Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

GoPro to Launch Consumer Drones: Report

11/27/2014

GoPro, an American corporation that develops, manufactures and markets high-definition personal cameras, popular with surfers and other sportsmen, is set to expand its business, Wall Street Journal reports on Wednesday. It will now develop its own line of consumer drones. The multi-rotor helicopters will carry high-definition cameras likely resembling those currently sold by GoPro, such as the GoPro Hero series.

Russian Airbase in Crimea Reinforced by New Fighter Jets

11/27/2014

14 fighter jets are scheduled to land in Crimea’s Belbek military air base, Capt. 1st Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev, a spokesman for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, told RIA Novosti. The fighter jets are comprised of ten upgraded Su-27SM's and four Su-30's. All of them are fourth-generation fighter jets. Four of the aircraft deployed in Crimea are newly manufactured, according to Trukhachev.

Russia ready to supply 'standard' Su-35s to China, says official

11/26/2014

Russia is ready to supply 'standard' versions of the Su-35 combat aircraft to China, Sukhoi first deputy director general Boris Bregman recently told IHS Jane's . "During talks we informed the Chinese side that we can supply a standard version of the Su-35 fighter, which has been fully completed, tested, and received Russian Air Force certification," he said on the sidelines of Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai.

The Rise of Arab Air Power

11/26/2014

When pictures of Mariam Al Mansouri – the first female fighter pilot in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – traveled around the world in September, it symbolized the changing role of women in the Arab world and the collective fight against the Islamic state. But it also captured a new military phenomenon: after decades of strategic irrelevance, Arab air power is on the rise.

The Russian Air Force's Super Weapon: Beware the PAK-FA Stealth Fighter

11/26/2014

The Russian Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA stealth fighter could prove to be a formidable competitor to American fifth-generation combat aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Indeed, in some measures, the new Russian warplane will exceed both U.S.-built jets, but the PAK-FA is not without its flaws.

Boeing Delivers Sixth P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to India

11/26/2014

Boeing delivered the sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, on schedule, on Nov. 24, arriving at Naval Air Station Rajali to join five others being used by the Indian Navy. The P-8I is part of a contract of eight awarded in 2009. The final two deliveries are scheduled for 2015.

Boeing Opens Aerospace Photography Vault to Consumers

11/26/2014

Boeing has made a redesigned photography and video website, www.BoeingImages.com, available for worldwide access. The website, which hosts nearly 15,000 photos and more than 100 videos, provides easier searching and licensing capability for commercial uses. But of these, more than 2,500 photographs are also now available for aviation enthusiasts to purchase as either prints or framed artwork.

Vice Adm. Swift Named to Lead US Pacific Fleet

11/25/2014

Navy Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift was nominated Thursday to become the next commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Pentagon announced. Swift has been serving as director of the Navy Staff in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington for the past year. His appointment means that he is in line to receive his fourth star as a full admiral.

Obama dumps defence secretary Hagel in bid for stronger vision

11/25/2014

U.S. President Barack Obama has ousted his defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, in the wake of a growing perception that the fight against Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS, is teetering and rudderless. Hagel's tenure lasted less than two years and has been defined by a lack of firm vision weakened by statements that often appear to conflict with those of Obama.

ANALYSIS: Flightglobal's latest census outlines shape of military simulator sector

11/25/2014

A total of 74% of the close to 2,000 simulators in the defence sector are made by five manufacturers. L-3 Link Simulation & Training, a division of L-3 Communications, leads the market with a 24% share of active simulators, according to Flightglobal's latest Military Simulator Census.

Could Airbus and Boeing collaborate on a fighter?

11/25/2014

Which phrase do you prefer? Many hands make light work or too many cooks in the kitchen? It's a question that some members of NATO might be asking after the statements made by Domingo Ureña Raso, the executive vice president of military aircraft for European aerospace giant Airbus.

Lockheed Martin (LMT): Flying High on Military Orders

11/25/2014

Don’t be swayed by exaggerated concerns that budgetary austerity on Capitol Hill will undermine U.S. defense firms. Every fiscal year, when the political Kabuki theater draws to a close, the Pentagon almost always gets its way in the last act. Regardless, torrid emerging market demand for sophisticated jet fighter aircraft made in the U.S. will more than make up for any procurement shortfalls.

Vanishing IS fighter sparks Iraq air raid

11/25/2014

High over northern Iraq, a crewman in an RAAF Super Hornet was viewing an Islamic State fighter on the aircraft's sophisticated night vision camera when the man suddenly vanished. He had disappeared into a well-concealed cave complex in the side of a hill. And that was the genesis of a major air raid by Australian and coalition aircraft, launched within 24-hours of the initial sighting.

Can’t keep waiting for stealth fighter, India tells Russia

11/25/2014

Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit here early next month, India has told Russia to come back with a plan to substantially reduce the delivery timeframe for the stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) if it wants to seal the futuristic project by next year. The plan till now was that India would begin inducting the stealth fighters only 94 months — at the earliest — after the two countries inked the final design and R&D contract.

UK orders first operational F-35 combat aircraft

11/25/2014

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed for its first four operational Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft as part of the Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP 8) production lot, it was announced on 21 November. The order marks an initial buy from the MoD's Main Gate 4 acquisition approval process for 14 jets to equip the Royal Air Force's (RAF's) 617 Squadron, which is scheduled to stand-up as the UK's first operational F-35B unit in 2016.

US Conducted 500 Drone Attacks, Killing 3,674 “Suspected” Terrorists

11/25/2014

Since the CIA first used a drone in a targeted killing in 2002, the United States has conducted 500 targeted drone strikes, killing an estimated 3,674 people, including 473 civilians, the Atlantic reported. Drone attacks have become one of the symbols of post 9/11 counter-terrorist strategies.

Dassault silent on report of imminent Rafale sale to Qatar

11/24/2014

France's Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA) declined comment on Monday on a media report that said France could soon sell at least two dozen Rafale combat jets to Qatar. Europe 1 radio reported France was in "very advanced negotiations" to sell a tranche of at least 24 of the Dassault-built fighters to the Gulf state, which has been seeking a total of 72 warplanes to renew and expand its fleet of French Mirage 2000 jets.

Corps' aviation plan calls for armed Ospreys

11/24/2014

The Marine Corps' most unique aircraft is going to get a bigger punch. A Marine Corps planning document shows that officials want to arm the MV-22B Osprey with more weapons so the aircraft can support the service's new crisis response forces that carry out missions like embassy evacuations. An "enhanced weapon systems is in early development to increase all-axis, stand-off, and precision capabilities," according to the service's recently-released 10-year aviation plan.

Competition heats up for tanker procurement deal

11/24/2014

Competition for Seoul’s project to procure four aerial tankers is heating up as contenders highlight the ways they can help enhance South Korea’s air defense with several months to go until the announcement of the winner. Currently three competitors ? Boeing’s KC-46, Airbus’ A330 MRTT and Israel Aerospace Industries’ B767 MMTT ?

America’s Scorpion Jet Fighter Could Fly in Asia and Africa

11/24/2014

When Textron AirLand first announced the Scorpion—a lightweight surveillance and strike aircraft—last year, it raised a few eyebrows. Now the American company is talking about the first two potential customers for the diminutive jet. Namely, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Looking To Buy China's J-31 Stealth Fighter

11/24/2014

As Tyler Rogoway predicted since the very first blurry images of J-31 hit the internet, China's youngest stealth project was meant for export as much as for PLAAF use. Pakistan is now said to be beyond the initial discussion phase for buying the stealth jet. This comes during a time of increasing tension with India, whose air combat capabilities have ballooned over the last decade.

Four more Lightning II aircraft confirmed for Norfolk’s RAF Marham

11/24/2014

Defence minister Philip Dunne said the deal will “cement the central role of Norfolk in military aviation.” RAF Marham will play a key role in maintaining the new UK fleet, with the planes expected to be in the service for 30 years. Last month it was announced that an agreement in principle had been reached for the four F-35B aircraft. Today’s announcement confirms the official order.

Russian aircraft on rise

11/23/2014

Russia’s increased military presence in the Baltic Sea area, including its air force, has prompted some officials to compare it to the Cold War. Here’s a summary of the most serious incidents reported across the region.

FIGHTING ISIS FROM THE AIR: THE LIGHT ATTACK ALTERNATIVE – ANALYSIS

11/23/2014

With procurement funds steadily shrinking, requirements are markedly informed by budgetary constraints rather than mandated by capability considerations. Consequently, innovative and cost-efficient solutions are increasingly sought and valued. This is particularly true for counterinsurgency operations in low-contested environments in which the enemy possesses only negligible air-defense assets.

The new man at Nato who must stand up to Putin and his tanks

11/23/2014

Outside Nato’s headquarters in Brussels, the national flags of 28 member states fly in a proud circle. Even after decades of defence cuts, these countries still account for 58 per cent of global military spending, giving Nato more firepower than any other alliance on Earth. Yet, if Nato is a giant, it has often seemed a sleeping one — at least since the Cold War ended in a bloodless victory more than two decades ago.