Military Aviation News Archive

India needs to develop sensors to keep aircraft combat-ready

10/05/2013

To ensure military aircraft are fit for combat operations any time, India has to develop sensor technology with condition monitoring system as a vital part of their maintenance, a top defence scientist said Friday.

IAF has "much less" combat jets than sanctioned strength: NAK Browne

10/05/2013

The IAF is operating with "much less" aircraft than its authorised strength of 42 combat squadrons and in case of any further delay in the proposed 126 fighter jet deal, the force levels in the service will "go down rapidly", its chief NAK Browne said today.

U.S. Rules Out a New Drone War in Iraq

10/04/2013

For weeks, Iraqi officials have been publicly floating the idea of using American drones to hit the increasingly lethal al-Qaeda-affiliated militants on their soil. But the ordinarily drone-friendly Obama administration is apparently in no mood to open up a new front in global campaign of unmanned attacks. An administration official tells The Cable that American drone strikes in Iraq are now off the table.

The Real Reason Behind China’s Military Expansion

10/04/2013

Many in the West view China's rapid military expansion as a growing threat to global and regional security. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, or so writes Ai Zhong-Guo. Beijing has little time for global or regional domination, which it reminds everyone in its 2013 Defence White Paper.

Dutch Treat For the F-35

10/04/2013

The Netherlands recently agreed to buy 37 of the new American F-35 fighter-bombers, and possibly more if money became available. Originally the Dutch were going to buy 85 but the escalating cost of the F-35 forced them to reconsider. Some Dutch leaders wanted to stick with the F-16 and upgrade it or consider another new fighter (Gripen, Eurofighter, or F-18E). Some of the other original F-35 customers (like Canada and Denmark) have begun looking at alternatives again.

The Next Generation of Drone Warfare Is Here

10/04/2013

Last week, two F-16s took off, broke the sound barrier, executed several complex maneuvers including barrel rolls and "Split S" rolls, and landed -- all without a pilot. Ostensibly, these aging jets have been retrofitted by Boeing to be used as unmanned planes for target practice and training, but the implications for the future of drone warfare is clear.

Miramar air show falls victim to Washington gridlock

10/04/2013

The partial shutdown of the federal government notched its largest and loudest impact in this military-centric region Thursday: cancellation of this weekend's air show at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

Bell Helicopter tests V-22 Osprey in new role

10/04/2013

The military is closely eyeing the V-22 Osprey for a new role as a refueling tanker after a recent successful Texas demonstration trial, Bell Helicopter officials said. In August, experts from Bell Helicopter’s Xworks facility teamed up with military pilots for an aerial trial to demonstrate that the V-22 is capable of refueling strike aircraft and possibly other military platforms, said Ken Karika, a Bell Helicopter business development specialist and former V-22 pilot.

Indian negotiator for giant Rafale fighter deal dies

10/04/2013

A top Indian defence official negotiating a $12 billion deal to buy France's Rafale fighter jets has died of a heart attack, further complicating talks over the delayed contract, officials said Thursday.

Exclusive: Air Force Grounds Fighter Jets as Shutdown Takes Hold

10/04/2013

Entire fighter squadrons are grounded. The Defense Department's Middle East specialists are barred from the Pentagon. Thousands of the Intelligence Community's top geeks are at home playing Minecraft. The shutdown of the United States government is starting to have very real impacts on the American defense and intelligence infrastructure.

Russia to See 20-Ton Combat Drone ‘by 2018’ – Industry Source

10/04/2013

The prototype of Russia’s first 20-ton combat drone will be unveiled in 2018, a defense industry source said Thursday. The 20-ton unmanned combat aerial vehicle is being developed by the Sukhoi company, and will be based on the fifth-generation T-50 fighter, United Aircraft Corporation president Mikhail Pogosyan said during the MAKS 2013 airshow near Moscow in August.

Chinese junk? Latest fighter plane from People's Army ticketed for export

10/03/2013

A new fighter plane built by China is drawing more snickers than raves from aviation experts, and the People's Army is now saying the jet was really ticketed for export all along.

Turkish Phantom lost in accident

10/03/2013

A McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II combat aircraft operated by the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri - THK) crashed in the country's central Sivas Province, national media reported on 30 September.

Russia: A return to arms

10/03/2013

Held every year in the town of Nizhny Tagil in the Ural region, the Russian Arms Expo is a weapons-makers’ version of Mardi Gras: lots of costumes, noise and tourists. Amid the constant thud of target practice by demonstration tanks, severe-looking military attachés mingle with camouflage-clad dads, children in tow, out for a day of spotting the latest military hardware.

IAF may deploy additional Sukhoi squadron at Chabua base in Assam

10/03/2013

An additional squadron of advanced combat aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI is likely to be stationed at the Indian Air Force’s eastern-most station in view of the strategic importance of the base.

Ace Combat Infinity preview: free-to-play done right

10/03/2013

Perhaps the most impressive of Namco Bandai's upcoming free-to-play efforts is Ace Combat Infinity. It certainly doesn't hurt that Project Aces' PS3 game is absolutely gorgeous. Utilizing the latest version of their engine, it looks absolutely phenomenal.

MiG-21s added to Draken fleet of training aircraft

10/03/2013

Draken International Inc., a provider of commercial and tactical fighter aircraft, has received 25 MiG-21 fighters for U.S. Department of Defense pilot combat training and test pilot schools.

Report on air force ‘contradicts itself’

10/03/2013

THE confusion over the operational readiness of the South African Air Force deepened further on Wednesday following the tabling of the Department of Defence’s annual report, which appears to contradict itself.

Japan and U.S. Agree to Broaden Military Alliance

10/03/2013

Against the backdrop of pressing regional tensions, the United States and Japan agreed Thursday to broaden their military alliance, including by adding a new missile defense radar system in Japan and cooperating to combat cyberthreats.

Shutdown grounds Air Combat Command jets

10/03/2013

Air Combat Command is grounding aircraft that are not immediately training to deploy, officials said Wednesday. The stand down is because of the government shutdown, the command said.

Watchkeeper Versus Reaper

10/02/2013

Britain is supposed to finally get its own locally made large UAVs this year. Back in 2006 the British began developing the Watchkeeper UAV and by 2010 got its Watchkeeper into the air for the first time. There are two models of this UAV; the Watchkeeper 180 and the Watchkeeper 450. Both are based on Israeli designs (the Hermes 180 and 450).

Bell Boeing team tests Osprey's ability to refuel other aircraft

10/02/2013

The medium-lift MV-22 Osprey, proven in combat as a troop and equipment transport, could soon get a new mission — refueling other aircraft. A series of tests in August and September has given aviation officials hope that the Osprey could be used to extend the range of other platforms.

Russia and NATO fly high in the sky to make each other fall

10/02/2013

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee and NATO conducted joint exercises Vigilant Skies. This is a rare example of cooperation in the face of the deteriorating situation on the Syrian issue where the parties stick to the opposite positions.

F-35C Aircraft Rolled Out in Eglin AFB Ceremony

10/02/2013

The F-35C aircraft, affectionately dubbed "Charlie" was rolled out in a special ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Tuesday. The fifth generation jet is the latest in defense machinery and it's what some call "the future" of naval aviation.

IAF plans to replace ageing planes with superior Sukhois

10/02/2013

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will not let its fighter squadron strength drop below the existing 34 till 2017 as the Soviet-era workhorse, Mig-21s, are being gradually replaced with Sukhoi-30 MKIs.