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.
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
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
162nd Wing confirms Iraqi General killed in F-16 crash
The 162nd Wing in Tucson has confirmed that Iraqi Brig. Gen. Rafid Mohammed Hassan died in the crash of a F-16 on Jun. 24.
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Source: 162nd Wing confirms Iraqi General killed in F-16 crash
HAL Light Combat Helicopter completes hot weather trials
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) went to Jodhpur recently and successfully completed its hot weather trials there.
By Hemant.rawat1234 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Prototype TD-3 was flown in temperatures ranging from 39 to 42 degree celsius by Air Force, Army and HAL pilots.
Source: HAL Light Combat Helicopter completes hot weather trials