Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

F-35 cost target impossible without block buy, Lockheed says

02/10/2017

A hand-shake agreement with US government negotiators slashes the cost of each F-35A ordered in the latest annual lot to $94.6 million, but the Lockheed Martin programme’s goal to drop the price to $85 million in three years is in jeopardy unless the Defense department invokes a package of special acquisition tools, says Lockheed chief financial officer Bruce Tanner.

Norwegian Army to Receive New Air Defense Missile System

02/10/2017

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) announced on Monday that it is ordering a new mobile version of Kongsberg's NASAMS air defense system, the same system that has been operated by the country's air force since the early 2000s.

No Budget Space For US Air Force’s New B-52 Engines

02/10/2017

Upgraded engines would be less expensive to maintain and would improve fuel efficiency for the B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet, but there is no room in the budget for such renovations. From an operations perspective, replacing the engines makes “great sense,” Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson said, during an Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday. “If we had it in our budget, we’d do it, but we don’t have it.”

US Marine Corps Eager to Accelerate Growth of F-35 Fleet

02/10/2017

A top aviation official wants the US government to buy 37 F-35Bs annually, an uptick from 20 aircraft per year. The service has endured “a very anemic ramp” while incorporating F-35Bs into its aviation force, Lt. Gen. John Davis, deputy commander for aviation at the US Marine Corps, said Wednesday, DefenseNews reports. Consequently, “we’ve been holding onto the older airplanes longer,” Davis said.

Russian MoD Confirms Tu-160 Strategic Bombers' Patrols Over Neutral Waters

02/10/2017

Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers conducted on Thursday patrol flights over neutral waters in the Northern hemisphere without violating international rules, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

This is What Russia's Navy Can Learn From Admiral Kuznetsov's Mission in Syria

02/10/2017

The combat use of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrying missile cruiser off the Syrian coast needs to be thoroughly and competently analyzed, in order to improve the combat readiness of the Russian Navy, according to Adm. Vladimir Valuyev, former Baltic Fleet commander.

India, Indonesia to Hold Joint Air Combat Drills

02/10/2017

In a bid to expand its outreach in Indian Ocean Region, India has decided to lend submarine training to Indonesia. Defense Sources told Sputnik that submarine training is a part of defense co-operation agreed during recent visit of India's Defense Secretary Mohan Kumar to South East Asia. Vietnamese sailors are already being trained by Indian submariners to operate Russian Kilo class submarines. Indonesia government also asked for defense technologies meant for Army's equipment.

Rafael steps up weapons offer for Tejas

02/09/2017

Rafael is stepping up its efforts to provide systems for the Indian air force’s Hindustan Aeronautics-built Tejas light combat aircraft, with its current emphasis on offering air-to-air missiles and a targeting pod.

The Admiral Kuznetsov’s return reveals problems in Russian naval aviation

02/09/2017

On Feb. 3 pilots of the Northern Fleet’s aviation group flew from the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to their home base in Severomorsk-3. Only some of the aircraft, which include the Su-33, MiG-29K, Ka-52, Ka-29 and Ka-27, were transferred home. Technical breakdowns and a lack of trained aircraft carrier pilots are believed to be the main culprit behind the missing planes.

Pakistan, Myanmar in 'advanced negotiations' for JF-17 fighter

02/09/2017

Pakistan and Myanmar are in “advanced negotiations” to licence-build the JF-17, a single-engine multi-role fighter jet, reported IHS Jane's Defence Weekly on Wednesday. The news outlet, citing defence industry sources in Yangon and sources close to the Myanmar Air Force (MAF), said Myanmar would be able to significantly expand its local defence industry if an agreement is reached.

Navy Misses the F-14 Tomcat Air-to-Air Fighter

02/09/2017

The service has not had a dedicated air-to-air combat aircraft since it retired the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006. But even the Tomcat was adapted into a strike aircraft during its last years in service after the Soviet threat evaporated.

Murky AW101 delivery perplexes Indonesian defence officials

02/09/2017

akarta will launch an investigation into the delivery of a Leonardo Helicopters AgustaWestland AW101 VIP helicopter, part of a deal that was apparently cancelled. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the Indonesian air force ordered three AW101’s in a VIP configuration on 24 November 2015.

F-35 cost target impossible without block buy, Lockheed says

02/09/2017

A hand-shake agreement with US government negotiators slashes the cost of each F-35A ordered in the latest annual lot to $94.6 million, but the Lockheed Martin programme’s goal to drop the price to $85 million in three years is in jeopardy unless the Defense department invokes a package of special acquisition tools, says Lockheed chief financial officer Bruce Tanner.

Russian Defense Ministry Reveals What is the Purpose of Air Force's Snap Checks

02/09/2017

The ministry said that the snap checks are aimed to assess the readiness of Russian military administration bodies and the troops' practical training to carry out combat training tasks. The Russian Aerospace Forces snap checks that began on Tuesday are scheduled to end on Thursday, February 9, the Russian Defense Ministry said. On Tuesday, the Russian defense minister said a snap inspection of the Aerospace Forces had begun.

Pakistan to Order 50 More Fighter Jets in 2017

02/08/2017

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will likely place an order for 50 Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Block-III fighter jets in the first half of 2017, according to PAC chairman Air Marshall Arshad Malik.

Taiwan launches indigenous advanced jet trainer project

02/08/2017

The Taiwanese government on 7 February committed to support local industry to design and fly a prototype advanced jet trainer by 2020 and deliver 66 production aircraft to replace the air force’s aging fleet of AIDC AT-3 and Northrop F-5F trainers.

US Marines set 2019 target for Osprey tanker fit

02/08/2017

The US Marine Corps expects to declare initial operational capability for the Bell Boeing V-22 Aerial Refuelling System (VARS) in late 2019, with the milestone to represent the availability of an initial four mission-equipped aircraft.

A-10 Tank Killer Aircraft to Stay in Service Through 2021

02/08/2017

US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said that the US military would keep its fleet of veteran A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft operational for at least another four years.

Pentagon Prepares B-2 Stealth Bombers for Massive Upgrade

02/08/2017

In response to significant enemy air defense-system upgrades, the US Air Force is angling to modernize their aircraft’s digital arsenal with improved sensors. Other upgrades include the Long Range Stand-Off weapon, long range nuclear cruise missiles, like the B-61 Mod 12, and the so-called defensive management system (DMS), to provide pilots with knowledge of the location of enemy anti-aircraft defense posts.

NATO, Russia Agree on Transponders Use on Flights Over Baltics

02/08/2017

Russia and NATO have had certain success in resolving disagreements over the use of transponders during military flights over the Baltic Sea, Russian envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Tuesday.

Russian Aerospace Forces Undergoing Snap Checks at Putin's Order

02/08/2017

The Russian Aerospace Forces are undergoing an unannounced inspection to evaluate their readiness to conduct combat training tasks. An unannounced inspection of the Russian Aerospace Forces has begun at President Vladimir Putin's orders to evaluate their readiness to conduct combat training tasks, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

Forget the F-35: Why America's Military Misses the F-14 Tomcat

02/07/2017

The F-35C was never designed to be an air superiority fighter. Indeed, naval planners in the mid-1990s wanted the JSF to be a strike-oriented aircraft with only a 6.5G airframe load limit with very limited air-to-air capability, according to one retired U.S. Navy official.

HAL’s light combat aircraft, Swedish fighter to be on show at Aero India

02/07/2017

With the five-day ‘Aero India 2017’ just a week away, defence manufacturers from both public and private sectors have started making announcements regarding the aircraft to be put on display. On Monday, Swedish aerospace and defence company announced that the premier single engine fighter aircraft, Gripen-E, will be on display.

OPINION: The dwindling pool of T-X bidders

02/07/2017

Back in October 1986, the US Air Force was faced with a difficult decision. It had received seven responses to a request for proposals to build two prototypes for the advanced tactical fighter competition that ultimately yielded the Lockheed Martin F-22. In the wake of later industry consolidation, the USAF, it seemed, would never again enjoy such a wealth of bids.

ANALYSIS: Raytheon hits milestone for missile that changed air warfare

02/07/2017

Raytheon will deliver the 20,000thcopy of the missile that three decades ago changed air-to-air combat in a 31 January ceremony inside the company’s factory in the desert on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona.