Alert 5

New Zealand’s new C-130J takes flight

Posted on August 7, 2024August 6, 2024 by alert5

The first of five Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft ordered by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has successfully completed its initial test flight in the United States. The new Hercules, set to replace the NZDF’s aging C-130H fleet that has been in service since the 1960s, is expected to arrive in New Zealand later this year.

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Poland takes step closer to Apache acquisition with offset deals

Posted on August 6, 2024 by alert5

Poland has moved closer to finalizing its $12 billion deal for 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters by signing offset agreements with Boeing and General Electric worth nearly $255 million. The deals are designed to bolster the Polish defense industry and enhance the country’s military capabilities.

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)

Boeing delivers first production MH-139A Grey Wolf to U.S. Air Force

Posted on August 6, 2024 by alert5

Boeing has delivered the first production MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter to the U.S. Air Force. This aircraft, part of a 13-helicopter initial order, will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

A special operations Airman rappels from a MH-139A Grey Wolf Oct. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was the first test of the fast rope system and rappelling on the new aircraft since the Air Force took ownership Aug. 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Marine Corps seeks new long-range cruise missile capability for expeditionary platform

Posted on August 6, 2024August 6, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. Marine Corps is on the hunt for a new ground-based, long-range cruise missile system. This system will provide precision kinetic fires using the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) and its Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS).

A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher deploys into position aboard Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii, Aug. 16, 2021. The NMESIS and its Naval Strike Missiles participated in a live-fire exercise, here, part of Large Scale Exercise 2021. During the training, a Marine Corps fires expeditionary advanced base sensed, located, identified and struck a target ship at sea, which required more than 100 nautical miles of missile flight. The fires EAB Marines developed a targeting solution for a joint force of seapower and airpower which struck the ship as the Marines displaced to a new firing position. The Marine Corps EABO concept is a core component of the Force Design 2030 modernization effort. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Nick Mannweiler, released)

JASDF C-2 delivers AN/TPS-80 radar to Camp Yonaguni for Resolute Dragon 24

Posted on August 6, 2024August 5, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) has deployed an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system to Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan. The radar, transported by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) C-2 transport aircraft, marks the first time the system has been deployed to the strategic island.