Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Lithuania reports five Russian aircraft intercepted by NATO in last week

05/04/2016

NATO scrambled its fighter jets conducting the Air Policing Mission five times to intercept military aircraft of the Russian Federation in international airspace over the Baltic Sea from April 25 to April 30, reports Lithuania's National Defence Ministry.

Japan to Provide Military Aircraft to Philippines

05/04/2016

Japan will lease military aircraft to the Philippines in another sign of deepening security ties between the two former foes to counter Beijing's increasing regional influence. The agreement was made Monday afternoon during telephone talks between Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin, the ministry said.

Textron demonstrates VTOL Aerosonde as it snags US Army Shadow contract

05/04/2016

Textron Systems says it has successfully demonstrated a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) with its Aerosonde unmanned air vehicle using the hybrid quadcopter technology that it is pursuing along with Latitude Engineering and Cloud Cap Technology.

The U.S. Army’s Lethal High-Speed Helicopters of the Future

05/04/2016

The Army is preparing for the first official flights of two high-tech, next-generation aircraft now being designed with a wide range of abilities to include flying faster, flying farther without needing to refuel, operating in high-hot conditions and having an ability to both reach high speeds and hover like a helicopter.

Lockheed Martin (LMT) Receives $1.27 Billion Contract For F-35 Lightning II Aircraft

05/04/2016

Lockheed Martin Corp. has been awarded a $1.27 billion contract to deliver F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday. The Marine Corps will receive six F-35B aircraft, Air Force will get three F-35As and the Navy will take the delivery of four F-35Cs.

India Crafts Naval Technology Plan

05/04/2016

The Indian Navy has finalized a plan to acquire 100 cutting-edge technologies in the next 15 years to build its war-fighting capabilities, but how realistic that will be is a million-dollar question. The 15-year prospective plan unveiled last month calls for acquiring a range of futuristic technologies.

Why advocates say 174 is the magic number for future B-21 bomber purchases

05/04/2016

Congress recently included language in draft defense spending authorization legislation that would nudge the U.S. Air Force to consider upping its future orders of B-21 Long-Range Strike Bombers. Independent experts say the Pentagon should rethink its planned purchase of 100 bombers and potentially double them.

The Marines Are Running Out of Fighter Jets

05/04/2016

The U.S. Marine Corps has got an air force problem. Its current fleet of fighter jets, purchased from the 1980s to the mid-1990s, is in poor repair. And a new fleet of of vertical-launching F-35 stealth fighters that the Marines have been waiting years to put into action is coming on-line too slowly to keep up flying units’ strength.

Parliamentary Panel Expresses 'Displeasure' Over Delay In Rafale Deal

05/04/2016

As negotiations between India and France for the sale of 36 Rafale jet fighters are on, a parliamentary panel today expressed its displeasure over the non-conclusion of the deal. Parliament's standing committee for the defence ministry said in its report: "The committee are unhappy to note that although a considerable time has elapsed, negotiations with France on Rafale (fighter aircraft) could not be taken to a logical end."

Pakistan to Abandon F-16 Purchase Plans Unless US Subsidizes Deal

05/04/2016

As part of a deal valued at $699 million, Washington agreed to sell Islamabad up to eight Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, in addition to radar and other equipment. Much of the cost would be covered by the US government’s Foreign Military Financing fund, with Pakistan paying some $270 million.

The South China Sea and Beijing’s Rebuttal: US Stennis Aircraft Carrier Denied Entry to Hong Kong

05/03/2016

Beijing denied a US aircraft carrier permission to make a port call in Hong Kong, a US consulate official says, a rejection that comes amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry told the US on Thursday night the visit by the USS John C. Stennis would not be allowed, said the official, who requested anonymity.

‘Deep Targets’: On the Ground With British, US Drone Forces Targeting ISIS

05/03/2016

Framed by a matted khaki sky, a Royal Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone armed with four Hellfire missiles and two GBU-12 laser-guided bombs takes off from this undisclosed location. The unmanned aircraft is on its way to Iraq or Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition air war against the Islamic State, the terrorist army also known as ISIS. There is a 16.1 percent chance the Reaper will return to this base with fewer rockets and bombs, according to RAF data.

Prestigious fighter pilot critical of showdown between F-35 and A-10

05/03/2016

While critics of the F-35 welcome a showdown with the purpose-built ground-attack A-10, US fighter pilot Lt. Colonel Joshua Wood doesn’t share the same enthusiasm. As commander of the US Air Force’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron — a division tasked with developing new tactics for frontline fighters — Lt. Wood believes the showdown would not deliver any reasonable insights as results could be skewed.

Use of US Army, Contract Aircraft Maintainers Out of Whack

05/03/2016

The US Army wants to find the right balance between when it uses soldier and contract maintainers for its fleet of aircraft, but right now the levels are “out of balance,” according to the new Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) leader. “I think we are contractor heavy,” Brig. Gen. Doug Gabram said at the Army Aviation Association of America’s Mission Solutions Summit on Friday.

U.S., NATO Look to Combat an Aggressive Russia

05/03/2016

The U.S. and its NATO allies are dusting off their old playbooks this week during a trip abroad by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, citing the myriad threats facing Europe as the impetus for the Pentagon's pushing the Cold War alliance back onto a continental war footing.

Flying America’s Lethal A-10 Warthog

05/03/2016

Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “flying tank” in the sky -- able to hover over ground war and provide life-saving close air support in high-threat combat environments.

Afghan A-29 COIN fighters begin combat operations

05/03/2016

For the first time since the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the AAF has engaged in live combat using modern-day fixed-wing combat aircraft. In April, the Afghan Air Force (AAF) reached a major milestone in its development. For the first time since the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the AAF has engaged in live combat using modern-day fixed-wing combat aircraft.

India becomes 11th International Customer for LONGBOW LLC’s Apache Radar

05/03/2016

The U.S. Army awarded LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LLC) a $57.1 million foreign military sale contract to provide the Indian Air Force with LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems for their new Apache AH-64E helicopters. LONGBOW LLC is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

US Approves $30Mln Sale of Hellfire Missiles to France

05/03/2016

The US State Department has approved a possible $30-million worth sale of air-to-surface Hellfire Missiles and associated equipment to France, the Defense Cooperation Agency said in a press release on Monday. "The estimated MDE [Major Defense Equipment] cost in this amendment is $25 million. The total estimated cost is $30 million," the release stated.

Here's Exactly How Congress Wants To Measure The A-10 Warthog's Replacement

05/02/2016

America’s ancient but venerable flying tank, the A-10 Warthog, is on the budgetary chopping block. Congress is fighting to keep it flying, and has laid out exactly what they want to see out of any potential replacement jet. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (H.R. 1735) proposed by House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry proposes that the A-10 be protected from retirement until the end of 2016.

Turkish Violations Over Greek Air Space During Holy Week

05/01/2016

Turkish violations in the Aegean continued on Good Friday when a Turkish military aircraft flew over Inousses and Panagia. The Turkish military aircraft violated the Athens FIR when it flew over the island of Inousses at a low altitude at 10:53, 10:56 and 11:00. Four minutes later, it flew over the islet of Panagia, east of Inousses. The Turkish aircraft was recognized and intercepted by Greek military aircraft.

Flight of Fancy? Ukraine Considers Building 'Domestic' Multirole Fighter

05/01/2016

Last week, Petro Poroshenko announced that Ukraine's defense enterprises would soon create a new engine for the country's fighter jets. Unfortunately, the engines would still be attached to Russian MiG and Sukhoi airplanes. Therefore, Ukrainian media have also reported that the defense industry could also produce Ukrainian-designed aircraft.

Russian defends jet fighter 'barrel roll over US reconnaissance plane'

05/01/2016

Russia said on Saturday it had sent a fighter plane on Friday to intercept a US aircraft approaching its border over the Baltic Sea because the American plane had turned off its transponder, which is needed for identification.

The Futuristic Aircraft That May Replace the Black Hawk Will Fly Next Year

05/01/2016

Next year will bring the first flights of the prototype rotorcraft vying to replace the Army’s venerable Black Hawk and other helicopters. But don’t expect the futuristic aircraft to hit battlefields for another decade and a half — unless their manufacturers find other customers first.

Fierce Dragon Wheeler-Dealers Pounding Sri Lanka Air Force

05/01/2016

A former Air Force Chief and an infamous big business wheeler-dealer are attempting to influence the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to acquire multi-role JF-17 ‘Fierce Dragon’ fighter aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan, at a higher rate, an Air Force inside source said. The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said a JF-17 will cost the SLAF a staggering US $ 29 million while the same aircraft from a reputed manufacturer in Russia would cost between US $ 20-25 million.