Alert 5

Switzerland joins elite group of PAC-3 MSE partner nations

Posted on November 1, 2023 by alert5

In a significant move to bolster its national defense capabilities, Switzerland has formalized a $331 million agreement with Lockheed Martin to purchase state-of-the-art Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) guided missiles and related support equipment. This deal cements Switzerland’s commitment to safeguarding its airspace and homeland against evolving threats.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor set a distance record in its latest flight test with the longest one-shot hit-to-kill intercept against an Air-Breathing Threat at White Sands Missile Range on July 26. (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin)

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NASA’s C-130 completes Antarctic delivery of GUSTO Observatory

Posted on October 31, 2023 by alert5

On Oct. 28, NASA’s C-130 Hercules successfully touched down at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, completing a crucial leg of its journey to deliver the Galactic/Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory (GUSTO). This observatory is part of NASA’s Astrophysics Explorers Program and will be launched on a scientific balloon mission in December 2023.

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Unsafe intercept: Chinese J-11’s close encounter with B-52 sparks concern

Posted on October 27, 2023 by alert5

In a recent incident over the South China Sea, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber conducting routine operations in international airspace was subjected to an unsafe intercept by a People’s Republic of China (PRC) J-11 fighter jet. The encounter, which occurred on Oct. 24, has raised significant concerns about international air safety and norms.

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JGSDF AH-64s practice acting as escort for USMC MV-22B

Posted on October 27, 2023 by alert5

In a remarkable display of cooperation and interoperability, aviation units from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) joined forces during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23, held from October 14 to October 31, 2023.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a bilateral formation flight alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AH-64 Apaches with 1st Squadron, 1st Combat Helicopter Battalion, Western Army Aviation Group, during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 over Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 18, 2023. RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)

Raytheon showcases LIDS’ prowess in U.S. Army summer tests

Posted on October 26, 2023 by alert5

Raytheon, an RTX business, has showcased its cutting-edge Low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defense System (LIDS) during the U.S. Army’s annual summer test period. The event attracted the attention of international allied ground forces, underlining the significance of LIDS as a counter-drone solution.

Photo: RTX
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