https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-RFourth RQ-4D delivered to NATO
On Sunday 26 July 2020, the fourth NATO RQ-4D Global Hawk was delivered to Sigonella (Italy). The aircraft took off from Edwards AFB (CA) at 18:33 hrs LT on 25 July 2020. After a flight of almost 22 hours, the Global Hawk landed safely in Sicily.
The arrival of the fourth Northrop Grumman Global Hawk, just two weeks after the delivery of number three, enhances the capabilities of NATO's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force with greater redundancy and flexibility. According to NATO, one Global Hawk is still to be delivered.
The serial presentation of the RQ-4D is still a bit of a mystery. The latest delivered Global Hawk has serial CSXAV-SA-0017. CSX "style" can also be found in temporary Italian military registrations, AV is most probably Aerial Vehicle, SA most probably Sigonella Air Base and 0017 the individual number. With earlier deliveries, like -0015, the CSX prefix was covered/taped by the letters MT. If somebody is able to elaborate on this serial system please let us know.
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-RRepair and modernisation of Su-25s and Mi-24s of the Georgian Armed Forces
Back in 2016, the then Minister of Defence of the republic of Georgia, Levan Izoria, among other things, proposed to remove from service all Su-25 attack aircraft that were part of the Aviation and Air Defense Brigade of the Georgian Land Forces.
According to Brigadier General Vladimir Chachibaya, appointed head of the General Staff of the sakartvelos sheiaraghebuli dzalebi (Georgian Armed Forces), the final adoption of this decision was explained by extremely low readiness rates (only one of twelve aircraft flying at certain times), no access to components and spares from Russia, as well as an inability to effectively use attack aircraft due to advanced location of Russian air defense systems in the territories of Abkhazia and Samachablo. Georgia would instead concentrate on drones for reconnaissance purposes, as well as for air support. The future Georgian air component would solely be based on UAV/UCAVs and a small fleet of support helicopters.
Surprisingly though, on 24 July 2020, the Ministry of Defence announced the restart of a complete overhaul and modernisation programme of the entire fleet of Su-25 attack aircraft and Mi-24 combat helicopters. All stored - and in some cases dismantled - hardware at Marneuli air base will be transported to the Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM) plant (also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni), where the repairs and modernisation works willl be executed in cooperation with the Delta state military scientific and technical center of the Georgian Defence Ministry.
The overhaul and upgrade of the Georgian aircraft will be carried out within the framework of the Georgian Defence Forces Development Plan approved by the new Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili. In parallel with the overhaul and modernisation of aircraft and helicopters, the programme also provides for the training and retraining of personnel, as well as the creation of the appropriate infrastructure to support the aircraft.
According to known data, the Aviation and Air Defence Brigade still has ten Su-25 single seaters and two Su-25UB twin seaters in its inventory, as well as two Mi-24V and three Mi-24P Hinds. A video (*) published by the Ministry of Defence shows disassembly of two Su-25UBs marked 20 blue and 21 blue at Marneuli airport and their subsequent transportation to the TAM enterprise in Tbilisi.[*]
https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazi ... &__tn__=-RDeliveries of Indian Air Force Rafales started
Today, 27 July 2020, the first batch of five Bharatiya Vayu Sena (Indian Air Force) Dassault Rafales took off from Bordeaux/Merignac (France). The aircraft will make a single stop at Al Dhafra (United Arab Emirates) and are expected to arrive at Ambala Air Force Station (state of Haryana, India) on Wednesday 29 July 2020.
On the first leg on their way to India the aircraft will be refueled by Armée de l'air A330MRTTs. It is reported that Indian Air Force Il-78MKI tanker aircraft will be used for the final leg to India.
With these deliveries Ambala AFS will once more receive an all-new aircraft type since the Jaguar was inducted. Coincidentally, the first Jaguars arrived on the same day of the year more than forty years ago: 27 July 1979. The first squadron to operate the Rafale will be 17 Squadron "Golden Arrows".
It was stated by the Indian Embassy in France that the delivery (in France) of ten aircraft was completed on schedule. Five will stay in France for training missions. According to the delivery schedule, the deliveries of all 36 Rafales - 28 Rafale EH single seaters and 8 Rafale DH dual seaters - are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.