US Air Force | Business Upturn

Russian military aircraft damages US MQ-9 drone over Syria: US Central Command

Adesh Dixit — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:48:50 +0000

US Central Command also known as CentCom on Thursday issued a statement claiming that a Russian fighter plane flew dangerously close to the US air force MQ-9 drone which was deployed for an ISIS defeat mission.

Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich in the statement said, “On 23 July 2023 at 12:23 a.m. (EST) Russian fighter aircraft flew dangerously close to a U.S. MQ-9 drone on a defeat-ISIS mission, harassing the MQ-9 and deploying flares from a position directly overhead, with only a few meters of separation between the aircraft. One of the Russian flares struck the U.S. MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller. Fortunately, the MQ-9 crew was able to maintain flight and safely recover the aircraft to its home base.

The Russian fighter’s blatant disregard for flight safety detracts from our mission to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. We call upon the Russian forces in Syria to put an immediate end to this reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior.”

In a similar instance on July 9, Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to MQ-9 drones and dropped flares in front of the drones that were carrying out surveillance against ISIS outfits over the region. US called out Russian forces terming the behaviour as “unprofessional and unsafe” and urged to cease.

The damage of MQ-9 drone on July 23 is the third such instance within a month were drones flown by US air forces were hackled by Russian fighter jets in the midst of ariel operations against ISIS.

US Air Force F-35 jets make debut at Aero India in ‘strategic show of support’

News Desk — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:53:14 +0000

Two American F-35 fighter planes made a historic premiere today at the Aero India event in Bengaluru, indicating support for Indo-US ties. The move comes against the backdrop of the continuing Ukraine-Russia war and a fresh determination to strengthen the two nations’ defence and security ties. The US Air Force’s supersonic stealth aircraft, billed as the world’s most deadly, survivable, and networked fighter, has arrived in India for the first time. The US Air Force also featured F-16 and F-18 fighter planes, which were offered to the Indian armed forces for various purposes. Officials have previously declined to disclose whether or not the F-35s will attend the ceremony.

The 14th edition of “Aero India” attracted over 800 defence businesses and delegations from 98 nations. Noting that this was the largest-ever US delegation to Aero India, Ambassador A Elizabeth Jones branded it as evidence that “the US-India strategic alliance is one of our most critical ties.” According to a Times of India story quoting a senior US Embassy official, the F-35’s presence at the airshow will be “to demonstrate the strength and closeness of India-US collaboration.”

“This would be to present the most sophisticated fighter in the world to India’s largest air show and strategically support our partner.” According to Rear Admiral Michael Baker,

Meanwhile, US Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force and International Affairs Major General Julian C. Cheater stated that Aero India was an “excellent arena” to exhibit the modern weapons system. The engine of the F-35 produces 43,000 pounds of thrust and is made up of a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine. While there appears to be no likelihood of an acquisition for the F-35s, authorities have stated that over 250 business-to-business deals are likely to be finalised during the event. This will in turn stimulate investment to the tune of around 75,000 crore.

“Aero India 2023” demonstrated India’s progress in defence and aerospace. “It has brought individuals from diverse nations together to showcase their inventions,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, sharing images from the event.

US Air Force conducting electronic reconnaissance over whole of Belarus

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 04:39:15 +0000

Minsk, Dec 18 (UNI/Sputnik) The US Air Force is conducting optoelectronic reconnaissance over the western territories of Belarus and electronic reconnaissance over the whole territory of the country, Deputy head of the Belarusian Security Council Vladimir Archakov said.

“The US reconnaissance and strategic aviation are increasing the number of flights in the Polish airspace near the Belarusian border, which allow conducting optoelectronic reconnaissance over our western regions and electronic reconnaissance over the whole territory of the country,” Archakov told the Natsionalnaya Oborona magazine.

UNI/SPUTNIK ACL0654