Airbus Helicopters’ Post

For all my fellow military aircraft aficionados… October 1st, 1947, the North American F-86 Sabre flies for the first time. The North American F-86 Sabre sometimes called the Sabrejet was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as the United States’ first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War (1950-53). Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the ’50s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable, and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces until the last active operational examples were retired by the Bolivian Air Force in 1994. Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the U.S., Japan and Italy. Variants were built in Canada and Australia. The Sabre was by far the most-produced Western jet fighter, with total production of all variants at 9,860 units. Read more on the F-86 Sabre @ https://lnkd.in/g-cikUFZ #f86sabrejetfighter #koreanwar #usairforce

A striking image shows a pair of Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets flying alongside a Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft. This visual juxtaposition highlights Bulgaria's ongoing efforts to modernize its air force and replace its aging MiG-29 fleet. To that end, Bulgaria has placed an order for brand-new F-16V fighter jets to succeed its current MiG-29 inventory. The F-16V, an advanced variant of the venerable F-16 Fighting Falcon, will provide Bulgaria with a significant boost in capabilities and interoperability with NATO allies.However, the delivery of these new F-16Vs has been delayed until 2026 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis has disrupted supply chains and production timelines, pushing back the anticipated arrival of Bulgaria's next-generation fighter jets.Despite this temporary setback, Bulgaria remains committed to modernizing its air force and enhancing its defensive posture. The transition from the Soviet-era MiG-29s to the cutting-edge F-16Vs will equip the Bulgarian military with a more capable, versatile, and NATO-compatible air power platform. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #bulgaria #greece #airpower

The Hellenic Air Force has been phasing out its fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets, with many of the decommissioned aircraft now sitting abandoned at the Tanagra air base in Greece. This once-formidable French-built multi-role fighter has served the Hellenic Air Force for over three decades, but is now facing an uncertain future.The Mirage 2000s, which were first acquired by Greece in the late 1980s, have been plagued by maintenance challenges in recent years due to a lack of spare parts and logistical support. This led to many of the aircraft being grounded, with the Hellenic Air Force ultimately deciding to retire the type in January 2022 in favor of the more modern Dassault Rafale. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #greece #hellenic #france #french

The Finnish Air Force retires HN-401, which a fleet leader of the F/A-18 Hornet fleet, today. The aircraft has been flown more than other F/A-18s during its 27+ years of service. The Finnish Air Force's aircraft HN-401 flew its final flight on 26.4.2024 at the Finnish Air Force Commander's media event at the Satakunta Air Wing in Pirkkala. In December 2021, the FAF took a decision to spend $9.4 billion on a deal to procure 64 F-35s from Lockheed Martin to replace the aging F/A-18 Hornets. The first jets are set to arrive in 2025 with all 64 fifth-generation jets expected to land in Finland by 2030. 🎥 Source : Finnish Air Force #aircraft #fighterjet

On July 29, 1985, the Kawasaki T-4 jet trainer aircraft, developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, made its first flight. This subsonic intermediate trainer is exclusively operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), largely due to historical restrictions on the export of military hardware. The T-4 was designed to replace older training aircraft, such as the Lockheed T-33 and Fuji T-1, and features advanced avionics and a transonic airfoil that enhance its agility and performance, making it suitable for training pilots on modern combat aircraft. With a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 and a cruising range of 1,300 km, the T-4 has been instrumental in preparing JASDF pilots for advanced fighter training. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #pilots

The iconic Hawker Hunter, developed in the early 1950s and entering service in 1954, marked a significant shift in British aviation history, replacing predecessors like the Meteor and Venom. This legendary aircraft spread its wings worldwide, being acquired by 70 countries. Surprisingly, it continued to soar through the skies, serving in the Swiss and Indian air forces until the 1990s. A captivating snapshot of this historical aircraft was captured at RAF Khormaksar, Aden, in 1964. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #pilots

In a world first, two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A fighter jets landed and took off from a public highway in Finland as part of a NATO exercise. This was done to demonstrate the ability to operate the F-35 from dispersed and austere locations, increasing survivability in conflict. While the F-35A is not capable of vertical take-off and landing like the F-35B, the exercise showed it can still operate from roads and highways, expanding the aircraft's basing options. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce

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Good to know the F-35 can do this. I wonder if this is a capability the RCAF will develop when they receive thier aircraft.

Boeing is intensifying its efforts to sell additional CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), building on the successful delivery of 15 Chinooks in 2020 through a $3 billion deal under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The aerospace giant is now proposing its latest Block II configuration Chinooks to the IAF. The Block II upgrade delivers substantial enhancements, including an additional 4,000 pounds of maximum gross weight and an extended mission radius for most payloads. This results in increased capacity for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies over longer distances. In addition to immediate performance improvements, the Block II design is engineered with future upgrades in mind, ensuring long-term relevance for the IAF. Key advancements include: - **Upgraded Rotor System:** Enhances reliability and reduces unscheduled maintenance. - **Simplified Fuel System:** Improves sustainment efficiency and reduces overall maintenance costs. Reports suggest that the IAF had previously been considering the procurement of seven more CH-47F helicopters. Boeing's Block II offering could meet the IAF's current needs while providing a future-proof platform for their heavy-lift fleet. #Aerospace #Defense #Boeing #CH47FChinook #IndianAirForce #HeavyLiftHelicopters #MilitaryAviation #BlockII #FutureProof