VIDEO: VFA-27 Royal Maces F/A-18Es; China's J-15 Flying Shark

A couple of military aviation videos that have been making the rounds the past couple of days:

The Royal Maces of Naval Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 27 present the teaser to their full-length 2013-2014 cruise video: "Shoot 'Em If You Got 'Em" - which is packed with more than 27 minutes of high-flying and fast-action. It will be made available at the NAF Atsugi Spring Festival, May 3rd. VFA-27 are one of four F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadron forward deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73).

Meanwhile, China's state-owned military aircraft manufacturer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has also released a promotional video called “Flying Sharks,” featuring the Shenyang J-15 aircraft, China's own carrierborne multirole fighter. Not as slick as the VFA-27 video, but it does give an insight on how far Chinese naval aviation has come. I do wish they'd cut out the (very) fake looking CGI bits though.

Australia to search ocean the size of Ukraine for missing Malaysian 777

Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released details of its operation to search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, a Boeing 777 jetliner with 239 passengers and crew on board which mysteriously vanished about an hour into a Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight on the 8th of March. Satellite data has indicated there was a possibility that MH370's last contact could be in the southern Indian Ocean in what is known as the "southern corridor". An area totalling 600,000 square kilometres (see image below provided by AMSA), or roughly the size of Ukraine - inclusive of Crimea - located 3,200 kilometres (2,000 miles) from Perth has been designated as the search zone. The search area was developed based on information made available to AMSA on Monday, and being will be refined in conjunction with other agencies.

Six aircraft have been allocated to the search; four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion maritime patrol/anti-submarine aircraft, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-3K2 Orion and a United States Navy (USN) P-8 Poseidon. All six aircraft are expected to reach Perth tomorrow (19th March) and it is expected that five daylight sorties will be flown on the 19th. One AP-3C has already redeployed to RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth from the Cocos (Keeling) Island and has already flown a search sortie today with more AP-3Cs being deployed from RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia.

Back-of-envelope calculations show that the Orions will probably take about five hours to transit to/from the search area from Western Australia, which will leave them with at least two hours of fuel available to search the area. By shutting down up to two engines (see photo above of a RAAF AP-3C flying with one engine shut down), the Orions will be able to conserve fuel and extend loiter time over the search zone.

More from Greg Waldron over at Flightglobal

USN, JMSDF P-3 Orions damaged in hangar collapse at Atsugi

A P-3C Orion from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force alongside a U.S Navy P-3C (US DoD Photo)

It appears Nature is on the warpath against military aircraft. A hangar roof has collapsed at a facility near Naval Air Facility Atsugi where a local contractor carries out maintenance work on P-3 Orions in Japan. It was believed that the collapse was due to the weight from snow which had fallen on it. No one was injured, but the aircraft in the hangar will have suffered varying degrees of damage.

At the time of the collapse there were 10 P-3 (and various sub-types) in the hangar. Four of the P-3s were U.S. Navy aircraft, while Japanese sources have said that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) had 3 P-3Cs, 1 OP-3C, 1 EP-3 and 1 UP-3D inside the hangar at the time of the incident.

Japanese media have released several photos (and videos) of the collapsed hangar roof, including this one of a P-3 which shows the fin tip and rudder have sustained significant damage:

A quick cross-reference with Google Earth indicates that the hangar pictured below (indicated with the yellow placemark) is the hangar in question. Located at the northeast corner of Atsugi, it is possible to see the contractor's (NIPPI) company logo painted clearly on the hangar roof when zooming in using Google Earth. Click on the thumbnail below for full-sized image.

P-8A Poseidon reaches IOC; squadron leaves for Pacific deployment

131129-N-ZZ999-017 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2013) Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bill Pennington Jr. takes off on a P-8A Poseidon No. 429 aircraft from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Nov. 29. The take-off represents the squadron's historic first operational deployment of the Poseidon within the Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance community. (U.S. Navy photo by Clark Pierce/Released)

The U.S. Navy's newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after the first two P-8A Poseidons departed for deployment Nov. 29. The War Eagles of Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) will deploy to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan with six aircraft and 12 aircrew.

Given the situation in the region and the interest shown by regional militaries in beefing up their capabilities in this area, I would expect VP-16 to make a trip to Singapore in February 2014 for the Singapore Airshow. Especially given the hosts are one of the countries in the market for a new Maritime Patrol/Anti-submarine aircraft.

UPDATE: And the first two Poseidons have arrived at Kadena.

Singapore AF Weapon System Officer injured in U.S Navy T-45 crash

T-45 Goshawk. U.S Navy Photo by LTJG John A. Ivancic

A Republic of Singapore Air Force Weapon Systems Officer was injured in yesterday's crash of a U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Lieutenant (LTA) Lu, Zhen Yang Ephraim was undergoing a routine training flight and was in the backseat of a US Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet piloted by a U.S. Navy instructor pilot when it crash landed. Both LTA Lu and the USN IP were injured in the crash and are recovering in hospital.

According to the statement from Singapore's Ministry of Defence, LTA Lu was on a Weapon Systems Officer (Fighter) Course conducted by the US Navy. The RSAF has a number of training arrangements in the United States operating both their own aircraft, as well as airframe hours leased from U.S. Air Force and Navy assets.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 26 Sept 2013

Kadena-based F-15C Eagle

Aircraft from the USS George Washington have conducted a joint exercise between the U.S. Navy and Air Force. USAF participants comprised of F-22s and F-15s from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

Demonstrating the global nature of their training, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's U.S.-based F-15s will train with the American, Canadian and German air forces in Idaho, while their F-16s are flying with the Indonesian Air Force and AH-64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks have been ferried to Australia to take part in Exercise Wallaby.

As if highlighting how they need replacement, a South Korean Northrop F-5E Tiger II has crashed. The pilot successfully ejected from the stricken jet.

The Chengdu J-10 fighter needs an export licence before it could be exported to overseas customers. There has reportedly been interest, though.

VIDEO: E-3 and KC-135 in near mid-air collision; US Navy Hornet ops

Couple of videos for the weekend; Firstly a near miss as an inflight refueling between a NATO E-3 Sentry and a USAF Air Force Reserve Command - Air National Guard (137th-507th Air Refueling Wing from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma) KC-135 almost goes horribly wrong with both aircraft taking hard evasive action (particularly the E-3) to avoid a nasty mid-air collision. According the comments on the video, some crew on board the E-3 were slightly injured due to the sudden evasive action.

And another video, this time by the U.S. Navy, on the operations of Hornets and Super Hornets on board its carriers.

U.S. Navy Growlers visit Australia

© Commonwealth of Australia

For the first time, three U.S Navy (USN) EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack aircraft have visited Australia. The Growlers, from the Scorpions of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 are visiting RAAF Base Amberley for Exercise Growler 2012. The visit and exercise will allow Australia to learn more about how the capability works. While in Australia, the VAQ-132 aircraft will be undertaking training flights and simulation activities alongside Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets.

VAQ-132 is currently temporarily deployed to Misawa, Japan from its permanent station at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for six months beginning in this July. In an announcement made early in September, Australia is to acquire the Growler electronic warfare capability for a number of its fleet of F/A-18F Super Hornets.

See more photos of the VAQ-132's visit to Australia at Australian Defence Force Image Gallery

Scorpions deploy Growlers to Japan

The Scorpions of the U.S. Navy's Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 132 have arrived at Misawa in northern Japan for a six-month deployment with their Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Attack aircraft. The unit will undertake a six-month deployment in support of U.S. 7th Fleet and will integrate with existing U.S. and coalition forces.

It was not stated how many aircraft are taking part in the deployment, but other online sources in Japan list five aircraft as having arrived in Misawa.

Philippines may ask for USN P-3 patrols over the S China Sea

Not "spy planes" as reported but apparently Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said that the Philippines may ask the United States to P-3 Orions over the South China Sea to help monitor the disputed waters. China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia have competing claims on the sea and the Spratly Islands that dot the area.

USN MH-53E Sea Dragon destroyed in South Korean crash

A U.S. Navy Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter has been destroyed after making an emergency landing at the southern seaside village of Pohang in South Korea on Friday. No casualties were reported among the twelve American military on board or on the ground.

It was reported that a fire started from the rotor and consumed the helicopter before being putting out by firefighters sent to the scene.

The MH-53E Sea Dragon is a version of the CH-53E Super Stallion used by the U.S. Navy for the airborne mine countermeasures role. A total of 46 Sea Dragons were built.

US Navy P-8A Poseidon visits RAAF Edinburgh

A US Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft has visited the Royal Australian Air Force base at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia. RAAF Edinburgh is home to the RAAF's fleet of AP-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft, which is slated to be replaced by the P-8A in 2019.

Two US Navy Poseidons from VX-1 based at NAS Patuxent River have taken part in TAMEX, a joint US-Australian anti-submarine exercise involving the USN and Royal Australian Navy off the West Australian coast since early June.

Flightglobal: Super Hornet faces emerging A2/AD challenges

Flightglobal looks at the challenges facing the USN's fleet of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as potential adversary nations improve their Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities.

Interesting quote: "How long before the sustained high-end A2/AD threat becomes really formidable and flying such aircraft becomes like flying Brewster Buffaloes in 1942?"

PHOTO: VFA-151 Hornets over the Abe Lincoln

Click on thumbnail to view high res image

120320-N-ZZ999-001 ARABIAN SEA (March 20, 2012) F/A-18C Hornets assigned to the Vigilantes of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 fly in formation above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Will Harris/Released)

It is interesting to note Switch (VFA-151's callsign) 301 and 307 are still carrying the elderly AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile (albeit CATMs as indicated by the blue bands on the missile body) on the wing pylons alongside the latest AIM-9X Sidewinders on the wingtips.

US Navy to forward deploy Shadowhawks Growlers to Atsugi, Japan

VAQ-141 EA-18G Growler. Photo by Troy Prince (MidwaySailor) on Fencecheck forums

This news kind of flew under the radar given the original directive was out January 17th. According to the U.S. Navy's Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 will move to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, from NAS Whidbey Island at the end of February with six Boeing EA-18G Growlers.

The Shadowhawks will replace five EA-6B Prowlers of VAQ-136 Gauntlets in Japan, home of Carrier Air Wing Five and the USS George Washington (CVN-73), the U.S. Navy's sole carrier air wing/aircraft carrier forward deployed outside of the continental United States.

PHOTOS: VFA-113 Stingers CAG bird in a special paint scheme

Click on thumbnails to view high-resolution images. (hosted on the navy.mil website)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 11, 2011) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway on a western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)

Ed: This F/A-18C (BuNo 164658) is the VFA-113 Stingers "CAG bird" (CAG - Commander, Air Group). CAG birds are the aircraft "assigned" to the commanding officer of U.S. Navy Carrier Air Groups, and are the first aircraft (Modex No x00) of each squadron. They usually sport, at the very least, colourful tail art although as is the case here, can sometimes be in a special paint scheme. Every carrier-based aircraft squadron of the United States Navy has such an aircraft that wears modex usually ending with the '00' numbers.

VIDEO: P-3 Orion Desert to Delivery

Lockheed-Martin's in-house video team takes us through the process of refurbishing and upgrading ex-US Navy P-3C Orions that have been stored in the desert Boneyard of Arizona. The fuselages are trucked almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to South Carolina where they will be mated to new wings that have been built in (relatively) nearby Georgia as part of a Mid-Life Upgrade program for the venerable Orion. In the past few years the Orion has been a popular choice in Asia with countries keen to enhance their anti-submarine and maritime patrol capabilities, with Pakistan and South Korea taking deliveries of refurbished aircraft. Taiwan has similar aircraft on order with deliveries expected in 2012, while Singapore is reportedly also interested in the type.

Sidewinders move to Lemoore; to transition to Super Hornets

US Navy Photo

The US Navy's Pacific Fleet's carriers have gained a new fast jet squadron in the form of VFA-86 Sidewinders which has moved to Naval Air Station Lemoore. The squadron will also trade in their F/A-18C Hornets and transition to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The Sidewinders have already made a WestPac deployment with the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in 2009/2010, even though at the time the unit was based on the opposite coast at Marine Combat Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

VIDEO: F-35C first catapult launch

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, LAKEHURST, N.J. – The F-35C completed its first steam catapult launch July 27 marking another milestone toward initial ship trials in 2013.

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch and Recovery Equipment) Brandon Barr used a TC-13 Mod 2 test steam catapult, representative of current fleet technology, launching F-35C test aircraft CF-3 into the sky...

Full press release from Naval Air Systems Command

PHOTO: VFA-113 Stingers Hornet breaks sound barrier

(Click on thumbnail to view high resolution image)

110606-N-TU221-408 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 6, 2011) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 breaks the sound barrier during an air power demonstration over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza/Released)