The A-100 is somewhat similar to the U.S. E-3 in appearance, also featuring a large, top-mounted circular radome. Operationally, the A-100's radar is said to be capable of tracking up to 300 targets simultaneously with a detection range of 405 miles.

President of United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar told the Interfax news agency that the aircraft is due for delivery to the Russian Air Force as early as 2020. Its maiden flight was in late 2017.

Source:  Forecast International
Author: C. Zachary Hofer  

As the first deployment to the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, crews are prepared and trained for the AFCENT mission. The F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, provides greater operational capability by combining advanced stealth capabilities with the latest weapons technology.

"We are adding a cutting edge weapons system to our arsenal that significantly enhances the capability of the coalition," said Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella, U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander. "The sensor fusion and survivability this aircraft provides to the joint force will enhance security and stability across the theater and deter aggressors."

The F-35A is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, and is intended to fuse, integrate and share data with other battlefield assets. It has one of the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor packages. It improves lethality, survivability and adaptability against emerging threats in order to maintain air superiority.

"The F-35A provides our nation air dominance in any threat," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. "When it comes to having a ‘quarterback’ for the coalition joint force, the inter-operable F-35A is clearly the aircraft for the leadership role," he stated.

The F-35A previously deployed to RAF Lakenheath in April 2017, as well as the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility in the fall of 2017.

"We look forward to demonstrating the full range of the F-35A’s capabilities while it increases the interoperability of our forces throughout the region," Guastella said.

Source:  US Air Force
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According to Rostec representatives, the training center is intended to train Venezuelan pilots to fly Mi-35M attack helicopters as well as a broader range of Russian-made utility rotorcraft such as the Mi-17 and Mi-27 series. The center was established through a contract with Venezuela's state-owned defense contractor CAVIM.

Alongside these kinds of corporate initiatives, the Russian Government has deployed an increased number of military-technical specialists to Venezuela in recent months and revealed long-term plans to bolster its basing capacity in the country. The Governments of Russia and Venezuela maintain close political and economic ties owing largely to the former's substantial investments in the Venezuelan energy sector.

As Venezuela has become increasingly gripped with domestic economic crisis and escalating tensions with the United States under the leadership of President Nicholas Maduro over the past year, Russia has sought to expand its physical presence in the country as a deterrent and source of complications for potential efforts to oust Maduro from power.

Source:  Moscow Times
Associated URL: Click here to visit