Awesome cockpit video shows U.S. F-16 fighter jets dropping bombs, escorting B-2 (among the other things) May 3, 2013
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Military Aviation , 1 comment so farThe following cool video brings you onboard an F-16C Block 40 of the 36th Fighter Squadron “Flying Fiends”.
Although the unit, belonging to the 51st Wing, is based at Osan airbase, not far from Seoul, in South Korea, the footage was shot while the squadron was deployed in Alaska, most probably to take part to a Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) exercise.
The stunning GoPro footage shows the 36FS pilots performing aerial refueling, dropping bombs, flying at very low altitude as well as escorting B-2 stealth bombers.
Actually, the scene filmed from the ground showing the B-2 escorted by several F-16s seems to be exactly alike the one depicted in a photo released after the “show of force” over the Korean Peninsula, when Spirit stealth bombers conducted a round trip extended deterrence mission from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
H/T to Antonio More’ for the heads-up
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F-16 fighter jet shoots down drone inside Israeli airspace April 25, 2013
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Military Aviation , 2commentsAt around 1.30 PM local time on Apr. 25, 2013, the Israeli Air Force shot down an UAV (unmamned aerial vehicle) from Lebanon over the sea off Haifa, in norther Israel.
An F-16 intercepted and downed the drone whose remains fell into the sea, at approximately 10 kilometers from the coastline, withinin Israel’s territorial waters, where Israeli warships are currently searching for debris.
Has happened in the recent past, during operation Pillars of Defense last year, the IDF used the social media, and in particular Twitter and Facebook, to share the news and reaffirm its right for self-defense.
However, the IDF has not yet determined the type or operator of the drone; the only information provided so far is that it came from Lebanon. Later on Apr. 25, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) couldn’t confirm that the drone was launched from an area under their control.
Even if Hezbollah was among the suspect, having launched a similar drone over Israel last year (an UAV that was shot down over Negev by an F-16) the group denied sending the one that violated the Israeli airspace today.
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Poland wants new Mig-29 Fulcrum simulators April 2, 2013
Posted by Jacek Siminski in : Military Aviation , add a commentTaking into account the fact that Polish MiGs are to be in service until approximately 2030, Polish MOD Armament Inspectorate has announced a new bid to get a flight simulator for this aircraft to be placed in Minsk Mazowiecki 23rd Tactical AFB.
The simulator is going to consist of the cockpit replica, instructor panel, visualization and IT system, additional equipment and spare parts. The bid offer entry period is to end on May 6. 2013.
Besides the bid on getting the MiG-29 sim, Polish Air Force wants to get simulators for SW-4 Puszczyk training Helicopters.
The simulators would not only allow to train own pilots but also to gain additional income from sharing them with other NATO pilots (e.g. Czech Mi-8 simulators used by pilots from all around the world)
Polish Air Force has already a few flight sim systems, one of which is very advanced F-16 sim located in Krzesiny AFB, near Poznan and in Łask, in central Poland.
Here is a photo of the F-16 sim:
Photo Credit: Łukasz Sawicz
And here is a video of an older technology, also located in Poland: a Su-22 Fitter Sim from 33rd AFB in Powidz.
Video Credit: Łukasz Sawicz
Short but interesting.
Although the discrepancy between the visual quality of the F-16 sim and Su-22 one is evident, it must be remembered that, rather than looking good, it is most important that the simulator behaves as the real planes.
Jacek Siminski for TheAviationist.com
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How many F-16 jets can you count in this photograph? March 7, 2013
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Military Aviation , 5commentsThis image, sent to me by Ulaşcan Yüksel, shows an impressive lineup of Turkish Air Force F-16C fighter planes on an airbase in Turkey.
I think 31 “Vipers” (F-16′s nickname within the fighter pilots community) are parked along the taxiway, but not completely sure.
Image credit: TuAF via Ulaşcan Yüksel
Turkish F-16s have been quite active during the Syrian crisis, being scrambled to intercept both a Syrian liner allegedly carrying weapons and Assad’s helicopters flying a bit too close to the border between Syria and Turkey.
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Wargames in the Negev: Italian combat planes train with the Israeli Air Force. Again. February 8, 2013
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Italian Air Force, Military Aviation , 2commentsThe news was kept confidential until the Israeli Air Force released some interesting details on its website but the Italian Air Force has just finished its third annual deployment in Israel, the last of a series of joint exercises between the two air forces.
Image credit: IAF
AMX and Tornado combat planes conducted joint drills with jets of the Israeli Air Force from Ovda airbase, southern Israel.
The two-week exercise saw the Italian planes fly in a simulated air war scenario: the training included sorties against aerial threats, live firing against ground targets, and very low level flying.
The Italian pilots enjoyed the oppotunity to share their experience with the combat proven Israeli crews and operate at much lower altitude than that allowed in Italy.
Along with the AMXs and Tornados, the F-16s of the 140 Sqn “Golden Eagle” from Nevatim and F-15s of the 133 Sqn “Knights of the Twin Tail” from Tel Nof.
The last of series of exercises that have seen planes of both nations cooperate during reciprocal visits reaffirms the strong ties between Rome and Tel Aviv in the defense field.
On Jul. 19, 2012, Israel’s Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth 1 billion USD for 30 Italian M-346 Master as replacement of the aging Air Force’s fleet of A-4 Skyhawks, used as advanced trainers for combat pilots designated for fighter jets.
On Jul. 20, it was announced that Israel’s IAI will supply the Italian Air Force with two Gulfstream G550 Eitam conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) aircraft as part of “a larger Government-to-Government agreement between Israel and Italy [worth 1 billion USD] that includes aircraft, engines, maintenance, logistics, simulators and training, provided also by other Israeli and international companies.”
Image credit: IAF
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