Category Archives: Aerial Warfare

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska

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The Israel Missile Defense Organization in the Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency completed a series of tests of the Arrow-3 Weapon System, which successfully engaged an exo-atmospheric target
The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Israel Ministry of Defense, together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), completed a successful test campaign of the Arrow 3 weapon system. The campaign was led by the Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and conducted in a testing field located in Alaska, U.S. with the participation of the Israeli defense industries and the Israeli Air force.

The Arrow 3 weapon system is designed to intercept exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles. Flight Test Arrow 01 successfully demonstrated hit-to-kill interceptions of high altitude exo-atmospheric targets. During the campaign, the U.S. AN-TPY2 radar was used and operational interoperability was validated successfully. The flight tests were conducted in Alaska in order to test capabilities that may not be tested in Israel.

IMDO Director, Moshe Patel: “Ten challenging years of development and work have culminated in this moment: the Arrow 3 weapon system completed a test campaign, during which an Arrow 3 interceptor completed full interception of the target. This is an extraordinary operational and technological achievement for the State of Israel, made possible by thousands of employees, engineers and officers from the Ministry of Defense, Israeli defense industries, Israeli Air Force, and our U.S. partners. In addition, the fact that the test was conducted in Alaska, tens of thousands of kilometers away from Israel, is another significant achievement that demonstrates the operational capabilities of the Arrow 3 system to successfully face any threat. This impressive and unique cooperation emphasizes the deep strategic partnership between the US and Israel in the field of Missile Defense.”

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska


MDA Director, Vice Adm. John Hill: “These successful tests mark a major milestone in the development of the Arrow Weapon System. This unique success in Alaska provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing threats in the region. My congratulations to the Israel Missile Defense Organization, our MDA team, and our industry partners. We are committed to assisting the Government of Israel in upgrading its national missile defense capability to defend the State of Israel and deployed U.S. forces from emerging threats.”

Boaz Levi, IAI EVP & GM of Systems, Missiles and Space group: “IAI is proud to lead the development of the Arrow 3 weapon system for the security of the State of Israel along with the Israeli Defense Industry, Israel Ministry of Defense, IDF and our US partners. The test campaign that has been conducted has been one of the most complicated tests that have ever been conducted by the State of Israel, out of borders, far away from home, in Alaska. We’ve executed successful multi-system interception tests, overcoming many engineering challenges.”

The primary contractor for the development of the Arrow Weapon System interceptor is MLM of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Elsira Company, a subsidiary of Elbit systems, developed the BMC system. Boeing, Tomer, and Rafael are the main subcontractors for the development and integration of the interceptor. Rafael is the company responsible for the development of the Sparrow target missile and other components of the weapon system. The complex mission of deploying the Arrow 3 system to Alaska was led by the Department of Production and Procurement and the Director of Security for the Defense Establishment, as well as the Israel Ministry of Defense Mission to New York.

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska

Successful Experiments in Arrow 3 Weapon System in Alaska


The Arrow 3 Weapon System is a major component of Israel’s multi-layered defense array, which is developed by the Israel Missile Defense Organization in the Israel Ministry of Defense. This defense array consists of four layers: the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 weapon systems. The success of this test represents an important milestone in the operational capabilities of the State of Israel in defending itself against current and future threats.

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Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey

Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey

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The first shipment of Russian-made S-400 air defence system components was loaded into an Antonov An-124 (NATO reporting name: Condor) cargo plane in an undisclosed location in Russia, before being delivered and unloaded at the Murted Air Base near Ankara on Friday. Turkish S-400 operators will travel to Russia for training in July and August. About 20 Turkish servicemen underwent training at a Russian training center in May and June.

Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey

Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey


In late 2017, the president of Turkey and Russian officials have signed an agreement worth of $US 2.5 billion for delivery of the S-400 air defence system units. More recently, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, raised concerns over Turkey’s S-400 deal with Russia, but President Erdogan and other Turkish officials rejected the US threat of sanctions over its purchase of S-400 missile systems citing existing international protocols and agreement forms mutually signed and agreed by Turkey and Russia.
Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey

Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey


The S-400 offer with Russia was a better deal than the MIM-104 Patriot system offered by US. The United States threatened Turkey with CAATSA sanctions over Turkey’s decision to buy the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he chose to go ahead with the $2.5 billion purchase from Russia because the United States did not make an adequate offer on its own Patriot air defense system. NATO has that system stationed in Turkey for its own purposes in Syria, but Turkey never purchased it from Washington. NATO officials have raised concerns that the S-400 purchase will not be compatible with other systems already in use in Turkey.
Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey

Russia Starts Delivery of S-400 System to Turkey


The S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is an anti-aircraft weapon system developed in the 1990s by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgrade of the S-300 family. It has been in service with the Russian Armed Forces since 2007. One system comprising up to eight divisions (battalions) can control up to 72 launchers, with a maximum of 384 missiles[51] (including missiles with a range of less than 250 km (160 mi)) In 2017 the S-400 was described by The Economist as “one of the best air-defence systems currently made”. According to Siemon Wezeman Senior Researcher of SIPRI the S-400 “is among the most advanced air defence systems available”.

AFSOC U-28A Draco Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft

AFSOC U-28A “Draco” Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft

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After more than 13 years in service, the U-28A Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft officially received approval in May for the naming convention of “Draco” (Draco is the Latin term for dragon). The mission of the Draco is to provide manned fixed-wing tactical airborne ISR support to humanitarian operations, search and rescue, conventional and special operations missions. The U-28A is a modified, single-engine Pilatus PC-12 that operates worldwide. The initial block of U-28 aircraft were procured and modified for use in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The aircraft is crewed by 3, pilot, co-pilot and Combat System Officer (CSO).

AFSOC U-28A Draco Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft

AFSOC U-28A Draco Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft


The U-28A fleet evolved from commercially available aircraft that were purchased and then modified with communications gear, aircraft survivability equipment, electro-optical sensors, and advanced navigation systems. The advanced radio-communications suite is capable of establishing DoD/NATO data-links, full-motion video, data, and voice communications. One of the U-28A roles is the insertion, extraction and resupply of Special Operations Forces (SOF). The single-engine U-28A is small enough to land on small grass or dirt airstrips. It can carry 10 passengers or 3,000lbs of cargo and can operate from the type of short, unimproved airstrip that a larger plane, such as the C-130 Hercules, would be too big and heavy for.
AFSOC U-28A Draco Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft

AFSOC U-28A Draco Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aircraft


Special Operations Command mission requirements generated a need for small numbers of mission specific aircraft which were procured rapidly to address specific mission needs. The Non-Standard Aircraft (NSAv) fleet is a general program term and encompasses several light and medium aircraft performing utility missions for SOCOM. Overall the NSAv mobility fleet untethers special operations forces from robust infrastructures, extended timelines and allows freedom of movement. The U-28A Draco is an integral part of AFSOC’s Non-standard light tactical fixed wing aircraft fleet, and is operated by the 319th and 34th Special Operations Squadrons, training is conducted by the 5th and 19th SOS; all squadrons are located at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter

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The Joint Light Helicopter (hélicoptère interarmées léger – HIL) programme was approved by the French state to meet two objectives: to replace the five fleets of helicopters that are in service in all three branches of the French armed forces; and to implement overall improvements to maintaining the fleet in operational condition (maintien en condition opérationnelle – MCO). The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the launch of the Joint Light Helicopter programme has been brought forward to 2021. The helicopter was also given its official name and will be designated as “Guépard” (“Cheetah”) by the French Armed Forces.

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter


Weaponised and furnished for light attack operations, the H160M can quickly be reconfigured to perform missions ranging from commando infiltration to air intercept, fire support, and anti-ship warfare; up to two stretchers for search and rescue operations; as well as a fast rope system, cargo hook, and hoist that can equally be used for parapublic missions—a versatile, all-in-one asset for modern militaries. The H160 was designed to be a modular helicopter with a single platform, to perform missions ranging from commando infiltration to air intercept, fire support, and anti-ship warfare in order to meet the needs of the army, the navy and the air force through the HIL programme.
Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter


The first of a new generation of helicopter, the H160M derives from the EASA-certified H160. It benefits from a low cost of operations and optimised flight safety. The H160M incorporates the latest technological achievements in French aeronautics. To ensure a high level of availability while reducing operating costs, the H160M’s support and services needs were taken into account from early in its design phase. Innovative and simplified, the H160M’s support is based on the exploitation of data through analytics. In addition, the H160M can be integrated into a secured digital support environment.
Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter

Airbus Helicopter Joint Light Helicopter


In its army aviation role, the H160M is the perfect complement to an air-land force, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) operations. As a naval asset, the H160M is a formidable addition to anti-surface warfare, naval force protection, maritime security, maritime environment monitoring and intelligence, and search and rescue. The H160M’s power, range and equipment options make it an ideal aircraft for missions involving national airspace protection and search and rescue.

Honeywell F124 Turbofan Engine

Honeywell F124 Turbofan Engine

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The Honeywell/ITEC F124 is a low-bypass turbofan engine derived from the civilian Honeywell TFE731. The F125 is an afterburning version of the engine. The engine began development in the late 1970s for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF), and it first ran in 1979. The F124/F125 engine has since been proposed for use on other aircraft, such as the T-45 Goshawk and the SEPECAT Jaguar, and currently powers the Aero L-159 Alca and the Alenia Aermacchi M-346. The F124 has a rather unusual design for a two spool gas turbine engine, using both axial and centrifugal compressors in its high-pressure compressor. There are currently only three production variants of the engine, although several more have been proposed throughout its lifespan.

AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo

AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo


The Honeywell F124 turbofan engine has what it takes to power today’s most advanced military jet trainers and light combat fighters – maximum performance, reliability and availability. No wonder the F124 was Leonardo DRS’ choice to power the T-100 trainer, the company’s entry in the U.S. Air Force T-X trainer competition. The engine already flies on the Leonardo M346 Master, the most advanced military trainer in service, and on a variety of other light fighters and unmanned vehicles. In all, the F124/F125 family of engines has more than 1 million operating hours to its credit. The F124 has the highest thrust-to-weight ratio in its class, thanks to a unique single-stage design that maximizes engine performance.
Aero L-159 Alca

Aero L-159 Alca


The F124 engine is fundamentally a low bypass, two spool engine (meaning that there are two rotational shafts, a high-pressure shaft and a low-pressure shaft). The fan/low-pressure compressor section is made of three stages with titanium blades. The first stage has 30 un-shrouded blades,and the overall pressure ratio for the three stage fan section is 2.5:1. Some of the air is bypassed (Bypass ratio of 0.472:1), and the rest is fed to the high-pressure compressor section.The high-pressure compressor (HPC) of the F124 is a fairly unusual design among turbofan engines; it employs both axial and a centrifugal compressors in a single design. There are four axial stages that lead to a fifth centrifugal stage. All the blades and the impeller are made from titanium.
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master

Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master


The engine features advanced Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) and an integrated Engine Monitoring System (EMS) to keep tabs on engine health, monitor usage and streamline troubleshooting. Modular design makes the engine faster and easier to repair, enabling maintenance teams to put training instructors and student pilots where they belong, back in the air, quickly and efficiently. Safety is paramount in the flight training world and the T-100 provides an additional safety margin by using two F124 engines. The F124 offers all this and more, backed by the global resources of Honeywell and a reputation earned in producing some of the world’s best turbine engines over more than six decades.

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter

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The MRH90 is the Australian version of the NH90 advanced medium-lift, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter anufactured by Australian Aerospace, a unit of Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters). The MRH-90 multi-role helicopter replaced the Australian Defence Force (ADF) existing Black Hawk and Sea King helicopter fleets with increased and improved capability, ability and capacity to meet emerging requirements. The MRH90 Taipan helicopters are set to replace the Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters to perform enhanced maritime support and troop lift operations from land bases and Canberra Class amphibious assault ships.

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter


The Australian Defence Force (ADF) ordered a total of 47 MRH90s and the first 46 helicopters are scheduled to achieve final operational capability by April 2019. The Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH) programme was designed with a plan to rationalise the number of helicopter types in Australian Defence Force (ADF) service. Originally 46 aircraft had been contracted under projects AIR 9000 Phase 2, 4, and 6. Phase 2 (12 helicopters) was the acquisition of troop-lift aircraft for the Australian Army; Phase 4 (28 helicopters) was to replace the Army’s Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopters; and Phase 6 (6 helicopters) was to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters.
Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter


The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter features all-composite construction and incorporates crash-worthy capabilities based on MIL-STD-1290A. It is capable of conducting missions under difficult weather conditions. It incorporates a large and spacious cabin at the centre fuselage, facilitating 20 troop seats or up to 12 stretchers. The crash-worthy seats accommodate a pilot, a co-pilot, two loadmasters and 18 combat troops. A sliding door is fitted on both sides of the cabin and a ramp is placed at the rear. The structure offers protection up to a speed of 10m/s when landing gear is extended and up to 7m/s with retracted landing gear. The helicopter is 16.13m long and 5.23m high and has an empty weight of 6,400kg and a maximum take-off weight of 10,600kg.
Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter

Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan Multi Role Helicopter


The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter is powered by two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turbo-shaft engines, which generate an output power of 1,662kW each. The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 300km/h and has a range of 800km. It can operate at a service ceiling of 20,000ft and can climb at a rate of 8m per second. The helicopter has a four-bladed main rotor and a high positioned tail rotor coupled with the main transmission for anti-torque function. The tricycle type retractable landing gear features two single-tire main units to retract into the centre fuselage as well as a twin-wheel nose unit to pull back into the forward fuselage.

Leonardo Grifo Airborne Fire Control Radars Family

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The Airborne and Space Systems Divisionhas over 60 years of experience and masters all the technologies involved in radar design, development and production. A leader in the airborne radar market, the Company delivers state-of-the-art, modular radar systems. With over 450 units sold and more than 100,000 flight hours, the GRIFO Radar family, a fourth-generation of X-band coherent pulse-doppler multimode fire-control radar, offers advanced performances to new and upgraded aircraft. Thanks to the modular architecture made by a configurable number of compact Line Replaceable Units (LRU), GRIFO can be easily integrated in modern avionic suites and fully interfaced via HOTAS command, for a cost-effective solution.

The GRIFO E is the latest Fire Control E-Scan pulse doppler multimode Airborne Radar, the latest radar of the GRIFO Family. It features a wide set of advanced and up to date capabilities and provides remarkable levels of situational awareness. GRIFO-346 airborne fire control radar is a coherent, pulse Doppler multimode radar operating in X-band. Its modular architecture enables the installation on a wide range of aircraft and the easy integration in modern Avionic Suites and interface via HOTAS command.