Military Aviation News Archive

South Korean President Calls for Urgent Enhancement of Defense Capabilities

08/10/2017

outh Korea must urgently and completely reform its defense system in view of the threat of North Korea, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday.

US Air Force awards Air Force One replacement contract

08/09/2017

The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract for two commercial 747-8 aircraft to replace an aging fleet of 747-200s serving as presidential transports. The latest contract modifies an existing deal with Boeing awarded in 2016 to analyse options for reducing the risk of technical glitches in development of the new Air Force One fleet, as well assess classified requirements.

Israel grounds Apaches after fatal accident

08/09/2017

As the AH-64A "Peten" approached Ramon air base, its pilot reported a technical problem. Seconds later, it crashed between the two runways, killing its pilot. The second crew member was taken to hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

Israeli Air Forces Target Hamas Posts in Gaza in Response to Projectile Launch

08/09/2017

The Israeli Air Forces targeted two posts of the Hamas movement in Gaza Strip, responding to a projectile launched at Israel shortly before, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday.

US Defense Contractor to Supply Egypt, Iraq With Infrared Countermeasure Flares

08/09/2017

A US defense contractor won more than $18 million to supply Egypt and Iraq with infrared countermeasure flares to protect aircraft, the Defense Department said in a press release. "Armtec Countermeasures Company [of] Coachella, California has been awarded an $18,033,583… Foreign Military Sales (Egypt and Iraq) contract for the procurement of the infrared countermeasure flares," the release stated on Tuesday.

Special Report: Air Force Plans Future Warfare in the A-10

08/08/2017

Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “flying tank” in the sky -- able to hover over ground war and provide life-saving close air support in high-threat combat environments.

Is India Getting Ready to Build Its Own Stealth Fighter?

08/07/2017

In 2008, India’s Aeronautical Development Agency began developing a multirole fighter to replace its large fleet of aging Jaguar, Mirage and MiG-23 fighters. The new project was tentatively dubbed the Medium Combat Aircraft (later revised to the Advanced MCA, or AMCA), to be produced domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

US APPROVES A-29 SUPER TUCANO LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT SALE TO NIGERIA

08/07/2017

The U.S. State Department has greenlit a proposed $593 million U.S. sale of 12 Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) A-29 Super Tucano close air support (CAS) aircraft to Nigeria. According to the news release provided by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposal includes the dozen aircraft as well as “all associated training, spare parts, aviation and ground support equipment, and hangar, facilities, and infrastructure required to support the program.”

Navy Essay: How the F-35C Will Change Naval Aviation

08/05/2017

As the first director for the Navy’s F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Fleet Integration Office, I have enjoyed the opportunities and challenges of bringing fifth-generation strike-fighter capabilities to the fleet. As this highly advanced weapons system matures, I am convinced the F-35C will be a cornerstone platform that plays a crucial role in mission success for Carrier Air Wings (CVW), Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and numbered fleets. The F-35C will be a game-changer for the Navy.

F-16 fighter jet sale to India: Centre says no immediate proposal to buy from Lockheed Martin

08/05/2017

The government has said there is no proposal to buy Lockheed Martin’s F-16 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force at the moment. “There is no immediate proposal to procure F-16 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. Details of agreements entered into by Indian companies in this regard are not held by the government,” minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

AFRL funds demonstration for extended range Desert Hawk

08/05/2017

The US Air Force Research Laboratory is funding advanced technologies for Lockheed Martin’s Desert Hawk Extended Endurance and Range (DH EER) unmanned air vehicle, including upgrades that will allow maritime operations.

Future European MALE UAV will be twin turboprop

08/05/2017

A future European rival to the US Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air system (UAS) will feature a twin-engined turboprop configuration, says a multi-national weapons development agency.

USAF set aside requirements for OA-X experiment

08/05/2017

Four platforms are flying this week at Holloman AFB, New Mexico for the US Air Force’s light attack OA-X experiment, but the makeup of those aircraft might have turned out differently had more contractors come forward to participate.

Next Marine One helicopter achieves first flight

08/05/2017

The US president's next helicopter, the Sikorsky VH-92A, flew for the first time on 28 July in Stratford, Connecticut, Lockheed Martin announces in a 3 August news release. The presidential transport variant of the S-92 took off from Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut. In two sorties, the aircraft completed checked off several test points, including hover control, low-speed forward flight, and a pass over the airfield.

Israel weighing interest in STOVL-variant F-35

08/04/2017

New threats faced by Israel have placed the potential purchase of short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant Lockheed Martin F-35Bs as a high priority. Discussions are under way, with Israel's defence ministry hoping to reach a decision before a new 10-year Foreign Military Financing agreement with the USA comes into effect in 2019.

Indian report slams Il-76 availability rate

08/04/2017

A report by India’s comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has highlighted the poor serviceability of 14 Ilyushin Il-76MD heavy transports and six Il-78 tankers operated by the nation's air force. According to a CAG report, average serviceability of the Il-76 and Il-78 fleet in the period from 2010-2016 was 38% and 49%, respectively. The required average figure for both types is set at 70%.

Three Philippine C-130s to get avionics upgrade

08/04/2017

The upgrade will involve converting the cockpit from analogue to digital, and integrating a glass cockpit that includes touch screen displays, says the country's air force in a statement. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the Philippines operates five C-130s: one C-130B, two C-130Hs, and two C-130Ts. The average age of these aircraft is 40.2 years.

US OK’s Sending A-29 Combat Aircraft to Nigeria to Fight Terror Groups

08/04/2017

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the Department of State has approved the sale of a dozen A-29 Super-Turcano aircraft to Nigeria to fight terrorists’ movements.

Russian Helicopters Company to Repair Additional Hungarian Mi-17 Chopper

08/04/2017

The Russian Helicopters company said it has finished the overhaul of four Mi-17 military helicopters for the Hungarian Ministry of Defense, planning on repairing one more chopper on a separate agreement.

USAF improving its bunker buster bomb

08/03/2017

Bids are due within a month for a US Air Force contract to build an improved version of the 2,000lb BLU-109 penetrator and deliver at least 12,000 of the bunker-busting bombs over the next five years. The improved BLU-109, which will be redesignated the BLU-137, and should correct known deficiencies and make the weapon more reliable against targets such as bunkers and hardened aircraft shelters, the service tells FlightGlobal.

BAE details slowing Typhoon production rate

08/03/2017

BAE Systems delivered 10 Eurofighter Typhoons in the first half of this year, as the UK company and its European partners wait for further international sales to safeguard long-term production of the type.

ANALYSIS: Small Iomax has big plans for light-attack champion Archangel

08/03/2017

Light-attack aircraft come in many forms: purpose-built turboprops such as the Embraer A-29, converted turboprop trainers like the Beechcraft AT-6 and Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1, and even jet-powered trainers modified to carry weapons and surveillance equipment.

WATCH: South Korea Tests Massive Bunker-Busting Missile

08/03/2017

South Korea has tested the Hyunmoo-II, a missile able to penetrate thickly protected fortifications, The Diplomat’s Ankit Panda tweeted on July 30. The demonstration is widely seen as a show of force in response to North Korea’s relentless pursuit of a nuclear weapon along with an effective delivery method, as exemplified by the country’s latest ballistic missile test. Friday’s launch was the 18th such missile to be tested by North Korea this year.

Lockheed Martin Wins $158Mln to Upgrade Navy Surveillance Planes for Germany

08/03/2017

Pentagon announced that Lockheed Martin won a contract worth more than $158 million to upgrade mission computers, acoustic equipment, armament systems on eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft for Germany.

Defence Forces Lost 37 Aircraft, Helicopters In Last 3 yrs: Government

08/02/2017

A total of 37 defence aircraft and helicopters have crashed since May 2014 in which 55 people were killed, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. According to details provided by the minister of state for defence, the armed forces lost 25 aircraft and 12 helicopters during the period.