Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US military boss unharmed in attack on airbase

08/22/2012

Two insurgent rockets struck the vast Bagram airfield early Tuesday (local time) with one causing damage to the C-17 used by General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, who left the base using another plane, his spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said. Shrapnel from the rocket struck the door of the plane while it was parked on the runway, with two American maintenance crew suffering minor injuries in the attack, Colonel Lapan said.

Tactical Air Defense Services to Acquire Northrop TF5-1 Corp.

08/22/2012

Tactical Air Defense Services, Inc., an aerospace/defense services contractor that offers tactical aviation services, aircraft maintenance, and other aerospace/defense services to the United States and Foreign militaries, is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent (the "LOI") to acquire, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TADF, 100% of Northrop TF5-1 Corp. ("Northrop"), a military aircraft holding company.

Kazan aircraft maker hopes An-70 program will contribute to personnel recovery

08/22/2012

Kazan Aviation Production Association (Russia, Tatarstan) hopes that the assembly of An-70 military transport aircraft at the plant will contribute to the revival of its production and ensure personnel recovery.

Osprey test flights in Japan to be put off until September

08/22/2012

Test flights of U.S. MV-22 Osprey military aircraft, initially planned for later this month, won't start until early September at the soonest, according to government sources. More time is required to verify the causes of two recent crashes involving the tilt-rotor transport aircraft, the sources said Tuesday.

Military Drones Only 'Slightly' Cheaper Than Piloted Jets

08/22/2012

Military drones are only slightly cheaper than manned warplanes, and data indicates the remotely piloted aircraft also are more prone to mishaps, a new report says. The Pentagon has since the onset of the post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan wars substantially ramped up its use of drone aircraft. Recently, Obama administration officials have acknowledged a U.S. drone mission in Yemen, the newest major front in the struggle against al Qaeda.

Russian Plant to Make Mi-171 Helicopters for China

08/22/2012

Russian Helicopters’ Ulan Ude factory will build Mi-171E multipurpose helicopters under a recent contract with China, a high-ranking defense industry source said on Tuesday. Moscow and Beijing signed a contract in late July on the delivery of 55 Mi-171E helicopters to China. The cost of one unit in its basic configuration is estimated at $10-12 million.

Sukhoi T-50 Stealth Fighter Completes Tanker Plug Trial

08/22/2012

Russian fighter maker Sukhoi's T-50 fifth-generation stealth fighter has completed initial approach trials to a flight refuelling aircraft, the company said on Tuesday. The second prototype, T-50-2 is currently conducting a range of flight trials to test the new plane's flight envelope in subsonic and supersonic regimes and in different configurations. The aircraft, T-50-2, made approaches to an Il-78 tanker in company with a Su-25UB trainer/strike aircraft.

Saudi Arabia seeks aircraft systems

08/21/2012

Data link systems and ISR suites for use on King Air 350ER aircraft are being sought from the United States by Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said sale of the 10 Link-16 capable data link systems and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, along with associated equipment, is worth an estimated $257 million.

Sinai military build-up: Egypt to deploy tanks and aircraft to tackle Islamist militants

08/21/2012

Egypt is set to put tanks and aircraft on duty in Sinai for the first time since its 1973 war with Israel in a bid to tighten security in the region. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has installed its Iron Dome anti-rocket system near the Egyptian border. The plan was first voiced by President Morsi after an August 5 attack blamed on Islamist militants that killed 16 Egyptian border guards.

India, US set to ink $1.4bn deal for 22 Apache helicopters

08/21/2012

India is getting ready to order 22 heavy-duty Apache helicopters for around $1.4 billion, in what will be yet another big defence deal to be bagged by the US. The US has already made military sales worth over $8 billion to India over the last few years, despite it having lost out to France in the almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project to supply 126 fighters to IAF, which is in the final commercial negotiations stage.

Original Tuskegee airman Hickman dies at 88

08/21/2012

George Hickman, one of the original Tuskegee airmen and a longtime usher at University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks games, has died at age 88. His wife, Doris, confirmed Monday that he died early Sunday morning in Seattle. Hickman was one of the country’s first black military pilots and ground crew members who fought in World War II.

Marine Corps' CH-53D helicopter makes last flight

08/21/2012

The Marine Corps has flown its last mission using Vietnam-era CH-53D heavy lift helicopters. Pilots with Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, under the direction of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station command, made the last flight over the skies of Helmand province in Afghanistan on Thursday. The squadron started using the model in 1969. The twin-engine helicopters are being phased out in favor other versions of the CH-53 that have three engines.

Russia, Ukraine Revise Nitka Facility Lease

08/21/2012

Russia and Ukraine signed on Monday a protocol on amendments to an agreement on the rent of facilities on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula for training of Russian carrier pilots. In line with a 1997 bilateral agreement, Russia occasionally uses the Nitka Naval Pilot Training Center in Ukraine as the only training facility for its carrier pilots.

First Tata-made Sikorsky S 92 helicopter airframe is flying

08/20/2012

Air Vice Marshal Arvind Walia (Retd), Sikorsky’s Regional Executive for India and South Asia, told India Strategic that the Tatas had already supplied 15 airframes to the US company, which is fitting them with Cockpit, engines, systems and rotors. These completed helicopters are then ready for supply to global customers.

Fifth gen fighter aircraft to be unveiled in India by 2014

08/20/2012

The initial version of a fighter plane, being jointly developed by India and Russia and tipped to be one of the most-advanced in the world, will be unveiled in India in 2014. The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) with stealth features is slated to be inducted in the Indian Air Force by 2022.

U.S. Navy Adding Air Surveillance to Asia-Pacific Fleet

08/18/2012

The U.S. Navy is stepping up its ocean surveillance capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, with new manned aircraft arriving within the next year and preparations for next-generation drones beginning as soon as October 2013.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Sneak Peek

08/18/2012

The late Steve Jobs said it best: "Most of the time, people don't know what they want until you show it to them." Well, after taking a tour of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft factory in Ft. Worth, Texas, I believe yet another advancement in aviation is about to grace Yuma’s presence that will make us wonder for many years to come how it came to be.

Taiwan denies it still seeks F-16C/D jets

08/18/2012

A Taiwanese military spokesman denied media reports that Taiwan is pursuing a reduced order for F-16C/D jet fighters after being refused the purchase last year. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense said there is no truth that Taiwan recently proposed to the United States that it buy 24 F-16C/D aircraft instead of the 66 it originally sought to purchase.

Delaying Iran's nuke program

08/18/2012

There are those who call it a “strike,” while others refer to it as an “operation.” What exactly it will entail no one really knows, although most assessments stress that there will be surprises – and lots of them. Either way, when Israel decides to launch an attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities it will be looking to inflict as much damage as possible with the aim of preventing Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear program for years to come.

Germany’s military can run combat operations

08/18/2012

Germany’s top court ruled yesterday that the military may conduct combat operations within the country’s borders in case of a terror attack of “catastrophic proportions”, ending a post-war taboo. The Federal Constitutional Court said the Bundeswehr armed forces could deploy under strict conditions in case of an assault with the potential for scores of casualties, in a decision largely welcomed by the government.

Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro EFB solution for Apple iPad now available

08/18/2012

Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro helps streamline the use of navigational information for airlines, fractional business jet operators and military fleet programs. Jeppesen says its FliteDeck Pro also enables significant weight savings and reduced fuel burn through regulatory authorization to remove paper content from the operation and improved safety through increased situational awareness.

Female pilots trained for new fighter jet

08/17/2012

A group of Chinese female pilots have recently made their first solo flights in the J-10 combat aircraft, becoming the first female air force pilots capable of flying the multirole aircraft - the country's most advanced fighter jet. The five female pilots completed solo flights and missions navigating the J-10 on July 29 and 30, the PLA Daily reported on Wednesday.

Canadians work with Americans on Pacific military exercise

08/17/2012

Residents of the Comox Valley are familiar with various military aircraft passing overhead and perhaps wonder what roles they play in Canada’s air defence or rescue capability. Recently I had the opportunity to observe one aspect of their role. I was permitted to fly on one of the CC 130 Hercules tankers out of Winnipeg Squadron 435, used to refuel other aircraft while in flight, as part of the biannual RIMPAC Exercise 2012 in Hawaii.

Replacement Snowbirds aircraft to cost $755 million

08/17/2012

The Canadian Forces is planning to spend $755 million on a new fleet of aircraft for its Snowbirds aerobatics team, according to documents obtained by the Citizen. The Snowbirds will need new planes by 2020 and the Royal Canadian Air Force is now examining various options.

Syrian Rebels Step Up Efforts to Get Anti-Aircraft Missiles

08/17/2012

Syrian rebels are redoubling their efforts to acquire portable anti-aircraft missiles following government airstrikes on cities and towns in the north of the country.In the latest such strike, a Syrian Air Force jet bombed the rebel-held town of Azaz near the Turkish border, killing at least 50 people and wounding more than 100.Rebel commanders and activists say their buyers are now scouring the arms black markets in the region to get the shoulder-fired missiles that can counter the government.