Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Firms Willing To Deal With Indian Gov’t Headaches

02/10/2013

International defense giants and domestic companies that want to do business with India face an overloaded bureaucracy, complex defense procedures and a government with protectionist policies designed to favor state-owned entities. But they’re still willing to do business.

Thousands flock to Bangalore air show

02/10/2013

Thousands Saturday flocked to the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore to watch in awe metal birds fly and perform breathtaking aerobatics. Opening up the biennial air show to the public on the fourth day brought frenzied weekend crowds to see a spectacular flying display by fighter jets, choppers and military transport aircraft over the air base.

"Commanders will Control Aircraft Providing Close Air Support to Forces"

02/10/2013

The brigade's reconnaissance battalion, which celebrated its tenth anniversary during the exercise, returned to its roots on its anniversary: for the first time since the First Lebanon War in 1982, the paratroopers managed to "restore" the ability of calling for close air support by fighter aircraft. The commander of the reconnaissance battalion, Lt. Col. Nimrod, can now communicate directly with the pilot of an F-16 fighter circling overhead, and explain to the pilot where he wants him to drop

Sequester Defense Spending Cuts 2013: Will The US Be Less Safe After The Ax Falls On The Pentagon?

02/09/2013

In about three weeks, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress will be at each other’s throats again as they continue playing a favorite Washington parlor game: governing by crisis. This time around, though, it is the military and the safety of the nation that will be at the forefront of those decisions, as sequestration - the capital's buzzword for automatic spending cuts -- is due to begin taking effect March 1.

IAAFA hosts first female Dominican Republic combat pilot

02/09/2013

Taking a break from catching drug dealers, Capt. Maria Tejada-Quintana came to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, graduating Dec. 12 with 278 fellow IAAFA students.

Inside China: English-speaking enemy

02/09/2013

In a recent air-combat exercise, the drill master pulled a trick on the “Red Team” representing the Chinese air force by having pilots of the enemy “Blue Team” shout orders in English. The tactic surprised the Red Team, which lost its airborne warning-and-control system (AWACS) plane and thus its electronic-warfare capability, resulting in a humiliating loss in the war game.

AERO INDIA: Indian air force chief slams HAL trainers

02/09/2013

The Indian air force's most senior officer has cast further doubt on the future of the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) HTT-40 basic trainer, and also criticised the company's HJT-36 Sitara jet trainer during a media briefing at the Aero India show. Although bad relations between HAL and its biggest customer, the Indian air force, have been reported for years, the event at Yelahanka air base, near Bengaluru, gave a unique glimpse into the differences between the two parties.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Enhanced Edition review

02/09/2013

I’ve never been one to shy away from admitting when I’m wrong (why is my good wife laughing?), but Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Enhanced Edition (ACAH:EA) has forced me to correct something I’ve always thought about myself; that I abhor flight games. The idea of being out in the open with no walls to hide behind with my silenced weapon gave me the chills. How would I duck when under fire? Well, being a professional sort, I took one for the team.

Neuron partners show off future-fighter know-how

02/09/2013

"Our Istres flight test centre," boasts Charles Edelstenne, outgoing chief executive of Dassault Aviation, "has seen the first flights of more than 100 prototypes over the last 60 years. It is part of the history of French aviation." Most recently, on 1 December 2012, Istres was the location for the maiden sortie of Dassault's most ambitious project yet, the Neuron, an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV).

Rolls-Royce Lifts Its Hopes For Indian Military Work

02/09/2013

Rolls Royce is attending the 2013 Aero India show with a renewed sense of optimism for its prospects in this key Asian market. At the last show back in 2011, there was some gloom when the UK-based aero engines maker decided to withdraw from the competition for re-engining the Indian Air Force’s Jaguars. Now Rolls-Royce’s main focus in India is the CTS800 turboshaft engine offered in partnership with Honeywell for the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) being developed by HAL.

Russia rants at India’s military buys

02/09/2013

Viktor Komardin, the head of the Russian delegation to India’s military airshow Aero India, alleged that Delhi has bought aircraft, submarines and weapons from western countries at inflated prices “without military logic”. Komardin is also the deputy chief of the Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

U.S. Looks to Build on Military Exports to India

02/09/2013

The U.S.-India Business Council coordinated a large U.S. industry delegation to this week’s Aero India show led by Lt.Gen. Jeff Kohler (Retd.), vice president of Boeing Military Aircraft and Vice Admiral (Retd.) Kevin Cosgriff, senior vice president for international business with Textron Systems.

Japanese claim Russian fighter jets ‘stormed into their air space’ during annual rally demanding back islands Moscow seized after World War Two

02/09/2013

Tensions between Russia and Japan have intensified after two Russian warplanes were allegedly spotted flying over Japanese territory. Japan scrambled its own fighter jets in response, claiming the Russian Su-37 planes had entered its air space off the northern tip of Hokkaido island in the South China Sea.

IN FOCUS: Lockheed claims F-35 kinematics ‘better than or equal to’ Typhoon or Super Hornet

02/08/2013

Lockheed Martin is claiming that all three versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will have kinematic performance better than or equal to any combat-configured fourth-generation fighter. The comparison includes transonic acceleration performance versus an air-to-air configured Eurofighter Typhoon and high angle-of-attack flight performance vis-à-vis the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Lockheed Martin’s top sales guys pitch F-35s in Ottawa; Canuck test pilot says fighter jets have 50 per cent further range than CF-18s

02/08/2013

Two of Lockheed Martin’s top salesmen for the F-35 stealth fighter jet were in Ottawa Thursday for a round of media interviews, in the wake of a recent U.S. government report about development glitches for the trouble-plagued warplane and opposition criticism about high costs, to argue the F-35 is not only the best buy for Canada but also for future protection of Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

Syrian air attacks worry some at camps for displaced people

02/08/2013

Syria On Jan. 13, bombs dropped by Syrian aircraft destroyed this town’s open-air market and at least five buildings around it. U.S. officials and Syrian opposition leaders say the bombings were part of a Syrian government tactic to target people who’ve fled because of violence in their home cities. Sixty people died and more than 100 were wounded, according to Dr. Bara’a al Nasser, 29, who works in the clinic at the nearby Bab al Salamah camp at Azaz, directly on the Turkish border.

Indigenously - manufactured aircraft stole the show at Aero India 2013

02/08/2013

Unlike the past few editions that were dominated by aircraft from nations vying for the medium multi role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, the opening session of this year saw the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, AWACS, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and the ZM-1 along with the vintage Tiger Moth perform some aerobatic stunts. The much-maligned Tejas, which in the past has been bashed for its performance and inability to enter the service, put up a breathtaking display.

Jets roar as US, Japan, Australia drill in Pacific

02/08/2013

Fighter jets from the U.S. and two key allies roared into western Pacific skies in the combat phase of annual exercises that have gained importance as the region responds to the rise of China and other potential threats. The Cope North drills — which could soon swell in participants — are aimed at preparing air forces of the U.S., Japan and Australia to fight together if a military crisis erupts.

Airshow: Airbus keen to sell army planes to India

02/08/2013

Europe's Airbus (EAD.PA) wants to sell its C295 military transport aircraft to India, an Airbus Military executive said on Thursday, adding that the company was awaiting a request for proposals from the government. "We are very keen to see the RFP so we can get our proposal in there," said Kieran Daly, press manager for Airbus Military, at the Aero India air show in Bangalore.

Boeing Phantom Eye Completes Taxi Tests, Readies for Return to Flight

02/08/2013

Boeing's liquid hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye unmanned aircraft system has completed taxi testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California as it progresses toward its second flight. During the testing, which occurred Feb. 6, the Phantom Eye demonstrator aircraft sitting atop its launch cart reached speeds up to 40 knots, or approximately 46 miles per hour.

Japan Scrambles Jets, Saying Russian Planes in Its Airspace

02/08/2013

Japan on Thursday scrambled military jets to intercept two Russian fighter planes believed to have violated its airspace, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported, citing the country’s Defense Ministry. The Russian military denied its aircraft had entered Japanese airspace.Tokyo lodged an official protest with Moscow after the incident, saying two Russian Su-27 fighter jets had spent one minute and 11 seconds in Japanese airspace southwest of the island of Rishiri, not far from Hokkaido, Kyodo report.

Upgraded Ruslan Heavy Lifter to Start Testing ‘Soon’

02/08/2013

Modernization of the Antonov An-124-100 strategic heavylift aircraft Ruslan is nearing completion and the plane will soon undergo a series of standard trials, Russia’s Aviastar aircraft plant said on Thursday. The aircraft has been modernized to “improve its performance, enhance its reliability and increase its service life,” the aircraft maker said.

Under the skin of the new Iranian stealth fighter

02/08/2013

Further details are emerging on the new fighter jet unveiled by Iran earlier this week. The F313 “Qaher” – which means conquer in Farsi - is described as a new stealth fighter with short take off and landing capability.

All-female Black Hawk crew's training flight makes Wisconsin history

02/07/2013

It was a routine training flight - 90 minutes out and back to West Bend in one of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Black Hawk helicopters. The three-person flight crew, though, was unusual. Together the two pilots and crew chief have more than two decades of military experience, but it wasn't their years of service or overseas deployments that attracted attention.

Advanced Systems Improve Tejas’ Fighting Skills

02/07/2013

As the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has been in the making for much too long, but despite the delays, the aircraft that slowly moves toward the finish line is ‘born old’. If and when it is announced ‘fully mission capable’ by next year, Tejas will represent a mid-1990s generation platform, but will be ready to deploy with combat systems of the 21st century.