IWO TO, Japan (March 25, 2015) F/A-18E Super Hornets from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 fly over Mt. Suribachi in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima during a return transit to Atsugi, Japan. VFA-27, part of Carrier Air Wing 5, is forward-deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, to support security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Spencer Abbot/Released)

KEY WEST, Fla. (March 25, 2015) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 launches from Boca Chica Field. Naval Air Station Key West is a state-of-the-art facility for air-to-air combat fighter aircraft of all military services and provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/ Released)

KEY WEST, Fla. (March 25, 2015) Plane captain Lance Cpl. Joseph Crescenzo relays hand signals to the pilot of an AV-8B Harrier assigned to the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223. Naval Air Station Key West is a state-of-the-art facility for air-to-air combat fighter aircraft of all military services and provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/Released)

Thursday, March 26, 2015 file photo, an Iraqi military helicopter attacks Islamic State group positions during clashes in Tikrit, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi troops started the final phase of an offensive to recapture Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit on Thursday, a military official said, just hours after the United States launched airstrikes on the Islamic State held city. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File)

A Sunday, March 29, 2015 photos provided by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada shows a Air Canada Airbus A-320 at Halifax International Airport after an "abrupt" landing. The Airbus 320 skidded off the runway at the Halifax airport in bad weather, and officials said Sunday 23 people were taken to a hospital for observation and treatment of minor injuries. None of the injuries were considered life threatening, Air Canada said. (AP Photo/The Transportation Safety Board of Canada)

3/30/2015 - An F-16 Fighter Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron sits outside a hardened aircraft shelter at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, after returning from an exercise in Campia Turzii, Romania, March 27, 2015. Approximately 100 Airmen and six F-16s from Spangdahlem participated in the 11-day exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke Kitterman/Released)

Japans new Destroyer
03.30.2015..JMSDF ship 183 Izumo conducts sea trails.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 25, 2015) The guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) conducts flight quarters with a Royal Navy Westland Lynx HMA.8 helicopter. Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Karolina A. Oseguera/Released)

Halifax a couple more shots, a lucky escape.
"The Airbus A320 had touched down 335 metres short of the tarmac, taking down an antenna array and sliding on its belly onto the runway".

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Mitchell J. Vanderkodde, a pilot assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 867 refuels an AH-1Z Cobra during a forward arming and refueling point exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxiliary Airfield 2 near Yuma, Ariz., March 30, 2015. WTI is a seven-week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jodson B. Graves 2d MAW Combat Camera/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps ordnance specialists disarm an AH-1W Cobra during a forward arming and refueling point exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI 2-15) at Auxiliary Airfield 2 near Yuma, Ariz., March 30, 2015. WTI is a seven-week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jodson B. Graves 2d MAW Combat Camera/Released)

CLINTON, Tenn. ? March 31, 2015 ? Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary Remotec Inc. and AirRobot US have entered into a distribution agreement for AirRobot's line of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Under the agreement, Remotec is the sole reseller of these products to the first responder and law enforcement market in the United States.
The companies also are working to integrate Remotec's unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and AirRobot's aerial systems to create new ground/air capabilities that meet a wide range of operational requirements.

As part of the agreement, which commenced earlier this month, Remotec also will provide service, maintenance and technical support for all AirRobot systems in the U.S.

"This distributorship arrangement gives our customers access to a best-in-class small vertical takeoff and landing [VTOL] UAS product line that represents some of the most mature technology in the industry with a decade-long track record," said Walt Werner, director, Remotec. "AirRobot systems complement Remotec's UGVs to enhance our customer's mission effectiveness both on the ground and in the air."

AirRobot produces electrical powered multi-copter systems that can carry a payload weighing up to 7 pounds and fly for as long as 50 minutes. The systems can also carry a wide range of payloads ? including multi-spectral cameras and recorders, synthetic aperture radar, gas and chemical sensors ? and as many as three payloads simultaneously.

"We are proud to collaborate with Remotec, the largest provider of robots to the first responder market," said Thomas Meyer, president of AirRobot US. "The products and capabilities perfectly complement each other, with each system providing increased operational value for the other. We also share and value Remotec's commitment to the highest level of customer service."

AirRobot systems, which have been in production since 2004, are based on the company's proven proprietary flight management system. Hundreds of systems are in service that have flown thousands of missions in military, public and commercial applications worldwide. AirRobot systems have been certified for compliance with NATO standards and undergone testing by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

DENVER, March 31, 2015 ? In a clean room facility near Denver, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] technicians began assembling a NASA spacecraft that will collect samples of an asteroid for scientific study. Working toward a September 2016 launch, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will be the first U.S. mission to return samples from an asteroid back to Earth.

OSIRIS-REx ? which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer ? is going to Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid that could hold clues to the origin of the solar system and host organic molecules that may have seeded life on Earth.

The assembly, test and launch operations (ATLO) phase is a critical stage of the program because it is when the spacecraft physically comes together. Over the next six months, technicians will install on the spacecraft structure its many subsystems, including avionics, power, telecomm, mechanisms, thermal systems, and guidance, navigation and control.

?Building a spacecraft that will bring back samples from an asteroid is a unique opportunity,? said Rich Kuhns, OSIRIS-REx program manager at Lockheed Martin Space Systems. ?We can feel the momentum to launch building. We?re installing the electronics in the next few weeks and shortly after we?ll power-on the spacecraft for the first time.?

During ATLO the science instruments are being delivered from the mission?s partner institutions to be integrated with the spacecraft. Once the spacecraft has been fully assembled, it will undergo rigorous environmental testing this fall.

?ATLO is a turning point in the progress of our mission. After almost four years of intense design efforts, we are now starting flight system assembly and integration of the science instruments,? said Dante Lauretta, principal investigator from the University of Arizona, Tucson. ?In just over 500 days, we will begin our seven-year journey to Bennu and back. This is an exciting time.?

On March 30, the OSIRIS-REx project officially received authorization to transition into the next phase of the mission, Phase D, after completing a series of independent reviews verifying that the program?s technical, schedule and cost elements are all on course.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, will provide overall mission management, systems engineering, and safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Lockheed Martin is building the spacecraft and will provide spacecraft mission operations. OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages New Frontiers for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air India celebrated the airline's milestone delivery of its 20th 787 Dreamliner from Boeing's final assembly facility in North Charleston, S.C.

"Taking delivery of our 20th 787 Dreamliner marks an important day for Air India," said Rohit Nandan, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India. "With this airplane we are building on the success of our other 787s, which are providing an exceptional experience to our passengers while allowing us to expand our network both within India and around the world."

The new Dreamliner also features the Star Alliance livery, Air India's ? and the world's ? first 787 to do so. The flag carrier joined the leading global airline network last year, reflecting the strong network growth of the Indian aviation market.

1 April 2015 Press Release

? Latest example of Airbus? incremental innovation strategy;

? The most cost-efficient and reliable mid-sized widebody airliner;

? 242t A330 structure is the basis for development of the forthcoming A330neo.
The latest variant of the highly successful A330 ? the new 242 metric tonne A330-300 ? has achieved certification from the European airworthiness authorities (EASA) following a 100 hour flight-test campaign. Certification from the US authorities (FAA) is also expected soon. Furthermore, and in the near future, the smaller A330-200 model will follow the -300 by benefiting from the 242t take-off weight capability. To date 11 customers have already selected their new A330s to have a 242t capability.

Eric Zanin, Airbus? Head of the A330 Programme said: ?The latest A330?s maximum take-off weight capability of 242 metric tonnes, combined with various aerodynamic refinements and increased fuel capacity means that soon operators will benefit from an extended range of up to 500 nautical miles or carry greater payload. Moreover, they will do so with a fuel consumption reduction of up two percent ? yet another concrete example of Airbus? incremental innovation strategy.?

The initial certified A330-300 242t aircraft is powered by CF6-80E1 engines and certification with the other engine types ? the PW4000 and Trent 700 ? will follow.

The flight-test campaign of approximately 100 hours was shared between two aircraft: an Airbus test aircraft (MSN0871) which was used to validate some aerodynamic refinements, and a new production aircraft (MSN1628) whose tasks included the validation of the *centre tank activation and overall performance effect on the larger A330-300 platform. Notably, the 242t A330?s structure is also the basis for development of the forthcoming A330neo.

The combination of the increased take-off weight, aerodynamic improvements and the optional fuel capacity boost ? compared with the previous 235t version ? means that the new 242t A330-300 is capable of flying missions of up to 15 hours, or carry more payload over existing routes. In practice this means that it will allow operators to fly directly between Europe and south-East Asia and could be used for more than 90 percent of typical routes from London airports.

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has attracted almost 1,500 orders and around 1,150 aircraft are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.

F-15C theater security package arrives in Europe
F-15C Eagle's from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland, Ore., land at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 31, 2015. F-15C Eagles from the Florida Air National Guard's 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are deployed to Europe as the first ever ANG theater security package here. These F-15s will conduct training alongside our NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo's/Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)



U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, sit on the flight line of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 1, 2015. The F-16s were flying a routine mission, but were diverted to Ramstein due to inclement weather at Spangdahlem. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

4/1/2015 - A B-52H Stratofortress prepares to take off at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 1, 2015. The flight was part of a U.S. Strategic Command-directed mission to the Arctic and North Sea regions called "Polar Growl." Bomber operations provide a flexible and visible signal that highlights the U.S. ability to deter strategic attacks and respond to any potential future crisis or challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

2 April 2015 Press Release

On the occasion of the visit to Toulouse of Boultif Mohamed Salah, the CEO of Algeria?s flag-carrier airline, Air Alg?rie presented its new cabin to the media. The three Airbus A330-200 aircraft that will soon be delivered to the Algerian carrier will be fitted with the new cabin. The purchase of these new A330s is part of a contract signed in January 2014. These new aircraft will join the airline?s existing fleet of Airbus aircraft made up of five A330s.

This new and completely redesigned cabin includes the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and more spacious seats. Air Alg?rie?s new cabin comfortably accommodates 18 passengers in business class, 14 in premium economy and 219 in economy class.

?I?m delighted to welcome the first of the three A330 family aircraft that we have on order into our fleet. the A330?s unmatched profitability and unrivalled operating costs allow us to pursue the development of affordable services while offering our passengers the advantages of a top-of-the-range cabin,? said Boultif Mohamed Salah, CEO of Air Alg?rie.

?The A330-200 is renowned for being the aircraft that best meets the needs of airlines in terms of capacity and range in the medium to long-haul segment. Airlines benefit from unmatched cost-effectiveness, and passengers appreciate it for its superior comfort. We are proud to continue to contribute to Air Alg?rie?s long-term success,? added John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is parked off the runway during a theater security package deployment at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 1, 2015. The aircraft will forward deploy to locations in Eastern European NATO countries as part of the TSP. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden/Released)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron fires its 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon during a theater security package deployment at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 1, 2015. The aircraft will forward deploy to locations in Eastern European NATO countries as part of the TSP. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden/Released)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from Kadena Air Base, Japan, refuels from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during Exercise Forceful Tiger near Okinawa, Japan, April 1, 2015. The Stratotankers allowed approximately 50 aircraft to stay airborne during the exercise for more than four hours by keeping them fueled. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)
[url]
The Kenyan air force bombed two al Shabaab camps in Somalia on Sunday, in the first major military response to last week's attack by the militant group on a Kenyan university.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been flown in air-to-air combat maneuvers against F-16s for the first time and, based on the results of these and earlier flight-envelope evaluations, test pilots say the aircraft can be cleared for greater agility as a growth option.
LINK - http://aviationweek.com/defense/f-35-flies-against-f-16-basic-fighter-maneuvers

By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

4/3/2015 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the early morning hours of April 3, a C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew from Travis Air Force Base, California, put the aircraft's capabilities to the test.

The eight-person crew, with members of the 60th Air Mobility Wing's 22nd Airlift Squadron and the 349th AMW's 312th AS, accomplished their goal of establishing standards in 45 previously unset categories. The aircrew claimed records in the Class C-1.T jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 9,000 meters.

"The successful completion of this mission exemplifies both the great teamwork required by the whole team to keep Travis' aircraft flying and the fabulous strategic mobility capabilities the C-5M brings our combatant commanders around the world," said Col. Joel Jackson, 60th AMW commander. "Thanks to everyone who contributed to this powerful showcase of Travis' culture of excellence."

The C-5M was loaded with pallets, fuel and the aircrew for a total of 731,220 pounds, including the weight of the plane.

"We took on approximately 265,000 pounds of cargo and our goal was to climb as fast as we could at 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 meters," said Maj. Jon Flowers, 22nd Airlift Squadron chief of standardization and evaluation and pilot for the flight. "We got up to an altitude of approximately 37,000 feet before we ran out of performance."

Among the records achieved were altitude in horizontal flight at 37,000 feet, altitude with payload of 265,000 pounds and time it takes to climb at 27.5 minutes.

The Super Galaxy has now unofficially claimed a total of 86 world aeronautical records, surpassing the B-1B Lancer at 83 records.

All records will be certified by the National Aeronautic Association, the nation's oldest aviation organization. Formal certifications of the C-5M records are expected to take several weeks.

The new ability of the C-5M, when compared to the A, B and C models, to reach speeds at a faster rate, is critical for the Air Force mission.

"The model before this was performance limited," Flowers said. "It did not have the climb capability or the cargo capability. The C-5M has been changing the game for the warfighter and tonight we made that point to put the capabilities in the record books."

From aerial porters to maintainers, active duty and reservists from Team Travis made a joint effort to effectively achieve this goal.

"We're honored to play a role in this historic demonstration," said Col. Matthew Burger, 349th AMW commander. "The new capabilities of the C-5M make America better equipped to the global challenges of the 21st Century."

I presume over the North Sea.
RNLAF F-16s intercepting a USAF B-52 on April 2nd in a simulated strategic bombing mission.




NEW ZEALAND
V-1 replica fly's

US Army awards special mission Dash 8 contract
Link - http://www.janes.com/article/50485/us-army-awards-special-mission-dash-8-contract

This year?s CF-18 Demonstration Hornet pays tribute to ?the few?
LINK - http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/...e-few/i89a1tnu
Hamilton Airshow this year LINK - http://www.warplane.com/upcoming-eve...spx?eventId=24

PANAMA CITY, April 10, 2015 -- Panama President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez and U.S. President Barack Obama witnessed a historic agreement in which Copa Airlines [NYSE:CPA] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced an order for 61 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order, valued at $6.6 billion at list prices, is the largest commercial transaction ever between a Panamanian and a U.S.-based company.

An Afghan air force MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter pilot and his adviser, from the Train, Advise, Assist Command - Air, take off during rehearsal of the official "Roll-Out" ceremony for the MD-530F, April 8, 2015, at the Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport. The new aircraft will be armed with two FN M3P .50-caliber machine guns. This will increase the Afghans' close air support capability by six times. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/Released)

Afghan air force MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter pilots, and their advisers from the Train, Advise, Assist Command - Air, land in formation during rehearsal of the official "Roll-Out" ceremony for the MD-530F, April 8, 2015, at the Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport. The new aircraft will be armed with two FN M3P .50-caliber machine guns. This will increase the Afghans' close air support capability by six times. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/Released)

F-16 fighters of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) 510th Fighter Squadron are parked on tarmac at Amari Air Base Harjumaa, Estonia . The training, held amidst fears of Russian aggression in the Baltic state, started on March 10 and is set to last until April 17. They are the biggest exercises between U.S. and Estonian air forces and the first to have ground targets attacked from air in the country since it gained independence from the Soviet Union

A U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer takes off from Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar, to conduct combat operations April 8, 2015. Al Udeid is a strategic coalition air base in Qatar that supports over 90 combat and support aircraft and houses more than 5,000 military personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Richardson/AFCENT/Released)

Some of these pics are very impressive indeed