Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing Completes 1st Flight Tests of MK-84 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition

09/29/2010

Boeing announced today that it successfully completed the first flight tests of the MK-84 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) this summer at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The first two of seven planned tests at Eglin demonstrated the 2,000-pound weapon's precision strike capability against fixed, relocatable and moving targets.

Boeing Receives Multi-Year Contract from US Navy for 124 F/A-18 and EA-18 Aircraft

09/29/2010

The Boeing Company has been awarded a new multi-year procurement (MYP) contract from the U.S. Navy for 124 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

CASA planes for Czech military overpriced by CZK 1bn

09/28/2010

The Czech arms dealing firm Omnipol gained 890 million as commission for the purchase of Spanish CASA planes for the military, weekly Respekt writes in its latest edition to appear on Monday.

Russian arms ban boosts Iran gunrunners

09/28/2010

Arms dealer Jacques Monsieur was jailed by a U.S. court for plotting to smuggle jet engines to Iran but, with the Islamic Republic smarting under a new Russian arms ban and international sanctions, Tehran's going to need suppliers like Monsieur more than ever.

White House 'hails' Russia-Kyrgyz joint venture to supply Manas airbase

09/28/2010

The United States has welcomed a proposal on establishing a joint Kyrgyz-Russian venture to supply aviation fuel to the Pentagon's transit center in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz deputy prime minister said on Monday.

Black Thursday

09/27/2010

On September 23rd, four MiG jet fighters crashed (three MiG-21s and a MiG-29) in three different countries. This is just the latest evidence of the decline of the once feared, and admired, MiG combat aircraft. Starting in World War II (the MiG-1 entered service in 1940), through the Korean war (the MiG-15 jet fighter) and the Cold War (the MiG-17/19/21/23/27/29), MiGs comprised the bulk of the jet fighters in communist air forces.

Sukhoi delivers last three Su-30 fighters

09/27/2010

A handover ceremony for three Su-30MK fighters was held at an air base in southern Indonesia on Monday.

Gripens do half of 51 World Cup intercepts

09/27/2010

The South African Air Force's (SAAF) growing fleet of SAAB Gripen fighters conducted about half the 51 aircraft intercepts conducted during the June/July soccer world cup. The SAAF deployed 11 of the available 15 Gripen during the month-long tournament as well as 12 of 24 BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter trainers.

Tactical Air Defense Services Acquires Option to Purchase Canadian CF-5 Fighter Jets

09/27/2010

Tactical Air Defense Services, Inc., an Aerospace/Defense Services contractor that offers tactical aviation services, aerial refueling, aircraft maintenance, disaster relief services, and other Aerospace/Defense services to the United States and foreign militaries and agencies, is pleased to announce that it is has acquired the exclusive contractual right to purchase six Canadian CF-5 Fighter Jets and related assets (the "CAD Assets") from Crown Asset Distribution, Minister of Public Works and G

F/A18 Hornets Join Australian Aerospace Service Support List

09/27/2010

Leading Australian defence contractor, Australian Aerospace Limited, has welcomed the addition of the F/A18 Hornet fighter to the inventory of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) combat aircraft which the company supports through maintenance and service agreements with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Obama okays Iraq's first post-Saddam fighter jets

09/27/2010

The administration has endorsed an Iraqi request for 18 new F-16 aircraft for Baghdad's Air Force. Officials said the Defense Department has notified Congress of the proposed sale, estimated at $4.2 billion.

IAF planning to induct 10 Airborne Warning and Control Systems

09/26/2010

Having already procured three Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), the Indian Air Force is planning to induct ten such eyes for boosting the country's air defence.

BAE pushes Hawk jet trainers for Iraq

09/26/2010

Iraq is moving forward with plans to buy 24 Hawk jet training aircraft from BAE Systems of Britain, a deal worth up to $1.6 billion, as it gradually rebuilds its air force amid the U.S. military withdrawal.

MiG-27 crashes in India, pilot survives

09/24/2010

A MiG-27 Flogger ground attack aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has crashed in the country's east, the third crash of a plane of this type in India this year, a spokesman for the Indian Army Eastern Command said.

South Dakota Air National Guard wing named top fighter unit

09/24/2010

The Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing have once again distinguished themselves as the most outstanding Air National Guard fighter unit in the nation. They were selected as the 2010 recipient of the National Guard Bureau's Winston P. Wilson Trophy.

Global aircraft manufacturers court SA

09/24/2010

MANUFACTURERS of military aircraft at this week’s Africa Aerospace and Defence show in Cape Town have been jostling for the attention of South African Air Force (SAAF) and defence buyers, each believing their product is best suited for SA’s defence requirements.

Fighter jet crashes in Karnaphuli

09/24/2010

A fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed into the river Karnaphuli while its pilot escaped unhurt near the Patenga Boat Club here yesterday afternoon.

3 in Congress try to block Saudi arms deal

09/24/2010

Three Democratic members of Congress are trying to block a sale of $60 billion in U.S. military aircraft to Saudi Arabia, saying the Saudis are "anti-Israel."

Russia could make aerial drones without Israeli help claims company

09/24/2010

Russia does not need Israeli assistance to make progress in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including military drones, the head of a Russian UAV production company said on Thursday.

Boeing Completes Production of 1st Australian Super Hornet with Provisions for Future Electronic Attack Capability

09/24/2010

Boeing announced today that it has completed production of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet that has the capability to be converted into an electronic attack aircraft.

Russia, Kyrgyzstan settle disputes on unified military base

09/23/2010

Russia and Kyrgyzstan have settled all disputes surrounding the creation of the United Russian Military Base in Kyrgyzstan, deputy chief of the General Staff Col. Gen. Valery Gerasimov said on Thursday.

Russia delivers three Mi-35M helicopters to Indonesia

09/23/2010

Russia has delivered three Mi-35M Hind assault helicopters to Indonesia, a military source said on Thursday.

Beechcraft T-6 Military Trainer Debuts in Africa

09/23/2010

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s T-6 military trainer recently debuted in Africa as part of a demonstration tour en route to the African Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo in Capetown, South Africa. The trip includes stops in Algeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia with demonstration flights in Nigeria and South Africa. From HBC’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan., to the arrival at AAD in South Africa, the T-6 turboprop will cover nearly 9,500 miles.

Drones overtaking jets in AFA cadets' training

09/23/2010

A group of Air Force Academy cadets playing the role of Special Operations commandos were repeatedly rescued Thursday during a training mission in the woods north of the cadet area.

Pentagon signs F-35 fighter contract with Lockheed

09/23/2010

The Pentagon said on Wednesday it reached a "fixed-price" agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) for a fourth batch of F-35 fighter jets, wrapping up months of negotiations about the U.S. military's biggest weapons program.