Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The Lockheed Martin F-35: Centerpiece Of 21st Century Global Security

07/20/2010

The 5th generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter will serve as the centerpiece for 21st century global security while strengthening international political and industrial partnerships, a senior Lockheed Martin F-35 executive said Monday at the Farnborough Air Show.

Boeing Delivers Final C-130 Avionics Modernization Program Test Aircraft

07/20/2010

Boeing on June 30 delivered the last of three test aircraft for the U.S. Air Force C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) system design and development contract.

EADS spending millions to develop new helicopter

07/19/2010

Europe's EADS (EAD.PA) said it is spending around $50 million to $75 million to develop a new armed version of its light utility helicopter for a possible U.S. Army competition and emerging strong interest by a "significant" number of foreign buyers.

Sikorsky Sees Big Orders Over Next 12-18 Months

07/19/2010

Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp , expects a significant first order this week from a Middle Eastern country for the international version of its Black Hawk helicopter.

Boeing, EADS clash again as KC-X tanker war resumes

07/19/2010

In a pointed reference to the Boeing NewGen Tanker, EADS CEO Louis Gallois said in London on Saturday that “a large part of our development cost and risk are behind us…compared to our competitor.” The bids were delivered on July 8 and 9.

Farnborough air show attracts 59 Russian firms

07/18/2010

About 1,350 companies and organizations from 52 countries, including 59 Russian firms, will take part in the Farnborough-2010 Air Show, which opens near London on Monday.

Russian state arms exporter sees contracts worth $38 bln in 2010

07/18/2010

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Friday its orders so far this year had exceeded $38 billion.

Thai Air Force Insists on Buying Gripen

07/16/2010

Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong countered Matichon newspaper's claim that the Royal Thai Air Force is spending much more on Gripen aircraft than its Romanian counterparts.

Canada Plans to Buy F-35s, but Hurdles Remain

07/16/2010

The Canadian government is expected to announce on Friday that it will buy 65 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.

Indonesia to Buy 50 Controversial Fighter Jets from South Korea

07/16/2010

Indonesia agreed on Thursday to join a South Korean project to develop a new fighter jet which has been delayed for years by technical and budget problems.

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Team to Jointly Pursue U.S. Air Force’s HH-60 Recap Helicopter Program

07/16/2010

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. will compete jointly for the contract to replace the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters.

Boeing, Jacksonville Community Celebrate Arrival of F-16s for Aerial Target Program

07/16/2010

Boeing employees joined congressional representatives, local government officials and community leaders on July 9 at Cecil Field in Jacksonville to celebrate the arrival of the first F-16s for the QF-16 aerial target program.

Threatened Israeli strike on Iran would lead to regional war, report says

07/15/2010

The ultimate nightmare scenario could soon become a reality.

The Air Force Needs a Serious Upgrade

07/15/2010

The United States Air Force has long been the envy of the world's militaries—sleek, high-tech and lethal to all who opposed it. Now, at a clandestine military base that serves as the headquarters for the Afghanistan air war, you stare at the rows and rows of decades-old planes and wonder how those things manage to make it into the sky.

In a First, Full-Sized Robo-Copter Flies With No Human Help

07/15/2010

In mid-June, a single-turbine helicopter took off from a test field in Mesa, Arizona, avoided obstacles during flight, scoped out a landing site and landed safely.

Russia refuses to rule out expanding Kyrgyz air base

07/15/2010

Russia's Air Force chief said on Tuesday he refused to rule out the expansion of an air base in Kyrgyzstan.

Turks in Tel Aviv Show Business Binds Israel to Muslim Ally in Gaza Crisis

07/14/2010

Manager Nissim Gayus says it’s “business as usual,” six weeks after Israeli troops killed nine Turkish activists on an aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip. While the raid has strained a political alliance of more than half a century, commercial ties between the countries survive, according to Gayus, who works at Ankara-based Yilmazlar Construction Group.

No More C-17s, Defense Officials Tell Congress

07/14/2010

The military has more than enough large transport planes, and the appropriation of any more in the next budget year will force some into premature retirement, Defense Department officials told a congressional panel today.

Saudi king 'takes charge of arms sales'

07/14/2010

King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia has taken charge of arms negotiations with the United States and is seeking to downgrade the power of the defense ministry, which is run by his ailing designated heir, Prince Sultan, Paris's Intelligence Online says.

Boeing, EADS spend big to lobby opinion on tanker deal

07/14/2010

Boeing Co. and Netherlands-based EADS are in a battle that could redraw the boundaries for U.S. defense contracting for years to come.

Russia, China to design, build heavy-lift helicopter

07/14/2010

Russia and China will cooperate in jointly developing and manufacturing a heavy-lift helicopter, a Russian deputy industry and trade minister said on Tuesday.

Russian Air Force to buy over 60 fifth-generation fighters

07/14/2010

The Russian Air Force will receive more than 60 fifth-generation fighters from 2015-16, the force commander said on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin Delivers First Mid-Life Upgrade P-3 Orion

07/14/2010

The first Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) enhancements was delivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in ceremonies here today.

MoD unveils unmanned military jet of the future

07/13/2010

Christened 'Taranis', this unmanned jet could be the combat aircraft of the future, carrying out intercontinental missile strikes while its pilot stays on solid ground.

Intrigue Idles Soviet-Era Jet In Michigan

07/13/2010

One morning last July, a Russian-made military plane landed at an airport near this Lake Superior town. Nine men with foreign accents disembarked. Some went off to eat and shop. When they returned, a flock of federal agents and local police were waiting. Five men were taken to jail.