Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Has Airbus fixed midair refueling problems with the F-15 jet?

10/25/2019

Airbus has developed changes to the software that controls the A330 tanker boom specifically for midair refueling of the Boeing F-15 Eagle. The modification, known as boom flight control law, was coded in response to difficulties encountered during flight trials, and the update adds another receiver type to the list of aircraft certified for refueling from the tanker.

F-15E Strike Eagles deploy to Al Dhafra

10/25/2019

A group of F-15E Strike Eagle fighters from the 494th Fighter Squadron arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates Oct. 18 to help support ongoing operations in the Middle East.

Russian Tu-160 bombers arrive in South Africa

10/25/2019

Two Russian Aerospace Forces Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ bombers touched down at Air Force Base Waterkloof on Wednesday in a groundbreaking visit to South Africa. The aircraft arrived at approximately 16:30, later than expected due to a delayed takeoff in Russia due to bad weather. The aircraft were originally scheduled to arrive in South Africa on 22 October but were delayed by more than a day due to technical issues.

Air Force chooses Terma to provide cockpit 3-D audio for pilot situational awareness on A-10 combat aircraft

10/25/2019

U.S. Air Force combat aircraft avionics experts needed 3-D audio systems for their fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air-support jets. They found their solution from Terma North America Inc. in Arlington, Va. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, announced a five-year $60 million sole-source contract to Terma on Wednesday for as many as 328 3-D audio systems for the A-10 aircraft, which affectionately is called the Warthog.

Boeing KC-46A starts IOT&E despite US Air Force concerns

10/25/2019

The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refueling tanker formally transitioned into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) on 22 October. The US Air Force programme executive officer for the tanker formally certified the long-awaited process, the service says in a media release.

First Sea Lion helicopter delivered to Germany

10/25/2019

Airbus Helicopters has handed the first of an eventual 18 NH90 Sea Lion naval rotorcraft to Germany, with an additional two examples to arrive by year-end. Destined to replace the German navy's 21-strong fleet of aged Westland Sea King 41s, the Sea Lion has been developed from the baseline NFH variant produced by the NH Industries (NHI) consortium.

Belgian aerospace sector signs F-35 partnership with Lockheed Martin

10/24/2019

A cooperation agreement was signed on Wednesday by the US defence group Lockheed Martin and Belgian companies in the context of potential economic benefits related to the purchase of 34 F-35 combat aircraft by the Belgian government, a contract worth some 3.8 billion euros. Eight companies signed the contract at Solvay’s headquarters in Neder-Over-Heembeek: Asco Industries, Coexpair, Feronyl, Sabca, Safran Aero Boosters, Sonaca, Thales Belgium and Solvay.

Marines Test ‘Lightning Carrier’ Concept, Control 13 F-35Bs from Multiple Amphibs

10/24/2019

The Navy and Marine Corps recently tested out the “Lightning Carrier” concept of packing an amphibious assault ship with F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets, and they will likely continue to expand and exercise this capability.

Stealth Defeated? France Once Shot down an F-22 Raptor

10/24/2019

Past evidence seems to confirm that a French fighter pilot once “killed” an American F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in mock combat. Although not unprecedented, the simulated shoot-down is still a big deal for a couple reasons. For one, the Lockheed Martin-made F-22 is supposed to be the most fearsome warplane in history, a quarter-billion-dollar-per-plane technological marvel that flies higher and faster than its opponents while avoiding detection by radar.

Russia's MiG to Offer New 4th Gen-Plus Fighter to African Nations

10/24/2019

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG intends to make its MiG-35 fourth-plus generation fighter jet available to African nations for purchase. The company on Tuesday announced it will reveal an exportable version of the MiG-35 -- which it previously said straddles fourth- and fifth-generation capability -- during the first-ever Russia-Africa summit this week in Sochi, according to a news release.

Delays mount to Taiwan F-16V upgrade

10/24/2019

A programme to upgrade Taiwan’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds to the latest V-model standard is running behind schedule, leaving the country facing a capability gap. Taiwanese defence minister Yen Teh-fa told the country's parliament earlier in October that so far, just four upgraded fighters have been handed back to the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF).

Lockheed declares F-35 stealth coating ‘rock solid’

10/24/2019

Lockheed Martin has defended both the stealth coatings of the F-35A and its efforts to boost the supply of spare parts, as it eyes the conclusion of three fighter campaigns in 2020 and lower operating costs. While 2019 has been a relatively trouble-free year in the programme’s long history, reports have emerged regarding concerns about the durability of its low-observable coatings at high speeds, as well as continued issues with spare parts availability.

6 Russian warplanes enter South Korean air defense zone as South Korea scrambles fighter jets

10/23/2019

South Korea sent its fighter jets to warn Russian warplanes who encroached South Korea’s air defense zone on Tuesday. Over several hours, Russian bombers and other warplanes – six total aircraft – entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) for the 20th time this year, ignoring the unique protocol required for foreign aircraft to identify themselves, Reuters reported.

Russia and Turkey reach deal to push Kurdish forces out of zone in northern Syria

10/23/2019

Russia and Turkey agreed Tuesday on a plan to push Syrian Kurdish fighters from a wide swath of territory just south of Turkey’s border, cementing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s preeminent role in Syria as U.S. troops depart and America’s influence wanes.

Lockheed Martin sees big demand for F-16 in Middle East & Asia

10/23/2019

Lockheed Martin believes its backlog of orders for the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft could more than triple based on demand from Middle Eastern and Asian countries. The company currently has a backlog of 30 F-16s, but anticipates orders for additional aircraft could increase its sales by at least another 60 examples, says Kenneth Possenriede, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Lockheed Martin on the firm’s third quarter earnings call on 22 October.

KAL-ASD analyses data from unmanned 500MD ahead of army trial

10/23/2019

Work is continuing on a South Korean project to convert elderly MD Helicopters MD500s into unmanned rotorcraft, with the sole prototype eventually to be handed over to the country's army for assessment. First flight of the aircraft, known as the 500MD, took place in July and Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), which is leading the modification effort, is now assessing data from that sortie.

KAI stays focused on FA-50 despite T-X setback

10/23/2019

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is forging ahead with sales efforts in the international advanced jet trainer/light attack market with the FA-50 after a stinging loss in the USA’s T-X competition. Sang Choi is executive vice president and general manager of KAI’s business division. He is a veteran of the company’s overseas sales campaigns for the T-50 advanced jet trainer and its FA-50 light attack variant. He spoke with FlightGlobal at the recent Seoul ADEX show.

USAF awards $6.4bil for mock dogfighting services

10/22/2019

The US Air Force’s (USAF) Air Combat Command awarded seven companies contracts worth $6.4 billion in total to provide mock dogfighting and aerial combat training services over the next five years. As part of the Combat Air Forces Contracted Air Support programme, the companies will fly their own fleet of fighter aircraft against USAF fighters during Red Flag exercises, the USAF says in an online award notice posted on 18 October.

Industry details self-protection update bid for Eurofighter

10/22/2019

The Eurofighter Typhoon’s self-protection equipment will be the subject of a major modernisation effort, with industry partners having launched plans for a so-called Praetorian Evolution, or “Evo” package of capabilities. Details of the proposed enhancement were outlined to partner air forces, the Eurofighter consortium and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency on 9 October by EuroDASS: a venture involving Elettronica, Hensoldt, Indra and led by Leonardo.

RAAF Super Hornets eye computing upgrade, IRST

10/22/2019

A pair of notifications on a US government website indicates that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) may increase the processing power of its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, and that it will add an infrared search & track (IRST) capability.

USA clears possible Korean AMRAAM sale

10/22/2019

The US State Department has cleared the possible sale of 120 Raytheon AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM missiles to South Korea. A statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency estimates the cost of the potential deal at $253 million. The package includes support equipment, logistics, and spare parts, and stems from an original request from Seoul.

Will Germany Choose America's F-15EX as Its New Fighter?

10/21/2019

The German air force will select a new fighter aircraft in early 2020, German minister of defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced in late September 2019. The plane will replace the Luftwaffe’s fleet of 93 Panavia Tornado fighter-bombers and complement the service’s roughly 140 Eurofighter Typhoons. For the longer term, Germany is working with France to develop a next-generation warplane under the Future Combat Air System program.

From growing pilots to shifting training while also meeting growing demands, Army aviation has challenges

10/21/2019

Army aviation faces current and future challenges as it adapts itself to both find new pilots while also preparing the next generation of aviators for air combat not seen in generations. In recent weeks, top Army aviation leaders have said publicly that while the number of pilots in the ranks fills the current aviation needs of the combatant commanders, junior pilot numbers are short and could create a critical gap as senior pilots retire or end their service.

Open Skies Help Keep the Peace With Russia

10/21/2019

International security isn’t a given. Historically, peace among the great powers is a rarity. It’s also a great accomplishment. Like trust, peace and security take a long time to build and only a moment to dismantle. One of the pillars upholding international peace and security today is the 1992 Open Skies. Treaty. Thirty-four nations, including the U.S. and Russia, have agreed to this treaty, which allows signatories to fly unarmed surveillance aircraft over one another’s territory.

AIM-260 and Peregrine Incoming: Why the U.S. Air Force Urgently Needs New Air to Air Missiles

10/21/2019

The United States is set to receive at least two entirely new classes of long range air to air missile in the 2020s, which are intended to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM currently in service. U.S. defence manufacturer Raytheon, best known for its THAAD, RIM-161 and AIM-120 missiles, in September announced the development of the ‘Peregrine’ - an entirely new family of air to air missiles intended to be deployed by next generation American fighters.