August 29, 2012 Military Aviation News

RAF surveillance aircraft clock up 20,000 flying hours

08/29/2012

The high-tech, state-of-the-art Sentinel R1 aircraft of No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron and Shadow R1 aircraft of 14 Squadron have each clocked up 10,000 hours on Operation HERRICK. While based in Britain aircraft from both units have been permanently patrolling the skies above Afghanistan since 2009 gathering vital intelligence on insurgent activities.

Bolivia Finalizing Shoot-down Law to Combat Drug Flights

08/29/2012

Bolivia announced it is finalizing a new law that will allow the security forces to intercept drug trafficking flights, although such "shoot-down" strategies have been implemented in Bolivia before and didn't do much to radically change the dynamics of the drug trade. On August 27, the Bolivian Ministry of Defense announced that it was finalizing two new initiatives that will allow the government to intercept and shoot down planes suspected of drug trafficking.

F-35 opens the door to true cooperation of forces

08/29/2012

Since the 1950s, engineers worldwide have been trying to create the ideal airplane that possesses the ability to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings while maintain speed and missile capabilities. The first generation of these aircraft only achieved advanced speed over previous airplanes, while the second reached supersonic speed and the ability to carry missiles.

7 Israeli aircraft violate Lebanon’s airspace

08/29/2012

An Israeli reconnaissance plane crossed into Lebanese airspace over the southern border town of Alma al-Shaab at 7 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military. The remote-controlled aircraft made surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut before it left Lebanese airspace at 2:15 p.m. local time (1115 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura, which is situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut.

Analysis: China's aircraft carrier: in name only

08/29/2012

When Japanese activists scrambled ashore on a disputed island chain in the East China Sea this month, one of China's most hawkish military commentators proposed an uncharacteristically mild response. Retired Major General Luo Yuan suggested naming China's new aircraft carrier Diaoyu, after the Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. It would demonstrate China's sovereignty over the islands known as the Senkakus in Japanese, he said.

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