June 12, 2015 Military Aviation News

China Sends Most Lethal Bombers Near Taiwan, Philippines

06/12/2015

Chinese bombers participated in a joint air-sea military exercise near Taiwan and the Philippines this week. On Wednesday China announced that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) were conducting a joint exercise near the Bashi Channel. The channel sits near islands owned by the Philippines and Taiwan, and the drills were conducted near both of those countries’ Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).

Taiwan showcases newly acquired Black Hawk helicopters in drill

06/12/2015

Taiwan's military showcased its newly acquired UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during a drill Thursday, as part of a rehearsal for a military display in July to mark the 70th anniversary of the Republic of China's 1945 victory over Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The ROC's eight-year fight against Japan was a part of World War II, in which Japan and the other axis powers were defeated.

Military leaders believe US escalation in Iraq is inevitable

06/12/2015

President Barack Obama’s plan to send an additional 450 to 500 soldiers to Iraq’s Anbar province won’t be his last word on the crisis posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), several senior serving and retired U.S. military officers believe. Turning the tide against ISIL in Iraq will require a more robust U.S. military commitment, with options for escalation a matter of lively debate.

House passes defense spending bill; votes down amendment requiring vote on new war powers

06/12/2015

The House on Thursday approved a $579 billion defense spending bill that offers a slight pay raise to U.S. troops, but reflects deep divisions on budget priorities and whether President Barack Obama needs new war powers to fight Islamic State militants. The vote was 278 to 149 in favor of the bill, which drew stiff opposition from Democrats because it uses a war-fighting account to raise defense spending next year.

European Air Power: A Grizzly Outlook

06/12/2015

Recent events in Iraq, Libya, Russia, Syria and Yemen have sharpened the fundamental questions European nations face as they consider medium- and long-term force structure and equipment needs. In the short term, the focus for much of Europe’s defense aerospace sector is on understanding fully the cause of the crash of an Airbus A400M, that lead to the death of four of the six crew. It served as a sad reminder that risk remains an inherent element of aerospace development.

First steps towards new combat aircraft purchase

06/12/2015

At present, the Finnish Air Force has 62 of the American-made F-18 Hornet jet fighters. Several different aircraft are initially being looked at as replacements. A working group report turned over to Defense Minister Jussi Niinistö proposes that the Hornets, which will reach the end of their lifecycle in 2030, be replaced by new multirole combat jets.

F-16 Durability Testing: 25,000 Hours and Counting

06/12/2015

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently completed 25,000 hours of simulated flight time on an F-16C Block 50 aircraft, demonstrating the safety and durability of the F-16 well beyond the aircraft’s original design service life of 8,000 Equivalent Flight Hours (EFH). Further testing is being conducted to identify a definitive, safe flight hour limit for the aircraft.

US Says Turkey Must Play Bigger Role to Cut Flow of Terrorists Into Syria

06/12/2015

Turkey should play a bigger role in cutting the flow of terrorists into Syria as part of its cooperation with the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Thursday.

US-Led Coalition Launches 29 Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

06/12/2015

In Iraq, airstrikes eliminated tactical units, fighting positions, weapons and ammunition as well as infrastructure near Al Qaim, Bayji, Haditha, Kirkuk, Mosul, Sinjar and Tal Afar. Airstrikes in Syria similarly led to the destruction of Islamic State personnel, weapons and infrastructure in Al Hasakah, Ar Raqqah, Dayr Az Zawr and Kobani.

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