The May issue of AirForces Monthly is brimming with fighters old and new. Representing the cutting edge are the Typhoon and Su-35 on this month’s cover: the former reflects our investigation into the multi-facetted work of the Royal Air Force’s No 41 (Reserve) Test and Evaluation Squadron, the latter an in-depth assessment of the ultimate single-seat, multi-role Flanker derivative.

A little older in the tooth, but no less important, is the Israeli Air Force’s F-15 Baz. These battle-proven jets still represent Israel’s premier air superiority fighter, 40 years after their first arrival in the country. Also, still going strong is the Swiss Air Force’s long-serving fleet of F-5 Tiger IIs, although change is on the horizon.

For many air forces, the work of contractors is more important than ever. In this issue AFM correspondent Alan Warnes sheds light on the secretive world of civilian intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance companies, and we also visit Nellis to explore the activities of leading ‘Red Air’ specialist Draken International.

Exercise coverage ranges from the deployment of USAFE’s 555th Fighter Squadron to Crete to the Pakistan Navy’s multi-national exercise Aman 2017 that took place in the North Arabian Ocean.

Fresh from a combat deployment with their A-10Cs under Operation Inherent Resolve, the 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho Air National Guard spoke exclusively to AFM editor Thomas Newdick.

This month’s Force Report examines far-reaching structural changes to the Brazilian Air Force, while in another regular feature AFM correspondents continue their review of Europe’s helicopter gunships, with focus switching to Romania, Spain and Turkey.

As well as all the world’s military aviation news, comment and attrition, readers have an exclusive opportunity to win a copy of the new book Swiss Tiger Parallel Flight.