Alert 5

Aviation News

Author: alert5

Leidos’ ‘Black Arrow’ small cruise missile passes key flight tests

Posted on by alert5

Leidos’ small cruise missile (SCM), nicknamed the ‘Black Arrow,’ has successfully completed captive carry and store safe separation flight tests, moving the program closer to guided flight tests scheduled for later this year. The tests, conducted in December 2023, confirmed digital twin predictions of safe separation, benign store dynamics, and trajectory characteristics.


Photo: Leidos
Continue reading “Leidos’ ‘Black Arrow’ small cruise missile passes key flight tests”

U.S. and Chilean forces forge ‘Kill Web’ in Joint Exercise

Posted on by alert5

Exercise UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise, took place along the Pacific coast of South America from Sept. 2nd to 12th. Hosted by Chile, the exercise challenged participating forces with unique terrain, pushing them to adapt and refine their skills in a new environment. The United States showcased its commitment to regional stability and security through a strong presence of Marine Corps and Navy assets, including F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Patrol Squadron 5.

U.S. Marine F/A-18Cs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, break away from a KC-130J belonging to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, to prepare for aerial refueling operations during Exercise UNITAS LXV over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile, Sept. 5, 2024. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since it was first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Eric Kilpatrick)

Continue reading “U.S. and Chilean forces forge ‘Kill Web’ in Joint Exercise”

416 days in the air: Gary Hogg surpasses 10,000 flight hours in the C-130

Posted on by alert5

Imagine spending over a year of your life, 416 days to be precise, soaring through the skies. That’s the remarkable feat accomplished by Gary Hogg, a civilian pilot for Air Force Material Command, who recently surpassed 10,000 flight hours in the legendary C-130 Hercules. This extraordinary milestone was reached on September 24, 2024, during a routine avionics modernization program test mission at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Gary Hogg, Air Force Materiel Command, completes his C-130H preflight checks prior to a historic flight Sept. 25, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The significance of this typical routine test flight was that Hogg would surpass 10,000 hours as a pilot in the C-130. This is the most hours ever recorded by a pilot in the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

Continue reading “416 days in the air: Gary Hogg surpasses 10,000 flight hours in the C-130”

Saab and KAI join forces for South Korea’s AEW&C II program

Posted on by alert5

Saab and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering South Korea’s airborne surveillance capabilities. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their commitment to collaborate on South Korea’s Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) II competition. This agreement highlights Saab’s proposal of their globally recognised GlobalEye system as the optimal solution for South Korea’s AEW&C needs.


Photo: Saab

Continue reading “Saab and KAI join forces for South Korea’s AEW&C II program”