Combat Aircraft -June 2016- Volume 17 Number 6 (ENG) America's best-selling military aviation magazine

Combat Aircraft -June 2016- Volume 17 Number 6 (ENG) America's best-selling military aviation magazine.

IN THE NEWS

Headline News
Russian ‘Fencers’ ‘buzz’ US Navy destroyer, USAF looks at A-10 replacement options and Kuwait finalizes Typhoon deal

US News
Latest F-35 news, MC-130J tests winglets, USAF told to price up Raptor production re-start and all the latest US military unit and deployment news

World News
News from Europe and around the globe including latest Iraqi ‘Frogfoot’ deliveries, plus all the latest military losses

FEATURES

THE TIP OF THE SPEAR
Combat-proven F/A-18s ll Australia’s front-line squadrons, and with the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II now working up towards initial operational capability the Royal Australian Air Force’s fighter fleet is every inch a modern force, as Nigel Pittaway explains

ONE HUNDRED YEARS VIGILANT
Jamie Hunter visits the Royal Air Force’s No 208 (Reserve) Squadron as it marks two huge milestones: its 100th anniversary and the end of Hawk T1 flying training at RAF Valley

INDIA’S IRON FIST
The Indian Air Force has placed a significant emphasis on live weapons training for its combat units. Kedar Karmarkar journeys to ‘Iron Fist’, an impressive live fire event

INIOHOS 2016
Prior to a full report next month, Combat Aircraft checks in at Andravida for exercise ‘Iniohos’ that involved US Air Force Europe, Israeli Air Force and Hellenic Air Force teams

MASTER TURNS NASTY
Following our coverage of the M-346 Master in the training role, Giovanni Colla and Remo Guidi look at its debut as an aggressor platform, which is considered almost equally significant for its future prospects

FULCRUM’S FORTUNES
Thomas Newdick and Dimitry Pichugin look at the advanced MiG-29SMT and how the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has now commenced delivery of an additional batch of fighters

EAGLE SCHOOL IN THE LAND OF NO SLACK
Learning the pure art of air dominance requires a very special training environment. Jamie Hunter talks to the 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon ANG, about its important mission as the USAF’s F-15C Formal Training Unit

LITTLE BIRD, BIG BITE
Steven Valinski gets up close and personal with the AH-6i, as Boeing offers this potent yet affordable light attack and reconnaissance helicopter for operations in a variety of roles

DIANA ASCENDANT
The Royal Netherlands Air Force is a key element of the Joint Operational Test Team for the F-35A at Edwards AFB. Frank Crébas/Bluelife Aviation joins the action in the Mojave desert

CUTTING EDGE
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column reporting from the front line of aerospace technology, by David Axe

COPE TIGER
Multilateral interoperability remains a key priority for the Indo-Asia-Paci¬fic partners participating in Exercise ‘Cope Tiger’, which began at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on March 7. Giovanni Colla was granted rare access

GLORY DAYS: PHANTOM VERSUS FISHBED
Exactly 40 years ago, a US Air Force F-4 Phantom II was credited with the first confirmed aerial kill against a North Vietnamese MiG-21 ‘Fishbed’. Warren E. Thompson recounts how the two famous jets would remain locked in battle for the remainder of the Vietnam War