Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pentagon Signs New Russian Helicopter Deal

06/18/2013

Russia and the United States have signed a contract for the delivery of Russian Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan army, a Russian government agency said Monday. The Russian state-owned defense firm Rosoboronexport and the US Department of the Army signed the contract on Sunday in Paris “as part of joint efforts to combat terrorism,” Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said in a statement.

Russia to Display Yak-130 Combat Trainer at Paris Air Show

06/18/2013

Russia will display its Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer, Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter and Kamov Ka-52 Hokum B attack helicopter at the Paris Air Show, the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation reported Monday. The Paris Air Show is an international event that takes place every odd year at Le Bourget Airport in the French capital Paris. This year, it will be held June 17-23.

Paris Air Show: Tale of confidence and concerns

06/17/2013

On the civil side, aircraft manufacturers are buoyant, with new products to display and a record backlog of orders. In contrast, the military sector is less confident. Defence budget cuts, particularly in Washington, has meant arms programmes being scaled back or abandoned. Optimism among commercial aircraft makers was underlined last week when Boeing published its closely-watched annual forecast for aircraft demand over the next 20 years.

US gives Israeli minister a ride in V-22 Osprey aircraft

06/17/2013

Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon got to fly in a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft during a US visit Friday, as his country weighs whether to buy the American military plane, AFP reports. Yaalon arrived for talks at the Pentagon in unusual fashion, with the hybrid aircraft -- which hovers like a helicopter -- floating down for a landing outside the steps of the Defense Department.

Pakistan ups ante with big military boost

06/17/2013

Pakistan has revealed a massive increase in its military budget, the third nuclear power in Asia to unveil a significant increase this year, adding credence to fears of a growing arms race on the continent. China, Pakistan and India were the only countries to increase their nuclear weapons stockpile last year, as the rest of the world reduced its warhead numbers.

Sikorsky sees good prospects in global helicopter market

06/17/2013

International orders are set to eclipse U.S. military purchases of Sikorsky Aircraft helicopters in four or five years, the company’s president told Reuters ahead of the Paris air show. Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp , sees bright prospects overall for the global helicopter market, given strong international and commercial demand, as well as Washington’s continued commitment to new U.S. military rotorcraft programs, including a new presidential helicopter.

European Aerospace Industries Call For a European MALE Program

06/17/2013

European aerospace industries and defense establishments are promoting pan-European collaboration in launching a collaborative development of Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drone capability that will rely on the collective knowhow, skills and technologies of member countries. EADS Cassidian, Dassault Aviation and Finmeccanica Alenia Aermacchi declare their readiness to coordinate on such a program supporting the security needs of European governments and armed forces.

MiG-21bis likely to serve IAF until 2019

06/17/2013

The first supersonic fighter jet of the Indian Air Force — Russian MiG-21bis —which completed 50 years in service this April despite facing criticism following a substantial number of accidents, is likely to remain operational in its upgraded version until 2019 — two years later than they were originally scheduled to be decommissioned.

Drone Sales Flourish in a Time of Austerity

06/17/2013

The use of unmanned drones for surveillance and targeted anti-guerrilla strikes has recently been a focus of ethical and political controversy. Yet for all the criticism, and at a time when austerity budgets are causing deep cuts in orders for manned combat, transport and tanker aircraft, drone builders are thriving.

Long-awaited A400M military plane sets out to conquer

06/17/2013

The A400M, a long-awaited new military transport plane, will take to the skies at the upcoming Paris Air Show before finally setting out to conquer markets worldwide after a four-year delay. Built by Airbus Military, the giant plane can carry helicopters, people or armoured vehicles weighing up to 37 tonnes over 3,300 kilometres (2,050 miles) and is able to land directly in combat areas on rough terrain, even on sand.

F-22 program produces few planes, soaring costs

06/17/2013

When the U.S. sought to assure Asian allies that it would defend them against potential aggression by North Korea this spring, the Pentagon deployed its top-of-the-line jet fighter, the F-22 Raptor. But only two of the jets were sent screaming through the skies south of Seoul.

Russian Arms Supplies to Syria ‘No Breach of Law’ - Putin

06/17/2013

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday defended Russia’s weapons supplies to Syria saying they are in the framework of the international law. “If we speak calmly, I want to stress that Russia supplies arms to the legitimate government of Syria in full compliance with the norms of international law and we call on our partners to act in the same way,” Putin told reporters after talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday.

Syrian Jihadists appear to have portable anti-aircraft missiles

06/16/2013

Sunni Jihadists operating in northern Syria have apparently procured a large supply of portable surface-to-air missiles that will enable the Syrian rebels to shoot down military aircraft of the Syrian Air Force.

Syrian jets pound rebel-held areas of Damascus

06/16/2013

Syrian artillery and warplanes pounded rebel areas in Damascus on Saturday as President Bashar Assad's foes pleaded for advanced weapons from the United States, which has promised them unspecified military aid. Western powers have been reluctant in the past to arm Syrian insurgents, let alone give them sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles that might fall into the hands of Sunni Islamist insurgents in rebel ranks who have pledged loyalty to al-Qaida.

Marines land Osprey aircraft on Japanese ship

06/16/2013

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft made an unprecedented landing Friday on a Japanese naval vessel off the California coast. The tilt-rotor aircraft flew from San Diego’s Marine Corps Miramar Air Station to the Japanese ship Hyuga as part of an 18-day drill aimed at improving Japan’s amphibious capabilities.

AIM-9X air-to-air missile hits milestone

06/16/2013

Raytheon announced June 15 that it has delivered the 5,000th AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile, achieving a major milestone in the longtime program. Raytheon revealed the news in Paris, where defense firms and others are preparing to display their wares at the June 17-23 Paris Air Show.

Afghans learning how to fight without NATO airpower

06/16/2013

With most NATO troops expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, the Afghans are learning how to fight the Taliban without relying on the biggest advantage NATO brings to the table: close-air support. NATO has largely stopped dropping ordnance to support to Afghan troops, said Royal Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Brazier, director of air operations for NATO’s day-to-day command in Afghanistan.

Analysis: By arming Syria rebels, US drawn into proxy war

06/16/2013

President Barack Obama's decision to begin arming Syria's rebels deepens U.S. involvement in a regional proxy war that is increasingly being fought along sectarian lines, pitting Sunni against Shiite Muslims, and threatening the stability of Syria's neighbors.

French firm hints at plan to build jet fighter here

06/16/2013

Malaysia can produce the Dassault Aviation Rafale jet fighter, should the government accept a proposal by the French company. The offer to begin an assembly line for the Rafale is part of the offset programme proposed by Rafale International in its bid to supply the aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) replacement programe.

Russia Hopes to Sell Su-35 Fighter Jets at Le Bourget

06/16/2013

Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is planning to sign a number of export contracts on the delivery of advanced Su-35S fighter aircraft as well as Ka-52 helicopter gunships and Yak-130 combat trainers at the Paris Air Show, the company said. “We are holding negotiations on all three aircraft and hoping to sign contracts at the show,” Rosoboronexport cited head of the company’s delegation at Le Bourget show, Sergei Kornev, as saying.

Russia to Fly Inspection Missions Over United States

06/16/2013

Russian military inspectors will start on Sunday a series of monitoring flights over the United States under the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Defense Ministry has said. Russian experts will carry out two consecutive monitoring missions in a Tupolev Tu-154 M/LK-1 aircraft from June 16 through July 1, the ministry said in a statement.

Complicated: Sequestration and Syria

06/15/2013

Sequestration probably wouldn’t prevent a U.S. military intervention in Syria, but it could increase the delays, difficulty and costs involved, defense experts said Friday. The White House has pledged to step up its support for the Syrian rebels, but with the Pentagon’s across-the-board restrictions already consuming readiness, a new major operation might amount to burning the candle at both ends.

Poland to Pick Helo Supplier in $3 Billion Deal

06/15/2013

Poland next year plans to pick a company to build as many as 70 military helicopters in a potential $3 billion deal that’s among the biggest opportunities on the international rotorcraft market. The defense ministry wants to buy 70 combat support helicopters, including 48 transports for the army to replace the Soviet-era Mi-8/17-series, plus 12 maritime versions for the navy and 10 search-and-rescue craft for the air force.

Letter from the President - Regarding the War Powers Resolution

06/15/2013

I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.

Defence Ministry has bidders for L-159 aircraft

06/15/2013

The Czech Defence Ministry is negotiating with potential bidders who could buy some of the redundant L-159 aircraft from the Czech military, Defence Minister Vlastimil Picek told CTK Thursday. The air force has 72 L-159 combat planes and pilots use one-third of them.