The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is receiving training on its latest batch of six Enstrom 480B helicopters ahead of delivery. Over the next four weeks, a total of 36 RTA pilots and mechanics will be visiting Enstrom facilities in Menominee, Michigan, to become trained to fly and support the turbine-powered helicopters. They will be split into two groups, each staying two weeks at a time. “The pilot and mechanic training are crucial to the success any programme,” said Bayard duPont, Enstrom technical fellow and chief flight instructor. “We welcome this latest group with open arms. It’s about building ..read more

The A400M airlifter has successfully achieved its first helicopter air-to-air refuelling contacts with an H225M, manufacturer Airbus announced today. Over the course of four flights, operated in daylight over the south of France, the A400M performed 51 dry contacts, which Airbus described as “marking a decisive milestone towards its full capability as a tanker”. The tests were co-ordinated with the the DGA Essais en vol – the French flight test centre. The tests, involving no fuel and performed between 1,000ft and 10,000ft at flight speeds as low as 105kts, confirmed the positive results of pr ..read more

The new trainer for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) was rolled out in a ceremony at the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) factory in Taichung today. The Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) was unveiled in an event presided over by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen, and received the name Yong Ying. The trainer – powered by a pair of non-afterburning Honeywell/ITEC F124-200TW engines – is expected to make its first flight in June next year. The ROCAF’s search for an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) ended in February 2017, with the XT-5 announced as the future training platform. A contr ..read more

After undergoing a series of ground tests, the first L-39NG full prototype rejoined the flight-test programme on September 14. One week later, the prototype temporarily suspended its flight-test operations in order to visit the NATO Days in Ostrava, where it was presented for the first time to the general public on a static display – with complete configuration, new paintwork, and armament. Two years ago, Aero Vodochody announced a target of introducing the L-39NG to the public for the first time at the 2019 NATO Days. Aero was general partner of the airshow for a third time in a row, and this ..read more

A new academy for the Uzbek Air Force was inaugurated at Karshi air base in southern Uzbekistan in the presence of senior officials from the country’s ministry of defence in early September. This academy will provide training for Uzbek pilots and engineers, with a capacity of 300 students. As part of the new academy, Thales signed a contract with Uzbekistan for the supply of a flight simulator for the H125 Fennec helicopter. This flight simulator will provide initial training for pilots of the Uzbek Air Force as well as emergency procedures training. The simulator was delivered to Karshi in Au ..read more

The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a Leonardo/Thales integrated UK defensive aids system (DAS) for the RAF Shadow ISTAR fleet. The procurement will equip the RAF’s fleet of eight Shadow R1 intelligence-gathering aircraft, providing protection against the latest generation of infrared-guided missiles.  Designed, developed and manufactured in the UK, the system provides a sovereign capability which will be able to evolve in anticipation of changing threats to air platforms.  The contract will be delivered by a combined MOD/Leonardo/Thales team under a Leonardo prime systems integration contr ..read more

Leonardo has confirmed the suitability of its ATR 42/72 MP aircraft to carry out paratrooper jump missions during a recent demonstration. The new capability adds to the current range of missions for the twin turboprop, including patrol, search and rescue, passenger and cargo transport, medevac and troop transport. The experimental air activity involved an ATR MP aircraft fitted with a paratrooper door installed at the rear of the cabin. The trials, carried out successfully at the end of July, included launching paratroopers and dummies plus demonstrating the effectiveness of recovery procedure ..read more

The commander of the Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky (VzS OS SR, Air Forces of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic) Brigadier Ľubomír Svoboda talked to AFM at the Slovak International Air Fest at Sliač in August and explained that the biggest challenge he faces right now is modernisation. “We have recently received two new C-27Js to fulfil our transport needs and have received the first two of seven UH-60Ms on order. The second two UH-60Ms are expected to arrive in a couple of weeks time and the last three by the end of the year.” Svoboda also has the small matter of prep ..read more

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