Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Air Force F-35 Simulator Will Let Pilots Fly in Formation, Talk to Other Aircraft

12/05/2019

When the U.S. Air Force gets its first F-35 Lightning II distributed mission training simulator system at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, this spring, pilots will have the ability to fly virtually as a group, alongside other aircraft, and practice exchanging information across a network, according to Lockheed Martin officials.

Naval Version of India’s Tejas Fighter to Conduct Maiden Flight From Carrier

The naval version of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is being readied for its first-ever take off from the Indian Navy’s Kiev-class aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, according to Indian defense industry officials. “It [the carrier-based take-off] is not too far. Extra safety is being taken and hence time is being consumed,” a source within the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was quoted as saying on December 2 by The Print.

ANALYSIS: AeroVironment plays catch-up with new Switchblade types

After falling behind several new competitors, pioneering loitering-munition manufacturer AeroVironment is working on a bigger Switchblade variant, as well as several new uses for its legacy weapon. Additionally, the company believes it is close to receiving US State Department approval for a license to export its loitering munition, says AeroVironment chief executive officer Wahid Nawabi during a 3 December earnings call.

India funds P-8I top-up buy and AWACS acquisition

The purchase of additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian navy has received government approval – but only six aircraft are now planned to be acquired, instead of the 10 originally planned. New Delhi has also revived its moribund Airborne Warning and Control System India (AWACS India) programme, which seeks to deliver an indigenous replacement for the Ilyushin Il-76-based A-50Is now in use.

Spain picks PC-21 as C-101 trainer successor

Spain has selected the Pilatus PC-21 single-engined turboprop to replace its aged fleet of jet-powered CASA C-101 trainers. Tender documents indicated that Madrid will pay €204 million ($226 million) for 24 PC-21s, plus simulators and a logistics package, against a budget of €225 million.

What’s in the Malaysia-Russia Fighter Jet Exchange Deal?

While speculation on the agreement continues to fuel headlines, there are few concrete indications about how it could play out. Late last month, Malaysia’s defense minister confirmed that Kuala Lumpur was still considering a fighter jet exchange deal with Russia that had previously been in the headlines. The comments once again spotlighted one of the areas of Malaysia-Russia security relations that continues to attract speculation.

CAE debuts new virtual reality system for cheaper pilot training

Pilot training company CAE has unveiled a new virtual reality training system it says can help militaries accelerate pilot training and reduce pilot training costs. CAE's Sprint Virtual Reality system is meant to give military student pilots more hours in realistic flying scenarios at less expense than in full-motion simulators or in actual aircraft, CAE says.

Romania to take five more F-16s from Portugal

Romania plans to acquire another five surplus Lockheed Martin F-16s from Portugal – and will upgrade the 12 examples of the fighter already in its fleet. Under a draft law passed by the government on 28 November – still to be ratified by the country’s parliament – four aircraft will arrive in 2020, with the final example to follow in 2021.

Japan buys Mageshima island for US$146 million to conduct military drills with US

The Japanese government has completed the 16 billion yen (US$146 million) purchase of an uninhabited island between Kyushu and Okinawa prefecture which it plans to develop into a training base for Japanese and US military aircraft.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Crashes While Attempting To Land At Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Pilot Ejected.

F-35 Lightning II: A 21st century concept

Lockheed Martin starts building 63 new F-35A combat aircraft and avionics in contracts worth $1.16 billion

ANALYSIS: 'Great Power' friction to inflate 2020 military budgets

PAKISTAN CONDUCTS ‘COMMAND LEVEL OPERATION’ EXERCISE

Trainer aircraft garner attention at Dubai Airshow. Will sales follow?

Military Conducts Live-Fire Coordination, Interoperability Training on Hawaii island

HOW PAKISTAN MIGHT PURSUE ITS FUTURE STRIKE AIRCRAFT NEEDS

National magazine hints at changes to Global Hawk program

Japanese Defense Min Goes Onboard Indian Su-30 Aircraft During Visit To IAF Base At Hindon

UAE To Support Kenya Air Force Aircraft