News

51st Fighter Wing

Omega KDC-10 tanker refuels deployed USAF F-16Cs in new first

15th November 2023

The USAF recently conducted the first commercial air-to-air refuelling of F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters while supporting a deployment in the Indo-Pacific theatre

FlyPast December 2023

NASA’s experimental jet in line for refurbishment

15th November 2023

A Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer once used by NASA is to be restored to static display condition

AEW&C

US border agency begins to scale back AEW-configured Orion fleet

14th November 2023

The US Customs and Border Protection agency’s Air and Marine Operations branch has started scaling back its P-3B operations and has retired at least two of its radar-equipped Orions

Eglin AFB

USMC’s first XQ-58A Valkyrie takes flight at Eglin AFB

14th November 2023

The first of two XQ-58A Valkyrie UCAVs for the USMC successfully completed its first test flight at Eglin AFB, Florida, on October 2, closely followed by an F-16CM Fighting Falcon (88-0441/ET) from the 40th Flight Test Squadron – a component of the USAF’s 96th Test Wing – that was flying as the ‘chase’ aircraft

Canada

Canadian Hornet fleet deemed ‘not credible’ as it suffers instructor shortage

14th November 2023

A report by the UK-based RUSI – commissioned by the Canadian Department of National Defence – was leaked to The Globe and Mail newspaper, revealing that its author, Professor Justin Bronk, had assessed that Canada’s CF-188A/B Hornet fighter fleet may be unable to meet its commitments, judging that it was “not credible in a NATO context against many of the higher-end mission sets”

Boeing

Ethiopian Airlines adds to Boeing orderbook

14th November 2023

Ethiopian Airlines has ordered an additional 11 Boeing 787-9s and 20 737-8s on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. As well as the firm order, the airline has also added options for a further 15 and 21 of the types, respectively.

Embraer

Embraer gets go-ahead for London City E195-E2 ops

14th November 2023

Embraer’s E195-E2 airliner has been granted steep approach certification for London City Airport, the manufacturer has announced.

Battle of Britain

The Few memorial shortlisted for award

14th November 2023

The clifftop memorial that honours the men who fought the Battle of Britain has been shortlisted for a major tourism award

Airbus

Airbus widebodies for Egyptair

14th November 2023

The carrier is bolstering its long-haul fleet

Air Baltic

Air Baltic boosts Airbus A220 fleet

13th November 2023

Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer has described Air Baltic as “an ambassador for the A220” after the airline announced an order for 30 additional -300s, with purchase rights for a further 20 on the first day of the Dubai Airshow.

Airstrike

Ukrainian Su-24s destroy Russian corvette in Crimean shipyard strike

13th November 2023

Late in the afternoon of November 4, the Ukrainian Air Force-operated Su-24M Fencer-Ds equipped with UK/French-supplied Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG air-launched cruise missiles struck yet another blow against a high-value target in the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula

Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet

US Navy clears Super Hornet fleet to wield StormBreaker

13th November 2023

In what is a major development milestone, the US Navy has now cleared its frontline F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet to carry and deliver the Raytheon GBU-53/B StormBreaker – formally known as the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) – operationally

Lockheed Martin

First Dutch ‘Vipers’ arrive in Romania for Ukrainian F-16 pilot training

13th November 2023

As preparations continue to be made for the training of Ukrainian Air Force air/ground crews on the Fighting Falcon, the Royal Netherlands Air Force delivered the first batch of its F-16AM/BM (MLU) fighters to the newly established European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) at the Romanian Air Force’s 86th Air Base in Borcea, Romania, on November 7

Deployment

Kadena Air Base welcomes first of several USAF MQ-9As

13th November 2023

On October 13, Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, greeted the first of several USAF-operated MQ-9A Reaper unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) that are scheduled to deploy to the base, which is also referred to as the ‘Keystone of the Pacific’