As Wait for Joint German/French Replacement Aircraft Grows, France Decides to 'Go it Alone'

It's looking possible that France will go solo on the development of its own maritime patrol aircraft, possibly tapping German interests to complete a domestic European alternative to American ISR and ASW aircraft. While many countries have been comfortable with procuring aircraft like the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, the French, in their usual fashion, will likely procure their fleet from Airbus or Dassault. The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) announced the award of contracts to Airbus Defence & Space and Dassault Aviation for the potential replacement for its current maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet.

Warbird Restoration Proceeds With Repairs to Wings, Flaps Thanks to Generous Supporters

The Commemorative Air Force successfully fundraised for the restoration of their Republic P47 Thunderbolt, bringing in $38,552 - 193% of their $20,000 goal. The money will go to purchase a new engine mount, as well as a new set of brakes for the aircraft. Now that the P47 has been out of production for more than half a century, suitable replacement parts are few and far between, lost to warehouses and collectors around the world. While more than 15,000 of the sturdy fighters were built during the second world war, barely a baker’s dozen remain airworthy in the USA today.

Again

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) grounded its fleet of armed IAI Heron-1 drones after a specimen of the medium-altitude long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was damaged during takeoff on Saturday, 21 January 2023. The incident occasioned the third fleetwide grounding of the Heron-1—known within Israeli military circles as the Shoval (Hebrew “Path”)—in the last four months.