This independent project began in July 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025. It was presented at a press briefing held at Saab’s headquarters in Link?ping.

It is distinct from the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Sweden was announced as one of the original participants in Team Tempest, and jointly explored with Italy and the United Kingdom the requirements for a sixth-generation fighter jet. 

Sweden did not follow suit when the project merged with Japan’s F-X program and was cemented into the GCAP in December 2022.

As Peter Nilsson, the head of Saab’s Advanced Programmes, revealed, Sweden has undertaken a strategic re-evaluation of its priorities in light of new developments, both internal and external.

“Sweden decided with all the things happening, the war in Ukraine, NATO membership, and a raised defense budget, let’s take a deep breath and see where we are going to go,” Nilsson said, as quoted by .

Even though the new concept is still in the early stages, Nilsson hinted that it would differ significantly from the Gripen, emphasizing low observability, autonomy, and electronic warfare capabilities.

These developments follow Saab’s order from the Defence Material Administration (FMV) in March 2024, which includes studies on manned and unmanned solutions in system-by-system, technology development, and demonstrators. 

The project is anticipated to progress to concept, technology, and demonstration development in 2026 until 2031, when a procurement decision will be made.

Squadron leader Asim Jawad, 32, was performing aileron rolls at low altitude when the fuselage of the Yakovlev Yak-130 he was flying scraped along the tarmac.

An aileron roll is an aerobatic maneuver in which an aircraft does a full 360-degree revolution about its longitudinal axis.

Jawad and his co-pilot Wing Commander Sohan Hasan Khan both ejected from the aircraft before landing in a river. Both were rushed to a hospital, but Jawad later succumbed to his injuries at around 12:30 local time.

The harrowing incident was caught on CCTV and was posted to X (formerly Twitter).

The 35-second video clip shows the fighter jet flying close to the tarmac while doing aileron rolls. The aircraft can be seen flying increasingly lower while rotating, until the fuselage hits the tarmac. 

The Yakovlev Yak-130 is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft originally developed by Yakovlev and Aermacchi. The aircraft arrived in Bangladesh in 2015.

Top 10 Hollywood myths about fighter jets

• Aviation Top 10s

byValius Venckunas

2021-10-14

The state operated Xinhua News Agency reported that the 300-meter aircraft carrier was towed by tugboats from the shipyard at around 08:00 local time on May 1, 2024.??

Fujian is the first of China’s aircraft carriers to be constructed with an electro-magnetic catapult system which is capable of launching fighter jets with heavier loads.   

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently operates two other aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, both of which use the ski-jump takeoff.   

According to Global Times, two navigation restriction notices were issued on April 30, 2024.  

The first that a large ship will leave the estuary of the Yangtze River on May 1, 2024, and the second that military activities will begin on the same day in an area of the East China Sea until May 9, 2024.??

China's third , the Fujian, set out for maiden sea trials from a shipyard in east China's Shanghai on Wednesday morning. The sea trials will primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier's propulsion and electrical systems.

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina)

The aircraft carrier will carry out a series of sea trials but the first will concentrate on propulsion and power.  

The launch of Fujian is part of China’s aim to strengthen its military forces and compete with the United States (US).     

The US and its allies will no doubt pay close attention to the sea trials and try to gain any insights they can into the aircraft carrier’s capabilities.  

Fujian was first launched at Jiangnan Shipyard on June 17, 2022.  Fujian is believed to have a displacement of more than 80,000 tons. 

The US Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is currently being built, is over 330 meters long with an estimated displacement of 100,000 tons.??

US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashes in New Mexico, hospital discharges pilot

• Defense

byIan Molyneaux

2024-05-01

The pilots have undergone intensive training in the United Kingdom (UK), involving basic flying, ground school and language training. 

As part of their training, the pilots have been taught general aircraft handling, flying using the aircraft’s instruments, low level navigation and advanced formation flying by experienced RAF instructors. 

They also received English language tutoring to assist in their training and to boost interoperability with NATO air forces, where English is the standardized international flight language.?

The training comes following a request from Ukraine to provide its air force with F-16 fighter jets so that the country can defend its skies from Russian forces, in the wake of the invasion back in February 2022.?

While countries such as the Netherlands and Demark are providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, the UK was only able to offer training, as it does not operate the aircraft.  

The intensive training carried out by the RAF constitutes the UK’s contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States (US), Denmark and the Netherlands.  

The Ukrainian pilots will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets. On September 3, 2023, the authorities of France and Ukraine reported that they had reached a deal to train Ukrainian pilots in France.?

The first group of Ukrainian pilots have completed basic flying training in the UK. ?????

We salute their courage and determination.

They will now continue their training journey in France, before eventually getting to grips with the F-16. over to you ??

— Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ)

UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps said: “I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the UK. Thanks to the world-renowned skills of RAF, these pilots have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against Putin’s illegal invasion.”  

According to the UK, the first F-16s are set to be delivered to Ukraine by summer 2024. 

Ukraine pilots have also been undergoing F-16 training in the US since October 2023, at Morris Air National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona.   

Several Ukrainian pilots are expected to complete their training by May 2024.?

Ukraine hopes to restart commercial flights from Kyiv as soon as possible?

• Aviation

byLuke Peters

2024-03-12

According to , Boeing said in a statement on February 29, 2024, that the violations included Chinese employees based in China improperly downloading documents related to US Defense programs.??

In the four years leading up to 2017, the employees accessed data relating to F-18, F-15 and F-22 fighter jet programs, plus the E-3 Sentry and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. 

In addition, between 2013 and 2018 there were unauthorized technical downloads at Boeing and partner bases in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.?

“The administrative settlement between the Department of State and Boeing […] addresses Boeing’s unauthorized exports and retransfers of technical data to foreign-person employees and contractors; unauthorized exports of defense articles,” the State Department said.  

All of the alleged violations were voluntarily disclosed by Boeing and a considerable majority predate 2020. Furthermore, the US does not allege that the documents contained classified material.  

In all, the settlement resolves 199 violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). 

The State Department added that Boeing had “incorporated numerous improvements to its compliance program since the conduct at issue”. 

Under the terms of a 36-month Consent Agreement, Boeing will pay a civil penalty of $51 million. However, the State Department agreed to suspend $24 million if it is used to strengthen the company’s compliance program. 

“The settlement demonstrates the Department’s role in furthering the national security and foreign policy of the United States by controlling the export of defense articles. The settlement also highlights the importance of exporting defense articles only pursuant to appropriate authorization from the Department,” the statement said.  

According to Reuters, Boeing has declared that it is committed to improving its trade controls compliance program and “committed to our trade controls obligations, and we look forward to working with the state department under the agreement”.?

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• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2024-02-29

The 204-tonne jet, laden with 80 tons of fuel, was travelling at 160mph an hour when video footage captured the moment the tire burst.  

According to the RAF, the Voyager crew were unaware of what happened and proceeded to takeoff as normal.??

It was only when tire pressure sensors onboard the aircraft alerted the crew that they realized what had happened.?

External cameras attached to the outside of the Voyager were used to assess and determine the extent of the damage.  

The incident happened in the US where the Voyager is supporting British and US fighter jets with an aerial combat exercise called ‘Red Flag’. 

The Voyager flight crew were able to call upon the help of a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet to fly alongside the damaged plane and carry out a visual inspection.  

After assessing the damage and planning how the aircraft could be safely landed, the Voyager crew reduced the amount of fuel it was carrying.  

US Air Force firefighters at were alerted to cover all eventualities but the Voyager eventually landed safely back at the base and taxied back to its parking spot.?

“This was my first flight in charge of the cabin with passengers onboard. It was a shock to learn that the tire had burst, but my training kicked in and I worked with the pilots and other crew to keep the passengers updated and reassure them,” Corporal Jaz Lawton, Cabin Supervisor, said.  

Overnight RAF engineers worked to replace the tires and the Voyager was ready to continue work the very next day.  

“This has been an eventful day, but it is reassuring to be part of a wider team that operates so effectively under pressure,” the Voyager Captain said.??

Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down Russian Su-34 aircraft in Luhansk

• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

2024-01-30

Officially the new deal, announced on January 6, 2024, is an extension of an existing agreement between Boeing and the Australian government.?

The five-year contract extension, awarded to Boeing Defense, will see support for the Super Hornet and Growler programs continue until 2030, ensuring the long-term retention of a highly skilled workforce at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. 

As part of the agreement, Boeing will oversee the engineering, maintenance and project management for the sustainment and upgrade of the Super Hornets and Growlers. 

The Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract with Boeing commenced on July 1, 2016, for an initial period of five years.  

This is the second contract extension, taking the overall contract value to $800 million. 

“A strong Defense industry is also crucial to protecting Australians and their interests, as well as contributing to regional stability. I commend Boeing Defense Australia and all Defense industry partners involved with the maintenance and sustainment of the Super Hornet and Growler fleets,” Australian Minister for Defense Industry, , said.?

The contract extension comes as the EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack capability reaches final operational capability. 

Operated by No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, the Airborne Electronic Attack capability is comprised of 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft, the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System and the AGM-88 series of anti-radiation missiles.?

IAF executes first Super Hercules night landing on mountainous airstrip: video

• Defense

byIan Molyneaux

2024-01-08

In the short clip aired on January 2, 2023, an unrestricted view of the aircraft carrier’s deck could be seen, with the electro-magnetic catapult system easily identifiable.  

In total three catapult systems were visible in the footage, two in the middle of the deck and one to the side.  

According to military website , this footage is the first time that the hi-tech catapult system has been seen installed on the aircraft carrier.??

Aside from the Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers being built by the United States, Fujian is set to be the only other carrier with an Electro-magnetic Aircraft Launch System.?

The Chinese aircraft carrier was completing mooring tests and has now entered a dry dock before sea trials commence.  

The video also showed a mock-up Shenyang J-15 fighter jet at the rear of the aircraft carrier as it was pulled along by two tugboats.??

Latest image of China's third and most advanced aircraft carrier – Fujian, three electromagnetic catapults are very clearly to see.

China Central Television (CCTV) aired a latest interview about Chinese PLA Navy .

— Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei)

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently operates two other aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, both of which use the ski-jump takeoff. 

In November 2023, catapult testing on board Fujian was carried out at Shanghai’s Changxing Jiangnan shipyard, but footage published of the exercise was unclear due to it being recorded from a distance.  

The launch of Fujian is part of China’s aim to strengthen its military forces and compete with the United States.???

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• Defense

byIan Molyneaux

2024-01-02

An Indian navy spokesperson told local media that the airport’s fire brigade arrived immediately after the incident. No injuries were reported.

The fighter jet was stranded on the airport’s only runway prompting the airfield to close temporarily. 

Operations were disrupted and the runway was shut until 16:00 local time. A total of 16 flights were diverted and delayed. 

“As a result of the incident, the airport runway has been shut for operations till 4 pm. The services of 10 flights were affected. Some flights were diverted to the Manohar International Airport at Mopa,” S V T Dhanamjaya, Dabolim airport’s Director, told local media outlet

Located in South Goa district, GOI is part of INS Hansa, India’s biggest naval air base. At certain times of the day, the airport is used by naval aircraft. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as a civil enclave.

According to , former Royal Air Force (RAF) and British Airways pilot Andrew Hill is expected to hear whether his application has been successful at the start of 2024.??

On August 22, 2015, the pilot was flying a 1950s Hawker Hunter at the Shoreham Airshow in front of crowds when a loop maneuver failed, and the jet crashed into a nearby highway.??

The fighter jet burst into flames on impact and destroyed eight cars on the highway. Some of the victims were in vehicles at the time while others were there watching the air show.  

The Hawker Hunter broke into four sections during the crash but somehow Hill survived.  

After the pilot was charged with the deaths of the 11 men, he was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter at a criminal trial in 2019. 

At an inquest in 2022, a coroner found that the victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster were unlawfully killed. The coroner described Hill’s flying as “exceptionally bad”.  

“The aircraft failed to reach the height required by a significant margin,” the coroner said. “This was not a small misjudgment.”  

The coroner added: “It should have been clear and obvious he was too low.” 

Earlier in 2023 a request by Hill to review the inquest’s decision was rejected.  

News that Hill had applied to have his pilot’s license reinstated came to light during the making of a television documentary called ‘Fatal Flight: Shoreham’. 

According to media reports the families of the deceased “feel extremely strongly” that Hill should never have his pilot’s license reinstated.?

Air Show plane crash: Police confirm seven people are dead and more than 14 injured

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph)

“He shouldn’t be anywhere near a cockpit,” a family member said.  

The Shoreham Airshow has not been held since the disaster in 2015.?

Ukrainian Air Force claims three Russian Su-34 aircraft shot down near Kherson

• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

2023-12-22