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Military Aviation News

PICTURES: UK trials unique carrier landing technique with F-35B

10/17/2018

The UK has for the first time tested an experimental shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) technique at sea using a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning. BAE Systems test pilot Peter Wilson performed the manoeuvre while recovering to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in mid-October, the UK Ministry of Defence confirms.

F-16CM Thunderbird investigation of fatal crash released by US Air Force

The US Air Force concluded in an accident investigation report that a fatal Lockheed Martin F-16CM Thunderbird crash on 4 April was the result of the pilot suffering loss of consciousness, caused by an 8.56g manoeuvre.

In 2021, A Massive Change is Coming to U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers (And It Makes F-35's Deadlier)

The MQ-25A Stingray is evolving out of a now-cancelled carrier-launched ISR and attack drone program called Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike system, or UCLASS. The Navy will launch formal flight testing in 2021 for a new, first-of-its kind carrier-launched drone engineered to double the attack range of F-18 fighters, F-35Cs and other carrier aircraft.

More Than a Dozen F-22s May Have Been Damaged or Destroyed by Hurricane Michael

The U.S. Air Force is assessing what damage more than a dozen F-22 Raptor fighters suffered when Tyndall Air Force Base sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. Up to $2 billion in fighter jets were trapped on the ground because of maintenance issues and forced to ride out the Category 4 hurricane. Photographs show the hangars where F-22s were parked suffered severe damage.

More than 80% of F-35s returned to flight operations after inspections

After completing inspections, more than 80% of operational Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft flown by US services and international partners have been cleared for flight operations. The worldwide fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft was grounded for inspections on 11 October after a problem with the aircraft’s engine fuel tube was discovered, which is believed to be related to the first crash of the stealth fighter a few weeks ago.

PICTURE: Aero Vodochody rolls out first L-39NG

Aero Vodochody rolled out its first L-39NG jet trainer on 12 October, four years after the Prague-based company announced that it was to launch a new-generation version of its single-engined design at the Farnborough air show in July 2014. Manufacturing of parts and sub-assemblies started in 2017, with pre-serial production having commenced in January and the NG's first flight expected before year-end.

China’s Z-19E attack helicopter set for batch production: report

The export version of AVIC’s Z-19 reconnaissance/attack helicopter is ready to start batch production following various tests. The company says that the Z-19E export variant has undergone various performance and other tests, reports the official China Daily newspaper. It is produced by AVIC unit Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing. While the Z-19 is operated by the Chinese army, it is not clear if AVIC has secured a customer for the Z-19E.

Defense industry grapples with cybersecurity flaws in new weapons systems

Almost all of the U.S. military’s newly developed weapons systems suffer from “mission-critical cyber vulnerabilities,” a review of government security audits conducted from 2012 to 2017 found, suggesting military agencies have rushed to computerize new weapons systems without prioritizing cybersecurity.

Pentagon scrambles to bolster war readiness with aging aircraft fleet

The Defense Department is scrambling for ways to ensure the U.S. military’s fleet of warplanes is able to fly and fight when called upon, despite a string of accidents over the past several months. Defense Secretary James Mattis recently took the unprecedented step of demanding an 80 percent readiness rate for all military aircraft, just days before the Pentagon ordered a fleetwide grounding of the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

China’s Navy Deploys New H-6J Anti-Ship Cruise Missile-Carrying Bombers

Setting The Record Straight On Why Fighter Jets Can't All Simply Fly Away To Escape Storms

The Air Force's The F-22 Conducted Its First-Ever ‘Combat Surge’. Here's Why That Matters.

AERO VODOCHODY PRESENTS NEW L-39NG MILITARY AIRCRAFT

PICTURES: Tyndall Air Force Base suffers severe damage from Hurricane Michael

F-22 stealth jets backed down 587 enemy aircraft in their first 'combat surge' over Syria

Second F-22 crash landing in 2018

Worldwide F-35 fleet grounded temporarily for inspections related to crash

USAF faces challenges to grow fleet, boost readiness

Third KC-390 transport conducts maiden flight

Tyndall Evacuates Personnel as Bases Brace for Hurricane Michael