May 01, 2019 Military Aviation News

Coalition and Iraqi forces attack ISIS sleeper cells in Hamrin mountains

05/01/2019

In what it described as the largest combined operation since the March capture of Baghuz, Islamic State’s last bastion in eastern Syria, the Coalition said CJTF-OIR and Iraqi forces on April 24 attacked ISIS sleeper cells in northern Iraq. Separately, in the first acknowledged combat employment of the aircraft by the U.S. military, two U.S. Air Force F-35A joint strike fighters conducted an airstrike in the same area on April 30.

U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat employment

05/01/2019

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducted an air strike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, April 30. This strike marked the F-35A’s first combat employment. The F-35As conducted the airstrike using a Joint Direct Attack Munition to strike an entrenched Daesh tunnel network and weapons cache deep in the Hamrin Mountains, a location able to threaten friendly forces.

Airbus still wrestling with A400M contract revision

05/01/2019

Airbus is aiming to have a revised contract for the A400M signed off by mid-year, as negotiations with the programme's launch nations continue. Speaking on a first-quarter results call on 30 April, chief executive Guillaume Faury said that talks were "progressing".

PICTURE: RAAF C-130Js to get high-speed satcom capability

05/01/2019

The Royal Australian Air Force will equip five Lockheed C-130Js with Ka-Band satellite communications systems. The work will be undertaken from late 2019 and be completed in 2022, says the RAAF. One RAAF C-130J was fitted with the system in 2017 for trial purposes. The work involves installing Honeywell’s JetWave Ka-Band system. This will allow high-definition video to be streamed and support mission planning while the aircraft is in flight.

RAAF EA-18Gs achieve IOC

05/01/2019

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft have achieved initial operating capability (IOC). “Over time, this aircraft will work with Army and Navy platforms to enhance our ability to control the electronic environment, and where necessary, deny or degrade the electronic systems of adversaries,” says Air Marshal Leo Davies.

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