The U.S. company procured 26 HH-3F Pelican helicopters retired by the Italian Air Force 10 years ago. Clayton International, a leading player in helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), specialized in refurbishing Sikorsky helicopters, has scored a major acquisition, buying up...
The final chapter in the operational career of the legendary F-104 unfolded at Grazzanise Air Base on Oct. 31, 2004. Of the 15 nations that operated one of the 2,580 Lockheed F-104 Starfighters produced (including prototypes), Italy is uniquely distinguished for...
The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, known for its ties to the Russian Air Force, shared routine images of Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons flying over the Baltic Sea. These relatively ordinary photos, however, sparked sensationalist reports in the Italian media. On Oct....
Gabriele D’Annunzio, in the front seat, and pilot Captain Natale Palli, in the S.V.A. two-seater biplane, ready to take off for the flight over Vienna on 9 August 1918. (Image credit: Army War College, Historical Section. US D.o.D.) On this day,...
Italian KC-767A (Image credit: Giovanni Maduli / The Aviationist) After suspending the acquisition of the KC-46 Pegasus, Italy is now looking again for a new tanker, possibly from another vendor. A couple of weeks after halting the acquisition of the KC-46...
An Italian F-2000A Typhoon takes off for a training mission. (All images credit: Stefano D’Urso/The Aviationist) The Ministry of Defense requested the government’s approval for the acquisition of the 4th tranche of the European fighter jet, effectively launching the acquisition process....
A KC-46A Pegasus with Wing Aerial Refueling Pods attached takes off March 13, 2024, from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. This was McConnell’s first test flight with the pods, which allow the KC-46 to refuel two fighter aircraft at once. (U.S....
An F-2000 of the 9° Gruppo (Squadron) takes off for a mission. (All images credit: Stefano D’Urso / The Aviationist) The three-week exercise was preparatory for Red Flag Alaska 24-1 and also saw the participation of the F-35 fleet. The Italian...
Test pilot Peter Weger makes his maiden flight in the Eurofighter Typhoon on 27 March 1994. (Photo: Eurofighter) The first Eurofighter development aircraft, DA1, performed its maiden flight on March 27, 1994 in Manching, Germany. The Eurofighter Typhoon celebrates today the...
An F-2000 of the 10° Gruppo takes off for a morning mission. (All images credit: Stefano D’Urso / The Aviationist) The exercise precedes the deployment of the Typhoon fleet to Red Flag – Akaska in the U.S. The Italian Air Force...
