Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing to boost British Army capability with 50 AH-64E Apache helicopters as UK confirms purchase

07/12/2016

Boeing will deliver 50 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the British Army under an agreement signed between the U.S. and UK governments, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced today. The agreement is also a precursor to potential, significant long-term support opportunities for Boeing.

Embraer and Boeing to Collaborate on Worldwide Sales, Support of KC-390 Medium Airlift

07/12/2016

Embraer and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have signed a teaming agreement to jointly market and support the KC-390, a multi-mission mobility and aerial refueling aircraft. Under the agreement the companies will together pursue new business opportunities, both for the aircraft itself and for aircraft support and sustainment. Embraer will provide the aircraft while Boeing will be responsible for in-service support.

FARNBOROUGH: UK firms up two big military buys

07/12/2016

The UK Ministry of Defence has firmed up two expected orders at the Farnborough air show, committing to the purchase of both the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and AH-64E Apache attack helicopter. As the show opened, it was announced that an order for nine P-8s that were selected through the UK’s November 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review has been placed, along with a deal for 50 new-build Apaches: both through foreign military sales with the US government.

FARNBOROUGH: Raytheon and USAF begin SDB II tri-mode seeker flight tests

07/12/2016

Raytheon and the US Air Force have started flight testing of the Small Diameter Bomb II’s coordinated attack capability, which uses GPS and anti-jamming to attack static targets from at least 40 miles away. Recent flight tests also employed the SDB II’s normal attack capability, which fires on fixed and moving targets using infrared imaging and millimetre-wave seeker modes, according to Raytheon.

Russia to Deploy Aircraft Carrier in Mediterranean No Sooner Than October

07/12/2016

Russia will deploy its Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea no earlier than October and recent media reports regarding a planned early deployment are false, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.

Russia Boosts Arctic Military Presence, Builds Ten Airfields

07/12/2016

By making this move, the country aims to ensure its military security in the region. Russia's Federal Agency for Special Construction (Spetsstroy) is currently developing infrastructure facilities on military bases and garrisons in the Far North, Far East and Siberia for 20,000 service members, their families and civilians working for the Ministry of Defense.

Is the F-35 the Best in the World?

07/11/2016

An F-35 fighter pilot says he would be confident flying the Joint Strike Fighter against any enemy in the world, including Russian and Chinese 5th Generation stealth fighters.

India pushes talks with Russia for 5th-generation fighters and ‘Super Sukhois’

07/11/2016

India is finally taking forward the negotiations with Russia on stalled mega projects to jointly develop a futuristic fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) as well as upgrade its existing Sukhoi- 30MKI jets into 'Super Sukhois' with advanced avionics and weapons.

F-35 to Tap Airbus for Data Protection Technology

07/11/2016

British F-35s will use Airbus technology to help store, distribute and protect encrypted information on the combat jet when it comes into operation in 2018. Airbus Defence and Space has secured a deal to supply what’s known as local key management system (LKMS) technology for the strike aircraft and two other British military aircraft types – the Voyager A330 inflight refuelling jet and Hercules C-130J airlifters – in a deal recently struck with the British Ministry of Defence.

FARNBOROUGH: Leonardo introduces M-346FT dual-role combat trainer

07/11/2016

Leonardo has introduced a new multi-role variant of its M-346 trainer, which will allow operators to use it as either a trainer or a combat aircraft. The fighter-trainer variant – or M-346FT – development is approximately 24 months from completion. The key differences in the new variant are the weaponry, a tactical datalink and electronic countermeasures equipment.

Bell eyes German heavylift requirement for V-22

07/11/2016

Bell Helicopter is touting its co-developed V-22 tiltrotor for the German air force’s heavylift rotorcraft requirement, despite the programme having largely focused on only two other options to date.

Turkey, Italy to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies Deal

07/11/2016

Turkish and Italian experts will carry out a joint observation flight over Russia's territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said.

Neuron Drone Soars at 609MPH: France Edges Closer to Autonomous Fighter Jet

07/11/2016

The Neuron technology demonstrator will be converted into a series of aircrafts including not only comparable combat drones, but also a future generation unmanned fighter jet.

Canada Ignores Lockheed Threats: Ottawa Wants Super Hornet, Not Faulty F-35

07/11/2016

In the face of continued extortion efforts by Lockheed Martin to force the Canadian government to purchase the defective F-35 Lightning fighter jet at a staggering cost of nearly $200 million per unit, Ottawa appears intent on procuring Boeing’s F/A 18E Super Hornet to replace the air force’s aging CF-18 fighter fleet citing lower costs, earlier availability, and higher performance.

Terrorists in Fighter Jets: Israel Warns Obama to Stop Gulf Aircraft Sales

07/11/2016

A $1 billion fighter jet package to Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait raises a host of concerns that known systematic violators of human rights may turn weapons against their own population or that the weapons may ultimately find their way into the hands of Daesh.

Iranian Army Su-24 Crashes in Fars Province, Both Pilots Survived

07/11/2016

The jet crashed in Estahban-Kharameh region of Fars province, near Bakhtegan Lake, the Fars News Agency said citing sources. According to the media, both pilots ejected in time and survived.

Downing of Russian Helicopter Highlights Islamic State Threat to Aircraft

07/10/2016

Russia’s military says one of its helicopters was downed by the Islamic State in Syria, killing two of its airmen. The incident highlights the continued threat to low-flying aircraft posed by IS.

Interim fix for A400M engine issue certified: Airbus

07/10/2016

European authorities have certified an interim fix for a power gearbox issue with engines on Airbus Group SE's (AIR.PA) A400M transport aircraft, paving the way for countries to resume normal operations of the planes, company officials said on Saturday. "It's good news. It means that we're going to be alleviating the pain of the nations sooner," Fernando Alonso, president of Airbus Military Aircraft, told Reuters. "It means they will essentially be able to use the aircraft normally again."

The F-111 Aardvark: Vietnam and Gulf War Warrior (and It Almost Killed Qaddafi)

07/10/2016

The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a low-altitude strike plane born out of a shotgun wedding between competing Air Force and Navy requirements—with Defense Secretary McNamara as the minister. Despite its troubled adolescence, it grew into a capable high-tech night bomber that lasted decades in service, noted for its sleekly elegant profile.

Chinese Fire Power in South China Sea Days Ahead Of Court Ruling

07/10/2016

China’s PLA Navy has launched its largest ever live fire drill in the South China Sea just days before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague is set to issue a ruling over the Philippines’ case brought against Beijing’s South China Sea claims.

Russian 'Night Hunter' Military Helicopters Help Iraq in Anti-Terror Fight

07/10/2016

Russia supplied Iraq with a new batch of the Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" military helicopters, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said on Saturday. The statement also stressed that these helicopters "made a significant contribution in the [Iraqi] land forces' fight against Daesh and the victory [over terrorists] in several operations."

Russia’s Su-34 Hellduck Strike Fighter to Pack More Punch

07/10/2016

After its successful use during Russia’s aerial campaign in Syria, the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bomber is now set to carry even better weapons than those that made it the jihadist terrorists’ worst nightmare, Zvezda TV reported.

China holds combat drill in the South China Sea

07/09/2016

The Chinese navy conducted combat drills near its southern island province of Hainan and the Paracel islands in the South China Sea, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday. The drills come ahead of a July 12 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on a case brought by the Philippines disputing several of China's territory claims in the South China Sea.

Bell Boeing gets $73 million Osprey contract

07/09/2016

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office has received a $73 million U.S. Navy contract for the manufacture and delivery of one CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. The job is expected to be completed by February 2020. Work will be performed in Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Utah, California, Canada, Arizona, the U.K., Washington, Georgia, New Mexico, Michigan, Vermont and North Carolina, as well as at various locations inside and outside the U.S.

'Neuron' Combat Drone Completes First Sea Trials

07/09/2016

The Direction Générale de l’Armement flew on July 6 the first sea trials of the Neuron technology demonstrator for a combat drone with the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, a spokesman for the defense procurement office said. The demonstrator for an unmanned combat aerial vehicle flew out at sea for “about an hour” at some 1,000 feet, flying both with and without Rafale fighter jets, the spokesman said.