Paveway IVs coming off the production line are heading straight to Saudi Arabia

Britain has agreed to let Saudi Arabia take over Paveway IV precision guided bombs on the production line at Raytheon UK that were meant for the Royal Air Force.

Photo: Sgt Gordy Elias/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

This is to ensure that the Saudis have healthy stocks of the weapon for strike missions against Islamic State targets and against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Source: Paveway IVs coming off the production line are heading straight to Saudi Arabia

Raytheon’s research in 3D printed missile

Researchers at Raytheon Missile Systems say they have already created nearly every component of a guided weapon using 3D printing.

Photo: Raytheon

Source: Raytheon’s research in 3D printed missile

All three Egyptian Air Force Rafales together

Source: All three Egyptian Air Force Rafales together

First two Su-35S fighters to be delivered this year

Famous Russia military aviation photographer Marina Lystseva traveled to the Sukhoi plant at Komsomolsk-on-Amur to photograph the first two Su-35S fighters that will be delivered to the Russian Air Force this year.

Source: First two Su-35S fighters to be delivered this year

After fatal crash in Hawaii, Ospreys no longer allowed to hover in dust clouds for > 30 seconds

The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered all MV-22B pilots from taking longer than 30 seconds to land during Reduced Visibility Landing (RVLs) conditions.

Source: After fatal crash in Hawaii, Ospreys no longer allowed to hover in dust clouds for > 30 seconds

Britain’s second Rivet Joint will head to Middle East once delivered

The second Boeing RC-135V/W for the Royal Air Force is to be delivered next month and the spy plane will soon head to the Middle East for the fight against Islamic State militants.

Photo: SAC Blake Carruthers/MOD [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Britain’s second Rivet Joint will head to Middle East once delivered

Indian Navy has revealed the specifications for its next indigenous aircraft carrier

The Indian Navy has written to Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, DCNS, and Rosoboronexport for proposals on designing a 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier.

Indian Navy [CC BY 2.5 in or CC BY 2.5 in], via Wikimedia Commons

The indigenous warship, IAC-2, must carry 30-35 fixed wing warplanes and 20 helicopters. It should be have a top speed of 30 knots and above and more importantly, have a catapult to launch aircraft.

Source: Indian Navy has revealed the specifications for its next indigenous aircraft carrier

Philippines to reactivate Subic Bay as military facility, will station FA-50PH there

The former U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay, Philippines will reopen as a military base for the Philippine navy and air force next year.

Photo: KAI

The first two FA-50PH fighters ordered from South Korea will be deployed to the former Naval Air Station Cubi Point at Subic Bay. All twelve aircraft will be based there under the 5th Fighter Wing.

Source: Philippines to reactivate Subic Bay as military facility, will station FA-50PH there

Japanese-owned Mitsubishi Zero getting approval for first flight over Japan

A flight-worthy Mitsubishi Zero fighter that happened to be owned by a Japanese is getting ready for its first flight over Japan.

Photo: Zero Enterprise Inc.

Project organizer Zero Enterprise Inc is in the process of filing paperwork with the Ministry of Transport for the flight.

Source: Japanese-owned Mitsubishi Zero getting approval for first flight over Japan

VMFA-121 will only bring 10 F-35Bs to Iwakuni in 2017

Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the USMC’s Deputy Commandant for Aviation, revealed that only F-35Bs with VMFA-121 will be deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in 2017.

By Lance Cpl. Raquel Barraza (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1004233) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The other six aircraft will go out to sea on board a LHD.

Source: VMFA-121 will only bring 10 F-35Bs to Iwakuni in 2017