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.

UAE Mirages, F-16 Block 60s arrive in Italy for operations over Libya

Despite some initial doubts on their commitment, six F-16 Block 60s and a similar number of Mirage 2000-9s from the United Arab Emirates air force landed at Italy's Decimomannu air base to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. The contingent was supported by an Emirates Airlines Airbus A330-200 transport carrying personnel and equipment.

UAE, Netherlands contribute aircraft to enforce Libya NFZ

The list of countries contributing to the enforcement of Libya's no-fly zone grows; the Netherlands has sent a contingent of six F-16s and a KDC-10 to support operations, while the United Arab Emirates has also announced that it is contributing a dozen aircraft, six F-16s and a similar number of Mirage 2000s.

Saab to deliver second Erieye AEW&C to United Arab Emirates

Saab will deliver to the United Arab Emirates the second Erieye long range Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft. The UAEAF ordered the two aircraft in 2009.

UAE talks with Alenia-Aermacchi over M-346 contract stalled?

Despite selecting the M-346 as its next trainer in 2009, the United Arab Emirates has yet to sign the contract for 48 aircraft. It has now been revealed that contract negotiations have stopped between the UAE and Alenia-Aermacchi, with the buyer citing attention on "higher-priority" programs.

UAE offered export version of Predator UAV

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has offered an export version of the RQ-1 Predator UAV designated the Predator XP to the United Arab Emirates. This export version is equipped with the lower payload capabilities as the RQ-1 and could be outfitted with multiple exportable sensors.

UAE selects Goodrich DB-110 recce pod for F-16s

IDEX always provides a chance for the UAE to go shopping, with Goodrich ISR Systems securing a contract for six DB-110 reconnaissance pods for the UAEAF's F-16s. The UAEAF is also procuring three ground-based image exploitation systems under the contract.

First of UAE's A330 MRTTs to be delivered later this year

Airbus Military has confirmed that the first of three Airbus A330 MRTT tankers ordered by the United Arab Emirates will be delivered later this year. The two other MRTTs from the order will be delivered next year.

UAE to convert 23 Blackhawks into gunships

in a deal with Sikorsky worth about US$272 million, the UAE will convert 23 of its Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters into gunships. The plan involves purchasing weaponisation kits for the Blackhawks, and it part of a big weapons package announced at the IDEX defence exhibition.

UAE display team pilots complete initial training in Italy

Eight designated pilots of the United Arab Emirates' Al-Fursan (The Knights) display team have completed basic aerobatic flying training in Italy. The pilots will now start the second phase of their training in the UAE and will eventually perform displays using seven upgraded MB-339As.

Deliveries of UAE display team's MB339s complete

Alenia Aermacchi has delivered the last four upgraded MB-339As for the United Arab Emirates air force's Al-Fursan aerobatic team. The company had completed the upgrade for six other of the team's aircraft in 2010 as reported here. The Al-Fursan usually fly with seven aircraft during demonstrations.

RAF, UAE conduct air exercise

The RAF and UAEAF have conducted a joint exercise in the emirate named Ex Air Khanjar. RAF Typhoons joined the hosts' F-16s and Mirage 2000s in Dissimilar Air Combat Training and simulated ship attack and defence scenarios. The Royal Navy's HMS Cumberland was the ship involved.

First PC-21 for the UAE flies

Pilatus Photo

Swiss aircraft manufacturer has announced that the first PC-21 ordered by the United Arab Emirates Air Force has completed its first flight. (.pdf document) The UAEAF has ordered 25 PC-21s and becomes the third nation after Switzerland and Singapore to operate the turboprop trainer.

UAEAF Hawk crashes; pilot killed

A UAEAF BAE Hawk trainer has crashed near the emirate's border with Oman. The sole occupant of the aircraft was killed, and Gulf News has identified the pilot as 1LT Majid Ahmad Al Naqbi.

UAE to buy Longbow Apache Block III

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified the US Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of 60 AH-64D Block III Apache helicopters. Half will be new build aircraft while the other half will be earlier aircraft remanufactured to Block III configuration.

UAE F-16 Block 60s Leave Tucson

After roughly a decade of flight and maintenance training with the Arizona Air National Guard, five United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcons have left Tucson International Airport for home. Eight remaining fighters and additional support equipment are scheduled to depart by December.

UAEAF aerobatic display team nears readiness

The United Arab Emirates Air Forces' new "Al Fursan" (The Knights) aerobatic display team will achieve operational status next year. The team will be using the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339A advanced jet trainers and have been training with the Italian air force's Frecce Tricolori.

UAE asks for information on Super Hornet; may ditch Rafale

The United Arab Emirates, which had seemed likely to purchase the Dassault Rafale to replace its Mirage 2000 fighters for the UAEAF; has suddenly requested information on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet from Boeing. Technology transfer and politics have been cited as possible reasons.