Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Rolls-Royce awarded $80 million contract for C-130J engine

05/28/2009

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has been awarded a contract worth $80 million by the U.S. Air Force to provide AE 2100D3 spare engines and parts to power Lockheed Martin C-130J military transport aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Indian Air Force.

First Russian AWACS plane put in service with Indian air force

05/28/2009

The first Russian-made A-50 Mainstay AWACS aircraft developed on the basis of Il-76MD military transport plane officially entered service on Thursday with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Iran, Israel ready to go to war

05/27/2009

On April 18, the London Times reported that "the Israeli military is preparing itself to launch a massive aerial assault on Iran's nuclear facilities within days of being given the go-ahead by its new government."

EMBRAER DELIVERS 100th SUPER TUCANO AIRCRAFT

05/27/2009

Embraer delivered the 100th Super Tucano aircraft, today, at the Company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB) established the technical-operational requisites for this advanced turboprop, designated as the A-29 by the FAB, which has ordered 99 aircraft, and now receives this commemorative unit.

US bomber violates Pakistani airspace

05/26/2009

A United States B-52 bomber aircraft on Tuesday violated Pakistan’s airspace over North Waziristan Agency.

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.