Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Lockheed Martin wins $485m multi-country airborne sensor contract

05/22/2020

Lockheed Martin won a contract to sell its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) and two other sensors to two dozen countries and US military services – a deal worth up to $485 million. The US Air Force (USAF) granted the company the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (IDIQ), which has a $485 million ceiling, via the Foreign Military Sales process.

US Navy starts final tests of competing low-band jammers for EA-18G Growler

05/21/2020

The US Navy (USN) has started final tests of two systems competing to win the service’s Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGL-LB) competition, which aims to develop a jammer for Boeing EA-18G Growlers. Tests of systems developed by L3Harris and Northrop Grumman are part of that programme’s Demonstration of Existing Technologies phase. They are planned to run through summer at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland, the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) said on 18 May.

Boeing picks STS for UK Wedgetail conversions

05/21/2020

Boeing Defence UK has named STS Aviation Services as its conversion partner for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) future fleet of five 737NG-based E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, after Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group withdrew from the project. Announcing the selection on 20 May, Boeing said the narrowbodies will be prepared for military service using a hangar at Birmingham airport which was previously occupied by Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL).

F-35 crashes at Eglin AFB, pilot successfully ejected and in stable condition. 2nd crash at base in four days

05/20/2020

For the second time in four days a fifth-generation fighter jet has crashed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron crashed upon landing around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eglin, according to a media release. The pilot successfully ejected and was transported to the 96th Medical Group Hospital at Eglin for evaluation and monitoring.

Aussies pitch in to fight the terror threat

05/20/2020

Operation Okra is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the military intervention against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) terrorist threat. As part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, the operation began in August 2014, and its initial stated aim was to combat ISIL threats in Iraq. Australia’s contribution is being closely coordinated with the Iraqi Government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.

Breaking Down USAF’s 70-Percent Overall Mission Capable Rate

05/20/2020

The Air Force’s fleet in fiscal 2019 maintained an overall mission capable rate of 70.27 percent, a slight increase from the previous year. Although some key combat aircraft, such as the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor, sustained low capability rates, service officials say the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Lockheed Martin F-35 to miss 2020 production target due to coronavirus-caused parts shortage

05/20/2020

Lockheed Martin will likely miss its production target of 141 examples of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter in 2020. The company’s suppliers are not able to deliver parts on time, a disruption caused by the coronavirus. As a result, the number of F-35s produced this year could fall by 18 to 24 units below the 141 aircraft goal, Lockheed Martin says on 19 May.

German panel, industry, assess ethics of FCAS technology

05/20/2020

Germany has initiated an independent process to consider the ethical and legal implications of using autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of a multinational Future Combat Air System (FCAS), to enter use by around 2040.

Air Force Finally Has Plans to Test a Laser Weapon on Its AC-130J Gunship

05/20/2020

For the last five years, Air Force Special Operations Command has been working toward incorporating a high-energy laser weapon on its newest AC-130J gunship. It now plans to test-fire a 60-kilowatt laser in 2022, according to a program officer affiliated with the program.

Japan’s Future F-3 Fighter Jet Leaked

05/19/2020

Information was leaked pertaining to the F-3 sixth-generation fighter jet. Japan is expected to start development of the F-3 in 2021. Currently, Japan needs to protect themselves from China. Japan always had tumultuous relations with China. Conflicts between Beijing and Tokyo go back centuries.

Saab to provide more Erieye AEW&C aircraft

05/19/2020

Saab announced on 18 May that it has received an order from an unnamed customer for its Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C solution, under a SEK1.55 billion ($158.37 million) contract. An undisclosed number of aircraft will be delivered between 2020 and 2023. Saab will carry out the work in Sweden at sites in Arboga, Gothenburg, Järfälla, Linköping and Luleå.

Maybe India Will Get Its Super F-16, After All

05/19/2020

Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, the head of the Indian Air Force, on May 18 contradicted Rawat. Bhadauria clarified that the Indian Air Force wants both the 114 foreign planes and the additional LCAs.

IAF to acquire 450 fighter aircraft in future: Air Force Chief

05/19/2020

In future, the Indian Air Force is planning to acquire 450 fighter aircraft for deployment on the northern and western frontiers of the country, Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria said on Monday. The list of aircraft planned to be inducted by the Air Force include 36 Rafales, 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft, 100 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and over 200 variants of the Light Combat Aircraft.

US Navy receives its 100th P-8A Poseidon

05/19/2020

The US Navy (USN) has taken delivery of its 100th Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The company notes that this is the 94th mission capable aircraft, with six jets earmarked as test examples.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

05/18/2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the CF Snowbirds team has died and one has sustained injuries. We can confirm that we have contacted all primary family members of those involved. More information will be communicated in the near future. Update: Our previous statement indicated that the surviving member of the crash suffered serious injuries, we can confirm that their injuries are not considered life threatening.

PURCHASE OF MILITARY JET COULD COST COUNTRY €10M

05/18/2020

File photo of a French fighter jet. The Government is looking at buying a military aircraft. reland is the only country within the European Union that does not own a military cargo plane and relies on deals with other countries when one is needed. It is reported it will cost in the region of €10m.

FAA investigating Detroit drone flight that came 'dangerously close' to Blue Angels

05/18/2020

A remotely piloted camera drone took footage of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aircraft, over the city of Detroit, during the Tuesday, May 12 “America Strong” flyover of the metro area. According to an article by Tom Demerly, for the TheAviationist.com, the drone came "dangerously close" to the Blue Angels' aircraft and was “within feet” of a formation at one point.

Space Plane: Mysterious US military aircraft launches

05/18/2020

The rocket launched on Sunday from Cape Canaveral, a day after bad weather halted plans for a Saturday launch. The aircraft, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), will deploy a satellite into orbit and also test power-beaming technology. It is the plane's sixth mission in space.

USS America (LHA-6) Sails The South China Sea With Some Teeth

05/18/2020

Tension are deescalating in mid-May 2020 in the South China Sea with the withdraw of Chinese and Malaysian ships over a maritime dispute regarding oceanic mineral and oil reserves claimed by Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. The U.S. Navy responded by sending warships in late April: the USS America (LHA-6) and its escorts USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Barry (DDG-52).

Canadian Snowbirds acrobatic jet crashes in residential area

05/18/2020

It is not clear if anyone was hurt. At least one pilot was able to eject before the crash, video shows. The plane hit the front garden of a house, setting it on fire. The team had been on a cross-Canada tour "to salute Canadians doing their part to fight the spread of Covid-19," according to the Snowbirds website.

Say Goodbye To India’s Super F-16

05/17/2020

Our chances of getting a new kind of F-16 just dramatically shrank. The Indian air force recently signaled it would cancel a tender for foreign-made warplanes. It was that contest that motivated American plane-maker Lockheed Martin LMT to develop a unique, highly-advanced F-16 variant the company called the “F-21.”

Russia's Tu-22M3M Strategic Bomber Is Getting a New Weapon: Hypersonic Missiles

05/17/2020

The Russian Air Force has recently conducted testing of a new hypersonic aircraft missile for a modified version of the Tu-22M3M aircraft. According to Russian state media, the work on the new missile began several years ago and its testing was completed simultaneously with the work on the upgraded bomber.

Turkey’s new aircraft carrier will transform its navy - Forbes

05/17/2020

Turkey’s new light aircraft carrier, TCG Anadolu, is set to become operational this year and will transform the country’s naval power, Forbes said. The carrier has a large helicopter landing deck and un-crewed combat air vehicle capacity, as well as amphibious capabilities, which will boost the ability of Turkey’s military to conduct overseas operations. Turkey is currently involved in military operations in Libya and Syria.

US Navy begins search for next jet trainer to replace T-45 Goshawk

05/16/2020

The US Navy (USN) has begun its search for a new jet trainer to replace its Boeing T-45 Goshawk fleet. As part of its new Undergraduate Jet Training System programme, the service wants a nondevelopmental, land-based jet trainer aircraft capable of field carrier landing practice and nuclear aircraft carrier touch-and-go landings by 2028 or sooner, according to a request for information posted online on 14 May.

Boeing Lands Major Missile Contracts

05/16/2020

Boeing received two contacts on May 13 covering two variants from the AGM-84 missile family. Combined with a related, previously announced order, the contracts have a combined value of $3.1 billion. Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity for the orders, which answer the requirements of a number of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.