April 03, 2016 Military Aviation News

The Unwanted Heron Becomes A Superstar

04/03/2016

In early 2016 Israel decided to add up to six more Heron TP (also known as Eitan or Heron 2) UAVs by the end of 2016. This came after Germany decided to lease three to five Heron TPs instead of the similar American Reaper. Despite some reliability problems (and several crashes) since it entered service in 2008 the Heron TP has proved to be very useful as a surveillance aircraft and could also carry missiles as needed.

US, PH launch Balikatan ’16

04/03/2016

THOUSANDS of US and Filipino soldiers will launch on Monday annual war games that this year are being seen as a show of strength in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. The 11-day Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises are expected to show how the Philippines, though severely outgunned, can counter China with the help of the United States, its longest-standing ally.

U.S. F-15S DEPLOYED TO ICELAND

04/03/2016

The U.S. deployed 12 F-15C Eagles to Iceland on Friday, an indication of the return of an American military presence on the North Atlantic island nation. The deployment of the aircraft to Iceland demonstrates U.S. commitment to a “free” and “secure” Europe, the Air Force said in a press statement.

Stratotankers 'enable that global reach' that lets Air Force hit Islamic State

04/03/2016

The U.S. and its partners in the coalition targeting Islamic State group militants in Iraq and Syria have conducted more than 11,000 airstrikes since the campaign began, and refueling tankers have been key to those missions.

Why the US Should Stop Building Joint Fighters

04/03/2016

Jointness in defense planning and acquisition is supposed to save money by minimizing redundancy and duplication between the military services. But these benefits often prove illusory in practice, and they never seem to materialize in efforts to build a joint fighter jet. Recent comments by the F-35’s program chief suggest that reality might finally be sinking in.

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