Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: The Analyst's Grief (And Israel's Dilemma)

07/01/2016

Israel has entered the 'age of the fifth generation combat aircraft'. Its first F-35I 'Adir' was rolled out at Lockheed-Martin's facility in Ft. Worth, Texas. Israel's new Minister of Defense, Avigdor Liberman, attended, and the Israeli media was filled with superlatives: 'deadlier than any other plane', 'it will change the Middle East' and so forth.

Adaptive cycle engine enters final phase of development

07/01/2016

The US Air Force has awarded two five-year development contracts to GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney worth up to $1 billion each to continue development of a next-generation military jet engine and prepare for an anticipated competition in the early 2020s for the chance to power a new combat aircraft and possibly re-engine the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Sharing secret F-35 data gives USAF new problem

07/01/2016

The Lockheed Martin’s F-35’s newest snag doesn’t come from a technological issue, but an international policy problem, according to the director of the US Air Force’s F-35A Integration Office.

Airbus to test automatic boom mode for A330 MRTT

07/01/2016

With its advanced boom refuelling system for the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) having achieved full operational capability, Airbus Defence & Space has turned its attention to trialling an automatic mode for the fly-by-wire controlled structure.

After Istanbul Attack, Pentagon May Require 'Unaccompanied' Tours in Turkey

07/01/2016

With rising security concerns in Turkey, the US military is taking steps to bar civilian staffers and military families from traveling to country. In its fight against Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, the United States has relied on Incirlik air base in southern Turkey. As the country becomes increasingly vulnerable to terrorist attacks, however, the Obama administration has become increasingly concerned with safety.

Russia Supplies Mi-26TS Heavy Transport Helicopter to China

07/01/2016

The Russian Helicopters company on Thursday announced that it had supplied the fourth Mi-26TS heavy transport helicopter to China. The Mi-26TS is an export version of the Mil Mi-26T helicopter. Russian Helicopters signed the supply contract with China's Lectern Aviation Supplies Co Ltd in 2014. China has been operating three such helicopters to date.

Russian Envoy to Iran Hopes Moscow to Fulfill S-300 Delivery Before 2017

07/01/2016

Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan expressed hope on Thursday that Russia would complete the supply of S-300 air defense systems to Iran by the end of 2016.

More Export Customers For Pakistan’s Basic Trainer

06/30/2016

Qatar and Nigeria have become the latest buyers of the Super Mushshak basic trainer produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra. Pakistan media reported the number sold to Nigeria as 10 but did not disclose the quantity for Qatar. Other countries that have been listed as customers are Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Make In India F-16s, F-18s: Hunt for new range of fighter jets set to take off

06/30/2016

The defence ministry is moving fast to end the critical shortage of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF) which has been decommissioning squadrons flying MIG-21s that have been in service for over 50 years.

Air Force Begins Replacing Combat Lost HH-60G Pave Hawks

06/30/2016

The Air Force introduced the first of 21 fully built HH-60G Pave Hawk Operational Loss Replacement (OLR) helicopters June 28 at a ceremony in Huntsville, Alabama. The HH-60G is used to conduct combat search and rescue operations. The OLR program will restore the service’s HH-60G fleet to its authorized size, replacing aircraft lost in nearly 15 years of deployed combat operations since 9/11.

USAF Tests Lockheed-Developed F-35A Combat Readiness Capacity, Aircraft Nears IOC Declaration

06/30/2016

Service members from the 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing led the first off-station deployment exercise of seven Lockheed Martin-built F-35A Lightning II units that works to meet initial operational capability targets within the year.

OGMA submits Hercules upgrade bid to Gabon

06/30/2016

Gabon is considering whether to bring an elderly B-model variant of the Lockheed Martin C-130 back to flyable condition, in order to double the size of its air force’s transport fleet.

PICTURES: F-35B touches down in UK for show debut

06/30/2016

Two years after the US Marine Corps' planned first transatlantic crossing with the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B was thwarted by an engine fire, a trio of the jets have touched down at RAF Fairford in the UK.

India acquires Litening targeting pod

06/30/2016

Rafael will supply 164 examples of its Litening targeting pod to the Indian air force, for use on four types of combat aircraft including New Delhi’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighters. Guy Oren, director of Rafael's electro-optical systems unit, says the pods will be delivered in the next couple of years.

KC-390 confirmed for Farnborough debut

06/30/2016

Embraer is to give its developmental KC-390 tanker/transport an international debut at the Farnborough air show, ahead of a multi-national promotional tour for the jet-powered type.

PICTURES: RAF launches first Storm Shadow strike against IS in Iraq

06/30/2016

MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missile has been used by the Royal Air Force in the campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq for the first time, with the weapon having been deployed by Panavia Tornado GR4s operating from its Akrotiri base in Cyprus.

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

06/29/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

US military ties with Britain safe from Brexit, officials say

06/29/2016

Defense leaders from both sides of the Atlantic scrambled this week to play down the impact of Britain's decision to leave the European Union, saying the United States' closest military relationship would be sheltered from the upheaval that may lie ahead. A British official said the United Kingdom remains committed to its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and will continue to partner with the United States against the Islamic State and other shared threats.

Jaysh Al-Islam Brings Down Assad Aircraft in Ghouta With Russian Weapon

06/29/2016

Jaysh Al-Islam announced that it has destroyed a helicopter belonging to the Syrian regime in eastern Ghouta and shot down another war plane near the Seine Airport in eastern Qalmoun with an OSA launcher system. The spokesman for Jaysh Al-Islam Islam Alloush said that this is “a message that military action will continue until the regime is overthrown”.

Farnborough Shuts Doors On Russian Military Aircraft

06/29/2016

Russia will not be able to showcase its military prowess during the upcoming Farnborough airshow to be held from 15 July to 20 July 2016. Reliable sources told defenseworld.net Tuesday that Russian companies such as United Aircraft Corporation and Rosoboronexport will not be allowed to display their warplanes during the Farnborough airshow to be held in the U.K next month.

S-400 technology helps Seoul blunt Pyongyang threat

06/29/2016

Advanced missile technology that went into Russia's deadly S-400 Triumf missile defense system is powering the South Korean ballistic and air defense missile programs. Partly in response to North Korea's deployment of nuclear missiles and submarines, Seoul has beefed up its armaments industry with generous doses of Russian technology. Among the most critical projects are a submarine-launched ballistic missile and the M-SAM Cheolmae-2 medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile.

China daily slams U.S. aircraft carriers deployment

06/29/2016

A top Chinese newspaper has slammed the U.S. for deploying two aircraft carriers along with their accompanying ships to the Philippine Sea to conduct training drills near the South China Sea. “The U.S. picked the wrong target in playing this trick on China,” said The People’s daily in a commentary on June 22. The newspaper belongs to the country’s ruling Communist Party.

BAE Systems built jet set for UK debut

06/29/2016

The F35 Lightning II, due in today from the USA, will make its debut at two major shows this summer – the Royal International Air Tattoo on July 8 and the Farnborough air show the week after. The rear fuselage of every F-35 Lightning II aircraft built are manufactured and assembled at BAE Systems facility in Samlesbury.

U.S. and China warships to participate in massive Pacific war games

06/29/2016

Warships from a record 26 nations — including the United States and China — converge near Hawaii this week for a five-week series of exercises to promote international security, goodwill and cooperation on the high seas. Well, good luck with that. The massive Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) war games will take place amid increasing tension and competition in waters of the Asia-Pacific region and will include warships from at least seven nations with competing claims or interests in the region.

AF introduces first fully built HH-60G Ops Loss Replacement helicopter

06/29/2016

The Air Force introduced the first of 21 fully built HH-60G Pave Hawk Operational Loss Replacement (OLR) helicopters June 28 at a ceremony in Huntsville, Alabama. The HH-60G is used to conduct combat search and rescue operations. The OLR program will restore the service’s HH-60G fleet to its authorized size, replacing aircraft lost in nearly 15 years of deployed combat operations since 9/11.