PLA's nuclear subs still unable to strike US homeland: Kanwa

China's 12 nuclear-powered submarines are still unable to launch a direct attack against the US homeland, reports the Kanwa Defense Review, a Chinese-language military magazine based in Canada.

An estimated three of the PLA Navy's Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines and two Type 093 Shang-class attack submarines are currently stationed at Sanya, the base of the PLA's South Sea Fleet in the southern island province of Hainan.

The base is the most proximate location for deployment to the South China Sea, where Beijing disputes vast swaths of maritime territory with competing neighbors.

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US's F-22 Raptor jet fighter comes to Poland

Four of the Lockheed Martin-made planes will be on show. The F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine, all weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF).

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor and was responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems, and final assembly of the F-22, while program partner Boeing provided the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.

The event comes in the wake of Warsaw's requests for more US and NATO engagement in Poland and the Baltic states in view of the recent escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and concerns over Russia’s stance.

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Mirage 2000 fighter jet to be upgraded with multi-function displays

The upgraded Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft will be installed with India-made multi-function displays under an Indo-French partnership, as part of a programme to enhance the operational life of multi-role fighters by around 20 years.

Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd (STAL), a joint venture between Samtel Avionics and French firm Thales, has successfully dispatched the first batch of multi-function displays for Mirage 2000 upgrade programme of the Indian Air Force from the newly-commissioned production facility in Greater Noida.

"Samtel Thales Avionics thus becomes the only Indo-French partnership in defence space in India to have a high-technology product in production for a major offset programme, and is the only company in India eligible for more Mirage 2000 MLU displays," an industry source here said.

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Crews Deliver Retired Fighter Jet to Haney Technical Center

It may be nerve-racking thinking of delivering a retired fighter jet across the streets of Panama City, but for Air Force mechanic Jason Lingenfelter, his wife Christy said her husband felt right at home.

"He started out with the F-15s when he came into the military, and he's since transitioned into the 22s," Lingenfelter said. "So this is like coming back to home. He's back with his original air frame and he's very excited about it."

Lingenfelter joined dozens of others Sunday morning to help bring the Eagle F-15 fighter jet from Tyndall Air Force Base to Haney Technical Center.

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China Prepares to Build Jet Faster Than Legendary US Spy Plane?

According to various reports, China is planning to develop a turbofan ramjet engine. Such an engine theoretically could be the basis for a jet faster than the legendary US SR-71 spy plane, the fastest aircraft, discharged in the late 1990s.

On August 25, a report in the Chinese newspaper China Aviation News described a planned project to build China's first domestically-made turbofan-ramjet combined cycle engine, designed for an unnamed aircraft.

“The description of this engine suggests something resembling the Pratt & Whitney J58 variable cycle engine used by the SR-71 Blackbird, which is also often described as a turbofan-ramjet engine, due to its unique bleed from the compressor to the afterburner which allows for increased thrust at high speeds,” China Aviation News wrote.

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China test-flies new generation drone

China has taken a newly-developed drone on a test flight in northwest province Gansu.

The new generation "Rainbow 5" drone is twice as large as previous models, with a 20-meter wingspan. It was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology for reconnaissance and military strikes.

The drone can conduct air patrol for over 30 hours, and has 900 kilograms of load capacity. Apart from military uses, it can also be used for maritime patrol and search and rescue at sea.

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What will Royal Navy warships look like in 2050?

Futuristic images of what Royal Navy vessels could look like in 2050 have been developed by young British scientists and engineers. They hope it will offer a glimpse of how advanced vessels could be.

A group of British scientists and engineers are working for major players in the industry and the Ministry of Defence on a project called Starpoint.

Its aim is to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of military maritime technology.

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Faslane base gets £500m contracts 'to secure 6,700 jobs'

Chancellor George Osborne has announced more than £500m of contracts for the Royal Navy's submarine base at Faslane.

The government said the work, which is due to begin in 2017, would secure 6,700 jobs and create thousands more.

Mr Osborne said: "Across Scotland, around 12,600 people work in defence and my defence spending commitments will secure these jobs."

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Saab strikes technology cooperation with BPPT, ITB

Swedish defense and security giant Saab AB has signed two technology cooperation agreements that will mainly help foster the defense and aeronautics sectors in Indonesia.

On Thursday, Saab chief technology officer Pontus de Laval signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) which was represented by deputy chairman for industrial technology design and engineering, Erzi Agson Gani.

Under the terms of the MoU Saab and BPPT will cooperate broadly on defense technology such as aerospace, naval and sensor technology.

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Combat Effectiveness of Yak-130 Enhanced

Irkut has demonstrated Yak-130 trainer aircraft fitted with laser rangefinder intended for visual identification of ground and surface targets and measurement of slant range to them at the MAKS-2015.

Russia has upgraded the the Yak-130 (tail number 01)in a bid to showcase it as not just a trainer but also as a light attack aircraft to its foreign customers.

According to a press statement on Aug 28, the presence of the laser range finder allows for combat use of the Yak-130 in difficult terrain (mountains, gorges), improve the accuracy of determining the coordinates of the operational objectives and the application of existing nomenclature aircraft weapons.

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MAKS airshow highlights: No-runway plane, PAK FA 5G jet in action

This week Russia hosted one of the world’s biggest aviation events, the MAKS-2015 air show. RT looks back on the highlights of the expo, from the public aerobatics premiere of PAK FA, Russia’s first 5th-gen fighter jet, to historic WWII planes.

The Sukhoi PAK FA is the Russian-made counterpart to the US F 22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II currently in the testing phase.

While the general public could see it flying at previous MAKS air shows, this year the aircraft performed a complex aerobatics program, showcasing its supermaneuverability.

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Nigerian Military Plane Crashes In Kaduna, Killing All 7 On Board

The Nigerian Air Force said one of its aircraft crashed into a residential house in the state of Kaduna killing all seven people who were onboard, including four crew members and three passengers, the Associated Press reported.

Saturday’s accident happened after the Dornier-228 aircraft had taken off from Kaduna Military Airfield Saturday morning bound for the country's capital, Abuja. The plane crashed into a house in the Ribadu area, AP reported, citing Commodore Dele Alonge, an air force spokesman.

The bodies of those in the plane have been recovered, Alonge said, adding that fire fighters are at the crash site trying to prevent the fire from spreading.

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USS Ronald Reagan completes sea trials, assesments

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returned to Naval Base Coronado in San Diego after completing sea trials and a post hull swap assessment, Aug. 29.

In order to prepare the ship for her upcoming patrol and to re-certify shipboard qualifications, the crew completed five days of drills and training. Carrier Air Wing (CVW-11) was embarked to assist.

"Anytime there is a significant change of personnel the ship has to re-certify its flight deck and hangar bay,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate First Class Demetrius Davis, V-3 division leading petty officer. “The certification process ensured our personnel were able to secure aircraft properly, combat causalities and properly execute drills such as moving aircraft to different spots on the flight deck and hangar bay.”

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Iran unveils more details on its new radar systems

The commander of Iran’s Khatam ol-Anbiya air defense base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaeili has unveiled more details about the new strategic radar systems which will become operational by September 1.

The home-made radar systems dubbed Bina and Nazir are installed in two mountainous and plain areas, Esmaeili said.

The radars are capable of detecting small flying targets as well as cruise and semi-ballistic missiles, the commander said, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported Aug. 29.

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PLA tests missile to protest Japan's second helicopter destroyer

In protest over the launch of Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, China test-launched its Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missile during a naval exercise held in the disputed East China Sea on Aug. 27, according to the state-run China News Service.

More than 100 warships, including the Russian-built Sovremennyy-class destroyer from the PLA's North, South and East Sea fleets were mobilized for the war game.

In addition, PLA Air Force aircraft taking part in the exercise provided the warships an opportunity to coordinate with aircraft and submarines in an environment close to real combat.

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Vietnamese amateur inventors may get financial support

Quan explained that many of these inventors had never sourced official support.

"Producing and operating submarines and aircraft must be registered with the Ministry of Defence," Quan said. "These inventions will not be allowed to put into use if their owners don’t register their works with relevant agencies."

Quan also said that Vietnam now has no regulations on using the state budget to support initiatives by members of the public.

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First of six new Indian Navy submarines to be complete by 2016

After much delay, the process for constructing six new submarines for the Indian Navy can finally begin now after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accepted a confidential report on the capacity of domestic shipyards to carry out the mammoth task.

The DAC meeting on Friday was scheduled to take up the issue but it could not come up for discussion as Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had to leave mid-way.

Sources said the subject would be taken up at the DAC meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

Russia and Egypt signed no deal on Alligator combat helicopters — arms exporter

Russia and Egypt did not sign a contract to supply Russian Kamov Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopters at the MAKS-2015 International Air Show, the director-general of the Rosoboronexport agency dealing with exports and imports of defense-related products told TASS on Friday.

"There was nothing of the kind, at least at this exhibition," Anatoly Isaikin said answering a question on the issue.

A military-diplomatic source earlier told TASS that Egypt had ordered Russian Ka-52 combat helicopters, without providing further details.

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Airbus Helicopters to demo Tiger combat aircraft in Poland

Airbus Helicopters reports its Tiger aircraft will perform a flight demonstration in Poland prior to the start next week's MSPO defense exhibition.

The Tiger HAD chosen for the demonstration is from the French Army, which has used Tigers in operations in Afghanistan and the Sahel.

"With its flat and narrow silhouette, the Tiger HAD's advantages include low detectability, low vulnerability, high survivability, high agility and maneuverability making it the attack helicopter best adapted to both symmetric and asymmetric battlefields with unique capabilities whether for air-to-ground or air-to-air combat," France-based Airbus Helicopters said.

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Iran to buy Russian fighter-jets

Iran's VP who has recently left Moscow has told the local media about undergoing talks on buying Russian fighter-jets.

Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari has told Russian media that Iranian Defense Minister and Russian military officials are discussing the Tehran's purchase of two kinds of Russian-made military aircraft.

Sattari also stated that Iran is examining civilian passenger craft the Sukhoi Superjet 100 and Iranian airliners are likely to buy the plane dependent on the price offered by the Russians.

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Poland to Overhaul Six Bulgarian MiG-29 Fighter Jets by end-2016

Six Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets will have their engines overhauled in Poland, according to an intergovernmental letter of intent signed in Sofia on Friday.

Poland’s state-owned Miltary Aviation Works WZL 2, 4 will carry out the repair and upgrade of the engines of three MiG-29s by the middle of next year and a further three by end-2016, according to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

No financial details of the preliminary deal were disclosed.

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4 US stealth F-22 Raptors are on their way Germany

Four F-22A Raptor stealth jets will arrive at Spangdahlem air base later on Friday to start a deployment in Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

The aircraft, belonging to 325th Fighter Wing, from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and using the radio call sign "Tabor 11," are accompanied by two air spares and supported by several tankers along the way, according to the information posted by some very well informed users on Scramble forum.

As happened to the first A-10 Theater Security Package in May, Spangdahlem will be the first stop for the US Raptors that are expected to visit other Eastern Europe air bases.

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DARPA’s next-gen drones will launch and land on other airplanes. While they’re moving

The Pentagon says it's going to bring together the best minds in aerospace design this fall to help build a fleet of small, robotic airplanes.

These won't be your ordinary unmanned drones, though. Instead, the idea is to launch a veritable swarm of these tiny planes from the back of a much bigger plane.

That's right: The military wants to turn large C-130 cargo planes into makeshift aircraft carriers.

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The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is back in action

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is back.

The 38-year-old aircraft carrier was spotted cruising down the Elizabeth River on Friday morning after spending nearly two years at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a scheduled docking planned incremental availability (DPIA).

In a message from posted to the ship’s Facebook page, the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Steve Koehler said officers, chiefs and enlisted crew members have all moved their belongings back on board.

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2 Indian Naval Warships INS Betwa & INS Beas dock at Iranian port

In a bid to strengthen bilateral ties with Iran, two Indian Naval Warships - INS Betwa and INS Beas - today sailed into the Bandar-e-Abbas port and will hold joint sea exercises.

The visit comes days after an Indian warship anchored at Israel's Haifa port.

During their five-day stay in Iran, the ships will hold various interactions with their Iranian Navy counterparts and joint exercises at sea.

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Look out, China! America is getting new ship-killing missiles

The U.S. Navy has begun testing a new, radar-evading, air-launched anti-ship missile — a big step forward in the sailing branch's march toward a more lethal fleet. In the next few years, the Navy could add three new ship-killing weapons to its warplanes and surface ships, augmenting existing Harpoon missiles that began entering service in 1977 and today are badly outclassed by Chinese- and Russian-made designs.

On Aug. 12, Navy testers at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland began experimenting with an inert missile body modeled on Lockheed Martin's Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, or LRASM.

The testers fitted the mock munition to an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter belonging to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23.

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Boeing Lands $1.5 Billion Deal to Supply P-8s to US, Australia

Boeing Co., the world’s largest aerospace company, landed a $1.5 billion contract to supply P-8 Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. and Australia.

The deal, announced Thursday evening by the Pentagon, calls for delivering 13 more of the maritime surveillance aircraft, including the first four for the Australian military and another nine for the U.S. Navy.

That will bring the Navy’s fleet total to 62, of which Boeing has delivered 28 to date, according to a press release from Boeing.

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Spain accused of 'provocation' after letting Russian submarine refuel off Gibraltar

The Spanish government has been accused of further provocative behaviour over the contested British territory of Gibraltar after it allowed a Russian submarine to refuel at one of its ports just 19 miles from the Rock.

Security sources now fear that the state-of-the-art Novorossiysk, which passed through the English Channel last week, may now operate from a Russian naval base on the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, The Independent can reveal.

Conservative backbenchers and defence experts have been quick to condemn the three-day visit by the Russian hunter-killer submarine to the port of Ceuta, a contested Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast.

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U.S. Navy New Research Vessel Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27) Completes Acceptance Trials

The first-of-class Oceanographic Research Vessel R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), successfully completed Acceptance Trials August 7 the Navy reported today.

Neil Armstrong is a modern mono-hull research vessel based on commercial design, capable of integrated, interdisciplinary, general purpose oceanographic research in coastal and deep ocean areas.

The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) found the ship to be well-built and inspection-ready. The trials evaluated the ship’s major systems and equipment to include demonstrations of the ship’s main propulsion system, dynamic positioning system, navigation, cranes and winches, and communication systems.

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Raytheon and US Navy collaborate to optimize minehunting sonar

Raytheon Company is working closely with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) – Division Newport to enhance the features of the company's AN/AQS-20A minehunting sonar.

Together, the team is analyzing the system's synthetic aperture sonar to fully optimize its ability to capture and process high- and low-resolution images of mine threats undersea.

"Extending our long history of collaboration with our NUWC neighbors, this project brings together our respective sonar experts to maximize the performance of a critical undersea warfare capability," said Kevin Peppe, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Seapower Capability Systems.

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US agrees to sell AH-1Z attack helicopters to Pakistan

US Department of Defence (DoD) announced on Wednesday that it has awarded Bell Helicopter a $581 million contract that includes the delivery of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Pakistan.

The contract covers the manufacture and delivery of 15 Lot 12 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, 19 Lot 12 AH-1Zs, one Lot 13 UH-1Y, and 21 auxiliary fuel kits for the government of Pakistan. According to the DoD, these initial helicopters will be delivered by the end of August 2018.

Although Pakistan had requested the sale of 15 AH-1Z helicopters in April, it is not clear how many of the 15 helicopters have been signed for at this stage.

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US approves $3bn deal to upgrade Britain's Apache attack helicopter fleet

The US government has approved a massive deal to modernise Britain’s fleet of Apache attack helicopters with the latest American technology, removing a major hurdle that could have otherwise seen the aircraft upgraded in the UK.

The US State Department said it had approved a request from the Ministry of Defence for a $3bn deal for the “remanufacture” of 50 Apache WAH-64 Mk I helicopters to turn them into advanced AH-64E Guardian models.

Also approved was work to install better engines, targeting systems, radar and sensors, along with spare parts and training and support.

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MAKS-2015 Airshow Enters Third Day, Set to Become Open to Public

The MAKS-2015 International Air Show in the city of Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region enters its third day on August 27, and will soon give the general public the opportunity to witness Russia’s latest aviation technology.

Defense contractors, state representatives and other industry specialists from 25 countries who attended the event, are due to finalize their numerous deals throughout the day ahead of Friday, when the airshow will open its doors to all those who want to see the event's entertainment program, which features an aerobatics show by Russian pilots.

The first day of the airshow saw, among other events, a demonstration flight by Russia’s latest fighter jet, the fifth generation T-50, also known as PAK FA, touted as a warplane that will provide a worthy adversary to the sophisticated US F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

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Delhi’s interest in MiG-35 is growing

Interest in India about the newest Russian fighter jet, the MiG-35, is growing, because the number of French Dassault Rafale fighter jets to be purchased has decreased, Sergey Korotkov, General Director of the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RAC MiG) told RIA Novosti during an interview.

“Given the limited purchase of Rafale fighter jets, and the urgent need to upgrade the fighter jet fleet, interest in the MiG-35 has been objectively increasing. This issue is currently being discussed in professional circles of India,” said Korotkov.

During a visit to France in April, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that an agreement had been signed, between India and France, for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. Earlier, India had planned to buy 126 of these aircraft.

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New Chinese AEWC aircraft to debut in V-Day parade

China's latest airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft will debut and lead the AEWC aircraft formation in the Sept. 3 military parade in Beijing, according to a military source.

The medium-sized aircraft is a multi-sensor unit, which can support surveillance missions and perform command and control maneuvers, said pilot Song Xianping, which will be flying in the parade.

The large-sized AEWC aircraft, also produced in China, will lead all ten air formations in the coming V-Day military parade, the second time it has done so since in the 60th anniversary of New China's establishment in 2009.

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CP-140 Aurora aborts take-off, slides off runway – crew is safe

Military flight safety specialists will try to determine why a CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft slid off the runway Thursday at a base in Nova Scotia.

Capt. John Pulchny, spokesman for 14 Wing Greenwood, said the Aurora was about to take off for a northern patrol mission Thursday morning when the incident happened.

The Aurora “aborted its take-off and slid onto the grass area adjacent to the runway,” Pulchny stated in an email.

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HMS Queen Elizabeth crew switch on its radar for first time

The crew of the UK Royal Navy's Elizabeth-class (QE) aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has switched on the vessel's S1850M radar for the first time.

The flashing up of the long-range radar was part of ongoing preparations to ready the warship for sea next year.

Weapon engineers PO Ian 'Mac' McDonald said: "Having been a part of the long range radar programme since it was delivered to Rosyth back in October 2013, it's very satisfying to see it 'turning and burning' - a milestone nearly two years in the making.

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Newport News Shipbuilding Conducts Steam Testing on Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division announced today that it has reintroduced steam to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln(CVN 72) to begin final testing of the ship's steam-powered systems.

Moored at Outfitting Berth 1 at Newport News, Lincoln is in the final stages of its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH). Shipbuilders and sailors are beginning to test steam-powered systems on board, including the main engine complex and the electrical generators.

"As steam is reintroduced into Lincoln's piping systems and equipment is operated, the ship is truly coming back to life," said Chris Miner, Newport News' vice president of in-service aircraft carrier programs. "Once the work and final testing, including sea trials, is complete, Lincoln will be redelivered to the Navy as one of the most technologically advanced Nimitz-class carriers in the fleet."

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Navy tests armaments in East China Sea

The Chinese navy conducted a live fire drill in the East China Sea on Thursday.

The exercise involved more than 100 warships, dozens of aircraft and several missile launch battalions, navy sources said.

It was the third drill on such a large scale in two months. The previous two were conducted in the Yellow Sea and South China Sea.

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Feature: Lockheed Martin’s latest SAAF C-130J offer tied to Defence Review

Lockheed Martin continues to offer its C-130J Super Hercules to meet the South African Air Force’s tanker, transport and maritime patrol requirements, this time in line with 2014 Defence Review recommendations.

Ray Fajay, Director, Air Mobility Business Development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in a media briefing in Pretoria yesterday said his company was here primarily as a result of the recently concluded defence review which outlines the defence ministry’s priorities.

He said that it identifies three areas where Lockheed Martin can have discussions with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF): airlift, air-to-air refuelling and maritime patrol.

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Russia inks deal with Anil-Ambani led Reliance Group for 197 defence choppers

A defence arm of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group has been picked for another project by the Russian government - this time for a Rs 6,000-crore ($925 million) potential deal to make 197 helicopters for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, informed sources said on Friday.

Touted as among the largest deals under the "Make in India" programme, it calls for making 197 Kamov 226T choppers to retire the Chetak-Cheetah fleet that has been key inventory in frontline operations for over 30 years, notably in difficult terrain like Siachen, the sources added.

"We are committed to actively participating in Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' and 'Skill India' program," the spokesperson for Reliance Defence said when asked for the company's comment on the deal, which involves manufacture of these light utility helicopters in the country.

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Amid tension over Ukraine, a Russian submarine docks in Ceuta

One of Russia’s new state-of-the-art submarines docked in Ceuta yesterday morning on its way into the Mediterranean.

The diesel-powered Novorossiysk, which was launched in 2013, is characterised by advanced stealth technology making it virtually undetectable when submerged.

The vessel’s arrival in the Spanish North African enclave comes against the background of continued tension between NATO and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

Source

India teams up with Australia in maritime co-operation after China sends nuclear submarine into Indian Ocean

Australia and India have joined hands and entered into a bilateral maritime co-operation in response to a war game that sparked off after a Chinese nuclear submarine entered the Indian Ocean for the first time late last year.

The exercise, which will take place in Bay of Bengal, will have a Collins-class submarine, a P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft, frigates and a tanker sent by Australia.

The India-United States war game will also include Japan this year. China is apparently not quite pleased with Japan’s growing involvement in Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean.

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Japan Named and Launched its 2nd Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer DDH-184 "Kaga"

Today, around 14:30 of August 27, 2015 (Thursday), Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) launched its second Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer.

The vessel was officially name "Kaga" (hull number DDH-184) during the ceremony at the JMU Japan Marine United Corporation shipyard in Yokohama Isogo.

Kaga was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the third to enter service, named after the former Kaga Province in present-day Ishikawa Prefecture.

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Raytheon air-to-air missile scores direct hit from U.S. Army ground launcher

The U.S. Army and Raytheon Company successfully test fired an AIM-9X Block II missile from the Army's ground-based Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-I (IFPC 2-I) Block 1 Multi-Mission Launcher (MML).

AIM-9X is traditionally fired from aircraft toward aerial targets and this test demonstrated that the latest AIM-9X can be used in both air-to-air combat and now, without modification, in ground-based air defense.

The AIM-9X missile first locked onto an unmanned aerial system (UAS) before launch, and then intercepted and destroyed the UAS, which was flying 1,500 meters above ground level.

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Iran Says It's Launched Nasr Cruise Missile Production Line

Iran heralded the launch of a cruise missile production line — but experts said the fanfare might be overblown.

Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hussein Dehqan said at a ceremony Tuesday that the high-precision Nasr air-launched missile system will significantly upgrade the tactical power of Iranian forces. He said Iran also plans to fit the missile on drones in the future.

Military moves by the Islamic Republic can spark unease amongst Iran's neighbors — especially in wake of last month's nuclear deal.

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Azerbaijan interested in Russia's Mi-28

Azerbaijani servicemen taking part in MAX-2015 avia show in Russia have demonstrated interest in Mi-28.

According to Oxu.Az, the information was disseminated by Vedomosti.

The newspaper cites an unknown source saying that Azerbaijani servicemen closely familiarized with Mi-28 combat helicopter.

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MAKS: Is Russia developing an F-35-hunting UAV?

Russia could be working on a low-observable, F-35-hunting unmanned air vehicle that uses deeply-integrated electronic warfare systems to stay hidden from radars. The tip-off comes from electronic systems producer KRET, which has a curious UAV model on display at the MAKS air show in Moscow.

According to the company’s first deputy chief executive officer Vladimir Mikheev, this aircraft model is more than just a sleek promotional display – it is an advanced military UAV being developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) is a subcontractor on the project, he says, providing the fundamental communications, radar, electronic warfare and self-protection systems, as well as the ground control station.

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India seeks time extension on $3.1bn US copter deal

India has asked the United States for another month’s extension of the agreed price window in a $3.1-billion deal to buy 22 attack and 15 heavy-lift helicopters.

India’s move comes after a US warning on revision of costs after the 12th extension expires on August 31. The much-needed acquisition has been hanging since September 2013, with files shuttling between the defence and finance ministries.

India seeks to purchase 22 Apache helicopters with option of purchasing 11 more for about $2 billion; the Chinook deal is for 15 helicopters with the option of buying six more for $1.1 billion.

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Russia Demands Tehran’s Drone Technology, Starts Talks on Sukhoi-30 Fighter Jets

Managing-Director of the Iranian Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Manouchehr Manteqi said Wednesday that Russia has asked for import of Iranian drone technology.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is known as an advanced country in the field of (building) drones," Manteqi said on the sidelines of the MAKS 2015 air show in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow.

He underlined that the Russians plan to transfer the technology of building one of Iran's drones to their country, but he declined to reveal any further details.

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