Aviation Articles

Final Czech Mi-24/35 Hind gunship leaves LOM Praha

The last Mi-24/35 to be overhauled by LOM Praha in Czech Republic flew from the facility on April 26. It marks the end of nearly 40 years of the Czech Air Force’s gunship helicopter being overhauled at the company’s Kbely factory

USAF receives airborne laser weapon for AC-130J testing

Lockheed Martin announced on October 6 that it has completed the factory testing process for the Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) weapon that is bound for the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) fleet of AC-130J Ghostrider fixed-wing gunships

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European Mi-24/35 Survey: Twilight Years of Cypriot Hinds?

Cyprus has been a well-established Mil Mi-35P operator since 2001. However, due to spares shortages, overhaul demands and budget woes, the future of the Hind-F in the Cypriot National Guard's ranks remain uncertain, as we explain

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European Mi-24/35 Survey: Bulgaria's Marginal Capability

Having once boasted a 44-strong Hind fleet, the Bulgarian Air Force's attack helicopter capability was cut in half in 1999 and later reduced to just six Mi-24Vs, with just two examples being airworthy at any one time. We provide expert analysis on Bulgaria's remaining Hind fleet

Final AC-130W training flight for 551st SOS

As part of the drawdown of US Air Force Special Operations Command’s 551st Special Operations Squadron at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, the unit has ceased training with its Lockheed AC-130W Stinger II gunships

USAF retires final AC-130U Spooky gunships

The US Air Force (USAF) has retired its last operational Lockheed AC-130U Spooky gunship from service, with the type being replaced by the new Lockheed Martin AC-130J Ghostrider.

New countermeasures for USAF AC-130J, MC-130J

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has been contracted to develop and deliver new radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) systems for the US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) AC-130J and MC-130J fleets.

AC-130Ws demonstrate ASuW role in the Middle East

In a first-of-its-kind joint exercise with the US Navy, Lockheed AC-130W Stinger IIs from the US Air Force have practiced supporting maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf, demonstrating the type’s anti-surface warfare (ASuW) role.