Cold War

President Trump is set to sign the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains an amendment that allows U.S. citizens to acquire military surplus 1911 pistols. The sales will occur under the auspices of the Civilian Marksmanship Program, which has been selling approved military surplus weapons to citizens for more than 100 years. According to the International Business Times, it currently costs the U.S. military approximately $2 a day to store one pistol, and there are an estimated 100,000 1911s that are being stored. So that is a $200,000 expenditure the military can erase and replace with a profit, or at least of a recoup of costs, by selling the firearms. The 1911 is one of the most popular handguns ever developed. It is valued for military use, home defense, self-defense, and concealed carry. Although the military’s 1911s were made by Colt, citizens have long been purchasing civilian models from Colt as well. These range from the basic government model t

After lengthy preparations, an Mi-24K testbed equipped with a new main rotor flew for the first time on December 23 last year at Tomolino near Moscow, which is Mil’s flight-test base. The Russian government is funding the development of a high-speed helicopter (Russian acronym PSV). Although the Russian defense ministry is interested in such a machine, Mil parent company Russian Helicopters is downplaying its commercial prospects. The Mi-24 PSV demonstrator features two Klimov VK-2500 turboshafts, which are slightly more powerful than the two TV3-117s found on standard Mi-24s. The new blades have curved ends to avoid flutter. Cruise speeds of up to 215 knots are expected, according to Mil. The company describes some hardware elements installed on it as “specimens for improving in-service helicopters” of the current Mi-24/35 and Mi-8/17 series. This might be a reference to new avionics that have reportedly been developed by KRET, as well as the new blades. Tentatively, the Ru

Taiwan on Tuesday launched its largest ever missile ship Tuesday as the island strives to modernize its armed forces in response to a perceived threat from China. The 500-ton corvette named "Tuo Chiang" — Tuo River — is the first of its kind ever produced by Taiwan and was touted by defense minister Yen Ming as "the fastest and most powerful" in Asia. Armed with 16 missiles including eight supersonic Hsiung-feng III (Brave Wind) anti-ship missiles, it will boost Taiwan's defense capabilities against its giant neighbor, which considers the island part of China's territory awaiting to be reunited by force if necessary. "From now on, the navy's combat capabilities will reach a crucial milestone, Yen said at a launch ceremony held in the port of Suao, in northeastern Yilan county. "The completion of the new generation of naval warship is expected to ensure security in the Taiwan Strait and protect shipping lanes,&q

The German armed forces has shortlisted the CH-53K from Sikorsky and the CH-47F Chinook from Boeing  ​as potential successors to its aging fleet of CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters, a spokesman for the German Air Force confirmed. ​A selection  ​should be made by the end of this year,  ​the spokesman said, but added there is currently no favorite.  A military aviation strategy paper published by the German Defense Ministry last week stated  ​that the conclusion of a contract is expected for 2018 and helicopter deliveries  ​should start in 2022. According to the paper, the multirole helicopter should increase the air mobility of the ground forces and contribute to medical evacuation,  ​the support of special forces and to personnel recovery missions. The Air Force spokesman said he expected  ​40 to 70 helicopters to be procured.  According to a status report of the Bundeswehr in December, the Air Force had  ​75 CH-53s in stock. This number is to be reduced to 64, and  ​ 40 of these

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A joint venture established in Saudi Arabia as part of a economic offset agreement willl provide rotorcraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to support the Saudi rotorcraft fleet, The Saudi Rotorcraft Support Company CEO, Neil Bevan, confirmed the contract for the company, which opened its first rotorcraft maintenance facility in Riyadh at the Industrial Zone of King Khalid International Airport in June. “We suspect our first aircraft to be the Apache platform,” Bevan said. “We’re due to bring it into our rotorcraft maintenance facility in the upcoming few weeks and we are expecting to work on it for approximately two years.” In 2015, Alsalam Aircraft Company, Boeing and Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) signed an agreement to create the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Company. The joint combines core strengths and disciplines to create a unique offering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while delivering the objectives of S

Helmets for pilots and ground troops do much more than stopping bullets. Night vision, data display and secure communication are among the features incorporated in specialist helmets which have evolved to become the most technologically advanced and expensive personal gear. From the US JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems) which have has been adopted by US Air Force and Navy F-16, F-18 and F-15 pilots  and more recently F-22 and F-35 pilots to the Russian pilot helmet that uses “bones” to transmit voice communication instead of earphones, helmets of today are a technological marvel. JHMCS allows a pilot to see displayed on his visor, critical flight and navigation information. Sort of like a see-through computer monitor or Head Up Display. Most importantly, the pilot can turn his head towards a target, get an enemy aircraft into the crosshairs displayed on the visor, and fire a missile that will promptly go after target the pilot was looking at. There is an additional a

The UK Royal Navy’s first Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier is to complete its contractors’ sea trials and formally join the fleet on 7 December. UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson made the announcement on 16 November during his first visit to the carrier, while it was at sea sailing around the southwest of England. He said the commission ceremony would be conducted by Queen Elizabeth II in Portsmouth Naval Base after the ship completes its contractors’ trials, run by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. After the ceremony, the ship will be formally titled HMS  Queen Elizabeth. The ship left Portsmouth on 30 October to begin the second phase of its contractors’ trials, which are focused on proving the performance of its communications, radar, and other sensors. Open-source AIS transponder tracks indicate that the carrier operated around Land’s End and the north coast of Cornwall during the first two weeks of the trials.

Recently released imagery and reports in the Russian media suggest that the new Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A transport aircraft will be equipped with a defensive aids suite (DAS). Data have previously pointed to an optional electronic countermeasure (ECM) fit for the IL-76 family being available since the 1980s, although many of the Russian Air Force’s aircraft do not appear to have been equipped with this capability. The ECM pack was offered as an option on export versions of the aircraft type and infrared countermeasure (IRCM) equipment can be temporarily fitted to the rear fuselage or landing gear fairings of IL-76s, although this has only been seen during exercises. The IL-76MD variant has an increased flight range and service life. The power plant and systems are identical to those of the IL-76M. Structural changes have been made to its airframe only to accommodate the increased service life and increased take-off weight. When operating from first-category concrete runways,

This is video footage shot using a drone that shows the USS Ranger on its way to be scrapped in Brownsville. This is very special and unique as the drone used for this footage was the last air-based vehicle to depart from the Ranger’s  flight deck. The USS  Ranger  was a Forrestal-class supercarrier; one of four that were built for the US Navy in the 1950s. This ship was the 7th to be called the USS  Ranger . The  Ranger  was the first built of the four that were commissioned. She was built in 1957 and spent the majority of her life in the Pacific Ocean during the Vietnam War. For her part in this War, she gained 13 battle stars. The USS  Ranger  took part in a commemorative re-enactment of the Doolittle Raid (which took place in Tokyo, Japan) as part of World War 2 50th Anniversary Commemorations. This event happened on 21st April, 1992 and drew a total of 1500 guests, including veterans. Ranger  famously appeared on TV and in many movies; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Top

Indonesian Marine Corps performs sea training exercise using Ukrainian-made BTR-4M 8x8 amphibious armoured vehicle. According the first experience of Indonesian Marines, the BTR-4M is the perfect response to the needs of the Indonesian Marine Corps offering reliability, multi-purpose capability and ease of use. During this military training exercise, Indonesian Marines with the collaboration of BTR-4M manufacturer KharkivMorozov Machine Building Design Bureau and the supplier Company SFTE "SpetsTechnoExport", have received a dedicated training to improve the use of the BTR-4M during amphibious combat operations. The BTR-4M was also tested during firing exercise using the 30mm automatic cannon ZTM-1 and the 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun. In the beginning of 2017, the BTR-4M have successfully passed trial tests in Indonesia, traveling dozens of kilometers in the mountainous regions in the country. The delivery of the first 5 BTR-4M vehicles to Indonesia was complet

It was just an ordinary day for the local residents of Omak, which is considered to be a restricted area for military pilots; but it all suddenly changed when they looked up at the sky and were struck by what they saw. The “male genital art” appeared in the restricted airspace near the town of Omak, which is located in north-central Washington and used by military pilots from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for training purposes on a regular basis. The pilots from NAS Whidbey Island reportedly drew a “wind-borne wiener” in the sky with contrails. According to local media, some residents complained about the pilots’ “masterpiece,” saying that it was inappropriate. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration commented on the situation, saying that there was nothing they could do, since they “couldn't police morality."

The new generation of attack drones just made their international debut in Dubai New generation of China-made combat drones have made their international debut at the Dubai Airshow, in a pitch for global orders as the producer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), brags that Chinese aerial-photography vehicles are not only capable of capturing stunning images and videos of things on the ground, but that its militarized drones are also able to attack and destroy them. Yunying 1 carries ultra high resolution long-range optic cameras capable of imaging 10,000 square kilometers per hour, while  Yunying 2  can identify surface radar within a radius of 400 km and communication devices within a radius of 200 km. The third model,  Yunying 3 , is a highly maneuverable attack drone which has the capability to destroy targets up to 50 km away.  The Yunying stealth drones are being marketed as the pinnacle of AVIC’s research and development capabilities, aimed at tapping the bu

A newly built Tupolev Tu-160 long-range heavy strategic bomber – the first one since 1992 – was rolled out of the hangar as Russia resumes production of the world’s largest operational bomber that NATO designates as Blackjack. The new Tu-160, which is nicknamed White Swan in Russia, was revealed at the Kazan Aviation Factory, a branch of Moscow-based Tupolev Design Bureau, on Thursday. The aircraft was built, using parts stored since Soviet times, to establish if the factory was capable of resuming serial production of the legendary bombers.  The bomber will now undergo testing on the ground, before taking to the skies in February 2018. The serial production of Tu-160s, which remained stalled since 1992, will resume after the aircraft proves that it matches the assigned criteria, Major-General Sergey Kobylash, the chief of Russia's Long-Range Aviation, told RIA-Novosti.  Russia’s military announced the decision to resume production of the Tu-160s in modernized Tu-160M2 va

Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin, also known as ATD-X (Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X), is a stealth experimental technology demonstrator and research prototype designed to demonstrate technologies required for Japanese indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, designated F-3. The multimillion dollar demonstrator project is being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in co-operation with the Japanese Ministry of Defence’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF). The first prototype was unveiled in January 2016 and its maiden flight is scheduled for February 2016. Mitsubishi X-2 development A mock-up of X-2 demonstrator was built for testing and evolution of stealth characteristics in France in 2005. First flight of a metal wind-tunnel model was made to test  flight control  systems, sensors and performance characteristics in 2006. The ATD-X experimental programme received approval for the next phase of devel

It has an improved range, in excess of 180 kilometres (97 nautical miles)—through the use of a turbojet engine, and includes four air intakes to provide a continuous airflow to the power plant during high-G manoeuvers. The Exocet MM40 Block 3 weapon system is the latest generation ship-borne version of the Exocet family and is in operational service with several navies. Exocet MM40 Block 3 provides enhanced operational performance and technology upgrades, while minimising the impact on procurement and logistic support costs. Exocet MM40 Block 3’s Mission Planning software module automatically computes engagement plans to support firing decisions. The flexibility of the Exocet MM40 Block 3 weapon is further enhanced by the accuracy of the new navigation package, allowing optimised 3D approach trajectories and terminal attacks from different azimuths, at very low sea skimming altitude with simultaneous time on target. The terminal guidance relies on a sophisticated J-band activ

WASHINGTON -- House Republicans and Democrats joined forces Tuesday to decisively approve a defense policy bill that authorizes $700 billion to restock what lawmakers have described as a depleted U.S. military and counter North Korea's advancing nuclear weapons program. The defense bill provides money for 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 20 more than Trump asked for, as well as 24 F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters, 10 more than requested. The budget also includes three Littoral Combat Ships, two beyond the budget request. The ships are new to the fleet and operate in congested areas near the shore against small boats and mines. Lawmakers voted 356-70 to pass the legislation, with 127 Democrats backing the measure. Once the defense bill clears the Senate, which is expected this week, the bill will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. The defense bill for the 2018 fiscal year allots some $634 billion for core Pentagon operations and nearly $66 billion for wartim

The aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 1. The fighter is an advanced version of the Gripen C/D multi-role aircraft, exceeded. The fighter achieved supersonic speed for a few minutes, while carrying out manoeuvres, Saab stated. Saab test pilot Marcus Wandt said: “As Gripen pilots, we are used to extreme speed but to go through the sound barrier for an aircraft’s first time is still a moment to enjoy. “It is important that the aircraft handles the transition smoothly through what we call the transonic zone around the sound barrier and she certainly did, it was very smooth.” The aircraft has recorded more than 20 flying hours since its first flight on 15 June this year. The Gripen E smart fighter is equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that can simultaneously and independently track different targets. The 15.2m-long aircraft can communicate two ways, using secure and multi-frequency data links system with all armed units. It features a r

Meteor is the next generation of Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat in the 21st Century. The weapon brings together six nations with a common need to defeat the threats of today as well as the future emerging ones. Guided by an advanced active radar seeker, Meteor provides all weather capability to engage a wide variety of targets from agile fast jets to small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and cruise missiles. It is designed to meet the most stringent of requirements and is capable of operating in the most severe of clutter and countermeasure environments. The weapon is also equipped with data link communication. Aimed at meeting the needs of a network centric environment, Meteor can be operated using third party data, enabling the Meteor user – the pilot – to have the most flexible weapon system. Meteor’s stunning performance is achieved through its unique ramjet propulsion system – solid fuel, variable flow, ducted