F-35A - Sør Korea kjøper 20 fly i tillegg til de 40 som er levert - DefenseNews

South Korean defense agency backs buy of 20 more F-35A jets

 By Daehan Lee

Jul 1, 08:54 PM

SEOUL — A South Korean defense agency has backed the purchase of more F-35A fighter jets as part of the country’s F-X project, which comprises the government’s preemptive strike strategy Kill Chain, meant to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

South Korean Air Force Maj. Kiyun Jung, an F-35A pilot, prepares for his first solo mission at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr./U.S. Air Force)

According to National Assembly member Daesik Kang of the ruling People Power Party, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration participated in a defense committee meeting June 9 to discuss the F-X project. DAPA said that under the effort, South Korea would receive 20 Lockheed Martin-made F-35A jets for its Air Force by 2030. The agency also noted the country would spend 3.9 trillion won (U.S. $3 billion) by next year if the additional jets are ordered.

The lawmaker called the acquisition “appropriate” given North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile advancements. “It is imperative that the ROKAF [South Korean Air Force] increases its counter-North Korea deterrence capabilities with F-X, as the lack of air power of the ROKAF is expected in the mid-2020s,” he said.

The committee is expected to make a final decision July 13, and DAPA is expected to expedite follow-up procedures by reducing the feasibility study period as much as possible.

Lockheed Martin delivered all 40 F-35A Block 3 fighters the country ordered, as of December 2021. The 20 more jets would come in the Block 4 variant, which is capable of compromising enemy radars and other electronic equipment, features an improved electro-optic system, and can carry more ordnance. According to Lockheed, all F-35s the U.S. Air Force currently operates have Block 4 software-enabled capabilities, but the service will begin receiving Block 4 aircraft with Lot 17.

The previous South Korean administration heavily focused on the F-35B over the F-35A as part of the light aircraft carrier project CVX, despite preliminary research performed from 2018 to 2019 that found the country was in need of the “A” variant.

Similarly, the Air Force emphasized a need to strengthen its stealth capabilities amid an aging fighter jet fleet, North Korean nuclear missile advancements and the development efforts of neighboring countries for fifth-generation stealth aircraft.

Even if South Korea’s indigenous 4.5-generation fighter, dubbed KF-21, is developed as scheduled by 2026, the Air Force is concerned the military will face a prolonged gap in air power without additional reinforcements from 2025 to 2031, when it’s expected to have a gap of 70 jets in relation to its minimum required fleet size.

The military reported the need for additional acquisitions under the F-X project to the presidential transition team in March; South Korea’s new president entered office in May.

Drone - Avansert flygende vinge flyr i India - DefenseNews

 

See India conduct first flight of autonomous technology demonstrator SWiFT

By Vivek Raghuvanshi

Jul 1, 08:33 PMNEW DELHI — India on Friday successfully carried out the first flight of an autonomous technology demonstrator.

The 1-ton SWiFT platform is powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine. (India's Defence Research and Development Organisation)

The aircraft, launched by Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment under the purview of the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation, is a scaled-down version of the upcoming Ghatak combat drone. The flight took place at the aeronautical test range based at Chitradurga in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

The airframe, undercarriage, and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were domestically developed, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the flight a major achievement toward autonomous aircraft that will pave the way for Aatmanirbhar Bharat — an economic initiative meant to make India less dependent on foreign technology — in terms of critical military systems.

A scientist with the Aeronautical Development Establishment told Defense News that the flight test of the aircraft — also referred to as the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed, or SWiFT — took place to demonstrate its of ability to take off, climb in altitude, cruise midair, navigate to waypoints, descend and land autonomously.

He noted that the next step is to develop a proven autonomous combat surveillance platform. The scientist spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The 1-ton SWiFT platform is powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine. The platform had completed taxi trials in September 2021.

The Aeronautical Development Establishment will now evaluate the flight data in relation to the aircraft’s configuration, and autonomous takeoff and landing technology, retractable landing gear system, and low radar signature. This effort is meant to inform future modifications to the platform.

A scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organisation noted that at least 10 more flight tests are needed to prove the capability of the SWiFT platform, and only then will the government grant funding for the full-fledged development of the Ghatak UAV.

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F-16 i gull til ANG jubileet i 1996 - Nå markerer den USAFS 75 års jubileum - DVIDS

 

Yes it’s gold! Iowa ANG F-16 remake celebrates ANG history

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot | A gold U.S. Air Force F-16A Falcon from the Iowa Air National Guard is on the ramp in... read more

SIOUX CITY, IA, UNITED STATES

07.01.2022

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot 

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard  

11

With the popularity of this summer’s block buster fighter jet film featuring an awesome F-14 Tomcat, 2022 is shaping up to be the year to celebrate the 4th generation fighter jet.

This week the Iowa Air National Guard has unveiled a historic fighter jet of their own; a retro 50th anniversary, down to the details, gold F-16 just as it first appeared in 1996.

In an era of elaborate commemorative aircraft paint schemes, like the Indiana ANG black A-10 or the South Dakota ANG blue F-16, the story of a gold F-16 may not sound unique but in 1996 it was epic.

The story of the 185th Fighter Wing’s gold F-16 was a big giant deal because painting an entire jet, something other than standard tactical grey was rarely done in the 1990’s. At that time units could get permission to paint nose art or an elaborate tail flash. When the gold jet made its debut it was the biggest thing to reverberate across the fighter jet community since the death of Lt. J.G. Nick “Goose” Bradshaw.

The original gold F-16 first made its appearance on the flight line in Sioux City as the unit marked its 50th anniversary in 1996. This year the unit has done a do-over just as the Air Force is marking its 75th Anniversary in 2022.

By today’s standards a completely gold F-16 may not seem like an anomaly. A quick internet image search of F-16 paint schemes turns up dozens of elaborate designs. Veteran 185th members say that other than the Thunderbirds, painting an entire U.S. Air Force jet was “not done” 25 years ago.

The famous gold jet was the brainchild of former, and much beloved 185th Fighter Wing Commander Col Dennis Swanstrom. When the F-16 static display in Sioux City had become sun baked and was due for some attention, ideas of making the F-16 gold began to swirl.

The old F-16 was on display at the Iowa Air National Guard in Sioux City for nearly 20 years. The 174th Fighter Squadron had flown F-16s during the decade of the 1990’s until converting to the KC-135 in 2001. After the unit’s conversion, the F-16 was added to a small airpark of previously flown 185th aircraft at the Air Guard unit.

Aircraft on display in Sioux City include variations of the F-80, an F-100 on a stick and an A-7 that are all gathered near the unit’s headquarters building.

Just like its predecessor, the new gold jet has the script “Pride of Siouxland” imprinted across the fuselage on one side. The other side of the aircraft has the words “The Bats 50th Anniversary” in large print. The paint also includes text that shows “1946-1996” painted on the ventral fins.

Like the original, the 2022 scheme retains the gothic bat tail flash with “Iowa” painted on the top of the tail. The words “Sioux City” appear inside an elongated Native American headdress on the empennage at the bottom of the tail.

The design also includes a shiny black radome on the front of the aircraft as part of the black on gold design. The words “Col Dennis Swanstrom Wing Commander” are painted beneath the canopy on the driver’s side, and “TSgt Dave Larimer Crew Chief” embossed on the right side.

The 1996 version of the gold F-16 was actually one of the wing’s flying inventory at the time. It was Col. Swanstrom who gets all the blame or credit for wanting to do something striking to celebrate the unit’s milestone anniversary.

As the story goes, Swanstrom was a consummate promoter and didn’t always concern himself with particular rules if they got in the way of a good idea. The unit’s 50th anniversary happens only once and for those who knew him, when Swany had a good idea, no amount of persuasion could convince him otherwise.

Swanstrom had joined the group of F-100 pilots in the Sioux City in the late 1960s just as they were returning from Vietnam. It was during the year-long mobilization when the Iowa ANG unit first used the call sign “BAT” that is depicted on the F-16 tail. The “BAT” call sign was adopted because the unit often flew night missions while at Phu Cat airbase.

The group’s performance while at Phu Cat solidified a culture of pride and excellence that follow-on generations, led by Swanstrom, would pick up in the years ahead.

The following decade the group had perfected their close air support mission with the A-7 by earning multiple flying and aircraft maintenance awards. At the beginning of the 1990’s the unit finally obtained the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter, combined with expertise to go with the new mission. The group knew they were part of the best trained and equipped Air Force in the world and Swanstrom was eager to tell their story.

Nearly 30 years after Swanstrom began flying, he found himself in the position where he could exercise some autonomy as the unit’s Wing Commander. It was on the occasion of the unit’s 50th anniversary that Swanstrom wanted to do something big to celebrate.

According to unit members at that time, Swanstrom’s idea of painting the original gold jet was initially denied, citing pesky things like combat readiness. Undeterred, Swanstrom decided that the jet could quickly be restored to tactical grey if needed, so he pressed on with his gold F-16 paint idea.

On the short list of why painting the jet gold was a good idea, Swanstrom rationalized that the jet would be an excellent way to promote the unit. According to his contemporaries it was further justified because it would be great for unit morale.

Twenty five years later, the gold F-16 is again fulfilling its purpose in 2022 of helping tell the unit’s story. The gold jet represents an idea that goes beyond just one commander or one air wing.

Ideas like the importance of airpower that began with Billy Mitchell and championed this year by Pete “Maverick” Mitchell are encapsulated by projects like the gold F-16 in Iowa. The gold jet is a celebration of every Airmen, past and present who have served proudly in the United States Air Force from its beginning through its 75th year.

SAS

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Norske NASAMS får mye presse i USA - Stars and Stripes

US to send two advanced air-defense systems to Ukraine in new $820M military aid package

By 

CAITLIN DOORNBOS

STARS AND STRIPES • July 1, 2022

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President Joe Biden speaks to reporters following the NATO summit in Madrid on June 30, 2022. '

Biden reiterated that the alliance will defend every inch of NATO territory. (NATO)WASHINGTON – The United States will send two advanced air-defense systems to Ukraine as part of its latest $820 million military aid package, Pentagon Press Secretary Todd Breasseale announced Friday. will receive two National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, which can strike targets about 100 miles away. They will be purchased for Ukraine, rather than being pulled from U.S. stocks, according to the Pentagon.

“This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine's armed forces,” Breasseale said.

The U.S. uses the Norwegian-developed anti-aircraft systems to protect airspace above the White House and U.S. Capitol building in Washington, according to The Associated Press.

“The United States continues to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its evolving battlefield requirements,” Breasseale said. “In particular, [the Defense Department] recognizes Norway’s cooperation to enable the historic provision by the United States of modern air defense systems that will help Ukraine defend against Russia’s brutal air attacks.”

Illustrasjoner fra The War Zone

The systems are expected to enhance Ukraine’s long-range rocket and missile capabilities that senior defense officials say have become more pertinent to the fight now focused in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

The NASAMS are the latest advanced weapons that the U.S. has sent Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces. In June, President Joe Biden sent eight High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, which can strike targets roughly 50 miles away.

Also included in the latest aid package are four counter-artillery radars, up to 150,000 rounds of 155mm howitzers artillery ammunition, and additional HIMARS ammunition.

The military aid announced Friday is the 14th time that the U.S. has sent weapons and equipment to Ukraine since August, according to the Pentagon, the majority of which has been sent since Russia invaded on Feb. 24.

The latest $820 million brings the total amount of aid that the U.S. has sent Ukraine to about $6.9 billion since the start of the war, and approximately $8.8 billion since Biden took office in January 2021, Breasseale said.The aid will come out of the approximately $11 billion that Congress assigned for military aid in its supplemental funding bill to support Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion, according to the Pentagon.

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