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#ArcticDefender, the first leg of one the largest air exercises to date - #PacificSkies24 - is coming to an end. Let's recap what happened: The exercise has been led by the German Air Force. It has seen the three #FCAS nations 🇩🇪🇫🇷🇪🇸 train together with their US and Canadian allies in Alaska, and aims to simulate a so called NATO Article 5 scenario i.e. #NATO partners are to take necessary actions in case one member state is under attack. For the first time, the European Air Transport Command has trained air-to-air refuelling outside of European air space. During the missions, #A330MRTTs of the Armée de l’air et de l’espace and NATO's Multinational MRTT Unit have provided fuel to German Tornados, Spanish and German #Eurofighter but also fighter jets from France and the US, demonstrating their interoperability with allied aircraft. Ejército del Aire y del Espacio Royal Canadian Air Force | Aviation royale canadienne Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces) #Defence #DefenceMatters #MilitaryAircraft

Forsvaret - Norwegian Armed Forces is deploying four of is Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to Iceland providing an interceptor capability for NATO’s air surveillance mission in Iceland. As of January 15, four F-35 fighter aircraft are scheduled to fly NATO Air Policing sorties out of Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, until mid-February. This is the fourth time Norway deploys their fifth-generation jets to this mission. The Norwegian detachment conducts the first of three Allied fighter deployments to Iceland scheduled in 2024. Two Norwegian F-35s at Keflavík will be on stand-by 24/7 ready to scramble to safeguard NATO and international airspace near Iceland. Sorties will include training and alert scrambles e.g. to identify unknown aircraft as a legitimate response to maintain territorial integrity of the NATO Ally in the High North. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/daex6HVG #Norway #airforce #F35 #fighter #jet #aircraft #defence #military #armedforces #Europe #Iceland #NATO #airpolicing #StrongerTogether

Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B jets from 617 Squadron, Marham, United Kingdom, have deployed to Iceland to commence NATO's Air Policing mission. This is the first time British F-35s will have taken part in any NATO air policing mission. The F-35Bs will defend NATO airspace in the Arctic Region and provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs – or ASIC IPPN. The last deployment for British jets in Iceland was 2019, when four Typhoon jets flew 59 training sorties and more than 180 practice intercepts. The F-35 Lightning is held at high readiness to deploy in support of UK and NATO operations worldwide – from both land and sea. It is a multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and low observable stealth technology. This means that enemy radar systems cannot easily detect the aircraft, giving those nations operating the F-35 a significant tactical advantage in many operational scenarios. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dgEBAr5e #UK #RAF #airforce #F35 #aircraft #fighter #defence #aerospace #airpolicing #NATO #Iceland #StrongerTogether

'Squadron Leader Michael George Neaves MSc BSc RAF on Fuel Logistics and Asset Dispersal Strategies' In an interview at Combat Engineer & Logistics in Poland, Squadron Leader Michael Neaves discusses the challenges and strategies surrounding agile combat employment and last-mile fuel delivery. Emphasising the importance of dispersing valuable assets like fifth-generation aircraft, Neaves highlights the need for smart, flexible approaches to aircraft protection. He advocates for military collaboration with industry to address logistical challenges, particularly in tactical fuel support. Neaves also underscores the significance of nations working together, supported by organisations like NATO and the European Air Group, to ensure interoperability and efficient logistical support for frontline operations. Link to view full interview in the comments 🔗 #Defence #Military #Logistics #Engineering #events #CEL2024

Sign up below for this webinar where we talk G-forces and equipment designed for men etc. with the two former RAF female fighter pilots! More than Equal #womenwithguts #fastwomen

It's Warbirds Thursday! Well, there are military aircraft which are often overlooked when talking about WWII aviation, one of which definetly is the Westland Lysander. The Lysander is a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft that was used immediately before and during WWII. After becoming obsolete in the army co-operation role, the aircraft's short-field performance enabled clandestine missions using small, improvised airstrips behind enemy lines to place or recover agents, particularly in occupied France with the help of the French Resistance. RAF army co-operation aircraft were named after mythical or historical military leaders; in this case the Spartan admiral Lysander was chosen. The first Lysanders entered service in June 1938. As said, the Lysander had a short take off and landing performance which was much appreciated by Special Duties pilots. The wings were equipped with automatic slats which lifted away from the leading edge as the airspeed decreased towards stalling speed. These slats controlled automatic flaps. Slow speed flight was therefore greatly simplified, "and it was possible to bring a Lysander down to land, if not like a lift, at least like an escalator". The inboard slats were connected to the flaps and to an air damper in the port wing which governed the speed at which the slats operated. The outboard slats operated independently and were not connected and each was fitted with an air damper. On a normal approach, the inboard slats and the flaps would begin to open when the airspeed has dropped to about 85 mph (74 kn; 137 km/h) and be approximately half down at 80 mph (70 kn; 130 km/h). Four regular squadrons equipped with Lysanders accompanied the British Expeditionary Force to France in October 1939, and were joined by a further squadron early in 1940. Following the German invasion of France and the low countries on 10 May 1940, Lysanders were put into action as spotters and light bombers. In spite of occasional victories against German aircraft, they made very easy targets for the Luftwaffe even when escorted by Hurricanes. Lysanders were withdrawn from France during the Dunkirk evacuation. 118 Lysanders were lost in or over France and Belgium in May and June 1940, of a total of 175 deployed. The picture below shows the Westland Lysander V9312 (G-CCOM) which, sadly, is the only British-built example of this distinctive warbird in airworthy condition, and one of just a pair still flying in the UK. Please read more at https://lnkd.in/eMRExJUa. Finally, lest we forget to admire the ladies in front of the Lysander; they just look awesome in their old-fashioned uniforms. #Photographer #AviationPhotographer #Photography #Lysander #RAF #LaFerteAlais #LestempsdesHelices Please let me know what kind of pictures and/or stories of vintage aircraft and/or warbirds you would like to see posted going forward. Thanks!

A contingent of more than 30 military aircraft from Germany, France and Spain began arriving in Japan Friday to conduct a series of training exercises with the Air Self-Defense Force, marking these countries’ first-ever trilateral air force deployment to the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft’s arrival from Alaska follows their participation in the Arctic Defender aerial combat drills, the first leg of a two-month, trinational Pacific Skies deployment that will also see the German, French and Spanish air forces exercise with regional partners such as Japan, India and Australia. Aimed at improving tactical skills and promoting mutual understanding, the two-day aerial maneuvers beginning Friday highlight the expanding defense ties between Tokyo and key European partners – particularly NATO members – as they align their strategic interests amid shared economic and security concerns. The ASDF’s drills with France will take in the airspace around Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki Prefecture, while those with both Germany and Spain will be held in the airspace around Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, according to the Defense Ministry. Both Germany and Spain have sent Eurofighter Typhoons, while France is fielding Rafale jets. They are accompanied by several transport and aerial refueling aircraft as well as several hundred personnel. The ASDF is set to deploy F-2 fighters for its maneuvers with France and F-15s for separate drills with Spain and Germany. But that’s not all. From July 22 to 25, the ASDF and the Luftwaffe will hold their first-ever bilateral exercise known as Nippon Skies, in a follow-up to the German air force’s first-ever visit to Japan in 2022. A Luftwaffe spokesperson told The Japan Times that three of the eight Eurofighter Typhoons will stay at Chitose Air Base to take part in the joint drills, while the rest will fly on to Australia alongside the French and Spanish aircraft for the Pitch Black multilateral exercise. The Pitch Black drills will also include an ASDF contingent. These activities will in turn be followed by a separate ASDF exercise with the Italian Air Force called Rising Sun, which is to be held from Aug. 6 to 8 in the airspace around Misawa Air Base, Aomori Prefecture. https://lnkd.in/geP_9B8U

🚁✨ NHIndustries and NAHEMA - NATO HELICOPTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY have signed a contract to upgrade the NH90 helicopter. The 600-million-euro deal was signed on behalf of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. It includes upgrading both the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter for army use and the NATO Frigate Helicopter for naval utility. “The Block 1 programme will cover the next ten to fifteen years. Beyond that horizon, we are also planning the Block 2 upgrade that will define the future evolutions of the platform and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the battlefield of tomorrow,” NHI President and Head of NH90 Programme at Airbus Helicopters Axel Aloccio explained. #military #army #defense #defence #defenseindustry #defenceindustry #defensetech #defencetech #militarytech #technology #aviation #militaryaviation #aerospace #nhindustries #nato #helicopter #helicopters

New photos captured a US B-2 Spirit bomber flying with Japanese F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft for the first time. The aircraft flew together in the Indo-Pacific as part of the ongoing Bomber Task Force mission, which integrates bombers into operations with US allies and partners and demonstrates the ability to operate bombers anywhere in the world. The operation was the first time that a B-2 stealth bomber has flown with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35s, according to a press release from PACAF. The US Air Force B-2 launched from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Australia. Once the B-2 rendezvoused with the Japanese fighters, the "pilots conducted integration and aerial refueling operations," PACAF said. B-2s, normally stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, have been conducting Bomber Task Force missions for the past three weeks. Lt. Col. Justin Meyer, the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander, said that "the opportunity to integrate our B-2 Spirit pilots with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 5th generation aircraft is a significant milestone for our bilateral integration operations." "The advanced capabilities of these aircraft, combined with the strategic prowess of the B-2, enhance our collective readiness and interoperability. This collaboration not only strengthens our defense posture but also underscores our commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region," he added. Bomber Task Force operations are a priority for the US Air Force, as it seeks to demonstrate its capability and integrate its bomber aircraft, such as the stealth B-2 Spirit, supersonic B-1 Lancer, and B-52 Stratofortresses, into missions with US allies and partners. See https://lnkd.in/ges4C5Kj #AUKUS Michael Sharpe

🛩️🍃 The United States Air Force has collaborated with BETA TECHNOLOGIES to conduct a cargo test flight of its ALIA all-electric fixed-wing aircraft. The test was held to evaluate the platform’s performance in real-world scenarios and validate its applications for military missions, including critical resupply and cargo and personnel transport. According to 305th Maintenance Squadron Production Controller Alyxandra Scalone, it took the ALIA approximately 45 minutes to deliver the cargo despite Dover being “two and a half hours away from us.” “It brings key innovation to the mission,” she said. “It’s going to make things faster and simpler.” #military #army #defense #defence #defenseindustry #defenceindustry #defensetech #defencetech #militarytech #technology #innovation #usairforce #aviation #militaryaviation #aerospace