Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The U.S. Air Force Need More Than 300 Light Attack Aircraft (Now)

01/26/2017

Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein agrees that Sen. John McCain’s recommendation for “300 low-cost, light-attack fighters” is a “great idea.” Analysts have noted several merits including stemming the decline in platform numbers, improving dwell times over target areas, lower flight hour costs, and more stick time for USAF pilots. These are good things.

Russia and India Negotiating Su-30 Combat Jet Support Deal

01/26/2017

Russia and India are close to signing a long-term support agreement for the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It includes an improved schedule for the delivery of spares from Russia, local manufacturing of some spares and the creation of logistics hub for the aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) production facility in Bangalore. India has contracted for the delivery of more than 300 of these aircraft.

Raytheon pulls out of T-X competition

01/26/2017

Raytheon has withdrawn as the prime contractor for the Leonardo T-100 in a joint bid for the US Air Force T-X trainer contract, stating on 25 January that the two companies “have decided not to jointly pursue the programme.”

Boeing surpasses $2 billion in KC-46 tanker charges

01/26/2017

Boeing’s KC-46 tanker took a $312 million hit to its bottom line last quarter, bringing total charges over the course of the recapitalisation programme to more than $2 billion. Boeing Commercial absorbed a $243 million pre-tax charge on the KC-46 Tanker programme, while its defense sector took a $69 million pre-tax charge as well.

Fallon calls for tactical advance on A400M

01/26/2017

UK defence secretary Michael Fallon has challenged Airbus Defence & Space to maintain its drive on the A400M programme during 2017, so that the Royal Air Force can take full advantage of its capabilities across a wide range of operational conditions.

Raytheon to Repair Infrared Targeting Systems on US Navy F/A-18 Combat Jets

01/26/2017

The Raytheon Company has received a $56.4 million US Navy contract to repair of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System (ATFLIS) used in support of the F/A-18 combat aircraft, the US Department of Defense announced.

General Atomics Wins Maintenance Contract for Italy’s MQ-9 Reaper Drone Fleet

01/26/2017

US defense contractor General Atomics has received a US Air Force foreign military sales contract to carry out maintenance work on its MQ-9 Reaper drones that have been sold to Italy, the Department of Defense announced.

UK to Receive First Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft in 2019

01/26/2017

The Department of Defence reported that US and UK senior defense officials signed a declaration that stipulates the United Kingdom will obtain its first Boeing Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft in 2019.

Why Developing Nuclear Potential is an 'Absolute Necessity' for China

01/26/2017

It is an "absolute necessity" for Beijing to invest into its defensive nuclear capabilities, Yang Chengjun, chief scientist at Quantum Global Defense Research Center, told Sputnik, naming the length of China's borders, the scope of its interests and the fact that some of its rivals possess nuclear arms as the three main reasons behind this.

Beijing urges ‘caution’ after US says it could intervene in South China Sea

01/25/2017

Tensions over the South China Sea could be set to escalate after Beijing urged the US to act “cautiously” in its approach to disputed islands which China claims as its “irrefutable” sovereign territory. “The US is not a party to the South China Sea dispute,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned at a regular news briefing. “We urge the United States to respect the facts, speak and act cautiously to avoid harming the peace and stability of the South China Sea.”

A Quiet Take Off – US Navy Deploys E-2Ds to Japan

01/25/2017

Washington announced earlier this month that the US Navy will, in a matter of weeks, deploy its Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 to Iwakuni Air Base in Japan with its E-2D Hawkeye aircraft – replacing VAW 115 with its E-2Cs. The move did not necessarily attract media attention, but it is nonetheless a highly significant signal of US posture in the region.

The real purpose behind China's mysterious J-20 combat jet

01/25/2017

The US Marine Corps did not mince words when deploying F-35s to Japan, saying that the "arrival of the F-35B embodies our commitment to the defense of Japan and the regional security of the Pacific." Tensions among the US, US allies, and China have been steadily mounting for years as China builds artificial islands and outfits them with radar outposts and missile launchers in the South China Sea, home to a shipping corridor that sees $5 trillion in trade annually.

$418M aircraft and weapons deal with Kenya okayed by US

01/25/2017

Washington Tuesday approved a $418 million weapons and combat aircraft deal with Kenya to boost the war against al-Shabaab amid claims by African politicians that the continent is not on the new U.S. president’s radar. Under the deal, Kenya’s Defense Department will purchase 12 Air Tractor AT-802Ls and two AT-504 Trainer aircraft and an assortment of weapons which will help the Kenyan military fight the Somali-based, al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terror group.

Lockheed, JPO close to signing next F-35 production deal

01/25/2017

Lockheed Martin expects to seal the deal for 90 F-35 Lightning IIs in low-rate initial production lot 10, chief executive Marillyn Hewson told investors during a 24 January fourth quarter 2016 earnings call.

Germany Prepares to Spend Hundreds of Millions on New Air Defense System

01/25/2017

Germany is reportedly close to deciding whether to replace its short short-range air defense systems. If approved, this action would signal the beginning of a €460-million (about $490 million) procurement program over the next 5-10 years.

US-Led Coalition Conducts Two Airstrikes Near Syria’s Al-Bab - Joint Task Force

01/25/2017

The US-led coalition against Daesh carried out 19 airstrikes consisting of 54 engagements in Iraq and Syria on Monday, including two airstrikes near the Syrian city of Al Bab, Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.

Closer look at Saudi’s new ‘Eagle Fighter’ jets

01/24/2017

The skies of Saudi Arabia will soon witness the new addition to its navy’s arsenal: The F15 – SA jets that will be known as the “Eagle Fighters”. The jets are expected to be launched at a ceremony next Wednesday which will be attended by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz at King Faisal Air Force academy celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding.

LIGHT ATTACK: REMOVING THE VEIL ON OA-X

01/24/2017

There has been a recent flurry of press attention on OA-X, an Air Force effort to obtain off-the-shelf light attack aircraft. Sen. McCain’s recent publication of Restoring American Power — which calls for the Air Force to acquire 300 light attack aircraft — will no doubt intensify interest in the idea, with many constituencies trying to define OA-X for their own benefit and profit.

Taiwan Begins Upgrade of 144 F-16 Fighter Jets

01/24/2017

The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) has begun upgrading its fleet of 144 Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to the latest F-16 configuration, dubbed V for “Viper,” according to local media reports.

US State Department approves $1.8 billion in arms deals

01/24/2017

The US State Department has inked $1.8 billion in arms deals for the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kenya this week, including air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the approved the deals 23 January. The foreign military sales are pending Congressional approval.

Super Hornet could compete with Lockheed F-35

01/24/2017

Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet could steal orders away from the Lockheed Martin F-35 if the Trump Administration adjusts defence priorities, military acquisition analyst Andrew Hunter told an audience 23 January at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

BAE develops digital HUD replacement for F-22

01/24/2017

BAE Systems will develop a digital replacement for the cathode ray tube-based Lockheed Martin F-22 head-up display (HUD). The contract awarded by Lockheed calls for BAE to develop a system that fits the dimensions and power used by the current system. BAE anticipates that a follow-on order will lead to a retrofit production programme for the roughly 180 F-22s in the US Air Force fleet.

ANALYSIS: Israel wings it on F-35

01/24/2017

On 12 December 2016, Israel underscored its Middle East air supremacy by receiving its first pair of Lockheed Martin 5-35I “Adir” stealth fighters. Dignitaries gathered at Nevatim air base to mark the occasion included Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu; the US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro; US defence secretary Ashton Carter; and Marillyn Hewson, the president of Lockheed Martin.

US Approves $525Mln Sale of Threat Warning System to Saudis

01/24/2017

The Department of State said that the US government approved the sale of a new threat detection system costing more than half a billion dollars to Saudi Arabia.

Beijing Not Backing Down: South China Sea War Games the New Normal

01/24/2017

Foreign interests should expect Chinese military exercises in the South China Sea to become the new normal, according to a recent article in The People’s Daily, a Chinese state-run media outlet.