USINDOPACOM Statement on Unsafe Intercept of U.S. aircraft over South China Sea

On Dec. 21 (China Standard Time), a People's Liberation Army - Navy J-11 fighter pilot performed an unsafe maneuver during an intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace. The PLAN pilot flew an unsafe maneuver by flying in front of and within 20 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the RC-135 to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3256219/usindopacom-statement-on-unsafe-intercept-of-us-aircraft-over-south-china-sea/ 

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Russia’s Electronic-Warfare Troops Knocked Out 90 Percent Of Ukraine’s Drones

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/12/24/russia-electronic-warfare-troops-knocked-out-90-percent-of-ukraines-drones/?sh=1f4cbf2d575c 

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Raytheon hybrid-electric demonstrator hits key milestone

Press Release: Raytheon hybrid-electric demonstrator hits key milestone https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2022/12/raytheon-technologies-hybrid-electric-flight-demonstrator/ 

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The Italian Air Force Has Retired Its MQ-1C Predator A+ RPAS

The MQ-1C Predator A+ Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) has been retired after 18 years and +30,000 flight hours. On Dec. 19, 2022, with a transfer flight from the 61° Gruppo (Squadron) APR (Aeromobili a [...]

https://theaviationist.com/2022/12/28/the-italian-air-force-has-retired-its-mq-1c-predator-a-rpas/ 

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‘Small Number’ Of U.S. And International F-35s Grounded After F-35B Incident At Fort Worth

https://theaviationist.com/2022/12/28/small-number-of-u-s-and-international-f-35s-grounded-after-f-35b-incident-at-fort-worth/ 

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How Hydrogen Compares To Jet Fuel In Terms Of Safety

https://simpleflying.com/hydrogen-vs-jet-fuel-safety-comparison/ 

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China continues to test Taiwan with fighter, bomber incursions

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/china-continues-to-test-taiwan-with-fighter-bomber-incursions/151475.article 

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South Korea to upgrade F-15K; buy more tankers

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/south-korea-to-upgrade-f-15k-buy-more-tankers/151482.article 

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Japan approves record 114tn yen budget with big defense outlay - Nikkei Asia

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-approves-record-114tn-yen-budget-with-big-defense-outlay#:~:text=TOKYO%20(Kyodo)%20%2D%2D%20Japan%20on,for%20the%20fifth%20straight%20year. 

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Falco Xplorer completes first flight campaign, a decisive step towards the certification of the drone | Leonardo

The Falco Xplorer is the first MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance)-class uncrewed system to exclusively use European technology. It is designed to deliver persistent surveillance over wide areas of interest and can carry multiple sensors weighing up to a total 350kg. The Xplorer is the latest entry in Leonardo's Falco family of uncrewed systems, which also includes the Falco Evo. The tactical-class Evo is operated by a number of international customers and has accumulated thousands of flight hours around the world, including in civil airspace.

https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/terminata-la-prima-campagna-voli-del-falco-xplorer-un-passo-decisivo-per-la-certificazione-del-drone 

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The next stage of the ALKA laser system trials was completed in Turkey - Militarnyi

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-next-stage-of-the-alka-laser-system-trials-was-completed-in-turkey/ 

https://youtu.be/LAtWn-IcqgM

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Navy successfully demonstrated unmanned cargo delivery systems for ship at sea | NAVAIR

The demo, held in collaboration with the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems program (PMA-263), employed unmanned vehicles to transport cargo weighing less than 50 lbs., which accounts for 90% of Navy logistics deliveries.

"We are seeing an increase in manned and unmanned logistics," said Col. Victor Argobright, PMA-263 program manager. "For the Marine Corps, the Commandant is enthusiastic about where we are going with unmanned logistics, and is beginning conversations about operations and contested environments. The Navy is currently identifying areas where unmanned logistics would be a critical enabler to operations at sea, and the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS is a great demonstration of this emerging requirement."

https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Navy-successfully-demonstrated-unmanned-cargo-delivery-systems-ship-sea/Wed-12212022-1419 

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Russia explores buying stranded jets from Western leasing firms

Some 400 jets worth $10 billion stranded by war $644 mln offered for 17 Aeroflot aircraft -letter Russian plan would use its National Wealth Fund...

https://aviationnews.eu/news/2022/12/russia-explores-buying-stranded-jets-from-western-leasing-firms/ 

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Tupolev Tu-214 annual production to be increased to 20 aircraft a year by 2026

https://www.aviation24.be/manufacturers/united-aircraft-corporation/tupolev-tu-214-annual-production-to-be-increased-to-20-aircraft-a-year-by-2026/ 

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ZeroAvia gets UK’s CAA green light for next phase of hydrogen-electric test flights

https://www.aviation24.be/electric-aviation/zeroavia-gets-uks-caa-green-light-for-next-phase-of-hydrogen-electric-test-flights/ 

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US to require negative COVID tests for travellers from China, Hong Kong or Macao

https://www.aviation24.be/miscellaneous/covid-19/us-to-require-negative-covid-tests-for-travellers-from-china-hong-kong-or-macao/ 

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Twice as many Aussies leaving as visitors arriving

Sydney Airport's CEO, Geoff Culbert, has argued there is "a lot of work to do" to convince international airlines to rebuild their networks and then to convince tourists to return.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2022/12/twice-as-many-aussies-leaving-as-visitors-arriving/ 

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Sikorsky Challenging FLRAA Award

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lockheed Martin said, "Based on a thorough review of the information and feedback provided by the Army, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky, on behalf of Team Defiant, is challenging the FLRAA decision. The data and discussions lead us to believe the proposals were not consistently evaluated to deliver the best value in the interest of the Army, our soldiers, and American taxpayers. The critical importance of the FLRAA mission to the Army and our nation requires the most capable, affordable, and lowest-risk solution. We remain confident Defiant X is the transformational aircraft the Army requires to accomplish its complex missions today and well into the future."

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131195

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2022-12-28/sikorsky-challenging-flraa-award 

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Robinson Mandates Tail Rotor Inspections, Replacements

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2022-12-27/robinson-mandates-tail-rotor-inspections-replacements 

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