PAK FA flies!
This is one of the first photos from Sukhoi of the new T-50 PAK FA fighter, making its maiden fligt on 28 January. For more on this see the Editor's blog.
Credit: Sergei Pashkovsky/Sukhoi
Baltic Eurofighter
Geoffrey Lee of Eurofighter has captured the Luftwaffe deployment by JG 74 to Lithuania beautifully in this image. A full report on the German mission in the Baltics features in the new-look January 2010 issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly.
Photo Credit: Geoffrey H. Lee/Eurofighter
F-35B arrives at Pax
Lockheed Martin's F-35B BF-1 has arrived at NAS Patuxent River for flight trials.
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
F-15Cs / F-16Cs
Taken from the centrespread of the latest issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly, editor Jamie Hunter shot this photograph of the Nellis aggressors in October. It depicts two F-15Cs of the 65th AGRS and two F-16Cs of the 64th AGRS.
Photo credit: Jamie Hunter
Turkish tank buster
The first TAI/AgustaWestland T129 combat reconnaissance helicopter made its maiden flight on September 28.
Photo credit: AgustaWestland
A400M back outside
Airbus Military has moved its first A400M MSN001 back outside for trials ahead of its planned maiden flight later this year. For more information see the November issue of Combat Aircraft, out from October 2.
Photo credit: Airbus Military
F/A-18F Super Hornet
Boeing has rolled out and flown the first F/A-18F Super Hornet for the Royal Australian AF (RAAF). The RAAF is to receive 24 Super Hornets to replace its F-111Cs.
Photo credit: Boeing
T2 file
The RAF has been showing off its new BAE Systems Hawk T2 advanced jet trainers at RAF Valley. The aircraft are currently being 'shaken down' and the new training syllabus for the type is under development. For more, see the latest issue of Combat Aircraft (10.4).
Photo credit: Jamie Hunter
Raptor showdown
With the Obama administration adamant that 187 F-22 Raptors are enough for the USAF, will opponents to the decision to end production be able to overturn the ruling?
Photo credit: USAF
MC-12W combat debut
The USAF's first MC-12W 'Project Liberty' aircraft completed its first combat mission from Balad, Iraq, on 10 June. The aircraft deployed in early June and is now operating with the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. For more latest developments on the MC-12W see our special online coverage from the Paris Air Show on this site.
Photo credit: USAF
Turkish RF-4E upgrade
The Turkish AF has revealed a new upgrade programme that is running for its RF-4E Phantom reconnaissance aircraft, dubbed 'Project Isik' (Light). The RF-4Es are receiving new avionics and systems drawn from the previous F-4E '2020' upgrade. The aircraft are also receiving an impressive new camouflage scheme.
Credit: THK
J-10B revealed
Images from a Chinese website have revealed a new version of the Chengdu J-10. The single-seat J-10B features a re-designed air intake, infra-red search and track sensor in front of the windscreen and a new nose cone - possibly designed to accomodate an AESA radar.
Credit: Chinese Internet
Predator C revealed
General Atomics has revealed its latest unmanned aerial vehicle - the impressive Predator C - Avenger. The new Predator is jet-powered, has swept wings and features new stealthy design features, including internal weapons carrying capability.
Credit: General Atomics
Boeing's Silent Eagle
On 17 March Boeing unveiled its latest design upgrade for the Eagle - the F-15SE Silent Eagle. It is planned as a stealthy version of the F-15 and clearly aimed at the export market.
Credit: Boeing
RAAF F-111s on Red Flag
The Royal Australian AF's F-111Cs have been back at Nellis AFB for Red Flag exercise, alongside RAF Tornado F3s as seen here. For more on the Australian F-111s see the forthcoming issue of Combat Aircraft (Vol 10.2). Also, our sister publication Aircraft Illustrated (April issue) has an excellent nostalgic feature looking back at USAF F-111 operations in the UK.
Photo credit: Paul Filmer/www.skippyscage.com
AASM on test
On 27 January Sagem and the French defense procurement agency DGA successfully carried out the first firing test of the 125 kg version of the AASM modular air-to-ground weapon. The weapon is seen here being released by a Mirage 2000N from Cazaux.
Photo: Sagem
USAF Special
With Combat Aircraft volume 10.1 (Feb-Mar 09) being a USAF special, this stunning F-16C of the 122nd FW, 163rd FS, 'Blacksnakes' of the Indiana ANG, is particularly well timed. The aircraft has been adorned with this stunning scheme to mark the unit's heritage with the 358th FG, as a 9th AF P-47 unit in WW2. The aircraft was beautifully captured by legendary aviation photographer Katsuhiko Tokunaga and it features on the cover of the US edition of Combat Aircraft 10.1.
Photo: Katsuhiko Tokunaga/DACT
S-3 Viking 'Sundown' complete
On Thursday 29 January, VS-22 'Checkmates' disbanded as the last US Navy S-3B Viking squadron. The ceremony at NAS Jacksonville marked the end of the line for the popular 'War Hoover'. There may still be a glimmer of hope for S-3 fans. VX-30 at Point Mugu may be set to take on a small number of aircraft for range surveillance missions.
Photo: US Navy
F-35 over the Grand Canyon
On the flight back to Forth Worth from Edwards AFB after recent testing, Lockheed martin F-35A AA-1 flies over the Grand Canyon.
Photo: Darin Russell/Lockheed Martin
TP400 testbed takes to the air
Marshall Aerospace’s C-130K testbed for the Airbus A400M’s EuroProp International TP400 powerplant finally took to the air for the first time on 17 December, marking a major step forward in the project.
Photo: EADS
Grapple with the Growler
Combat Aircraft's consultant editor Jamie Hunter has been head-to-head with the US Navy's newest aircraft - the EA-18G Growler. Here is a taster of the photos that will be appearing soon in Combat Aircraft, along with an insight into the program and testing at NAWS China Lake.
Photo: Jamie Hunter
Future Lynx approved
AgustaWestland has been awarded a long-awaited contract for serial production of 62 Future Lynx for the UK Armed Forces, 34 for the British Army and 28 for the Royal Navy.
Credit: AgustaWestland
J-10 stars at Zhuhai
Among the stars of Airshow China 2008 at Zhuhai in November were two Chengdu J-10 fighters, the type making its debut at the event after having missed the 2006 display. For more images from this highly notable show, check out the news section of issue 9.6 of Combat Aircraft.
Photo: Katsuhiko Tokunaga/DACT
'Vampires' white tail Growler
US Navy test and evaluation squadron VX-9 'Vampires' from NAWS China Lake has painted one of its Boeing EA-18G Growlers (XE572 BuNo166856) with white vertical tails. The aircraft is the second production Growler (G-2) and was recently involved in sea trials aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). We will be covering more on the Growler in a forthcoming issue of Combat Aircraft. Photo: NAVAIR
JSF completes first Edwards AFB testing
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Saudi Typhoon airborne
BAE Systems at Warton has marked the maiden flight of the first of 72 Eurofighter Typhoons for the Royal Saudi AF (RSAF). The first flight on 20 October was a significant milestone in Tranche 2 production, with the RAF having received its first two Tranche 2 batch aircraft on 21 October at RAF Coningsby. The second RSAF aircraft is now nearing completion and pilot training has already started at RAF Coningsby. Photo credit: BAE Systems
JSF arrives at Edwards
Andy Wolfe of Lockheed Martin snapped the first F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) arriving at Edwards AFB for testing on 1 October
Royal Air Force Red Arrows
Combat Aircraft consultant editor Jamie Hunter is working extensively with the Royal Air Force Red Arrows aerobatic team this season for a new book project on the team. In September he was priviledged to be able to fly a very special sortie to take self portrait images for the team and for the book.
Cobra Ball
Exclusively appearing in Combat Aircraft issue 9.4, currently on sale, this is one of James Haseltine's fantastic new exclusive air-to-air images of the USAF's 55th Wing RC-135S 'Cobra Ball' electronic intelligence aircraft. Find out much more about these fascinating aircraft in the latest issue of Combat Aircraft. Credit: James Haseltine
RAAF F-111s over the Whitsundays
The only place you can still see F-111s in action - Australia. Then couple these charismatic swing-wing 'Pigs' with an idyllic beach of the Whitsunday Islands. This shot was taken in August during the last ever RAAF F-111C aircrew operational training course. Six F-111s from 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley deployed to RAAF Base Townsville for Exercise Northern Challenge. Credit:Australian DoD
Combat Aircraft flies with the USAFE's 493rd Fighter Squadron
Combat Aircraft's Consultant Editor and renowned aviation photographer Jamie Hunter has recently been on assignment with the USAFE's 493rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagles at RAF Lakenheath, shooting incredible new airborne images exclusively for the magazine...(More images)