GAO found that USAF may have overstate or understate estimated savings from retiring A-10

The U.S. Air Force’s desire to retire the A-10 attack jet failed to find support from the Government Accountability Office.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In a report published on Jun. 25, the GAO found that the service’s assessment of cost savings is inadequate and the estimated savings are incomplete and may have overstate or understate estimated savings.
Most importantly, the report highlighted the fact that the divestment of the A-10 will create potential gaps in close air support (CAS).

Source: GAO found that USAF may have overstate or understate estimated savings from retiring A-10

Top Gun 2 confirmed

Skydance CEO David Ellison confirmed that a sequel for the 1986 hit Top Gun is in the works and he hinted that Tom Cruise may reprise his role as Maverick.

By PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn, U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The film is likely to explore the end of dogfighting and the rise of drones in aerial warfare.

Source: Top Gun 2 confirmed

Finnish Hornets intercept Russian Il-76

Finnish Air Force Hornets were scrambled on Jun. 26 to intercept a Russian Il-76 south of the coast town of Porvoo.

Photo: Finnish Air Force

This is the second time this year Finnish fighters were launched to identify aircraft suspected of violating its airspace.

Source: Finnish Hornets intercept Russian Il-76

J-10A armed with bombs, rocket pods, air-to-air missiles

A J-10A from the Chengdu military region armed with two PL-8Bs, four PL-12s, two rocket pods and 250kg bombs.

Source: J-10A armed with bombs, rocket pods, air-to-air missiles

The first director of unmanned weapon systems for the U.S. Navy

After U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced in April that he was creating a post that reports to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations on the service’s efforts in unmanned systems, the Pentagon has announced the first officer to head the N99 office.

Photo: U.S. Navy

Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, was nominated to the post in an announcement by the Pentagon on Jun. 26.

Source: The first director of unmanned weapon systems for the U.S. Navy

Special mascot for MV-22B

A special mascot was created for this MV-22B to mark the efforts by three U.S. Marine Corps squadrons to return it to serviceability.

Photo: USMC

Source: Special mascot for MV-22B

Aegis Ashore test aborted

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency was supposed to test the Aegis Ashore missile defense system on Jun. 26 but had to abort the test after the target malfunctioned.

Photo: Missile Defense Agency

Source: Aegis Ashore test aborted

Last blast as PACAF drops its last M117 bomb

The final M117 bomb in the Pacific Air Force’s inventory was dropped by a B-52 crew from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron on Jun. 26.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot

Source: Last blast as PACAF drops its last M117 bomb

E-3G tests its upgrade capabilities at Northern Edge 2015

The U.S. Air Force’s E-3G, with its Block 40/45 modifications, was tested over Alaska during Exercise Northern Edge to allow weapons officers to take full advantage of the improvements.

U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. William Banton

Source: E-3G tests its upgrade capabilities at Northern Edge 2015