Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Czech government approves deal to offload excess fighter jets

01/03/2014

For much of the last decade the Czech army has been touting its excess L-159 fighter and trainer aircraft for sale to foreign armies or companies. During that time the planes have been wrapped in protective covers in hangers and accumulating ever growing storage costs met by the Ministry of Defense.

The future of the military is robots building robots

01/03/2014

From the B-2 bomber to the M1 Abrams tank, the United States has for decades developed, built, and fielded the most advanced and capable weapon systems in the world. That's changing because of declining budgets, emerging technologies, and global competition from rising powers like China. Today, for the first time in recent history, the Pentagon is in danger of losing its vast technological advantages over potential adversaries.

China's military presence is growing. Does a superpower collision loom?

01/02/2014

Generally speaking, Japanese bureaucrats are not much given to exaggeration. So when a senior government insider in Tokyo, speaking off the record, recently compared the deteriorating security situation in East Asia to Europe in the 1930s amid the rise of fascism, it was time to sit up and take notice.

Syrian Warplanes Bomb Hills Inside Lebanon

01/02/2014

Syrian warplanes bombed on Wednesday a barren range of Lebanese hills used by Syrian rebels and refugees to cross between the two countries, wounding at least 10 Syrians who were rushed to hospital in a nearby Lebanese town, Beirut's state-run National News Agency said.

Market Report, "Saudi Arabia Defence & Security Report Q1 2014", Published

01/02/2014

BMI's report examines the trends witnessed in the country's current and future defence procurement across its armed forces. The report's general conclusion is that Saudi Arabia will continue to invest heavily in defence procurement, giving it military superiority over most of its neighbours in what will remain a volatile region.

Report: Mechanical malfunction led to Aug. bomber crash

01/02/2014

An Air Force report says a mechanical malfunction that started a fuel leak caused the crash of an Ellsworth Air Force Base B-1B bomber during an August training exercise over southeastern Montana. The report released by the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board concluded that about 7,000 pounds of fuel leaked into the aircraft and was ignited by hot ductwork, leading to a series of detonations in the plane.

India cancels €560m AgustaWestland helicopter order

01/02/2014

India has cancelled a €560m contract to buy high-end helicopters from AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, in move that underlines the unpredictability of one of the world’s biggest defence markets. Sitanshu Kar, a ministry spokesman, said the agreement had been “terminated with immediate effect” because of “integrity-related issues” in a contract that had been dogged by allegations of corruption.

Israeli Air Force Develops ‘Waze’ Technology for Fighter Pilots

01/02/2014

The Israel Air Force’s Horizon Unit, responsible for the development of encrypted content, is developing ‘Waze’ technology for pilots, similar to the popular app that provides users with real time traffic updates, Israeli daily Walla reported on Wednesday. The unit is currently working on a series of groundbreaking technologies that have garnered praise from hi tech companies both in Israel and around the world.

China completes maiden voyage of first aircraft carrier, tests combat system

01/02/2014

Chinese state media say the country's first aircraft carrier has successfully completed tests and training programs on its maiden voyage. The Liaoning returned to port Wednesday after a 37-day voyage in the South China Sea. The official Xinhua News Agency says the aircraft carrier tested its combat system and conducted a formation practice and "attained the anticipated objectives."

Year in review: Air Force Times' top stories from 2013

01/01/2014

In one of its last acts in December, the Senate confirmed Deborah Lee James as the new Air Force secretary. Nominated in August to replace Michael Donley, who retired in June, James was in limbo after Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., placed a hold on her confirmation for more than two months — due to published reports that the Air Force wants to phase out the A-10 aircraft to save money.

Cadet Research Seeks to End Aircraft Bird Strikes

01/01/2014

Bird strikes cost more than $700 million in damage annually to both military and commercial airplanes - putting both lives and property at risk. But a group of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., are working on ways to scare birds away from the aircraft, particularly during take-offs and landings; when the majority of bird strikes occur.

Military drone pilot tells what it's like to engage in warfare day-after-day

01/01/2014

Drones are on our minds in Central New York because of Monday's news about Syracuse's selection as one of six locations in the United States to conduct research on the problem of keeping unmanned aircraft out of the way of commercial air traffic. For several years, military drones have operated out of Fort Drum near Watertown and Hancock Field in Mattydale. They've also drawn the attention of drone protesters.

JF-17 Thunder variant may be popular among developing nations

01/01/2014

The JF-17 Block-II — the upgrade version of the JF-17 Thunder or Xiaolong fighter jet co-designed by China and Pakistan — is likely to be a very popular combat aircraft among developing nations, according to the Diplomat, an online current affairs magazine based in Tokyo.

North Dakota Pitches Itself As a Utopia for Drones

01/01/2014

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Monday named six sites dedicated to the research and testing of unmanned aerial systems, or drones. Earlier this year, it received 25 proposals from 24 states looking to cash in on what could be a growing industry in the coming years, once the federal government has developed a legal framework for pilotless airplanes.

Shenyang designing bomber version of J-31 stealth fighter

01/01/2014

A bomber version of the Shenyang J-31, China's second fifth-generation stealth fighter, is likely to be designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in the near future to meet the demands of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the Beijing-based Sina Military Network reported on Dec. 30.

India Awards $1B Contract for 6 More C-130Js

01/01/2014

Top brass in the Indian Army and Air Force expressed shock over the Defence Ministry’s decision to award a $1 billion repeat contract on Dec. 27 for six additional C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, saying the military has many more pressing purchases to tackle.

Top 10 Achievements and Developments of Indian Military in 2013

01/01/2014

India lies in a dangerous neighbourhood with two hostile countries, which have gone to war against it in the past. However, there has been a change in the dynamics and the economics of the Asian region that has seen the rise of China, which can now challenge not just India but even the US, along with intimidating other countries in the area.

U.S. Army seeks bigger Pacific role

12/31/2013

Approaching from the Hawaii coast, the mosquito-shaped helicopter buzzed around the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie twice before swooping toward the landing pad. The U.S. Navy crew on the deck crouched, the helmeted faces betraying more than routine concern as the aircraft, flown by a pilot who had never before alighted upon a ship, hovered just off the tarmac and then set down with a thud.

The Mysterious Copy Hawk Lands In China

12/31/2013

Recently photos from China showed what appeared to be an American UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter landing at a Chinese military base. This mystery helicopter was promptly dubbed “Copy Hawk” for the Chinese eagerness to copy foreign military gear. While China has never had any Black Hawks, they did manage to buy 24 S-70s, the civilian version of the UH-60, 30 years ago (before the Tiananmen Square massacre and subsequent arms embargo).

Lebanese army fires on Syrian warplanes that violated Lebanon's airspace

12/31/2013

The Lebanese army fired on Syrian aircraft that violated the country's airspace Monday, the first time Lebanon has done so since Syria's uprising broke out nearly three years ago, security officials said. The move suggests Beirut is trying to enforce greater respect for its borders in the hopes of slowing the expansion of the conflict into Lebanon, where it has exacerbated sectarian tensions and prompted shadowy groups to conduct attacks that have killed dozens this year.

Liaoning to conduct core weapon system training to assess three core capabilities

12/31/2013

At the end of November China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, formed a battle group to undertake ocean-based maneuvers in the South China Sea for the first time. Military expert Cao Weidong told the CCTV in an interview that during the training the Liaoning would assess its performance in three combat areas: air and missile defense, anti-ship offense, and anti-submarine offense.

New U.S. Air Force Stealth Drone Ushers In Old Era Of Cold War Surveillance

12/31/2013

The United States Air Force is almost finished testing a top-secret stealth drone at its Area 51 installation in Arizona, according to a report by Aviation Week. The Northrup Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)-built drone, named the RQ-180, will primarily be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and is seen as the direct replacement for the Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) SR-71 “Blackbird,” which was retired in 1998.

Your Very Own Drone-Watching Guide

12/31/2013

What’s that strange bird flying overhead? Why, it’s a gray-breasted Dronus Predatorus, and it must be hungry, because it looks like it’s searching for prey. I know this thanks to my handy Drone Survival Guide poster, which describes itself as a 21st Century birdwatching guide. “Our ancestors could spot natural predators from far by their silhouettes,” say the Dutch graphic artist who wrote it. “Are we equally aware of the predators in the present-day?”

Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as Air Force chief on Tuesday

12/31/2013

Air Marshal Arup Raha, an ace fighter pilot, will on Tuesday take over as the Air Force chief succeeding incumbent Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne. Eastern Air Command chief Air Marshal RK Sharma will succeed Raha as the Vice Chief of Air Staff. Born on December 26, 1954, 59 year-old Raha is expected to have a tenure of three years as the Chief of Air Staff.

N.J. Pinelands site could be part of drone aircraft research

12/31/2013

A bombing range in the Pinelands in southern New Jersey and airspace over the Atlantic Ocean could be part of a nationwide effort to develop guidelines for using unmanned aerial drones in civilian life. The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday picked a proposal using those test sites, developed by Rutgers University, Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland, as one of six projects around the country that will oversee “critical research.”