Alert 5

Aviation News

U.K. MoD bolsters ISR capabilities with Airbus Oberon satellite contract

Posted on by alert5

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Airbus a significant contract to design and build two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named Oberon, marking a crucial step in the nation’s pursuit of enhanced space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Oberon system, slated for launch in 2027, promises to deliver day-and-night, all-weather surveillance capabilities.


Image: Airbus
Continue reading “U.K. MoD bolsters ISR capabilities with Airbus Oberon satellite contract”

British MoD under pressure to act quickly on aircrew cancer claims amid growing concerns

Posted on by alert5

The U.K. government is investigating claims that aircrew were exposed to toxic fumes from military helicopters, leading to cancer diagnoses, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) under scrutiny, according to a BBC news report. At least six cases have been settled out of court, with many more aircrew and families pursuing legal action. The MoD is now investigating the extent of the issue among both active and veteran personnel across the RAF, Army, and Navy.

SeaKing HC4 2002
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Kevin H. Tierney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “British MoD under pressure to act quickly on aircrew cancer claims amid growing concerns”

Memorial flight marks Anniversary of E-11A tragedy in Afghanistan

Posted on by alert5

To honour the enduring legacy of the two pilots who died in the E-11A crash in Afghanistan five years ago, the U.S. Air Force’s 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron (EECS) conducted a combat memorial flight over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Jan. 27, carrying an American flag in tribute.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Randell McCart, the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron commander, and Maj. Eric Goodman, a 430th EECS E-11A pilot, hold up a memorial dedicated to two fallen E-11 A pilots in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 27, 2025, marking the 5th anniversary of an E-11A crash that claimed the lives of two 430th EECS pilots, Lt. Col. Paul “Tabs” Voss and Capt. Ryan “Fogg” Phaneuff. “Tabs and Fogg were integral members of the team and will forever be etched into our collective memory and heritage,” said McCart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

Continue reading “Memorial flight marks Anniversary of E-11A tragedy in Afghanistan”

Dutch Air Force first to fly Pilatus’ new PC-7 MKX trainer

Posted on by alert5

Pilatus has secured a significant win with the Royal Netherlands Air Force choosing its PC-7 MKX training system as the cornerstone of their basic training program. This contract, which includes eight aircraft and associated training systems, is slated to deliver the first aircraft from the first half of 2027. The PC-7 MKX platform is based on the PC-7 Mk II, which has a well-established reputation for reliability. Netherlands becomes the launch customer of the PC-7 MKX with the contract signing.


Photo: Pilatus
Continue reading “Dutch Air Force first to fly Pilatus’ new PC-7 MKX trainer”

TNI AL considers aircraft carrier acquisition amidst fleet modernisation

Posted on by alert5

In a move that signals a significant shift in its naval ambitions, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) is actively exploring the acquisition of an aircraft carrier. This development comes as the TNI AL undertakes a substantial modernisation of its fleet.

KASAL,Laksamana TNI Muhammad Ali
Indonesian Navy Information Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “TNI AL considers aircraft carrier acquisition amidst fleet modernisation”