Air International 2017-04
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Airscene
Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311) AV-8B Harrier II BuNo 165573/WL02 on the taxiway at its home base of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona prior to a four-ship training mission. The squadron’s F-35B transition slot has been taken by F/A-18C-equipped VMFA-122 because of the better health of the force.
Four B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on February 6, 2017, in support of US Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence.
A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing refuels a B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing during a mission that targeted Islamic State training camps in Libya.
Fouga CM170 Magister N315MB (former Armee de l'Air serial number 498) seen flying through a canyon within the low-level network in California. The aircraft is registeres to Swift Air International Inc and is understood to have been operating with the US Air Force Test Pilots School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Oregon Air National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing based at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls has painted F-15C 79-0041 in a bright colour scheme to mark the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard. The jet was one of five Kingsley Field-based Eagles deployed to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in late February to take advantage of the mild winter climate. Fighters that deploy to Arizona from bases in the northern United States for training during the winter months are colloquially referred to as snow birds.
A Fortele Aeriene Romane (Romanian Air Force) F-16A assigned to Baza Aeriana 86 (86th Air Base) Borcea-Fetesti approaches the boom of a US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker on February 28, 2017, during air refuelling training over Bucharest, Romania. When the US Air Force and Fortele Aeriene Romane made their first air refuelling contact on the February 28 mission, history was made. Fourteen members of the 100th Air Refueling Wing based at RAF Mildenhall, England, deployed to Borcea-Fetesti on KC-135R 60-0321 to train and certify Fortele Aeriene Romane F-16 pilots on air refuelling with a US tanker.
The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron Det. 1 based at Holloman Air Force Base flew its first manned sortie with a QF-16 full-scale aerial target on February 10, 2017. The flight was described by Det. 1 Commander, Lt Col Ron King as “significant because it is the first step in standing up the QF-16 programme. Compared to its predecessor, the QF-4 which was retired in December, Lt Col King said the QF-16 offers more realistic threat replication in performance, manoeuvrability and capabilities.
Airmen assigned to the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron phase shop perform an inspection on an F-16D Fighting Falcon at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Fourteen KC-135 Stratotankers lined up during a simulated alert call to demonstrate rapid mobility capabilities within minutes of being notified of a mission at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
UH-60V 90-26242 made the type’s first flight on January 19, 2017.
One of three units to be deactivated as a result of CVW-14’s shut down was MH-60S Seahawk-equipped Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 (HSC-15) based at Naval Air Station North Island, California. Named the Red Lions, HSC-15 operated MH-60S BuNo 68530/NA610 in this themed paint scheme featuring fearsome red lion artwork in 2012.
The first of five engineering development model UH-60Vs, 90-26242, is a former UH-60L model.
Four US Army UH-60Ls over Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. All the UH-60Ls remaining in US Army service will be upgraded to UH-60V configuration.
Northrop Grumman's UH-60V integrated cockpit avionics system.
Another element from CVW-11 present at Fallon in February was Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) ‘Biuetaiis’ making its debut Fallon detachment with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye including aircraft BuNo 168600/NH604.
Single-seat Naval LCA 3002 (c/n NP-2) is one of two prototypes and was on static display at Bangalore.
The Naval LCA is reportedly underpowered, so the Indian Navy intends to use it for evaluation and pilot training purposes only. For operational tasks, 57 carrier-borne fighters will be acquired instead.
Two, two-seat Tejas fighters flew customer orientation and familiarisation flights during the show. Note the Israeli Litening targeting pod carried on the under-fuselage hard point.
Emirates A380 A6-EEI (msn 123), marked with the United for Wildlife livery, departs Paris CDG. The type has been a major part of Emirates’ growth, but large widebodies like this are just one option for the Gulf carrier as it considers its next fleet purchase.
Albacete-based Ala 14 flew 40 sorties, all air-to-air missions.
Before taking part in Red Flag 17-2 Spanish Typhoon pilots from Ala 11 and Ala 14 undertook air refuelling training with an Italian KC-767A.
Tranche 3 Typhoon serial number C.16-63 - 10048/11-28 was only recently delivered to the Ejercito del Aire.
Two Ala 11 Typhoons in formation near Moron Air Base, Seville.
An Italian KC-767A in formation with three Ala 11 Typhoons over the United States on the way to Nellis.
111 Escuadron, one of two Typhoon units assigned to Ala 11, participated in Red Flag 17-2 with five aircraft and conducted mostly air-to-ground missions.
For the first time, Ejercito del Aire Typhoons overflew Naval Base Norfolk on their way to nearby Naval Air Station Norfolk.
Ejercito del Aire pilots walk to their aircraft for the first leg between Moron and Lajes.
Two PC-21s in full RAAF markings, still owned by Pilatus and displayed with their Swiss civil registrations, were at Avalon. Both aircraft are due to be delivered in mid-2017.
Mi-17s carrying the flags of India and the Indian Air Force led the flypast during the opening ceremony of Aero India 2017.
Republic of Singapore Air Force 127 Squadron ‘Stallion’ is celebrating 20 years of CH-47 Chinook operations this year and has painted commemorative markings on an upgraded CH-47SD featuring a glass cockpit, radar warning receivers and a radome housing a secure datalink.
On March 6, 2017, Taganrog-based TANTK Beriev reported it delivered the fourth major upgraded A-50U airborne early warning and control aircraft to the Russian Air and Space Force.
The 787-10's length compared to the other Dreamliners is apparent in this photo. The variant is 18ft (5.4m) longer than the 787-9 and nearly 60ft (18m) longer than the 787-8.
Service entry of the 787-10 is due with Singapore Airlines in 2018.
Air Canada Boeing 787-8 C-GHPQ (c/n 35257) departing Toronto Pearson International Airport as AC407 to Montreal on its first revenue flight wearing the new livery.
Hainan Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-6998 (c/n 62718), pictured in Toronto, has been painted in this distinctive livery featuring characters from the Kung Fu Panda animated film.
A crew chief, pulls a maintenance platform up to a C-5 Galaxy at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airmen assigned to the 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshal aircraft to parking, chock the wheels, hook-up generators, check tyre pressures, refill oil, and refuel the aircraft.
HAL’s Weapon System Integrated Advanced Light Helicopter (WSIALH) Mk IV Rudra, the combat version of the Dhruv, received its initial operational clearance in February 2013 and is now in production.
Dhruv ZD-4146, is a rare example of an Indian Air Force Dhruv configured with a wheeled retractable tricycle landing gear. Most are equipped with skids; wheels are typical for the Navy’s variant. This variant is equipped with a self-protection suite similar to the system fitted to the Rudra.
The Northern Lights above A350-1000 F-WWXL (msn 71) at Iqaluit, Canada, during extreme cold weather testing in temperatures as low as -37C (-34F).
This year's edition of the Avalon air show included debuts by five RAAF types. Two of the first four EA-18G Growlers delivered to RAAF Base Amberley the week before, including aircraft A46-306, were at the show.
To complete a quartet of CVW-11 aircraft in this section, EA-18G BuNo 168381/NH500 is the first Growler CAG-bird operated by Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142) ‘Gray Wolves’ which transitioned to the type during 2015 and continued work-up training throughout 2016. The squadron is set to make its first Growler deployment on board the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during 2017.
Fighter Composite Squadron 13 (VFC-13) ‘Saints’ based at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada operate a fleet of F-5N Tiger IIs in a variety of aggressor colour schemes. The squadron provides adversary support to the Naval Air Forces. F-5N BuNo 761544/AF05 painted in a two- tone grey tiger-style colour scheme seen at Fallon in mid-February.
The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force retired the Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon (export designation S-80M-1) on March 3, 2017. On February 20, 111 Kokutai carried out its last training flight on aircraft serial number 8625 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Japan is the sole export customer for the Sea Dragon, operating 11 airframes since 1989. In May 2015, the US Navy signed a contract to purchase two decommissioned MH-53Es from Japan for parts, including 12 engines and two tow booms. AgustaWestland MCM-101 Merlins now conduct the duties once performed by the Sea Dragon using the AQS-24A airborne mine hunting system: the AES-1 airborne laser mine detection system and the Mk104 acoustic minesweeping device.
Airbus Helicopters H175 launch operator NHV Group has passed its first 10,000 hours since the super-medium-sized helicopter entered service in December 2014.
The Airbus Helicopters H175 is the newest type in the offshore transport role in the North Sea, NHV putting it into service in late 2014.
By February 2017 all four of HAL's Light Combat Helicopters had accumulated 850 flights. Sensors and weapons integrated on the LCH are systems already fitted to the Rudra.
The one hundredth Hawk assembled and upgraded by HAL, was presented as the Hawk-i, seen in formation with an example of the indigenous HTT-40 turboprop basic trainer.
On March 2, 2017, the Armee de I'Air unveiled Mirage 2000D 652/3-XN assigned to EC 03.003 ‘Ardennes' based at BA 133 Nancy-Ochey in a colour scheme with associated markings to commemorate the 30th anniversary of an air raid carried out by the unit in 1987 on a Libyan Air Base at Ouadi Doum in Northern Chad. In 1987, the then EC 3/3 ‘Ardennes’ was equipped with the Jaguar A.
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) ‘Argonauts’ based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The squadron has painted F/A-18E BuNo 166821/NH200 with the legend ‘1967 ARGONAUTS 2017’ along the top of the fuselage.
Elements of Carrier Air Wing 11 deployed to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada in February for a training detachment. Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146) ‘Blue Diamonds' deployed its latest CAG-bird F/A-18E Super Hornet BuNo 165783/NH300.
F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164671/NJ300 was the final CAG-bird assigned to VFA-15 before the squadron’s Spring 2017 deactivation. The aircraft is shown at low-level in a Californian canyon when operated by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) ‘Vampires’ based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) ‘Werewolves’, an F/A-18C Hornet unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, will take Marine Attack Squadron 311’s (VMA-311) slot for transition to the F-35B and will change its home base from Beaufort to Yuma, Arizona. In 2012 VMFA-122 marked its 70th anniversary with a commemorative colour scheme applied to F/A-18C BuNo 164247/ DCOO with the legend '70 Years of Steel on Target’ applied to the aft fuselage below the vertical stabiliser. The unit’s original 1942 name ‘Candystripers’ was carried on the underwing drop tanks.
9 февраля 2017г. на предприятии корпорации Lockheed Martin в Мариэтте (шт. Джорджия) состоялась выкатка первого летного образца самолета LM-100J. Он представляет собой коммерческую версию военно-транспортного C-130J Super Hercules, от которого отличается, прежде всего, более мощными двигателями Rolls-Royce AE1107C Liberty и экипажем из двух человек. Каталожная цена машины около 65 млн. USD. По оценке «Локхид-Мартин», потенциальный рынок LM-100J составляет минимум 75 экземпляров. Летные испытания самолета должны начаться весной, получение сертификата типа запланировано на 2018 г., а начало серийных поставок - на четвертый квартал того же года.
The Lockheed Martin LM-100J, the civil version of the C-130J Hercules transport, was recently rolled out at the Marietta, Georgia, factory.
Lockheed Martin is offering the M28 as a 19-seat airliner, with this aircraft currently undertaking a sales tour of South and Central America.
Airbus A319-119 D-ASTX (msn 3202), pictured at Manchester, is one of the first aircraft to transfer to Eurowings under the Lufthansa Group’s restructuring of Air Berlin. Thirty-three A320 family jets will move to Eurowings and three to Austrian Airlines.
Paramount is keen for collaborative production of the Mwari in the UAE and other countries in the region. Although not confirmed, Paramount is believed to have at least one launch customer for the Mwari.
A weapons load crew assigned to the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, loads a GBU-12 into an F-35A Lightning II.
Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35As 79-8703 (c/n AX-03, FMS 14-5116) and 79-8704 (c/n AX-04, FMS 14-5117) on approach to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, during a joint mission on February 24, 2017.
In addition to Netra aircraft KW3556 on static display at Aero India, a second aircraft, KW3555, took part in the flying display.
The first Boeing 737 MAX 9 N7379E (c/n 42987) at Renton on the day of roll-out.
Mechanical technician Dan Pitts prepares the 9% scale model of Lockheed Martin’s Quiet Supersonic Technology X-plane preliminary design for its first high-speed wind tunnel tests at NASA’s Glenn Research Center.
Early March saw Embraer present the first E195-E2, which at 41.5m long is the longest E-Jet E2.
HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) prototype ZG-4620 (c/n PT-1) made its debut at Aero India this year. The LUH is expected to achieve certification by December 2017 and subsequently enter production at Tumkur.
India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft is expected to be in the 20-tonne weight class, and enter Indian Air Force service in the 2030s.
Weighing 12.5 tonnes, the Indian Multi Role Helicopter is the heaviest helicopter ever developed in India. A full-scale mock-up was placed in the middle of HAL’s exhibition hall for its Aero India debut.
The Aeronautica Militare supported the Ejercito del Aire's Red Flag operation with two KC-767A tankers for the deployment and redeployment phases. Retirement of 47 Grupo's Boeing 707TT has seriously hampered the Ejercito del Aire’s strategic projection capability, so it’s common to enter into agreements with other countries for tanker support.