French Rafales demonstrate Agile Combat Employment in NATO exercise

Agile Combat Employment (ACE), a concept increasingly adopted by NATO allies, has been put to the test by the French Air and Space Force. The exercise, conducted in early November 2024, saw Rafale fighter jets deployed to bases in Germany and Croatia, highlighting France’s commitment to operational resilience.


Photo by Arnaud Chamberli
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VAW-123 retires E-2C Hawkeye, embraces E-2D Advanced Hawkeye era

The sun dipped low over the Arizona desert as two E-2C Hawkeyes, their wings casting long shadows across the tarmac, made its final approaches. The aircraft, belonging to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123, touched down gently at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the last of their kind to leave the squadron’s care. This event marks the end of an era for VAW-123 and the beginning of its full transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

240909-N-N0783-1003 TUCSON, Ariz. – An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123 prepares to land Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the largest aircraft boneyard in the world in Tucson, in September 2024. VAW-123 transferred two of their four E-2C Hawkeye aircraft to the boneyard. This event was part of the squadron’s transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to be completed in mid-2025. (Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)

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MBDA hits milestone with 4,000th Exocet missile

The world-renowned Exocet anti-ship missile family reached a new milestone with the 4,000th unit rolling off the production line at MBDA’s facility in the Centre region of France. The landmark missile was recently handed over to the French Navy, marking a significant achievement for both MBDA and the French armed forces.


Photo: MBDA
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