Two Gloster Meteors up for sale

Two Gloster Meteors are among five warbirds put up on sale by the Classic Air Force charity.

By Airwolfhound from Hertfordshire, UK (Gloster Meteor – RIAT 2013Uploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

T7 WA591, the world’s oldest flyable jet, was built in 1949. The other jet, NF-11, was constructed as a night-fighter.

Source: Two Gloster Meteors up for sale

U.S. asks Australia to expand air strikes to Syria

The Australian embassy in Washington has received a request from the Obama administration to expand its air strikes from Iraq to Syria.

By Robert Frola [GFDL or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: U.S. asks Australia to expand air strikes to Syria

Belarus, Russia to research on Strela-10M replacement

Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Igor Lotenkov announced that his country and Russia will develop a new air defense system to replace the Strela-10M (NATO: SA-13)

By Srđan Popović (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Belarus, Russia to research on Strela-10M replacement

R-11 gets gimbal-mounted camera

The R-11 Raven mini-UAV has been upgraded with a new gimbal-mounted camera that gives the operator a nearly 360-degree view around the aircraft.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Garett Hernandez, 1st Cav. Div. PAO

In addition, the new camera boasts new infrared capabilities.

Source: R-11 gets gimbal-mounted camera

Two killed in Saudi Apache crash

Two Saudi Apache pilots were killed when their helicopter came down near the border with Yemen on Aug. 21.

By Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford and Largs, United Kingdom (AH-64D Apache) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Houthi forces claimed responsibility, saying that they shot down the helicopter.

Source: Two killed in Saudi Apache crash

Russian Navy to have 50 Su-30SM by 2020

The Russian Navy received two Su-30SM fighters on Aug 17 and the service will have 50 such fighters by 2020.

By Alex Beltyukov (http://russianplanes.net/id145423) [CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Russian Navy to have 50 Su-30SM by 2020

71st Fighter Squadron reactivated

The 71st Fighter Squadron was reactivated on Aug. 21 at Langley. It will be known as the 71st Fighter Training Squadron as the mission is to provide realistic training for the F-22 pilots in the same base.

Source: 71st Fighter Squadron reactivated

Reuters: India and France to conclude Rafale deal within 10 days

An anonymous source told Reuters that India and France will seal the deal for 36 Rafale fighters within 10 days.

Alan Wilson [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

“Things are getting better with India,” the source said. “An agreement could be seen in about 10 days.”

Source: Reuters: India and France to conclude Rafale deal within 10 days

One F-16 pilot still hospitalized after ground collision at Nellis

A F-16 pilot who was involved in a ground collision at Nellis Air Force Base on Aug. 15 is still in hospital, the base said.

By U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Ammons (USAF photo 030811-F-7709A-008) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: One F-16 pilot still hospitalized after ground collision at Nellis