Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RSAF inaugurates M-346 aircraft into 150 squadron

09/04/2014

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) new Advanced Jet Trainer, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, was inaugurated into 150 Squadron at Cazaux Air Base in France on Wednesday afternoon. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated the ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng emphasised the significant role of the M-346 aircraft in training the RSAF's next generation of fighter aircrew efficiently and effectively. - See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/rsaf-inaugurates-

Engine failure led to fatal Army helicopter crash in Afghanistan, investigation finds

09/04/2014

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James E. Groves III’s helicopter had completed a dive during a test-fire exercise north of Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan when trouble erupted. The main rotor of his Kiowa Warrior OH-58D wasn’t spinning quickly enough to keep him airborne, and a warning alarm went off as he attempted to climb from a height of about 200 feet.

ANALYSIS: How Draken International became the world's biggest private air force

09/04/2014

Any air arm able to field 30 operational MiG-21s, 11 Douglas A-4K Skyhawks and which ordered up to 28 light combat jets would be placed well up the rankings in Flight International’s annual World Air Forces directory. It may come as a surprise, therefore, to learn that the aircraft listed above belong to a commercial company. Welcome to Draken International, the world’s largest private air force.

The low-cost fighters to serve tomorrow’s air forces

09/04/2014

At this summer's Farnborough Air Show in England, the talk was dominated by the mishaps of one plane: the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. Due to be adopted by major air forces in the decades to come, it was supposed to be the star of the show. But in the end, the $100m-a-unit jet failed to turn up to its coming-out party after an engine fire in one of the production models grounded the fleet.

Deputy Chief of Indian Air Force Flies Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

09/04/2014

Deputy Air Chief Air Marshal S B P Sinha on Wednesday became the first officer of his rank to fly indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas and praised its performance, saying it handled "well" on the ground as well as in the air. Mr Sinha flew the aircraft (trainer version) in Bengaluru where he was on a two-day visit to Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) during which he took a review of various aspects of the Tejas programme.

US Navy: USS Destroyer Ross Enters Black Sea

09/04/2014

United States Navy destroyer USS Ross has entered Black Sea, according to the statement in US Navy 6th Fleet official command account on Twitter. “USS Ross enters Black Sea, promoting peace and stability while working with NATO allies and partners,” the statement says.

India Interested in Russia’s Missile Systems – Russian Air Force

09/04/2014

India’s Air Force commanders have expressed interest in the Russian surface-to-air missile systems in the course of the joint Russian-Indian Air Force exercise “Aviandra-2014”, Maj. Gen. Sergey Babakov told journalists Wednesday. “They have expressed great interest in our systems, they probably need to modernize their weapons arsenal,” Maj. Gen. Babakov, head of the Russian Air Force's anti-aircraft missile troops, said.

Boeing C-17 Support Effort for Strategic Airlift Capability Exceeds 1,000 Missions

09/03/2014

Boeing has supported more than 1,000 missions for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program’s fleet of three C-17 airlifters, achieving a mission capable rate of nearly 94 percent during the five years it has provided maintenance, engineering and spares through a comprehensive performance-based logistics program.

Ukraine's Poroshenko agrees 'ceasefire process' with Putin

09/03/2014

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says he has agreed with Russian President Putin by phone on a "ceasefire process" for the east. His office initially reported that a "permanent ceasefire" had been agreed but later revised its statement. The Kremlin stressed Mr Putin had not agreed to a ceasefire as Russia was not party to the conflict.

US Air Force presses ahead with next-gen fighter, bomber engines

09/03/2014

The US Air Force is moving ahead with plans to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet engine based on technological improvements achieved through an ongoing effort to produce a power plant for a future long-range bomber. In a request for information released 19 August, the air force said it plans to release a final request for proposals for the adaptive engine transfer programme (AETP) in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, “notionally December 2014.”

Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser cherishes 'awesome' opportunity to fly in Blue Angels fighter jet

09/03/2014

Danny DeKeyser prepared for the ride of a lifetime by packing a couple of plastic bags in his pants pocket. He took them out when he felt a little air sick while flying over Southeast Michigan at speeds he'd never experienced before, but he didn't need them. DeKeyser, the second-year defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings, handled it well, his 40-minute flight Tuesday on a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet.

Missing jetliners raise fear of new 9/11-style attacks after Libyan airport falls to Islamic militants

09/03/2014

Islamic militants seized a dozen commercial aircraft in an attack on a Libyan airport last week. Now, intelligence agencies are warning the jets could be used in 9/11 style attacks. “There are a number of commercial airliners in Libya that are missing,” one official told The Washington Free Beacon this morning. “We found out on September 11 what can happen with hijacked planes.”

Boeing Wins FMS Contract to Suppy AH-6is To Saudi Arabia

09/03/2014

The U.S. Army awarded Boeing a $234 million foreign military sales contract to supply 24 AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopters to Saudi Arabia, affirming a long pending order. The Department of Defense announced the contract award on August 29; the estimated contract completion date is Dec. 31, 2016.

Steven Sotloff killing justifies Iraq intervention: Tony Abbott

09/03/2014

The video, titled “A second message to America”, includes warnings to Washington and its allies to halt military operations against Islamic State fighters in northern Iraq. An RAAF transport plane yesterday delivered its first cargo of weapons to Kurdish fighters battling the jihadist group and the Abbott government has left open the possibility of sending combat aircraft to mount attacks in Iraq.

A different threat in Iraq

09/03/2014

The savagery of the jihadist campaign in Iraq would normally be enough to drive the world’s nations to military intervention, to stop the slaughter of thousands of men, women and children that is being promoted with pride by the terrorists calling themselves the Islamic State.

Military to hold aircraft takeoff, landing drill on freeway

09/03/2014

The military will hold its annual Han Kuang series of exercises later this month, including a drill to practice emergency takeoffs and landings of fighter jets on a freeway, the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday. The drill is set for Sept. 16 on the Minxiong section of the No. 1 National Freeway, which passes through the southern county of Chiayi, military officials said at a news conference. It is one of four sections of that freeway designated as emergency runways in the event of war.

Canada can help give NATO a sharper edge: Editorial

09/03/2014

Should Canadians feel obliged to spend an extra $20 billion on defence because Russian President Vladimir Putin is bullying Ukraine? Of course not. Canada must do its share to deter aggression against our European allies, as we have in the past. But we can help them manage the threat without busting the bank.

Up to 1,000 NATO Servicemen to Take Part in Military Drills in Ukraine This Month

09/03/2014

Despite the ongoing hostilities in southeastern Ukraine, the United States plans to go ahead with the Rapid Trident military exercise, scheduled to take place in western Ukraine later this month and expected to involve up to 1,000 servicemen from NATO countries and other US allies, Reuters reported Tuesday. "At the moment, we are still planning for [the exercise] to go ahead," the agency quoted US Navy Captain Gregory Hicks, a spokesman for the US Army's European Command, as saying.

Turkish Aerospace Industries delivers last of four F16s to Pakistan Air Force

09/03/2014

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered the last four F-16 aircraft to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) under Pakistan F-16 Modernization Program, at a ceremony held at TAI's facilities in Ankara, Turkey, on September 02, 2014.

Ukraine crisis: 'Russia has launched a great war'

09/02/2014

Ukraine's defence minister has accused Russia of launching a "great war" that could claim tens of thousands of lives. Russia dismissed the comments, saying they only pulled the Ukrainian people further into a bloody civil conflict. The comments came after Ukrainian troops were forced to flee Luhansk airport in the east of the country amid an offensive by pro-Russian rebels.

Iraqi forces free Amerli in biggest victory over IS militants since June

09/02/2014

Iraqi forces aided by US air strikes have broken through to the jihadist-besieged Shiite town of Amerli, where thousands have been trapped for over two months with dwindling food and water supplies. It is the biggest offensive success for the Iraqi government since militants led by the Sunni jihadist group Islamic State (IS) overran large areas of five provinces in June, sweeping security forces aside.

Tony Abbott hits out at Russia over Ukraine ‘war’

09/02/2014

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described Russia’s incursion into Ukraine as an act of war, a significant escalation in rhetoric the day after an announcement of fresh Australian sanctions designed to hamper further action by President Vladimir Putin. “It is an invasion, let’s call it for what it is. It is an invasion of Ukraine and it’s absolutely, utterly reprehensible.

India, Japan agree to strengthen defense ties

09/02/2014

In his first state visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with a kindred spirit, Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe. The two leaders, wary of China's glowing clout in Asia, have agreed to strengthen defense ties.

Russian Helicopters Arrive in Iraq to Combat ISIS

09/02/2014

Russia has delivered a batch of Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopters to Baghdad, Iraq's Defense Ministry said on its website. "These helicopters will be put into operation to contribute to the military's struggle against the Islamic State terrorist group," the ministry said Saturday. Russia has been ramping up its support for the Iraqi government as it struggles to contain the spread of the radical Islamic State from war-torn Syria to Iraq.

Israel shoots down Syrian UAV

09/02/2014

The Israeli air force (IAF) shot down a Syrian air force unmanned air vehicle (UAV) when it entered Israeli airspace on 31 August, according to local sources. The IAF shot down the Iranian-made Yasir UAV with a Raytheon Patriot surface-to-air missile after it crossed the border into Israeli territory. Israeli sources allege the aircraft was being used to gather data on rebel forces in Syria.