Military Aviation News Archive

Airbus Military demonstrates final A330 MRTT refuelling system

01/27/2011

The Airbus Military A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to receiver aircraft using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for the first time – meaning that all of the aircraft's refuelling systems have now been demonstrated.

German Parliament Committee OKs A400M Continuation

01/27/2011

The budget committee of the German Parliament on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Airbus A400M military transport program, said Juergen Koppelin, the Free Democratic Party's budget expert.

Boeing, Netherlands MOD Mark 1st Flight of Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47F (NL) Chinook

01/27/2011

Representatives of Boeing, its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The 'Beast of Kandahar' Stealth Aircraft Quietly Resurfaces in New Pics

01/26/2011

All of a sudden it was there, but then like any good stealth aircraft it vanished. Now the “Beast of Kandahar” has resurfaced in new photos, spurring aviation and defense wonks to once again speculate about the function and purpose of such a stealthy-looking unmanned aerial system.

F-22 Raptor, 'smartest fighter' likely at Aero India

01/26/2011

The world’s most advanced combat aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, is likely to make a rare appearance outside the US during the upcoming Aero India show in Bangalore next month. This will be the first appearance of the stealth fighter, which is also the only operational fifth generation fighter aircraft in the world, in India and its third participation at an international air show.

Republic Day 2011 - A Curtain Raiser

01/26/2011

A strong and resurgent India will be celebrating its 62nd Republic Day tomorrow. This year's parade will highlight the nation's achievements in various fields, the military prowess, scintillating display of air power as also country's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

India sets deadline for jet contract

01/26/2011

India's defense minister has suggested that New Delhi may award a $10 billion contract for medium multi-role combat aircraft by the end of the year.

Lockheed Martin AMF JTRS Team Demonstrates Joint Tactical Radio Onboard AH-64D Apache Helicopter

01/26/2011

A Joint Tactical Radio Internet-Protocol (IP) communications network has successfully transmitted data and video to ground-based radios from its first airborne platform. The Lockheed Martin Airborne & Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) team, with support from Boeing, conducted this significant test that provides a new capability to connect joint forces on the battlefield.

Boeing Receives $1.6B Contract for P-8A Poseidon Low-Rate Initial Production

01/26/2011

Boeing on Jan. 21 received a $1.6 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The LRIP 1 contract is for six P-8A aircraft, spares, logistics and training devices.

''Hercules'' to be inducted in IAF on Feb 5

01/25/2011

Jan 24 (PTI) Boosting its Special Operationscapabilities, the Indian Air Force will formally induct itsfirst C-130 J ''Hercules'' transport aircraft on February 5.

Morocco ready to welcome first T-6C trainers

01/25/2011

The first aircraft is one of a batch of four that left the Hawker Beechcraft factory in Witchita USA last week for Morocco.

T-38s resurrected as aggressors for F-22s

01/24/2011

The versatile T-38, an aircraft that’s been in the Air Force arsenal since 1956, is taking on yet another role — the aggressor jet in training F-22 Raptor pilots.

Of aircrafts, friends and foes

01/24/2011

Ever wondered how to identify if an aircraft around you is a friend or a foe? How to determine its intent? Well, an electronic system that can detect an aircraft's intent is sure to enthuse electronic, computer science and electrical buffs. Such pin-point technologies are now coming from defence PSU Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL), which is all set to showcase Network Centric Warfare (NCW) technologies developed in-house during Aero India 2011.

China used downed U.S. fighter to develop first stealth jet

01/24/2011

China was able to build its first stealth bomber using technology gleaned from a downed U.S. fighter, it has been claimed.

Brazil Buys UAVs and Upgrades AMX, but Defers Fighter Choice

01/22/2011

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) made two defense procurement decisions, but deferred the long-pending choice of a new combat aircraft. It bought an unspecified number of Hermes 450 UAV systems from the Brazilian subsidiary of Elbit Systems.

Multibillion-dollar fighter jet buy ‘best value for Canada’: General

01/22/2011

Canada’s top soldier is defending a multibillion-dollar deal to buy U.S.-made fighter jets even as the Liberals zero in on the issue as Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s potential Achilles’ heel in the next campaign.

Hawker Beechcraft eyes special missions opportunities in the Middle East

01/22/2011

The Wichita, US-based company is forecasting strong growth in the private aviation sector in the region but sees a special emphasis in special missions such as maritime patrol and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to commercial applications such as photographic, air ambulance, flight inspection, weather modifications and transportation for government officials.

Iraq air force plan slowed by budget shortfall

01/21/2011

Officials acknowledged that the Iraqi Defense Ministry has suspended or slowed down procurement of combat air and other platforms. They said the move reflected a dwindling procurement budget as well as the underestimation of costs.

CAE gets $140 million in contracts

01/21/2011

Flight training giant CAE Inc. said yesterday it has won military simulation equipment contracts from several countries together worth about $140 million.

Congress told Taiwan needs aircraft

01/21/2011

A US congressional committee was told on Wednesday that Taiwan needed more advanced fighter aircraft and diesel submarines to defend itself against a possible attack by China.

Airbus tanker plane for Australia damaged in test

01/21/2011

Airbus Military is investigating the loss of part of a refuelling boom over the Atlantic during testing of a tanker plane being developed for the Royal Australian Air Force.

U.S. Nears Deal for Russian Copters

01/21/2011

The U.S. military plans to award an exclusive contract to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport to supply helicopters for Afghanistan's military, speeding a deal that was outlined as part of a "reset" of U.S.-Russia relations.

Boeing Confirms P-8A Poseidon Airframe's Structural Integrity with Full Scale Static Tests

01/21/2011

Boeing today announced that it completed full scale static testing of the P-8A Poseidon’s airframe on Jan. 7. The series of tests, which began in May 2009, confirmed the airframe's structural integrity.

Boeing C-17 Program Enters 2nd Phase of Production Rate and Work Force Reductions

01/21/2011

As part of a transition announced last year, Boeing [NYSE: BA] today confirmed it will deliver 13 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters in 2011 as the company moves to a new production rate of 10 C-17s per year. Boeing will reduce the production program's work force by approximately 1,100 jobs through the end of 2012. The company delivered 14 C-17s in 2010.

Lockheed Martin Receives $218 Million for Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) Demonstrations

01/20/2011

Lockheed Martin has received two contracts totaling $218 million for the Demonstration Phase of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) program.