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Saluting the French ‘Lorraine’ Squadron

A modern-day French Air Force squadron can trace a noble lineage back to a hard-fighting World War Two Free French unit that first drew blood over Africa. Andrew Thomas outlines the history of Escadron de Chasse 3/30 ‘Lorraine’

Only the bogie undercarriage units and the longer tandem cockpit enclosure provide immediately distinguishing features between the Mirage IV, seen here with its half-ribbon brake parachute deployed, and the smaller Mirage III fighter. Feature Premium

Developing France’s Mirage IV nuclear bomber

The Dassault Mirage IV was designed solely as a nuclear bomber and ‘The Aeroplane and Astronautics’ reviewed the aircraft’s progress to entering service in its February 3, 1961 issue

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LIVING HISTORY: THE IMMORTAL MOTH

Bob Fischer speaks to Wim Stapel about his charming ex-French Air Force de Havilland Tiger Moth...

French Transall conducts African farewell tour

The last French Air Force Transall C-160R deployed overseas completed a memorial tour of African countries in August, marking the end of its 50 years of operations on the continent.

Three more A330 MRTTs for France

France's Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced on September 3 that three additional Airbus A330s have been ordered for conversion into Phénix Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

A400M conducts first 'wet' refuelling test with H225M

France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced that an Airbus A400M tactical tanker/transport had completed the first ‘wet’ air-to-air (AAR) refuelling contact with a H225M Caracal helicopter on August 19.

France accepts first King Air 350 ISR aircraft

The General Directorate of Armaments – France’s military procurement agency – accepted the first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)-configured Beechcraft King Air 350ER on behalf of the French Air Force on July 31.

France accepts third A330 MRTT Phénix

Airbus has handed over its third A330 Multi-Role Tanker/Transport (MRTT) to the Armée de l’Air (French Air Force).

French Army brings forward H160M delivery date

The Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre (ALAT, French Army Air Corps) has announced that deliveries of its first Airbus Helicopters H160M Guépard (Cheetah) helicopters will take place in 2026, two years earlier than planned.

French A400M lands in New Zealand for the first time

An Armeé de l’Air (AdlA, French Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas landed in New Zealand for the first time whilst conducting a repatriation mission in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts.