Military Aviation News Archive

Navy aircraft carriers not operational for 26 years

10/20/2010

The Royal Navy is set to lose its ability to fly combat jets off aircraft carriers for the next 26 years under defence cuts to be announced today, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

Scrap the MMRCA, buy US F-35s

10/20/2010

Given the global buzz around the Indian Air Force ongoing $10-billion procurement of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), my suggestion to scrap the process and, instead, go in for a straight buy of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightening II fighters is admittedly radical. But consider this: when the F-35 enters service, a couple of years from now, it will comfortably outclass every one of the six fighters that the IAF is currently evaluating.

India mulls Boeing Globemaster III deal

10/20/2010

India and Boeing remained locked in negotiations for the former's purchase of as many as 10 military transport aircraft by Dec. 15.

U.K. considers dropping STOVL version of F-35

10/19/2010

Britain may drop plans to purchase the short-takeoff, vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 strike aircraft and replace it with the conventional carrier variant of the Lighting II.

Taxed by wars, aging air tankers suffer fleet fatigue

10/19/2010

The last new KC-135 Stratotanker was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1964. After nearly a decade of war, the fleet’s age is showing, most profoundly to the men and women on the ground who keep the 415 tankers flying.

Taiwan interested in F-35 fighters

10/19/2010

Deputy defense minister Andrew Yang says Taiwan is interested in buying F-35 fighter jets in the future. Those jets are more advanced than the F-16C/Ds which Taiwan has requested to purchase from the United States.

Ukraine and Venezuela to develop cooperation in aviation

10/19/2010

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he highly appreciates the prospects for cooperation with Ukraine in the aviation industry.

China welcomes U.S. intent to waive ban on C-130 aircraft export

10/19/2010

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesman Yao Jian said Friday that China welcomes the U.S. intent to waive the embargo on the export of C-130 planes to China for use in oil spill response operations.

PAF to participate in aviation, aerospace exhibition in Beijing

10/18/2010

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will participate for the first time in an international aviation and aerospace exhibition being held in China next month.

Israel Ministry of Defense Signs Agreement for Purchase of F-35 Aircraft

10/18/2010

The Israeli Minister of Defense Director General (Maj. Gen. Ret.) Udi Shani, has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of F-35 Lightning II aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin. Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine will power the initial purchase of the Israel Air Force's F-35 aircraft. The F135 is the only engine currently powering the F-35 aircraft and is in production today. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company.

Thai fighter jet crashes, killing pilot

10/18/2010

Authorities say a Thai air force pilot was killed when his F16 fighter jet crashed into a mountain in northern Thailand during a training drill.Police Maj. Gen. Chamlong Nomsien says the aircraft has one of four planes from the Royal Thai Air Force taking part in the Monday exercise.He said the planes took off from an air base in central Thailand and one of them suddenly vanished from radar.

CF-18 contract stays in Calgary

10/18/2010

The Harris Corporation will continue to provide avionics maintenance on the CF-18 until the military replaces the craft with the controversial F-35 Lightning II fighter in 2020.

Airbus Military mulls plan to bag multi-billion India deal

10/18/2010

As India seeks to boost its strategic reach by inducting more mid-air refuellers, European defence major EADS has announced that it would aggressively bid for the multi-billion reopened contract by offering latest technology.

New Airbus Military Training Centre opens in Seville

10/17/2010

The new Airbus Military Training Centre has been opened today in Seville (Spain).

C-27J Spartan Visit a Success at the North Dakota Air National Guard

10/17/2010

A Familiarization Tour, conducted by L-3 Platform Integration, Alenia North America, and the companies’ joint venture, Global Military Aircraft Systems, took place at the 119th Wing Airbase today. The day was filled with briefings and familiarization flights for the Airmen and North Dakota National Guard leadership.

RAF reacts ahead of UK defence review which anticipates deep spending cuts

10/15/2010

A senior RAF officer has warned that cuts to military aircraft numbers would leave the United Kingdom vulnerable to attack. Air Marshal Timo Anderson, director general of the Military Aviation Authority, addressed MPs in a private talk, and gave a stark assessment on cuts expected to be outlined next week.

Taiwan: developing unmanned military aircraft

10/15/2010

Taiwan's defence ministry said Tuesday it was developing an unmanned surveillance aircraft, showing that the island's arms race with China has not ended despite improving ties.

Lots of 'hogs' in the skies over Boise this week

10/15/2010

There will be a lot more military aircraft than usual in the skies over southwest Idaho this week. It’s all part of the "Hawgsmoke 2010" competition at Gowen Field.

HAL to play critical role in fifth gen aircraft

10/15/2010

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will be playing a critical role in the design and development of the much-vaunted Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme , contrary to expectations , the state-owned defence undertaking’s chairman and managing director told ET.

France’s Rafale jet struggles to hit its target overseas

10/15/2010

Nicolas Sarkozy likes to portray himself as the executive president. He sees himself as France’s salesman-in-chief promoting the country’s flagship exports, clinching deals around the world, especially with fast-growing emerging countries like China, India, Brazil and the oil-rich Gulf nations. He has even set up a so-called “war room” in his Elysée palace to support military and civil exports.

DOD retiring famous military aircraft

10/14/2010

Employees working at various test sites throughout Yuma Proving Ground will no longer hear the familiar sounds of either of the two O-2 Skymaster the installation has soaring high overhead.

Super Hornets will put RAAF back on the regional front foot

10/14/2010

The air force is about to reverse a decade of decline with a string of new aircraft. THE balance of power in Asia is changing faster than the new Gillard government would like.

India, Vietnam agree to tone up defence ties

10/14/2010

India and Vietnam on Wednesday decided to tone up their defence-related engagement, with New Delhi agreeing to carry forward its assistance to Hanoi in its ongoing military modernisation.

Egypt air force chief downplays importance of US F-35 sales to Israel

10/14/2010

Commander of the Egyptian Air Force Reda Mahmoud Hafez on Wednesday downplayed the military importance of a recent decision by Washington to provide Israel with a number of US F-35 fighter jets and dismissed fears that the move might alter the regional balance of power.

Israeli firm sells UAV assembly components to Russia

10/14/2010

Israel Aerospace Industries said on Wednesday it has signed a contract with the Russian defense firm Oboronprom on the delivery of assembly components and servicing for aerial drones.