PAF JF-17s to escort Chinese President’s jet into Islamabad

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Pakistan today and the PAF will send eight JF-17 fighters to escort his plane into Islamabad airport.

By Shimin Gu [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

U.S. Army withdrawing 24 Apaches from Germany

Over the next two years, the U.S. Army will gradually shift 24 AH-64 attach helicopters out of Germany and move them to Alaska.

By Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

USMC wants sea-based UAVs

As the U.S. Marine Corps shifts away from operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and towards the Pacific, the service recognizes the need to have large unmanned aircraft capable of operating from ships.

By U. S. Marine Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Brig. Gen. (sel.) Karsten Heckl, the assistant deputy commandant for aviation, said large aircraft are necessary in order to fulfill roles such as airborne early warning or medical evacuation.

Source: Alert 5

Pakistan takes an interest in KAI T-50

Defense News reported that Pakistan is evaluating the KAI T-50 supersonic jet trainer for its needs.

By Republic of Korea Air Force, Korea Aerospace Industries [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

Saab wants government-to-government talks in order to help India develop light fighter

Saab is keen to sell its Gripen NG to India as a replacement for the MiG-21 or share its expertise in developing the Tejas Mark II fighter.

By Rinju9 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The company however want any discussions to be conducted at the government-to-government level.

Source: Alert 5

RAF in talks to replenish stocks of Paveway IV

The British military is in talks with Raytheon UK for a new oder of Paveway IV bombs in order to replenish the stocks used in Iraq.

By Defence Imagery (defenceimagery.mod.uk) [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Alert 5

New vice commander for ACC

Maj. Gen. Jerry D. Harris Jr. has been selected as the new vice commander for Air Combat Command. An F-16 pilot with more than 3,000 hours, Harris also flew the MiG-21 and MiG-29.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

Source: Alert 5

Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for project on remaining American aces

Author Peter Collier and documentary photographer Nick Del Calzo have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their coffee-table book on America’s remaining fighter aces.

The pair hoped to raise $65,000 by May 3 to cover production costs.

All profits from the book “Wings of Valor” will go to the American Fighter Aces Association.

Source: Alert 5

Cathay Pacific A340 diverted to RNZAF base for seven hours due to weather

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340-300 had to be diverted to Ohakea Air Force base for seven hours as bad weather prevented the airliner from landing at Auckland.

Photo: BRENDON DEERE

All 266 passengers and 15 crew on board Flight CX197 had to remain inside the aircraft while at Ohakea as there was no customs at the base.

Cathay Pacific spokeswoman Pauline Ray added that the pilots had to take a mandatory break before flying as well. The airline flew replacement pilots and crew, as well as two engineers to Ohakea using a chartered plane.

The flight, which landed at 12.30 p.m., finally took off at 7 p.m.