Military Aviation News Archive

US, Germany to Carry Observation Flight Over Russia

03/02/2015

The United States and Germany will carry joint observation flight over the Russian territory within the framework of the Treaty on Open Skies, Sergei Ryzhkov, the head of Russia’s National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, told journalists.

Pentagon Launches Electronic Warfare Study: Growler Line At Stake

02/28/2015

The Pentagon has launched a wide-ranging study of electronic warfare, looking across the services at major platforms such as the EA-18G Growler and the F-35’s three versions. “We are doing right now in the Department of Defense a study that looks at all electronic attack[:] what is the situation in electromagnetic warfare across the spectrum in our maneuver,” Adm. Jonathan Greenert told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee yesterday.

Lockheed, Sikorsky venture awarded $2.0 billion helicopter support deal

02/28/2015

The U.S. Navy has awarded a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) and Sikorsky Helicopter a contract worth $2 billion to service the Navy's H-60 helicopters through Jan. 31, 2020, the Pentagon announced on Friday. The fixed-price contract covers "performance-based logistics" on 1,710 assemblies and components, and covers the repair, modification, overhaul and replacement of hardware for the Navy's fleet of H-60 helicopters.

James: In-Demand Air Force Experiences Strain

02/28/2015

The Air Force is requesting $10 billion above what sequestration-level funding provides in order to support its global responsibilities, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James told members of the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee here today. James said the potential return of sequestration jeopardizes the Air Force’s ability to sustain its various global missions and hampers its ability to focus on its main priorities: people, modernization and stewardship.

Battle of Mosul: Iraqis face ferocious enemy

02/28/2015

Are the Iraqis up to the fight? That's the question that will preoccupy senior U.S. military leaders for the next few months as a small team of Americans tries to prepare a massive force of Iraqis for the decisive Battle of Mosul. U.S. officials hope to launch the invasion of Iraq's second largest city in April or May with a force of 20,000 to 25,000 Iraqi soldiers.

High-tech US hardware can minimize the risk of pilot capture in ISIS air war

02/28/2015

The horrific killing of captured Jordanian Air Force Lieutenant Muath al-Kaseasbeh by Islamic State militants has highlighted the risks coalition pilots face as they fly combat missions against ISIS positions in Iraq and Syria. Lt. Muath al-Kasaesbeh was flying a Jordanian F-16 against an ISIS target in northern Syria when the fighter jet became the first aircraft lost since the U.S.-led coalition began air strikes against ISIS in Syria.

India placed orders worth Rs 83,858 crore for military purchases from 2011 to 2014

02/28/2015

India have spent big from the 2011 fiscal year to the last fiscal year on the Army, Air Force and Navy for procuring arms, weapons and other defence-related systems. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the three services have placed orders worth Rs 83,858 crore. During this period, India's own defence sector earned Rs 69 crore by export of military hardware.

Taiwan’s military strength ranked 15th in global poll

02/28/2015

Taiwan’s military strength ranks 15th in the world and ninth in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of conventional war-making capability across land, sea and air, according to a survey conducted by military Web site Global Firepower. The nation’s ranking has fluctuated between 14th and 18th since 2009, peaking at 14th in 2011 and 2012 and last year standing at 17th, according to the Web site.

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM ONE OF THE FIRST FEMALE FIGHTER PILOTS

02/28/2015

On the surface, it might not seem like Carey Lohrenz's old office has much in common with the rhythms and interactions found in the typical modern workplace. That’s because, back in the '90s, her job as a naval aviator meant she spent most of her time in the cockpit of an F-14 Tomcat, a beast of a fighter jet armed to the teeth with a machine gun and missiles with a range of more than 100 miles.

US, Coalition Forces Conduct 31 Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

02/28/2015

United States and anti-Islamic State coalition military forces launched 31 airstrikes against the militant group in Syria and Iraq, destroying significant number of fighters, equipment and infrastructure, a US Defense Department said in a statement on Friday. “Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 20 airstrikes in Syria,” the statement said, adding that 11 airstrikes were conducted in Iraq.

Workers at Boeing say goodbye to C-17 with last major join Thursday

02/27/2015

“Nothing lasts forever.” That’s the message a Boeing plant worker scrawled on the fuselage of the 279th and final C-17 Globemaster aircraft being assembled Thursday at the Long Beach manufacturing plant where the mammoth aircraft has been built for roughly a quarter century. Thursday was the day when workers gathered to participate in — or at least watch — the last “major join” of a C-17 Globemaster that is ever expected to take place.

Delay on Rafale deal to give FGFA shot in the arm

02/27/2015

With uncertainty looming large over the signing of multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal, finalization of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) deal is likely to gather pace. The government had signed a joint development programme for FGFA with Russia.

AVALON: RAAF A330 MRTT makes strong combat debut

02/27/2015

As a Royal Australian Air Force Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) continues to support operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the service is placing a major emphasis on getting the type's long-delayed boom refuelling capability on-line.

Lockheed Martin Australia To Deliver Modern, Affordable C-130J Training Solutions To Royal Australian Air Force

02/27/2015

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has awarded Lockheed Martin Australia a contract to supply a modern C-130J-30 Virtual Maintenance Trainer and a Multi-Function Training Aid (MFTA) to support maintenance and aircrew training at RAAF Base Richmond. Through this major upgrade, the RAAF will have a standardised curriculum tailored for its operations and based on decades of C-130 training innovation by Lockheed Martin.

UAE Announces Record Military Acquisitions Amid Rising Security Concerns

02/27/2015

The UAE spent 18.33 billion dirhams ($5 billion) on deals signed with local and international arms dealers at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in the capital Abu Dhabi, Reuters reported. The amount was the most spent since the IDEX began in the early 1900s, and a 30% increase from the last event, held in 2013.

US Starts Flying Its Most Advanced Spy Planes Over South China Sea

02/27/2015

The strategic waters of the South China Sea are claimed by a confusing collection of various nations. The region’s strongest – and most vocal – stakeholder is China. On Thursday, the US Navy admitted that it is monitoring the area, launching its most advanced spy plane out of the Philippines.

Saudis to Allow Israeli Jets Airspace for Strikes on Iran – Report

02/26/2015

Saudi Arabia has now offered to let Israeli fighter jets use its airspace to attack Iran when necessary, in exchange for Israel making progress in the peace talks with Palestinians, a senior European source told Israeli Channel 2. “The Saudi authorities are completely coordinated with Israel on all matters related to Iran,” the European official in Brussels said.

Now Obama Must Arm Ukraine

02/26/2015

Ukraine and its allies hope this month’s cease-fire deal with Russia and Russian-backed rebels brings relative calm to southeastern Ukraine. But the Minsk agreement is deeply flawed, and there is every chance it may yet unravel, even if it holds for the short term. The accord’s greatest flaw is in letting Russia maintain unsupervised control of Ukraine’s border in the Donbass region until the end of the year.

U.A.E. Seeking to Fill Defense Needs at Home

02/26/2015

One of the world’s biggest weapons buyers, the United Arab Emirates, is revamping its burgeoning defense industry to lessen the country’s dependence on foreign arms-makers, just as Western firms scramble for deals in the Middle East. The U.A.E. is merging more than a dozen local, state-owned defense equipment suppliers, aiming to be more self-reliant in outfitting its armed forces.

Army Not Interested in Taking A-10 Warthogs from Air Force

02/26/2015

The U.S. Army has no interest in taking over the Air Force's fleet of A-10 attack planes, even if it would save the venerable Cold War-era aircraft from the bone yard. The service's top civilian, Army Secretary John McHugh, rejected the idea of accepting hand-me-down A-10 Warthogs from the Air Force. "No chance," he said during a breakfast meeting with reporters on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. "That's not even been a topic of casual conversation."

Navy Mulls Expanding Growler’s Future After Blanking EA-18G’s Budget

02/26/2015

The Navy continues to evaluate whether it will need more EA-18G Growler electronic jamming aircraft on the deck of a carrier even though service officials chose to include no new Growlers in its 2016 defense budget request. The current configuration for an aircraft carrier’s air wing includes five Growler aircraft per squadron; however, an ongoing evaluation of the jamming aircraft is leading the service to consider increasing this number to seven or eight per squadron.

Military pilots escape serious injury after crash

02/25/2015

The following statement was released by the United States Military. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing F/A-18 Hornet that crashed earlier yesterday near Statenville, Ga., was conducting low-altitude tactics training when the mishap occurred. The pilot, Maj. Roy Nicka, and the weapons systems officer, 1st. Lt. Robert Reynolds, escaped serious injury when they ejected from the aircraft, and were treated for minor injuries at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga. There are no reports of injuries

Pilatus delivers additional PC-21 trainer to Royal Saudi Air Force

02/25/2015

Pilatus Aircraft has shipped another PC-21 expanded envelope trainer aircraft off its final assembly line for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). The aircraft represents the 100th turboprop trainer PC-21 to be rolled off the company's final assembly line in Switzerland, and an overall 1000th aircraft to have been manufactured to date by Pilatus.

Saab Bets on Cost-Conscious Weapons Buyers

02/25/2015

Exporting combat jets is a multibillion-dollar business involving some of the biggest names in the global defense industry. U.S., French and British competitors dominate the trade, often banking on their political leaders to court potential customers, from Latin America to Asia. And then there’s Sweden. With little in the way of a global marketing machine, the tiny Nordic country has had outsize success in winning export orders. That’s thanks to Saab AB’s Gripen combat jet.

USMC MV-22 Osprey and KC-10 aircraft conduct first in-flight refuelling

02/25/2015

The US Marine Corps' (USMC) MV-22 Osprey has conducted a first in-flight refuelling with a US Air Force KC-10 aircraft. Refuelling was carried out as part of Cobra Gold 2015, which involved five MV-22 Ospreys. The aircraft flew more than 2,200nm, travelling from Clark Air Base, the Philippines to Utapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand. During this process, the KC-10 aircraft delivered 40,000lb of fuel in mid-flight.