A Calidus B-250 light attack fighter performs a tight turn over Al Makhtoum International Airport. The aircraft originally designed by Brazilian company Novaer and modified and assembled by Calidus in the UAE is the first locally-built, crewed aircraft to fly in the Dubai Airshow.
Calidus B-250
The UAE-based Calidus showed-off the flying capaiblities of the B-250 light attack fighter. The carbonfiber aircraft is designed primarily to support counter-insurgency missions, serving as armed observation platform.
Frecce Tricolori
Two members of Italy’s famous Frecce Tricolori make a pass in close formation. The team equipped with two-seat Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN jets is based at Rivolto Air Base in Udine, Italy.
Boeing 777-9
Ten years after the type received a launch order from Lufthansa, a Boeing 777-9 test aircraft appeared in the flying display in Dubai. The first member of the General Electric GE9X-powered 777X family is scheduled to enter service in 2025 after a 12-year development period.
Hongdu L-15 Falcon
Credit: Mark Wagner Aviation Images
An L-15 jet trainer in the Dubai Airshow flying display.
USAF F-35
A Lockheed Martin F-35A shows the type’s stealthy, top-side planform during a turn over the crowd. The single-seater entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2016, and has since been exported to 17 countries, with more than 975 delivered through Nov. 1.
Lockheed Martin F-35A
A rare glimpse is offered inside the internal weapons bays of the Lockheed Martin F-35A. Each bay can hold a 2,000-lb. munition and a Raytheon AIM-120 Amraam, or 4-6 air-to-air missiles depending on the aircraft version. The Block 4 standard of the F-35 introduces a weapons bay modification that increases the load-out to six AIM-120 missiles.
AFPLA August 1st Team Chengdu J-10c
Six members of China’s elite August 1st Demonstration Team pass over the airshow crowd, trailing red, yellow and blue smoke. The team has recently transitioned to single-engine AVIC J-10Cs, which is powered by the domestic WS-10B turbofans.
Take a look at day two of Dubai Airshow 2023 flying display including a Calidus B-250 light attack fighter, Boeing 777-9 test aircraft, Lockheed Martin F-35A and Italy’s famous Frecce Tricolori.