March 2012

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NEWS

Editorial

Headlines

United Kingdom

Europe

North America

Latin America

Middle East

Russia

Africa

Asia Pacific

Australasia and Contracts

Attrition

US Defence Issues: And the LAS contract goes to…
Sérgio Santana reports on why the Embraer Super Tucano was awarded the USAF’s new Light Air Support (LAS) programme deal at the expense of Hawker Beechcraft.

US Defence Issues: Inescapable Consequences
Blair Watson reviews the parlous state of the US economy, which may have a drastic impact on the nation’s military forces in years to come.

Afghan Workhorse
More than half of NATO’s air transport for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is provided by Luftwaffe (German Air Force) C-160D Transalls. Major Peter Dörnach tells AFM why his aircraft is so important.

COVER STORY: Old Dog, New Bone
Despite criticism of its high operating costs, the US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer continues to prove its worth in hotspots a long way from home. Martin Scharenborg and Ramon Wenink/Global Aviation Review Press visited the B-1B community at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas for AFM.

Co-axial Alligator
In December 2010 Russia’s Army Aviation branch reported the long-awaited induction into service of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator coaxial rotor attack helicopter, while the first frontline squadron took the new type on strength in May 2011. Alexander Mladenov reports.

Merlin’s Wizardry Revealed
Ian Harding reviews the upgrade to the Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters, due in service by 2013.

AFM EXCLUSIVE: Advantage Aurora
The Royal Canadian Air Force gave Key Publishing’s Glenn Sands exclusive access to fly with the crew of a CP-140 Aurora on a strike coordination and armed reconnaissance-coordinator (SCAR-C) mission over Libya during Operation Unified Protector.

New from Old
Derek Bower visited Finland to see how the Finnish Air Force is updating its aged fleet of BAe Hawks.

Force Report: Vietnam People’s Air Force
Sérgio Santana profiles its history, evolution, current operational doctrines and future.

Postcard from Afghanistan: Sighted at Shindand
Dr István Toperczer provides a short report from Shindand Air Base, in the Herat province of western Afghanistan, near the city of Sabzwar.

Exercise Report: Exercise Desert Dust 2011
Shlomo Aloni reports on this joint Italian/Israeli air exercise.

Postcard from Malaysia: LIMA 2011
Alan Worsley reports from the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, held between December 6 and 10.

Postcard from Qatar: Qatar’s National Day flypast
Aidan Curley witnessed the celebrations on December 18.

Low-fly UK!
AFM’s Essential Guide to Military Low-Level Photography Locations in the UK reaches number six in the top ten.

And Finally: Future War in Art: South America 2023
Aviation artist Tim O’Brien looks into his crystal ball and gives his version of the future…

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