South Korea began production of its version of the U.S. hunter-killer MQ-9 Reaper drone to enhance its defense surveillance capabilities against North Korea, ending the 18 years of delay, announced its defense procurement agency.
Germany is considering a proposal from the United Kingdom to swap cruise missiles, in a move that could potentially allow Berlin to provide Ukraine with more powerful weapons while addressing its concerns about escalating the conflict with Russia.
Lockheed Martin is gearing up for a live-fire test in the coming months, aiming to showcase the integration of a proven U.S. Army air defense missile with the Navy’s established combat system for its surface fleet. This ambitious project, reported by Breaking Defense, involves integrating the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) with the Aegis Weapon System, potentially bolstering the Navy’s air defense capabilities.
171101-N-OX889-051 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) launches a SM-2 missile during a live-fire exercise. Jason Dunham is underway with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group preparing for future operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Zachary Van Nuys/Released)
In a significant escalation of military aid, Germany announced its first direct delivery of aircraft to Ukraine: six Sea King helicopters slated for arrival in the second quarter of 2024. This move, unveiled by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, marks a departure from previous German support focused on non-lethal supplies and training.
The U.S. Air Force’s last active KC-10 Extender wing, the 60th Air Mobility Wing, bid farewell to a special aircraft on Jan. 11th: tail number 79-1946. This Extender, nicknamed the “flagship” by its crew, completed its final flight from Travis Air Force Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where it will be stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group facility, also known as “The Boneyard.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob St. George, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 14 KC-10/KC-46 crew chief instructor, directs a KC-10 Extender on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, Jan. 11, 2024. The 9th Air Refueling Squadron leaders designated this specific aircraft as the squadron flagship based off historical records and documentation. The term “flagship” traditionally referred to the ship that carried the commander of a naval fleet, deeming it most important. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenneth Abbate) Continue reading “9th Air Refueling Squadron retires its flagship KC-10”