Alert 5

Four photos showing the crash site of a RSAF Apache that went down today at 1530hrs.

A RSAF Apache helicopter made a forced landing at 3.40pm today. A eye witness reports seeing the helicopter broken in 2 parts and lying by its side. Both pilots appeared uninjured and were standing next to the helicopter.

China Defense Blog has some pictures of China’s militarized Learjets that were employed in ELINT duties since the last millennium.

Three British Army Apache helicopters are on board HMS Ark Royal to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior in October.
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Some details on Boeing’s KC-767 NewGen Tanker for the KC-X contest has emerged. According to Flight International, the tanker will have cargo door and floor from the 767-300F and the cockpit from the 767-400ER. The wing and fuselage will be based on the -200. Although its not clear if its the -200ER or -200LRF.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced that it has completed disassembly and inspection of the first W84 thermonuclear warhead at NNSA’s Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

India has restarted a tender for six new aerial refueling tankers. This comes after New Delhi canceled an order for Airbus A330 tankers earlier this year.

A small Massachusetts-based company called Intelligent Integration Systems (IISi) has complained that the CIA stole its software and used it for targeting insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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The air refueling pioneers responsible for the United States’ first air-refueling flights in 1923 and 1929 were honored in a ceremony Sept. 23 at Scott AFB’s “Walk of Fame” as part of a presentation by the Airlift-Tanker Association Hall of Fame officials.

The USMC’s AH-1Z Cobra has successfully completed its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL). This paves the way for the gunship to be introduced into the fleet.