Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

PICTURES: Kabul welcomes latest batch of Super Tucanos

03/25/2017

Afghanistan has bolstered to a dozen its in-country fleet of Embraer/Sierra Nevada A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft, with the arrival of its latest four examples in Kabul. Flown from the US Air Force’s Moody AFB in Georgia, the A-29s arrived in Afghanistan on 20 March. They will undergo “a brief reconfiguration, after which they will be ready for combat operations in the 2017 fighting season”, according to the USAF.

Polish Air Force Considering F-35, F-16 Acquisitions

03/25/2017

Military strategists in Poland are torn as to whether to bolster the country’s aerial arsenal with more beleaguered F-35 Joint Strike Fighters or upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons. "I can say that, regarding the F-16 and F-35 aircraft, there is an ongoing discussion on which one to select," Deputy Defense Minister Bartosz Kownacki recently told the Polish Parliament.

Lockheed still weighing light attack plane offering, but T-50 is likely out

03/23/2017

Lockheed Martin is considering whether it has a plane in its inventory that can meet the U.S. Air Force’s nascent light attack aircraft requirement, but may subvert expectations by not offering the T-50, a top company executive tells Defense News.

Rafale appears in the lead as Malaysia seeks new fighter jets - defence source

03/23/2017

France's Rafale fighter jet is emerging as the frontrunner as Malaysia looks to replace its aging fleet of combat aircraft, a source in the Southeast Asian nation's defence ministry said on Wednesday, despite narrowing its defence spending this year. French President Francois Hollande was expected to make a pitch for the Rafale, made by Dassault Aviation SA, when he and his team visit Malaysia next week, the source said.

Belgium plans to replace F-16 Fighting Falcon with new combat aircraft

03/23/2017

Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput has announced plans to replace its existing fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, in a bid to improve its air combat capability. The 54 F-16s currently in service with Belgium will be replaced by 34 new multi-role combat aircraft. Vandeput said: "The government has made the courageous decision to renew our air combat capability and to replace the F-16s fleet, and with this capability we are making an important contribution to Nato's collective defence.

USAF calls plans to retire F-15s "pre-decisional"

03/23/2017

The US Air Force says it’s too soon to say whether the service will swap out retired Boeing F-15C and F-15Ds for updated Lockheed Martin F-16. During a 22 House Armed Services Committee, Representative Joe Wilson asked the director of the Air National Guard whether replacing the F-15C and F-15D fleet would have a negative impact on air superiority. Lt Gen Scott Rice answered that updated F-16s could fill the gaps left by the retired F-15s.

LIMA: KAI pitches T-50 for future Malaysia trainer, attack role

03/23/2017

Korea Aerospace Industies (KAI) is promoting its T-50 advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft to Kuala Lumpur. KAI had a large stand at this year’s show at the Langkawi Internationa Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition. Its appearancec was also in support of the South Korean air force’s Black Eagles display team, which performed daily in the show’s flying display.

LIMA: Ruag eyes Do228NG sales, builds local MRO capabilities

03/23/2017

Swiss aerospace firm Ruag is working on opportunities to sell its Do228NG aircraft in Malaysia, as it also increases its MRO presence in the country. The company is in discussions with two local operators to sell up to three Do288NGs for chartered passenger services to island resorts, says David Jones, Ruag’s general manager in Malaysia.

LIMA: Malaysia receives fourth A400M transport

03/23/2017

At a ceremony at the Langkawi Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (LIMA), defence minister Hishamuddin Hussein recieved a plaque from the European firm’s chief executive, Fernando Alonso. “With this delivery, the RMAF now has a fleet of four aircraft, and can start to fully benefit from the A400M’s unique capabilities,” says Alonso.

US Awards $50Mln for Navy Pilot Helmet Display Tracker Systems

03/23/2017

US defense contractor Elbit Systems won nearly $50 million for 126 helmet display tracker systems (HDTS) to concentrate fire power on targets delivered by MH-60 Sikorsky Seahawk maritime combat helicopters, the Department of Defense said in a press release.

Beijing Warns US Over B-1 Bomber Flying Over East China Sea

03/23/2017

The PLA put the US on notice Wednesday after issuing a warning to the Pentagon for sending a military aircraft over the disputed East China Sea, a pair of US officials told Fox News. The East China Sea is bordered by Shanghai to the west, South Korea to the North, and Japan to the east. A US military official confirmed the presence of the B-1 near South Korea while corroborating the report that Chinese officials let the US Air Force know that Beijing was not pleased with the mission.

Efficiency of Russian Weapons Proved by Fight Against Terror in Mideast – Putin

03/23/2017

Efficiency of Russian weapons was proved by fight against terrorism, for example, in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, adding that the analysis of practical use of defense technologies would improve the quality of military equipment.

Rafale to serve your needs for 40 years

03/22/2017

With the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) replacement programme seemingly back on track, Rafale International believes its jet is well-placed to be the best bet for Malaysia. With fighter aircraft undoubtedly being the most strategic weapon of any air force today, it said, both in terms of combat effectiveness and critical technologies, the Rafale is the right answer to conduct modern warfare safely and efficiently, thanks to its multi-role capabilities.

Get Ready, Russia: Ukraine Wants to Build Its Very Own MiG-29 (Sort of)

03/22/2017

Ukraine is developing a new indigenous lightweight fighter aircraft fighter according to a new report. However, the project has existed in some form for more than ten years. According to a report in Jane’s, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that Kiev would develop its own twin-engine, multirole fighter during a visit to the Ivchenko-Progress engine design bureau.

How the U.S. Military Can Pushback Against China's Most Dangerous Weapon: Missile Swarms

03/22/2017

As the United States continues to place tremendous time, energy and resources into its “rebalance” to the Asia-Pacific, many are questioning the military and strategic aspects of this effort. Specifically, many analysts are concerned over the emphasis China has placed on its ballistic- and cruise-missile platforms.

India to develop unmanned light combat aircraft

03/22/2017

As part of its aggressive military designs India has undertaken the development of an unmanned combat version of the home-grown light combat aircraft (LCA), and has undertaken a study to convert the fighter for a futuristic role. A team is already working on the project to convert the LCA into a drone and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) India's premier aircraft manufacturer is confident to complete the project within a short time frame.

Russia Keen To Upgrade Malaysian Combat Aircraft MiG-29N To MiG-29SM

03/22/2017

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has offered to modernize Malaysia’s MiG-29N fighter jets to MiG-29SM. Russia also intends to deliver repair services, Sputnik news reported today. "We are ready to provide full repair for these fighter jets and modernize them to MiG-29SM. We have brought a MiG-29SM simulator to this exhibition," a representative of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Lockheed and NASA move toward design review for supersonic X-plane

03/22/2017

Lockheed Martin should complete a preliminary design review of its quiet supersonic X-plane by June and will move onto a critical design review with NASA, a Skunk Works programme lead says.

Leonardo fears US domestic politics will scupper T-X bid

03/22/2017

As the battle for the US Air Force’s T-X trainer programme heats up, Italy’s Leonardo fears that its T-100 will be overlooked due to political considerations. The T-100 – a variant of the Aermacchi M-346 – faces opposition from a combined Boeing/Saab team, which is offering a clean-sheet design, and the Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries T-50.

LIMA: Honeywell sees opportunity in ageing regional military aircraft

03/22/2017

Honeywell sees an opportunity to offer key systems upgrades to help extend the life of Malaysia’s ageing military aircraft fleet. Derek Lockett, director of sales Asia-Pacific for Honeywell, says the firm is expanding its presence in the region, mainly through the addition of sales staff.

Seven Nations to Join Israel in Biggest Air Drill in Country’s History

03/22/2017

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is set to host one of the most complex air exercises ever later this year, featuring 100 aircraft and hundreds of airmen. India, Greece, Poland, France, Italy, the US and Germany will participate in the two-week Blue Flag air exercises, held every other year.

Israel Warns It Will Destroy Syria's Air Defenses "Without Thinking Twice"

03/21/2017

After six years of fighting, the chances that Israel may wade into the maelstrom that is the Syrian civil war is increasing after two more Israeli airstrikes rocked Syria over the weekend. One of the strikes was delivered Sunday via drone against a truck traveling between the Golan Heights and Damascus. One of the two people killed supposedly had close military ties to the Assad regime. The other strike came overnight and was rumored to have been aimed at another Hezbollah weapons convoy.

Reprieve Likely for U-2 Dragon Lady

03/21/2017

The U.S. Air Force is preparing to extend the service life of the U-2S Dragon Lady for several more years. Under previous budget plans, the evergreen spyplane was due to be retired in 2019-20, leaving only the unmanned RQ-4B Global Hawk to perform the high-altitude reconnaissance mission. Managers at the Lockheed Martin (LM) Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, are preparing upgrade proposals for the U-2’s sensors and communications fit.

Are Low-Cost “COIN” Air Forces the Future of Tactical Air Power?

03/21/2017

Small, inexpensive, easy to operate combat aircraft with precision strike capability and long loiter times to provide close air support. Versatile, scalable rotary wing assets that do double duty as gunships and utility/rescue helicopters. Aircraft that can be disbursed to unimproved airfields and operated from roadways or even fields while being concealed on the ground.

India's Light Combat Aircraft's Body, Wing Production Work Outsourced To Increase Production Rate

03/21/2017

India has outsourced Part-production of its home-made Light Combat Aircraft, ‘Tejas’ to Indian private companies by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) as part of ‘three pronged program’ to speed up production of the fighter jets.