PHOTO and VIDEO: Libyan Navy frigate burns after NATO airstrike

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Smoke and flames pour from the Libyan Navy frigate Al Ghardabia, after it was hit during an airstrike by Tornado bombers of Britain's Royal Air Force on the port area of Tripoli, in the early hours of Friday May 20, 2011. NATO confirmed that its warplanes targeted the vessels and accused Libya of using its ships in the escalating conflict, including attempts to mine the harbor in Misrata. Rebels trying to end the nearly 40-year rule of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have been struggling to hold the Western city of Misrata against repeated attacks by forces loyal to Gadhafi. (AP Photo)

Meanwhile, Russia Today has video footage of the strike on the Al Ghardabia, as well as cockpit video of the strikes on Libyan warships, released by the RAF.



Base Leg Note: The Al Ghardabia (213) is a Russian/Soviet-built Project 1159 (Koni-class) frigate. Libya operated two such frigates, but the Al Hani (212) was captured by rebels in Benghazi earlier in the Libyan civil war.

VIDEO: Armed Libyan rebel MiG-21 preflight and taxi

A video has appeared on Youtube showing a Libyan rebel MiG-21bis (NATO: Fishbed L) serialled 804, carrying 4 UB-16 rocket pods loaded with S-5 57mm rockets, being preflighted and taxiing from its revetment at an undisclosed location in Libya.

The video was uploaded April 8, and comments of the video (in Arabic) claim that the video was of a mission on March 19th where a Gaddafi regime armoured column headed for the rebel capital Benghazi was attacked by the rebel Air Force. Note that these claims cannot be independently verified.

Via @CombatAir on Twitter

NATO says F-16 crashes upon landing in Sigonella; pilot ejects

NATO has reported that an F-16 taking part in Operation Unified Protector over Libya has encountered an incident upon landing at Naval Air Station Sigonella with the pilot ejecting. The F-16s nationality is not known, but word is that it is an UAEAF machine, arriving at Sigonella from Decimomannu.

Italy to take part in Libya strikes

After weeks of restricting itself to Combat Air Patrols and reconnaissance missions, the Italian air force has now been cleared to join NATO's attack on military targets in Libya. Italy had previously said it would not take part in the NATO-led air strikes due to sensitivity over its 40-year colonial rule over the country.

Satellite photos of Misurata Airport, pre- and post-strike

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has done up a satellite's eye view of the battle of Misrata (Misurata) in western Libya, showing satellite photos of various locations in and around the city in early March and comparing it with another set of photos taken in April. Included in the set of photos are two of Misrata Aiport, with what appears to be Su-22s and Mi-24 Hinds before and after being destroyed by airstrikes. Also present are what appears to be SOKO G-2 Galebs parked a distance behind the Sukhois. Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution images.




(Imagery © 2011 DigitalGlobe, Inc. via AAAS)

Predators destroy multiple rocket launcher, SA-8 in Libya

NATO has released the details of two strike by USAF Predators over Libya, claiming to have destroyed a Gaddafi regime multiple rocket launcher near Misrata two days ago and a SA-8 (9K33 Osa) mobile surface to air missile near Tripoli yesterday.

More Mirage F1s land in Malta

Malta seems to be the preferred destination for Mirage F1s. A pair of Armee de l'Air Mirage F1CRs have made an emergency landing in Malta after one of them encountered a hydraulic emergency after a mission over Libya. Both appear to be Mirage F1CRs with at least one aircraft configured for a reconnaissance mission.

This follows another pair of Armee de l'Air Mirage F1CRs landing in Malta after one of them ran low on fuel earlier in the week. And of course, soon after Libya's rebellion began in February, a pair of armed Libyan Mirage F1EQs arrived in Malta with two defecting pilots who have since requested asylum.

UPDATE: The pilot of the Mirage with hydraulic problems was reportedly ten minutes away from ejecting from the aircraft.

Pentagon confirms first UAV strike in Libya

Amid a day of heavy fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi force in the western city of Misrata, the Pentagon confirmed that the first drone strike on Libya has occurred. However the US military spokesman says that "per common practice we are not providing any details."

Swedish Flygvapnet releases recon photo of Libyan airbase

The Swedish Flygvapnet has released on its official blog a reconnaissance photo taken by one of its Gripens of an airfield in Libya, showing what appears to be a lineup of Yugoslav-built SOKO G-2 Galeb trainers/light attack aircraft on the ramp. (Link in Swedish)

Obama gives green light for armed Predator use in Libya

President Obama has approved the use of armed drones in Libya, authorizing American airstrikes on ground forces for the first time since America turned control of the operation over to NATO in early April. Up to two 24-hour combat air patrols each day by the unmanned Predators

NATO denies aircraft, bomb shortage for Libya operations

NATO has denied reports in the press that its ongoing air operation in Libya was running short of aircraft or munitions. What was more problematic for the alliance, was finding good targets in the urban battlefield of Misrata, with pro-Gaddafi forces increasingly using civilian vehicles with lighter and more easily concealed weapons against the rebels.

Norwegian F-16s have dropped 130 bombs in Libya so far

Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has reported that Norwegian F-16s have dropped at least 12 percent of NATO’s bombs in Libya. This translates to around 130 bombs dropped on the forces of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Allies impressed by Brimstone even as RAF stocks run low

French and U.S. air forces are both looking at acquiring the dual-mode Brimstone missile used by the RAF, according to Britain's Assistant Chief of the Air Staff. Using a millimetric wave radar and laser seeker the Brimstones are extremely accurate but with a small warhead they reduce the risk of collateral damage.

However, with 110 of the RAF's stock of 300 expended in Afghanistan and Libya, stocks of the missile risk being depleted and manufacturer MBDA has been asked to build more.

NATO runs into multiple problems with Libya mission

There's been a series of less-than-positive stories about NATO's mission in Libya of late:

NATO Runs Short of Munitions in Libya

Italy will not join Libya air-to-ground operations

NATO struggles to secure more planes for Libya mission

RAF Typhoon hits targets in Libya with help from Tornado

In concert with the RAF's Panavia Tornado GR4 fleet, an RAF Typhoon has again been in action against Libyan ground forces. Enhanced Paveway II and Paveway IV bombs were used, with designation provided the Tornado's Rafael Litening III targeting pod.

French Navy says Gaddafi forces now harder to locate

Despite all the modern technology employed by NATO, troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and their equipment are harder than ever to identify from the air, with French naval sources saying Gadhafi's forces are now expertly camouflaging their units to conceal them from detection and attack from the air

American aircraft still conducting strikes on Libya

US Defense Department officials have said that American fighter jets been have continuing to participate in airstrikes over Libya under NATO command. Six Air Force F-16s and five Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack planes have been assigned to NATO and have carried out strikes against targets, including mobile surface-to-air missile.

RAF Typhoons drop first bombs in combat

Attacking ground vehicles operated by pro-Gaddafi forces near Misrata, Libya, two RAF Typhoons have become the first of their type to drop bombs in combat. Both aircraft dropped a 1000-lb (454kg) Paveway II laser guided bomb each, with reportedly successful ourcomes.

VIDEO: Conflicting claims over NATO interception of Libyan rebel MiG-23

Despite NATO claims of being able to intercept and force a MiG-23 belonging to the Libyan rebels to land within minutes of the MiG taking off, CBS news reports the rebels claim that the MiG was able to carry out a rocket attack on pro-Gaddafi forces and that the rebels had sought, and obtained permission, from NATO for the MiG's mission.

Note: Video clip shows MiG-23ML 6472 and a MiG-23UB in rebel markings, most likely at Benina Airfield, near Benghazi. Both MiGs are armed with UB-16 and UB-32 rocket pods containing 16 and 32 S-5 57mm unguided rockets respectively.

NATO forces Libyan rebel MiG-23 violating NFZ to land

NATO has said that it's aircraft enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone intercepted a MiG-23 belonging to Libyan rebel forces and forced it to land. The jet was intercepted within minutes of takeoff and landed back at Benina airfield soon after.