CH-53 helps refuel USMC 1st Tank Battalion’s M1A1s

A CH-53 from HMH-465 carried out a rare tactical refueling exercise with M1A1 Abrams tanks from Company A, 1st Tank Battalion on Jul. 16.
Marines of Company A, 1st Tank Battalion, prepare an M1A1 Abrams tank to receive fuel from a CH-53 Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 at Acorn Training Area, July 16, 2015. Each tank has the capability to hold 500 gallons of fuel. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Mudd/Released)
Photo By: Lance Cpl. Thomas Mudd

The heavy-lift helicopter brought in 800 pounds of fuel for the 14 tanks that were taking part in a gunnery exercise at Acorn Training Area.

Source: CH-53 helps refuel USMC 1st Tank Battalion’s M1A1s

Czech to call global tender to arm Gripens for ground attack

The Czech Republic will soon launch a tender to arm its Gripen fighters with weapons for ground attack. The project is expected to be completed by 2018.

© Milan Nykodym, Czech Republic [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Czech to call global tender to arm Gripens for ground attack

Iraq parades its F-16s

The Iraqi Air Force parades its new F-16IQs to reporters at Balad air base on Jul. 20. The handover ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Minister of Defense Khalid al-Obeidi and the U.S. Ambassador Stuart Jones.

Source: Iraq parades its F-16s

GoPro cockpit video of a Chinese front-line fighter jet

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Posted by udn tv on Saturday, July 18, 2015

Source: GoPro cockpit video of a Chinese front-line fighter jet

Raytheon and partners have developed lower-cost carbon fiber airframe for MALD

Raytheon , in partnership with Fokker and Dallara, has managed to reduced the airframe production costs of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) by 25 percent.

By Service Depicted: Air Force (ID:DFSD0108201 / 990702F9448S009) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The savings were achieved by using robots to wind the carbon fiber fuselage rather than by hand.

Source: Raytheon and partners have developed lower-cost carbon fiber airframe for MALD

Denmark’s first MH-60R being prepared for delivery

The first two MH-60Rs for Denmark have arrived at Lockheed Martin’s Owego, New York facility for digital cockpit and integrated mission systems and sensors installation on Jul. 9.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

Denmark will be the second export customer for the helicopter when it takes delivery of the aircraft later this year.

Source: Denmark’s first MH-60R being prepared for delivery

British counter-MANPADS team training foreign governments

The British government has formed a counter-MANPADS team comprising of experts from the Royal Air Force, Scotland Yard and British Airways to teach foreign governments on how to prevent terrorists from shooting down airliners with shoulder-launched missiles.

By DTRA photo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The focus of the team has been around Africa and the Gulf as thousands of such missiles were looted from Libya.
A major part of the training is to teach foreign security personnel on how to prevent such attacks at airports.

Source: British counter-MANPADS team training foreign governments

NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance grounded while waiting for flight clearance from Italy

NATO’s attempt to develop a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle based on the Global Hawk has hit a road block as the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system is grounded in Sigonella while waiting for Italian aviation authorities to grant permission for test flights.

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

Source: NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance grounded while waiting for flight clearance from Italy

Three arrested over potential attack on RAF Lakenheath

Three men were arrested by the British police in connection of a potential terrorist attack on RAF Lakenheath during Jul. 4 celebrations.

By United States Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The London Metropolitan Police said in a statement that the trio were brought in on Jul. 14.
Earlier this month, U.S. officials canceled the festivities after a change in local threat assessment.

Source: Three arrested over potential attack on RAF Lakenheath

119th Fighter Squadron in Bulgaria for Thracian Star 2015

Eight F-16s from the 119th Fighter Squadron, 177th Fighter Wing are currently at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria for Thracian Star 2015.
A U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon, from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, runs through pre-flight systems checks during Thracian Star 2015, a bilateral training exercise to enhance interoperability with the Bulgarian air force, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, on July 15. Pilots from both countries also benefit from familiarization flights in each other’s fighter jets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley/Released)
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley

“We came over here primarily to do air-to-air training in basic fighting maneuvers and tactical intercepts,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Hassel, 119th Fighter Squadron commander.

Source: 119th Fighter Squadron in Bulgaria for Thracian Star 2015