Americas
* The US Navy took an MV-22 from VMX-1 aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for flight trials on June 12. Testing comes as the service moves to induct the CMV-22B variant as the replacement for the Northrop Grumman C-2 Greyhound twin turboprop in the aircraft carrier logistics role at sea. The purpose of the MV-22 tests is to allow crews to experience landing on an aircraft carrier as opposed to landing on an amphibious ship, like with the USMC. Additions to the Navy model will see the installation of extra fuel bladders to extend its range from 860nm to approximately 1,150nm, as well as a beyond line-of-sight radio and public address system so that crews can communicate en route to the aircraft carrier’s deck, or between other ships in the battle group.
Middle East North Africa
* Pakistan is to drop its attempts to purchase F-16s from the US, instead opting for a deal to source second-hand aircraft from Jordan. Last month, the potential sale of eight F-16C/D aircraft was brought into question after US Congress objected to using the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program to subsidize the deal, requiring Islamabad to pay the full amount of $699 million. Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Policy on Monday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Aizaz Chaudhry bemoaned the often strained relations between the two countries commenting “the US has spent 16 years fighting the war on terror. If only it had given six years to the peace process things would have been different.”
* Iraq’s Defense Minister Khaled Obaidi took part in air force sorties against Islamic State targets over Fallujah on June 13. Obaidi, who served as a flight engineer in the Iraqi Air Force between 1987-2003, took to the back seat of an F-16D fighter, posting video to his Twitter and Facebook accounts. The Iraqi Army and Shiite militias, backed by US airstrikes, launched the offensive to retake Fallujah on May 22 and already gain control over most of suburbs of the city.
Europe
* Pacifist activists staged demonstrations on Monday at the Eurosatory 2016 Defense Exhibition in Paris. About ten protesters managed to cover several exhibited items with red paint, symbolizing blood, which included France’s famous Leclerc tank. Before the protesters were ejected by security, they also hung up a rainbow flag with the word “Paix,” or “peace”, in French. The exhibition runs until Friday.
* Thales has introduced its new Ground Master 60 3D short-range air defense radar system. According to the company, the radar has the unique capability to detect rockets, artillery shells, and mortars while on the move, and was unveiled at the Eurosatory 2016 event in Paris. Ground Masters are a family of multi-mission air defense radars with an architecture based on common building blocks and interfaces. It is unknown if the radar got covered in red paint.
Asia Pacific
* BAE Systems is currently working on a new Hawk jet trainer demonstrator for India. Changes to the 42 year old aircraft include wing improvements and modifications expected to improve its aerodynamic performance. The Advanced Hawk, which is sometimes referred to as the Combat Hawk, is being offered to the Indians to expand the size of their training fleet, as well as give them a light attack capability with precision-guided munitions.
* Hackers from North Korea allegedly stole blueprints for the wings of the Boeing F-15 coming from the computers of Korean Air Lines. The theft came as part of wider attempts to break into networks at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies, planting malicious code under a long-term plan laying groundwork for a massive cyber attack. According to reports, the intrusions were detected in February and the breaches could be traced back to 2014.
* Export marketing advocate Kallman Worldwide has announced its 500 sqm US International Pavillion to represent US homeland security manufacturers at next year’s Milipol Asia-Pacific 2017 event in Singapore. The April 4-6 event will focus on products including CBRN defense, forensic science services, law enforcement, anti-terrorism, special forces, crime, security of public places, border control, airport and port security, road safety, security of financial systems, and prison management.
Today’s Video
* Dutch F-35 air power display at at Leeuwarden Air Base: