Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Don't delay Light Combat Aircraft project: Anthony to DRDO

11/07/2013

Defence minister A K Antony on Wednesday directed the DRDO to ensure that the operational deadlines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, first sanctioned 30 years to replace the ageing MiG-21s, are not delayed yet again. Addressing the parliamentary consultative committee on defence, Antony said the under-development indigenous fighter's initial operational clearance (IOC) planned for next month and the final operational clearance (FOC) in December 2014.

Upgraded Orion Delivered In Nine Months

11/07/2013

The Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Greenville team delivered a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) P-3 Orion aircraft in nine months—94 days early—on November 6. This unprecedented accomplishment allows for a quicker return of the aircraft to the CBP P-3 fleet supporting homeland security and drug interdiction missions.

New Boeing B-52 Upgrade to Increase Smart Weapons Capacity by Half

11/07/2013

Boeing will continue to increase the B-52 bomber’s effectiveness and versatility under a new U.S. Air Force contract that calls for the aircraft’s smart weapons capacity to expand by 50 percent. Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart weapons in the bomb bay, allowing aircrews to use the B-52’s entire weapons capacity.

Boeing and Kongsberg Defense Systems Complete Joint Strike Missile Check on F/A-18 Super Hornet

11/07/2013

Boeing and Kongsberg Defense Systems of Norway recently completed a successful check of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) on an F/A-18F Super Hornet at the Boeing St. Louis facility to ensure the weapons fit on the aircraft's external pylons.

Colombian President Says Russian Bombers Violated Airspace

11/07/2013

Colombian officials will issue a note of protest to Moscow after two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers entered the country’s airspace without permission last week, the Latin American nation's president has said. The aircraft entered Colombian airspace from Venezuela last Friday while heading for Nicaragua, President Juan Manuel Santos said Tuesday, according to a report on Colombia's NTN24 television station.

First ever combat for Rooivalk

11/06/2013

After three decades of development and a development cost in excess of R8 billion, the South African designed and built Rooivalk attack helicopter has finally deployed operationally, and also fired its weapons in anger. Three Rooivalk helicopters, belonging to 16 Squadron based at AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein, were airlifted to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a week ago.

ACC: Landing gear failure caused F-16 crash in South Korea

11/06/2013

A landing gear failure caused an F-16C to skid off the runway July 16 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, destroying the jet and causing minor injuries to the pilot, Air Combat Command announced today. The pilot, who was assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., was able to exit the aircraft. The jet’s landing gear collapsed immediately after touching down for landing after a routine training flight.

Malaysian link-up for BAE Systems

11/06/2013

Bosses from four Malaysian firms visited BAE Systems’ sites in Warton and Samlesbury, Lancashire, on Monday and got a first-hand look at its world-class aerospace manufacturing facility and flight test centre for military aircraft. They also visited Kilgour Aerospace in Blackpool which has been involved in the aerospace industry since 1966, as part of a two-day visit organised by BAE Systems and the SME Corporation Malaysia.

India, US Launch Annual Malabar Exercises in Bay of Bengal

11/06/2013

The Indian and US navies began conducting their annual Malabar joint exercises today in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Tamil Nadu, an annual event since 1992. The exercises will run through Nov. 11. The exercises will include gun-firing, fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, combating terrorism and maritime interdiction operations exercises.

Procurement: Unofficial Reaper Replacement Survives And Thrives

11/06/2013

The U.S. Air Force has ordered another 24 MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper UAVs. Although defense budgets are being cut and the air force is scrounging to come up with enough cash to keep its F-35 production going, the Reaper is still one of the most active combat aircraft in air force service. So the orders just keep on coming, at least as long as there is demand. As long as there is a terrorist threat out there, there will be demand.

Drone Wars: Pilots Reveal Debilitating Stress Beyond Virtual Battlefield

11/06/2013

In the final years of his nearly 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Slim spent 10 to 12 hours a day in a cool, dark room in the Arizona desert, stationed in front of monitors that beamed back aerial footage from Afghanistan.

Speed is the New Stealth: The SR-72 Challenges the Future at Mach 6

11/06/2013

The popular image of a stealthy, fifth-generation fighter and subsonic drone-dominated future in military aviation appears to have a serious challenge at hand. On 1 November 2013, Lockheed Martin’s ‘Skunk Works’ development department unveiled the ‘SR-72’ project designed to replace the retired Mach 3 capable SR-71 Blackbird spy plane.

Gunning for Better Returns In Defense Stocks

11/06/2013

Last month, headlines were dominated by the near catastrophic level of political dysfunction in Washington, D.C., including a federal government shutdown and a congressional game of chicken regarding the debt ceiling. While there was an 11th-hour deal to avert the worst-case scenario, there’s a strong possibility that this latest sideshow will repeat itself at the top of next year.

Belarus to Build Aerial Drones in Turkmenistan

11/06/2013

The former Soviet states of Turkmenistan and Belarus have agreed on a project to jointly build an aerial drone factory in the energy-rich Central Asian nation. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday during a working visit to Turkmenistan that his country would dispatch aviation specialists to implement the project.

Russian Strategic Bombers Complete South American Mission

11/06/2013

Two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers returned on Tuesday from a tour-of-duty in South America, where they carried out a series of patrols in line with a combat training program. During the mission, which started on October 28, the nuclear-capable bombers visited Venezuela and Nicaragua, and conducted a series of patrols over the Caribbean.

US to supply Israel with its latest military aircraft within two years

11/05/2013

American defence secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday that Israel would be the first US ally to receive the American V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor military aircraft. The deal was negotiated between Hagel and Israeli defence minister Moshe Ya'alon during the former's last visit to Israel. According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the estimated cost of one V-22 Osprey is $69 million.

US plans for hypersonic robot spy plane revealed

11/05/2013

The unmanned SR-72 will use an engine that combines a turbine and a ramjet to reach its top speed of Mach 6 - about 3,600mph (5,800km/h). Like its predecessor, the SR-72 will be designed for high-altitude surveillance but might also be fitted with weapons to strike targets. Lockheed said the aircraft should be operational by 2030.

Japan eyes government support for military aircraft exports

11/05/2013

Japan is considering providing low-interest loans from a state-run bank to support exports of aircraft designed for military use, the first time such sales are being considered since the end of World War Two, according to officials with knowledge of the still-developing policy.

Air National Guard will open Reaper drone hangar at Fort Drum

11/05/2013

The 174th Attack Wing of the Air National Guard will open a new hangar Tuesday to house its remotely-piloted drone aircraft at Wheeler Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, near Watertown. The $5.1 million hangar will house two MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by pilots at Hancock Field in Mattydale over restricted military air space at Fort Drum.

India strikes a balance with combat exercises with US, China

11/05/2013

India on Tuesday will kick off wargames with two military superpowers, the US and China, striking a fine balance amid the geopolitical jostling between the two for supremacy in the crucial Asia-Pacific region. Even as 162 Indian soldiers touched down in an IAF IL-76 at the Chengdu military region in China for the "Hand-in-Hand (HiH)'' exercise on Monday, Indian and American warships and maritime patrol aircraft were simultaneously gathering in the Bay of Bengal to launch the combat manoeuvres.

Red Arrows hit Bahrain as Britain bids to sell weapons to royal family

11/05/2013

Britain is to send the Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team to perform Bahrain, just weeks after negotiations opened on the sale of BAE Eurofighter jets to the tiny Gulf Kingdom. Bahrain’s ruling family has been engaged in brutal repression of protesters since a democratic uprising began i n February 2011. Britain has been repeatedly criticised for selling weapons and other military hardware to the regime while the crackdown continues.

Five Air Forces to Participate in Israel’s ‘Blue Flag’ Air Combat Exercise

11/05/2013

U.S., Greek, Polish and Italian fighter jets are planned to deploy to Ovda Israel Air Force Base this month, to participate in the Israel Air Force’s ‘Blue Flag’ air warfare exercise over the southern Negev Desert. Over 100 aircraft and about a thousand air and ground crews are expected to participate. Israeli sources have not confirmed the specific nations taking part in the exercise but foreign sources have indicated these are likely to include Greece, Poland, Italy, the US and Israel.

Embraer Faces FCPA Probe in Dominican Republic

11/05/2013

Aircraft giant Embraer SA is under investigation by U.S. and Brazilian authorities amid allegations that it made improper payments to a government official in the Dominican Republic. Embraer is being probed over allegations that its executives made bribery payments to officials in the Dominican Republic in exchange for a $90 million contract to furnish the country's armed forces with military planes, according to documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

SOCOM to get 7 C-27Js from Air Force

11/04/2013

The Pentagon has assigned seven C-27J Spartans to Special Operations Command (SOCOM), but has not decided the fate of the Air Force’s remaining air lifters. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter made the decision on Oct. 28, according to Pentagon spokeswoman Ann Stefanek.

Angola: We Buy Any Jet - Why Is Angola Buying Hand-Me-Down Military Equipment From Russia?

11/04/2013

In many ways, the Angola of today - with its booming natural-resource-driven economic growth and relative stability - is a far cry from the war-torn and ravaged country of the Cold War era. In that period, it was the subject of a protracted and bloody civil war in which the country also become the site of various geopolitical proxy wars involving the likes of the Soviet Union, US, South Africa and Cuba.