Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

In an extreme situation N. Korea could sell its nuclear capability to al-Qaeda

05/26/2009

The latest North Korean nuclear test was not just a political act. Pyongyang is actively developing its nuclear capabilities. This is the opinion of Dr. Charles M. Perry, which he expressed in an interview with RIA Novosti. Dr. Charles M. Perry is vice president and director of studies at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, Inc., and vice president of National Security Planning Associates, Inc.

Fifth-generation fighter to be developed in joint project

05/26/2009

The development of the fifth-generation jet fighter is one of the most widely discussed issues in Russia's military. What's more, with its potential involvement in developing the jet fighter, India, one of Russia's long-standing partners in military technical cooperation, confirms its interest in Russia's future project.

India rejects Russian aerial tankers over poor maintenance

05/26/2009

India has dropped Russia from a $1-bln tender to supply six aerial tankers for the Indian Air Force due to poor after-sales maintenance services, the Hindustan Times cited the air force chief as saying.

Boeing KC-767J Aerial Refueling Tankers Join Active Air Wing in Japan

05/26/2009

The Boeing Company today announced that three KC-767J aerial refueling tankers recently achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been placed in an active air wing in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

Pakistani Immigrant Leads Air Department Aboard Carrier

05/26/2009

A USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) officer has broken stereotypes in the Navy across all ranks during the past 22 years.

UAE still in talks to buy Rafale planes from France

05/26/2009

The United Arab Emirates and France are continuing negotiations on the Gulf Arab state's potential purchase of French Rafale fighter planes, the UAE's foreign minister said on Monday.

IAF's first AWACS arrives from Israel

05/26/2009

Escorted by combat jets, the first of three Indian Air Force (IAF) "eye-in-the-sky" airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) flew in from Israel to the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat Monday and will be formally inducted into the force here Thursday.

Nuclear blast in North Korea: A face-saving reason for talks

05/25/2009

The past few days shocked the Korean Peninsula at least twice. Roh Moo Hyun, who served as South Korea's president from 2003 to 2008, jumped from a 100-foot cliff on May 23 while hiking near his home. On May 25, North Korea expressed condolences to South Korea and at the same time announced a successful test of a nuclear weapon.

Bolivia set to order weaponry from Russia

05/25/2009

Bolivia may order weaponry worth several million dollars from Russia in the near future, a deputy foreign minister said on Friday.

Australia to Acquire Eight P-8A Maritime Surveillance Aircraft

05/25/2009

Australia has committed to buy eight Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of an investment of $A5 billion. These aircraft will maintain the capability currently provided by the AP-3C Orion aircraft, when that aircraft is retired in 2018 after 30 years of RAAF service.

Elmendorf to retire F-15s next year

05/24/2009

The Air Force has announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions. This proposal includes the 28-year presence of F-15s at Elmendorf drawing to a close in 2010 when the last of its 24 F-15s depart.

USAF officials announce Combat Air Forces restructure plan

05/23/2009

Following the May 7 roll-out of the fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the Department of Defense, Air Force officials announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions.

How Sri Lanka's military won

05/22/2009

Few believed him when Sri Lanka's powerful defence secretary said he required three years to defeat the once invincible Tamil Tiger rebels.

Boeing B-52 With Combat Network Communications Upgrade Makes 1st Flight

05/22/2009

Boeing today announced the successful first flight of a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a modification that equips the legendary B-52 with 21st-century situational awareness and mission flexibility. The aircraft made the 3.5-hour flight on May 21 from the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita.

Boeing Wins $250M Special Ops Contract for ScanEagle ISR Services

05/22/2009

Boeing announced today that it recently received a contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services using the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The contract has a potential value of $250 million.

Russia freezes warplane contract with Syria

05/21/2009

Russia has put on a hold a contract to deliver MiG-31E Foxhound interceptor-fighters to Syria, a Russian business daily reported on Wednesday, citing defense-industry sources.

Indonesian Military Plane Crashes

05/20/2009

Indonesian officials say a military transport plane crashed into homes and burst into flames Wednesday near an air force base in East Java, killing at least 97 people and injuring more than 10 others.

Boeing to Develop Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Aircraft

05/19/2009

The Boeing Company was awarded a $38 million contract April 27 to develop and test a nonlethal, high power microwave (HPM) airborne demonstrator for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Counter-electronics High power microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP).

Lockheed Martin Awarded Technology Development Contract for F/A-18E/F

05/18/2009

Martin was awarded a $4 million contract by the Boeing Company for the technology development phase of the F/A-18E/F Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program.

Future Of Military Aviation Lies With Drones - US Admiral

05/18/2009

Unmanned aircraft likely represent the future for U.S. military aviation, with next-generation bombers and fighter planes operating without pilots onboard, the top U.S. military officer said Thursday.

The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 “MASTER” makes its first three aircraft formation flight

05/18/2009

The 60-minute flight was made by the two prototypes and LRIP00, representative of the series production configuration, while the M-311 aircraft acted as camera ship.

Israel nuclear programme 'real danger'

05/18/2009

Israel's alleged atomic arsenal poses "the real danger" in the Middle East and not Iran's nuclear programme, Arab League chief Amr Musa said on Sunday.

Zardari seeks US drones 'ownership'

05/14/2009

President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan’s nuclear arms are in safe hands and those foreign governments, which could have apprehensions in this regard, are satisfied with the security situation in the country and with the command and control system that Islamabad already has. The matter of acquisition of technology in order to tackle militancy and terrorism had been taken up in his talks with the US leaders during his visit to Washington and there would be a breakthrough and good news very

Northrop Grumman Highlights Maritime Defence Capabilities At IMDEX Asia 2009, Singapore

05/13/2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will display a range of its maritime defence capabilities and programmes including navigation and ship control systems, landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious ships and the International Patrol Frigate, at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEX), Singapore.

Czech Air Force Acquires C-295 Military Transport Aircraft

05/13/2009

The Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic has signed an agreement for the acquisition of four C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus Military. The agreement extends to logistical support. These aircraft will replace the former fleet of Antonov An-26 aircraft.