Military Aviation News Archive

General Atomics positions itself in flourishing Indian UAV market

07/19/2016

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is planning a move into the Indian market with its Predator family of unmanned air vehicles in the wake of diplomatic initiatives that should ease restrictions on the sale of the technology to New Delhi.

Portuguese C-130 crash kills three

07/19/2016

Three people were killed when a Portuguese air force Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transport crashed at Montijo air base on 11 July. Flight Fleets Analyzer records the destroyed aircraft – tail number 16804 – as having been 38 years old. The loss leaves Portugal with an active fleet of four Hercules, with another in storage, it adds.

IAF implements crack fix for F-16 fleet

07/19/2016

The Israeli air force has introduced ultrasound maintenance measures to enable it to swiftly repair cracks in the wings of its fighter fleet. The crack detection system grounds the fleet for the shortest possible time, the IAF says, adding that the service has used it recently to repair cracks in the wing support bulkhead of its Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fleet.

IAF develops tanking capability

07/19/2016

Aerial refuelling has become one of the top priorities of the Israeli air force, and in recent months various tests have been carried out to help provide longer-range operations for helicopters and heavy transport aircraft.

The 5 Worst Fighter Aircraft of All Time

07/18/2016

Over the last century of military aviation, several fighters have earned the nickname “flying coffin.” Over the last century of military aviation, several fighters have earned the nickname “flying coffin.” Military aviation inherently pushes up against the limits of technology and human endurance, particularly where fighter and pursuit aviation is concerned. Flying a fighter is remarkably dangerous, even when no one is trying to shoot you down.

Fighter Jets 2016: Who Makes the 10 Top-Sellers, and How You Can Own Them

07/18/2016

In the 21st century, there are fighter jets, and then there are fighter jets. Which kind you get depends on how much you want to pay. Got hundreds of millions of dollars to toss around? Then like the U.S. government, you can hire Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) to design and build you an F-22 Raptor stealth fighter -- widely considered the most capable air superiority combat jet in the world.

The F-35 Stealth Fighter: The Ultimate Weapon or the Ultimate Bust?

07/18/2016

However history ultimately judges the F-35 Lightning II, Lockheed’s stealthy aircraft will surely be described as one of the most hotly debated designs ever. The U.S. Air Force, hoping to declare its version of the “fifth generation” fighter jet ready for by the end of 2016, has launched a new P.R. blitz to show critics that the planes are every bit as good as it says.

Turkish Soldiers Explain Why They Hijacked Helicopter and Fled to Greece

07/18/2016

On Saturday morning a Black Hawk military helicopter carrying the eight Turkish servicemen made an emergency landing at the airport of the northern Greek city of Alexandroupoli. The arrivals – three Majors, three Captains and two Sergeant Majors — requested political asylum in Greece, which later returned the helicopter to Turkey.

FAA Bans All Flights Between US and Turkey Indefinitely

07/18/2016

The Federal Aviation Administration has banned all flights between the United States and airports in Turkey. The indefinite ban took effect on Saturday in the wake of the failed coup attempt in Turkey that left 265 dead and over 2,000 injured.

US, Russia Consider First-Ever Coordination on Syrian Airstrikes

07/17/2016

Secretary of State John F. Kerry wrangled for hours with senior Russian officials in Moscow on Friday, discussing a plan that includes first-time coordination between the U.S. and Russia on airstrikes targeting militant groups operating in Syria. Late Friday, amid distractions over an unfolding military coup in NATO ally Turkey, Kerry announced agreement on a series of steps that he said, "if implemented in good faith," could ease the Syrian civil war, which has claimed nearly a half-million liv

FAA bans flights between the U.S. and Turkey

07/17/2016

The FAA banned all flights into and out of Turkey for U.S. aircraft on Saturday, one day after a coup attempt rocked the country that is a NATO member and critical U.S. ally. The agency issued a notice saying it was prohibiting all U.S. commercial and private aircraft from operating into or out of any airport in Turkey.

2 military aircraft to be sent to South Sudan to evacuate Indians

07/17/2016

India will send two C-17 military transport aircraft to war torn South Sudan's capital city Juba tomorrow to evacuate over 300 Indians stranded there, an exercise which will be led by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh. "The General takes charge again! 2 C-17s proceeding to Juba tomorrow with Gen_VKSingh leading evacuation from South Sudan," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

World won’t recognize Chinese no-fly zone, Carlisle says

07/17/2016

The U.S. and international community would not recognize China’s attempt to set up a no fly zone over the South China Sea, a top Air Force general said Wednesday. China has indicated it may declare an “air defense identification zone” or “ADIZ” that would give the Communist nation control of the airspace over the South China Sea and require any aircraft to get Chinese permission before entering the area.

Turkey Interrupts U.S. Air Missions Against ISIS at Major Base

07/17/2016

The Turkish authorities on Saturday halted, at least temporarily, all American-led strike missions against the Islamic State that had been flying from the Incirlik air base — the first major impact of the attempted coup on the broader allied campaign against the terrorist group, United States officials said.

Boeing awarded $127m deal for new Air Force One work

07/17/2016

Boeing will begin developing interior, power and electronic specifications for the next-generation “Air Force One” under a $127.3 million contract awarded by the US Air Force on 15 July. The award is intended to reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns before the USAF commits to full-scale development and procurement of up to three 747-8s, the Defense Department says in a contract award bulletin.

Will Japan Finally Get the 1,498 MPH F-22 Raptor, Command Air Superiority?

07/17/2016

Tokyo has long had ambitions to acquire the ultra-advanced fighter jet, but after US politics got in the way the aircraft’s production was phased out which means Japan would have to pay a hefty sum.

Russia Tests Parts of 6th Generation, Railgun Equipped Near Space Warplane

07/17/2016

Russia’s largest radio electronics manufacturer gave a glimpse into the future of Russian air superiority confirming on Monday that components for a sixth 6th generation fighter jet are being tested on the 5th generation PAK FA T-50 prototype.

It’s Official: ‘MQ-25A Stingray’ U.S. Navy’s Name For First Carrier UAV

07/16/2016

MQ-25A Stingray, service officials told USNI News this week. Approved following a lengthy U.S. Air Force Material Command process for not only for the official “designation” (MQ-25A) but also the “popular name” (Stingray), the service can now have an official title for the unmanned aerial vehicle that’s had several labels since late last year. The word came to the Navy via a July 11 memo from the Air Force.

Russia's PAK FA Stealth Fighter: The US Air Force's Worst Nightmare?

07/16/2016

The PAK FA has played the bugbear for Western air forces for nearly a decade, the terrifying Russian jet that will eat F-35s for breakfast. American aviation analysts in search of something, anything that might threaten U.S. air dominance settled on the PAK FA, a frankly evil looking jet that bore a very mild resemblance to the MiG-31 “Firefox” that Clint Eastwood made famous.

FARNBOROUGH: Successful show debut for Embraer KC-390

07/16/2016

Embraer’s developmental KC-390 tanker/transport is due to depart on a multinational demonstration tour in the coming days, following a successful debut at the Farnborough air show.

FARNBOROUGH: BAE wins 10-year Typhoon support deal

07/16/2016

BAE Systems has been awarded a new support deal for the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, that will for the first time allow cost savings achieved under the programme to be ploughed back into capability enhancement.

South Korean navy receives upgraded P-3C Orion

07/16/2016

The South Korean navy has taken delivery of the first of eight Lockheed Martin PC-3 Orion aircraft to be upgraded by Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD). The work saw the aircraft receive improved radar, communications, acoustic devices, and other digitized systems, says Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration in a statement.

Horror in Turkey as F-16 Shoots Down Helicopter, Forces Massacre Civilians

07/16/2016

Fighting has intensified in Turkey as forces loyal to President Erdogan shoot down a helicopter from an F-16 fighter jet while the military coup plotters have taken fire on mass crowds throughout Istanbul unleashing a wave of terror.

Russian Aerospace Forces Receive 4 Jets, 23 Helicopters, 15 Drones

07/16/2016

The Russian Aerospace Forces put into service four jets, 23 helicopters and 15 drones in the second quarter of 2016, Anatoly Gulyaev, head of the Armaments Department of the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Russian Defense Ministry to Obtain Seven Tu-95MS Strategic Bombers

07/16/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry will receive seven more modernized Tu-95MS strategic cruise missile carriers, Tupolev PJSC director general Alexander Konyukhov said Friday.