Aviation Articles

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Air Combat Simulation – Part 6

In this instalment, we explore the ‘art’ of aerial gunnery and discuss why hitting a target while moving within a three-dimensional environment is one of the most challenging aspects of dogfighting.

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Air Combat Simulation – Part 5

Welcome to another instalment of our series on air combat simulation. This time, we explore ‘pursuit paths’ or the trajectory an attacking fighter takes when converging on a target.

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Israel scores F-35's first confirmed cruise missile kill

An Israeli Air Force-operated F-35I Adir (or ‘Mighty One’) has been credited with scoring the type’s first known air-to-air kill against a cruise missile on October 31, probably using an AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile to achieve this feat

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Air Combat Simulation – Part 4

In this edition of ‘Combat Corner’, we examine the essential requirements needed to survive and ultimately succeed in a dogfight. We also touch on the aircraft and discuss how best to employ different types.

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Air Combat Simulation – Part 3

In this edition of our ‘Combat Corner’, we examine the essential requirements needed to survive and ultimately succeed in a dogfight. We also touch on the aircraft and discuss how best to employ different types.

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Air Combat Simulation – Part 2

In this instalment of our series on air combat simulation, we look at a couple of important topics we need to address before discussing the 'mechanics' of aerial combat. The first is the software you will use to study the subject, while the second covers the hardware, such as the joystick, rudder pedals, throttles and head-tracking.

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Air Combat Simulation - Part 1

Welcome to the start of a new series on aerial combat. Over the next few lessons, we will cover subjects including fighter aircraft types, situational awareness, tactics and aerial gunnery. For this first instalment, we focus on a topic that is seldom discussed: the psychology of air combat.

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Hunter pilot reflects on air-to-air combat experiences

Before the era of all-aspect missiles and helmet-mounted sights, jet combat was an art that needed particular skills. Pilot and author Rod Dean reflects on some incredible experiences, usually flying his favourite aircraft, the legendary Hawker Hunter

Ukraine claims air successes as war enters fourth week

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth week following Russia’s invasion on February 24, Ukrainian forces are still claiming to have caused significant casualties in the past 96 hours

Saudi Arabia seeks AMRAAM top-up

The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale of AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of $650m