Air Force in the world
 
 

Russia has deployed two air divisions in the Kaliningrad region and Crimea

The Russian Defense Ministry is deploying two air divisions in the Kaliningrad region and Crimea. Their formations will be completed in late 2019. All combat aircraft in the territories will be integrated into a single contour.

Air Recognition's Top Stories of 2017

Air Recognition's Top Stories of 2017
 
As 2017 came to an end, here is an overview of the top ten defense aerospace stories we published last year, based on the number of readers for each story. As you can see, fighter jets purchase and upgrade programs and future airborne platforms drew a lot of interest among Air Recognition readers.
 

Russian Helicopters promotes full range of rotary-wing platforms for foreign market - Part 1

Russian Helicopters promotes full range of rotary-wing platforms for foreign market - Part 1
 
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Helicopters are often named the workhorses of modern war. They transport troops and various cargoes, evacuate wounded personnel, conduct air support and reconnaissance, etc. Russia`s Rosoboronexport company (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) offers a wide range of modern helicopters that meet the strictest requirements to this type of military hardware.
 

Air Recognition's Top Stories of 2016

Air Recognition's Top Stories of 2016
 
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As 2016 comes to an end, here is an overview of the top ten defense aerospace stories we published this year, based on the number of readers for each story. As you can see, the use of combat helicopters in the war against terrorism and the maiden flight of Japan's X-2 demonstrator drew a lot of interest among Air Recognition readers. Some Russian and US advanced research programs were other topics that drew a lot of attention.
 

French Air Force pilots get a feel of the C-130J airlifter at Ramstein air base

French Air Force pilots get a feel of the C-130J airlifter at Ramstein air base
 
French Air Force ilots familiarize on US C 130J airlifter at Ramstein air base 640 001
Representatives of the French Air Force visited with US Air Force airmen at the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein air base, for a presentation on aircraft features and capabilities after recently purchasing several of their own C-130J Super Hercules and KC-130 Hercules, April 28.
 

USAF's venerable KC-135 tanker supports KC-46A Pegasus testing program

USAF's venerable KC-135 tanker supports KC-46A Pegasus testing program
 
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Sixty-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft from McConnell Air Force Base recently supported the new KC-46A Pegasus testing and evaluation missions in Washington, the US Air Force recently said on its website.
 

RAAF demonstrates air-land integration in battlespace during Exercise Jericho Dawn

RAAF demonstrates air-land integration in battlespace during Exercise Jericho Dawn
 
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The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Australian Army, with support from Northrop Grumman, have successfully conducted a firepower demonstration and a combat team quick attack demonstration at Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria as part of Exercise Jericho Dawn to display the powerful effects of integrated air and land operations.
 

USAF F-35A fighter jets dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs for the first time

USAF F-35A fighter jets dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs for the first time
 
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Airmen from USAF's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings dropped laser-guided bombs at the Utah Test and Training Range, marking the first time an F-35 combat unit has employed weapons from the F-35A. Lt. Col. George Watkins, 34th Fighter Squadron commander, said employing weapons on the F-35 allows pilots to more fully engage the aircraft and confirm that everything works as planned.
 

Belarusian Air Force facing hard times

 Belarusian Air Force facing hard times
 
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The Republic of Belarus is lucky in the sphere of military build. It inherited from the Soviet Union one of the best military districts located on the main Western strategic direction. It was a second-tier echelon of the forces deployed in Warsaw Pact countries (East Germany and Poland). Belarus also got a number of military-defense enterprises that produced complex electronic systems, in particular.
 

Pakistan and combat helicopters in the war against terrorism

Pakistan and combat helicopters in the war against terrorism
 
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The role of combat helicopters on the modern battlefield is expanding due to the increasing Islamic State`s (IS) terroristic group activity and the anti-terroristic coalition`s backlash. Several countries from the Persian Gulf, the Near East and the Central Asia regions are paying a lot of attention to the issue, acquiring the modern Russian, US, and European helicopters to provide close air support to their own forces and effective destruction of the IS`s facilities.
 

Russian pilots start training on new Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft

Russian pilots start training on new Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft
 
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In January 2016 the flight operation of the first Il-76MD-90A began in with the Russian Military transport aviation (MTA). Pilots of MTA center in Ivanovo began exploring the new heavy military carrier. Commander of MTA Vladimir Benediktov and Head of Ivanovo Aviation Center Igor Matveev participated in the first flights.
 

Qatar Emiri Air Force To Get The Full Range of MBDA Missiles for its 24 Rafale fighters 0705152

Qatar Emiri Air Force To Get The Full Range of MBDA Missiles for its 24 Rafale fighters
 
Air Recognition learned some of the contract details signed between missiles manufacturer MBDA and the Qatar Emirate. According to an industry source who wished to remain unnamed, this contract includes the full range of Rafale weapons available for export: Exocet AM 39 Block II, SCALP, AASM, MICA IR, MICA EM and Meteor missiles. Air Recognition understands this order would be the largest export contract ever signed by MBDA.
Air Recognition learned some of the contract details signed between missiles manufacturer MBDA and the Qatar Emirate. According to an industry source who wished to remain unnamed, this contract includes the full range of Rafale weapons available for export: Exocet AM 39 Block II, SCALP, AASM, MICA IR, MICA EM and Meteor missiles. Air Recognition understands this order would be the largest export contract ever signed by MBDA.
 

Russia's Victory Day Parade 2015: List of aircraft on display

Russia's Victory Day Parade 2015: List of aircraft on display
 
The 2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade will take place in Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 2015that will be held in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. Russia’s state-of-the-art aircraft will be presented to the public on an unique fly past column. More than 20 different aircraft will perform aerial display, such as the Tu-160 bomber and the newly-developed Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft.
The 2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade will take place in Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 2015that will be held in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. Russia’s state-of-the-art aircraft will be presented to the public on an unique fly past column. More than 20 different aircraft will perform aerial display, such as the Tu-160 bomber and the newly-developed Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft.
 

Russian Eastern Military District's Su-35 fighter pilots perform air-to-air live firing exercises

Russian Eastern Military District's Su-35 fighter pilots perform air-to-air live firing exercises
 
Pilots of advanced Russia-made Su-35 fighters practiced firing “air-to-air” missiles for the first time during aerial exercises held in Primorsky Krai, Russia. Russian Defense Ministry announced on April 10 that the Eastern Military District's pilots of advanced Su-35 fighters practiced live-firing of air-to-air missiles with special thermal targets.
Pilots of advanced Russia-made Su-35 fighters practiced firing “air-to-air” missiles for the first time during aerial exercises held in Primorsky Krai, Russia. Russian Defense Ministry announced on April 10 that the Eastern Military District's pilots of advanced Su-35 fighters practiced live-firing of air-to-air missiles with special thermal targets.
 

Iraqi pilots start training on F-16D fighter aircraft at Tucson US National Guard airbase

Iraqi pilots start training on F-16D fighter aircraft at Tucson US National Guard airbase
 
The Iraqi government purchased 36 F-16 Fighting Falcons to help rebuild their air force; however the security situation in Iraq made delivering the aircraft impractical. The decision was made to instead deliver a portion of the jets to Tucson, Arizona and continue the IAF pilots' training there. The Arizona ANG's 162nd Wing was chosen to provide the training due to its already established experience with foreign students.
The Iraqi government purchased 36 F-16 Fighting Falcons to help rebuild their air force; however the security situation in Iraq made delivering the aircraft impractical. The decision was made to instead deliver a portion of the jets to Tucson, Arizona and continue the IAF pilots' training there. The Arizona ANG's 162nd Wing was chosen to provide the training due to its already established experience with foreign students.
 

British Royal Air Force RAF new military transport aircraft A400M named Atlas 0907121

British Royal Air Force RAF new military transport aircraft A400M named Atlas
 
The British Royal Air Force next generation military transport aircraft has officially been named Atlas at the Royal International Air Tattoo, which is taking place at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The aircraft, which has until now been known as the A400M, will replace the RAF's existing C-130 Hercules fleet and, along with the Voyager and C-17, will provide the UK military's future air transport force.
The British Royal Air Force next generation military transport aircraft has officially been named Atlas at the Royal International Air Tattoo, which is taking place at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The aircraft, which has until now been known as the A400M, will replace the RAF's existing C-130 Hercules fleet and, along with the Voyager and C-17, will provide the UK military's future air transport force.
 

British Royal Air Force RAF snipers protect Afghan family from insurgent attack 0802121

British Royal Air Force RAF snipers protect Afghan family from insurgent attack
 

Gunners from II Squadron British Royal air Force (RAF) Regiment got local people, including children, to safety before turning their weapons on the attackers. The incident happened during an operation by the unit in Helmand province where they have been working hard to build relations with the local community and regularly hold shuras (meetings) with local elders.

Gunners from II Squadron British Royal air Force (RAF) Regiment got local people, including children, to safety before turning their weapons on the attackers. The incident happened during an operation by the unit in Helmand province where they have been working hard to build relations with the local community and regularly hold shuras (meetings) with local elders.