December 11, 2012 Military Aviation News

Why this indifference to Tejas fighter jet?

12/11/2012

Ask any of the 20-odd Indian Air Force test pilots who have flown the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and they will all swear that it is a great fighter to fly. It handles beautifully, screams along at Mach 1.6 (2,000 kilometres per hour) and fires the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. With 2,000 test flights under its belt, it has already proven that it can fly and fight better than most fighters on the IAF inventory.

F-35 aircraft program funding should be cut

12/11/2012

As we approach the "fiscal cliff," strong consideration should be made of cutting funding for the F-35 aircraft program. This fighter jet, which was designed for three branches of the military, is the most expensive weapons system in history and has been replete with technological flaws, cost overruns, missed production schedules, and a huge price tag.

Pilot Calls F-35 ‘Big Leap’ in Fighter Capability

12/11/2012

The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jet will be a strategic deterrent for the nation because of its "huge leap in capability," a Marine Corps pilot said. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., recently told the Pentagon Channel the F-35 will allow Marines to perform missions in high-threat areas, unlike existing aircraft.

No Chinese parts in US aircraft: India

12/11/2012

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has not encountered any faulty Chinese spare parts and equipment in military aircraft made in the US, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday. "While the government is aware of media reports regarding possible usage of Chinese counterfeit electronic parts in military aircraft manufactured in the US, no P81 aircraft has so far been delivered to India," he said.

Canada drops F-35 order, New York Times reports cost of military jets could climb further

12/11/2012

Canada canceled its order for 65 F-35 fighter jets last week. The Ottawa Citizen reported on Dec. 6 that the decision was prompted by the upcoming release of an audit revealing that the life-cycle cost of the aircrafts will be much higher than originally forecast.

US sending 20 more F-16s to Egypt, despite turmoil in Cairo

12/11/2012

Instability in Egypt, where a newly-elected Islamic government teeters over an angry population, isn't enough to stop the U.S. from sending more than 20 F-16 fighter jets, as part of a $1 billion foreign aid package. The first four jets are to be delivered to Egypt beginning Jan. 22, a source at the naval air base in Fort Worth, where the planes have been undergoing testing, told FoxNews.com.

Pakistani air force planes crashing at an alarming rate, raising concerns about aging fleet

12/11/2012

Over a dozen Pakistani air force planes have crashed in roughly the past 18 months, raising concerns about the health of an aging fleet that officials are struggling to upgrade because of a lack of funds.

Boeing Delivers Qatar Emiri Air Force's 4th C-17 Globemaster III

12/11/2012

Boeing delivered the Qatar Emiri Air Force's fourth C-17 Globemaster III today in Long Beach. The delivery reflects Qatar's agreement with the U.S. government to acquire two additional C-17s, which brings the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) fleet of the world's most advanced airlifters to a total of four as the C-17 continues to attract orders worldwide. Qatar received its third airlifter earlier this year.

Russia Delivers Three Upgraded MiG-29 Fighter Jets to India

12/11/2012

The first three MiG-29UPG fighter jets have been delivered to India under a contract to modernize the fleet of MiG-29 aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MiG aircraft maker said. “The MiG corporation…has started deliveries of upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets to the Indian Air Force,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

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