News Report: What Kind of Bomber Jet Does China Need?

H-6K Bomber

Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) has officially confirmed the development of a new strategic bomber. Indications of such a project were seen in Chinese military press earlier, although exact details remain unknown. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin spoke to Sputnik, deliberating the possible new bomber.

Currently, the Chinese Air Force employs the Xian H-6 jet bomber which is a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber.

It is the first Chinese long-range bomber, specially designed for using cruise missiles and medium-range missiles capable of carrying other types of high-precision weapons. 

According to the military expert, the aircraft has advanced avionics and an increased range. However, the aircraft cannot be regarded as a complete member of the nuclear triad because it does not meet the requirements that are needed to solve the problem of the US nuclear deterrent. 

News Story: Russian long-range bombers strike terrorist targets in Syria

A Russian Tu-22M3 (Image: Wiki Commons)

MOSCOW, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Six Russian TU22M3 strategic long-range bombers have launched strikes against positions of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in three locations in Syria, Russian defense ministry said Tuesday.

"The airstrike was made against targets identified and confirmed through intelligence channels in recent days," a ministry statement said.

It added that a large IS field camp, three ammunition depots, three tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed, also killing a large number of militants.

The ministry noted that to ensure flight safety, the U.S.-led international coalition had been warned of the attacks in advance.

Read the full story at Xinhua

Think Tank: Flight Path (31-Mar-2015)

Palmo Tenzin

In this week’s flight path, we cover the Germanwings plane crash, Joint Strike Fighter close air support capability, Australia’s next Chief of Air Force, Russia’s bombers and safety deposit boxes in space.

Recent revelations that identified German co-pilot Andrew Lubitz as deliberately locking the cockpit and crashing the Germanwings Airbus into the French Alps has highlighted some of the complex issues in cockpit security. Despite acknowledging Lubitz’s history with depression, the debate has largely focused on the need to enforce a rule that stipulates two pilots must be in the cockpit at all times. In fact, just yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss announced Australia’s airlines would immediately implement the two-person rule for all services operated by aircraft with over 50 seats. In contrast to this approach, Australian pilot Mark Gilmour argues the debate is ignoring the elephant in the room: mental health. Gilmour suggests the solution lies in destigmatising mental health in the aviation industry and avoiding kneejerk reactions such as implementing impractical cockpit rules.