Alert 5

Twin Tails, Twin Fates: The parallel paths of America’s trainer aircraft program

Posted on July 17, 2025 by alert5

For over four decades, the United States Air Force has struggled to replace its aging trainer aircraft fleet. A new article by Tony R. Landis of the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command History Office reveals how management failures doomed the T-46A program while the T-7A faces similar challenges but different circumstances in its quest to finally modernize pilot training.

National Archives at College Park – Still Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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A-29 Super Tucano operations begin at USAF Test Pilot School

Posted on July 13, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School has formally integrated three A-29C Super Tucano aircraft into its student flight curriculum, marking the first newly assigned aircraft for the school in nearly 30 years. The aircraft will begin training operations with class 25A as the first group of students to fly the platform.

Three A-29 Super Tucanos conduct a ferry flight to Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 18., where they will join a unique fleet at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. (Air Force photo by Richard Gonzales)

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Philippines’ MRF project to proceed as ‘Full Package’ with AWACS and aerial tankers

Posted on July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 by alert5

Philippines’ Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced on Jun. 30 that the country’s PHP61 billion multi-role fighter program should proceed as a comprehensive “full package” that includes airborne warning and control systems and aerial tankers for mid-air refueling, expanding the scope significantly beyond the original fighter aircraft acquisition.

Photo: Saab
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South Korea scraps Apache purchase plan

Posted on July 7, 2025 by alert5

South Korea’s plan to purchase 36 additional AH-64E Apache attack helicopters appears to have been scrapped after the National Assembly slashed the program’s budget from 10 billion won to 300 million won in a supplementary budget passed Jul. 4. The remaining funds are expected to be transferred to other programs, effectively eliminating the 4.7 trillion won ($3.43 billion) deal.

Col. Shane Finison, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, flies an AH-64E Apache helicopter near Tacoma, Wash. on Jul. 11, 2022. This was the final flight for Col. Finison as the brigade commander. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade)

Chinese aircraft carrier base Shandong and three warships to visit Hong Kong for public viewing

Posted on June 29, 2025 by alert5

China’s first domestically-built aircraft carrier Shandong will visit Hong Kong from Jul. 3-7 with three escort vessels, offering public tours for the first time to Hong Kong residents, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported Jun. 28.

Tyg728, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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