Lebanese Army receives 20 surplus Royal Dutch Army MercedesBenz Wolf G-Class ambulances

Twenty Royal Dutch Army MercedesBenz Wolf G-Class ambulances were delivered to Beirut Port and will be officially handed over to the Lebanese Army on Thursday March 20, 2017.

These vehicles are the ambulance variant of the MercedesBenz Wolf G-Class and each has two stretchers.

Photo Credits: martijnvdkooij

Update 2017-03-31

The Lebanese Army officially announced the reception. You can see more photos and a video in the original article. The variant received has four stretchers, not only two, whereby the additional two are foldable and placed on top of the others.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

First training sortie for Lebanese pilot onboard of A-29 Super Tucano at Moody AFB

The first Lebanese Air Force pilot conducted the first flight on-board of an A-29 Super Tucano at Moody AFB on March 22, 2017. This is considered a milestone toward acquiring the A-29s.
Moody AFB was chosen (ref) to host the training of the 12 Lebanese pilots and 22 maintenance staff which started earlier in February 2017 and is expected to end in 2018.

The photos by the US Air Force show an A-29 Super Tucano identified with Construction Number 15-2022 and does not feature a FLIR. It is not clear whether the FLIR will be installed at a later stage given that all Lebanese A-29 is are expected to feature this.

Lebanese student conducts first ‘in seat’ A-29 flight

By Senior Airman Ceaira Young, 23d Wing Public Affairs / Published March 23, 2017

(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Young)

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
A Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano pilot trainee, from the 81st Fighter Squadron, conducted the first ‘in seat’ training sortie March 22, 2017, here.

The program, which began earlier this month, is designed to ensure the Lebanon air force receives the support and training needed to safely and effectively employ the A-29 aircraft.

“It was his first flight in the aircraft so it was a great (opportunity) for him to get oriented in the A-29 and how it flies,” said the 81st Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, who conducted the first flight. “[Since training began] this was the first opportunity that we’ve had to get the first Lebanese airborne. They’ve been doing ground training, learning the procedures, patterns, simulator and emergency procedures.”
[...]
Read Full Article: http://www.moody.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/5991/Article/1128002/lebanese-student-conducts-first-in-seat-a-29-flight.aspx

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanon is seeking high-sensitivity GPS devices through US Air Force

A recent solicitation published on FBO.GOV indicates that Lebanon (most likely Lebanese Air Force) is seeking FMS of 23x High-Sensitivity GPS devices. No exact models are defined as sources are being sought for the following specifications:

The Physical dimensions of the High-Sensitivity Receiver GPS unit shall be 2.1" x 4.0" x 1.3" (5.4 x 10.3 x 3.3 cm), and weigh 5 ounces (141.7 g) with the two (2) AA batteries; NiMH or Lithium (preferred) installed. The display resolution shall be 240x320 pixels on a display type 2.2" transflective, 65K color TFT, the display size shall be 1.4" x 1.7" (3.5 x 4.4 cm); 2.2" diagonally (5.6 cm). The GPS unit must have the ability to store 3.7GB of memory/history and interface via a USB. This useful battery life must be 25 hours. 

The GPS is required to have an updateable base map and must have the ability to add maps with an external microSD™ card. Must be able to add additional Points of Interest (POIs) and store 2,000 waypoints/favorites/locations; 200 routes and track log 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks.

The GPS must have a barometric altimeter and a compass capable of area calculation and automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) with additional mapping options for detailed roads (the additional option is not required but the unit must have the ability to accommodate this feature. The unit must be Geocaching friendly and must be able to accommodate custom maps as well as provide sun and moon information and the ability to view pictures.
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=737b54ac2aa8f0be1e8e02cdefdf32ba&tab=core&_cview=0

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF to receive 800 M2 Browning .50 Cal machines guns

The Lebanese Army is expected to receive 800x M2 Browning machine guns as part of DSCA Excess Defense Articles (EDA).

DSCA was granted authority in January 2017 for these machines guns whose current value is $1,014,800.00.

The LAF already operates an unspecified, but large, number of M2 machines guns.

Source of Info: DSCA website

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army set to receive 24 M109A5 & 10 M992

The Lebanese Army is expected to receive 24x M109A5 self-propelled Howitzers along to 10x M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle as part of DSCA Excess Defense Articles (EDA).

DSCA was granted authority in April 2016 for these equipment whose current value is around USD2.2 million.

It is the first time Lebanon operates both vehicles/variants and this comes as Lebanon's fire power capability continues to grow amid growing threats on the borders with Syria.

The LAF received 12x M109A2 back in 2015 through transfer from Jordan.

Source of Info: DSCA website

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)