Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

FARNBOROUGH: Saab boss reports record interest in Gripen

07/13/2016

Less than two months on from the roll-out of its new-generation Gripen E, Saab is seeing unprecedented interest in its fighter at the show, says chief executive Håkan Buskhe.“So many people are visiting us – we’ve probably never had so many,” Bushke says. “There is extremely strong interest in how we can provide that capability while being so lean,” he adds, noting that the company will complete development of the Gripen E for less than $2 billion.

FARNBOROUGH: Scorpion jet offered for UK training deal

07/13/2016

Textron AirLand’s Scorpion jet has emerged as an early contender for a significant military training deal in the UK, with the versatile type to be offered under a new teaming agreement with Qinetiq and Thales. First details of the UK’s Air Support to Defence Operational Training (ASDOT) requirement emerged earlier this year, with a new capability expected to enter use in January 2020.

After South China Sea Ruling, Beijing Unveils New Guided-Missile Destroyer

07/13/2016

On the same day that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, Beijing has commissioned its fourth guided-missile destroyer.

France Puts Off India by Proposing New Conditions for Rafale Deal

07/13/2016

Inter-government talks between India and France on the purchase of Rafale fighter planes have hit another major roadblock as France has reportedly proposed an arrangement that India is most likely to reject outright.

Russian Mi-38 Multirole Choppers Catch Contractors’ Eye at Farnborough

07/13/2016

Russian-made Mi-38 multirole civil helicopters attracted the attention of foreign buyers at Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom, the manufacturer said Tuesday.

Israeli Firms Eye Growing Market for Combat-Capable Utility Helos

07/12/2016

Israel’s top three defense firms are jockeying for a substantial share of an aerospace sector that each believes is bound to surge in coming years: the conversion of heavy utility helicopters to self-defending, multirole combat/transport aircraft. Given the glut of shoulder-fired missiles on the black market and the growing need to move troops in and out of high-threat areas, executives here say demand to upgrade the thousands of heavy transports operating around the globe is set to expand.

Russia Offers India Nuclear Aircraft Carrier

07/12/2016

Russia has offered its nuclear aircraft carrier, dubbed "Storm," to India for purchase, a senior Indian Navy official said. The offer comes as India and the US discuss the transfer of technology for India's future nuclear aircraft carrier, the INS Vishal. A diplomat with the Russian Embassy confirmed that a Russian team visiting India last week made the offer.

F-35 Program Announces Phase II Cost Reduction Initiatives

07/12/2016

The Department of Defense announced two initiatives with industry to reduce F-35 Lightning II production and sustainment costs today. The first is a two-year extension of the “Blueprint for Affordability for Production” program announced in 2014, and the second is the creation of a similar concept to reduce the operation and sustainment costs of the F-35 weapon system.

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.