Combat Aircraft - April 2016

IN THE NEWS

Headline News
A-10 retirement by 2022, US Navy set to lose a Carrier Air Wing, LRS-B protest denied and Lockheed Martin reveals T-X plans

US News
F-35 operational test report analyzed, F-15C flies ‘Red Flag’ with Sniper and the return of ‘CAG-bird corner’

World News
News from around the globe including and update on Japan’s X-2   ghter, plus all the latest military losses

FEATURES

TIP OF THE SPEAR
In the   rst half of a two-part feature, Steve Davies outlines the work of the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron ‘Green Bats’ as part of a comprehensive discussion of this ‘super-squadron’ during the F-35A’s journey towards initial operating capability

GHEDI DEVILS
Marie-Christine Garinat visits Ghedi air base and its front-line Italian Air Force Tornado IDS   ghter-bombers. Exclusive images from Katsuhiko Tokunaga

ENDANGERED TIGERS
This special Combat Aircraft report details how F-5E/F Tiger II numbers are dwindling as the type is steadily retired from service by operators around the world

MIGHTY DUCKS
Philippe Rey heads to Switzerland, the last bastion of the classic F-5 Tiger II in Europe, to report on Fliegerstaffel 6 at Payerne

AIR POWER REVIEW: PARAGUAY
The Paraguayan Air Force is one of the smallest air forces in South America, but this is an air arm that accomplishes a very important mission on behalf of its country as Santiago Rivas reveals

WHAT NEXT FOR THE SUPER HORNET AND GROWLER?
Brad Elward talks to Boeing about what lies ahead for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler

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

FREE C-130 HERCULES SUPPLEMENT

THE MIGHTY HERCULES
When it comes to tactical airlift and special missions, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules remains the benchmark. It has carved a unique niche for itself and its success looks set to continue well into the future

THE LEGACY BEGINS
Steven Valinski details how, despite being superseded by the newer C-130J, older ‘legacy’ Hercules models remain in service in huge numbers

SUPER HERCULES
Whilst it can never compete numerically with its predecessor, Tom Kaminski explains why the C-130J is shaping up to be every bit as impressive when it comes to mission variety

DANISH HEAVY HAULERS
When the Danish Armed Forces need to move large quantities of goods or personnel, they call for the Hercules Flight of Eskadrille 721, as Søren Augustesen discovers

SAVANNAH GUARD DAWGS
Henk de Ridder meets the 165th Airlift Wing at Savannah International Airport, Georgia

HIGH ALTITUDE, LOW LEVEL
When it comes to high-intensity training, the USAF Weapons School is a world-leader. James Deboer checked in with the 29th Weapons Squadron to experience graduatelevel Hercules instruction in the mountains of Colorado
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