December 04, 2014 Military Aviation News

Defense spending plan could modernize Air Guard C-130s

12/04/2014

A compromise defense spending plan for the current fiscal year "opens the door" for modernizing the Air Force's aging C-130s and is a "critical step forward" for the Delaware Air National Guard, members of the state's congressional delegation said Wednesday. The state Air Guard needs upgrades for its eight mid-1980s C-130s to meet a 2020 worldwide deadline to operate in the coming all-digital worldwide navigation environment.

INS Vikramaditya not fully operational yet

12/04/2014

The 45,400-tonne INS Vikramaditya, the largest Indian aircraft carrier procured from Russia at a cost of $2.3 million, is still to get a close-in weapon system (CIWS) and hence will not be fully operational. For the aircraft carrier that stands nearly 23-deck tall, CIWS is critical if the vessel has to be deployed in forward areas, said Navy sources.

Germany Investigates Airbus Defense Deals in Saudi Arabia, Romania

12/04/2014

German prosecutors have launched an investigation into Airbus Group NV for alleged corruption in multibillion-dollar border security projects in Saudi Arabia and Romania and raided the German premises of the aircraft maker as part of the probe. Munich state prosecutors searched the German premises of Airbus this fall as part of their investigations into alleged corruption and tax evasion by individuals, the Munich prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.

Budget deal saves A-10 planes at Selfridge

12/04/2014

A deal struck by Congress late Tuesday will save more than 20 A-10 planes at Selfridge Air National Guard base — despite a Pentagon plan to retire the planes. Under the deal announced Wednesday, the Pentagon couldn’t get rid of the planes but could reduce flying time for active duties — but not for the 21 planes at Selfridge in Harrison Township.

Iran's Air Force Is Bombing ISIS With This 40-Year-Old US Fighter Jet

12/04/2014

n late November Iran carried out a series of airstrikes close to its border with Iraq against ISIS. Although the airstrikes are already notable for signaling possible military coordination between Iran and the US, they become even more notable in light of Iran’s choice of aircraft. Iran provided air support to the Iraqi military and the Kurdish Peshmerga with its ageing fleet of F-4 Phantoms. The Phantom, which first flew in 1958, was originally used by the US Navy as an interceptor.

US Military Aircraft Crash in Middle East Under Investigation: CENTCOM

12/04/2014

he United States is investigating the F-16 fighter jet crash in the Middle East that killed a US citizen, a statement issued on Monday by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said. "First responders remain on the scene. The cause of the incident is under investigation," the release read. "It is the US military's policy to defer identification until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification."

Kerry: It Will Take Years to Defeat Islamic State

12/04/2014

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it will take years to defeat the Islamic State militants, but that coalition airstrikes against the insurgents have made it "much harder" for them to launch new attacks. Kerry spoke Wednesday in Brussels, opening a meeting with foreign ministers from 60 coalition partners to discuss efforts to combat the militant group that took over large areas of northern and western Iraq and eastern Syria earlier this year.

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