Iranian F-4 and F-14 escorted Russians IL-76 and Su-27 from aerobatic team "Russian Knights", returning to Russia via Iran after an air show in Bahrain.

An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands aboard the USS Iwo Jima Jan. 27, 2012, during onload operations, as the 24th MEU prepares for their final at-sea training exercise. The 24th MEU is conducting their certification exercise with Amphibious Squadron 8 scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment.

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off from the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima, Jan. 29, 2012, as the 24th MEU prepares for their final at-sea training exercise. The 24th MEU is conducting their Certification Exercise with Amphibious Squadron 8 scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment. The harrier detachment is from VMA-542 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima, Jan. 29, 2012, as the 24th MEU prepares for their final at-sea training exercise. The 24th MEU is conducting their Certification Exercise with Amphibious Squadron 8 scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment. The harrier detachment is from VMA-542 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

A Typhoon aircraft from 3 Squadron, RAF Coningsby, departsson Exercise Taurus Mountain, a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Training sortie over UK airspace. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft are in operation over the skies of Yorkshire from today, as part of a major training exercise to prepare for this year’s Olympic Games. In the latest familiarisation drill, aimed at ensuring the British Armed Forces play an effective supporting role in the police-led security effort, military pilots will practice their skills and drills over a three-day period.Codenamed Exercise Taurus Mountain 1, and taking place from 24-26 January, it will see fast jet and helicopter pilots put through their paces, as they practice operating alongside one another. Other military aircraft will also take part in the exercise in supporting roles.Photographer: SAC Sally Raimondo
www.defenceimages.mod.uk

A Royal Air Force Merlin Mk3 is pictured embarking troops from 20 Armoured Brigade at the passenger handling facility at Camp Bastion airfield, Afghanistan. The Joint Helicopter Force (AFGHANISTAN) or JHF (A) is a deployed tri-Service unit from the Joint Helicopter Command. Its primary purpose is to facilitate tactical mobility, reconnaissance and Aviation Fires support to the UK task force in Helmand Province and to the multi-national force of Regional Command (South).
Photographer: POA(PHOT) Mez Merrill
www.defenceimages.mod.uk

SR-71 Blackbird pilots in the cockpit, circa 1990
Lockheed Martin

Bird's Eye View
UH-1 Huey helicopter with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit provides indirect fire support for a live-fire event during Iron Fist 2012 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2012. Iron Fist is a three-week bilateral training event held annually between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to increase interoperability between the two services while aiding the Japanese in their continued development of amphibious capabilities.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. John A. Lee II)

Was hat sich mit den Rafales an sich? Wieso stehen die am Heck des Schiffes mit laufenden Triebwerken? Start versuche ohne Katapult?

Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct insertion exercises from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter into a combat rubber raiding craft. The 11th MEU is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
(U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Gragg)

@Dave, gibts von der CH-53E Serie noch mehr Bilder?

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, swim towards a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat Jan. 19 after jumping from a CH-53E Super Stallion. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion here Jan. 19. The Marines serve with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion here Jan. 19. The Marines serve with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion here Jan. 19. The Marines serve with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion here Jan. 19. The Marines serve with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion here Jan. 19. The Marines serve with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The helicopter is flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the unit. The expeditionary unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

CH-53E Super Stallions piloted by Maj. Scott Trent and Capt. Karl Van Haute, foreground, and Capts. Joe Salucci and Matt McLane, background, make approaches to USS Makin Island (LHD-8) here Jan. 19. The pilots serve with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group – a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

F-35B Tower Flyby
F-35B test aircraft BF-2 flies by the tower at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode during a test flight Jan. 31, 2012.
Lockheed Martin

Nochmal israelische F-16-beladen:

Ich sehe da 2x CATM-120A, 2x AIM-9, 2x GBU-24, 2x 600 Gallonen-Tank, 1x 300 Gallonen-Tank, 1x LANTIRN & 1x LITENING pods. Das Bild enstand übrigens während der Testphase der F-16I Sufa in den USA im Jahr 2003.

First Flight of Second New Winged P-3
Lockheed Martin

Arthur "Kit" Murray with the Douglas X-3 "Stiletto"

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter raises a white out of blowing snow as it lands at a remote landing zone in Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8. Helicopters provide an efficient and reliable means of transporting personnel and cargo to rural areas of Afghanistan.

Hélicoptère de manœuvre, le Caïman a volé à Valence aux côtés du Tigre, l'hélicoptère de combat de l'armée de Terre. 6 février 2012 - Crédits : GAMSTAT/P.Gillis

A U.S. Marine Corps A/V-8B Harrier receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 24, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A Belgian Air Component F-16A Falcon receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Feb. 27, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

Two Belgian Air Component F-16A Falcons perform a split break over Afghanistan after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Feb. 27, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Feb. 27, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 26, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender crew refuels an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a ground combat support mission over Afghanistan Feb. 26, 2012. The tanker crew is deployed to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, one of many units responsible for air refueling operations for U.S. and coalition forces in Southwest Asia. The Extender crew is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle/Released)

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender crew refuels an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a ground combat support mission over Afghanistan Feb. 26, 2012. The tanker crew is deployed to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, one of many units responsible for air refueling operations for U.S. and coalition forces in Southwest Asia. The Extender crew is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle/Released)

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender crew refuels an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a ground combat support mission over Afghanistan Feb. 26, 2012. The tanker crew is deployed to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, one of many units responsible for air refueling operations for U.S. and coalition forces in Southwest Asia. The Extender crew is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle/Released)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 26, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) completes air refueling operations from an Air Force KC-10 Extender during a ground combat support mission over Afghanistan Feb. 26, 2012. The tanker crew is deployed to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, one of many units responsible for air refueling operations for U.S. and coalition forces in Southwest Asia. The Extender crew is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle/Released)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 24, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 24, 2012. The 908th EARS provides critical aerial refueling to aircraft in the area of responsibility, delivering more than one million gallons of fuel to the fight every day. In 2011, the 908th EARS offloaded more than 390 million pounds of fuel to more than 28,000 airplanes, flew more than 36,700 hours in almost 4,600 missions and the average sortie length for a KC-10 mission in Southwest Asia was about eight hours.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg C. Biondo)(Released)

Wozu dienen eigentlich diese 4 kleinen Höcker vor dem Cockpit der F-16?

sind die IFF-Antennen und es sind fünf (bei der F/A-18)

Air Refueling in Southeast Asia
Refueling an F-4 Phantom over rugged Southeast Asian terrain, as seen from the KC-135 boom operator’s point of view, 1967. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A B-52 refuels over Southeast Asia in 1967. Refueling bombers over vast expanses of ocean required precise navigation and planning. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Even long-range bombers like the B-52 needed refueling to reach their targets and return to base on far-off Guam. Bombing operations such as ARC LIGHT and LINEBACKER depended heavily on air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo)

An HH-3 “Jolly Green Giant” refuels from an HC-130P tanker. The ability to refuel helicopters in flight greatly enhanced search and rescue operations in Southeast Asia by giving helicopters greater range. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Thirsty F-105 Thunderchiefs receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker on their way to targets in North Vietnam, December 1965. The KC-135 was the USAF’s first all-jet tanker. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Tankers were essential in allowing heavy fighter-bombers to reach North Vietnamese targets and return. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron soars past mountains leaving a heat contrail on February 13 near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (USAF/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons of the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the 388th FW at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; the 55th EFS from the 20th FW at Shaw AFB, S.C.; and from the 38th Fighter Group of the ROK Air Force, demonstrate an “Elephant Walk” as they taxi down a runway during an exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2012. The exercise showcased Kunsan AB aircrews' capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld/Released)

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons of the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the 388th FW at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; the 55th EFS from the 20th FW at Shaw AFB, S.C.; and from the 38th Fighter Group of the ROK Air Force, demonstrate an “Elephant Walk” as they taxi down a runway during an exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2012. The exercise showcased Kunsan AB aircrews' capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld/Released)

A formation of F-16 Fighting Falcons progresses down the flight line at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2012, in a show of power called an “Elephant Walk.” The exercise showcased Kunsan AB aircrews' capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld/Released)

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons of the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the 388th FW at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; the 55th EFS from the 20th FW at Shaw AFB, S.C.; and from the 38th Fighter Group of the ROK Air Force, demonstrate an “Elephant Walk” as they taxi down a runway during an exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2012. The exercise showcased Kunsan AB aircrews' capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld/Released)

Members of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, come in for a dust landing with soldiers from 1st Battalion, 25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team during an air assault training mission led by the Kandahar Air Wing and Afghan National Army in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 29, 2012. DoD photo by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder, U.S. Army. (Released)

Royal Thai Air Force Gripens in formation
During a ceremony on July 8, 2011 the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officially declared its new air defence system consisting of the Gripen fighter and Saab 340 Erieye AEW operational.
This photo shows three Royal Thai Air Force Gripens flying in 3 ship formation.

Army Gazelle Helicopter on Training Exercise at BATUS in Canada
An Army Air Corps Gazelle reconnaissance helicopter is pictured at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada.
The prairie of Alberta has provided an excellent opportunity for the British Army to train on a large scale since 1972. The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) is an organisation situated on one of the most sparsely populated areas of the Alberta plain.
Photographer: ARMY IMAGE

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Ray Chandler and International Security Assistance Force Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter depart from Combat Outpost Bari Alai north-east of Jalalabad April 3. The 14th Sergeant Major of the Army presented combat infantryman badges and combat action badges to members of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division for their successful suppression of an insurgent attack on their outpost just days after arriving in Afghanistan. Chandler and Capel spent several days traveling around Afghanistan, meeting and talking with Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Christopher Harper)

French helicopters Gazelle and Super Puma, wait to takeoff at FOB Nejrab , Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, March 14. (Photo by ISAF Public Affair Office, Maitre Christian Valverde, French Navy).

French Cougar helicopter hovers above flightline at FOB Nejrab, before departing for a mission March 13. (Photo by ISAF Public Affair Office, Maitre Christian Valverde, French Navy).

French Tigre helicopter , takes off at FOB Nejrab during operations March 13.(Photo by ISAF Public Affair Office, Maitre Christian Valverde, French Navy).

French helicopters, Gazelle(front) and Tigre(rear), wait for a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to land at the Forward Operational Base Nejrab, Kapisa province, Afghanistan March 13.(Photo by ISAF Public Affair Office, Maitre Christian Valverde, French Navy).