Regular features
34 INTEL REPORT:
Fulcrum faces the future
Alan Warnes reviews NATO’s existing
MiG-29 fleets as the iconic Cold War fighter
edges towards obsolescence. He also
talks to Lockheed Martin and Saab about
Slovakia’s decision to replace its Fulcrums
with the F-16V and not the Gripen.40 FORCE REPORT:
Defending Formosa Part two
AFM completes its analysis of the Republic of
China Air Force, with Marco Muntz and Wiebe
Karsten turning their attention to its transport
and liaison, search and rescue, and training
assets along with its prospects for the future.49 Feedback
AFM’s letters page.70 EXERCISE REPORT:
Pitch Black 2018
Widely credited as the Royal Australian
Air Force’s most important exercise, the
biennial Pitch Black was this year its largest
and most complex to date. Roy Choo
visits the ‘Top End’ to find out more.84 COMMANDER’S UPDATE
BRIEFING: Air superiority
Air Power Association President, Air
Marshal (ret’d) Greg Bagwell CB CBE,
describes the fundamentals of the modern
air superiority mission, which can trace
its roots back to the battle for control
of the skies during World War One.87 Book reviews
AFM evaluates some of the latest offerings
in aviation literature, including titles on
the EMB-312 Tucano and Italian F-104.90 Attrition
Dave Allport details the world’s most
recent military accidents and examines
the recent report into last November’s
loss of a US Air Force T-38C at
Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.98 Coming up
See what’s featuring in your AFM next month.News
All the world’s military aviation news, by region
6-7 .................Headlines
8 -10 ...............United Kingdom
11-14 ..............Continental Europe
15 -18 .............North America
19 ...................Middle East
20-21 .............Russia & CIS
22-23 .............Latin America
24-25 .............Asia Pacific
28 ...................Africa
29 ..................AustralasiaRijen while Sven van Roij looks back on five
years of RNLAF service for the CH-47F.62 Jordan modernises
AFM was granted an exclusive opportunity
to interview Royal Jordanian Air Force
commander Maj Gen Yousef A Al-Hnaity to
discuss recent changes and the future of
the air arm. Marco Dijkshoorn reports.74 Eye of the storm
This year, the Syrian Air Defence Force has
been on the receiving end of attacks from
Israeli, US, British and French strike aircraft
and cruise missiles. Tim Ripley examines
the deadly duels in the skies over Syria.80 Finland forges ahead
Derek Bower evaluates the Finnish
aerospace industry as the nation’s air
force celebrates its centenary while
preparing to replace its Hornets.88 Wildcat shows its mettle
Thomas Newdick visited Royal Naval Air
Station Yeovilton to speak to Army Air Corps
Wildcat AH1 crews, recently returned from
a successful debut deployment to Estonia.94 Typhoon tribute
Jamie Hunter joined the RAF Typhoon
Force as it provided a centrepiece to the
incredible centenary celebration flypast.Cover: US Air Force F-15C Eagle 86-0172 ‘LN’ approaches the camera ship en route to RAF Fairford,
Gloucestershire, for the Royal International Air Tattoo this summer. The jet, from the US Air Forces
in Europe’s 493rd Fighter Squadron ‘Grim Reapers’ based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, represents the
cutting edge of US air defence in the region. In this issue, regular columnist Air Marshal (ret’d) Greg
Bagwell CB CBE looks at the air superiority mission in which the Eagle – with its 104:0 kill ratio in
aerial combat – remains a dominant force. Rich Cooper
Below: This month’s extensive coverage of the ‘legacy’ F/A-18 Hornet includes a report from Exercise
Pitch Black 2018 in Australia, where the type – known locally as the ‘classic’ Hornet – was the most
numerous RAAF fast jet participant. Here, a two-ship of ‘classics’ await their turn on the tanker while
an RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet tops up. There’s also coverage of the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-
‘Cowboys’ fl ying the F/A-18++ and the B-model trainer, and an assessment of Finland’s efforts to
replace its F/A-18C/D fl eet. Roy Choohttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #367 OCTOBER 2018 // 504-05 Contents AFM Oct2018.indd 5 9/10/2018 1:12:43 PM