Air Force Archives

Colombia selects Swedish Gripens to replace aging Kfir fleet

Posted on April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 by alert5

Colombia has officially selected Swedish aerospace manufacturer Saab’s Gripen fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of Israeli-made Kfir aircraft, President Gustavo Petro announced on Apr. 2.

Photo: Colombia government
Continue reading “Colombia selects Swedish Gripens to replace aging Kfir fleet”

Final F-16 arrives for VENOM autonomous aircraft program

Posted on April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 by alert5

The Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model – Autonomy Flying Testbed (VENOM) program received its final F-16 Fighting Falcon on Apr. 1, completing the fleet that will be modified for autonomous aircraft testing.

U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.
Continue reading “Final F-16 arrives for VENOM autonomous aircraft program”

NAWCAD achieves fifth-generation integration milestone with F-35 and F-22 Joint Training

Posted on April 2, 2025April 2, 2025 by alert5

In a significant advancement for U.S. joint military operations, Marine Corps F-35 and Air Force F-22 pilots trained together for the first time in the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River during the last week of March 2025.

Norway first F-35 partner nation to complete full fleet

Posted on April 2, 2025April 2, 2025 by alert5

Norway has achieved a significant milestone as the first F-35 partner nation to receive its full complement of aircraft. The final two F-35A fighter jets were delivered on Apr. 1st, bringing the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNAF) operational F-35 fleet to a total of 52 aircraft. This delivery is a major achievement for both Norway and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO).

A Norwegian F-35 Lightning II closes the gap to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing during Nordic Response 24, March 11, 2024. The MAINEiacs are staged at RAF Mildenhall, England, to take part in the Norwegian-led exercise taking place in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Exercises like NR24 solidify operational and tactical relationships; synchronizing tactics, techniques and procedures; and strengthen bonds among U.S., Norwegian and Allied and partner forces.

Photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair
Continue reading

Metrea secures Indian Air Force refuelling training contract

Posted on April 1, 2025 by alert5

Metrea, a leading provider of commercial air-to-air refueling (AAR) services, announced on Mar. 31 that it has been awarded a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to enhance their air-to-air refuelling training capabilities. Under the terms of the agreement, Metrea will provide KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft based out of Indian Air Force Station Agra in Central India. This significant contract is set to considerably expand the IAF’s AAR training capacity, thereby improving their overall operational readiness.

Airwolfhound from Hertfordshire, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Metrea secures Indian Air Force refuelling training contract”