PACAF Commander Wants F-15EX To Replace F-15C | Iran Received Smart Sub-Surface Vessels | North Korean Projectile Exploded Mid-Air

Americas

The 40th Flight Test Squadron had the rare opportunity to fly five different types of aircraft assigned to the unit all together for one time on January 31. The F-15EX, F-15C, F-15E, F-16, and A-10 were all at Eglin Air Force Base for testing of upgraded systems. The formation represented for the first and last time, all five fighters in the 96th Test Wing inventory.

Speaking at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event on March 14, the US Pacific Air Forces commander said new weapon systems such as the F-15EX are required in order to prepare for Indo-Pacific conflict. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach said the aging F-15C, now based in Japan, needs to be replaced with the newer F-15EX. The new fighter is able to stay airborne for up to four hours without aerial refueling and can carry hypersonic weapons in future, Wilsbach added.

Middle East & Africa

The Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) received new smart sub-surface vessels along with missiles and speedboats. The new equipment were handed over to the IRGC’s naval forces during a ceremony in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on March 15, Iranian state-owned media reported.

Europe

The Irish Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed the acquisition of two second-hand Lake-class inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) from New Zealand to equip its naval service. The two ships, the former HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, are intended to replace the Irish Naval Service’s (INS’s) Peacock (P 41)-class coastal patrol ships LÉ Orla (P 41) and LÉ Ciara (P 42) following their planned withdrawal from service.

Ukraine’s military has claimed that a Russian surveillance drone crossed into Polish airspace before reentering Ukrainian airspace, where it was shot down. The destroyed Russian drone is believed to be Forpost UAV, a license-produced version of the IAI Searcher II reconnaissance drone, built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Licenses were sold to Russia in 2015, and the country is now believed to operate several dozens of such drones.

Asia-Pacific

A North Korean projectile, likely a ballistic missile, fired Wednesday exploded mid-air at an altitude of below 20km, the South’s military claimed. The projectile is said to have been shot from the Sunan area in Pyongyang at around 9:30 a.m., South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

Today’s Video

WATCH: F-15EX – Is the most heavily armed USAF jet worth it?