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Military Aviation News

The Invisible Anniversary Of The B-2 Bomber

07/18/2019

This week we’ll mark the 50th anniversary of the first men landing on the moon, a magnificent achievement that we still marvel at half a century later. Wednesday marked another anniversary in the annals of aerospace history that is less well known, but of significant consequence for the security of our nation—the 30th anniversary of the first flight of the B-2 stealth bomber aircraft on July 17, 1989.

RAF to develop hypersonic planes which could top speeds of more than 3,000mph to dodge missiles

The RAF has set out plans that could see the production of hypersonic planes flying at more than 3000mph. The Ministry of Defence has announced it is investing £10 million to develop new hypersonic engines that could be used to power manned fighter jets and drones.

Moscow, Ankara may discuss fighter aircraft deal, says Russian deputy PM

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov has said Moscow would consider signing an agreement for the sale of fighter aircraft to Turkey. The Russian Deputy Minister signalled a possible deal between the countries when responding to a question on whether Russia and Turkey could sign an agreement for combat aircraft, Euronews Turkish reported on Wednesday.

Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22 to miss 80% mission capability rate

Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis ordered the USAF and US Navy (USN) in September 2018 to increase mission capable rates for the F-35, F-22, F-16 and Boeing F/A-18 to more than 80% by the end of September 2019. The mission capability rate is defined as the percentage of a fleet of an aircraft that are able to perform at least one assigned mission over a period of time.

PICTURES: UK's second F-35B squadron arrives at Marham home

Six Lockheed Martin F-35Bs assigned to the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) 207 Sqn operational conversion unit touched down at the service’s Marham base in Norfolk on 16 July. The short take-off and vertical landing aircraft arrived at their new home following a 10h flight from the US Marine Corps’ MCAS Beaufort site in South Carolina. The deployment was supported by RAF Airbus A330 Voyager tanker/transports.

A Close Look At The Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Deployed To France for Garuda VI Exercise

From Jul. 1 to 12, 2019, the Indian Air Force has deployed four Su-30MKI Flanker derivatives, belonging to the 15 Wing based at Bareily Air Force Station (AFS), along with an Il-78MKI Midas aerial refueler from the 78 Sqn, based at Agra AFS, to Mont-de-Marsan, France, as part of Exercise “Garuda IV”. A C-17 Globemaster III airlifter supported the deployment of 120 military that took part in the two-week drills in Europe, the largest joint exercise for the IAF this year.

Finland scrambles combat jets to identify three Russian military aircraft (Photo)

Finland has scrambled its F/A-18 combat jets to identify three Russia military aircraft above the Gulf of Finland. "Finnish Air Force F/A-18s on #QRA [quick reaction alert] were scrambled on 15 July to identify Russian Tu-160, A-50 and Su-35 aircraft in international airspace above the Gulf of Finland and the northern part of the Baltic Sea," the Ukrainian-registered media outlet European Pravda reported, citing the Finnish Air Force's tweet.

Trump blames Turkey-F-35 dispute on Obama-era Patriot decision

President Donald Trump blamed former President Barak Obama for Turkey’s decision to buy the S-400 missile system – a decision which has caused the USA to ban the sale of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to the country.

USAF starts construction of permanent F-35 base in Europe

The US Air Force (USAF) and the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Infrastructure Organisation broke ground during a ceremony on new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II infrastructure at RAF Lakenheath on 15 July.

Marshall, Boeing sign UK E-7 risk-reduction contract

ANALYSIS: Skyworks gyrocopter returns from the brink

PICTURES: UK's first Poseidon MRA1 makes flight debut

France eyes Chinook helicopter acquisition

USA clears Greek MH-60R acquisition

First used Australian fighter jets now flying in Canadian colours, plans underway to extend jet fleet to 2032

Two more F-35 fighter jets land in Israel, bringing IAF’s declared total to 16

CHINA TO CUT TIES TO U.S. BUSINESSES SELLING WEAPONS TO TAIWAN: 'CANCEL THE ARMS SALES IMMEDIATELY'

Turkey defies USA by taking delivery of Russian S-400 missiles

North Korea Warns It Will Develop Special Weapons In Response To South Korea's Acquisition Of F-35 Jets

Portugal to buy five Embraer military planes for 827 mln euros