Military Aviation News Archive

BlueBird transforms MicroB UAV for Indian contest

03/08/2017

BlueBird chief executive Ronen Nadir reveals that the new version will not use the flying wing shape of the original MicroB. “We came to the conclusion that this shape limits the aerodynamic capabilities of this small UAV,” he says.

Chinese Premier: Expand Military Presence in South, East China Seas

03/08/2017

In a move analysts expect will inflame tensions between regional powers in the East and South China Seas, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on the National People’s Congress for reinforcements to increase manpower in waters Beijing claims are integral to the country’s destiny, Chinese media reported.

Germany to Purchase US-Made MQ-4C Triton Drones Instead of Euro Hawk Aircraft

03/08/2017

Germany will purchase three MQ-4C Triton aerial surveillance drones manufactured in the United States instead of its initial plans to acquire RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance aircraft because of their high price, local media reported Tuesday, citing sources from the German Defense Ministry.

Taiwan Risks Beijing Backlash Over South China Sea Patrols

03/07/2017

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is risking a new showdown with Beijing by stepping up military capabilities to protect holdings in the widely contested South China Sea. The navy of Taiwan, a diplomatically isolated government that claims the entire sea and controls its largest land feature, will increase patrols in the 3.5 million-square-kilometer body of water because of China's own growing military might, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan told parliament in Taipei last week.

Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea

03/07/2017

The USS Carl Vinson, which is steaming through the South China Sea, is just one of several high-profile displays of U.S. naval power as President Donald Trump's administration weighs options of how to reassure allies and respond to an assertive China.

Russia to Upgrade Aircraft Carrier in 2017

03/07/2017

The modernization of the flagship of the Russian Navy, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, will commence before July 2017 at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk in Northern Russia and will take two and a half years, according to a Russian defense industry source.

Air Force 'Light Fighter' Concept Seems A Bit Light On Logic

03/07/2017

As the Trump administration's budget plans come into sharper focus, it is increasingly clear that the Pentagon will not be getting enough money to recover from the depressed investment levels of the Obama years. Trump's proposed defense spending level for next year is only 3% above what Obama planned, and there is no guarantee that Congress will repeal budget caps precluding robust investment in new weapons.

Pentagon: Pyongyang's Tests Confirm Prudence of THAAD Deployment to S. Korea

03/07/2017

Missile launches by North Korea confirm that the decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea was right, US Department of Defense spokesman Navy Commander Gary Ross told Sputnik.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

03/06/2017

A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves.

China is about to launch its second aircraft carrier, 001A

03/06/2017

The ship — dubbed Project 001A, or CV17, is likely to be launched within weeks. Adding to the atmosphere of expectation is a Beijing state-media video ‘infographic’ outlining the modular design and advanced construction of the as yet unnamed aircraft carrier being built in the Chinese port city of Dalian.

Syrian pilot whose plane crashed in Turkey says aircraft shot down en route to Idlib

03/06/2017

A Syrian air force pilot who bailed out as his warplane crashed on Turkish territory told a Turkish rescue team his MiG-23 had been shot down, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Sunday. The 56-year-old pilot was identified as Mehmet Sufhan, and medical staff said he was not in critical condition despite some fractures in his spine. He is being treated at a hospital in the Hatay region, a hospital spokeswoman said on Sunday.

China Expands Its Strategic Airlift Capability, Prepares to Expand Its Sphere of Influence

03/06/2017

Although combat aircraft such as the J-31 stealth fighter and J-15 aircraft carrier strike aircraft have made most of the headlines, China has made significant accomplishments in the realm of military transport, long range maritime patrol and carrier borne AEW&C aircraft over the past year. First operational in 2016, the Y-20 military transport is now the largest such aircraft in production in the world.

Iran Successfully Tests Russian S-300 Missile System During Drills

03/06/2017

According to the Tasnim news agency, Iranian experts conducted a number of tests of the Russian missile systems. The tests included all phases, namely, detection, identification, interception and target shooting.

Russia's UAC Could Win Tender to Deliver Fighter Jets to Bangladesh

03/04/2017

An official representative of Russia’s Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade said that Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation with its advanced MiG-35 fighter jets is one of the key candidates to win a contract to deliver eight multi-role combat aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force.

Drones are revolutionising the way the RAAF fights war

03/04/2017

Of the 16 Orion surveillance planes in the RAAF's fleet, there are two they do not talk about. These special Orions are effectively flying electronic spies, with state-of-the-art, intelligence-gathering equipment allowing them to hoover up electronic signals from other planes and ships as they quietly perform routine patrols over the waters to Australia's north.

US Air Force to hold light attack experiment this summer

03/04/2017

The US Air Force is planning a light attack aircraft experiment at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico this summer, marking the service’s first step to introduce a new, low-cost fighter. The USAF chief and acting secretary will direct the experiment this week, which would continue work from a previous US Special Operations Command effort known as Combat Dragon.

Northrop changes JSTARS leadership after grounding aircraft

03/04/2017

Northrop Grumman changed leadership at its JSTARS sustainment facility after the US Air Force grounded almost a quarter of the E-8C fleet for inspection. Last September, the USAF initiated an investigation for safety of flight issues on four of the 17 JSTARS delivered from depot maintenance at Northrop’s sustainment facility in Lake Charles, Georgia. Northrop has since assigned new executive leadership and implemented operational improvements at Lake Charles, according to a Northrop spokesman.

Camcopter buyer orders PicoSAR payloads

03/04/2017

Leonardo has built on its recent sales success with the French military by adding another contract for its unmanned air system-carried PicoSAR surveillance payload.

Boeing Wins $46 Million to Provide Contractor Support for Saudi F-15 Fleet

03/04/2017

Boeing has received a $46.3 million contract to provide support services for the fleet of F-15SA Eagle fighter-bombers operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force, the Department of Defense said in a press release.

Moscow Refutes Allegations of Close Calls Between Russian, NATO Aircraft

03/04/2017

All Russian aviation flights are carried out in accordance with international safety standards, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday in response to the US military's accusations of four close calls with Russian planes last month.

Bangladesh Invites Bids For Twin-engine, Multi-Role Fighter Jets With AESA Radar

03/03/2017

Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Defence Purchases (DGDP) has issued a global tender for eight multi-role combat aircraft plus four options for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). The new fighters are being sought for fortifying Bangladesh’s defensibility against aerial threats as well as providing it with a platform for anti-surface, maritime and offensive counter-air operations, Quwa reported Wednesday.

Boeing suing the government of Denmark

03/03/2017

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is suing the government for rejecting its bid to produce Denmark’s new fighter aircraft. Boeing’s Super Hornet lost out to a competitor, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter, which will become Denmark’s new fighter. Boeing is bringing the suit against the Defence Ministry because it wants to see the documents that led to the government choosing the F-35 over the Super Hornet – material the government has thus far failed to deliver.

Next-gen tanker must be survivable, not stealthy

03/03/2017

The US Air Force’s KC-Z tanker may not be stealthy, but should be persistent and able to change its waveform signature management, according to the service’s head of air mobility command. Gen Carlton Everhart clarified earlier comments he made last September, when he told reporters the USAF was considering whether the next-generation tanker should include standoff, stealth or penetrating capabilities.

AW139 bid for Huey replacement kicks off with a glitch

03/03/2017

Boeing and Leonardo’s joint bid for the US Air Force’s UH-1N Huey helicopter recapitalisation did not take off last week after a system aboard the AW139 failed. Though an impending thunderstorm had threatened to cancel the 25 February media flight, reporters were waiting on the ground next to the helicopter after one of its modular avionics units malfunctioned.

Vietnam eyes Israeli weapons for air force use

03/03/2017

Vietnam is considering a purchase of advanced weapon systems from Israel, with the nation’s air force eyeing an advanced version of the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Delilah standoff-range air-to-surface missile.