Military Aviation News Archive

PICTURES: First flight for Israel's F-35A Adir

07/29/2016

Lockheed Martin completed the first flight of an F-35A Adir for the Israeli air force on 25 July, just one month after rolling the aircraft out at its Fort Worth site in Texas on 22 June.

UAV incursion strengthens Israeli sales ban with Moscow

07/29/2016

The incursion of an Israeli-made unmanned air vehicle into that nation’s airspace from inside Syria on 17 July has provided the authorities in Washington with another reason to block future sales of such equipment to Moscow.According to the Israeli military, the origin of the intruding UAV has not been verified, but sources suggest that it was probably a Searcher 2 designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) which was being operated by Russian forces deployed within Syria.

Russia, China to Hold Joint South China Sea Drills in September

07/29/2016

Russia and China will hold joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said Thursday. "Based on the consensus reached by the parties, the Chinese and Russian navies will hold joint Sea Cooperation-2016 exercises in the South China Sea in September," Yang told a briefing, noting that the drills "are not aimed at third countries."

Over Kerry's Head: Why Russia is Delivering Its Upgraded Su-24M2s to Syria

07/29/2016

The Syrian Air Force has received its first two upgraded Sukhoi Su-24M2 all-weather attack aircraft from Russian armories. According to media reports, they are expected to improve the combat capabilities of Syrian air power in the fight against the terrorists. However, according to experts, Moscow and Damascus may also have a hidden motive.

Israel’s New F-35 ‘Adir’ Has First Test Flight (Video)

07/28/2016

One month after Israel received the new stealth F-35 “Adir” (Hebrew for “Great One”) in Dallas, Texas, the aircraft was tested for the first time on Tuesday in the southern US. Israel was the first country to buy the fighter jet under the US’s Foreign Military Sales process. The Letter of Agreement was signed in October 2010.

Why India Should Consider Lockheed Martin's F-16 Offer

07/28/2016

In 2007, India began an official tender process for 126 multi-role, medium-range combat aircraft (MMRCA) with Paris-based Dassault at a cost of about $11 billion. It was the world’s largest fighter jet deal at the time. Since then the deal has unraveled. Negotiations stalled over price and quality and, ultimately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted to purchase only 36 “ready to fly” aircraft from Dassault. Even this more modest version of deal has yet to fully fructify.

Russia to US in Syria: If we kill you, it’s your fault

07/28/2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin has longed to have the US coordinate efforts with Russia in Syria to provide legitimacy to the Russian expeditionary force in the Syrian theater. Recently news leaked that Russian combat aircraft purposefully bombed a secret US base on the Jordanian-Syrian border. US and British troops were active from time to time at the facility and a group of British troops had just left. Four American-backed rebels were killed in the attack.

First Operational F-35A Squadron Finishes IOC To-Do List

07/28/2016

The Air Force’s first F-35 squadron has completed all preparations necessary to declare the joint strike fighter combat capable, and sources say an initial operating capability declaration could be made early next week.

India To Upgrade Sukhoi Fleet With Russia's Help

07/28/2016

India has stepped up negotiations with Russia to upgrade its 194 Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole aircraft with the near fifth-generation level at a cost of more than $8 billion. The upgraded version would be renamed Super Sukhoi. "A Russian team was in New Delhi earlier this month to discuss [the] upgrade plan with India, which will be finalized in the next four to six months," said a senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Air Force dangles price incentives for advanced T-X trainer

07/28/2016

The US Air Force has proposed millions of dollars in incentives for contractors who bring forth a T-X trainer aircraft that exceeds the service’s outlined performance requirements, according to the latest draft request for proposals released late on 26 July.

Airbus takes fresh €1bn charge against A400M

07/28/2016

Airbus’s continued difficulties with producing and delivering the A400M tactical transport have led it to announce a fresh charge of just over €1 billion ($1.1 billion) against the program. “Industrial efficiency and the step-wise introduction of the A400M’s military functionalities are still lagging behind schedule and remain challenging,” says Airbus Group chief executive Tom Enders.

Budget Cuts Force Pentagon to Consider Civilian Pilots for Simulated Dog Fights

07/28/2016

With the budget of the US Air Force stretching resources, the Pentagon is looking to the private sector to participate in war games. To prepare for future military conflicts, US Air Force pilots undergo intensive training that includes simulated dog fights. This ordinarily pits military pilots against each other, one in a US jet, the other in an "enemy" fighter painted in blue, brown, or black camouflage.

India Orders Four More Maritime Spy Jets

07/28/2016

On the first day of his India visit, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Frank Kendall signed a deal with India for delivery of four more Boeing P-81 long range maritime spy planes.

Here's how US fifth-generation aircraft would win in a war against China

07/27/2016

A recent report from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, written by Maj. Gen. Jeff Harrigian and Col. Max Marosko of the US Air Force, gives expert analysis and never before seen detail into how the US's fifth-generation aircraft would fare in a war with China.

Lockheed Martin’s Second T-50A Aircraft for T-X Competition Takes Flight

07/27/2016

Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries successfully completed the initial test flight of its second T-50A configured aircraft in Sacheon, South Korea. The T-50A is the company’s aircraft offering in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training (APT) competition.

Successful Flight Evaluations Mark First Time Lockheed Martin’s ELGTR Releases from U.S. Air National Guard F-16

07/27/2016

A U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) unit successfully released eight Lockheed Martin Enhanced Laser Guided Training Rounds (ELGTR) during recent flight evaluations at the Barry M. Goldwater Ranges near Gila Bend, Arizona. These flight evaluations marked the first time an ANG unit has flown the training round and completes the evaluation of ELGTR on their F-16C/D Block 40/42 aircraft.

Funding for new close air support platform remains uncertain

07/27/2016

While rumblings of two potential close-air support platforms for the US Air Force shook Washington last week, discussions surrounding a possible light-attack aircraft and A-10 replacement have yet to reach the service’s secretary.

Israel may contract out F-35 maintenance

07/27/2016

Israel is considering contracting out the heavy maintenance of its future Lockheed Martin F-35As, as it seeks domestic provision of overhaul activities on the type.

Greece launches P-3B modernisation

07/27/2016

Greece has launched a modernisation effort for its fleet of Lockheed Martin P-3B Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Two examples of the turboprop type operated by the Hellenic Navy have been inducted into the process, transferring on 13 July from Elefsis air base to an overhaul facility at Tangara, near Athens.

Pentagon: US-Russian Talks on Flight Safety in Syria ‘Constructive’

07/27/2016

US and Russian officials held constructive dialogue via videoconference on Tuesday on flight safety measures to deconflict air operations in Syria, US Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook said in a press release.

Iraqi Army, Peshmerga Forces Prepare Huge Offensive Against Daesh in Mosul

07/27/2016

As the Iraqi army and its allied Peshmerga units prepare a major offensive on Mosul to flush out Daesh terrorists, Helgurd Hikmet, a representative of the Regional Government of Kurdistan, discussed the details of the upcoming operation with Sputnik.

Pentagon Defines Next Phase to Collapse Daesh in Mosul, Raqqa

07/27/2016

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that the United States and other members of its anti-Islamic State (Daesh) coalition have defined the next set of military plans aimed at retaking control of the Daesh strongholds in Iraqi Mosul and Syrian Raqqa.

Moscow Denies Bulgaria's Claims of Violating NATO Airspace by Russian Planes

07/27/2016

On Sunday, Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev said that Russian warplanes crossed into the so-called "Bulgarian zone of responsibility" with switched off transponders four times during the previous month. He demanded explanations from Moscow calling the alleged incidents "provocations of Bulgaria and its Air Force." He added that Sophia was "taking preventive measures."

China Likely to Become Aircraft Carrier Superpower Soon

07/25/2016

It seems that China is ready to launch its first indigenous aircraft carrier (CV), the Type 001A, by the end of the year. As a result, China, which operates a rehabilitated ex-Soviet aircraft carrier, is expected to become a full-fledged aircraft carrier operating country soon. Furthermore, it’s certain that the country will continue to bring more domestic aircraft carriers into service to turn itself into an aircraft carrier superpower.

Bulgaria Calls Rise In Airspace Violations By Russian Aircraft A ‘Provocation’

07/25/2016

Bulgaria’s defense minister said on Sunday there had been a rise in violations of its airspace by Russian military and commercial aircraft in the past month, calling the alleged breaches a “provocations toward Bulgaria and its air forces”. Nikolay Nenchev told Bulgarian television channel Nova TV that Russian military aircraft had entered what he termed “Bulgaria’s area of responsibility” in NATO airspace four times in the past month.