Aviation News
At 102 years old, retired Captain Jim Kunkle received a tribute that few could imagine: a KC-135R Stratotanker adorned with the colours of his wartime P-38. Kunkle, a P-38 pilot from the 401st Fighter Squadron during World War II, was honoured by the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing at the Central Coast AirFest last month. The newly painted KC-135 features black-and-white invasion stripes and nose art inspired by Kunkle’s P-38.
A MH-53 helicopter that was assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve (HM-12) has flown its final flight and retired at Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Florida.
Photo: U.S. Navy
Continue reading “DRAGON 437 retires”
The Royal Netherlands Army is poised to significantly enhance its short-range air defence (SHORAD) capabilities with the acquisition of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) and the National Manoeuvre Air Defence System (NOMADS) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. This acquisition, valued at approximately $1 billion, is expected to commence deliveries in 2028 as part of the comprehensive integrated air and missile defence program known as CITADEL.
Photo: KONGSBERG
Continue reading “Netherlands Strengthens Defence with NASAMS and NOMADS Acquisition”
An EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” crashed into a mountainside east of Mount Rainier on Oct. 15. The aircraft, which took off from Oak Harbor on a routine training flight, crashed at 3:23 p.m. The condition of the two crew members on board remains unknown.
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) reached full operational capability with its new fleet of Thales-built Ground Alerter 10 (GA10) radars on Oct. 16, with the French defence contractor handing over the final system in a ceremony at Koblenz. Thales secured the initial contract from the German procurement agency, BAAINBw, in February 2021 for five systems, with options for additional units. These options were exercised, resulting in the final system being delivered on time and within budget.
Photo: Thales
Continue reading “Germany achieves Full Operational Capability with Thales Ground Alerter 10 Radar Systems”