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September 14, 2024

Bulgarian AF Trainer Crashes in Air Show Rehearsal

Instructor and Pilot Killed, Air Show Canceled

A Bulgarian Air Force Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros went down during rehearsal at Graf Ignatievo Air Base on September 13. They were practicing low-altitude maneuvers in preparation for the upcoming air show, which has been called off in light of the fatal accident. Both crew members on board, Major Petko Dimitrov Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Atanasov Dunkin, were killed on impact.

Iraqi Army Aviation Replacing Mi-17s

Airbus Helicopters announced the Republic of Iraq has purchased 12 H225M helicopters. The contract was signed in Baghdad by Iraq Minister of Defence Thabet al-Abbasi with French Ambassador Patrick Durel in attendance. The Iraqi Army Aviation command will operate the multi-role helicopters as it replaces the older Mi-17 aircraft to enhance its capabilities in a broader range of missions including counter-terrorism, special ops, tactical troop transport, attack, ground support, medevac, and combat search & rescue. Iraq currently operates Airbus helos from the H125, H135, and H145 lines.

Company Equips Japanese Choppers With New Imaging Systems

Teledyne FLIR Defense, a division of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has secured a major contract to supply its Star SAFIRE 380-HLD multi-spectral imaging systems to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This agreement, valued at $20.8 million, equips JMSDF's SH-60L helicopters with cutting-edge surveillance technology over the next three years.