Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The U.S. is buying even more hardware for Yemen’s military

08/13/2013

U.S. drones have been battering Yemen, killing at least 28 people, and American spy planes watch from overhead. And now, Yemen’s skies are looking to get even more crowded. The U.S. Navy is helping the Yemeni air force buy 12 light spy planes, adding to the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of military aid the U.S. given to the Sana’a regime.

Pilot pipeline in peril

08/13/2013

The first successful landing of a drone the size of a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier in July drew acclaim from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as “the future,” but the vision raises questions about Pensacola’s traditional role as a training ground for thousands of military aviators. “The manned aircraft portion of Naval aviation is going to decrease in favor of unmanned,” said retired Adm. Robert Kelly.

Improved Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is now part of president’s escort

08/13/2013

When the president lifts off from the White House lawn, he’s joined by a few new wingmen. On President Barack Obama’s vacation flight Saturday to Martha’s Vineyard, new MV-22 Ospreys made their debut escorting his staff, Secret Service agents and the news media – although not the chief executive himself – to the island off the Massachusetts coast.

HAL's basic trainer aircraft project still on: Antony

08/13/2013

Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday the basic trainer aircraft (BTA) project of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) "is still on" and the Indian Air Force has not sought more Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mark II basic trainers. Answering queries from media persons about IAF "favouring" Pilatus over state-run HAL's HTT-40 trainer, which is still under development, Antony said that the project to build the BTA was being pursued.

India milestone as it launches own aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

08/13/2013

India launched its first indigenously-built aircraft carrier on Monday, a landmark moment in the $5 billion or 500 crores project that seeks to project the country's power and check the rising influence of China.

S. Korea to buy 4 aerial refueling tankers for fighter jets

08/13/2013

South Korea's arms procurement agency on Monday approved a long-delayed plan to buy four aerial refueling tankers from 2017-19 to extend the operational range of the country's fighter jets. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it will open bidding for the project in February of next year and select a contractor in October in the same year.

Lockheed Martin Receives $223 Million M-TADS/PNVS Contract for Republic of Korea Apaches

08/13/2013

Lockheed Martin received a $223 million contract to provide the Republic of Korea with Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) systems for the nation’s AH-64E Apache helicopter.

New Engine for Russia’s T-50 Fighter Jet Expected by 2020

08/13/2013

The final version of the engine for Russia’s first fifth-generation T-50 fighter jet will be available by the end of the current decade, the United Engine Making Corporation said Monday. T-50 prototypes are currently using a preliminary, “Stage 1” engine, while the “Stage 2” engine will make the jet’s capabilities “even more impressive,” a corporation spokesman told RIA Novosti, without providing any technical details.

Outside NATO, Ukraine Could Be Valuable Security Partner

08/12/2013

President Viktor Yanukovych’s signing of Ukraine’s renewed NATO Annual National Plan last month, and the country’s completion of naval exercises with the alliance, in line with the Eastern European country’s commitment to supporting NATO counterpiracy operations, reaffirm its interest in maintaining a transatlantic relationship, at least to some extent.

AF to Add Fighter, Bomber Rotations to Australia

08/12/2013

The Air Force plans to increase the number of airmen and aircraft it will rotate through Australia as part of the U.S. military's Pacific Pivot and increased presence in Australia. President Obama announced in 2011 on his trip to Australia the U.S. plan to deploy 2,500 Marines on 6-month rotations to the port city of Darwin. The president explained that it would serve as a stepping stone toward increasing the U.S. military's partnership with Australia.

Egypt May Not Need Fighter Jets, But The U.S. Keeps Sending Them Anyway

08/12/2013

The story with F-16 fighter jets is similar. Since 1980, we've sent Egypt 221 fighter jets, valued at $8 billion. "Our American military advisers in Cairo have for many years been advising against further acquisitions of F-16s," Springborg said. Egypt already has more F-16s than it needs, he said.

Airman Killed in Helo Crash Was Afghan Rescue Hero

08/12/2013

The airman killed in a helicopter crash on Okinawa was a decorated para-rescue veteran whose effort to recover a wounded soldier was captured in one of the most iconic combat photos to come from the war in Afghanistan, the Air Force said Saturday.

British Military Inspectors to Fly Over Russia, Belarus

08/12/2013

British military inspectors will fly over the territories of Russia and Belarus starting from Monday as part of the international Open Skies Treaty, a Russian Defense Ministry official said. “In the period between August 12 and 16, a group of British experts will make a surveillance flight above the territories of Russia and Belarus on board of a Swedish SAAB-340 observation aircraft,” Ruslan Shishin, the acting head of the ministry’s National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, said.

The Last Of The Kfirs Are For Sale

08/11/2013

Israel is shrinking its military, along with its defense budget. To deal with these changes the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) is selling off older equipment, much if from semi-retired status (kept in reserve for an emergency) rather than stuff being used regularly. Among the items being offered are probably the last Kfir jet fighters (25 0f them) available for sale.

Egypt military behind Sinai air raid

08/11/2013

The Egyptian military has confirmed that Friday's air raid on targets in the Sinai region that killed four fighters was carried out by one of its aircraft. The armed group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis had earlier said Israeli drones were behind the attack. It further accused the Egyptian army of co-ordinating the attack with the Israelis.

Talks up on wider US military role in PH

08/11/2013

Government officials say they will soon begin negotiations with the United States on a larger American military presence to help deter what they say is increasing Chinese aggression in Philippine-claimed waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Hero Prince Harry joins Army’s elite

08/11/2013

PRINCE HARRY is to join the Army’s most elite Apache helicopter unit and could soon be flying from an aircraft carrier taking part in some of the most challenging missions faced by pilots. Recently qualified Apache commander Captain Wales is one of three pilots earmarked for operational experience with the Royal Navy’s high-readiness force, known officially as the UK’s Response Force Task Group.

F-35s take next step at Tyndall

08/11/2013

The F-35s soaring through the sky are continuing to ramp up their training operations and have started to simulate some combat-type missions. For the first time last month, the Joint Strike Fighter was controlled by an air battle management squadron on the ground at Tyndall Air Force Base.

Air Force: Electrical wire caused F-22 crash at Tyndall

08/10/2013

The crash of an F-22 Raptor jet fighter Nov. 15 at Tyndall Air Force Base was caused by a “chafed wire” that ignited a fire and caused the jet to lose power, the Air Combat Command Investigation Board announced Friday.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

08/10/2013

The Joint Strike Fighter Pilot Training Center was completed this month with capabilities to hold 8 full mission F-35B simulators, classrooms, briefing rooms and more. Construction of new facilities aboard Fightertown continue for the expected arrival of two training and three operational F-35B squadrons.

S. Korean fighter jets make nonstop flight to Alaska for drills

08/10/2013

South Korean F-15K combat jets have flown nonstop to Alaska, using in-flight refueling to take part in an upcoming U.S.-led multinational exercise known as "Red Flag," South Korea's Defense Ministry said Friday. The flight to Alaska "has become the first time for our fighter aircraft to fly non-stop by aerial refueling to participate in a joint drill overseas," spokesman Wi Yong Seop told a news briefing.

Plane Crash Kills 4 In Somalia: Ethiopian Craft Carried Ammunition To Battle Al-Shabab

08/10/2013

A plane crash-landed in the Somali capital city of Mogadishu Friday, killing four people when the aircraft burst into flames on the tarmac of Aden Adde International Airport. All six onboard were crew members; the two survivors are being treated at an African Union hospital in the city.

Russian Air Force to Get 60 Mi-28UB Helicopters by 2020

08/10/2013

The Russian Defense Ministry will procure up to 60 Mi-28UB helicopters to improve the training of pilots for Mi-28N gunships, the Air Force commander said. The Mi-28UB is a combat training variant of the Mi-28N Night Hunter attack helicopter that can be operated both from the pilot's cockpit and the flight instructor's cockpit as it is equipped with a dual hydromechanical flight control system.

Putin Aide Denies Anti-Assad Deal With Saudi Arabia

08/10/2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed “philosophical” matters, not an arms deal, with Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief during a recent meeting in Moscow, a presidential aide said Friday. Western media reported after the meeting that Saudi Arabia had offered to buy Russian arms worth $15 billion if Moscow agreed to stop backing the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The story was credited to anonymous sources and was never confirmed by Russian or Saudi officials.

India, China Interested in Ukraine’s Carrier Pilot Training Site - Minister

08/10/2013

India and China are interested in using Ukraine’s carrier-deck pilot training site in Crimea, a senior defense official said Friday. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti in mid-July that Moscow had officially informed Kiev that it will not use the Nitka site in 2013. “There are other countries that are showing some interest in using Nitka. These are India, China and others,” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Volodymyr Mozharovskiy said.