Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

AF units join air defense mission in Iceland

11/09/2013

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.

Dubai Airshow Preview: Let the sow begin

11/09/2013

Is it a plane? Is it a chopper? Is it a bomber? It’s a tilt-rotor. More significantly, it is a game changer in the theatre of war and humanitarian missions which Boeing hopes the UAE and Qatar would sign up for as one of its first international customers. The V-22 Osprey is a multi-role combat and transport aircraft that not only its makers but also US service commanders say has revolutionised defence aviation.

Is the famed MiG-29 too unsafe for combat duty?

11/09/2013

The crash of a multi-role twin engine MiG-29 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, approximately 5 km from Jamnagar air station, between Amran and Vasai villages, on Friday morning has raised an alarm in the defence establishment here. This is because a MiG-29 aircraft had crashed on June 25 this year at Khambhalia taluka of Jamnagar district, while another also of Jamnagar air station had crashed in the Gulf of Kutch in 2008.

Iraq Takes Collection of First 4 Russian Helicopter Gunships

11/09/2013

Iraq took collection Thursday night of the first four Russian-made Mi-35 helicopter gunships sold to the Middle Eastern nation as part of a multibillion dollar weapons deal. Iraqi leader Nuri al-Maliki posted pictures of the aircraft on his official Facebook page. Abbas al-Bayati, a lawmaker with al-Maliki’s ruling faction in parliament, told RIA Novosti that Iraq expects to receive a consignment of around 40 Mi-35 and Mi-28NE attack helicopters by the end of the year.

Boeing to showcase industry partnerships at 2013 Dubai Airshow

11/09/2013

Boeing's presence at the 2013 Dubai Airshow will showcase the company's industry partnerships in the Middle East and highlight a broad lineup of defence and commercial products and services designed to meet the requirements of Middle East customers. Jeffrey Johnson, president, Boeing Middle East, said: “The Middle East region continues to be one of Boeing’s key global markets for both the commercial aviation and defence sectors.

US aircraft carrier patrols South China Sea, welcomes China army officers aboard

11/08/2013

While cuts in Pentagon budgets and political gridlock in Washington have cast doubt on the sustainability of a U.S. "pivot" back to Asia, its military realities are all too clear from the flight deck of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier. F-18 Super Hornet jet fighters roar from its decks with chest-thumping velocity less than 300 km (185 miles) from the Chinese coast - a symbol of U.S. naval dominance in Asia that Chinese analysts fear could contain Beijing's rising power for decades.

S.Korea would get F-35s with full combat capability -Pentagon

11/08/2013

If South Korea decides to order Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets for delivery in 2017, the aircraft would come with the software needed to carry a full load of weapons, Lockheed and the Pentagon's F-35 program office said Thursday, refuting a claim made earlier this week by a Boeing consultant.

Service chiefs testify on risks of sequestration

11/08/2013

As they face the prospect of another year of deep cuts to their budgets, the military's service chiefs testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the impact sequestration is having on the ability to organize, train and equip their service members.

Red Arrows rule Doha skies

11/08/2013

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows showcased an amazing display of flying prowess in the skies of Doha yesterday. The first half of the aerobatic show included some basic aircraft loops, bends and rolls performed by nine British pilots flying their dual-control BAE Systems Hawk jets with a maximum altitude of 48,000ft.

The Next F-35 Lightning's Engine Adapts for Flight, Fight, and Beyond

11/08/2013

Unlike commercial airliners, modern military aircraft are subjected to ever-changing flying conditions—from high-thrust takeoffs to flying at altitude to combat maneuvers. So why are they outfitted with engines that perform optimally in only one of those flight envelopes? For the next iteration of the F-35 Lightning II, Pratt and Whitney is developing an engine that performs at its best no matter what's required of it.

Europe Tests Drone Warplanes in Battle to Resist U.S. Domination

11/08/2013

BAE Systems Plc, Britain’s biggest defense company, has tested its first combat drone with jet fighter-like capabilities, stepping up European efforts to close a 10-year gap to the U.S. in developing a new class of warplane. The U.K. Parliament’s defense committee said in a report that flight trials of BAE’s Taranis drone have taken place in 2013, the first public acknowledgment that the model has flown.

First Ford Class Carrier Readies for Launch

11/08/2013

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the nation's first Ford Class aircraft carrier, is readying for christening on Nov. 9 and a rigorous set of tests and evaluations after that. The 77,000-ton, next-generation carrier is slated for 27 months of assessments before it's commissioned for service in 2016, service officials said. "This is going to the most challenging and integrated test program the Navy has ever faced," said Rear Adm. Tom Moore, Program Executive Officer, Carriers.

U.S. Air Force Looks to Develop Long-Range Strike Bomber on a Budget

11/08/2013

The United States military is tasked with developing new and ground breaking technologies, but budget issues are causing problems for numerous programs on the chopping block. Don’t expect that to happen to the U.S. Air Force Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B), an important step in modernizing the military’s combat aircraft program.

Boeing to Showcase Industry Partnerships and Broad Portfolio of Products at 2013 Dubai Airshow

11/08/2013

Boeing’s presence at the 2013 Dubai Airshow will showcase the company’s industry partnerships in the Middle East and highlight a broad lineup of defense and commercial products and services designed to meet the needs of Middle East customers. “The Middle East region continues to be one of Boeing’s key global markets for both the commercial aviation and defense sectors,” said Jeffrey Johnson, president, Boeing Middle East.

Egypt Eyes $4Bln Arms Deal With Russia – Media

11/08/2013

Egypt is considering spending up to $4 billion on advanced weaponry from Russia following the partial suspension of military aid and equipment deliveries from the United States, a Palestinian online newspaper said Thursday. According to Donia Al-Watan, Moscow has offered Cairo “a historic deal giving Egypt an option to buy the most advanced weaponry without any restrictions.”

Air National Guard Units Join Brazilian-led Exercise

11/07/2013

Air National Guard airmen are taking part in Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise, a Brazilian air exercise that officially kicked off Nov. 4 and is scheduled to be completed Nov. 15. The Brazilian air force-led exercise combines coalition aerial refueling and combat search and rescue structured training, with a focus on interoperability, officials said.

China ends two-day military drill

11/07/2013

The Chinese government invited foreign military personnel to observe military drills to see "the real Chinese army" in action, a defense ministry official said. The official Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday foreign military personnel from 89 countries were on hand to observe a two-day military drill in Henan province in central China.

U.S. presents Lebanese Army with Cessna aircraft

11/07/2013

The United States presented Lebanon with a Cessna aircraft Wednesday, part of the Western nation’s efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Army. “We will remain committed to strengthening the capacity of the LAF so it can pursue its mission of securing Lebanon’s borders, defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.

More unmanned aircraft pilots being promoted

11/07/2013

The disparity in the promotion rate between pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft has narrowed considerably. Last year, 89 percent of eligible unmanned aircraft pilots were promoted to major, compared with 87.4 percent of mobility pilots, 90.7 percent of bomber pilots and 94.1 percent of fighter pilots, the figures show.Some recent promotion boards have selected more unmanned aircraft pilots to advance than mobility pilots, according to figures provided by the AFPC.

Indian Navy emerging as a major air force

11/07/2013

The Indian Navy is on its way to becoming a major air force, with the fleet air arm having achieved several landmarks this year. In May, the first MiG-29K squadron was commissioned at the INS Hansa in Goa, with 20 world-class Russian fighters. In August, the first indigenous aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, was launched at Kochi. Later this month, Russia will hand over the INS Vikramaditya, formerly the Admiral Gorshkov, which will supplement the INS Viraat to become the navy’s second carrier.

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.