Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Will Russia's MiG abandon the Indian race?

02/17/2011

The Indian tender for 126 MMRCAs (medium multi-role combat aircraft) to replace its ageing MiG-21s was announced long ago, but only now is the real intrigue unfolding. Competition between two main rivals - the United States' F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Russia's MiG-35 has been stiff.

Obama victory as House votes down expensive jet fighter engine

02/17/2011

President Barack Obama won a showdown vote Wednesday in the GOP-controlled House to kill a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon's next-generation fighter jet.

A proven fighter for the UAE

02/16/2011

A major reason France punches above its weight in the defence sector is Dassault Aviation, which will be a major exhibitor at next week's International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, the region's largest defence expo.

F-16 upgrades in wake of double crash

02/16/2011

The Defence Ministry has earmarked a Bt6.9-billion secret budget for the upgrade of six F-16 AB fighter aircraft, including the installation of an air navigation system and maintenance costs.

European unity the first victim of killer drones

02/16/2011

Europe needs to co-operate on building unmanned military aircraft or risk falling behind in the race to develop the next generation of jet fighters that may not even be flown by pilots, industry experts have warned.

Commander in Russian Mi-28 helicopter crash dies in hospital

02/16/2011

The commander of the Mil Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter, which crashed in the southern Russian region of Stavropol on Tuesday, died at a military hospital, a Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman said.

Lockheed Martin Awarded $270 Million C-130 Aircrew Training System Contract

02/16/2011

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $270 million contract for C-130 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS), to provide an affordable and effective academic and simulation training program for C-130 aircrews around the world.

Boeing to Demonstrate High-Technology, Low-Risk Solutions at AFA Air Warfare Symposium

02/16/2011

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], at this week's U.S. Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium, will highlight a range of proven, low-risk, affordable products and services that will enable the Air Force to continue to dominate in the air, space and cyberspace. The symposium takes place Feb. 17-18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Fla.

London cuts 100 RAF student pilots of airplanes and helicopters

02/15/2011

It's of today the news, released by the British press, about the cuts the would are being implemented, according to plans announced already in October 2010, in defense of the United Kingdom, to reduce the deficit of the Country.

Tata forms JV with Lockheed Martin

02/15/2011

The Tata group has boosted its chances of becoming the preferred local partner of US firms bidding to sell medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) to India in the world’s largest fighter jet deal.

European consortium unveils plan to develop naval Typhoon

02/15/2011

European consortium Eurofighter GmbH, which is offering its Eurofighter Typhoon for India’s multi-million dollar medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal, is planning to develop a naval variant of the fighter aircraft.

First Navy Pilot Flies Carrier Variant Of Lockheed Martin F-35

02/15/2011

Lt. Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus on Friday became the first United States Navy pilot to fly the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II. The F-35C will operate from the U.S. Navy’s large aircraft carriers by way of catapult launch and arrested landing. The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force also will employ the F-35C.

A New Shadow is Cast

02/15/2011

The first Combat Shadow II for the United States Air Force Special Operations Command has completed manufacture at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Following installation of additional special mission equipment, such as the chin-mounted sensor turret, the aircraft will begin flight test.

Raytheon Conducts Free-Flight Demonstration of JSOW-C From F-16IN

02/14/2011

Raytheon Company completed a series of free-flight demonstrations of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-154-C from an F-16IN fighter aircraft. The tests were part of the Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition.

Tejas to be fitted with Israeli Derby missile

02/14/2011

Israel’s Derby missile is the weapon of choice for India’s Tejas fighter. A contract will be signed by March with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd to supply the air-to-air missile system to be fitted on some 200 jets, said P.S. Subramanya, director of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the light combat aircraft.

Govt to sanction more fighter aircraft jets for IAF

02/14/2011

Preparing itself for a two-front war scenario, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry to increase its sanctioned fighter aircraft strength from 39.5 to 45 squadrons.

Asia's New Arms Race

02/13/2011

China's first aircraft carrier, a diesel-powered vessel, is expected to be deployed this year or next. A prototype of a new J-20 stealth jet fighter—it appears designed to rival the U.S. F-22—made its first test flight on Jan. 11, just hours before U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met in Beijing with President Hu to mend frayed relations.

Manned and unmanned planes in the Navy's future

02/13/2011

Looking ahead to the next 100 years, or even the next decade, Navy aviation may be a tailless airplane, flown by a nonpilot with enlisted stripes on his sleeve.

In conversation with Gripen fighter pilot

02/13/2011

Swedish defence and security company, Saab is displaying and flying three of its multirole fighter aircraft ''Gripen'' during eighth edition of the Aero India International Air Show 2011. Brahmand.com had an exclusive conversation with the Swedish Air Force pilot Martin Björn during the Aero India 2011. Martin has flown many fighter aircraft and is currently attending the airshow to promote Gripen fighter in India.

Dassault Chief Says Eight Countries Considering Rafale Jet Order

02/12/2011

Dassault Aviation SA, maker of Rafale fighter planes and Falcon corporate jets, is discussing the sale of the combat aircraft with eight potential buyers, Chief Executive Officer Charles Edelstenne told French lawmakers.

Raytheon tests new Maverick missile

02/12/2011

The latest variant of the laser-guided Maverick missile has completed a series of flight tests by U.S. defense company Raytheon.

India’s choice of 5G fighter aircraft says a lot

02/12/2011

India and Russia have finalised the Russian PAKFA aircraft - a Sukhoi-T50 fighter aircraft - as the base design model for their $6 billion Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme.

Boeing Completes Industrial Participation Programs for 1st 5 UK C-17s

02/12/2011

Boeing today announced that it has successfully completed - ahead of schedule -- its industrial participation (IP) programs for the first five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). To date, Boeing has delivered benefits of more than $1 billion to United Kingdom industry for this aircraft program.

Russian-Indian joint development of 5G fighter jet to cost $6 billion - HAL

02/12/2011

The Russian-Indian joint development of a fifth generation fighter jet will cost some $6 billion, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Financial director D. Shivamurti said.

Eurofighter woos India with partner offer

02/11/2011

The Eurofighter consortium is prepared to offer India a manufacturing role, as the international race intensifies to supply 126 jet fighters worth $11bn to New Delhi.