Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Japan Impresses Russia And China

11/13/2013

Three years after its last upgrade, Japan is again updating its 13-year old AWACS (Air Warning And Control) aircraft. Unlike U.S. AWACS, that are based on the 1950s era year old Boeing 707, the Japanese AWACS is built on the 1980s era Boeing 767, which has 50 percent more floor space and twice the internal volume of the 707. The Japanese AWACS will get the latest electronic countermeasures and communications equipment, which will make the systems more capable and easier to use.

Iranian Air Force Chasing UFOs Discovered An Unknown Type Of Drone

11/13/2013

Retired by the U.S. Navy more than seven years ago, the iconic Grumman F-14 remains in service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). Iran used its Tomcats extensively in the Iran-Iraq War and the F-14A is still today the backbone of IRIAF air defense. Over the last few years the “Persian cats” have reportedly flown against a very particular threat: the Unidentified Flying Objects, universally known as a UFO.

Army pursuing family of Osprey-like aircraft

11/13/2013

Tilt-rotor aircraft that look like mini-Ospreys are vying with other new designs to replace thousands of U.S. military helicopters. Tilt rotors are incorporated in two of four vertical-lift designs awarded funding by the Department of Defense last month. The Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator funding is part of efforts to build a family of vertical-lift vehicles that could replace thousands of aircraft over the next 50 years, according to the Army.

Military drones grounded in Central New York following crash in Lake Ontario

11/13/2013

Officials at the 174th Attack Wing suspended all Reaper drone flights in Central New York Tuesday after one of the unmanned aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario about 12 miles from the eastern shore during a routine training flight.

THE GLOBAL MILITARY FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT MARKET 2013-2023

11/12/2013

This report is the result of SDI's extensive market and company research covering the global military aircraft industry. It provides detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of the leading companies in the industry, and key news.

Heroux Devtek lowers 2013 revenue forecast due to military softness

11/12/2013

Landing gear manufacturer Heroux-Devtek says a deterioration in military sales caused by budget problems in the US means its overall sales will come in lower than its prior forecast for slight growth. Although it expects commercial revenues will increase by 10%, the company said a drop in US military spending restrictions and government shutdown will offset those gains for the financial year ended March 31.

Japanese government looking for financial support for export of military aircraft

11/12/2013

Japanese companies are looking at loans from state-run banks to be able to fund its planned exports of military aircraft when it finally revises its policy regarding international sales of weapons. This will also be part of the current administration’s efforts to strengthen the country’s self-reliant military force and for defense contractors to finally make their mark on a billion dollar market.

More Marines, aircraft head to devastated Philippines

11/12/2013

The number of Marines and sailors deployed to assist with the humanitarian crisis in the Philippines tripled to 270 following Friday’s Super Typhoon Haiyan, which officials now believe killed 10,000 or more people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. About 180 Marines and sailors left Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, on Monday, for the Philippines aboard four MV-22B Ospreys and three KC-130J Hercules, according to a Marine Corps news release.

Ukraine, Thailand discuss cooperation in military aircraft production

11/12/2013

Ukraine and Thailand are considering the possibility of establishing military and technical cooperation in the area of the procurement, maintenance, and joint development of aircraft. Representatives of the two countries discussed the prospects for extending bilateral cooperation at the international exhibition Defense & Security 2013, which was held in Bangkok on November 4-7, according to the press service of the Ukroboronprom State Concern on Monday, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

C-17 pilot reaches 10,000 flight hours

11/12/2013

On Oct. 20, in the late afternoon heat of southern Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Clements and his C-17 Globemaster III crew set off on a milestone flight. Clements logged his 10,000 hours behind the controls of a military aircraft while assisting U.S. military forces with their drawdown from Afghanistan by redeploying U.S. Army IAV Strykers through one of the area of responsibilities multi-modal hubs.

Rafale delays force IAF to extend MiG service lives

11/12/2013

Continuing delays by India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) in finalising its procurement of 126 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft is forcing the Indian Air Force (IAF) to extend the operational life of several of its ageing platforms well beyond their retirement date. Official sources said IAF commanders meeting in New Delhi on 22 October for their biannual conference discussed various strategies to keep older assets like upgraded MiG-21 Bison ('Fishbed-L') fighters operational until 2022-24.

AF Units Join Air Defense Mission in Iceland

11/12/2013

The final members of the 48th Air Expeditionary Group arrived at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, Nov. 4, to conduct air surveillance and policing missions. The group, which is made up of U.S. Air Force and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization personnel, is a specialized team prepared to ensure Iceland's air sovereignty. Their air policing encompasses radar surveillance and identification of objects in the airspace, unit officials said.

US mobilizes military to help typhoon-hit Philippines

11/11/2013

The United States has mobilized an array of military personnel and equipment to the Philippines in the wake of killer Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), the Pentagon said Sunday. An assessment team was on the ground to gauge the support needed following the superstorm that may have killed more than 10,000 people, Colonel Brad Bartelt, a US Marine Corps spokesman, said in a statement.

Despite Tensions, US-GCC Military Relations Strong

11/11/2013

Despite frustration over US policies in Egypt, Syria and growing negotiations with Iran, military relations between the US and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remain strong with nations poised to continue buying billions in hardware, officials and analysts said. “No one in the region wants to have a bad relationship with the US; no one, and everything [American officials] want, we want,” one Arabian Gulf source said.

US Bid Delays Qatar Jet Competition

11/11/2013

Qatar’s plans to select a fighter as the basis for a six-fold increase in its combat jet power have been delayed by a US request to extend the deadline for submission of request for proposals (RfP), according to executives familiar with the requirement. Meanwhile, with politicians, senior military officers and industry leaders coming to the Dubai Airshow, which starts Nov. 17, speculation continues as to whether the United Arab Emirates’ procurement intentions will become clearer this month.

Navy tests drone’s ability to integrate with aircraft carrier environment

11/11/2013

The Navy says tests have demonstrated a drone’s ability to integrate with the environment of an aircraft carrier. The X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator was tested Saturday and Sunday during flight operations aboard the U.S. Theodore Roosevelt. The Navy says in a news release that touch and go maneuvers generated data characterizing the environment in close proximity of the carrier’s flight deck.

Dubai Airshow: Al Fursan and the Red Arrows confirmed

11/11/2013

The UAE's aerobatic team the Al Fursan and the legendary Red Arrows team, will thrill the crowds with their flying displays at Skyview at the Dubai Airshow which takes place from 18 to 21 November 2013, from 12 – 6pm at Dubai World Central (DWC), Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Indonesian army chopper crash claims 13 lives

11/10/2013

Thirteen people died when an Indonesian army helicopter carrying construction workers to build a military outpost crashed in the jungles of Borneo and burst into flames Saturday. The helicopter was carrying 19 crew and construction workers, as well as building materials, en route to the outpost in Malinau district, North Kalimantan province, near the Malaysian border.

Seoul Sees More Weapons Sales to Thailand

11/10/2013

South Korea is looking to sell more weapons systems, including warships and aircraft, to Thailand, which is pushing to modernize its armed forces to meet security challenges. Following a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for a 3,700-ton frigate, the Royal Thai Navy plans to procure one more frigate built by the South Korean shipyard, according to officials. The contract for the first frigate was signed in August. The deal was valued around $470 million, the highest we

Senate Intelligence Committee Quietly Approves Plan To Step Up Drones Oversight

11/10/2013

The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has quietly approved a plan to step up both public and internal government oversight of the use of armed drones to kill suspected militants overseas, including American citizens.

Tejas trials Fast-tracked to meet deadline

11/10/2013

Defence scientists, engineers and pilots attached to India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme are on a war footing to ensure that the fighter doesn’t miss the December deadline for its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-2). Three aircraft - LSP-3, LSP-5, LSP-8 - from the Tejas flight-line are currently undertaking weapon trials in Jamnagar. The Russian-made R73-E missile will be fired during the ongoing trials.

India rises as world's biggest weapons buyer

11/10/2013

With nations, including the US and UK, effecting defence budget cuts, India will emerge as the world’s biggest market for weapons over the next two decades. And vying for a share of the pie will be Russian, American, Israeli, French and British firms.

Romania - Weapons, Equipment, and Support for F-16 Block 15 MLU Aircraft

11/10/2013

The U.S. Department of Defense'sDefense Security Cooperation Agency issued the following news release: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Romania of weapons, equipment, and support for 12 F-16 MLU Block 15 for an estimated cost of $457 million.

Newest Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Launched

11/10/2013

50 years after commissioning the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN-65 USS Enterprise), the US Navy christened today the first ship of the third generation of nuclear powered carriers. Larger and much more advanced version of the $13 billion ‘floating airport’, the new Ford class is designed to carry naval air power well into the 22nd century.

Norway Taps AgustaWestland Copter for SAR Role

11/09/2013

Norway has selected AgustaWestland to supply new search-and-rescue helicopters in a deal that could be worth more than €1 billion and include more than 16 AW101 helicopters. An announcement on a Norwegian government website on Nov. 8 stated that Norway had “decided to commence final negotiations with the company AgustaWestland Ltd. for the delivery of new search and rescue helicopters to replace the current Sea King.”