Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

China’s claim it has ‘quantum’ radar may leave $17 billion F-35 naked

02/27/2017

The RAAF’s first F-35’s will be making their debut Australian appearance at the Avalon air show this week. It’s not a combat-capable aircraft, yet, though the first partially operational US squadron of the type was deployed to Japan earlier this year. But Beijing state media has boasted its scientists have successfully tested a new type of radar capable of defeating stealth technology at ranges out to 100km.

Indian Armed forces conduct month-long exercise to test combat readiness to deal with any possible threat

02/27/2017

The Navy has carried out a mega exercise which saw participation of its strategic assets including nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, besides Su-30 and Jaguar fighter jets of IAF. The Theatre-level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) was conducted to test combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Navy, the Air Force, the Army and the Coast Guard.

Russia's Syria Campaign Boosted Worldwide Sales of Russian Arms

02/27/2017

CEO of Russia's Rostec State Corporation Sergey Chemezov claims that Russia's counter-terrorist campaign in Syria has given a boost to global demand for Russian arms.

US, France to Start Open Skies Flight Over Russia on Monday

02/27/2017

US and French inspectors will conduct an aerial surveillance flight over Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies between February 27 and March 4, the head of Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

Russia to Start Air Mission Over Turkey on Monday

02/27/2017

Russian inspectors will conduct an aerial surveillance flight over Turkey between February 27 and March 3 within the scope of the Treaty on Open Skies, the head of Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

'A Perfect Choice': Vietnam Sets Its Sights on Russian Yak-130 Aircraft

02/27/2017

In its effort to boost the country’s air defense, Vietnam is choosing between Russian Yak-130 and Czech L-39 New Generation planes for its future center for training pilots of supersonic fighter aircraft.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces, Naval Aviation to Get 160 Aircraft in 2017 – Colonel

02/27/2017

Russia’s Aerospace Forces and naval aviation will have their air fleets boosted this year by a total of 160 planes and helicopters, Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev announced on Sunday.

Officials seek community support for bringing F-35 jet to Selfridge

02/26/2017

Local officials are implementing a full-scale effort to garner community support for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to secure a fleet of the next-generation fighter jet. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, commander of the 127th Wing at SANG, conducted a news conference Feb. 21 to announce a campaign to tout the benefits of attracting a squadron of the F-35 Lightening II, a fifth-generation fighter, to the base.

Future US Navy plans are all about doubling or tripling the missiles they can shoot and how many missiles they can defend against

02/26/2017

In World War II, the U.S. Navy made extensive use of small aircraft carriers, ranging from very small carriers escorting convoys (CVEs) to light aircraft carriers (CVLs) that were essentially downsized models of the iconic big carriers (CVs). CVLs could handle post-WWII jets. However, the Navy concluded super carriers made more sense strategically and economically.

BREAKING: Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft destroys Boko Haram terrorists’ vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft gun (Video)

02/26/2017

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets yesterday successfully intercepted a group of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) moving in an Hilux vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft gun. The armed vehicle was sighted at Talala in Northern Borno by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on patrol, which then called for strike by combat platform.

Activity at North Korean Nuclear Facility Could Mean Another Test Imminent

02/26/2017

Activity at North Korea's Punggye-ri Nuclear Test facility indicates that the country could conduct another nuclear test at any time, a North Korean watchdog warns. The website 38 North, which monitors commercial satellite imagery for clues to North Korea's actions, says the continued activity in many areas of the Punggye-ri site shown by images from February 18 indicate that work is underway at many of the site's tunnels.

Russia Working on Extremely Long-Range Cruise Missile for White Swan

02/26/2017

The Russian State Scientific Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS) is working on an extremely long-range cruise missile as part of efforts aimed at modernizing the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported, citing GosNIIAS' First Deputy of the General Director and Supervisor of Studies Evgeny Fedosov.