Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing Delivers F-22 Training Center with Advanced Visual System

01/09/2015

Boeing has improved the realism of ground-based F-22 Raptor training by delivering the first simulators for that aircraft with an immersive, 360-degree visual environment. Two simulators were installed, each paired with the Constant Resolution Visual System (CRVS), Boeing’s patented display that provides high-resolution imagery for pilots to train with nearly 20/20 acuity.

4 airmen disciplined after June friendly fire incident in Afghanistan

01/08/2015

Four airmen were disciplined through administrative means for their role in a friendly fire incident last June in Afghanistan. Five American soldiers and one Afghan soldier were killed June 9 in Zabul province when a B-1B Lancer dropped a bomb on them, mistakenly believing they were insurgents. An investigative report by U.S. Central Command investigating officer Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian.

Drone Rules in Afghanistan Go Unchanged, And Other Reasons the War Isn't Really Over

01/08/2015

Though many Americans may not have realized it, December 28th marked what the U.S. government called the official end of the war in Afghanistan. That war has been the longest in U.S. history – but despite the new announcement that the formal conflict is over, America's war there is far from finished.

American aircraft carriers will peak in 2024

01/08/2015

The United States possesses more, bigger and more heavily-armed warships than any other country. By some measures, the U.S. Navy maintains a 13-navy standard. In other words, it can deploy as much combat power as the next 13 largest fleets combined. And in one very important respect, the American fleet is actually at a temporary low point — and will only grow more powerful in the coming decade.

New Navy PBL contract for F414 engine components for GE Aviation

01/08/2015

The U.S. Navy has contracted GE Aviation for the repair, replacement and support of components in F414 engines used by its fleet of F-18 aircraft. The contract is a three-year performance based logistics award with a value of $460 million and is the latest in a series of PBL awards for the F414 given to the company since 2002.

Make-in-India: Plan to develop 5th-generation fighter aircraft

01/08/2015

India plans to kick-off its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) development project this year to build on the expertise gained in the long developmental saga of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft. Top defence sources on Wednesday said the preliminary design stage of the futuristic fighter called the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), with collaboration among IAF, DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency, is now "virtually" over.

Cubic to Support Stealth Systems in F-35 Combat Training

01/07/2015

Cubic Corp. has been awarded a series of contracts from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to produce and add enhancements to the Air Combat Training System (ACTS) of the F-35 fighter jet, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Unlike the wing-mounted pods used on fourth generation fighters, the F-35 version of the P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS) incorporates an internally mounted subsystem that enables the fifth generation jet to maintain its stealth characteristics while training.

Governors to keep fighting plans to strip Guard of aircraft

01/07/2015

The nation's governors plan to continually press Army leadership to let the National Guard keep its assets after a bitter battle last year when the service said it would move helicopters out of the Guard. The Army originally planned to consolidate the Guard's Apache attack helicopters into the active duty, while the Guard would receive several hundred Black Hawks and retain its Lakota multi-use helicopters.

Spending chief welcomes fighter jet milestone

01/07/2015

Bernard Gray, the Chief of Defence Materiel, said the military is on target for operational capability on land and at sea with the aircraft. It comes after the MoD signed the contract for the first 14 jets, some of which will fly from HMS Queen Elizabeth when she is based in Portsmouth. Mr Gray said: ‘Signing the contract paves the way for the first batch of operational combat aircraft.

How to design the fighter cockpit of tomorrow

01/07/2015

If you think your office needs a lick of paint and some new furniture, spare a thought for fighter pilots. Those who fly fighter aircraft like the F-16 or the Tornado are still, in effect, working in a 1970s office - because that's when those aircraft were originally designed.

North Korea's Missiles Able to Reach US Mainland: South Korea

01/07/2015

The South Korean Defense Ministry has said in a white paper that North Korea is in possession of missiles that could reach the US mainland, Xinhua reported Tuesday. "[North Korea has the] capability to threaten the US mainland," an extract from the document read, as quoted by the news agency.

Israeli Lavi trainer squadron nears readiness

01/06/2015

An Israeli air force squadron equipped with Alenia Aermacchi M-346 "Lavi" advanced jet trainers is close to being declared operational, having already received nine aircraft from an eventual 30-strong fleet. Israel's first M-346 landed at Hazerim air base in the south of the country last July, and deliveries are continuing on schedule.

The Fog of War Just Got Thicker: U.S. Warplanes Have Trouble Communicating with Each Other

01/06/2015

Even after over a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, America’s armed services field incompatible aviation technology that hinders battlefield communication between U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps combat aircraft. The Pentagon is making an effort to fix the problem, but whether it will succeed is an open question.

Ancient India knew aerial combat techniques

01/06/2015

The Indian Air Force is struggling to fill its hangers with good quality fighter planes made in India as indigenous efforts for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) conceived more than three decades ago are yet to make it to service standards. This, in a country whose ancient scientists had conceived workable fighter planes thousands of years ago.

US Wants Permanent Troops Deployment at Military Base in Spain: Reports

01/06/2015

The United States has asked Spain to grant permanent status for the deployment of US troops at the joint-use Morón Air Base in Spanish Andalusia, El Pais said Monday, citing a letter from US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. According to the newspaper, Hagel wrote a letter to Spanish authorities proposing to introduce changes to the 1988 Agreement on Defense Cooperation between the US and Spain in order to “turn Morón de la Frontera into a permanent base for responding on crises in Africa.”

No Foreign Aircraft Violated Russian Airspace in 2014: Defense Ministry

01/06/2015

No violations of Russian airspace have been registered in the past year, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Klimov said Saturday. “In 2014… no violations of state borders by foreign aircraft or breach of air rules by domestic users were registered,” Klimov stated.

Special Forces Calling In Airstrikes In Iraq

01/05/2015

U.S. Special Operations Forces are in the fight in Iraq against ISIL (Islamic State), but not in the way you might think. According to Gary Boucher, outgoing spokesperson at the Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve - these Special Operations Forces (SOF) are currently partnered with Kurdish Regional Government Forces, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service.

Welcome to Cold War 2.0: Russia’s New and Improved Military Doctrine

01/05/2015

As if more evidence were needed that the United States and Russia have indeed embarked upon a New Cold War, the news comes that Russia has revised its military doctrine for the first time since 2010. Decrying what it sees as Western efforts to turn Ukraine into a "front line of confrontation,” the revised doctrine would allow for Russia to deploy precision conventional weapons “as part of strategic deterrent measures” against what it sees as its principal threat: NATO.

Saudi Arabia offers surplus F-5s for sale

01/05/2015

Saudi Arabia is looking to offload its remaining Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II combat aircraft, according to a solicitation posted online on 18 December. The proposed sale, details of which were posted on the AvBuyer website, will see the Kingdom divest itself of 79 F-5 aircraft that it procured in the 1970s and 1980s.

‘Empowered’ French Delegation May Visit India

01/05/2015

Paris has indicated that it will try to carry forward the much-delayed talks in order to strike the deal as soon as possible. The signing of the deal will allow France to export 126 Rafale fighter aircraft to the South Asian country. India is yet to finalise the deal with France as it is looking at the option of acquiring more Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets from Russia.

Islamic State weakened by stronger coalition forces

01/05/2015

Will the Islamic State last through 2015? It seems unlikely. At least, not as the effective force it represented in 2014, especially after its June 9 conquest of Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq. By the end of 2014, after initial successes on several fronts in both Iraq and Syria, ISIS forces began to be pushed back on several fronts.

Air Guard readies for busy year, fight to stay relevant

01/05/2015

The state Air National Guard hopes that 73 words signed into law on Dec. 16 by President Obama as part of a $1.1 trillion spending bill represent a commitment to modernize its eight aging C-130s and keep it in business past mid-2020. At that time, the planes will need to have been upgraded to be able to fly in a satellite-based navigation and air traffic control system that is becoming the world standard. But first, the planes have to survive likely Air Force cuts in the Air Guard’s C-130 fleet.

U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says

01/05/2015

The U.S. Air Force’s fleet of drones is being strained to the “breaking point,” according to senior military officials and an internal service memo acquired by The Daily Beast. And it’s happening right when the unmanned aircraft are most needed to fight ISIS. The Air Force has enough MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones. It’s just doesn’t have the manpower to operate those machines.

USAF newsmakers of 2014

01/05/2015

Here we retell and update the stories of people and events that were top newsmakers in 2014. Expect some of them to continue to make news in 2015.

Oxygen boost for fighter plane in air soon

01/05/2015

Every fighter pilot will be able to stay airborne for longer durations as the plane will be able to replenish its supply of oxygen in air itself in the not-toodistant future. On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) — developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce oxygen in air — will allow pilots to fly without the aid of heavy oxygen cylinders.