Final Hunter UAV flight at Fort Huachuca
The U.S. Army has finally retired its Hunter UAV at Fort Huachuca on Jul. 10.
Photo: U.S. Army
KVOA | KVOA.com | Tucson, Arizona
The Hunter first flew out of Fort Huachuca in January 1990 when it was in a competition with the McDonnell Douglas’ Sky Owl UAV for the Joint Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Short Range Program.
Source: Final Hunter UAV flight at Fort Huachuca
Contractors expect USAF to call for proposals on new ICBM later this year
Defense contractors are gearing up for the U.S. Air Force to call for proposals on a new intercontinental ballistic missile system later this fall.
By United States Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Boeing believes three teams will be selected for the preliminary design before two are picked for the engineering and manufacturing development of the proposals. The winner will have to field the new missile around 2027.
Source: Contractors expect USAF to call for proposals on new ICBM later this year
Lockheed Martin has renewed efforts to sell F-16 to India
It has emerged that Lockheed Martin is also renewing its efforts to sell the F-16 to India.
By Hemant rawat (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Lockheed Martin has renewed efforts to sell F-16 to India
Royal family watch Battle of Britain flypast
Source: Royal family watch Battle of Britain flypast
Dunford says Pentagon reconsidering total F-35 buy
U.S. President Obama’s nominee for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in writing that the total number of F-35 to be bought by the three services is under review.
By U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katerina Slivinske [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
For many years, Pentagon officials have stressed that the United States requires 2,443 F-35s to be bought to replace aging fighters.
“Given the evolving defense strategy and the latest Defense Planning Guidance, we are presently taking the newest strategic foundation and analyzing whether 2,443 aircraft is the correct number,” Dunford wrote.
Source: Dunford says Pentagon reconsidering total F-35 buy
Spitfire Mark I sold for £3.1m
An airworthy Spitfire Mark I has been auctioned off for £3.1 million. Proceeds will go to the RAF Benevolent Fund and Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit.
Source: Spitfire Mark I sold for £3.1m
Iran-flagged ship targets U.S. warship, helicopter with laser
Over the course of four days, an Iranian-flagged vessel targeted a United States Navy destroyer and its helicopter with a laser.
By U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Iran-flagged ship targets U.S. warship, helicopter with laser
Akash air defense system formally inducted into Indian Air Force
India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar formally inducted the indigenous Akash air defense system into the Indian Air Force at Gwalior on Jul. 10.
Photo: India Ministry of Defense
So far, the system has been deployed at various air bases in Gwalior, Hashimara, Tejpur, Jorhat and Pune.
Source: Akash air defense system formally inducted into Indian Air Force
Some sections of HMS Queen Elizabeth need to be repainted
Contaminants got mixed with the topcoat of British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and the ship has to get a fresh coast of paint to prevent corrosion in the future.
See page for author [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
A spokesman for the consortium building the ship, the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, said the issue ” one per cent of the hull.”
Luckily, the carrier does not need to enter dry dock for the repainting as the problems were on the side of the hull, above the water line.
Source: Some sections of HMS Queen Elizabeth need to be repainted
Last RAF Merlins transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron
A ceremonial parade was held at RAF Benson on Jul. 9 to mark the hand over of the last Merlin helicopter to 845 Naval Air Squadron.
Photo: Royal Navy
Prince Michael of Kent, Honorary Air Marshal of RAF Benson, was the guest of honor.
Source: Last RAF Merlins transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron