JASDF, USFJ commanders in exchange flight
Lt. Gen. John Dolan, the U.S. Forces Japan commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, the Air Defense Command commander, came together for a bilateral exchange flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo
Dolan took the back seat of a Mitsubishi F-2 while Sugiyama was flown aboard a F-16D.
Source: JASDF, USFJ commanders in exchange flight
CVW-2 photo exercise with Peruvian Air Force
Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 2 fly alongside a Peruvian Air Force MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 during a photo exercise above aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. David Babka
Source: CVW-2 photo exercise with Peruvian Air Force
India’s Nirbhay cruise missile test aborted after 700 seconds
India’s third attempt at testing its indigenous Nirbhay cruise missile has failed again after the weapon was launched at 11:38 a.m. local time on Oct. 16 from the Integrated Test Range.
Photo: DRDO
The missile flew for 128 km over 700 seconds before it nose-dived into the Bay of Bengal.
Source: India’s Nirbhay cruise missile test aborted after 700 seconds
Turkey shot down UAV after three warnings were given
The Turkish General Staff website issued a statement today at 13:30 saying that an unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down in its airspace near the border with Syria after giving three warnings.
Photo: DHA
The aircraft did not leave Turkish airspace after the warnings were given and fighters on patrol shot down the UAV as per rules of engagement. The UAV is reported to have crash in the province of Kilis.
Source: Turkey shot down UAV after three warnings were given
Bahrain not buying Iron Dome
Bahrain’s Minister of Information Affairs Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi said recent news reports on Bahrain’s plan to buy the Israeli-made Iron Dome missile system is untrue.
By Israel Defense Forces and Nehemiya Gershoni נחמיה גרשוני (see also https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Flickr-IDF-IronDome-in-action001.jpg ) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonline/8194572552/) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are looking into buying an anti-missile defense system from the United States, and there are no attempts whatsoever to purchase the system from Israel as claimed by the television channel,” Al Hammadi said.
Source: Bahrain not buying Iron Dome
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