Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The Multi-Billion Dollar Dogfight

06/25/2013

The deal making has officially concluded; the order books are now closed. This year’s Paris Air Show, ended June 23, witnessed a robust roster of sales to airlines that are optimistic about economic growth and willing to spend billions of dollars for new aircraft. The biennial gathering, the world’s largest and most prestigious showcase for commercial and military aircraft, marked its 50th anniversary this year.

PAF Bronco crashes in Palawan; 2 pilots missing

06/25/2013

Search and rescue teams yesterday found debris of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) OV-10 Bronco plane with two pilots that crashed Sunday night in the vicinity of Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Col. Miguel Okol, PAF spokesman, said that parts of the light attack aircraft with tail No. R630 were found after the aircraft went missing following takeoff at around 6:37 p.m. Sunday to conduct night flying proficiency training mission.

Su-35 wows at Le Bourget Paris Air Show

06/25/2013

Western media called the demonstration flights of the newest Russian Su-35S fighter at the Paris Air Show 2013 the high point of the event. Making its foreign debut, the new combat machine wowed the public with a series of aerobatic maneuvers that no other aircraft can perform — proving yet again that Sukhoi-made fighters are among the best in the world.

Rafales to touch Indian sky in 2016

06/25/2013

With the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Dassault Aviation ironing out differences over the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), the supply of the Rafale aircraft is expected to begin in 2016-17.

Hollande seeks Rafale jet deal with Qatar

06/25/2013

French President Francois Hollande has sought to press the gas-rich Persian Gulf emirate of Qatar to buy 24- to 36 Dassault Rafale combat jets during a weekend visit amid a defense build-up by the region's Arab monarchies to counter Iran.

Avoid further time slippage: Antony on Light Combat Aircraft project

06/25/2013

Worried over the long delay in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project, defence minister A K Antony on Monday asked DRDO and HAL to avoid further time slippage and stick to the schedule of achieving final clearance for the indigenous plane by the end of next year.

First Lockheed Martin F-35C Reports to the Navy

06/25/2013

The first Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Navy carrier variant (CV) aircraft, CF-6, arrived at Strike Fighter Squadron 101 located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., on Saturday. The jet is the Navy’s first 5th generation F-35 production aircraft.

Russian Arms Exports Up 15% Since January

06/25/2013

President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russian weapons exports had grown 15 percent since the start of the year, in comparison with the same period last year. “The first results of the year once again confirm that Russia’s ties abroad in regard to military-technical collaboration are continuing to strengthen,” the president told a gathering of defense industry officials.

Defense Ministry Mulls An-26 Cargo Plane Replacement

06/25/2013

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering two possible designs for a replacement for the obsolete Antonov An-26 military transport aircraft, a senior ministry official said on Monday. The ministry is considering development of a light military transport plane based on the Antonov An-140 turboprop airliner made by Aviakor in Samara, or the rival Ilyushin Il-112V transport aircraft to be made by the Voronezh aircraft plant (VASO), Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said.

Opportunities in the Middle East military UAV market to grow says Frost & Sullivan

06/25/2013

Growing demand supported by strong intent and investment capability is expanding the market for military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Middle East. The region is already considered a lucrative market for defence. UAV development efforts by some Middle East nations coupled with imports from the U.S. will strongly bolster market expansion.

Heli-plane flies into the UK

06/24/2013

THE UK is among the countries that have been briefed on the V-22 as its maker, Bell-Boeing, embarks on an export drive of the innovative aircraft that can transform from a plane into a helicopter. A squadron of the US aircraft is to be based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk as part of the Special Operations Group, the air force arm of US European command. Is is expected to serve as part of Air Force Special Operations Command.

Rugged Ethernet switch from GE to go aboard MQ-8 Fire Scout helicopter drone

06/24/2013

U.S. Navy aircraft experts needed rugged Ethernet switches for the Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). They found their solution from GE Intelligent Platforms in Huntsville, Ala. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., have announced their intention to issue a new contract to GE for 15 RES-210 rugged Ethernet switches for the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.

U.S., ALLIES PLEDGE MORE MILITARY AID TO SYRIAN REBELS

06/24/2013

Unless the bloodshed in Syria stops, the region could descend into a chaotic sectarian conflict, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday, as he called for an urgent political resolution to the war that has dragged on for two years and claimed 93,000 lives.

Skunk Works: 70 years of cutting-edge aircraft

06/24/2013

In June 1943, Lockheed made a bold pitch to the U.S. Army that it could build a jet fighter, and build it fast. Since then, the Skunk Works has conjured up the U-2, the SR-71, the F-117, and more, and it's still going strong.

France discusses supplying fighter jets to Qatar

06/24/2013

French companies have made offers on supplying military equipment to Qatar, including equipping its air force with Rafale fighter planes made by Dassault , President Francois Hollande said on Sunday. France is the top military supplier to the Gulf state and Hollande said he had discussed future supplies of military equipment with Qatari officials.

Fighter jets to provide training in Jordan

06/24/2013

About a dozen U.S. fighter jets will be flying and conducting training operations in Jordan, poised to respond if needed to protect allies if the war in neighboring Syria spills over the border, U.S. administration officials said Friday.

Local drone pilot explains missions

06/23/2013

The top drone pilot at the Springfield Air National Guard Base is confident that the controversial unmanned technology saves the lives of American combat troops, despite fears of domestic spying and questions of legality surrounding the CIA’s use of drones to kill as many as 3,350 people in Pakistan.

S. Korea's $7.3B Fighter Contest Enters Final Phase

06/23/2013

Bidding on South Korea’s US $7.3 billion program to buy 60 new combat jets will end June 28 after 10 days of maneuvering among three competitors. This is the third and final phase of the Asian country’s decadelong “F-X” plan to acquire 120 advanced aircraft before 2020 to replace older F-4 Phantoms.

The gracefulflying giant

06/23/2013

THE air displays may not come with commentary, nor even a short announcement of what aircraft is taking to the skies. But when the four turboprop-powered giant takes to the skies over Le Bourget, there is no mistaking it. The Airbus Military A400M in flight is a sight to behold. For its size, anyone watching it would be impressed by the grace it displays as its pilots takes it through almost aerobatic motions.

U.S. increasing military forces in Jordan

06/23/2013

Due to security concerns in Jordan, which borders the Syrian civil war, a combat-equipped detachment of about 700 U.S. troops will remain in the country following training exercises that ended this week, President Barack Obama told Congress on Friday.

Russia Offers Iran New Replacement for S-300 – Paper

06/23/2013

Moscow made a new attempt to dodge a $4-billion lawsuit from Tehran over a failed deal to supply S-300 missile systems by offering another type of air defense system to Iran, Kommersant daily said Saturday. The new offer on the table is Antei-2500, aka S-300VM, or SA-23 Gladiator in NATO nomenclature, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources in the Russian arms trade industry.

The sequester’s bite

06/22/2013

For people (like me) who worry that the U.S. government is becoming dysfunctional, it’s worth studying the subtle and largely hidden effects of sequestration on the military and other agencies. What’s happening is the slow-motion decay of programs and readiness, which should scare the heck out of most citizens.

The A400M takes flight: redefining the airlift market?

06/22/2013

At the recent Airbus Military Trade Media Briefing 2013, journalists who attended were given the opportunity to fly the aircraft for more than an hour. Francis Tusa, the well-known British journalist and hardly a Euro hugger, underscored what we all felt: The lack of noise within the aircraft was noticeable compared to the C-17, C-130 or other aircraft. The seats are more comfortable as well. I did not hear the engines start up, and so was surprised when the aircraft took off.

Canada seeks 'information' from more jet manufacturers

06/22/2013

Ottawa hit the pause but-ton last December on its self-inflicted fiasco agreement to sole-source 65 F-35 combat airplanes from Lockheed Martin Corp., refusing any competitive bidding.

Aircraft exporter to spread its wings abroad

06/22/2013

China's national aircraft exporter is seeking to expand its market share by selling more advanced planes to foreign clients, according to an executive from the company. "We have started development of the two-seater FC-1 Fierce Dragon and plan to introduce it to the international market in three to four years," Ma Zhiping, general manager of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp, said at the 50th International Paris Air Show.