Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RAAF returns to Guam for Cope North 14

02/21/2014

RAAF 75 Squadron Hornet and 37SQN C-130J aircraft are currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam to take part in Cope North 2014, which began on February 14. The exercise involves, according to a US Air Force statement, “a full spectrum of fighters, bombers, transport, refuelling and command and control aircraft from the US, JASDF, and RAAF designed to improve combat readiness, develop a synergistic disaster response, and increase interoperability between partner nations.”

35 militants killed in PAF air strikes in tribal areas

02/21/2014

Pakistani jets and AH-1 Cobra gunships of Army Aviation bombed militant hideouts in a northwestern tribal district late Wednesday night, killing at least 35 militants. The mastermind behind the 13 February attack on a police bus in Karachi and foreign militant commanders were among those killed.

USAF Eyes Future of ISR

02/21/2014

The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will leave lasting changes on the US military, but their biggest legacy on the Air Force has been the impact on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The service’s ISR mission underwent a renaissance during the decade-plus missions in the region, transforming from a support tool to a vital part of every combat operation, with unmanned systems such as the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper seen as defining symbols of the conflicts.

Air Force backs twin-engine design for indigenous fighter

02/21/2014

The Air Force has officially expressed its support for a twin-engine concept for the country's indigenous fighter jet development program, saying the design would allow for improved combat capabilities and long-term economic feasibility, officials said Friday. The move comes amid disagreement over the engine choice for the long-delayed 20 trillion won (US$18.6 billion) project to develop and build some 120 units of F-16 class aircraft to replace the aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.

U-2 Vs. Global Hawk: Why Drones Aren't The Answer To Every Military Need

02/21/2014

Earlier this month, four of Washington’s most respected public-policy “think tanks” offered their views on how the U.S. military posture should be organized. They differed on many issues, but one place where they all agreed was on the desirability of retiring the venerable U-2 spy plane in favor of an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft called Global Hawk.

Fire Up Defence Industry

02/21/2014

The recent Singapore Air Show opened a week after the Indian Defence Expo (Defexpo 2014) ended in Delhi. What evoked interest in Singapore was the CN-235 turboprop maritime patrol aircraft that Indonesia displayed there. Considering the Indonesian defence industry was revived only in 1976 with the establishment of Indonesian Aerospace (IA), this is quite an accomplishment.

Lockheed Martin Receives $92 Million U.S. Army Apache Targeting and Pilotage System Sustainment Contract

02/21/2014

Lockheed Martin received a $92 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract in December 2013 from the U.S. Army for sustainment of the AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system.

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates JAGM Dual-Mode Guidance Section in Recent Flight Test

02/21/2014

Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) dual-mode guidance section engaging a laser-designated moving target during an internally funded flight test at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The rail-mounted JAGM guidance section flew six kilometers, engaged its precision-strike, semi-active laser and hit the moving target.

KSA and UK agree Typhoon price escalation

02/21/2014

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has now agreed price escalation terms with the UK relating to the Typhoon aircraft under the Salam program me. The Understanding Document signed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2005 included provision for the Typhoon aircraft acquisition by the KSA to be at 2005 economic conditions.

Elbit Systems of America showcasing the JHMCS II and Embedded Training at Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition

02/20/2014

JHMCS II is the next generation Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System from the joint venture of Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins. Featuring more intelligence and capabilities than its predecessor, the JHMCS II provides pilot intelligent vision, enhanced situational awareness across the entire battle space during day and night operations, and uses high definition, color symbology while keeping the pilot's head up and eyes out.

Yak-130 Does It All

02/20/2014

Bangladesh recently ordered 24 Yak-130 jet trainers from Russia. This makes six export customers for Russia’s new jet trainer. One of these customers may not be able to complete the transaction. In late 2011 Syria agreed to pay $550 million for 36 Yak-130s. Russian officials recently (late January) admitted that delivery to Syria had not yet been made and probably won't as long as the Syrian government is dealing with a growing rebellion.

$150 bn opportunity in defence system requirements: DRDO

02/20/2014

The defence system requirements for the country is opening up an opportunity of $150 billion for the industry in the next five years, said A Sivathanu Pillai, chief controller (R&D), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and CEO & managing director of BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd. Out of this, over $100 billion opportunity is for the Indian companies.

Saudi-Pakistan Military Ties Getting Stronger

02/20/2014

Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is Saudi Arabia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister has just concluded an official visit to Pakistan. Some defense experts say that Saudi Arabia’s close military ties with Pakistan, though not new, now have a new dimension - namely countering the threat of a nuclear-capable Iran.

Analyst: It’s the End of an Era for Military Aviation Industry

02/20/2014

In a few years, Lockheed Martin Corp. might be the sole U.S. manufacturer of military fighter aircraft. Lockheed's current rival, The Boeing Co., would limit its offerings to jetliner derivatives such as refueling tankers and surveillance planes. This is the picture that is emerging from the Pentagon's buying decisions over the past decade, says Richard Aboulafia, aviation analyst at the Teal Group.

BAE agrees pricing on Typhoon deal with Saudi Arabia

02/20/2014

BAE has finally agreed a deal over price increases for the sale of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia. The FTSE 100 defence company signed a £4.5bn contract to provide the supersonic fighters to the Middle East nation seven years ago but the sale has faced hurdles over cost, forcing BAE to defer earnings from the so-called "Salam" deal.

F-35B Aircraft Fly In Formation In Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing Mode

02/20/2014

Two F-35B aircraft fly in close formation while in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode for the first time last week. Pilots Peter Wilson and Dan Levin flew the test jets in STOVL mode, also known as Mode 4, with the F-35B LiftFan engaged and engine rotated downward. The mission measured the effects the aircraft had on each other while in Mode 4 to ensure they can operate in formation safely in an operational environment.

Team Apache Sensors Conducts Test Flight of the Modernized Day Sensor Assembly on the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter

02/20/2014

Team Apache Sensors, including the U.S. Army Apache Attack Helicopter Project Management Office, the U.S. Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], conducted a test flight of the Apache AH-64E Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA) during an event at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., yesterday.

Belarus to Bolster Air Defense During Hockey Tournament

02/20/2014

Belarus will bolster its air defense systems during the Ice Hockey World Championships in May, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. Air defense divisions will be operating in a “special regime,” including raising the number of staff members on duty, the ministry’s newspaper “For the Glory of the Motherland” reported.

Swiss jets not scrambled over hijacked plane because 'airbases closed at night'

02/19/2014

An incident with a highjacked Ethiopian passenger jet has exposed the Swiss Air Force’s inability to deal with threats in ‘off-duty’ hours. An emergency escort to the aircraft in distress was carried out by vigilant colleagues from Italy and France.

Royal Thai and U.S. Marines conduct bilateral external lift exercise

02/19/2014

Royal Thai and U.S. Marines conducted a bilateral external lift exercise with an MV-22B Osprey at Utaphao, Kingdom of Thailand Feb. 17 during exercise Cobra Gold 2014. Roaring in with the ferocity of a mini-tornado, the Osprey kicked up enough dust and debris to completely engulf the aircraft and ground crew below. Jointly the propellers are capable of roughly 12,000 horse power, which potentially can produce ground speed winds up to 200 mph.

Syria rebels threaten Assad with massive spring offensive

02/19/2014

Rebels in southern Syria say they are planning a spring offensive against Damascus, which regime and opposition sources say will include fighters trained by Western forces in neighbouring Jordan. The Syrian army, meanwhile, is redeploying troops in Quneitra province located on the ceasefire line with Israel, and stepping up shelling on rebel positions in Daraa on the Jordan border to stop any advance, opposition fighters say.

Cope North commences on Guam

02/19/2014

More than 1,800 service members and approximately 50 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian air force and South Korea air forces came together to kick off the 85th iteration of Pacific Air Forces' Cope North exercise Feb. 14 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

DGA Chief: Expect New Programs, Renegotiation of Some Deals for France

02/19/2014

This year will see programs launched for combat vehicles, light tanks and a new infantry rifle for the French Army, an order for 12 transport and tanker jets for the Air Force, and a signing for a fourth nuclear attack submarine for the Navy, France’s procurement chief said Feb. 18.

Red Arrows unveil 50th season livery

02/19/2014

The Red Arrows unveiled a new tailfin design to celebrate their 50th display season at their home at RAF Scampton near Lincoln. The makeover is the most significant change to the look of the team’s aircraft in its history. All of the team’s jets are receiving the fresh look, although their red and white fuselage remains unchanged.

A Hardcore Military Flight Sim That'll Run On A Laptop

02/19/2014

Modern flight simulators - not the recreational kind, the actual kind used to train pilots - are enormous, expensive things. They're impressive, sure, but their cost and size mean they can't exactly be used every day. Which is why a company has been given money by the US Air Force to develop something a little more accessible.