Military Aviation News Archive

S. Korea Releases RFP For UCAV

02/20/2010

South Korea’s technologically ambitious defense ministry aims to test a scaled demonstrator for a stealthy combat drone by 2013, extending the country’s expertise in unmanned aircraft and hedging against cancellation of the KF-X fighter program.

U.S. 'to give Lebanon light attack planes'

02/20/2010

The United States is reported ready to provide light attack aircraft to the Lebanese army and to establish an elite Special Forces unit, a major step toward boosting the military's now-feeble firepower.

The Government gets equipment to escalate war on drug trafficking

02/19/2010

With the inauguration of a modern Command and Control Center to view satellite images and of the radars acquired together with the Super Tucano intercept planes and equipment to heighten border security, the Government aims to escalate the war against drug trafficking via air and land.

U.A.E. eyes South Korean T-50 jets

02/19/2010

The United Arab Emirates has taken a fresh jab at talks to purchase the South Korean-built T-50 jet trainer following stalled negotiations to acquire its rival, Italy's M-346 trainer.

Restive Russia reiterates strategic ties

02/19/2010

The missiles are out in full strength at the Defexpo in Delhi’s enormous Pragati Maidan complex, but it seems that flower pots are also being considered as potential weapons of influence for India’s growing defence market. At least, that is what some Russians seemed to believe.

MiG 29 to be inducted today

02/19/2010

The fourth generation Russian-origin jet fighter aircraft, MiG-29K, which would be used for carrier-based operations, would be formally inducted into the Indian Navy on Friday in presence of Defence Minister A K Anthony on Friday.

A400M talks hone in on inflation, military gadgets

02/19/2010

A thorny inflation clause and a shopping list of military gadgets dominated closing stages of talks to rescue the delayed A400M troop plane on Thursday as France held out the prospect of a deal next week.

Lockheed cuts costly F-35 fighter jet delays

02/19/2010

Lockheed Martin Corp. says it has reduced delays in the development phase of its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet to about 13 months. That's far less than the 30-months earlier feared and puts the program in the running for millions of dollars in Pentagon performance awards.

India to speed up military upgrade

02/19/2010

India will continue to selectively buy arms and aircraft from suppliers in the US and other countries—excluding Russia, with which it has an inter-government pact—through the foreign military sales, or FMS, route that bypasses competitive bidding, defence minister A.K. Antony said.

Pakistan inducts multi-role jets developed jointly with China

02/19/2010

The Pakistani Air Force on Thursday inducted the first squadron of JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft it jointly developed with China as part of its efforts to maintain a “balance” of conventional forces in the region.

Bangladesh Looks to Order Fighters, MPAs in 2010

02/18/2010

Flight International reports that Bangladeshi planning minister A.K. Khandker has informed Parliament that the government intends to buy “a squadron” of fighters and 2 maritime patrol aircraft, as part of its 2010 procurement plans. This would be a significant commitment for Bangladesh, whose 2008-2009 defense budget came in at around $1 billion.

New Zealand Comments on Lagging C-130 Hercules Aircraft Life Extension Programme

02/18/2010

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) of New Zealand is working to ensure the successful completion of the C-130 Hercules life extension programme, following the news that Safe Air in Blenheim is planning to reduce its workforce by a hundred positions.

Eurofighter's mission in India: Making the shortlist

02/18/2010

On Monday, two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters of the Luftwaffe —- the German Air Force —- took off from the Laage Air Base in Germany on probably the most important mission the plane has flown.

Third Lockheed Martin F-35B Lands At NAS Patuxent River

02/18/2010

Piloted by Lockheed Martin F-35 Test Pilot Jeff Knowles, the third F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter landed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., today.

Lockheed Martin Completes Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb Flight Test Program

02/18/2010

Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) F/A-18 qualification flight test program. The paveway II Plus LGB uses an enhanced laser guidance package, significantly improving the precision of current paveway II LGBs.

Boeing Returns E-4B National Airborne Operations Center Aircraft to Service

02/18/2010

The Boeing Company delivered an E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft to the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 8, after 11 months of maintenance at Boeing’s Wichita facility. The aircraft returns to service in support of the center’s mission -- providing senior government and military decision makers with connected and protected air travel.

Pentagon confirms 1-year delay for JSF

02/17/2010

Pentagon officials on Feb. 16 confirmed Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn’s announcement one day prior that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will be delayed by about one year.

Modified military aircraft drones being readied for protesters

02/17/2010

Police forces all over the UK will soon be able to draw on ... modified military aircraft drones [to] carry out surveillance on everyone from protesters and antisocial motorists to fly-tippers, and will be in place in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Future Remotely Piloted Aircraft Will Do More Than Surveillance

02/17/2010

The widespread introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles to the battlefield during the last decade has been called revolutionary. But their applications so far have mostly been in the reconnaissance and surveillance realm, with only a handful of aircraft able to fire weapons.

Finance offer to save A400M

02/17/2010

EUROPEAN aerospace giant EADS has received an new finance offer from partner governments which could rescue the troubled A400M military transport project, a company spokesman said on Monday.

Boeing Targets Indian Market

02/17/2010

Boeing is looking further ahead in the Indian defense procurement and development market as it now enters the third and final phase of field trials for the proposed F/A-18IN for India’s 126 Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition.

Emirates throw wrench in Dassault works

02/17/2010

France's Dassault Aviation, desperate to find the first foreign customer for its multi-role Rafale fighter, is concentrating on a potential sale of 60 of the jets to the United Arab Emirates.

India to spend further $200b for arms

02/17/2010

While Pakistani leaders and judiciary are locked in an unending internal battle and the armed forces are engaged in an ongoing treacherous terrorism network Pakistan’s arch rival India has embarked on a huge armament programme that is seen as genuine threats to both Pakistan and its strategic ally China.

Lockheed Martin may sell fifth generation F-35 to India

02/16/2010

US defence major Lockheed Martin Tuesday said it may consider selling the fifth generation fighter aircraft F-35 if approached by the Indian Air Force (IAF). “We will consider this if the IAF approaches us,” Orville Prins, vice president for Lockheed Martin India’s operation, told reporters at the sixth edition of Defexpo India.

RAF chief: Don't cut fighter jets

02/16/2010

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, the Chief of the Air Staff, insisted that air power must not be seen as an “optional luxury” when Britain’s future defence capability is considered.