Military Aviation News Archive

Jordan orders BAE Systems' APKWS rocket

05/08/2014

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the US Navy have formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the first international sale of BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket.

Losing Syrian Rebels Press in Washington for Weapons

05/07/2014

U.S.-backed leaders in the Syrian opposition have come to Washington to lobby for better arms, challenging the Obama administration’s position that providing advanced anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles is too risky. Ahmad al-Jarba, president of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, is leading a delegation to meet administration officials and lawmakers and persuade them to provide lethal arms to the Free Syrian Army.

India risks destabilising Afghanistan

05/07/2014

With foreign combat troops preparing to leave Afghanistan, India has agreed to supply the country with military equipment. Guest columnist Ahmed Rashid says the move risks raising tensions. India's decision last week to pay for arms and equipment from Russia to boost the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) could be a dramatic game-changer in the region - as well as a step fraught with escalation in regional rivalries.

U.S. Army UAVs Frozen In Time

05/07/2014

Faced with smaller budgets over the next decade, the U.S. Army has halted evaluation of new UAVs and is standardizing on four existing models (Gray Eagle, Shadow 2000, Raven, and Puma). All four of these were developed and purchased in large quantities over the last dozen years and will remain the primary army UAVs for the next 5-10 years.

Chief of Staff Describes Air Force’s ‘Precarious’ Position

05/07/2014

After 23 years of high-tempo operations, the Air Force is in a precarious position, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. The general was joined in his testimony by his fellow members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including the Joint Chiefs chairman, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, and the vice chairman, Navy Adm. James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld Jr.

Eastern Europe Targets Improved Transport Capabilities

05/07/2014

With the crisis in Ukraine forcing Eastern European governments to refocus on defense, several are expanding their helicopter fleets to replace largely Russian-built aircraft, with an emphasis on transport. Poland is developing the largest helicopter procurement program in the region, with plans to buy 70 new aircraft this year as part of a military modernization program that extends to 2022.

PACAF commander: Russian air, sea patrols increasing in Pacific

05/07/2014

Russian military planes and ships have been stepping up patrols in the Pacific in response to tensions in Ukraine, according to the commander of Pacific Air Forces. “[There’s been] a significant... increase in the amount of activity from Russia in the Asia-Pacific,” PACAF commander Gen. Herbert Carlisle said Monday. “And we relate a lot of that to what’s going on in the Ukraine.”

Bomber spending by U.S. Air Force projected to double after 2019

05/07/2014

The U.S. Air Force projects that its annual spending on long-range bombers will almost double after 2019 as it seeks a new stealth aircraft that may pit Northrop Grumman Corp. against a joint bid from Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co. The service’s total budget for bomber production and upgrades will jump to about $9.5 billion in fiscal 2020 from less than $5 billion for the previous year beginning Oct. 1, according to a Pentagon document obtained by Bloomberg News.

DOD Works to Counter Russian Intervention in Ukraine

05/07/2014

The Defense Department is working with the State Department and NATO allies to provide reassurance, deterrence and support to Ukraine, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. The U.S. government’s response to Russia’s actions in the region is being done carefully and without taking actions that would escalate the crisis, Evelyn N. Farkas said.

US, Iraq continue counterterrorism cooperation

05/07/2014

Lt. Gen. Michael Bednarek, chief of the US Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, said that the Iraqi government and armed forces are working on countering terrorism in cooperation with the United States. Speaking to Azzaman on May 3, Bednarek said, “The cooperation consists of supplying Iraq with weapons, information, training, development and aerial maps to detect the movement of terrorist forces and armed groups opposing the Iraqi government.”

Combat Vets Champion Warthog Plane Brass Wants Scrapped

05/07/2014

When about 3,000 U.S. soldiers traveling on a dirt road in Iraq came under fire from behind a ridge in the opening weeks of the 2003 American invasion, the retired Air Force chief master sergeant says he called for air support from the only plane that could fly low and slow enough to tell friend from foe: the A-10.

Ukraine Helicopter Shot Down Over Slavyansk

05/06/2014

A Ukrainian helicopter has been shot down over the pro-Russian stronghold of Slavyansk as the security situation in the country continues to worsen. Ukraine's defence ministry said the pilots survived. Elsewhere in the east of the country four paramilitary policemen were shot dead in fighting. A number of other rebels and civilians are also thought to have been killed or injured, according to Sky's Stuart Ramsay, who is in eastern Ukraine.

'Sky Soldiers' conduct aerial resupply in Latvia

05/06/2014

Paratroopers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) planned and executed an aerial resupply mission at Adazi Drop Zone here Friday. Approximately 150 paratroopers from the brigade are currently participating in exercises in Latvia, which are part of a series of expanded American land force training activities with European partners that are scheduled to take place in the next few months and beyond.

It’s Too Soon to Cut Funding for A-10s, Lawmakers Say

05/06/2014

Eight leading senators appealed to the Senate Appropriations Committee to save the Air Force’s controversial A-10 aircraft fleet from the Pentagon budget’s chopping block as lawmakers inch closer to a final draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2015. The proposal to retire the fleet of 353 A-10s, Air Force officials have said repeatedly in both interviews and recent testimony on Capitol Hill.

Pakistani buying helps China become 3rd biggest exporter of military jets

05/06/2014

Pakistan has made it possible for China to win the third slot among the world's exporters of multi-role jet fighters after the United States and Russia, the Chinese government controlled website, Huanqiu.com said. Islamabad has contacted for approximately 100 FC-1 Xiaolong fighters worth $2.52 billion from China. The Pakistani buying and air displays of the single engine multi-role combat Xiaolong fighters, also known as the JF-17 Thunder.

The return of Britain's 'Top Guns': Royal Navy recommissions training squadron - but it will still be four more years before we have jets on a carrier

05/06/2014

Britain's Royal Navy has quietly recommissioned a fighter squadron to train the next generation of ‘Top Gun’ aviators who will eventually fly from the decks of its giant new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. 736 Naval Air Squadron has been back in business for almost a year. It was formed from a civilian-run operation used to help train navy ships how to defend themselves from air attacks and flies ageing but nimble Hawk T1 aircraft.

Did a Super-Secret Spy Plane Cause Travel Chaos at Los Angeles Airport?

05/06/2014

Several media reports this weekend blamed a ’70s-era Air Force spy plane for causing more than 200 flights at Los Angeles International Airport to be canceled or diverted. So it is true? Not according to the Air Force.

Lockheed Martin Receives $80 Million Contract for U.S. and Indonesian Apache Sensor Systems

05/06/2014

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $80.6 million production contract for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) on the AH-64 Apache helicopter. This Lot 9 contract includes production of eight targeting and pilotage systems and spares for the U.S. Army and nine systems for the Indonesian Army. Indonesia is the 13th international customer to purchase the M-TADS/PNVS system.

Boeing Delivers 100th EA-18G Growler to US Navy

05/06/2014

Boeing delivered the 100th EA-18G Growler to the U.S. Navy, marking a major milestone in the program that has transformed airborne electronic warfare capability for the U.S. and its allies. A derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler is the only aircraft in production that provides tactical jamming and electronic protection for U.S. and allied forces. Growlers provide a unique capability to nearly all U.S. combat missions and are expected to be in service until at least 2040.

Russia to Provide Syria with First Batch of Jet Trainers until End of Year

05/06/2014

Russia plans to send the initial batch of the Yakovlev Yak-130 jet trainers to Syria until the end of 2014, with further plans to fully complete the contract for 36 aircraft in 2016, the Kommersant newspaper wrote Monday, citing a source close to Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

Russia to Show Off Latest Weapons at Defense Expo in Jordan

05/06/2014

Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport will display its latest weapons systems and military hardware at the SOFEX-2014 exhibition this week in Jordan, the company has said. The company said it expects potential buyers are likely to pay particular attention to Russian noiseless and flameless weapons, sniper rifles, submachine guns and special melee weapons.

Agreement paves way for more rotations to Philippines

05/05/2014

A new United States agreement with the Philippines is not likely to result in many immediate operational changes for troops in the Pacific region, but it clears the way for the Pentagon to invest in new construction and infrastructure there, and sets the stage for new U.S.-built facilities along the shores of the contested South China Sea.

France scrambles military plane after jetliner loses radio contact

05/05/2014

France scrambled a fighter aircraft Sunday after a jetliner slightly veered from its course and lost radio contact with the ground over western France, military officials said. The Washington-bound United Airlines Boeing had taken off in Rome, the air force information service SIRPA said.

Jordan to manufacture arms for UAE and Middle East

05/05/2014

Battle-tested and proven defence technologies will soon be manufactured in Jordan for armed forces across the Middle East, including the UAE. Africa’s largest defence and aerospace business, Paramount Group, announced a strategic joint venture with Jordan’s state-owned defence manufacturer, the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) on Sunday.

To Understand the Escalating Crisis in Ukraine, Check the Troop Movements on This Map

05/05/2014

It's been a little over two months since things started getting crazy in Ukraine, and Russia decided to invade Crimea. Though progress has been steady and at times seemingly slow, the situation has continued to escalate and just this week, the "worst case scenario" started to become a reality when we witnessed what appear to be the beginnings of an all-out war.