Alert 5

China to launch reusable space plane in 2020

Posted on November 3, 2017 by alert5

Xinhua says China will launch its home-grown reusable space plane in 2020. The Oct. 31 article cited a statement from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

By Christo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

USAF F-35As transit Hawaii while on their way to Japan

Posted on November 3, 2017 by alert5

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to land at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 30, 2017. A dozen F-35As and approximately 300 Airmen are on their way to Kadena Air Base, Japan, deployed under U.S. Pacific Command's (PACOM) Theater Security Package program, which has been in operation since 2004. This marks PACOM’s first operational tasking for the F-35A and builds upon the successful debut of the fifth-generation stealth fighter in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition earlier this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders) — A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to land at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 30, 2017. A dozen F-35As and approximately 300 Airmen are on their way to Kadena Air Base, Japan, deployed under U.S. Pacific Command’s (PACOM) Theater Security Package program, which has been in operation since 2004. This marks PACOM’s first operational tasking for the F-35A and builds upon the successful debut of the fifth-generation stealth fighter in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition earlier this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders)

Swiss officials observe Hermes 900 testing at Goland Heights

Posted on November 3, 2017November 3, 2017 by alert5

The Swiss government has found itself in an embarrassing situation after it was revealed that officials had went to an Israeli air base in Goland Heights to evaluate the Hermes 900 UAV. Switzerland does not recognize the Goland Heights as Israeli territory.

Martin Thoeni, www.powerplanes.ch [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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Sailors from VP-8 practice loading live AGM-84Ds at Kadena, Japan

Posted on November 3, 2017 by alert5

OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 31, 2017) Sailors assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 use a forklift to transport an AGM-84D Harpoon missile to a P-8A Poseidon aircraft for onload at Kadena Air Base, Japan. VP-8 is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions, as well as providing maritime domain awareness to theater-level commanders. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson /Released)

HST Carrier Strike Group conducts live-fire exercise

Posted on November 3, 2017 by alert5

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) carried out multiple live-fire exercises Nov. 1 in the Atlantic Ocean to prepare sailors for future operations.

171101-N-OX889-051 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) launches a SM-2 missile during a live-fire exercise. Jason Dunham is underway with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group preparing for future operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Zachary Van Nuys/Released) — 171101-N-OX889-051
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) launches a SM-2 missile during a live-fire exercise. Jason Dunham is underway with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group preparing for future operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Zachary Van Nuys/Released)