Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

ROKAF Receives Additional C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft

05/31/2014

Two additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) ferried from the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] facility here today. These C-130Js will join the ROKAF’s other two Super Hercules aircraft, which were delivered in March. ROKAF aircrews also currently operate a fleet of C-130H legacy aircraft.

Russian Paratroopers Receive Newest Verba Shoulder-Fired Missiles

05/31/2014

The Russian Airborne Forces have started receiving the newest Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) equipped with an automated fire control system that has no foreign rival, military spokesman Yevgeny Meshkov said Friday. "The surface to air-missile regiment of the Ivankvsky Airborne Forces division is the first to have started receiving and studying the modern system of air defense battle," Meshkov said.

Hagel to raise China disputes in meeting

05/30/2014

Days after the U.S. and China traded new accusations of cyberspying, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday he will press the same issues in a face-to-face meeting with a top military officer from Beijing this weekend. Hagel said he also plans to raise many of the territorial disputes that have raised tempers in the Asia Pacific region and talk about "where we think China is overplaying its hand and presenting new challenges and new tensions to this area."

New Indian Regime Will Sign Long-Delayed Deals

05/30/2014

A lack of decision-making on large Indian defense procurement deals in the past two years is expected to end with the swearing-in of the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Changes in procurement and offset policies are also expected. Major projects that are in the final stage of processing and require a signature for conclusion include the 126-aircraft medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) won by Dassault Aviation’s Rafale.

RAAF chief justifies $12b jet 'investment'

05/30/2014

In anti-budget rallies, protesters have loudly demanded the government spend more money on health, welfare and education and not $12 billion on new jet fighters. So how does RAAF chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown respond to that one? 'Security is one of the fundamental responsibilities of government. The unfortunate thing with defence is that the debt that you actually owe the future needs to be paid today,' he said.

Pakistan, China Conclude Shaheen-III Air Exercise

05/30/2014

China and Pakistan concluded the three-week-long Shaheen-III air exercise on Wednesday. The exercise was the third installment of the Shaheen (Falcon) series of bilateral exercises between the two countries’ air forces, according to Defense News. The exercise is intended to boost cooperation between China and Pakistan and is a source of valuable experience for pilots on both sides. The exercise is “multi-dimensional” and involves operations in “near real [scenarios].”

Aircraft makers press harder as Ottawa reviews fighter-jet purchase

05/30/2014

Companies vying to build Canada’s new fighter jets are cranking up their sales pitches, but they’ll be waiting a while longer to learn whether the Harper government intends to hold a full competition – or stick with the troubled F-35 program. A decision is still pending, and no timeline is imminent on when that decision might be forthcoming, Public Works Minister Diane Finley told a gathering of defence contractors Thursday.

China’s military base in PH territory must absolutely be blocked

05/30/2014

Push has now come to shove. Emboldened by the lack of military resistance in occupying Philippine islands and with her fishing and navy boats sailing at will in our waters, China’s military leaders have now initiated a bold land reclamation military base project in Mabini Reef (Fiery Cross Reef). Location: about 150 miles from Palawan and within the Philippines 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

Large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons underway in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk - media

05/30/2014

A large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons and combat aircraft has been launched in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, Donetsk's OstroV news website reported on Thursday, citing its sources and eyewitnesses. "A large-scale "anti-terrorist" operation has begun in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

Pentagon proves 4th- to 5th-gen combat aircraft comms

05/30/2014

A new communications capability enables fifth-generation combat aircraft to share information with fourth-generation aircraft, prime contractor Northrop Grumman announced on 27 May. The Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) programme, known as the Jetpack JCTD, allows the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to communicate directly and securely with fourth-generation combat aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, and F-18.

F-35 Achieves Three Major Flight Test Milestones On Same Day

05/30/2014

In three separate flight tests on May 27, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II aircraft demonstrated air-to-air combat capability, completed the first flight test with the next level software load and accomplished a landing at the maximum test speed and drop rate.

Russia May Begin Constructing Advanced Military Drones in 2014 – Defense Ministry

05/30/2014

Russia may begin to develop advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UAV) with longer flight endurance in 2014, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters Thursday. "We are ready to consider starting a development work this year with plans to complete it and move on to the official tests or experimental military use of future devices in 2017," Borisov said.

Ukraine army helicopter 'shot down' near Sloviansk

05/29/2014

Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have shot down a military helicopter near the flashpoint city of Sloviansk, reports say. The aircraft was reportedly hit after offloading soldiers at a military base. Sloviansk has seen fierce fighting between separatists and government forces in recent weeks.

Selfridge's A-10s saved from budget axe

05/29/2014

The House overwhelmingly backed a $601 billion defense bill recently that ignores cuts proposed by the Pentagon and spares the A-10 aircraft fleet, including those stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, from elimination during the 2015 fiscal year. The campaign to save the A-10s benefited from a spending authorization bill that spares a wide array of planes, ships and military bases in an election-year nod to hometown interests.

A New Customer for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter?

05/29/2014

Defense watchers have been surprised by recent suggestions emerging from the Abbott Government that Australia could consider acquiring the Lockheed-Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter to complement the 72 F-35A JSFs already ordered.

Norway discloses JSM cost increase ahead of vote

05/29/2014

Norway is set to shoulder the full costs of development and integration activities for the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) programme after failing to secure a partner to share weapon integration on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Qatar nears exclusive talks on buying Rafale fighter: Report

05/29/2014

Qatar could firm up its interest in buying French Rafale fighter planes when its new Emir, Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani visits Paris on June 23, the La Tribune financial website reported Wednesday. The contract is of vital importance to the Dassault Aviation group which builds the plane and to the French government.

War Machine Investments For The New World Order

05/29/2014

As Russian support for pro-Kremlin forces inside Ukraine persists and China continues to show aggression toward its neighbors in the Pacific, it’s becoming clear that the sun will never entirely set on traditional threats. Even in a post-9/11 world countries will continue to square off against one another militarily.

Textron to offer Scorpion jet to Swiss Air Force

05/29/2014

Textron Airland is to offer its Scorpion combat aircraft to Switzerland in the wake of the country's rejection of the Saab Gripen E earlier this month, national media reported on 27 May. The intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)/light strike twin-engined jet is being offered as a low-cost alternative to the Gripen E for the Swiss Air Force's Tiger II fighter replacement requirement, Textron Airland President Bill Anderson reportedly said to the daily newspaper Tages Anzeiger .

Tupolev Tu-160 a.k.a. “Blackjack”: 3 Reasons Why This Aircraft Deserves Its Nickname

05/29/2014

Not many people know this, but blackjack is not just a casino game; it is also the code name used by NATO for the Tupolev Tu-160, the world’s largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft and largest variable-sweep aircraft ever built. This strategic bomber was created by the Soviet Tupolev Design Bureau. It entered service in 1987 and it was the last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union.

Aircraft Stories: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (Part I)

05/29/2014

How big is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter? By one set of measures, it is three times bigger than the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System, ten times bigger than either the Apollo Project or the International Space Station or Hurricane Katrina, or one hundred times bigger than the Panama Canal.

Russian Naval Aviation Monitoring NATO Warships in Black Sea – Source

05/29/2014

Naval wings of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have resumed training flights over neutral waters of the sea to monitor the activity of NATO warships, a source in the Russian navy's headquarters said Wednesday. “During the flights, combat training is carried out to provide surface image coverage in the neutral waters of the Black Sea,” the source said. These flights, performed mainly by Su-24 attack aircraft, allow monitoring of NATO warship maneuvers, which have increased in activity in recent months.

Impressive Videos of the Ukrainian Air Strikes on Donetsk

05/28/2014

On May 26, Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a military operation to regain control over the international airport in the eastern city of Donetsk. The operation saw the involvement of Mi-24 gunship helicopters and Mig-29 Fulcrum and Su-25 Frogfoot jets. It all started early on Monday morning, when forces belonging to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (pro-Russia separatists) occupied the airport.

U.K. Ministry of Defence Deploys BAE Systems' Missile Warning System to Protect Troops

05/28/2014

The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded BAE Systems a $28 million (£16.7 million) contract for the third-generation (Gen3) configuration of its Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). This contract, which represents the first direct commercial sale of BAE Systems’ Gen3 CMWS technology, will enable the U.K. military to provide its aircrews with the latest CMWS survivability equipment.

Sino-Pak Shaheen III Air Exercise Commences in Pakistan

05/28/2014

China and Pakistan commenced their third installment in the Shaheen (Falcon) series of bilateral exercises here over the weekend, according to a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spokesman. Shaheen III is described as a multi-dimensional joint exercise aimed at boosting cooperation and imparting knowledge gained through flying/combat experience conducted in a near real scenario, allowing participants to familiarize themselves with the latest concepts and practices.