January 11, 2014 Military Aviation News

Why Do Fighter Aircraft Cost So Much?

01/11/2014

The question has long vexed defense analysts, as the projected costs of fighters seem to expand even faster than those of other military hardware. Some of the reasons include the ever-increasing gulf between civilian and military technology, a gulf that demands extra specialization on the part of engineers, equipment, and workforce.

Digital Targeting Technology Increases Battlefield Effectiveness

01/11/2014

A new program enables controllers and combat aircrews to visualize, select and employ guided weapons from a diverse set of airborne platforms, an instructor told the DARPA Congressional Tech Showcase here yesterday. Marine Corps Maj. Thomas Short, an instructor at the Marine Corps Aviation Weapons School, Yuma, Ariz., describes DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support program as precise and prompt with its digital air-to-ground coordination and shared situational awareness.

Mechanic: Crashed Helicopter Prone to Breakdowns

01/11/2014

The type of U.S. Navy helicopter that crashed Wednesday near Norfolk, Va., killing at least two personnel, breaks down frequently and may be more accident-prone than other kinds of military helicopters, according to interviews and safety data. An MH-53E Sea Dragon crashed Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean, about 20 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, during a training mission. Four of the five crew members were pulled from the frigid water. Two later died and a pilot remains missing.

France to invest 1 bln euro on aircraft upgrade

01/11/2014

France planned to invest 1 billion euro (1.364 billion U.S. dollars) in a bid to upgrade the Rafale combat aircraft enough to snatch deals and cope with a fierce competition, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday. "It is a clear sign of our commitment to invest in the Rafale... to have better international level. It is also a guarantee to offer for a long term products that meet the requirements of export," the minister said.

Lockheed Martin Receives JASSM® Contract For Additional Finnish Air Force F-18 Integration

01/11/2014

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $13.3 million Foreign Military Sales contract in November from the U.S. Air Force to support additional integration of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) onto the Finnish Air Force F-18C/D aircraft. This third contract for Finland includes wind tunnel models and test support, software development completion, logistics support and engineering documentation. All work under this contract will be completed by third quarter 2016.

Russian Carrier Group Skirts Britain on Trip to Mediterranean

01/11/2014

A naval task force led by Russia’s largest warship has passed through the English Channel on its way to the Mediterranean, a Russian military official said on Friday. The group carried out naval aviation exercises while passing close to UK territorial waters, Captain 2nd Class Yevgeny Kirillov said.

Turkish foreign minister checks on Roketsan missile development

01/11/2014

Roketsan is one of Turkish major weapons manufacturer and defense contractor. The company was established in 1988 with the supports of Turkey's Defense Industry Executive Committee in order to strengthen country's defense industry capacity. Roketsan is developing Cirit , a laser-guided 70 mm rocket system which is set to equip the Turkish Army's T-129 Atak, AH-1P Cobra and AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters with low-cost precision strike capabilities.

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