Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Here's how the US military is sticking it to Beijing in the South China Sea

03/02/2017

China has for years been whittling away at the US military's asymmetrical advantage in conventional military strength with a naval buildup, building and militarizing artificial islands in the South China Sea, and creating systems and weapons custom built to negate the US's technological advantage.

With aging jets and a shortage of pilots, the Air Force weighs buying throwback ‘light-attack’ planes

03/02/2017

The U.S. Air Force, faced with a potentially protracted war against the Islamic State, aging fighter jets and a shrinking force of pilots, is examining the adoption of a new fleet of “light-attack” planes that are both a throwback to earlier U.S. operations and a current staple of militaries in South America and the Middle East.

Vishnu Som tells us what it’s like to fly on the IAF’s Tejas LCA

03/02/2017

It isn’t an aircraft that will redefine the rules of air-warfare. However, the Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) is far better as a package, than merely being a safer and reliable replacement for the aging Mig-21. Sure it spent almost 33 years inside a womb, but now that it has come out, it isn’t late. It’s just a late bloomer whose umbilical cord is still connected to the National Flight Test Center in Bangalore.

Watch British airstrikes blast ISIS vehicles off the road near the group's last stronghold in the country

03/02/2017

British aircraft have participated in the campaign against ISIS in Iraq, which is currently moving on the terror group's last urban stronghold in the country. Dozens of countries have committed personnel and resources to the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. While the US had assumed a leading role in the coalition, the British military has assisted the campaign on both the ground and in the air.

L-159 EARNS PRAISE AS CREDIBLE AGGRESSOR FIGHTER

03/02/2017

In a recent press release, the private contract air support company Draken International praised the Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced light combat aircraft for its role as an aggressor fighter platform during the U.S. Marine Corps’ recent air exercises, Agile Lightning and Wing Fury, which took place in January 2017. As per Draken International, the Aero L-159 is configured with subsystems found in contemporary combat aircraft, such as modern pulse-Doppler radars.

RAAF A330 MRTT fleet achieves final operational capability

03/02/2017

The Royal Australian Air Force has achieved final operational capability for its fleet of Airbus Defence & Space A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft. Designated as the KC-30A in RAAF service, the milestone signifies that the full capability of the aircraft, including using its refueling boom, is now available.

Indian Army To Invest $2.5B in Israeli Missile System

03/02/2017

In a sign that Israel and India are strengthening ties, the two nations have agreed to a huge weapons deal to jointly expand India’s aerial defense systems. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to a deal for a medium-range surface-to-air (MRSAM) missile system to be produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the Mail Today reports.

US, South Korea Stage Massive Military Drills to Warn Off North

03/02/2017

This Wednesday marked the start of annual military exercises by the United States and South Korea, described by the North as preparation for an invasion, South Korean media reported.

Boeing Wins $679M Navy Deal to Procure 12 Combat Aircraft

03/01/2017

Aircraft major The Boeing CompanyBA clinched a contract for the procurement of seven EA-18G and five F/A 18E aircraft. Per the terms of the agreement, the company will also obtain airborne electronic attack kits associated with the EA-18G jets. Valued at $678.7 million, this contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD.

Lockheed scores $1 billion in F-35 maintenance

03/01/2017

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin more than $1 billion in logistics and sustainment services for the F-35 Lightning II programme, according to a Defense Department contract announced this week.

Sikorsky pitches HH-60Us to replace USAF Hueys

03/01/2017

Sikorsky and its parent company, Lockheed Martin, would add 84 HH-60Us to the USAF’s existing inventory of three U-model Black Hawks, according to a 28 February Sikorsky press release. “The Air Force previously assigned the HH-60U designation to three UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft, adding among other modifications an electro-optical sensor and a rescue hoist,” the release states. “Air Force pilots and special mission aviators began flying the HH-60U in 2011.”

US think-tank calls for stealthy, carrier-based UCAV

03/01/2017

An influential think-tank has unveiled a vision of a future US Navy strike group composed of two aircraft carriers and supporting ships with 110 aircraft, including new requirements for a stealthy attack unmanned air system (UAS) and a manned fighter optimised for the air-to-air mission.

PZL Mielec details S-70i sales targets

03/01/2017

Warsaw launched negotiations in late February linked to a planned eight-aircraft deal to support special forces operations, for which the S-70i is competing with the Leonardo Helicopters AgustaWestland AW149 and Airbus Helicopters H225M. It is expected to issue a further request linked to a larger acquisition of utility helicopters, and later will advance a Kruk programme requirement to replace its assault-roled Mil Mi-24s.

AVALON: EA-18G Growler makes downunder debut

03/01/2017

The Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft has made its air show debut in Royal Australian Air Force livery, as Canberra pitches in funds to develop the next generation jammer. Two EA-18Gs arrived at Airshow Australia following a transit from the US Navy air station on Whidbey Island, says Australia’s Department of Defence.

AVALON: Textron sees Asia-Pacific opportunities for Scorpion

03/01/2017

Textron believes that Canberra could be on the verge of issuing a request for proposals for an electronic warfare training jet, says Tom Webster, who heads sales for the US company in the Asia-Pacific. The requirement would be small, for about three aircraft, and would likely see Textron team with a local partner. Textron also believes that Canberra would not obtain the aircraft itself, but rather outsource the work to industry partners, possibly on a “pay by the hour” basis.

AVALON: USMC touts F-35B as ‘killing machine’

03/01/2017

“We’ve got a real winner on our hands,” says USMC Lt. Gen. John Davis in a media briefing. He states that exercises have shown the short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 to be a potent “killing machine.” The Marines have three squadrons equipped with the aircraft. VMFA-121 and VMFA-211 have achieved initial operating capability. VMFAT-501 is a training squadron.

S-400 Deal to Be 'Priority' in Upcoming Talks Between Putin, Erdogan in Moscow

03/01/2017

Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan will discuss the purchase of S-400 air defense missile systems during their upcoming meeting in Moscow, Turkish chief presidential adviser Ilnur Cevik said Tuesday.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE F-35C FOR THE CARRIER FLEET

02/28/2017

The F-35C is a key part of the evolving carrier air wing. Its importance was highlighted in an interview we did with the current Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9) when he was head of Naval Air Warfare at N98.

Boeing strikes back at former air force commanders

02/28/2017

Boeing is firing back at a group of former Canadian air force commanders who are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reconsider a plan to buy Super Hornet aircraft as an interim measure for Canada’s fighter jet capability gap.

Airbus shifts management; Safran declines to help firm cap penalties

02/28/2017

Airbus says the company has moved a senior manager to help the troubled A400M program amid reports of tension between the airlifter's prime contractor and engine supplier Safran. “We confirm that Michael Menking, currently (head of) Earth observation, navigation and science in Airbus Defence and Space, will be the new (head of) A400M program from March 1,” an Airbus Defence and Space spokesman said.

Draken Jets Worthy Adversaries in Agile Lightning & Wing Fury (Video)

02/28/2017

Draken International, operator of the largest privately-owned fleet of ex-military aircraft in the world, marked another milestone providing adversary “Red Air” support for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in support of Agile Lightning and Wing Fury from 26 to 31 January 2017.

USAF picks Elta for counter-UAS deal

02/28/2017

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Elta North America subsidiary has been awarded a $15.5 million, fixed-price contract to provide the US Air Force with counter-unmanned air system equipment.

AVALON: RAAF chief stresses power of networked capabilities

02/28/2017

Air Marshall Leo Davies says that progress has been made under the auspices of Project Jericho, an initiative launched by his predecessor to more tightly network the nation’s air force, and also strengthen connectivity with the country’s army and navy. Still, more needs to be done.

India Announces Development of Long-Range Airborne Warning Control System

02/28/2017

India is planning to develop its own long-range airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) in six years in order to fill the gaps in its aerial surveillance not covered by the recently developed Indian Netra system, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said Monday.

Japan scrambling more fighters in response to China activities

02/27/2017

Japan's Defense Ministry has doubled the number of fighter jets scrambled in each response to foreign airplanes approaching its airspace on the back of China's intensifying military activities around the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, government sources said Saturday. Japan's Air Self-Defense Force began scrambling four fighter jets since last year in each case of potential airspace violation by foreign aircraft, they said.