New Saudi Air Warfare Centre hosts Spears of Victory multinational exercise
Exercise Spears of Victory 24 is taking place at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudia Arabia, with the RAF sending Typhoons flown by XI (Fighter) Squadron to participate.
USAF’s final WC-135R arrives at Offutt AFB
The 45th Reconnaissance Squadron (RS) – a component of the USAF’s 55th Wing – received its third and final WC-135R Constant Phoenix (64-14829/OF) when the aircraft touched down at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on December 4, writes Tom Kaminski.
Frecce Tricolori to star in North American tour
Initially announced by Gen Luca Goretti – the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force – on November 23, Italy’s premier aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows), revealed the full details of what will be its first North American tour in more than 30 years on January 1.
Taiwan’s ‘Vipers’ gain US codes in Arizona
The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF)-operated F-16V Fighting Falcons assigned to the USAF’s 21st Fighter Squadron ‘Gamblers’ at Morris ANGB in Tucson, Arizona – which are used for the training of Taiwanese F-16 pilots and maintainers – have started to apply removable US serial numbers and insignia, as well as the Morris ANGB-affiliated ‘AZ’ tailcodes to the newly delivered jets.
RAF Typhoon combat debut over Libya
In the September 2011 issue of Aviation News, Jon Lake reported on how the RAF’s Typhoons were fairing in combat missions over Libya.
When the RAF flew two Chipmunks around the world
It was the ultimate celebration of the DHC Chipmunk: an around-the-world flight by the RAF. A quarter of a century on, we recall Exercise ‘Northern Venture’ — strange fuels, wild horses, Russian extortion and more…
Operation Desert Storm: RAF Jaguars over the Gulf
Key.Aero charts the formidable efforts of the Royal Air Force SEPECAT Jaguar Detachment during the 1991 Gulf War
Interview RAF fighter force commander
The RAF’s fighter force – the tip of the force’s spear, or Combat Air as it’s officially known – is heading into arguably its busiest ever period. Alan Warnes talks with the commander, Air Commodore Howard ‘Howey’ Edwards, about just how hectic this year has been
Chinook Bravo November crewmember on Falklands
Gaining legendary status during its 40-year career, RAF Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ first saw action in the Falklands War. Former crewmember Tom Jones recounts his experience of the conflict
The Last Lightning Show at Binbrook
RAF BINBROOK – AUGUST 22, 1987 Brian Hodgson recalls an historic event that was a fitting farewell to the charismatic Lightning, despite rain and low cloud.
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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