All articles by Craig Hoyle – Page 93
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NewsAustralia debuts armed Super Hornets over Iraq
Royal Australian Air Force combat aircraft have performed their first operational mission over Iraq, the nation’s Department of Defence has confirmed.
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NewsAllies strengthen coalition against Islamic State militants
Several additional nations have begun taking part in US-led operations against Islamic State militants in Iraq, with UK aircraft having performed their first strikes, and fresh deployments made or announced by Belgium and the Netherlands.
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Thailand requests additional UH-72A helicopters
Thailand is hoping to increase its future fleet of UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters, after requesting the purchase of additional examples from US contractor Airbus Defence & Space.
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NewsThales gets new AESA radar study contract
France’s DGA defence procurement agency has awarded Thales a multi-year contract to research technologies required to produce the next generation of active electronically scanned array radars.
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NewsPoland requests JASSM weapons for F-16 fleet
Poland is looking to add the Lockheed Martin AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) to its fleet of Lockheed F-16 fighters, under a potential acquisition worth around $500 million.
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NewsRAF Tornados strike first Islamic State targets
A pair of Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR4s engaged their first Islamic State targets in Iraq on 30 September, the UK Ministry of Defence has announced.
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NewsFirst PC-21s head for Qatar
Pilatus has delivered its first two PC-21 trainers to Qatar, with the pair having left its Stans manufacturing site in Switzerland for the Middle East on 29 September.
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NewsMore T-6C trainers head for New Zealand
Beechcraft has transferred its second batch of two T-6C trainers to New Zealand, with the aircraft having left its Wichita production site in Kansas.
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NewsWatchkeeper fully operational in Afghanistan, UK reveals
The British Army’s Thales UK/Elbit Systems-developed Watchkeeper unmanned air system has become fully operational in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
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NewsNATO finishes AWACS commitment to Afghanistan
NATO has completed a more than three-year commitment of Boeing E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to Afghanistan, with two of the command and control assets having returned to Europe.
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NewsGermany's first A400M runs its engines
Airbus has performed the first engine ground run with an A400M tactical transport for future operator Germany, with the milestone having being reached in accordance with a schedule to deliver the aircraft before the end of this year.
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NewsKings of the swingers: Top 13 swing-wing aircraft
As the operators of Europe’s Panavia Tornado mark the 40th anniversary of its first flight, we bring together a baker’s dozen of variable geometry aircraft – only most of which made it into operational service.
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NewsSouth Korea ready to sign F-35 deal
South Korea has finalised its selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35A, with the nation’s air force to receive 40 of the conventional take-off and landing combat aircraft from 2018.
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NewsTornado could fly on into 2030s, partners say
Europe’s Panavia Tornado will remain in use as a relevant frontline asset for more than another 10 years, according to its programme partners, even though one of its main operators does not plan to retain the type beyond the end of this decade.
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NewsThird Rivet Joint airframe to perform crucial testing for UK
A new series of flight tests involving an aged Boeing KC-135 tanker will help to inform the UK Ministry of Defence about whether the aircraft will be able to secure full operational clearance as a converted signals intelligence asset.
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NewsTurkey receives penultimate AEW&C 737
The Turkish air force has received its penultimate 737-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system aircraft from Boeing, following its conversion by in-country partner Turkish Aerospace Industries.
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NewsSingapore inaugurates M-346 training unit
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) formally inaugurated its 150 Sqn training unit at Cazaux air base in France on 3 September, some three months after completing its first 1,000 flight hours with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346.
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USAF modifies Block 30 Global Hawk contract
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract modification worth over $240 million to complete a deal to provide the US Air Force with three more Block 30M RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned air vehicles.
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NewsPICTURES: Lancaster bombers fly in formation
Two Avro Lancaster bombers have been flown in formation for the first time in more than 50 years, with the duo set to appear at numerous air shows and events in the UK over the coming weeks.
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NewsParamount launches flight trials with low-cost AHRLAC
Almost three years after it announced plans to produce a low-cost, multi-role aircraft for military and civilian duties, South Africa’s Paramount Group has completed the first public flight of its AHRLAC design.

