Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

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.