Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Brexit, Russian Threat Shape Farnborough; F-35 Dominates Show

07/09/2016

The Lockheed Martin F-35B advanced short take-off and vertical landing aircraft will make its debut at this year’s Farnborough International Air Show. The last combat aircraft in this class to premiere at Farnborough was the Yakovlev Yak-41 (Yak-141) Freestyle more than 20 years ago. How times have changed.

RAF hints that UK could still opt for mixed F-35 fleet

07/09/2016

A Royal Air Force official has revealed that the UK has not ruled out acquiring a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35s, as the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B that is currently contracted carries out its first display to the British public.

Lockheed warns of industrial impact if Canada ditches F-35

07/09/2016

Lockheed Martin may decide to move the industrial participation that Canada currently benefits from on the F-35 to another programme partner if Ottawa decides against acquiring the Lightning II, the company says.

U.S. Air Force Selects Boeing for KC-46 Pegasus Maintenance Training

07/09/2016

Boeing will help the U.S. Air Force train its KC-46 Pegasus maintenance personnel for the next seven years under a new $78 million contract, which includes contract options. Under the agreement, Boeing will install maintenance training systems at two Air Force bases.

Boeing, Mahindra Defence Systems Open C-17 Training Center for Indian Air Force

07/09/2016

Boeing and Mahindra Defence Systems today formally opened a center in Gurgaon to provide C-17 training services to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Once fully operational, the new center will be capable of conducting local and multi-site simulations for added realism and more robust training.

Canada to Deploy Frigate, CF-18 Fighter Aircraft in Europe to Support NATO

07/09/2016

Canada will lead a multinational military force that includes a frigate, a battlegroup and up to six combat aircraft as part of the NATO enhanced ‘forward presence’ in Eastern Europe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a press release on Friday.

Syria No-Fly Zones May Cause Escalation With Russia - Counter-NATO Summit

07/09/2016

Enforcing the no-fly zone in Syria that Hillary Clinton advocates would require the destruction of Russia's anti-aircraft missiles in the Arab republic which could lead to military escalation, speaker at ongoing Counter-NATO Summit in Warsaw Joseph Gerson of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) organization told Sputnik.

Air Combat Command Head Suggests F-35A Approaching IOC Soon

07/09/2016

The head of Air Combat Command said Thursday the Air Force would likely declare the F-35A combat-ready within the “leading edge” of the August through December window for initial operating capability.

Russia sends its only aircraft carrier to Syria in response to US

07/08/2016

Russia’s accident-prone aircraft carrier is set to be put to the test — if it gets there. Its history of embarrassing breakdowns may see an anticipated mission to Syria backfire. The aircraft carrier is the largest leftover of the Soviet era’s Cold War still active in the Russian navy. Now Russian government news agency Tass has declared the warship will be sent into the Mediterranean to conduct air strikes against insurgents and Islamic State in Syria between October and January.

Lockheed Martin Says New F-35 Contract Talks in Final Stages

07/08/2016

Lockheed Martin Corp. is in the final stages of negotiations with the Pentagon to conclude a multibillion-dollar contract for the next batch of stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets after months of protracted talks, a senior company official said Thursday.

Government of Canada Awards C-130J Super Hercules Fleet Support Contract to Lockheed Martin

07/08/2016

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a five-year contract extension worth approximately $504.3 million by the Government of Canada to provide In Service Support (ISS) for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of 17 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, known in Canada as the CC-130J.

Sukhoi completes initial flight tests on T-50

07/08/2016

The Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has declared a flight test milestone for the T-50, before handing over the fifth-generation fighter to the Russian government for additional testing.

Canada examining all options for CF-18 replacement

07/08/2016

The Canadian government is consulting industry representatives on a replacement for its CF-18 fighters, as the new Liberal administration steps away from the controversial Lockheed Martin F-35 programme.

Plans under way for October F-35B sea-based test

07/08/2016

Lockheed Martin’s F-35B is due to embark on a third phase of ship-based developmental testing (DT) in October, the final step before it begins qualification trials on the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.

PICTURES: China inducts Y-20 strategic transport

07/08/2016

The four-engined jet was inducted during a ceremony in Chengdu, according to China’s defence ministry. "The Y-20 entering into service marks a crucial step for the Air Force improving its strategic power projection capability," says Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke.

How Might Beijing React to Upcoming Ruling on China’s Territorial Claims?

07/08/2016

As the world awaits the ruling on the territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea, US analysts predict how China will react if an international court at the Hague rules for the Philippines.

Budget Cuts Leave US Air Force With a 'Small, Old and Heavily Tasked' Fleet

07/08/2016

The US Air Force fleet aged due to budget cuts may negatively affect the ability of the forces to perform their combat tasks, US Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott West said.

China inducts its largest homegrown military transport plane

07/07/2016

China on Wednesday inducted its largest indigenously-built transport aircraft Y-20, a breakthrough in military aviation technology for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that allows the world’s largest force to transport cargo and troops over long distances in diverse weather conditions.

El Al Plane in Bomb Scare Above Switzerland

07/07/2016

Two Swiss combat jets were scrambled this morning to escort an El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) plane following a bomb scare. The crew of flight 002 inspected the plane's passengers and contents without any indications of a bomb and the flight landed at 1 pm at Ben Gurion Airport.

France Imposes New Conditions on Rafale Deal With India

07/07/2016

France has quietly insisted that an $8.9 billion government-to-government (G2G) deal with India be signed before a 50 percent offset deal for Rafale fighters is finalized, according to a French Embassy source in India.

This Russian aircraft carrier is up to something

07/07/2016

The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is the biggest ship in the Russian navy and the most visible symbol of the Kremlin's military power. This October, she will travel to the Mediterranean and carry out air strikes in Syria, according to a report from the Moscow-based Tass news agency.

Boeing, U.S. Army, Australia Collaboration Supports Early H-47 Deliveries

07/07/2016

Boeing delivered three H-47 Chinooks to the Australian Army, only 85 days after receiving the order, thanks to excellent cooperation with Australia and the U.S. Army. The deliveries increase Australia’s CH-47F Chinook fleet to 10, all of which were delivered early.

Moscow Ready for Dialogue With NATO Members to Prevent Sea, Air Incidents

07/07/2016

Russia is ready for dialogue with individual NATO members to improve the mechanisms of preventing incidents at sea and in the air, Russian envoy to the Western military alliance Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.

Canada to Upgrade Jets Due to Inability to Meet NATO, NORAD Commitments

07/07/2016

Canada needs to upgrade its fighter jets fleet as it is unable to meet concurrently its obligations to NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Italian Air Force’s T-346A and FT-339C jet trainers conduct in-flight refuelling mission

07/06/2016

The Italian Air Force has completed the first fuel transfer from a KC-767A tanker aircraft to T-346A and FT-339C jet trainers. The in-flight refuelling was conducted between jet trainers belonging to the 61st Wing at Galatina near Lecce and tanker aircraft from 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare, near Rome.