05 Desember 2017 A35-003 takes off from Fort Worth. (photo : AustralianAviationCarl Richards) The Royal Australian Air Force’s third F-35A Lightning II, A35-003, has completed its first flight. Photographer Carl Richards captured these images of A35-003 taking off on its first flight, from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, on December 1. The aircraft is due to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in early 2018 to be used for pilot and maintainer training, before being permanently relocated to Australia in 2020. A35-003, known to its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as AU-3, had its RAAF markings, including its 3 Squadron tail flashes, applied in early November, the final phase of the aircraft’s production process. 3 Squadron is due to become the first RAAF F-35 operational unit. ( AustralianAviation )
14 November 2017 SLC-7 anti stealth radar (photo : Defence&Security) China’s leading electronics and radar systems developer China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) is eyeing opportunities to expand its regional customer base with its range of long-range air surveillance, counter-stealth, and weapon locating radars. The company’s latest radar systems include the S-band phased array SLC-2E weapon locating radar (WLR), which is designed to support counter-battery missions against hostile artillery and rockets, as well as airborne threats with its air defence function. SLC-2E weapon locating radar (photo : SittA) For long range air surveillance, the company has developed the SLC-7 radar wthich operates in the IEEE L-band range of 1-2 GHz. The radar is claimed to be capable of detecting stealthy aircraft or unmanned aerial systems at distances of over 450 km with a high degree of success. It can also be used to track ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, its new YLC-8...