Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US to Continue Training Ukraine Security Forces in Autumn

07/26/2015

Washington plans to continue training Ukraine’s defense personnel in the autumn 2015 in the West of the country, US State Department Deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said on Friday. “The United States intends to continue training Ukrainian security forces this fall in western Ukraine,” Toner said during a press briefing.

Russian Navy to Get Over 20 Ship-Borne Fighter Jets by Year-End

07/26/2015

The aviation branch of the Russian Navy will get more than 20 new ship-borne MiG-29K fighters by the end of 2015, the Defense Ministry’s press service said. The warplanes will serve as a backbone for a new aviation unit within the Northern Feet.

Philippines Boosts Military Spending to Record Highs Amid S. China Sea Row

07/22/2015

The proposed 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino is to present to parliament for approval on Monday, would reserve a record 25 billion pesos ($552 million) for defense spending, Agence France-Presse reported.

Lockheed Martin to acquire United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft Unit

07/20/2015

Lockheed Martin Corp., the largest U.S. weapons maker, has agreed to buy United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky Aircraft unit, the maker of Black Hawk helicopters, for more than $8-billion (U.S.), a source familiar with the negotiations said on Sunday. The two companies plan to announce the deal on Monday before both report second-quarter results on Tuesday, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Russia Orders 'Submarine-Killer' Be-200 Amphibious Aircraft For Production By 2020, Official Says

07/20/2015

The Russian navy plans to purchase a “submarine-killer” version of its Be-200 amphibious aircraft by 2020, an unnamed official said Sunday. President Vladimir Putin has made the modernization of Russia’s military aircraft a priority as part of a larger plan to revamp the armed forces by the end of the decade.

Intrigues Surround Militants’ Shooting Of Nigerian Military Plane With Ukrainian Mercenaries

07/20/2015

A shroud of secrecy appears to surround the shooting down last week of a military plane allegedly carrying Ukrainian mercenaries. Nigerian military officials as well as Ukrainian diplomats deflected questions on the attack in which five occupants of a surveillance plane, according to details provided to SaharaReporters by a military source.

Pacific Fleet commander signals intent by joining flight over South China Sea

07/20/2015

The new commander of the United States Pacific Fleet took part in a seven-hour “surveillance mission” over the disputed South China Sea over the weekend, a move that could spark another diplomatic row with China. The fleet said via Facebook yesterday that Admiral Scott Swift, who arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a four-day visit, was aboard the P-8A Poseidon aircraft on Saturday “to witness firsthand the full range of the Poseidon’s capabilities”.

Philippine Military Upgrade Stalls

07/20/2015

A push by the Philippines to overhaul its obsolete military has ground to a halt just as the U.S. ally is striving to deter China in the disputed waters between them. A string of programs collectively valued at $1 billion stalled early last year, according to military officials and executives involved in Philippine defense deals.

Critics of Iran Nuclear Deal Target Arms

07/20/2015

Critics of the nuclear deal with Iran have expanded their attacks to provisions they say that could allow Tehran to vastly improve its abilities to provide conventional weapons to its allies. The deal reached in Vienna last week restricting Iran’s nuclear program in return for lifting economic sanctions will give Tehran a financial windfall of tens of billions of dollars.

UK Leaders Highlight Need To Boost ISTAR

07/20/2015

Britain's upcoming strategic defense and security review (SDSR) could boost surveillance assets after the prime minister, the defense secretary and the chief of the Defence Staff last week all said they support spending in the sector.

Super Tucano, Embraer Soaring in Africa

07/20/2015

African demand for Embraer Defense and Security's flagship A-29 Super Tucano light attack/trainer turbo-prop aircraft is set to surge as economically strained countries seeking cheaper multirole aircraft settle for its lower price tag, operational simplicity and ease of maintenance, a senior African military analyst said.

Russia to Hold Observation Flights Over Baltics, Land Inspection in Latvia

07/20/2015

Russia’s observation aircraft will fly over Latvian and Lithuanian territories, while Russian inspectors will visit portions of Latvian territory as part of mutual transparency agreements, the head of the Russian National Center for Reducing the Nuclear Threat said.

Israel wants US 'compensation' for Iran nuclear deal

07/18/2015

Israel is preparing to deliver a list of aircraft and weapons it wants from the USA as a “compensation package” for the recent agreement with Iran that limited Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The pact between Iran and the USA, Europe, China and Russia was signed on 14 July in Vienna and sees sanctions – including those preventing the sale of commercial aircraft – lifted on the nation in return for a halt to the country’s nuclear weapons programme.

Several types of missiles being developed for Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2 bombers — ministry

07/18/2015

Several types of new aircraft missiles are being developed for the Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bombers, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Friday. "Yes, certainly," he said, answering a question if a new missile was being developed. "It will be not one, but several types of missiles - both in terms of the range and capacity. Several [missiles] are being developed," the deputy minister said during a visit to the Kazan-based Gorbunov Aviation Plant (branch of JSC Tupolev).

Philippines to station fighter planes, frigates at Subic Bay

07/18/2015

The Philippines will station new fighter jets and two frigates at the former US naval facility in Subic Bay from early next year, officials said, the first time the massive installation has functioned as a military base in 23 years. Using Subic Bay would allow the Philippine air force and navy to respond more effectively to Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, security experts said.

SECRET SORTIES: UK AIRCRAFT IN ACTION OVER SYRIA DESPITE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE AGAINST INTERVENTION

07/18/2015

British pilots have been taking part in coalition bombing raids against the Islamic State in Syria, a freedom of information request has revealed. Flight by British pilot officers across war-zone Syria in apparent defiance of a 2013 commons vote to not commit UK forces to the country has caused consternation today, with members of parliament and human rights activists questioning the activity.

How We Know Russia Shot Down MH17

07/18/2015

One year after 298 civilians fell to earth over eastern Ukraine, Putin’s regime is still denying culpability. Here’s definitive evidence to the contrary. It’s been a year since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot out of the sky, killing all 298 civilians onboard.

Squadron re-activated at Hill Air Force Base to fly F-35A

07/18/2015

Five years ago, the 34th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force was taken out of active duty to save money. Friday, it was put back into action at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, getting combat-ready to fly the Air Forces’ newest fighter jet: the F-35A. “It’s like flying the future. The growth potential in this airplane is amazing,” said Col. David Lyons. He handed off command of the 34th at the re-activation ceremony on the base.

Engineers complete ground tests of Storm Shadow on Euroflighter Typhoon military jet

07/18/2015

Engineers at Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi in Turin-Caselle, Italy, and at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, completed a series of ground-based tests of the Eurofighter Typhoon with MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, in preparation for flight trials to take place in the U.K. later this year.

Boeing to Recognize Charge for the KC-46 Tanker Program in Second Quarter

07/18/2015

The Boeing Company announced today it will recognize a charge on the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker program when it announces second-quarter 2015 results on July 22. The after-tax charge of $536 million ($0.77 per share) reflects higher estimated engineering and manufacturing costs to complete development, certification and initial production of the tanker aircraft, while holding to the program schedule for initial production deliveries in 2017.

Eurofighter Completes Flight Trials on New Typhoon Enhancements

07/18/2015

In an effort to keep the 25-year-old Eurofighter Typhoon competitive against the Russian Su-35, Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has finished flight tests of the jet’s improved maneuverability.

Yemen Government Forces Claim to Have Captured Aden

07/18/2015

Members of Yemen’s exiled government say Saudi-backed fighters have recaptured the strategic port city of Aden from Houthi rebels on Friday, marking a significant shift in an intense conflict that has torn the country apart. But Houthi leaders are contesting the claim, saying the fight is still on.

L-3 to deliver Rivet Joint aircraft to UKL-3 to deliver Rivet Joint aircraft to UK

07/17/2015

It was expected that the second aircraft will be available for deployment within eight weeks of delivery, the MoD spokesman said. "We can confirm we are committed to delivering the maximum output in support of UK interests as quickly as is practical," the spokesman said.

Australians provide Soldiers 'danger close' air support

07/17/2015

The Army relies on its partners to win in an increasingly complex world. Such was the case demonstrated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 15 in Australia, which is going on from July 4 -19. Lt. Col. Matt Hardman and his 400 paratroopers, from the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, had just jumped from seven C-17 Globemasters, two of which were Royal Australian Air Force, or RAAF.

Primes Line Up to Compete for JSTARS Recap Program

07/17/2015

The next version of the Air Force’s joint surveillance and attack radar aircraft will have a smaller airframe, along with updated radar, communications and battle management suites. But JSTARS is a recapitalization program, not something new, Col. David Learned, the program’s senior material leader said.