Cold War

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 man...

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, aime...

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-160...

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...