Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Arms Supplies to Syria ‘No Breach of Law’ - Putin

06/17/2013

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday defended Russia’s weapons supplies to Syria saying they are in the framework of the international law. “If we speak calmly, I want to stress that Russia supplies arms to the legitimate government of Syria in full compliance with the norms of international law and we call on our partners to act in the same way,” Putin told reporters after talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday.

Syrian Jihadists appear to have portable anti-aircraft missiles

06/16/2013

Sunni Jihadists operating in northern Syria have apparently procured a large supply of portable surface-to-air missiles that will enable the Syrian rebels to shoot down military aircraft of the Syrian Air Force.

Syrian jets pound rebel-held areas of Damascus

06/16/2013

Syrian artillery and warplanes pounded rebel areas in Damascus on Saturday as President Bashar Assad's foes pleaded for advanced weapons from the United States, which has promised them unspecified military aid. Western powers have been reluctant in the past to arm Syrian insurgents, let alone give them sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles that might fall into the hands of Sunni Islamist insurgents in rebel ranks who have pledged loyalty to al-Qaida.

Marines land Osprey aircraft on Japanese ship

06/16/2013

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft made an unprecedented landing Friday on a Japanese naval vessel off the California coast. The tilt-rotor aircraft flew from San Diego’s Marine Corps Miramar Air Station to the Japanese ship Hyuga as part of an 18-day drill aimed at improving Japan’s amphibious capabilities.

AIM-9X air-to-air missile hits milestone

06/16/2013

Raytheon announced June 15 that it has delivered the 5,000th AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile, achieving a major milestone in the longtime program. Raytheon revealed the news in Paris, where defense firms and others are preparing to display their wares at the June 17-23 Paris Air Show.

Afghans learning how to fight without NATO airpower

06/16/2013

With most NATO troops expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, the Afghans are learning how to fight the Taliban without relying on the biggest advantage NATO brings to the table: close-air support. NATO has largely stopped dropping ordnance to support to Afghan troops, said Royal Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Brazier, director of air operations for NATO’s day-to-day command in Afghanistan.

Analysis: By arming Syria rebels, US drawn into proxy war

06/16/2013

President Barack Obama's decision to begin arming Syria's rebels deepens U.S. involvement in a regional proxy war that is increasingly being fought along sectarian lines, pitting Sunni against Shiite Muslims, and threatening the stability of Syria's neighbors.

French firm hints at plan to build jet fighter here

06/16/2013

Malaysia can produce the Dassault Aviation Rafale jet fighter, should the government accept a proposal by the French company. The offer to begin an assembly line for the Rafale is part of the offset programme proposed by Rafale International in its bid to supply the aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) replacement programe.

Russia Hopes to Sell Su-35 Fighter Jets at Le Bourget

06/16/2013

Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is planning to sign a number of export contracts on the delivery of advanced Su-35S fighter aircraft as well as Ka-52 helicopter gunships and Yak-130 combat trainers at the Paris Air Show, the company said. “We are holding negotiations on all three aircraft and hoping to sign contracts at the show,” Rosoboronexport cited head of the company’s delegation at Le Bourget show, Sergei Kornev, as saying.

Russia to Fly Inspection Missions Over United States

06/16/2013

Russian military inspectors will start on Sunday a series of monitoring flights over the United States under the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Defense Ministry has said. Russian experts will carry out two consecutive monitoring missions in a Tupolev Tu-154 M/LK-1 aircraft from June 16 through July 1, the ministry said in a statement.

Complicated: Sequestration and Syria

06/15/2013

Sequestration probably wouldn’t prevent a U.S. military intervention in Syria, but it could increase the delays, difficulty and costs involved, defense experts said Friday. The White House has pledged to step up its support for the Syrian rebels, but with the Pentagon’s across-the-board restrictions already consuming readiness, a new major operation might amount to burning the candle at both ends.

Poland to Pick Helo Supplier in $3 Billion Deal

06/15/2013

Poland next year plans to pick a company to build as many as 70 military helicopters in a potential $3 billion deal that’s among the biggest opportunities on the international rotorcraft market. The defense ministry wants to buy 70 combat support helicopters, including 48 transports for the army to replace the Soviet-era Mi-8/17-series, plus 12 maritime versions for the navy and 10 search-and-rescue craft for the air force.

Letter from the President - Regarding the War Powers Resolution

06/15/2013

I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.

Defence Ministry has bidders for L-159 aircraft

06/15/2013

The Czech Defence Ministry is negotiating with potential bidders who could buy some of the redundant L-159 aircraft from the Czech military, Defence Minister Vlastimil Picek told CTK Thursday. The air force has 72 L-159 combat planes and pilots use one-third of them.

ATK and Alenia Aermacchi Successfully Complete Phase 1 Testing of MC-27J

06/15/2013

ATK and Alenia Aermacchi successfully completed the first phase of ground and flight tests of their MC-27J multi-mission aircraft. A Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) Gun System pallet was installed and tested on the Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan airlifter. The series of tests were conducted by ATK and Alenia personnel at Eglin Air Force base in Florida. The test events were designed and certified by the U.S. Air Force and deemed successful by Air Force Special Operations Command.

US Hedges F-35 Delays with F/A-18 Upgrades

06/15/2013

The U.S. Navy is upgrading its F/A-18 fighter jets to improve the attack and fighter aircraft’s survivability, electronics package and overall performance to better combat potential threats, service officials said. The improvements are taking place across the legacy Hornet fleet as well as the Super Hornet and Growler fleets. They include design work, engineering and enhancements to the avionics, sensors and helmet-mounted displays, weapons, targeting technologies and electronic warfare systems.

Will Europe Ever Build Its Own Fifth Generation Fighter?

06/15/2013

This year’s Paris Air Show promises to be one of the most lackluster for the defense sector in at least a decade. America is sending virtually no military aircraft to fly the all-important afternoon displays: no F-22s, no F-35s, no C-17s, no C-130s. American companies have scaled back their executives’ participation.

Boeing Receives Additional Aircraft Support Contract from US Navy

06/15/2013

Boeing will continue to ensure the availability of U.S. aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, EA-6B Prowler and V-22 Osprey through a $5.5 million U.S. Navy contract to maintain the Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System (RTCASS).

JHMCS II Product Launch at the Paris Air Show

06/14/2013

oint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II), an upgraded and improved version of the classic JHMCS and the world's first high definition, color, smart-visor system that operates in both day and night mode, will be making its debut at the Paris Air Show in Hall 3, Booth E111 from June 17-21.

GAO Supports Super Tucano Pick for Afghanistan Air Force

06/14/2013

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reaffirmed an Air Force decision to award the Afghan light air support (LAS) contract to contractors Sierra Nevada Corp and Embraer. The decision, which could mark the end of a long-running legal saga, was announced Thursday afternoon, days before the Monday deadline when the agency would have to rule on competitor Beechcraft’s challenge of the contract.

"Electronic Warfare is Becoming More Important and More Complex"

06/14/2013

"In the past, you purchased an electronic protection system and installed it onboard the aircraft in order to provide the pilot with alerts pertaining to various threats. Today, electronic warfare resources are a part of the over-all protective suit of the aircraft and are also a part of its weapon systems. They are no longer a stand-alone element – and that has been a quantum leap."

As Nellis AFB grounds aircraft, training goes virtual

06/14/2013

The sky over southern Nevada is quieter than they have been in quite some time due to the June 1 Air Combat Command directed stand down of flying operations. Despite the stand down, the 64th Aggressor Squadron remains committed to accomplishing their mission, said Lt. Col. Michael Shepherd, the 64th AGRS academic assistant director of operations.

House Appropriations Committee approves FY2014 DoD spending bill

06/14/2013

Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) approved the FY2014 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill. The HAC bill provides $512.5 billion for the DoD base budget (excluding military construction), almost $3.4 billion below the president’s request.

Marines to assume EA-6B Prowler training

06/14/2013

Training to keep the 1968 vintage EA-6B Prowler flying transfers Friday from the Navy to a 2nd Marine Air Wing squadron based at Cherry Point air station. Training for the Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. twin-engine aircraft has previously been conducted for the Navy and Marine Corps by Navy Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

Indian ‘Home-Grown’ AMCA, An Alternative To FGFA

06/14/2013

Despite being involved in the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) joint program with Russia, India is developing a next-generation fighter of its own–the advanced multirole combat aircraft (AMCA).