Revealed: new Polish squadron colours for HAC Hurricane
Dual identity salutes two different Polish Battle of Britain pilots who served at Duxford on the same unit
USAF B-1B Lancers return to Europe for latest Bomber Task Force mission
Four supersonic-capable Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from the USAF’s 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, have deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK, as part of a long-planned Bomber Task Force-Europe rotation in support of ongoing US European Command and NATO deterrence operations
Malaysia pushes forward with ATR 72 MPA acquisition
The Malaysian MOD formally inked a contract with Leonardo for the acquisition of two ATR 72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft platforms during a ceremony that took place during the biennially-held Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia on May 25
Pentagon Leaks: what do they tell us about the air war in Ukraine?
In April, the internet was awash with confidential US military documents about the war in Ukraine. A US Air National Guardsman was subsequently charged with posting the cache of classified material in an online gaming chatroom. Tim Ripley investigates the insights they offer into the air war between Russia and Ukraine
Luck or judgment? How RAF Mosquitos hit the Gestapo in Aarhus
The Aarhus raid by No 140 Wing’s Mosquitos — targeting Gestapo facilities in the Danish city — was a notable strategic success and a fine feat of airmanship. But its achievements owed something to good fortune as well
USAF’s second WC-135R Constant Phoenix arrives at Offutt AFB
The USAF’s 55th Wing formally welcomed the second of three Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix atmospheric testing aircraft to its fleet on May 11, when the recently converted platform arrived at Offutt AFB in Nebraska
Where will Ukraine's F-16s come from and how will pilots be trained?
Kyiv’s quest for Western-made fighters was handed a major boost of May 19, when US President Joe Biden backed international plans for Ukrainian Air Force pilots to be trained to fly the long-desired F-16 Fighting Falcon and for European operators of the multi-role fighter to transfer their ‘Vipers’ to Ukraine
Sweden receives first Grob G120TP basic trainers
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration revealed on April 4 that it has delivered the first of ten new Grob 120TP basic trainers to the Swedish Air Force – marking the first time in 11 years that the FMV has handed over a new aircraft to the air arm
The Dambusters Today
Based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, 617 Squadron will remain as the UK’s frontline F-35B Lightning unit until 809 Naval Air Squadron stands up later this year. Officer Commanding 617 Sqn, Wing Commander Stew Campbell has a unique perspective on the 80th anniversary year, having been involved in the 70th anniversary commemorations in 2013.
Dambusters in depth: The history of 617 Squadron
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters famous raid, in the May 2013 issue of FlyPast, Andrew Thomas examined the heritage of 617 Squadron – arguably the most famous RAF unit of them all
Your source for all the latest Airforce and military aircraft news
As the latest fifth-generation platform, the Lockheed Martin F-35 is in use globally for international partner airforces, from the United States Airforce (USAF) to the RAF and the Australian airforce, the sixth-generation fighters are already on the drawing board.
Find out which airforces are looking at virtual cockpits, networked platforms and piloted aircraft working with drone wingmen for the stealth fighters of the 2030s and discover which airforces are planning to replace their existing fleets with the fighter planes of the future.
Military Aircraft Retirement and Technology Updates
International forces around the world are deploying military aircraft manufactured in France, Russia and America including aircraft from Saab, France’s Dassault Rafale, Russian Mig-29s and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, which it will operate for years to come.
What will also be flying well into the next decade is the USAF’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter. The next decade will also see the USAF’s newest stealth bomber, the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider enter service, while the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber will be in its seventh decade of operational service after refurbishments and restorations. This page is the only place you need to be to find out all the latest news on retirements and new deployments.
Be the first to find out which existing platforms such as France’s Dassault Mirage 2000 light weight jet and the Eurofighter Typhoon are facing the need for wholesale technology updates. The Eurofighter is being upgraded for an electronic warfare role in the 2020s and the USAF is improving some of its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons with F-35 fifth generation technology.
From restorations to retirement and procurement, international projects for new networked technologies including piloted and autonomous platforms and the contracts to manufacture them, all of this fast-moving defence aviation news and analysis can be found here.
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Want to find out more about other types of military aircraft? We have dedicated pages for the latest Military Aircraft Shows, Military Fighter Aircraft and all the latest cutting-edge Military Aircraft Technology.
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