France and Saudi Arabia could sign deal for military helicopters
News reports from the Middle East say France and Saudi Arabia are to sign a major contract for military helicopters when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls visits the kingdom on Oct. 13.
By Sirpa Marine (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: France and Saudi Arabia could sign deal for military helicopters
Footage shows Russian Su-25 firing rockets at rebel positions
Source: Footage shows Russian Su-25 firing rockets at rebel positions
Iran test-fired new ballistic missile in defiance of nuclear accord
Iran on Oct. 11 test-fired a new long-range ballistic missile, named Emad. This is the first such test by Iran since it signed a nuclear accord with six world powers in July.
The UN security council issued a resolution, when it endorsed the deal, calling on Iran to refrain from undertaking any activity related to ballistic missiles that could deliver a nuclear warhead, Iran says it will ignore the ban.
“We do not ask for permission from anybody to increase our defense might and missile capability and are decisively following up our defense plans, particularly in the missile sector,” Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan.
Source: Iran test-fired new ballistic missile in defiance of nuclear accord
Nigerian Air Force F-7 crashed killing pilot
The Nigerian Air Force lost one of its F-7 fighter, registration NAF801, to bad weather in Yola on Oct. 10. The pilot did not survive the crash.
By Kenneth Iwelumo [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Nigerian Air Force F-7 crashed killing pilot
RAF Puma Mk2 crashed in Afghanistan, five killed
Five people on board a RAF Puma Mk2 helicopter were killed as the rotorcraft came in to land at Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 11.
Photo: Royal Air Force
Only two British nationals were on board, they are the pilots from 230 and 33 squadrons.
The newly upgraded Puma 2 was deployed to Kabul this March to replace the Chinook force.
Source: RAF Puma Mk2 crashed in Afghanistan, five killed
India is latest country to be interested in the S-400
India is planning to acquire the S-400 air defense system, the Times of India reported. The Indian Air Force has tabled the proposal to the defense acquisitions council.
By Соколрус (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The flying branch is said to be interested in getting a dozen of the systems.
Source: India is latest country to be interested in the S-400
Watch Michelle Obama christens the newest Virginia-class submarine USS Illinois.
Video of Chinese CH-4 UAV in Iraq
Source: Video of Chinese CH-4 UAV in Iraq
Report says RAF Northolt, which is used by the Queen, is unsafe
The Telegraph has obtained a classified Ministry of Defense report which lists RAF Northolt, London, as unsafe.
Harrison49 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The VIP airfield is used by the Queen and Prime Minister and over the years, buildings erected around the aerodrome in West London have become obstacle for pilots operating out of the airfield.
Pilots also have to deal with motorists driving near the runway as the aircraft are just 9 meters above the traffic during finals. Hazard lights installed to stop road traffic during take off and landings are often ignored.
Source: Report says RAF Northolt, which is used by the Queen, is unsafe
KC-46A deploys boom and drogues for first time
The first fully-configured KC-46A prototype, EMD-2, deployed its drogue refueling baskets from the centerline and wing tips on Oct. 8. This was followed by the deployment of the boom on Oct. 9.
Boeing photos by John D. Parker