Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RAF surveillance aircraft clock up 20,000 flying hours

08/29/2012

The high-tech, state-of-the-art Sentinel R1 aircraft of No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron and Shadow R1 aircraft of 14 Squadron have each clocked up 10,000 hours on Operation HERRICK. While based in Britain aircraft from both units have been permanently patrolling the skies above Afghanistan since 2009 gathering vital intelligence on insurgent activities.

Bolivia Finalizing Shoot-down Law to Combat Drug Flights

08/29/2012

Bolivia announced it is finalizing a new law that will allow the security forces to intercept drug trafficking flights, although such "shoot-down" strategies have been implemented in Bolivia before and didn't do much to radically change the dynamics of the drug trade. On August 27, the Bolivian Ministry of Defense announced that it was finalizing two new initiatives that will allow the government to intercept and shoot down planes suspected of drug trafficking.

F-35 opens the door to true cooperation of forces

08/29/2012

Since the 1950s, engineers worldwide have been trying to create the ideal airplane that possesses the ability to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings while maintain speed and missile capabilities. The first generation of these aircraft only achieved advanced speed over previous airplanes, while the second reached supersonic speed and the ability to carry missiles.

7 Israeli aircraft violate Lebanon’s airspace

08/29/2012

An Israeli reconnaissance plane crossed into Lebanese airspace over the southern border town of Alma al-Shaab at 7 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese military. The remote-controlled aircraft made surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut before it left Lebanese airspace at 2:15 p.m. local time (1115 GMT) while flying over the village of al-Naqoura, which is situated 91 kilometers (57 miles) south of Beirut.

Analysis: China's aircraft carrier: in name only

08/29/2012

When Japanese activists scrambled ashore on a disputed island chain in the East China Sea this month, one of China's most hawkish military commentators proposed an uncharacteristically mild response. Retired Major General Luo Yuan suggested naming China's new aircraft carrier Diaoyu, after the Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. It would demonstrate China's sovereignty over the islands known as the Senkakus in Japanese, he said.

Neil Armstrong, test pilot and first person on moon, dies

08/28/2012

Neil Armstrong, former US Navy and NASA test pilot who became the first person to walk on the moon, has died at the age of 82. In addition to the Apollo 11 flight that made him famous throughout the world, Armstrong was a noted aeronautical engineer, recognized within the test pilot community for his airborne achievements.

Indonesia to Buy Air-to-Surface Missiles From the United States

08/28/2012

Indonesia is taking advantage of a scramble by major powers to boost their influence in the Asia Pacific to build its defense capabilities, analysts said. After Russia sold Sukhoi jet fighters to Indonesia and Jakarta announced plans to jointly produce C-705 antiship missiles with Beijing, Washington says it will sell air-to-surface guided missiles to equip Indonesia’s growing fleet of US-built F-16 fighter aircraft.

Super Hornet set to serve for decades

08/28/2012

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) budget program director Mark Thomson says the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets will provide the RAAF with combat capability from the retirement of the F-111 until the arrival of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). On Friday, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said 12 of the 24 Super Hornets would be equipped as Growlers, giving the RAAF a very advanced electronic warfare capability of a kind the US only fielded in 2009.

India’s Light Combat Aircraft Prepares For Operational Clearance

08/28/2012

India’s indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is likely to win its final operational service clearance, following testing as part of an air exercise in February. The single-seat, single-engine supersonic fighter will be put to the test during the “Iron Feast” exercise to be held in Pokhran in the western Indian state of Rajasthan.

Rebels down Syrian helicopter over Damascus

08/28/2012

Rebels shot down a Syrian army helicopter on Monday while it was bombarding the Damascus neighborhood of Jobar, as heavy fighting broke out in the district between rebels and troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, witnesses said. Syrian state television said in a news flash a helicopter had crashed in Damascus, but offered no further details.

Russian Air Force to Take Part in Antiterror Drills in U.S.

08/28/2012

Russia’s servicemen will join efforts with their U.S. and Canadian colleagues during the Vigilant Eagle 2012 military drills to repel a hypothetical terrorist attack on a passenger airliner, the Russian Eastern Military District’s press service reported on Monday. “The Vigilant Eagle 2012 exercises will be held on August 27-29.

Deputy PM Repeats Call For Hypersonic Bomber

08/28/2012

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin repeated his appeal on Monday for Russia to develop a hypersonic aircraft for its PAK-DA long-range bomber requirement. "I think we need to go down the route of hypersonic technology and we are moving in that direction and are not falling behind the Americans," he said on Rossiya 24 TV. "We will use this technology when developing a new bomber."

Boeing-built US Army Apache Fleet Surpasses 3.5 Million Flight Hours

08/28/2012

Boeing and Team Apache suppliers worldwide are applauding the news that the U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter fleet has surpassed 3.5 million flight hours. The Army's aviation program office said that the milestone of endurance and reliability was reached in June as Apache crews flew combat missions in Afghanistan, participated in exercises in South Korea, and trained with the new AH-64D Apache Block III. Apaches began operating in 1984.

F-22 Safety Concerns Linger

08/27/2012

Problems that have imperiled pilots of the famed F-22 Raptor fighter jet are being fixed, a senior Air Force leader said this month. Not everyone, however, is reassured. Count Joanna Tinsley among the nonbelievers. In July 2008, her husband, veteran F-22 pilot Brig. Gen. Thomas "Pugs" Tinsley, committed suicide. Tinsley, who was 45, commanded Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

Government to procure 126 French combat aircraft

08/27/2012

Addressing questions raised over the process of selecting Rafale fighter planes, Government is going ahead with the procurement of 126 French combat aircraft and effort is being made to complete the deal within this financial year. Contract negotiations for the multi-billion dollar deal will resume soon, Government sources told PTI here.

India's First AEW&C Aircraft Modified and Fitted with DRDO'S Indigenous Systems Lands on Indian Soil

08/27/2012

First fully modified aircraft for indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems landed on Indian soil at Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bangalore, a DRDO laboratory) at HAL airport on yesterday. Aircraft was received by enthusiastic crowd from CABS, its work centers, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and IAF members. The aircraft and the flight crew was received by Dr Christopher, Program Director and Dr K Tamil Mani, Chief Executive, CEMILAC. The aircraf

Hawker-Beechcraft delivers four high-performance military trainer aircraft to Mexican air force

08/27/2012

Leaders of the Mexican air force has taken deliver of the first four of six Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainer aircraft ordered from the Hawker-Beechcraft Defense Co. in Wichita, Kan. The remaining two aircraft are to be delivered by next month. The T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft, can carry external stores and deliver practice weapons for training, It will replace the Mexican air force aging PC-7 fleet.

Uganda: Inside the Defence Force's Chopper Crashes

08/27/2012

How often do three helicopters crash at a go? Soroti Flying School, 2kms northeast of Soroti town in eastern Uganda, was on the morning of August 12, a bee-hive of frenetic activity as army pilots jumped onto waiting helicopters while their top brass waved excitedly and gave interviews and photo-ops to excited journalists.

Russia Rejects Accusations of Violation of Finnish airspace

08/25/2012

Russian Defense Ministry rejected on Friday the accusations about the alleged violation of Finnish airspace by aircraft of this nation and for that referred to the parameters of its control structures. On the eve, the combat air force of the Russian Military District of the West did not make any flight in that area, noted the spokesman of the unit, Colonel Andrei Baburin.

Raytheon to upgrade AIM-9X air-to-air missile to extend its range and replace obsolescent parts

08/25/2012

Engineers at the Raytheon Co. Missile Systems segment in Tucson, Ariz., are making plans to upgrade the U.S. military's AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile to extend the weapon's range and address existing obsolescence issues.

B-52s Bring Persistent Airpower to Exercise Pitch Black 12

08/25/2012

The 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., took to the skies of Australia's Northern Territory Aug. 2 to 18 as the lone U.S. Air Force unit flying in Exercise Pitch Black 12. With more than 2,200 personnel and up to 100 participating military aircraft, Exercise Pitch Black 12 is the Royal Australian Air Force's largest and most complex air exercise.

US moves to arm Indonesia's growing F-16 fighter fleet

08/25/2012

President Barack Obama's administration has proposed to sell air-to-surface guided missiles and related gear to equip Indonesia's growing fleet of U.S.-built F-16 fighter aircraft. The sale, valued at $25 million, would be the latest U.S. move to boost security ties with friends and allies in a region stirred by China's growing military clout and territorial assertiveness.

French military to use U.S. trainer planes

08/25/2012

U.S. company Cirrus Aircraft reports its SR20 and SR22 single-engine aircraft are to be used in training pilots of the French armed forces. Cirrus Aircraft, a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. Ltd, said the planes were selected by Cassidian Aviation Training Services of France in a public tender for the French air force and navy.

Russian Military Aircraft Violated Finland’s Air Space?

08/25/2012

Russian military aircraft has allegedly violated the air space of Finland. The incident occurred in the Eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, Finland’s frontier service reported on Friday. Border guards have begun to investigate the incident.

Warships, Fighter Jets, S-400 to 'Protect Russia APEC Summit'

08/25/2012

Warships, warplanes as well as S-400 missile defense systems will be deployed to protect the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum during a summit in Russia's Far East next month, an official said on Friday. The summit will be held in the port city of Vladivostok on September 2-9.