Author: Michael

One of the three Hercules that took part in the type’s farewell flypast manoeuvres through the Welsh valleys as the trio made their way around the UK. (Crown Copyright)
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has retired the last of its Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, marking the end of 56 years of operational service with a UK-wide flypast on 14 June.

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American prime, Northrop Grumman, has enhanced the functionality of its AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) air defence system.
The system includes new performance upgrades that will extend the range and add advanced missile detection capabilities.
G/ATOR is a multi-mission air surveillance system that can detect, identify and track airborne threats common in combat environments: including cruise missiles, aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles as well as rocket, artillery and mortar fire.

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On 14 June, the State Department announced its approval of a potential foreign military sale from Raytheon Company Missile Systems to the Government of Spain. The sale would include M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles and associated equipment, with an estimated value of $48.2m.
The M982A1 Excalibur is a 155mm precision-guided, extended-range projectile that employs GPS precision guidance to provide soldiers with accurate, first-round, fire-to-effect capabilities in any environment.

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The British Army has resumed individual and crew training on the Ajax armoured vehicle, which will be carried out on the initial production standard platform – known as Capability Drop 1 – to familiarise personnel with operational practices and inbuilt systems.
The Ajax development programme had been halted in 2021 due to excessive vibration and noise leaving crews in need of medical attention, and only entered Reliability Growth Trails at the beginning of this year.

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Indonesia’s planned acquisition of 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5s from Qatar is intended to prevent the decline of the Indonesian Air Force’s combat capabilities. This photo was taken in 2011, when the Qatar Emiri Air Force Mirages were part of the international military operation in Libya. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images)
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has signed a contract to acquire the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s (QEAF’s) total fleet of 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft.

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