In these images released by Britain's Ministry of Defence a RAF Tornado is checked at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after its from return armed mission in Iraq Tuesday Sept. 30, 2014. Britain's Ministry of Defence on Wednesday Oct. 1, 2014 said two RAF Tornados fired missiles against an armed pick-up truck and transport vehicle west of Baghdad. It is the second time UK forces have hit Islamic State group targets since the British Parliament authorised involvement in the international military campaign last week. (AP Photo/Crp Neil Bryden RAF, MOD)






2 October 2014 Press Release

The first A350 XWB for Qatar Airways is progressing towards delivery before year end. The aircraft equipped with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines rolled out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse fully painted, prominently bearing Qatar Airways? livery.

Following the recent EASA Type Certification, the Qatar Airways A350-900 is now entering into its final stage of production during which Airbus and the airline teams are actively working together in order to ensure a seamless hand-over process. The remaining steps up to delivery comprise notably the cabin completion as well as ground and flight tests.

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Oct. 1, 2014 ? Boeing completed initial flight and delivery of the first, new-build MH-47G configured Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command Sept. 29, 2014 ? a full month ahead of schedule.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies over northern Iraq after conducting air strikes in Syria against ISIL targets, Sept. 27, 2014. The strikes were conducted as part of the president's comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch)

The Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER Unveiled

Australia?s first F-35A Lightning II made its inaugural flight on Sept. 29, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.



PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 30, 2014) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released)

Everett, Wash., Oct. 3, 2014 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and China Airlines today celebrated the delivery of the airline's first 777-300ER (Extended Range). Pictured here is the first of 10 777-300ERs that the Taiwanese flag carrier plans to introduce in the coming years.

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2014 ? Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Alaska Airlines today announced an order for 10 Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes, building on Alaska?s all-Boeing fleet.

The airline's newest 737-900ER is seen here at Boeing Field in Seattle being prepared for delivery.

Two French Air Force Dassault Rafale F1 aircraft in the skies of Iraq after receiving fuel from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport in Iraq.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off Oct. 2, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The B-1B is undergoing the largest modification package in the aircraft?s history. Eight initial cadre from 7th Bomb Wing operational flying squadrons will spend the next three months learning the new systems. Upon the When the 9th BS returns from its current deployment, 7th BW cadre will train those pilots and weapons system officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)


U.S. Air Force crew chiefs from the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, speak with aircrew on board a B-1B Lancer prior to takeoff Oct. 2, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Aircrew from 7th Bomb Wing flying squadrons took part in the first flight of a B-1B Lancer upgraded with the Sustainment-Block 16 upgrade outside of operational testing, here Oct. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)

SB-16 is the largest B-1 modification in the aircraft's history. It has increased the jet's warfighting capabilities and improved it's functionality with other aircraft.

An F16 aircraft performs aerobatics during The 69th Republic of Indonesian Military Anniversary on October 7, 2014 in Surabaya, Indonesia. The 69th Republic of Indonesian Military Anniversary will be the last led by Republic of Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). This year's ceremony will be the biggest for the past ten years with the Indonesian Army, Navy, and Air Force all taking part.

A view of the wreck of a US Douglas A-20 bomber from World War II at the Polish Naval Base in Gdynia, Poland, October 7, 2014. The wreck, excavated from the bottom of the Baltic Sea, is preserved in very good condition with the rear gunner position, both wings, two engines and propellers. The bomber will be transported to the Aviation Museum in Cracow.

Saint-Cloud, 7 October 2014: On Friday, 3 October, the Dassault Aviation plant in M?rignac (France) delivered to the French defense procurement agency (DGA) the Rafale M10, the first of a tranche of ten retrofitted Rafale ?Marine? (Navy) aircraft.

These ten Rafale aircraft (M1 to M10) were produced from the late 1990s to replace the F-8 Crusaders aircraft that provided air defense for the French navy since 1964. As this replacement could not wait for the service entry of the versatile F2 and F3 standards, the ten Rafale Marine were provided with a so-called basic F1 standard, limited to superiority and air defense missions only.

All the other French Navy (and Air Force) Rafale aircraft are currently built to the F3 standard. The aircraft that were produced to the F2 standard have been easily converted to the F3 standard. The transition from F1 to F3 is more complex and requires a specific program. A retrofit contract was thus entered into in 2009 between Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA, Sagem, the French aerospace industrial department (SIA?) and the French Navy.

The transition from the F1 standard to the F3 standard involves the following changes:

New modular electronic computers,
New cockpit screens,
Changes to the aircraft?s electrical wiring,
Upgrading of the Spectra countermeasures system,
Changes to the RBE2 PESA radar (interchangeable with the new AESA antenna),
Changes to the weapon store stations.

The delivery of the retrofitted Rafale Marine aircraft will be staggered over a period up to 2017.

The F3 standard provides the Navy and Air Force Rafale with complete versatility to carry out the following missions:

Interception and air-to-air combat with 30mm gun and Mica IR/EM missiles (+ Meteor missiles from 2018 onwards).
Ground support with 30mm gun, GBU-12/24 laser-guided bombs and Hammer precision-guided bombs.
In depth strikes with Scalp cruise missiles.
Sea strikes with the Exocet AM39 Block 2 missile and other air-to-surface weapons.
Real-time strategic and tactical reconnaissance with the Areos pod.
In-flight refueling from one Rafale to another (?buddy-buddy?).
Nuclear deterrence with the ASMP-A missile.

? Dassault Aviation - P. Dhaud
B-1B watches over Kobane

The S-97 Raider is a light tactical helicopter being developed by Sikorsky to demonstrate the capabilities of the company's X2 Technology. The technology is claimed to offer safer high-speed flights with improved efficiency and safety.
The S-97 Raider will be offered to the US Armed Forces for flight testing and evaluation for future combat missions. The helicopter is suitable for assault and armed reconnaissance missions. The technology is, however, scalable to a range of other missions such as close-air support, combat search and rescue and special operations. It can fly at speeds of more than 220kt at 10,000ft altitude.

Designed with a lower turning radius and acoustic noise signature, the S-97 is expected to be a game-changer in the light military helicopters segment. The maiden flight of the first S-97 prototype is scheduled for 2014.








ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 03, 2014) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Fighting Black Lions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). In the background is the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Card/Released)

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet loaded with explosive ordnance departs Australia's main base in the Middle East for its first combat mission in Iraq.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornets departed Australia?s main base in the Middle East to conduct their first combat mission in Iraq on Sunday, October 05, 2014. The aircraft were equipped with a 20mm cannon, GPS-guided munitions, laser-guided munitions, sidewinder heat-seeking missiles and radar-guided missiles.

Supporting this mission and other Coalition aircraft was a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail Early Warning and Control aircraft and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft which are assigned to the Australian Air Task Group (ATG).

The ATG comprises nearly 400 RAAF personnel who have deployed to the Middle East. Australia?s efforts are in response to a request for assistance by the Iraqi Government in combating ISIL terrorists.

Royal Australian Air Force Air Refueller Operator onboard the RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport refuels two F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrafts in Iraq as part of the Air Task Group.

Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) refuelling aircraft continued to support Coalition aircraft over Iraq on Friday, October 03, 2014. During its mission it distributed thousands of litres of fuel to Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets and French Dassault Rafale fighter jets.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft conduct air to air refuelling with a RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft by night over the skies of Iraq.

LONDON, Oct. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Virgin Atlantic Airways are celebrating the delivery of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner. The airline is the first European airline to take delivery of the 787-9 and plans to operate the airplane initially on its London Heathrow to Boston route.

Virgin Atlantic's first 787-9 touched down at London's Gatwick Airport today following a more than 7,400 kilometer (4,000 nautical mile) nonstop flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The airplane, named 'Birthday Girl' in reference to the UK carrier's 30th anniversary, is the first of 16 787-9s Virgin Atlantic has ordered from Boeing.

"The first 787-9 in Europe will be a flagship for Virgin Atlantic's fleet, providing greatly improved efficiencies across its routes," said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The airplane, with its unique onboard features, will provide an unrivaled passenger experience, cementing Virgin Atlantic's reputation as a true innovator in air travel."

Seattle, Oct. 12, 2014 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Garuda Indonesia announced an order today for 50 737 MAX 8s, valued at $4.9 billion at current list prices. Pictured here is an illustration of a 737 MAX 8 in Garuda Indonesia's livery.

Moscow, October 10. Today the Sukhoi Company handed over a batch of Su-35 and Su-30M2 fighter aircraft to the Ministry of Defense in the framework of the unified day of acceptance of the military equipment delivered by the defense industry. The transfer ceremony which took place at the airport of the Sukhoi Company?s branch ? Komsomolsk-on-Amur aviation plant was watched in live video-conference mode by the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, the military leadership.

The aircraft were produced in accordance with the State orders for the supply of combat aircraft to the Russian Air Force under the State Armament Program for the years 2011 ? 2020. Their implementation will ensure a deep modernization of the Russian Air Force and provide for a high long-term work load for the Sukhoi Company and its partners.

The Su-35S is a deeply modernized super-maneuverable multirole fighter of the ?4 + +? generation. The applied technologies of the 5th generation provide for the superiority of Su-35S aircraft over similar class fighters. The aircraft has a much better flight characteristics compared with standing analog fighters and more perfect on-board avionics. It outperforms similar aircraft in service with the foreign armies in many technical characteristics.

The Su-30M2 main features include a modified weapon control system with advanced capabilities to destroy ground and sea targets; a new cockpit display system with multifunctional color liquid crystal displays; improved navigation and radio communication systems; a modern onboard defense system; a wide range of ?air-to-air? and ?air-to-surface? weapons hosted on 12 hardpoints; an in-flight refueling system; a strengthened airframe and landing gear, ensuring aircraft operation with full fuel tanks and maximum combat load at take-off weight up to 38 tons. The Su-30M2 weapon control system provides for detection, tracking and destruction of air, ground and sea targets with aircraft weapons in all weather conditions, day and night.

15 October 2014 Press Release

India?s largest domestic airline by market share, IndiGo and its Co-Founders, Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director of InterGlobe, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 250 firm A320neo Family aircraft. The agreement will become Airbus? single largest order by number of aircraft.

Aditya Ghosh, President of IndiGo said, ?This new order reaffirms IndiGo?s commitment to the long-term development of affordable air transportation in India and overseas. The additional aircraft will enable us to continue to bring our low fares and courteous, hassle free service to more customers and markets and will create more job opportunities and growth. The IndiGo team is energised and excited to herald this new phase of our growth.?

IndiGo has previously placed orders for 280 Airbus aircraft (100 A320ceo and 180 A320neo).

The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter ordered by the German Air Force has made its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards its delivery. The aircraft, known as MSN18, took off from Seville, Spain today at 14:30 local time (GMT+1) and landed back on site 4 hours and 58 minutes later.

Experimental Test Pilot Thomas Wilhelm, who captained the flight, said after landing: ?It is a great privilege to have conducted the first flight of the German Air Force?s first A400M. I am absolutely confident that the combination of strategic range with true tactical capability that it brings will contribute enormously to the service?s air mobility capability for military and humanitarian missions.?

The aircraft is the first of 53 ordered by the German Air Force and will be known in-service as the A400M Atlas.

16 October 2014 Press Release

The first customer A350-900 which will be delivered to Qatar Airways has successfully completed its maiden flight. The flight was the first time an A350 XWB configured for a customer has taken to the sky. Following the successful flight, Qatar?s A350 XWB will continue its production phase before delivery; this includes cabin completion as well as further ground and flight tests.

Qatar Airways will become the first operator of the A350 XWB when it takes delivery of its first aircraft later this year. The airline has 80 A350s on order, including 43 A350-900 and 37 of the larger A350-1000 models. With a cross-section of 220 inches from armrest to armrest, the A350?s cabin provides the widest seats in its category, offering its passengers a unique experience of space and comfort.

SEATTLE, Oct. 15, 2014 ? Boeing delivered the 18th P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule October 14, where it joined other Poseidon aircraft being used to train Navy crews. The P-8A departed Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and was Boeing?s fifth delivery this year.

JU-88 found near Majorca Spain
LINK - http://mallorcamagazin.com/gesellschaft/insel-historie-n/2014/40764/deutsches-kampfflugzeug-meer-bei-mallorca-entdeckt.html
Taucher haben ein seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg im Meer bei Mallorca verschollenes deutsches Kampfflugzeug entdeckt. Die Maschine vom Typ Junker Ju-88 hatte am 24. Februar 1943 vor der Ostk?ste der Schwesterinsel Menorca notwassern m?ssen und war im Meer gesunken. Die vierk?pfige Mannschaft war damals von Fischern gerettet worden.

Der Tauchlehrer David Marqu?s war j?ngst von zwei Harpunenfischern auf die Fundstelle aufmerksam gemacht worden. Er dokumentierte das Flugzeugwrack in 47 Meter Tiefe. Mit seinem Kollegen Jos? Moreno drehte er zudem einen Dokumentarfilm ?ber die Ju-88 am Meeresgrund, berichtet die spanische Tageszeitung "Ultima Hora".

Die Maschine liegt vor dem K?stenort S'Algar. Chronisten wussten zu berichten, dass das Flugzeug von einem Kampfeinsatz an der nordafrikanischen K?ste zu seinem St?tzpunkt nach S?dfrankreich unterwegs war. Als die Treibstofftanks leer waren, ging der Pilot vor Menorca in Sinkflug ?ber und setzte die Maschine im Meer auf.