Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing Delivers Indian Air Force's 3rd C-17 Globemaster III

08/23/2013

The third Boeing [NYSE: BA] C-17 Globemaster III airlifter for the Indian Air Force (IAF) departed for India Aug. 20 from the company’s Long Beach facility. It joins the first and second India C-17 airlifters, which arrived in June and July, respectively. Boeing is on track to deliver two more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.

Russia Denies Military Planes Violated Japanese Airspace

08/23/2013

Russia on Thursday denied that two Tupolev Tu-95 bombers violated Japanese airspace when carrying out routine flights earlier that day near Okinoshima Island, off the southeast coast of Japan. Japanese media, citing the country’s Defense Ministry, reported that the planes intruded into the country’s airspace, in response to which Japan scrambled several fighter jets.

An F-22 Brought Down By A Hot Wire

08/22/2013

The U.S. Air Force recently released the accident report for an F-22 that crashed last November during a training flight in Florida. The cause of that accident turned out to be a high power electrical wire that was worn and in contact with a hydraulic line. The charged wire eventually caused a hydraulic leak that the aircraft sensors detected, which shut down the hydraulic system in flight.

Drones: Actually the Most Humane Form of Warfare Ever

08/22/2013

In this month's cover story, Mark Bowden's description of the drone operator's reaction -- one of shock and uncertainty -- to performing a specific mission clearly undermines the widely circulated but exceptionally irresponsible criticism that drones have created a "Playstation mentality" among their operators.

U.K. Examines Continuing Role for Sentinel Planes

08/22/2013

The U.K. is examining whether to extend use of its Sentinel reconnaissance planes after successful deployments in combat zones, even though the aircraft was due for withdrawal after troops pull out of Afghanistan. The Royal Air Force has operated the Raytheon Co (RTN).-built Sentinel R1 in conflicts from Afghanistan to Libya and Mali, where the modified Bombardier business jet was used to support French operations against insurgents this year.

Utah’s ATK marks milestone in work on nation’s newest warplane

08/22/2013

Clearfield • For a decade, Alliant Techsystems in Utah has been providing Lockheed Martin with critical components for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, which is America’s newest warplane. ATK on Wednesday celebrated the completion of what it described as a significant milestone in its work on the F-35 — the completion of its 150th set of wing skins that encase the aircraft’s wings in a carbon-composite material that is lighter than aluminium and stronger than steel.

CAP simulates threats, assists RF-A pilots

08/22/2013

During RED FLAG-Alaska, fighter aircraft dominate the skies. Participating forces identify hostile targets while waging a simulated war - but not all hostiles are fighters. Eielson's own Civil Air Patrol 71st Composite Squadron plays a role during RF-A by simulating Antonov An-2 Colts, primarily using a deHavilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. Their presence gives fighter pilots the opportunity to train in visually identifying low-flying, special operations forces-carrying aircraft.

Aid to Egypt: Follow the military hardware, not the money

08/22/2013

For reasons international and domestic, the United States is unlikely to make significant cuts in assistance to Egypt, despite calls from Congress to do so and a Cabinet-level meeting this week about the country. About 1,000 civilians have been killed in Egypt in the last week, most of them backers of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi who have faced off in the streets against the Egyptian army and other security forces.

Uneasy partners Japan, SKorea fly together in US military exercises for first time

08/22/2013

Japan and South Korea’s unprecedented joint participation in air force exercises over Alaska shows that America’s two staunchest Asian allies are willing to cooperate on security despite their political differences. Their aircraft have been flying the annual Red Flag Alaska training drills that end Friday, along with U.S. and Australian forces.

Navy fighter jets to conduct aircraft carrier training in Belle Chasse

08/22/2013

The Navy is warning residents in the Belle Chasse and West Jefferson areas to expect increased flight operations at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base next week. Navy Reserve F/A-18 Hornet pilots will be preparing for mandated aircraft carrier landing qualifications, according to a statement Wednesday from the air station.

Russia to Deliver 12 Su-30 Fighter Jets to Vietnam – Source

08/22/2013

Russia will deliver another batch of 12 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft under a recent contract worth about $450 million, a defense industry source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. The contract was reportedly signed last week, and the Su-30s are expected to be delivered to Vietnam in 2014-2015.

Beechcraft flies the AT-6 light attack aircraft

08/22/2013

The company commemorated the event at its headquarters in Wichita, USA, with employees and dignitaries. With more than 1,600 hours already logged in AT-6 test aircraft, Beechcraft is offering the AT-6 to U.S. partner nations in need of light attack air support for the most demanding scenarios.

The US Air Force Can't Find Enough Pilots To Operate Its Drone Fleet

08/21/2013

The US Air Force is unable to keep up with a growing demand for pilots capable of operating drones, partly due to a shortage of volunteers, according to a new study. Despite the importance placed on the burgeoning robotic fleet, drone operators face a lack of opportunities for promotion to higher ranks and the military has failed to identify and cultivate this new category of aviators, Air Force Colonel Bradley Hoagland wrote in the report published.

Air Force F-22 Raptor trainees dogfight with Bayou Militia in Belle Chasse

08/21/2013

In the face of tighter military spending, U.S. Air Force fighter pilots training to fly F-22 Raptors traveled to Belle Chasse this week for aerial combat exercises with the Louisiana Air National Guard’s “Bayou Militia.” The Air Guard pilots are helping their active-duty counterparts learn to fly one of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

IAF flexes muscle against China, lands Super Hercules plane in Ladakh

08/21/2013

The air force on Tuesday landed a C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft -- configured for special operations and airborne assault -- at the world’s highest airstrip in north-eastern Ladakh, barely eight km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), signalling India’s aggressive stance towards China following a spurt in incursions in that sensitive sector.

SA needed military equipment: admiral

08/21/2013

A defence review approved by Parliament in 1998 recommended that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) get new equipment, the Seriti Commission of Inquiry heard on Tuesday. Rear Admiral Alan Green, the first witness to testify in the commission's public hearings in Pretoria, said some of the SANDF's equipment needed to be replaced. Since its establishment in 1994, the SANDF did not have large combat vessels and had to use “rather aged off-shore patrol vessels”.

Little Rock AFB Expands C-130J Super Hercules Fleet

08/21/2013

The first of five C-130J Super Hercules airlifters designated for delivery to Little Rock Air Force Base (AFB), Ark., in 2013 was ferried to the base today from the Lockheed Martin facility here. This aircraft is the first new C-130J for Little Rock AFB since 2009.

F-35B Accomplishes First Night Vertical Landing Aboard USS Wasp

08/21/2013

Last Wednesday, Aug. 14, U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Russell Clift performed the first F-35B night-time vertical landing aboard the USS WASP. During the Ship Suitability Sea Trials, also known as Developmental Test Phase Two (DT-II), the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant will demonstrate critical capabilities of the aircraft that will be employed by the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners the United Kingdom and Italy.

Boeing Reaches 250,000-Kit Milestone for JDAM Weapon Program

08/21/2013

Boeing today marked its recent production of the 250,000th Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, a major milestone for a program that, since 1998, has reliably and affordably converted unguided munitions into near-precision weapons. The company facility in St. Charles produces more than 40 JDAM kits every day, on time and on budget.

MiG-35 Deal Delayed Amid Defense Industry Problems – Minister

08/21/2013

Russia’s Defense Ministry postponed the purchase of 37 MiG-35 fighter jets until 2016 because the defense industry cannot fulfill the contract, a senior defense official said Tuesday. “The Finance Ministry has nothing to do with it, the industry is not ready yet,” Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said, after confirming that 16 MiG-29SMT fighter jets will be bought instead.

Russian Military to Buy 16 MiG-29SMT Fighter Jets – Report

08/21/2013

The Russian Defense Ministry and the MiG aircraft corporation have agreed the purchase of 16 MiG-29SMT fighter jets until 2016, the Kommersant daily reported Tuesday citing a high-ranking military source. The agreement is part of the government’s effort to keep the struggling combat aircraft maker afloat following the announced delay of the contract on the purchase of 37 MiG-35 fighters until after 2016.

US Strategic Bomber Crashes in Montana – US Air Force

08/20/2013

A B-1B Lancer strategic bomber out of Ellsworth Air Force Base crashed Monday in the US State of Montana during a routine training mission but all four crew members survived, the US Air Force said. “A crew of two pilots and two weapon systems officers were on board. All four members of the aircrew safely ejected with some injuries,” the US Air Force said in a statement on its website.

U.K. Royal Air Force Advances Typhoon Deployment Plans

08/20/2013

he U.K. Royal Air Force has begun preparations to move the Eurofighter Typhoon main operating base in Scotland to Lossiemouth from Leuchars. The plans, originally announced by the U.K. Defense Ministry in 2011, also will see Leuchars becoming an army garrison starting in 2015. Building has begun at Lossiemouth to accommodate the new fighters, including the renovation of hangars and a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility to keep the aircraft ready to intercept potential threats.

Code blue is more like it

08/20/2013

The Indian Navy has received a major setback and jolt, with the explosion sinking the Russian-b submarine at the Mumbai harbour, with at least 18 sailors, including three officers, killed. This is one of the worst tragedies to hit the Navy since the sinking of INS Khukri during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and has left the Navy particularly vulnerable, with just six or seven of the remaining 14 submarines operational.

Electronic warfare development targets fully adaptive threat response technology

08/20/2013

When U.S pilots encounter enemy air defenses, onboard electronic warfare (EW) systems protect them by interfering with incoming radar signals—a technique known as electronic attack (EA) or jamming. Conversely, electronic protection (EP) technology prevents hostile forces from using EA methods to disable U.S. radar equipment assets.