Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

USAF expects delayed KC-46A delivery next spring

06/09/2017

The US Air Force expects Boeing to deliver the first of its KC-46A tankers in the "late spring" of 2018, several months after a previously planned date during September 2017. Following an annual KC-46A schedule risk assessment earlier this week, the USAF determined that slower-than-expected progress in the flight test programme and Boeing’s ability to achieve US Federal Aviation Administration certifications would delay the first delivery by several months.

PICTURES: BAE's Advanced Hawk makes flight debut

06/09/2017

BAE Systems has performed the first flight of its Advanced Hawk trainer, testing a series of enhancements which could equip new-build examples or be added as upgrades to in-service aircraft. The debut was performed from the company's Warton, Lancashire site on 7 June.

Search continues for survivors of crashed Myanmar Y-8

06/09/2017

A Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft operated by the Myanmar air force has crashed, with around 100 persons likely to have perished. Media reports indicate that about 120 were aboard when the four-engined aircraft crashed in the Andaman Sea about 70km off the coast. The aircraft had departed Myeik at 13:06 local time, and lost contact about half an hour later.

'Oriental Bazaar': Germany to Pull Out of Incirlik Airbase... Or So It Seems

06/09/2017

The German Defense Ministry plans to move its 260 military personnel, Tornado jet fighters and a flying tank from the Incirlik airbase in Turkey to the Al Arzak airbase in Jordan. The current deployment of a German military contingent at the Konya air force base in Turkey will not be affected by the planned pullout from Incirlik though.

Pentagon: Chinese Military Expansion May Lead to Pakistan Base

06/09/2017

A new report from the Pentagon suggests China’s ongoing military expansion into friendly nations may reach Pakistan. The report also notes that instead of acquiring new land for man-made islands in the South China Sea, Beijing is opting to build up reefs with military facilities and extend existing runways.

U.S. military says no plans to change posture in Qatar

06/06/2017

The U.S. military's Central Command says it has "no plans to change our posture in Qatar" amid a Gulf diplomatic crisis. Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that U.S. military aircraft continue to fly missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria despite the rift. "We encourage all our partners in the region to reduce tensions and work towards common solutions that enable regional security," the major said.

Japan Unveils First Domestically Made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

06/06/2017

Lockheed Martin’s overseas production facility has dropped the curtain on its first $100-million F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. The fifth-generation fighter jet was displayed on Monday in Toyoyama, Japan, a city about 6,483 miles from the US F-35 manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plant assembled the aircraft, according to Jiji Press.

Saudi-Led Isolation of Doha 'Aimed at Bringing Qatar to Heel' Over Iran Stance

06/06/2017

Three members of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates – have severed diplomatic relations with Doha in response to allegations revelations Qatar finances terrorist groups. Egypt, the Maldives and Yemen have followed suit. However, a regional expert has told Sputnik the move is be a smokescreen.

'Works on PAK FA 5-Generation Jet Are at Final Stage'

06/06/2017

Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company will produce two modifications of the T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft in 2017, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said.

Air Force in Europe Gets Big Boost Under Budget Plan

06/05/2017

The U.S. Air Force is slated to get a more than 150 percent boost of $600 million in the Pentagon's proposed 2018 budget for operations in Europe, the sharpest increase among the services as the military seeks to intensify efforts aimed at countering Russia.

Global F-35 fleet could benefit from new engine developments

06/05/2017

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies,. has announced the successful completion of performance testing of its Fuel Burn Reduction Demonstrator Engine, which could ultimately improve the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35.

No More US Hand-Me-Downs: Duterte Wants Brand New Weapons at Any Cost

06/05/2017

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to buy only brand-new military equipment to fight terrorism, rather than accepting second-hand weapons from the United States.

'A Whole New Aircraft': Russia Launches Production of Upgraded Tu-160 Bomber

06/04/2017

Russia is resuming the production of the famous Tu-160 strategic bomber in a modernized version - the Tu-160M2, with the first engines and other structural elements already being built, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a teleconference in Moscow.

Russian Army to Receive Ka-52 Alligator Combat Choppers Used in Syria Op

06/04/2017

Russia’s Defense Ministry will get 14 Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopters by the end of this year. The choppers have been tested during the operation in Syria. Russia’s Defense Ministry will get 14 Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopters by the end of this year, with a total of 50 choppers entering service by 2020, the deputy defense minister said Saturday.

Demand for “red air” ramping up

06/03/2017

Ask Garry Venman and he’ll tell you that it’s an exciting time to be an air combat training provider. Venman, who is the executive vice-president of business development and government relations at Discovery Air Defence (DA Defence), spoke to Skies during the 2017 CANSEC tradeshow in Ottawa, hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI).

Navy Unfunded Priorities List Emphasizes Aircraft Buys, Facilities Improvements, Production Efficiencies

06/03/2017

The Navy has asked lawmakers for additional aircraft, warfighting capability improvements and facilities upgrades if more money were to become available to the service, with the release of its Fiscal Year 2018 Unfunded Priorities List.

USAF wish list requests 14 more F-35s, three more tankers

06/03/2017

The US Air Force’s unfunded priorities list includes $1.7 billion for 14 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft, as well as additional funds for increased Boeing KC-46 tanker procurement.

Proposed F-35 engine upgrade validates performance promises

06/03/2017

Pratt & Whitney has verified that an unfunded upgrade for the 40,000lb-thrust-class F135 engine could increase the thrust of the Lockheed Martin F-35 by 6-10% and reduce fuel consumption by 5-6%, the company announces on 31 May.

NATO Training Exercise Baltic Operations to Include US AWACS Aircraft

06/03/2017

The 2017 iteration of the NATO Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) will include a US E-3 Sentry aircraft, better known as the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), which has not participated in the exercise in 20 years, the Air Force said in a press release.

Can Germany Defend Europe On Its Own?

05/31/2017

German chancellor Angela Merkel has reaffirmed her position as the unlikely superhero of Europe’s liberal elites. Twelve years in power and facing a difficult election in September, she struck out at the least popular man in Europe: Donald Trump.

Breaking: Russian military aircraft crashes in Saratov region, one dead

05/31/2017

An Antonov An-26 aircraft has crash landed during a flight training mission, Russia’s Defense Ministry has confirmed. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, “the aircraft failed to maintain the parameters of descent during the final approach and went below the glide path.” “Six crew were on board the plane, which caught fire after the crash landing. One serviceman died and five crew members were evacuated to the hospital by rescue helicopter.”

Pakistan to obtain three more Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft

05/31/2017

A source with knowledge of the acquisition says the aircraft will be equipped with the Swedish firm's Erieye radar system, which can track both air and surface targets. On 15 May, Saab released a statement that it had signed a contract with an undisclosed customer in the airborne early warning & control segment valued at SEK1.35 billion ($155 million). It said that deliveries would run from 2017 to 2020, with the order to be booked within the next six months.

Russian Military Transport Aviation to Receive 3 New IL-76MD-90A Planes

05/31/2017

Commander of Russian Military Transport Aviation, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Benediktov, said that it plans to receive three bland new Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft in 2017.

Russian Military to Commission Su-35S Fighter Jet by End of 2017 - MoD

05/31/2017

Deputy Defense Minister said that Russian military is expecting to complete the final tests and commission the advanced Su-35S fighter jet by the end of 2017.

The U.S. Military Might Have Come Up with the Ultimate Weapon: B-52’s Armed with Lasers

05/30/2017

Aircraft-launched laser weapons from fighter jets could eventually be engineered for a wide range of potential uses, including air-to-air combat, close air support, counter-UAS(drone), counter-boat, ground attack and even missile defense, officials said. Low cost is another key advantage of laser weapons, as they can prevent the need for high-cost missiles in many combat scenarios.