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

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

A General Dynamics early design study for the F-16 looks similar to the J-10

Lockheed Martin recently rediscovered a treasure trove of drawings which contains various advance design concepts for military aircraft. Amongst those was an alternate configuration for the lightweight fighter, which eventually lead to the F-16.

Source: A General Dynamics early design study for the F-16 looks similar to the J-10

Japan might bring Kawasaki P-1 to RIAT

This Japanese news report says Tokyo plans to bring the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to RIAT in Britain next month.

By Ken H / @chippyho [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Japan might bring Kawasaki P-1 to RIAT