Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Two New Gunships Seek International Customers

05/25/2014

After years in which aerial gunships were synonymous with the US-built AC-130, not one but two new offerings were on display last week in Jordan, reflecting a growing demand from other nations for aerial strikes by slow moving aircraft. Visitors to the Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference (SOFEX) in Jordan got a first look at a pair of CASA C-235 aircraft purchased secondhand from Spain and converted to gunship configuration for the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Boeing Delivers 4th P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to India

05/24/2014

Boeing has delivered the fourth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India on schedule, fulfilling the first half of a contract for eight aircraft. The aircraft departed from Boeing Field in Seattle and arrived May 21 at Naval Air Station Rajali, where it joined three P-8Is currently undergoing operational evaluation.

Swiss Reject Gripen Buy in Referendum

05/24/2014

Swiss citizens have rejected their government’s plan to buy 22 Saab Gripen E combat aircraft in a referendum. The verdict was not unexpected, since recent opinion polls had shown a majority against the plan, despite its previous approval by the Swiss parliament. However, the “no” vote majority was only 53.4 percent. Under Switzerland’s unique version of democracy, many significant or controversial matters of public policy are decided in this way.

Congress Spurns Pentagon Cuts From A-10 to Base Closings

05/24/2014

The U.S. House and Senate are both headed toward protecting the A-10 aircraft of the Cold War era, radar-jamming jets made by Boeing Co. and the Navy’s carrier fleet, spurning the Pentagon’s cost-cutting strategies. The Republican-led House passed yesterday a $601 billion defense authorization measure for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, and the Democratic-led Senate Armed Services Committee approved its version hours later.

New defence minister to watch Rafale jets in action

05/24/2014

Within days of taking over, India’s new defence minister will get a first hand opportunity to see live action from French fighter jets Rafale, selected by the UPA-II government as the preferred platform for Indian Air Force’s 126 fighter jet deal. More than two years ago, the government selected Rafale and started the price negotiation process. Initially valued at $10.4 billion (Rs 42,000 crore), the fighter deal may rise to as high as $20 billion at the time of the commercial contract.

Reserve C-130 members depart for international exercise

05/24/2014

More than 175 reservists from four Air Force Reserve C-130 and ALCE units will soon join coalition forces for Maple Flag Exercise at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. Due to real world commitments, the normal NATO fighter aircraft will not participate this year reducing the total number of aircraft. However, the exercise continues for transport aircraft training in real world scenarios.

Russia Strengthens Military Bases Abroad – Defense Minister

05/24/2014

Russia is strengthening its military bases abroad as well as helping to boost the armed forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.

B-1B crews validate Ellsworth's long-range strike capability

05/23/2014

wo B-1B Lancer aircrews flew a 30-hour, non-stop, long-range precision strike training mission from Ellsworth to strike targets on a range near Guam before landing back on base as part of a Global Power training mission, May 13 and 14. Working in concert with U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Pacific Command and Air Combat Command, the sortie tested the capabilities of Ellsworth's Airmen to successfully load munitions, launch aircraft, effectively employ training munitions and return home.

Eurofighter announces enhancements for Typhoon

05/23/2014

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH has announced a capability enhancement package for its Typhoon combat plane, flown or ordered by seven countries. The package was announced Wednesday at the 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show by Paul Smith, a Eurofighter capability manager and former British Royal Air Force pilot.

UK’s new Reaper drones remain grounded, months before Afghan withdrawal

05/23/2014

Five new Reaper drones announced by David Cameron in December 2010 to support British troops in Afghanistan are still not yet in operation, the Bureau can reveal. The new drones were bought as an urgent purchase and were part of a £135m package intended to effectively double the size of the UK’s fleet of armed drones in Afghanistan, and its surveillance capacity.

U.S. military chief to Taliban: Seize the moment to negotiate

05/23/2014

The Taliban should take advantage of what may be a shrinking window of opportunity to seek a negotiated end to the conflict in Afghanistan, the top U.S. military official said on Thursday. "I don't give military advice to the Taliban, but if I were giving them advice, I'd say, 'Your negotiating position is not going to improve; it's going to erode'," said Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Latest defense bill saves Selfridge air fleet, more than 700 jobs

05/23/2014

The fleet of A-10 fighters and hundreds of related jobs at Selfridge Air National Guard Base could be spared once more, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of a 2015 defense bill preserving them from elimination.

Pentagon Bid to Retire Aging Aircraft Rejected in House

05/23/2014

The U.S. House passed a $601 billion defense authorization bill that rejects Pentagon plans to retire Cold War-era planes and rebuffs efforts to find savings in military benefits and base closings. By a vote of 325-98, lawmakers took the first step toward setting defense policy and spending for the fiscal year that begins Oct.1.

Rafale To Fly in Indo-French Joint Air Exercises

05/23/2014

The French Rafale fighter aircraft, shortlisted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its $12 billion Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, will engage with IAF aircraft in June 3 joint exercises over the Rajasthan desert. The Indo-French air exercise, Garuda-5, will include four Rafale multirole fighter aircraft and one air refueler that will participate with IAF’s multirole Su-30MKI, MiG-27 and MiG-21 aircraft.

Philippines invites bids for maritime patrol aircraft

05/23/2014

The Philippines has invited bids in a Ps6 billion ($23 million) programme to acquire two long range patrol aircraft for the country’s air force. The bids are to include the cost of the aircraft, sensors, systems integration, as well as support capabilities, according to a document posted on the Department of National Defense’s website.

No Plans to Export Russian Alligator Attack Helicopters Before 2016 – Arms Exporter

05/23/2014

Talks with foreign partners to purchase Russia’s Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters will begin in earnest in 2016 or 2017, a representative of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Thursday. The Ka-52 was unveiled internationally at the 50th Le Bourget airshow last June.

Russian’s Air Force to Receive New Generation Long-Range Bomber in 2023

05/23/2014

The Russian Air Force will start receiving its first PAK DA next generation long-range bomber in 2023, Russian Air Force Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Thursday. Earlier reports said PAK DA bombers could be supplied to the Russian Air Force approximately by 2020.

Why No One Is Buying the Air Force’s Argument To Ditch the A-10

05/22/2014

One of the most controversial proposals by the Air Force this year is its plan to divest the A-10 jet aircraft. The “warthog,” as it is known, is a slow moving, low-flying, ear-piercingly loud jet airplane built around a giant “Avenger” Gatling gun, which has provided intimidating fire power for troops in contact on the ground for nearly 40 years.

The new Government must move decisively to boost our defence capabilities

05/22/2014

The Indian Air Force's Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme earned its sobriquet of being the 'mother of all procurements' due its cost, pegged at around US $10 billion in 2007. But seven years down the line, and after the selection of the French Rafale post rigorous evaluation trials, the acquisition still remains some distance away.

F-22 Raptor ready for this year’s Oceanfront Air Show

05/22/2014

NewsChannel 3 got a first-hand look at a F-22 Raptor as it did every maneuver in the book, preparing for this year’s Virginia Beach Patriotic Oceanfront Air Show next weekend. “It’s always a ton of fun for me. I get out there. I’ve got a good airplane. The weather was great today. A little bit of wind but nothing we couldn’t handle,” said Capt. John Cummings, pilot of the F-22.

China-Russia naval drill juts into Korea’s ADIZ

05/22/2014

Seoul formally protested joint naval drills by China and Russia in the East China Sea that intruded into Korea’s air defense identification zone (Kadiz). According to the Korean Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday, the training area for the military exercises conducted by Beijing and Moscow partly overlapped with the Korean and Japanese ADIZs. Seoul was barely given any prior notice.

ILA2014: Eurofighter and MBDA announce 'paradigm shift' in Typhoon capabilities

05/22/2014

ntegration of the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Storm Shadow / Taurus cruise missile, and Brimstone air-to-surface missile onto the Eurofighter Typhoon will represent "a paradigm shift" in the combat aircraft's capabilities, company officials announced on 21 May. Speaking at the ILA Airshow in Berlin, officials from both Eurofighter and MBDA noted how the integration of these new weapon systems onto the Typhoon will keep the fighter at the forefront.

Congressional Panel Warns Aging Ejection Seats Could Kill Pilots

05/22/2014

If you think that the military routinely hides problems from the public, then you must never have read the reports that congressional committees produce as part of their annual review of Pentagon budget requests. Those reports describe hundreds of problems that need to be addressed each year, and often result in legislative language directing remedies.

U.S. Sends Troops to Chad to Aid Hunt for Nigerian Schoolgirls

05/22/2014

The United States has sent 80 troops to Chad in Central Africa to support a growing international effort in neighboring Nigeria to help find and rescue the schoolgirls who were abducted by an Islamist extremist group last month, the White House said on Wednesday. The American military personnel are not ground troops. They are mostly Air Force flight crew members, maintenance specialists and security officers for unarmed Predator surveillance drones.

MEADS System Gains Full Certification for Identifying Friend or Foe Aircraft

05/22/2014

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) subsystem has received full certification for operation by the United States Department of Defense International AIMS (Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System, Identification Friend or Foe, Mark XII/Mark XIIA, Systems) Program Office. The system is designed to ensure the safety of allied aircrews engaged in combat operations.