YES - bare majority of the swiss population for new fighters !

This time the government was on the lucky side - they evaded those stupid failures of some exponents like at the Gripen votation a few years ago.

But with about 50% of the population against this budget they have to put on guard how to proceed further.

Next step: 2nd offer of the bidders for new fighter aircraft and air defense systems in november 2020

(updated chart 29.09.2020)

Patrouille Suisse training weeks - 4th and final try for 2020

 

A never ending story nears it's end - Patrouille Suisse published another schedule. It's the final try for this year. All others where cancelled due the pandemic.

2020 brochure of the team can be found here (pdf)

Last Antonov AN-124 for RUAG Emmen produced ATLAS rocket tops next week

 

Due new production factory in the United States, the Antonov AN-124 takes delivery of the upper rocket part for the last time in Emmen. ARR September 29th, DEP one day later.

The big transporter was seen about 32 times in the last 20 years in Emmen - mostly for ARIANE and ATLAS parts, but like seen on this picture also for humanitarian/technical aid in 2004. ARIANA parts will still be produced in Emmen, but transport of the parts will be via road/ship to Amsterdam. Only if time is limited, those parts will be transported by airplane.

Sniper on board - interesting exercise above Payerne

 This week our Air Force is making an interesting exercise with an temporary no-flight zone around Payerne. Super Puma/Cougar with Sniper on board is making an MilCAP in the area Fribourg / Düdingen.

Hornets invades Mollis AB next week

If weather permits, there will be a couple of Hornets taking posession of former Air Force Base in Mollis. Planned date is September 21st, but it can be a day or two later.

Exercise lasts only one day and not much activity planned except the landing and departure, 2-4 Hornets are planned.

Pictures taken due last repetition course in Mollis with F-5E/F Tiger II aircrafts, including a small airshow with an then brand new visiting Hornet (above) - 1998 !

'Pablo' will be new Commander of the Swiss Air Force in 2021

 Actually in charge for the evaluation of the new combat aircraft, former Fighter Squadron 11 leader and base commander for Meiringen - Peter 'PABLO' Merz will be Commander of the Swiss Air Force from July 1st, 2021. Congratulations !

new 2020 brochure of PC-7 Team

 

With a little hope we will see the PC-7 Team in action this year - if not this new brochure will help over our loss ....

-> the brochure can be downloaded here (pdf)

Display Teams training weeks cancelled due COVID-19

 This year is a very hard year - at the moment all training weeks are cancelled. Let's hope it will get better in october for another chance.

Axalp (Ebenfluh) Air Power Demonstration 2020 cancelled

 Like most of us feared, also this event is cancelled due the COVID crisis

Swiss Army Chooses Lockheed Martin’s Indago 3 UAS For Tactical Reconnaissance And Surveillance

Together with the bigger UAS of the type Hermes 900 (named ADS15 by Swiss Air Force), Swiss Army receives new drones for tactical use too.  Lockheed Martin’s Indago 3 was chosen. Both systems should be compatible with the software chosen.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Display schedule Hornet Display Team training week, August 2020

Changes are still possible due COVID'19, but it looks that Hornet Display too is preparing the training week. Due the actual situation, Nicolas 'Vincent' Rossier will take responsibility to fly 2020 and the new pilot will be trained in 2021 if the situation permits.

Moyenne Alt: Medium Altitude
Basse Alt: Low Altitude

Display schedule of Patrouille Suisse Training Course - August 2020

Finally, with nearly every Airshow cancelled due COVID19 the Patrouille Suisse expects to train the following dates. And yes, I'm not really shure how Axalp Shuttle Service will be organised - so be aware that this year can be very complicated.