Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Lockheed Martin Receives $90 Million U.S. Army Apache M-TADS/PNVS Performance Based Logistics Contract

01/18/2013

Lockheed Martin has received a $90.6 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from the U.S. Army for sustainment of the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system. The firm, fixed price contract provides a comprehensive sustainment solution that enables mission readiness, reduces operation and support costs, and drives reliability and maintainability improvements.

Russian T-50 Fighter Jet Completes First Long-Range Flight

01/18/2013

Russia's prototype fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 fighter jet has carried out its first long-range flight during the transfer from a manufacturing plant in Russia’s Far East to an assigned airfield near Moscow, deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday. “It is a serious breakthrough! The plane flew 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles), making two landings, in Abakan and Chelyabinsk, on the way to the Russian capital.

US, Kyrgyzstan Continue Transit Center Talks – Diplomat

01/18/2013

The United States and Kyrgyzstan are continuing talks on the future of a US military transit center at Manas international airport, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake said on Thursday. “We are currently discussing the future of the Transit Center in Manas, but I would rather not speculate on the possible outcome of these discussions,” Blake, who arrived in Bishkek to attend bilateral Kyrgyz-US consultations, told reporters.

Reserves receive first MV-22 Osprey squadron; looking for good Marines

01/17/2013

Marine Forces Reserve has never had a V-22 Osprey squadron—until now. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764) transitioned into the Reserve’s first Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-764) during a three-part ceremony here Jan 12, 2013. “It was kind of one big last event to say goodbye,” said Lt. Col David A. Weinstein, commanding officer of VMM-764.

P8-Is: Indian Navy's eye in the sky

01/17/2013

The aircraft, which is now being used for training by Indian naval personnel in coordination with the US Navy in the US, has the latest radars, electronic warfare systems, and weapons to kill hostile submarines, several of which lurk underwater in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal around the Indian coast.

F-35 Software: DoD's Chief Tester Not Impressed

01/17/2013

Last September, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the then incoming director of the troubled F-35 program, said that he was not optimistic that all the program's current problems—especially those related to software, which has long been a sore point (pdf)—would be fixed in time to meet the services’ planned initial operational capabilities, beginning with the Marine Cops in about 2 years.

Germany sending transport planes Mali effort; ECOWAS head says troops to be deployed "quickly"

01/17/2013

Germany's defence minister said Wednesday the country will send two military aircraft to help transport African troops to aid in the international effort to drive back al-Qaida-linked insurgents in Mali — a deployment the head of a multi-nation West African regional group said he hoped could "go quickly."

Japan Mulls Military Equipment Near Disputed Isles

01/17/2013

Japan may station military equipment on islands near an archipelago at the center of a dispute with China, officials said Jan. 16, after a number of airborne near-confrontations. The defense ministry will ask for money in the next fiscal year to study the idea of putting mobile radars and communication systems on islands near the Japan-controlled Senkakus, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, a defense spokesman said.

Military Moves Closer to Truly Autonomous Drones

01/17/2013

Imagine a flying machine equipped with bombs and missiles, navigating the skies stealthily without human control. Soon it will be a reality: the next generation of drones. Drones currently used in combat, like the Predator or Reaper, are navigated by pilots thousands of miles away. But the latest versions of the aircraft are being designed to fly autonomously and without direct human intervention, with a pilot taking charge only when it’s time to destroy a ground target.

Inside the F-35, the world's most futuristic fighter jet

01/17/2013

An aviation fantasy from the realms of Star Wars, the F-35 is the most sophisticated, expensive and controversial jet fighter ever produced. Jonathan Glancey takes its flight simulator for a spin.

Egypt doubles its C295 fleet with new Airbus order

01/17/2013

The Egyptian Air Force will double its C295 transport fleet following an order with Airbus Military today for six additional aircraft bringing the fleet to a total of 12 aircraft. This third batch of aircraft plus the associated spares and support equipment, training and field support are to be delivered from the end of 2013 onwards.

Saudi Arabia awards new Tornado engine support contract to Rolls-Royce

01/17/2013

Following agreement between the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, under the Saudi British Defence Cooperation Programme, Rolls-Royce has signed a contract to provide support for engines powering the Royal Saudi Air Force fleet of Tornado combat aircraft.

INDIA, THE A330MRTT AND EXPANDED DEFENSE OF INDIA

01/16/2013

Often, the acquisition of a new defense platform is discussed in terms of itself and the entire operational impact or strategic context is lost. This is the usual case with the most innovative air tanker solution to date, namely the A330MRTT. The A330MRTT deployed as a fleet can provide a significant deployable airborne infrastructure to support wide-ranging military and security operations.

AgustaWestland Wins First Wildcat Export Deal With South Korea

01/16/2013

Finmeccanica SpA (FNC)’s AgustaWestland has won a first export order for the AW159 Wildcat after South Korea said it would buy eight of the helicopters to strengthen its navy’s ability to combat ships and submarines.

U.S. Buying More Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Rockets After Successful Use In Afghanistan

01/16/2013

As a result of its continued success in theater, the U.S. Navy is buying more BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets. The company recently signed a $28 million full-rate production contract with options to produce more APKWS rockets for the Navy. The latest award increases the total full-rate production contract value to $69 million and extends production through 2014.

Cyber War Stakes Rising

01/16/2013

U.S. intelligence officials have warned as nation-sponsored cyber warfare goes mainstream this year, attacks on U.S. installations and institutions could result not just in damage and theft but in fatalities. They believe fatalities could occur and “that is the best estimate at this point,” said the former senior intelligence official.

Dozens Killed as Explosions Hit Syrian University

01/16/2013

At least two deadly explosions, possibly caused by airstrikes or bombs, devastated the campus of Aleppo University in Syria on Tuesday as students were taking exams, a major escalation of the violent struggle for control of the country’s largest city. The opposition and the government blamed each other for the blasts, among the worst since the Syrian conflict began nearly two years ago.

Belgium to send support craft to Mali

01/16/2013

The Belgian government on Tuesday decided to deploy two C-130 Hercules transport aeroplanes and two rescue helicopters to support France's military intervention in Mali, Defence Minister Pieter De Crem told the Belga news agency. An assessment will be carried out in late February or early March to determine how long Belgium's involvement should last, De Crem said following a cabinet meeting in Brussels.

France pushes on with Mali air strikes

01/16/2013

France has continued to launch air strikes against Islamist rebels in Mali as plans to deploy African troops gathered pace on Tuesday. Residents of the besieged town of Diabaly sought shelter inside their homes after a night of bombing aimed at dislodging the insurgents who seized the town on Monday. Local people told journalists they had heard explosions throughout the night, coming from the direction of the garrison town's military camp.

Japan, US fighter planes in joint drill–official

01/16/2013

US and Japanese fighter jets on Tuesday carried out joint air exercises, an official said, days after Chinese and Japanese military planes shadowed each other near disputed islands in the East China Sea. The five-day exercise, off the southwest of the archipelago, involves six US FA-18 fighters and around 90 American personnel, along with four Japanese F-4 jets and an unspecified number of people, the official said.

Russia Pledges $1 Bln Arms Loan to Bangladesh

01/16/2013

Russia will issue a $1 billion loan to Bangladesh for purchases of Russian-made arms and military equipment, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday. “Russia…will allocate a $1 billion loan to Bangladesh for purchases of Russian arms and military equipment,” Putin said.

ST Aerospace secures C130 contract from Royal Air Force of Oman

01/16/2013

ST Aerospace has announced that it has secured a contract to provide the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) with a full scale maintenance and modernisation solution for three of its C130 Hercules aircraft. ST Aerospace will undertake both modernisation and maintenance work at its facility in Paya Lebar, Singapore.

US military preparing to support French forces in Mali

01/15/2013

The Pentagon is preparing to provide military support to French forces in their new fight against rebel militants in northern Mali, according to senior defense officials. The U.S. is considering a range of options to help, including sending cargo aircrafts to lift more French ground troops into Mali, providing air refueling tankers for French air combat patrols, and offering intelligence gleaned from aerial surveillance.

SAAB eager to engage Indian markets despite MMRCA setback

01/15/2013

The global aerospace and defence company SAAB had organised a unique contest during Aero-India 2011, which had allowed the winning contestant the privilege of co-piloting the Gripen, Sweden’s newest multi-role jet fighter.

Report: Lightning a threat to F-35

01/15/2013

Despite undergoing regular test flights, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, called the Lightning II, remains vulnerable to its namesake — lightning. Additionally, attempts to lighten the JSF by 11 pounds may have left the fifth-generation stealth fighter more vulnerable than the aircraft it will replace.