the F-22

Lt. Col. Tom “House” Kafka, Florida Air National Guard Headquarters Det. 1 vice commander and 325th Training Support Squadron assistant director of operations, recently became the first person with 2,000 hours in the F-15C to clock over 1,000 hours in the F-22.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Echols

Another notable achievement by him is being the first ever Air National Guard F-22 instructor pilot.

Source: Former F-15 pilot with 2,000 hours clocks another 1,000 on the F-22

Another set of air-to-air photos from Exercise Indradanush

Air to Air imagery of Royal Air Force Typhoons and Indian Air Force Flankers taken from the Voyager Aircraft during a refuelling mission
Photos: Royal Air Force

Air to Air imagery of Royal Air Force Typhoons and Indian Air Force Flankers taken from the Voyager Aircraft during a refuelling mission
Air to Air imagery of Royal Air Force Typhoons and Indian Air Force Flankers taken from the Voyager Aircraft during a refuelling mission

Source: Another set of air-to-air photos from Exercise Indradanush

Marines filed paperwork to declare IOC for F-35B

The U.S. Marine Corps has filed all the necessary paperwork to declare Initial Operational Capability for the F-35B, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant for Marine aviation, told reporters.

By Lance Cpl. Allison Herman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Marines filed paperwork to declare IOC for F-35B

India’s former President who lead missile program has passed away

Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passed away on Jul. 27 while delivering a lecture. Before he became President, he had lead the country’s missile program.

By Kannan Shanmugam studio,Main Road, Kollam (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: India’s former President who lead missile program has passed away