Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Come clean on ties with Agusta: India to Dassault

02/28/2014

With the defence ministry all set to blacklist Agusta-Westland-Finmeccanica for the VVIP helicopter bribery scandal, it has asked French aircraft manufacturer Dassault to clarify whether the Anglo-Italian chopper company was supplying parts for its Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) slated to be acquired by India at the cost of $20 billion.

India’s ageing war machine could grind to a halt, govt. warned

02/28/2014

Frustrated by long delays in replacing their growing stockpile of obsolescent equipment, India’s three armed service chiefs have been warning the government that procurement delays are compromising the country’s war preparedness, military sources have told The Hindu. The government, the sources said, was told the Air Force’s combat jet fleet would soon begin shrinking dangerously, even as the Army was short of tanks and artillery.

Russia raises military clout with reforms after Georgian war

02/28/2014

Refitting Soviet-era warships, fielding new aircraft and tanks and seeking new overseas bases, the Russian military that now has troops on alert amidst a crisis in Ukraine is more potent than the force which briefly fought Georgia six years ago. Moscow is seriously investing in building its clout. Since 2008, it has raised military spending by almost a third and drastically reformed both the armed forces and defense industry to tackle post-Cold War decay.

China boosting cooperation with Russia in key technology of bombers, transport trainers

02/27/2014

The aviation industry of Jiangxi Province developed very swiftly in 2013. AVIC Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Group is actively boosting its cooperation with Russia in the key technology of bombers and transport trainers, according to information from the website of the Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense.

Hawaii Air National Guard ready to host largest ever aerial war games

02/27/2014

Every week, skilled pilots with the Hawaii Air National Guard suit up for air to air combat drills in the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the world, the F-22. It's all to stay sharp, so that in the event there's a threat in Hawaii's skies, or anywhere in the world, they're able to take-off at a moment's notice.

Airbus CEO Says Turkish Delay in Taking A400M Threatens Ramp-Up

02/27/2014

Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders said he’s frustrated by Turkey’s failure to accept delivery of the third production A400M airlifter, even though two planes are flying successfully with French forces. Enders said today that his company is “still bargaining” over the delivery process with Turkey, which has 10 A400Ms on order and is one of seven so-called core customers that signed up for the military transport plane almost 11 years ago.

Airbus Vows to Fly With Own Wings

02/27/2014

Airbus Group, emboldened by strong financial results and an order backlog extending well into the next decade, is turning its back on its longtime European supporters. Driving the shift in attitude toward the governments of France, Germany, Spain and the U.K. is the overhaul of Airbus's governance last year. But a shift in the commercial aircraft market is also at play, said Chief Executive Tom Enders.

Congress prepares to defend districts from defense cuts

02/27/2014

The Pentagon's plans to do away with 1970s-era A-10 "Warthog" attack planes will have a ripple effect in places like Knob Noster, Missouri - a small town in the shadow of Whiteman Air Force Base. It could mean fewer reservists flocking to places like the Panther Steakhouse and the EconoLodge after a weekend spent working with planes designed to fight wars against Soviet tanks. In Knob Noster, population 2,709, it makes a big difference when those people spend that cash.

Russia orders war games in show of force over Ukraine, US warns against intervention

02/27/2014

Russia ordered 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness Wednesday in a show of force that prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in Ukraine would be a "grave mistake." Vladimir Putin's announcement of huge new war games came as Ukraine's protest leaders named a millionaire former banker to head a new government after the pro-Russian president went into hiding.

Two Alaska military bases are finalists for F-35s

02/27/2014

The U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday that Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson are on the short list of potential hosts for 48 new F-35 fighter jets, according to Alaska’s Congressional delegation. Site survey teams from the Air Force will examine the five sites in the coming weeks before selecting “two or three as preferred and reasonable alternative bases” later this spring, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska.

Third and Fourth Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Helicopters Complete Production, Begin Training

02/27/2014

The third and fourth MH-60R “Romeo” helicopters take flight from the Lockheed Martin facility in Owego, N.Y., to join the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first pair of helicopters training at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

Russia's Air Force to Get New Flight Simulators

02/27/2014

The Russian Air Force will receive nearly 20 new flight simulators later this year for training fighter and ground-attack crews, a military spokesperson said Wednesday. Training simulators allow crews to practice maneuvers in conditions as close as possible to actual flight, including group formations and combat exercises.

Mystery Stealth aircraft spotted in UK. A cancelled Black Project being revived?

02/26/2014

The following footage was shot on Feb. 18, near BAE Systems facilities at Warton, in Lancashire, England. The aircraft being moved is probably a full size model of the BAE Replica, a British stealth aircraft model developed by BAE in the 1990s and used for radar testing before its associated program, the FOAS (Future Offensive Air System), was cancelled in 2005.

Japan eyes arms exports to secure sea lanes under new rules

02/26/2014

Japan will allow the export of arms to countries located along sea lanes to ensure the safe delivery of oil and other natural resources, while bolstering Japan’s defense cooperation with the United States by providing repair work for U.S. military aircraft overseas, according to a draft of new principles on arms exports.

Why The F-35 Is Essential For Canada

02/26/2014

Last week Defence Watch ran a three part series on why the F-35 wasn’t the right aircraft for Canada. This week Defence Watch runs a three part series on why the F-35 is essential for Canada. The article is written by Edward Wu, who is based in Vancouver. He answered the Defence Watch request to pen a defence of the F-35. He noted that he is not associated with any defence or aerospace contractors, nor any political parties or government.

122nd Fighter Wing, Senators react to proposed cuts

02/26/2014

The 122nd Fighter Wing and local Congressmen are reacting to Monday’s proposed cuts to the U.S. military. One major change is eliminating A-10 combat jets flown by Fort Wayne’s Air National Guard Base. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel proposed eliminating the A-10 aircraft, U-2 spy planes, shrinking the army to its smallest size in 74 years and reducing some military benefits. This would save about $75 billion over the next two years.

The BAE Systems’ Salam Deal Hints at the Importance of Defence Industrial Partnerships with Emerging Powers

02/26/2014

After protracted negotiations, UK defence giant BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the pricing for 72 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets. The deal highlights the crucial relevance of and challenges to defence-industrial partnerships between Western countries and emerging powers around the world.

The Next Carrier Air Wing

02/26/2014

In early February, analysts from four Washington think tanks held a public event to recommend how the Pentagon could walk the fine line between developing a future military capable of meeting emerging security threats and staying within legislated budget caps. Although the teams differed on many of their recommendations, all chose to shrink the Navy’s fleet by two or more aircraft carriers.

Boeing Receives $2.4 Billion Contract for 16 P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

02/26/2014

Boeing's [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon program will enter full production, following a $2.4 billion contract award from the U.S. Navy for 16 additional aircraft that will bolster maritime patrol capabilities. The order, which will take the total fleet to 53, marks a transition from preliminary low-rate production. Boeing has delivered 13 P-8As to the Navy, which deployed its first patrol squadron to Kadena, Japan in December 2013 and has been conducting operational missions since then.

Russia to Man Kyrgyz Airbase With Professional Soldiers

02/26/2014

A Russian airbase in Kyrgyzstan will be fully manned with personnel serving under contract by the end of 2014, the Central Military District said Tuesday. "There will be no conscripts at the base [in Kant] after 2014," the district said in a statement. According to the military, contract servicemen at the Kant base receive a 30 percent increase in salary, 15 additional vacation days and service housing. Every six months of service under contract at Kant is counted as one year when calculating r

Final US Tanker Aircraft Departs Manas Base in Kyrgyzstan

02/26/2014

The final US tanker aircraft supporting military operations in Afghanistan departed a Kyrgyzstan airbase Monday ahead of the closure of the facility later this year, a US army media agency reported. An agreement with Kyrgyzstan that provides for the United States’ transit center at the Manas airport, the country’s largest, is slated to expire in July.

Airbus Seeks Compensation from Germany for Canceled Jet Order

02/25/2014

Airbus Group NV is demanding compensation of close to one billion euros from Germany for the cancellation of an order for 37 Eurofighter combat aircraft, a spokesman for the defense ministry said Monday. Handelsblatt reported the plane maker wants 900 million euros ($1.24 billion) in compensation. Germany last week canceled the final tranche of 37 jets that were part of an order for 180 Eurofighters.

What's on the Chopping Block—and What's Safe—in the Pentagon's Shrinking Budget?

02/25/2014

This year's scramble in Washington over the budget request will start Monday, when Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to preview the fiscal 2015 Defense Department budget—a week before the official request goes to Congress. Its first hint at budget priorities will spur the defense industry to start lobbying, lawmakers to stake out their priorities, and the Pentagon to launch a charm offensive on Capitol Hill.

Marine Corps to Support Afghan Electronic Attack Missions from Qatar

02/25/2014

In recent years Prowler detachments were regularly operating from Bagram in Afghanistan, tasked primarily in providing electronic support for ground operations, assisting ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq with counter IED jamming, signals intelligence and selective jamming. Supporting traditional marine corps missions, such as amphibious operations, and other high intensity warfare operations require different techniques.

Military spending cuts could affect A-10 aircraft fleet at Selfridge

02/25/2014

The Pentagon is proposing to eliminate its A10 aircraft fleet — including those at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison — as part of a wide-ranging reorganization that could affect the Harrison Township facility. State officials have said there are about 18 A10s stationed at Selfridge and there are more than 400 people associated with their combat-support maneuvers at the base.