January 17, 2013 Military Aviation News

Reserves receive first MV-22 Osprey squadron; looking for good Marines

01/17/2013

Marine Forces Reserve has never had a V-22 Osprey squadron—until now. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764) transitioned into the Reserve’s first Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-764) during a three-part ceremony here Jan 12, 2013. “It was kind of one big last event to say goodbye,” said Lt. Col David A. Weinstein, commanding officer of VMM-764.

P8-Is: Indian Navy's eye in the sky

01/17/2013

The aircraft, which is now being used for training by Indian naval personnel in coordination with the US Navy in the US, has the latest radars, electronic warfare systems, and weapons to kill hostile submarines, several of which lurk underwater in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal around the Indian coast.

F-35 Software: DoD's Chief Tester Not Impressed

01/17/2013

Last September, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the then incoming director of the troubled F-35 program, said that he was not optimistic that all the program's current problems—especially those related to software, which has long been a sore point (pdf)—would be fixed in time to meet the services’ planned initial operational capabilities, beginning with the Marine Cops in about 2 years.

Germany sending transport planes Mali effort; ECOWAS head says troops to be deployed "quickly"

01/17/2013

Germany's defence minister said Wednesday the country will send two military aircraft to help transport African troops to aid in the international effort to drive back al-Qaida-linked insurgents in Mali — a deployment the head of a multi-nation West African regional group said he hoped could "go quickly."

Japan Mulls Military Equipment Near Disputed Isles

01/17/2013

Japan may station military equipment on islands near an archipelago at the center of a dispute with China, officials said Jan. 16, after a number of airborne near-confrontations. The defense ministry will ask for money in the next fiscal year to study the idea of putting mobile radars and communication systems on islands near the Japan-controlled Senkakus, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, a defense spokesman said.

Military Moves Closer to Truly Autonomous Drones

01/17/2013

Imagine a flying machine equipped with bombs and missiles, navigating the skies stealthily without human control. Soon it will be a reality: the next generation of drones. Drones currently used in combat, like the Predator or Reaper, are navigated by pilots thousands of miles away. But the latest versions of the aircraft are being designed to fly autonomously and without direct human intervention, with a pilot taking charge only when it’s time to destroy a ground target.

Inside the F-35, the world's most futuristic fighter jet

01/17/2013

An aviation fantasy from the realms of Star Wars, the F-35 is the most sophisticated, expensive and controversial jet fighter ever produced. Jonathan Glancey takes its flight simulator for a spin.

Egypt doubles its C295 fleet with new Airbus order

01/17/2013

The Egyptian Air Force will double its C295 transport fleet following an order with Airbus Military today for six additional aircraft bringing the fleet to a total of 12 aircraft. This third batch of aircraft plus the associated spares and support equipment, training and field support are to be delivered from the end of 2013 onwards.

Saudi Arabia awards new Tornado engine support contract to Rolls-Royce

01/17/2013

Following agreement between the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, under the Saudi British Defence Cooperation Programme, Rolls-Royce has signed a contract to provide support for engines powering the Royal Saudi Air Force fleet of Tornado combat aircraft.

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