Military Aviation News Archive

US Army cleared to buy UH-72As, ending three-year lawsuit

01/26/2018

An appellate judge has cleared the US Army to buy a new batch of UH-72As from Airbus, ending a three-year-long battle launched by Leonardo over a decision to award the contract without a competition.

Leonardo plant delivers first F-35B assembled in Italy

01/26/2018

A Leonardo-operated facility in Italy has delivered the first F-35B assembled outside of Lockheed Martin’s main fighter plant in Fort Worth, Texas, the US manufacturer announced on 25 January.

USAF plans to re-open A-10 re-winging contract

01/26/2018

The US Air Force plans to re-open a contract to produce new wings for the Fairchild Republic A-10 and preserve at least some of the three squadrons of fighters now facing early retirement in the absence of the structural upgrade, a top commander says.

Singapore air show looks to the industry's future

01/26/2018

The upcoming Singapore air show and its attendant events will focus on innovation and the future of the industry. At a media briefing prior to the show, the head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Kevin Shum, shared a conceptual video of the industry's future.

Myanmar signs order for six Su-30s

01/24/2018

Myanmar is to obtain six Sukhoi Su-30 fighters under a deal signed during a visit by Russia's defence minister to the Southeast Asian nation. A report by Russia's TASS news agency quotes deputy defence minister Lt. Gen. Alexander Fomin as saying that the aircraft will be the main fighter aircraft of the Myanmar air force.

INTERVIEW: F-16 Viper team pilot aims to inspire next generation

01/24/2018

While flying the F-16 is hard to beat, I truly enjoy interacting with young kids and hope to show them that if they work hard they can find success in their pursuits. I was fortunate growing up with several good role models and people that helped guide me to the path that I am on today. I view my opportunity to be a part of the Viper demo team as a means of giving back and a chance at hopefully inspiring the next generation.

Bell makes progress on V-247 unmanned tiltrotor

01/24/2018

Bell Helicopter is continuing through the preliminary design review stage of its V-247 Vigilant unmanned tiltrotor, as it waits for its intended US Marine Corps customer to deliver precise requirements for the programme.

Boeing still evaluating whether to bid for Canadian fighter contract

01/24/2018

Boeing has yet to decide whether to compete for a contract worth $12-14.5 billion to replace Canada’s tactical fighter fleet. The airframer once had the deal in its pocket before Ottawa terminated plans to buy the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet after Boeing filed a trade complaint against Bombardier last May.

Surplus Kiowa Warriors to bolster Greek army fleet

01/23/2018

Greece should later this year complete the administrative work related to its planned acquisition of 70 Bell Helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scouts formerly operated by the US Army. To be sourced via the US military's excess defense articles (EDA) programme, the reconnaissance helicopters, plus related weapons and other equipment, should be delivered from later this year. Initial operational capability with the type is expected during 2019.

Brazil signs option for third SAR-roled C295

01/23/2018

Brazil has exercised a contract option that will lead to it operating a three-strong fleet of Airbus Defence & Space C295 search and rescue (SAR) aircraft by 2020.

State Department clears potential F-35A export to Belgium

01/22/2018

The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of 34 Lockheed Martin F-35As to Belgium worth an estimated $6.53 billion, the agency announced this week. Lockheed still needs Congressional approval, but the State Department blessing moves Lockheed once step closer in its bid to replace Belgium’s aging fleet of 59 F-16A/Bs.

Pentagon's new strategy turns to Russian and Chinese threats

01/22/2018

The US Defense Department’s 2018 National Defense Strategy, the Pentagon policy that will drive its budget priorities for the next five years, pivoted away from counter-insurgency operations and toward more sophisticated security threats, such as China and Russia.

Why Uganda Needed Sukhoi Fighters

01/19/2018

Combat aircraft are among the most important single weapons systems in any country’s arsenal. They are not only the most lethal, but also the most flexible – and most visible – form of military power.

Security risks remain unresolved in new system for tracking military aircraft

01/19/2018

The Defense Department and Federal Aviation Administration have yet to resolve security risks to military aircraft posed by a new tracking system required to be implemented in less than two years, according to a government audit released Thursday.

Short-term funding could delay B-21 delivery

01/19/2018

Development and delivery of the US Air Force’s B-21 stealth bomber could stall if Congress passes yet another short term funding bill that would freeze the Pentagon’s spending limit at previous fiscal year levels, a senior USAF official warns.

Jakarta inches closer to Su-35 order

01/19/2018

Jakarta could finalise its order for 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters in the coming months. In an interview with Indoneisan television, the nation's new air force chief of staff Yuyu Sutisna says that concluding the long-awaited acquisition is "something on our plate" and could be formalised in the coming months. In August 2017, Jakarta confirmed that it will buy 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft for $1.14 billion, with a major component of the deal involving agricultural commodities.

British companies say their involvement in the F-35 jet production is boosting business

01/18/2018

British businesses have said playing a vital role in the production of the F-35 stealth fighter jet has had a positive impact on their companies. With more than 3,000 of the cutting-edge warplanes set to be produced over the coming decades, 15% of each aircraft will be UK made.

Islamabad Is One Step Ahead of Washington Despite the Military Aid Cut

01/18/2018

When the US abruptly cuts off military supplies to its allies for political or other reasons, the reaction has been predictable: it drive these countries into the arms of the Chinese, the Russians and Western European weapons suppliers.

Russia blasts Britain over RAF jets intercepting Putin's bombers: ‘An excuse to SHOW OFF'

01/18/2018

Putin’s diplomats claimed British military forces used the incident in the skies 35 miles from UK airspace as a “PR exercise”. RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept two TU-160 aircraft, which were then pursued by the fighters until they headed back to Russia. The Ministry of Defence released footage of the two British jets flying alongside the Russian bombers – known as Blackjacks by NATO.

NAVAIR plans to install ACAS Xu on MQ-4C fleet

01/18/2018

Northrop Grumman will prepare to modify the MQ-4C Triton unmanned air system with an emerging technology that can be used to help the maritime surveillance aircraft sense and avoid other objects in flight.

Air Force snubs A-10 re-winging effort: POGO

01/18/2018

The US Air Force is letting its close air support workhorse die a slow death by shelving plans to replace the remaining wings on the rest of its Fairchild-Republic A-10C fleet, according to a government watchdog group.

A400M deliveries hit new high in 2017

01/18/2018

Airbus Defence & Space delivered its first A400M of the new year on 12 January, taking its total output of Atlas tactical transports to 56 units so far. Its most recent delivery was the German air force's 15th A400M – service registration 54+16 (MSN64) – from a total commitment for 53 of the four-engined type.

Why Navy Aircraft Carriers Might Be Unsinkable

01/17/2018

Large-deck, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the signature expression of American military power. No other combat system available to U.S. warfighters comes close to delivering so much offensive punch for months at a time without requiring land bases near the action. As a result, the ten carriers in the current fleet are in continuous demand from regional commanders - so much so that extended overseas combat tours are becoming the norm.

UK Scrambles Fighter Jets to Intercept Russian Bombers Over North Sea

01/17/2018

Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft took off from Royal Air Force (RAF) base Lossiemouth in north east Scotland, without confirming the exact number of Typhoons involved.

Boeing reveals new combat aircraft concept

01/17/2018

American Corporation Boeing revealed the concept of strike and reconnaissance unmanned aircraft during the conference of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech 2018, Naked Science reported.