Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Monster Machines: The HC-130J Combat King II

07/27/2013

When an American aircraft goes down, be it over a remote training ground or behind enemy lines, the US Air Force’s crack teams of pararescue forces jump into action. The new HC-130J Combat King II is the plane that delivers them when Apaches can’t, even into active combat zones.

India, France discuss military cooperation

07/27/2013

India and France today discussed their ongoing military cooperation including the progress over Rs 50,000-crore 126 multirole combat aircraft deal during the Defence Minister-level talks here. In a joint statement issued after the deliberations between Defence Minister A K Antony and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, the two sides said they have agreed to further strengthen their defence ties as they were mutually beneficial.

Lockheed Martin Delivers Upgraded Orion In 10 Months

07/27/2013

Lockheed Martin achieved an unprecedented milestone by delivering a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) P-3 Orion aircraft in 10 months – and 78 days early -- on July 18. This is the eighth of 14 aircraft in the program to receive Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications and phased depot maintenance. It will soon join the CBP P-3 MLU fleet conducting homeland security and drug interdiction missions.

Russian Defense Ministry Signs $100 Mln Deal to Overhaul 3 Tu-160 Bombers

07/27/2013

Russia's Defense Ministry has signed a 3.4 billion ruble ($103 million) contract with the Tupolev design bureau and Kazan Aircraft Plant to upgrade three Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers, Tupolev said Friday. The delivery date for the supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber is December 31, 2015, the company said.

Sequestration Will Hollow Our Military

07/26/2013

Over the last several months, there has been much media coverage and analysis of the impact of sequestration on America’s military services. But there has been little attention paid to the potential damage to readiness as a result of the distorted way the spending cuts must be made. Carried over two to three years, this pattern will drive the U.S. military back to the years of “hollow forces” we experienced in the post-Vietnam military.

High-tech blimps to bolster Washington's air defence

07/26/2013

A pair of big, blimp-like craft, moored to the ground and flying as high as 10,000 feet, are to be added to a high-tech shield designed to protect the Washington, DC area from air attack, at least for a while.

Neighbourhood Watches as Azerbaijan Arms Up

07/26/2013

Azerbaijan’s rapid arms build-up is cause for concern in the region, with some defence analysts warning that it heightens the risk of renewed conflict. President Ilham Aliyev frequently boasts of the amount of money his oil-rich state can afford to spend on weaponry. Appearing at a military parade in Baku on June 26.

Boeing gets Navy contract to prepare EA-18G Growler aircraft for Next-Generation Jammer

07/26/2013

U.S. Navy officials are asking combat aircraft designers at the Boeing Co. in St. Louis to prepare the company's EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet to carry the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), for which Raytheon Co. was selected to build earlier this month.

French defence minister in India to seal mega fighter project

07/26/2013

Even as India and France struggle to finalize the long-awaited $20 billion MMRCA project to supply 126 Rafale fighters to the IAF, French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is now on a three-day visit here to bolster the "bilateral strategic and defence cooperation partnership".

100th Jet In Final Production; First F-35 Bound For Luke

07/26/2013

The 100th Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the first aircraft destined for Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., has entered the last stage of final assembly. This conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft, known as AF-41, is scheduled to arrive at the base next year. During final assembly, the aircraft structure is completed, and electrical and hydraulic systems are added.

The Fleet Is Complete: Dyess AFB Receives Final C-130J Super Hercules

07/26/2013

The final Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (Lockheed Martin aircraft number 5726) designated for the 317th Airlift Group was ferried to Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, today. Gen.Paul Selva, commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill., flew the aircraft to Dyess AFB from the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility here.

Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Achieves Operational Flight Status on U.S. Air Force B-52 Bombers

07/26/2013

Lockheed Martin’s Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) has achieved operational flight status on the B-52 bomber. With the addition of the B-52, Sniper ATP is the only targeting pod operational across six U.S. Air Force fighter and bomber aircraft platforms. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force completed Sniper ATP B-52 site activation at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Source: India Considers Buying More Boeing Apaches

07/25/2013

Boeing could snare yet another big order from India as the Indian Army has asked the Defence Ministry to acquire an unspecified number of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, according to an MoD source. Last year, the Indian Air Force purchased 22 Apaches for US $1.3 billion. Beyond the Indian Army request, a third order of helicopters could be in the offing for India’s planned Mountain Corps.

House approves 2014 defense spending bill

07/25/2013

The House on Wednesday evening overwhelmingly approved a spending bill that would give the Pentagon about $600 billion next year, while narrowly killing a measure that targeted controversial NSA surveillance programs. The chamber’s 2014 defense appropriations bill, approved on a 315-109 vote, includes about $512.5 billion for the Pentagon’s base budget and around $82 billion for overseas operations. The base budget figure is about $3 billion less than the White House requested.

Enhancing South Korean–U.S. Naval Capabilities Is Critical to American Interests

07/25/2013

After two North Korean attacks in 2010, South Korea began to redress its naval shortcomings, but deficiencies remain that could put allied interests at risk during the next military conflict. South Korea needs to strengthen its anti-submarine warfare, amphibious, and C4ISR capabilities. The United States needs to reverse course on its defense budget reductions, which are raising doubts among U.S. allies (and enemies) about the ability of the U.S. to keep its security commitments.

World's only flying 'Mosquito' to perform at Thunder Over Michigan

07/25/2013

A rare British airplane will head into the blue skies Aug. 10-11 over Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti. It’s one of the featured airplanes at Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, produced by the Yankee Air Museum..

India, France to discuss Rs 80,000 cr worth defence deals

07/25/2013

Deals expected to be worth over Rs 80,000 crore including supply of 126 Rafale combat aircraft are likely to be high on agenda of French Defence Minister Jaen Yves Le Drian during his three-day visit to India from Friday. India and France have been busy in negotiating the 126 combat aircraft deal for which the French combat aircraft was selected last year defeating its five other European and American rivals and over Rs 30,000 crore Maitri surface-to-air missile projects.

NATO Jets Force Airspace Violator to Land in Latvia

07/25/2013

A light aircraft, which briefly violated the airspace of Russia and then Lithuania earlier in the week, was forced down to land by NATO fighter jets in Latvia, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said. Two Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled after a Cessna aircraft flying over Polish territory toward Gdansk Bay about 50 kilometers away from the Russian border was detected on Monday night.

Russia Scrambles Fighter Jets Over Airspace Violation

07/25/2013

Two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled earlier this week in response to an alert that Russian airspace over the Baltic Sea had been violated by a small passenger plane, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The Russian Aerospace Defense Forces detected an aircraft flying over Polish territory toward Gdansk Bay about 50 kilometers away from the Russian border on Monday night.

Izhmash to Make Missiles With Other Kalashnikov Corp. Firms

07/25/2013

Russia's Izhmash arms factory, manufacturer of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle, will produce high-precision antitank missiles in close collaboration with other companies under the umbrella of the future Kalashnikov Corporation, the company said Wednesday. Izhmash has recently won a 13 billion ruble ($400 million) Defense Ministry tender for the production of Vikhr-1 long-range, supersonic antitank missiles in one of its “largest state orders in recent years.”

Alenia Aermacchi delivers first ATR72-600 TMUA to Turkish Navy

07/25/2013

Alenia Aermacchi has delivered the first ATR72-600 TMUA (Turkish Maritime Utility Aircraft) to the Turkish Navy. The first of a total order of eight ATR72s, which consist of two TMUAs and six ATR72-600 TMPA (Turkish Maritime Patrol Aircraft) maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

Got the need for speed? US Air Force looking for fighter pilots as interest in career wanes

07/24/2013

It used to be every teen's dream job — speed, adventure, glamor all rolled into one — but the Air Force is struggling to keep fighter pilots in jets at bases across the world. The Pentagon fears there will be a shortfall of up to 700 Top Guns by 2021 if the decline in interest doesn't turn around, and is offering a $225,000 signing bonus future Mavericks eager to suit up.

Turkish Airforce fleet grows with 10 new A400M planes

07/24/2013

Turkish military pilots have tested the A400M military transportation planes which will be added to Turkish Military Force's inventory list in September. The Airbus Military will deliver the first party of ordered ten new generation A400M cargo planes to Turkish Airforce until the end of the September 2013. The A400 cargo has passed many tests successfully and its quality has been approved by pilots who tested them in two different airbases of Turkey.

Aboard America's Doomsday command and control plane

07/24/2013

I've always loved 747s and just about everything about them. But the one I'm on right now, known as the Doomsday plane, has a very different -- and very somber -- purpose than most of Boeing's iconic jumbo jets. Formally known as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), this is an E-4B, the plane that America's military leaders would use as an airborne command and control center in the case of a nuclear war or other very serious conflict.

Angola officially receives Super Tucanos

07/24/2013

The National Air Force of Angola’s training capability has received a major boost with the acceptance of the first three of six Super Tucanos on order, and the delivery of six Cessna 172R trainers. The first three Super Tucanos were accepted during a formal ceremony held in the capital Luanda on July 12. Chief of General Staff General Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda officiated at the event, which was also attended by generals, officers and soldiers.