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Category: Air Force

Canadian pilots take to the skies with RAF on Poseidon training mission

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Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots have begun intensive training with the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This collaboration marks a crucial phase in the RCAF’s transition to the advanced platform, replacing the aging CP-140 Aurora fleet. The training is taking place at RAF Lossiemouth, a key hub for Britain’s Poseidon operations.

A Canadian exchange pilot and rear crew observers train on UK Posedion P-8A. They have started the flying phase of the Poseidon Conversion Course.

Photo: RAF
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SPYDR device certified ‘Safe to Fly’ after extensive U.S. Air Force testing

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A new device aimed at preventing potentially life-threatening emergencies for pilots has been certified for use by the U.S. Air Force, marking a significant leap in aircrew safety. The SPYDR device has been certified as safe for use on select aircraft by the service, following an extensive test and evaluation process. The device, developed by Spotlight Labs, is a small earcup equipped with integrated sensors that monitor blood oxygen and heart rate by resting on an artery beneath the ear. This real-time monitoring capability aims to provide early warnings of potentially dangerous physiological events (PEs) before they escalate into emergencies for pilots and other aircrew.

Inflight physiologic monitoring systems light up and prepare to collect physiological data in flight with the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 6, 2024. The human performance testing focused on analyzing the effects of long duration flights on aircrew performance, gathering real-time data directly from pilots before, during and after flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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Eurofighter Typhoon consortium awards contract for Striker II

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The four-nation Eurofighter consortium are betting on BAE Systems to produce the world’s most advanced fighter pilot helmet for their fighter. The consortium, which manages the development, production and sustainment of the Eurofighter Typhoon for the air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, awarded BAE Systems a £133 million contract to further develop its Striker II Helmet Mounted-Display (HMD). The award follows an initial £40 million investment by the UK Ministry of Defence in September 2023 to begin flight trials.

6 Squadron pilot MOD 45160597
Photo: SAC Charlotte Hopkins/MOD, OGL v1.0OGL v1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Israel and U.S. target different threats in post-Assad airstrikes

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Amidst the power vacuum left by the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, both Israel and the U.S. have wasted no time in conducting airstrikes within Syria.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 12, 2019. This was the first mission of the Bomber Task Force deployed to U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in order to defend American forces and interests in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nichelle Anderson)

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