Screenshots from the video showing the B-52 during the fictional nuclear strike and a B-57 bomber navigating near a nuclear explosion. A 1960 Strategic Air Command training video familiarized B-52 crews with the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and how to navigate through a nuclear battlefield. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently …
Commercial Pilot Maneuvers Requirements
Italy One Step Closer To Convert Two ‘Green’ G-550s to EC-37B Compass Call Configuration
Main image: a G550 CAEW. The EC-37B is externally quite similar to the CAEW (Image credit: David Cenciotti); in the left box: EC-37B (USAF); right: green G550 (Giovanni Maduli) Two “green” Gulfstreams will be equipped with the Compass Call mission system as part of the Joint Airborne Multi-Mission Multi-Sensor System program. Italy is about to …
First Four Slovak MiG-29 Jets Have Been Transferred To Ukraine
One of the first four MiG-29s that have been transferred to Ukraine. (Image credit: screenshot from Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic YT channel) The four MiG-29 Fulcrum jets have been handed over to the Ukrainian Air Force. First four of 13 MiG-29 fighters retired from active service by the Slovak Air Force have be …
U.S. RC-135 Intelligence Gathering Jet Flying Unprecedented Mission Inside Finland’s Airspace
A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Crul) Operating from the Finnish airspace, the U.S. ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) aircraft can spy on the Russian forces near the border with Finland. Flying as JAKE 11, the Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint #62-4131 aircraft is currently flying a …
Prototype Of AW249 Attack Helicopter In Combat Livery Flies For The First time
The prototype of the AW249 during its first flight on Mar. 19, 2023. (Reader’s submission) Another AW249 NEES has flown. This one sports the standard olive drab paint scheme used by the Italian Army helicopters. A new Leonardo AW249 NEES (Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta / New Exploration and Escort Helicopter), has carried out its …
F-16 With Special Tail Celebrates 80th Anniversary Of The “Buzzards”
The F-16CM #89-2030 of the 510th FS landing at Aviano AB on Mar. 20, 2023. (Image credit: Claudio Tramontin) The F-16 with the new special-colored tail has flown for the first time from Aviano Air Base. The 510th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano AB, Italy, has a new flagship aircraft: …
Let’s Talk About Reports That China Used Stolen U.S. Military Technology For The J-20
A Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon and a US F-22 Raptor (file photos edited by The Aviationist for illustration purposes only) Experts have recently warned that the PLAAF 5th gen fighter, thanks to the espionage efforts, is more advanced than it otherwise would be. But the real question is: has China been able to catch up? …
Slovakia Has Approved The Transfer of 13 MiG-29s to Ukraine
The beauty of a Sliac AB Mig-29AS belonging to the 1st Fighter Squadron. (Image credit: Jorge Ruivo/The Aviationist) The ex-Slovak Air Force MiG-29s should be delivered in the next few weeks. Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced on Mar. 17, 2023, that the Government of Slovakia has approved the transfer of 13 MiG-29 fighters to …
Italy To Upgrade Its C-27J Spartan Tactical Airlifters
An Italian Air Force C-27J at Pisa airport. (Image credit: The Aviationist/Giovanni Maduli) The aircraft will receive an extensive upgrade to the avionic suite, onboard systems and self-protection suite. Leonardo and Armaereo, the Italian Defence Ministry’s Air Force Armament and Airworthiness Directorate, have signed a contract to begin the development activities for the upgrade of …
Here’s The MQ-9 Video Of The Russian Su-27 Intercept Over The Black Sea
A screenshot from the DoD video. The Pentagon released the MQ-9 video showing the Su-27 Flanker making one pass dumping fuel and another pass leading to the collision. As already reported on Mar. 14, 2023, a Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jet and a US MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft were involved in an inflight collision over the …