Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Reform Pentagon Acquisition By Slowing Down the F-35

02/13/2015

Sen. John McCain, and Ashton Carter, the incoming next defense secretary, agree on one thing – the need for acquisition reform at the Pentagon. They should start by looking at the F-35 program. McCain, in his opening remarks at Carter’s confirmation hearing last week, provided a litany of examples of major programs that had incurred huge cost overruns, from a new aircraft carrier to the F-35 combat aircraft. His basic message was that if the Pentagon doesn’t change the way it buys weapons.

Chinese Military May Not Be the Juggernaut Some Assert It Is

02/13/2015

Washington can sometimes seem like a bunker, where assorted think tanks regularly lob hand grenades detailing what’s wrong with every nook and cranny of the U.S. military. This week, for a change, one got tossed outlining the fundamental weaknesses of the Chinese military. This is a big deal. Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the prospect of a rising Chinese military has been cited as the justification for all sorts of U.S. weaponry.

F-22's role, impact in Inherent Resolve increasing

02/13/2015

The Air Force's most advanced fighter has been in battle against the Islamic State group for about five months, and has performed well enough to now be an anchor of airstrike sorties. The F-22 flew its first combat mission in September, striking an Islamic State headquarters building in Syria. Since then, the F-22 has flown as part of strike packages in most of the combat sorties as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in both Iraq and Syria.

Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas Star Attraction at Aero India Show in Bengaluru

02/13/2015

Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will showcase its indigenous products including Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas in Bengaluru at the 10th edition of Aero India show, scheduled for February 18-22. HAL would also be showcasing its technical competence built over the years, the company in a release said.

Behind enemy lines, time is of essence when pilots go down

02/12/2015

When Jordanian air force pilot Maaz Al Kassasbeh ejected from his F-16 above ISIL-controlled Raqqa last December, his chances of evading capture — and thus of survival — began to diminish rapidly after an hour. Combat search and rescue veterans call this the “golden hour” after a pilot is downed behind enemy lines, when the chances for rescue and surviving injuries are greatest. But in truth, the Jordanian airman probably had even less time.

Marines, community brace for war authorization

02/12/2015

President Obama is requesting a three-year commitment for air and some ground forces to flush out Islamic State forces. What that means for Cherry Point air station, home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, remains to be seen. Cherry Point Public Information Officer Mike Barton said, “As a general rule, it would not be appropriate for us to speculate on how presidential and congressional level decisions would affect Cherry Point.

Boeing revamps defense arm as bomber decision looms

02/12/2015

Boeing Co. is restructuring the way it designs weapons and other systems for the Pentagon, just as the giant aerospace and defense company finalizes its pitch for what many analysts view as the most important U.S. military contact in 14 years. The company BA, -0.01% is still smarting with problems uncovered last year in building new aerial refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force that triggered a $425 million pretax charge and could leave it nursing a loss for the initial stage of the program.

U-2 Pilot Blazes Trail

02/12/2015

As a child, Air Force Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal imagined flying among the stars, thousands of miles above the Earth’s surface. Today, she is one of eight female pilots ever to fly the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and the only black female pilot in U-2 history. A Bronx, New York, native, Tengesdal also is the 9th Reconnaissance Wing inspector general, and she was recently was selected for promotion to colonel.

LCA is poster plane of Modi's Make-in-India campaign

02/12/2015

It's delayed and incomplete, but light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas is still the most popular indigenous defence product after the Agni missile series. It will lead the Indian defence fraternity's 'Make-in-India' campaign at the five-day Aero India, entering its 10th edition. For the first time, its makers will be able to boast that their customer, Indian Air Force, has accepted it. LCA will fly in formation during the customary flypast, presided over by PM Modi, defence minister Manohar Parrika

Egypt To Acquire Rafale Combat Jets

02/12/2015

A first export contract for the Dassault Rafale combat jet appears imminent, but it is not with India, where negotiations have dragged on for three years. Instead, according to multiple reports in French media this week, Egypt will acquire 24 aircraft. The deal will be part of a $6 billion package that also includes a French frigate and an MBDA air defense missile system.

F-35 Pilots Test Aircraft in Extreme Sub-Zero Conditions

02/12/2015

F-35 test pilots are starting the aircraft's engine and simulating takeoffs in extreme cold temperatures with special arctic gear as a way to prepare the stealth fighter to perform in combat. The testing, which will finish up at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in March, assesses the ability of the aircraft to start up, launch afterburners and even function in short-takeoff-and-landing, or STOVL, mode -- in extreme arctic temperatures, F-35 test pilot Cmdr. Tony "Brick" Wilson said.

New fighter plane engine to be upgraded

02/12/2015

Developers of the fifth generation fighter aircraft AMCA (that is just off the drawing board) are looking out for a global aero-engine manufacturer with whom they can upgrade and co-develop the fighter’s engine. They bank on the discussions they have slated with two manufacturers during next week’s Aero India - General Electric of US and Klimo of Russia - a top military scientist said on Wednesday.

Russian fighter aircraft crashes near Volgograd as Moscow suspends operation of all Su-24 models

02/12/2015

A Russian fighter jet Su-24 crashed near Volgograd prompting Moscow to suspend operations of all aircraft of the same model, as the fate of the pilots remains unknown. The tactical bomber crashed about 7km away from the runway in Russia's southern city of Volgograd near the Marinovka airport. An investigation has been initiated into the incident as Moscow has ordered that all the twin-engine frontline bomber be grounded.

Obama is about to send his war powers request to Congress

02/11/2015

The White House was ready to share with lawmakers Tuesday its plan to seek authority for the use of military force against the Islamic State group, setting up the first war vote in Congress in 13 years. Presidential counsel Neil Eggleston was set to address the Senate Democrats' luncheon, the day before President Barack Obama is expected to formally unveil his proposed authorization, a Democratic official revealed.

Russia to Develop New Attack Drone

02/11/2015

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov recently announced that a new long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will soon be made in Russia, according to Sputnik News. The article further notes that this new drone will be able to conduct reconnaissance missions and also be capable of attacking targets. “We are finalizing research and development work related to the drones that will solve an array of tactical, operational and strategic tasks,” the deputy defense minister elaborates.

Syria's defiant Assad accuses U.S. of fomenting terrorism

02/11/2015

A combative Syrian President Bashad has dismissed talk that the United States may be softening its insistence that he step down from office as it grows more concerned about the growth of radical Islamists. In an interview with BBC News broadcast Tuesday, Assad accused the U.S. of fomenting terrorism through its support of "moderate" groups seeking to overthrow him, and defiantly insisted that he would not bend to American demands.

Northrop Grumman to unveil new T-X design this year

02/11/2015

Northrop Grumman will develop a new aircraft design for the US Air Force's (USAF's) Northrop T-38C Talon combat aircraft trainer replacement programme, known as T-X, the company's programme director for T-X told IHS Jane's on 9 February. "Northrop Grumman is using our advanced design and prototyping expertise to build a new design for the air force T-X programme [because] the air force has evolved and matured its requirements," said Marc Lindsley.

Bomber contract could push Northrop into Boeing’s arms

02/11/2015

When the Pentagon this spring announces who will design and build a major new stealth bomber for the Air Force, the decision will determine Boeing’s future in the combat aircraft business. The choice could also reshape the military industrial base. Top aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia said that whatever the outcome, it could precipitate an aggressive move by Boeing, the No. 2 U.S. defense contractor, to acquire the aircraft unit of No. 3 defense player Northrop Grumman.

Bell Boeing Training System Readies Marine Pilots for High-Profile Mission

02/11/2015

The V-22 team of Bell Helicopter and Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently delivered two MV-22 Osprey flight training simulators to the HMX-1 Presidential Airlift Squadron, enabling Marine aviators to more efficiently train for their critical and highly-visible transport mission. With the simulators, which are installed at the squadron’s headquarters in Quantico, Va., aircrews can rehearse missions without having to fly their tiltrotor aircraft. That reduces fuel use and wear and tear on the V-22s.

Europe's 4 Deadliest Military Powers

02/10/2015

Throughout modern history, Europe has fielded some of the world’s most capable military forces. While many of those powers are nowhere near their zenith, they still field some of the most technologically advanced forces anywhere on Earth.European nations used to dominate the planet. But after two destructive world wars, most of countries couldn’t keep up with the United States and the Soviet Union, which emerged as superpowers after the Second World War.

What’s the Status of the Indian-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Jet?

02/10/2015

India and Russia agreed in early 2007 to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter program. Ever since then, the Sukhol/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) or as it is called in India, the Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) project, has been plagued by delays, costs overrun, and unsteady technology In 2014, a prototype of the plane even caught fire during a demonstration flight for technical evaluation, causing heated arguments between India and Russia.

India keen to get 'transformative’ military technology from the US

02/10/2015

India on Monday said it wants to acquire "unique and transformative" military technologies from the US under the new bilateral Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), even as the two countries prepare for the next round of talks on the matter later this month.

Iran Unveils Fighter Trainer

02/10/2015

Iran has launched indigenously-built combat fighter, Saeqeh 2 (Thunderbolt 2), on Monday for training purposes. "The double-cockpit supersonic fighter jet which has been designed and built by the defense ministry's aerospace industries organization in cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Air Force will do close-range cover and backup in tactical missions as well as advanced pilot training missions."

Army Awards Lockheed Martin $82 Million Sustainment Contract for Apache Targeting/Night Vision System

02/10/2015

Lockheed Martin received an $82 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract in December from the U.S. Army for AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system sustainment.

New search-and-rescue aircraft on the horizon after a decade-long delay

02/09/2015

After a delay of more than 10 years, the Canadian Armed Forces hope to proceed sometime in the spring with the purchase of a new search-and-rescue aircraft fleet. Treasury Board is scheduled to review on Feb. 19 the request to send the bidding package to aerospace firms for the $3.1-billion program.