Air International 2016-01
-
News
Истребители Су-30МКК на переднем плане, Су-27СК и Су-27УБК - на заднем (отличаются срезанными законцовками килей)
The Su-30MKK is regarded as one of the most potent aircraft currently in PLAAF service. Seen here are several aircraft assigned to the 18th Fighter Division during an exercise.
One of the first pre-serial J-16s that feature a pitot-less radome, in contrast to early prototypes
This image confirms a J-16’s typical load: the new PL-10 short-range air-to-air missile, the KG-88 air-to-ground missile and a new targeting pod. An alternative store will be the 500kg LS-500J laser-guided bomb.
Seen here during a pre-delivery flight in early 2015, this J-16 was one of the first to be delivered to an operational unit. Reports suggest the first unit is a regiment within the 3rd Fighter Division.
A pair of Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bombers drop OFAB-250-270 bombs on targets in the western part of Syria.
A Tu-160 Blackjack landing at Engels Air Base with the use of three braking chutes.
Six Kh-101 missiles loaded on a 9A829K3 rotary launcher inside a Tu-160.
The Kh-555 missile features nose-mounted stabilisers to compensate the CoG shift caused by the warhead.
Rear view of the Kh-101 missile showing the folded tail planes.
The Hellenic Air Force in cooperation with Aegean Airlines organised a unique event on November 6, 2015 to celebrate the country's independence day. Aegean Airlines A320 SX-DGY took off from Athens International Airport, carrying 100 people, all winners of a competition, for a special rendezvous over the Aegean Sea. At the same time three two-seat aircraft, a Mirage 2000-5 Mk II, a Block 52+ F-16D and a F-4E AUP took off from Tanagra Air Base. Each jet had a veteran air force pilot who flew the same types during their career on board. The four aircraft rendezvoused north of Mikonos for a unique photo opportunity. After several orbits, the formation headed towards Tanagra, made two low passes and landed. The Airbus passengers then visited the resident 114 Combat Wing’s static display.
IAI M5 Finger C-408 and the Mirage IIIEA 1-011 breaking on their final flypast.
To mark the Mirage’s retirement, the FAA painted four aircraft with colour schemes to represent different points in the type's service in Argentina.
A Super Etendard Modernise armed with GBU-12s on a catapult on board the Charles de Gaulle on November 21, 2015.
Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster A41-208 at Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica. The C-17A flew 3,450km (2,143 miles), landing at Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey station on November 21, 2015 where it unloaded cargo, including a brand new Haggiunds vehicle. The mission was one in a series of proof of concept flights being trialed by the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Antarctic Division, the remaining flights are scheduled to take place through to February 2016.
Hundreds of current and former Boeing employees, as well as local residents and aviation fans, said goodbye to C-17A N275ZD (Qatari Air Force serial number A7-MAN) the 275th Globemaster III built at Long Beach and the last one to be delivered to the Boeing facility in San Antonio, Texas. The C-17’s departure signalled the end of fixed-wing aircraft production at the plant and in Southern California.
The world's fastest turboprop powered airplane, the Tu-95MS Bear-H reaches a maximum speed of 450kts. Russian strategic aviation operates 60 Bears from Engels and Ukrainka Air Bases.
Ground crew at Engels Air Base prepare a Kh-555 cruise missile for loading into a Tu-95MS.
After return to the snow-covered airfield at Engels this Tu-95MS will be towed away to parking and prepared for the next mission.
Three French Air Force Rafales each loaded with six Hammer air-to-ground modular weapons over Syria.
Three Rafales return after one of the first strikes over Syria in September 2015. Some bomb racks are empty, others still Hammer AASMs.
A Rafale's left wing weapon pylon loaded with three Hammer AASMs.
Russian Helicopters announced the delivery of five Mi-171Sh assault transport helicopters to the Bangladesh Ministry of Defence in early December 2015. The helicopters feature the latest avionics for all-weather operations, day and night; additional fuel tanks for long-range operations; external sling equipment; a 150kg (330 lb) hoist; search lights, armoured protection and a cabin configuration for the medical evacuation of 12 casualties. Bangladesh ordered the Mi-171Sh helicopters in late 2013 using a state credit provided by Russia for the procurement of military equipment, including Yak-130 jet trainers.
An SA330B Puma from EH1/67 during search and rescue training with two divers above the take of Cazaux.
An Atlantique 2 takes off on a mission from its base in the Gulf region.
Four GBU-12s loaded in the weapon bay of an Atlantique 2.
A typical busy scene at Latakia showing an Su-24M Fencer landing and an Su-34 Fullback ready to take-off.
Armourers check a KAB-500S GPS-guided bomb loaded on the left engine nacelle of an Su-34 Fullback.
The most characteristic external feature of the Il-80M Maxdome is a large inverted-canoe-shaped fairing on the forward part of the fuselage covering antennas for satellite communication systems. Longitudinal fairings are mounted in front of the tailfin and under the rear part of the fuselage.
Boeing will begin assembling parts for the 787-10 in 2016 after completing detailed design work on the third Dreamliner variant, which is due to fly in 2017.
An Su-24M Fencer upgraded with the SVP-24 navigation-attack system takes off from Latakia loaded with four OFAB-250-270 bombs.
IAI M5 Finger C-408 was repainted in the markings worn by the FAA’s Mirages in the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas war.
Cobham Aviation Services is now using five BAe 146/Avro RJ family aircraft to operate from unpaved surfaces in Western Australia.
The Honeywell Primus Apex fully digital avionics suite is to be introduced to Series 400 Twin Otter cockpit.
Permission to land the 757 came from Chilean authorities - all flights departing to Antarctica from Chile must apply to the Chilean agencies and submissions are for each season.
UK carrier Thomson Airways added a ‘Merry Christmas' title and decals to the fuselage of its Boeing 757-236 G-OOBE (c/n 33100) for the Christmas season, including a Rudolph-inspired red nose.
The 757 approaches the blue-ice runway at Union Glacier in the Ellsworth Mountains in Western Antarctica.
Mirage 5A Mara C-630 was one of ten Mirages transferred from Peru in June 1982.
Brazil’s TAM Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-900 (msn 24, PR-XTA, ex-F-WZFS). The airline will initially operate the jet between Sao Paulo and Manaus before putting it on services to Madrid, Miami and Orlando. TAM is the fourth A350 operator after Qatar Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Finnair. Singapore Airlines is due to be next early in 2016.
F/A-18F BuNo 166842/NG100 of Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41) ‘Black Aces' seen at low-level in one of the many canyons used by Naval Air Station Lemoore-based strike fighters in California on November 24, 2015. The aircraft is painted in full-colour markings as the unit’s 70th anniversary CAG-bird.
Mirage 2000Ns flew the first combat missions configured with four GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on November 15, 2015.
Pre-flight check of GBU-12s by a Mirage 2000D pilot with his armourer.
Three Mirage 2000Ns arrive at an air base in Jordan on December 5, 2015 after a direct flight from BA125 Istres.
J-15s operating from the Liaoning in September 2015 during operations in the Gulf of Bohai or the Yellow Sea.
Prototype no 554 was probably the most often-photographed J-15 during the early carrier trials seen here with prominent calibration markings while preparing to launch from the carrier Liaoning.
By late October 2015, there were 14 J-15s in service with the PLANAF at Huangdicun including the first of Batch 02 pictured here.
Swiss Air Rescue-Rega is to buy three AW169s that will feature a bespoke emergency medical services/search and rescue equipment installation developed with the helicopter’s manufacturer.
Japan Air Self Defense Force F-4EJ 47-8336 is currently painted in a commemorative colour scheme to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Hiko Kaihatsu Jikken Dan, the Japanese test wing based at Gifu Air Base. The aircraft is shown landing at Gifu on October 22, 2015.
MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455 completes a test flight at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, one of 11 operational assessment events to validate the system’s performance, endurance and reliability.
The J-11D performed its maiden flight on April 29, 2015.
Mirage IIIDA 1-002, wearing the Argentine national colours, was the longest-serving FAA Mirage having been delivered on February 5, 1972.
A 747-400 transferred from Virgin Atlantic Airways will be used by Virgin Galactic as a carrier aircraft for its LauncherOne orbital space vehicle.
American Airlines has revived the colour schemes of several long-gone US carriers by repainting three Boeing 737- 800s. This 737-800 (N915NN) wears the livery of TWA, which became part of American in 2001. Other aircraft have the colours of Reno Air (bought by American in 2000) and AirCal (absorbed into American in 1987).
The fourth F-35B Lightning II for the UK ZM138 (c/n BK-04) made its maiden flight on December 2, 2015 followed by its second flight two days later. During its second flight the test pilot converted to mode 4 flight; the first time a UK F-35B has flown in mode 4 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
The first 737 MAX 8, Spirit of Renton, following roll-out.
Advanced Technology Winglets will save 1.8% more fuel than current-generation winglets.
Spirit of Renton’s colour scheme has the liveries of many of the 60 customers that have ordered the MAX.
The CFM LEAP-1B engines provide an 11% reduction in fuel use compared to the CFM56-7Bs, Boeing says.
The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM-powered A320neo received type certification, with deliveries to Lufthansa, IndiGo and Qatar Airways expected soon.
The first demonstrator engine of the Trent 7000, the seventh member of the Trent family, recently had its first run. The engine will power the A330neo.