November 29, 2016 Military Aviation News

Switzerland to procure new fighter aircraft

11/29/2016

Switzerland has requested CHF10 million to support replacement of its fighter aircraft and keep some of its current combat inventory active for longer than previously intended, the country said. Swiss voters rejected a proposed acquisition of 22 Saab Gripens in 2014, but in February 2016, Bern indicated that it would initiate a second attempt to purchase new fighters.

Like a kid in a candy store, IDF salivates over incoming F-35 jets

11/29/2016

The message that Israel’s government had opted to purchase 17 additional F-35 fighter jets from the US on Sunday night came in just as a senior Israeli Air Force officer was in the midst of explaining to reporters what this new stealth aircraft could do and what it would mean for Israel’s defense.

China's Shiny New Air Bases in the South China Sea

11/29/2016

A colorful graphic insert from the June 2016 Chinese naval magazine Naval and Merchant Ships offers a troubling glimpse of one possible future for the South China Sea. A map on the graphic accurately displays Beijing’s three new long runways that have been built up since 2014 in the Spratlys, alongside overlapping range arcs for HQ-9 air defense systems (200km), YJ-62 truck launched anti-ship cruise missiles (300km), as well as for J-11 and JH-7 fighter/attack aircraft (1500km).

New engine being designed for fifth-generation Russian fighter aircraft

11/29/2016

The United Engine Corp., part of Rostec state holding company, successfully conducted the first ground-based ignition of the second stage of the engine for the Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA T-50 aircraft). In order to carry out the testing, gas generators had to be prepared for it, in addition to the demonstrator engine.

Norway plans to buy five new P-8 Poseidons

11/29/2016

Norway has proposed replacing its aging fleet of Lockheed Martin P-3 Orions and Dassault DA-20 Jet Falcons with five new Boeing P-8 Poseidons, the country's minister of defense announced on 25 November.

Developmental test F-35s need service life extension

11/29/2016

The Joint Strike Fighter programme intends to award F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin a sole source contract in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, according to a September announcement posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Under the SLEP contract, Lockheed will examine the aircraft’s airframe, hardware, software and structure, the Joint Programme Office tells FlightGlobal.

Holloman selected as temporary home for new F-16 training unit

11/29/2016

Holloman AFB in New Mexico has been selected by the US Air Force to be the interim home for two new Lockheed Martin F-16 training squadrons. Established as a result of “critical” pilot shortages in the air force, the two squadrons will temporarily be based at Holloman until a permanent flight training unit (FTU) is established to address the shortage on a long-term basis.

US Approves $200Mln Sale to Poland for F-16 Jet Upgrades, Enhanced Missiles

11/29/2016

The US Department of State has made a determination to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland for upgrades to F-16 combat aircraft and stand-off missiles, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a release.

Russian Navy Gets Advanced Su-30SM Fighters – Spokesman

11/29/2016

Su-30SM are air superiority jets of the 4++ generation that combine functions of a fighter and a bomber. They are produced in Irkutsk in southern Siberia. "The handover ceremony took place at the airfield of the Irkutsk aviation factory where pilots of the Russian Navy’s maritime combat aviation corps received another batch of Su-30SM jets," ?apt. 1st Rank Drygalo told reporters.

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