Military Aviation News Archive

Sikorsky courts German aerospace on CH-53K supply chain

07/09/2017

Sikorsky hosted German aerospace companies during a recent two-day event at in West Palm Beach, Florida, discussing the US Marine Corps CH-53K and the German Air Force “Schwerer Transporthubschrauber” (STH) heavy-lift helicopter programme.

Austria to retire Eurofighter Typhoons from 2020

07/09/2017

Austria is to phase out its fleet of 15 Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons from 2020, amid a deepening row with the four-nation consortium over the cost and capability of its aircraft. Vienna in February began legal proceedings against Airbus Defence & Space and Eurofighter over alleged fraud and deception related to its near €2 billion ($2.28 billion) acquisition of the Typhoons in 2003. Airbus and the consortium deny the accusations.

India advances on taking additional C-17

07/06/2017

India's planned acquisition of an additional Boeing C-17 strategic transport would boost its air force's fleet of the type to 11 examples, and the proposed purchase would be worth around $366 million.

Merlin makes first landing aboard new UK aircraft carrier

07/06/2017

UK Royal Navy AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin helicopters performed the first deck landings aboard the service's new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, just four days after the 65,000t vessel embarked on its maiden voyage.

India’s quest for armed drones

07/05/2017

The US government’s decision to grant India the licence for the export of 22 Guardian drones through the US foreign military sales programme will address gaps in India’s maritime surveillance capabilities. However, India’s quest for armed drones in the absence of a defined strategy for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has created misconceptions about their utility for India in conducting cross-border strikes or “surgical strikes” against Pakistan-based terrorists.

U.S. Confirms North Korea Fired Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

07/05/2017

The Trump administration on Tuesday confirmed North Korea’s claim that it had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, and it told Pyongyang that the United States would use “the full range of capabilities at our disposal against the growing threat.”

Sikorsky gets multi-year contract for Black Hawk production

07/05/2017

Sikorsky has agreed to a new multi-year contract with the US Department of Defense, which will lead to it delivering up to 360 UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters to the US Army and overseas customers by 2022.

UN Secretary-General Condemns Latest North Korea’s Missile Launch – Statement

07/05/2017

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the latest Pyongyang’s missile launch, which violated the resolution of the UN Security Council, the statement read. North Korea announced on Tuesday that it had successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-14, at 00:30 GMT. It said the missile traveled 580 miles and reached an altitude of 1,740 miles during its 39-minute flight before "accurately hitting the target waters" in the Sea of Japan.

North Korea Claims Ability to Strike 'Any Part of the World' With ICBM Launch

07/05/2017

North Korea is capable of attacking any target on Earth with its intercontinental ballistic missiles, Pyongyang said in an official statement Tuesday. Published by the North Korean Academy of Defense Science as cited by the Korean Central News Agency, the statement claims its new capabilities would "reliably defend the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the region."

N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Which Lands in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone

07/04/2017

North Korea has reportedly launched a ballistic missile Tuesday morning, just days after the South's new President Moon Jae-In and US President Donald Trump focused on de-escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula in their first summit.

India Plans Next Generation Bombproof Shelter for 108 Fighter Jets

07/04/2017

With tensions rising with its neighbors, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has once again asked India’s defense ministry to approve funding for building next generation hardened shelters designed by state-owned research organization DRDO for every aircraft deployed in eastern and north-eastern airfields.

China has built new military facilities on disputed South China Sea islands and can deploy 'at any time'

07/01/2017

China has built new military facilities on islands in the South China Sea, a U.S. think tank reported on Thursday, a move that could raise tensions with Washington, which has accused Beijing of militarizing the vital waterway.

Norway prepares for first naval deployment of NH90 helicopter

07/01/2017

Norway will embark one of its NH Industries NH90 NFH helicopters for the first time later this summer, but has again offered thinly veiled criticism of the 11t-class rotorcraft, deliveries of which are running 10 years behind schedule.

Report to Congress: Out of Breath – Military Aircraft Oxygen Issues

06/30/2017

The Air Force recently grounded some of its newest aircraft, F-35A strike fighters, due to incidents in which pilots became physiologically impaired with symptoms of oxygen deficiency while flying. Although the root cause of the F-35 incidents has not yet been established, the grounding has renewed attention on hypoxia, a physical condition caused by oxygen deficiency that may result in temporary cognitive and physiological impairment and possible loss of consciousness.

Germany and Norway sign up to European A330 tanker pool

06/30/2017

Germany and Norway have officially signed up to an effort led by European NATO members to jointly acquire and operate a pool of up to 11 Airbus Defence & Space A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTT).

A400M's "Pack 2" gearbox fix nears certification

06/30/2017

Airbus Group chief executive Tom Enders says the company is making progress in negotiations with users of the A400M, while propulsion system supplier Europrop International (EPI) has released further details of its essential "Pack 2" update.

PICTURES: Oman takes delivery of its first Typhoons

06/30/2017

Oman's first pair of Eurofighter Typhoons has arrived in the country, with the nation's air force staging a welcoming ceremony at its Adam air base on 21 June. The aircraft arrived following a ferry flight from BAE Systems' Warton final assembly site, having left the UK on 19 June.

Lockheed Martin Gets $18Mln to Provide THAAD Ground Components to UAE

06/30/2017

The US Department of Defense said that US defense supplier Lockheed Martin won more than $18 million in foreign military sales to provide the United Arab Emirates with ground components for its THAAD system.

Missile defence creates role for aircraft with U-2 performance

06/28/2017

A missile defence role is emerging after 2023 for an unmanned air system (UAS) with the payload and range capability of today’s manned Lockheed Martin U-2S. The US Missile Defense Agency has released specifications for its next top priority: a high-altitude, long-endurance UAS that uses a high-energy laser weapon to shoot down ballistic missiles within seconds of launching.

ANALYSIS: Why Europe's combat aircraft market is worth fighting for

06/28/2017

With the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen – plus Lockheed Martin's incoming F-35 – dominating the fleets of many European nations, it would be easy to overlook the multiple other sales opportunities the continent holds for combat aircraft manufacturers.

PARIS: Scorpion tests 20mm cannon ahead of OA-X

06/28/2017

Textron is demonstrating a 20mm cannon on its Scorpion twin-jet ahead of the US Air Force’s light attack OA-X experiment later this summer. In May, Textron Aviation confirmed the US Air Force invited its Beechcraft AT-6 turboprop and Scorpion jet to participate in the close air support demonstration this August at Holloman Air Force Base, Nevada. Sierra Nevada and Embraer will also fly the A-29 Super Tucano in the OA-X experiment, which will assess off-the-shelf options to fill a low-end fighter

Chinese AFC Liaoning Departs for Drills With a Possible Port Call in Hong Kong

06/28/2017

China is sending its only aircraft carrier on a training mission to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing’s takeover of Hong Kong. The Liaoning, China's sole aircraft carrier, has departed from its homeport of Qingdao for a training deployment that is projected to include a stop in Hong Kong, to observe the 20th anniversary of the handover of the former British territory to Beijing, according to a report from The Diplomat.

Questions Arise as US-India F-16 Deal Seeks to Get Airborne

06/28/2017

A lucrative aviation deal between US-India firms to manufacture F-16 fighter jets in the south Asian nation has attracted criticism that old technology is being "dumped." US defense contractor Lockheed Martin has taken further steps to secure a deal which would relocate the manufacture of F-16 fighter jets to India. News of the multi-billion dollar agreement with Indian industry giant Tata Group came as Indian Prime Minister Modi met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

PARIS: Scorpion tests 20mm cannon ahead of OA-X

06/23/2017

Sale of 'Formidable' Ka-52 to Egypt Boosts Russia's Middle East Market Clout

06/23/2017

Commenting on Russia winning the bid to supply its ship-based helicopters to Egypt, Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin said that the supply of the Ka-52Ks is part of Russia's large-scale return to the Egyptian market for military orders.