Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Brazil orders Airbus C295 search and rescue aircraft

07/29/2014

Brazil has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the acquisition of three Airbus C295 search and rescue (SAR) aircraft, according to a news release from the company. The three aircraft will progressively be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) from the end of this year under the terms of an agreement which also includes a five-year Full In Service Support (FISS) contract.

China needs 400 Y-20 cargo planes for military transport: report

The People's Liberation Army will need at least 400 Y-20 cargo planes produced by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation in order to catch up with the force projection capabilities of the United States, Russia and India, according to a report published by the National Defense University of China cited in the party-run People's Daily.

The children were playing in the street with toy guns. The air strikes were tragically real

A day which began with high hopes of peace ended in appalling bloodshed with 24 dead and the ominous prospect of a widening conflict. Ten children were killed in an air strike in Gaza City, while, across the border, nine Israelis were killed in separate incidents. The children were hit by a missile while playing in the Beach refugee camp, adding to the already extraordinarily high numbers of young victims in this war.

F-15s needed in Europe to respond to Russia, Lakenheath commander says

This is not the time to talk about reducing the number of F-15 fighter jets in Europe, given the situation in Ukraine, according to the new commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, which flies the only F15s in Europe. “What an exciting time to be in Europe and an exciting time to be at NATO, what an exciting time to be around this wing,” said Col. Robert Novotny, an F-15 pilot, who has been on the job for less than a week. “You know we have a lot of challenges, we really do.”

Thales Helmet Sight To Be Sole-Source on Airbus Helicopters

Thales announced that its Scorpion helmet-mounted sight and display system (HMSD) had been selected for all new weapons systems sales and upgrades by Airbus Helicopters. The unusual sole-source selection had been made “following a full and open competition,” Thales said. The Airbus Helicopters military product line that could be sold with the HMSD consists of seven helicopters, including the Tiger attack helicopter and the Cougar transport/combat SAR machine.

Grob Offers New Cockpits; Wins Mexico Order for G 120TP

Grob Aircraft revealed another military customer for the G 120TP turboprop trainer. The Mexican air force has ordered 25 and optioned another 15 in a deal worth about $110 million including ground-based training aids. Indonesia, Argentina and Kenya previously selected the German-built aircraft. Powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-17B turboprop, the G 120TP is fitted with lightweight Martin Baker Mk17 ejection seats, and HOTAS controls.

IAF LCA squadron awaits first aircraft after fresh delay

More than seven months after it was cleared for being flown by IAF pilots, the entry of the first LCA Tejas in its newly-raised squadron in Bangalore is still awaited as the project has been delayed yet again. IAF has raised its 45 Squadron at Bangalore for allowing its pilots to fly the aircraft and was supposed to induct the first Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in March this year.

Russia’s Air Force to receive over 260 new aircraft in 2014 — deputy defense minister

Russia’s Air Force will this year receive over 260 new aircraft, a senior defense official said Monday. “Over the past year, the Russian Air Force got more than 200 aircraft. This year, there will be many more of them - over 260; some 80 will be upgraded,” Russian First Deputy Defense Minister, Army General Arkady Bakhin, told journalists.

Gaza Truce Crumbling Leads Obama to Seek Full Combat Halt

Israel renewed its offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip after Palestinian rockets tore through a fledgling truce, prompting U.S. President Barack Obama to call for an immediate end to the fighting. Shortly after the Israeli military campaign resumed yesterday, Hamas offered to go back to a previous United Nations-backed cease-fire agreement that took effect July 25.

Fighter jet crashes in southern Russia, killing pilot

Kiev attacks on rebels near MH17 site risks alliance with West

MIDDLE EAST MILITARY BUILD-UP

New HMDS Helmet for F-35 Fighter Pilots Can See Right through the Jet

In Photos: The World's Largest Naval Exercise, RIMPAC 2014

This New MiG-29 Fighter Jet Video Is Absolutely Marvelous

Hamas announces new 24-hour Gaza ceasefire with Israel

Dutch experts cancel Ukraine crash site trip

Gaza crisis: Toll of operations in Gaza

Israel Extends Cease-Fire in Gaza, a U.N. Request Rejected by Hamas

Ukraine Disaster in Search of an Investigation