Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Y-20 Heavy Transporter Has Entered A New Phase

03/26/2013

China's first domestically-developed heavy transport aircraft, the Y-20, successfully took off for its first test flight on January 26. Now, Y-20's trial flight has entered a new phase. Our reporter Li Dong has the details. Different from the previous yellow-green paint, the new Y-20 has been repainted a dark gray, signifying that the aircraft's trials have entered a new phase.

No Budget Cut Relief for AF's Aging Fleet

03/26/2013

In the era of stealth jets and smart phones, the average Air Force aircraft has been flying since the Reagan administration. Some, like the B-52, have been around considerably longer. As a young Air Force lieutenant, Ovidio Pugnale of Beavercreek first flew aboard the nuclear-armed bomber in November 1960.

China 'buys fighter jets and submarines from Russia'

03/26/2013

China has agreed to buy 24 fighter jets and four submarines from Russia, Chinese state media report. It is reported to be the first time in a decade that China has made a large-scale military purchase from Russia. Two of the submarines will be built in Russia and two in China. The deal, signed just before last weekend's visit to Moscow by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, comes as both sides increase military co-operation.

New Cold War Takes Shape in Arabian Gulf

03/25/2013

Something that looks very much like a new Cold War is forming up here in the Arabian Gulf region. The hot ground war of Iraq is over, and its counterpart in Afghanistan is drawing down, perhaps even faster than planned. In their place, a new standoff centered on the maritime environment already is at work, signifying intentions by the U.S. and its allies to remain active participants in the region.

US Sec. of State tells Iraq to close airspace for Iranian planes ‘with Assad aid’

03/25/2013

Iraq shouldn't allow Iran to use its airspace to provide aid to the Syrian government, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, warned during his unannounced visit to Baghdad. "I made it very clear that for those of us, who are engaged in an effort to see President Assad step down... anything that supports President Assad is problematic," Kerry said after holding private talks with Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki.

China Flexes Muscles With New Missile Tests

03/25/2013

China has demonstrated its military might by testing new rockets capable of hitting aircraft carriers up to 1,250 miles from the shore, as the US announced it is stepping up its military presence in Asia. Amidst increasingly belligerent language from Beijing, new satellite photos published in the Taiwan media show huge craters in a mock-up of an aircraft carrier deck in the Gobi desert, believed to be created in tests of the new DF-21D anti-ship missile.

Are aircraft carriers about to become an endangered species in the United States?

03/25/2013

Budget pressures at the Pentagon have renewed a debate about the value of the US Navy’s giant aircraft carriers, with critics arguing the warships are fast becoming costly relics in a new era of warfare. With the Pentagon facing $500 billion in cuts over the next decade, a Navy officer has dared to question the most treasured vessels in his service’s fleet, saying the super carriers are increasingly vulnerable to new weapons and too expensive to operate.

Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Croatia, Slovenia

03/25/2013

Russian military inspectors will make surveillance flights over the territories of Croatia and Slovenia countries under the international Open Skies Treaty beginning on Monday, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russian experts will conduct the inspection flights on board an Antonov An-30B (Clank) aircraft between March 25 and 30, the spokesman said.

Niger newest front in war on terrorism

03/24/2013

The newest outpost in the U.S. government’s empire of drone bases sits behind a razor-wire-topped wall outside this West African capital, blasted by 110-degree heat and the occasional sandstorm blowing from the Sahara. The U.S. Air Force began flying a handful of unarmed Predator drones from here last month. The gray, mosquito-shaped aircraft emerge sporadically from a borrowed hangar and soar north in search of al-Qaida fighters and guerrillas.

India Is World’s Largest Buyer Of Weapons

03/24/2013

India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of major conventional weapons worldwide, according to new data on international arms transfers published on Monday. The top five importers of major conventional weapons worldwide are all in Asia: India (12% of global imports), China (6%), Pakistan (5%), South Korea (5%) and Singapore (4%).

Sequester budget cuts in Indiana hit military, education, seniors, public health and Head Start

03/24/2013

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday it would close two airport control towers in Indiana because of automatic budget cuts approved by Congress. Gary and Columbus airports are among 149 nationwide that will shutter their air traffic centers because of $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester.

Automatic Cuts Are Felt at Nation’s Air Shows

03/24/2013

Here at the 36th annual TiCo Warbird Airshow, fighter jets and vintage planes roar and rumble by as viewers ooh, aah, and then walk over to the line of food stands to buy funnel cakes and gyros, corn dogs and root beer floats. The undisputed star, of course, is the Air Force Thunderbirds, whose six-plane precision flying team crisscrosses a perfect sky in ever-changing formations and gives an undiluted thrill to the crowd — at least those who brought earplugs.

Chinese Leader Vows Stronger Military Ties With Russia

03/24/2013

Newly-elected Chinese President Xi Jinping has affirmed that China and Russia will continue to strengthen and develop their military, political and strategic relations, including cooperation between their armed forces. Xi Jinping, who is on a three-day visit to Russia – his first foreign visit since becoming Chinese president last week, met on Saturday with the Russian military leadership in the Russian Armed Forces' Operational Command Center.

Sequester Impedes Congressional Travel

03/23/2013

With the approach of spring, some in Congress are gearing up for those high-flying, all expenses-paid trips abroad known as "codels" traditionally used by lawmakers not only for fact gathering but for lots of relaxation time as well. But according to The New York Times, there may not be as much travel on the schedule this spring due to the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that kicked in on March 1.

California sanctuary wants Toronto elephants flown south on C-17 military aircraft

03/23/2013

Representatives of the California sanctuary that will take in Toronto’s three African elephants are hoping Defence Minister Peter MacKay will allow a C-17 military aircraft to fly the animals there by the end of June. Department of National Defence staff met Thursday with officials from the city, the Toronto Zoo and Zoocheck to review what it would take to pack up and move Toka, Thika and Iringa.

The U.S.-India Partnership in the Asian Century

03/23/2013

Thank you, Neil, for that kind introduction and for inviting me here today. I’d like to thank Professor Pradeep Chhibber, Director of the Institute of International Studies for organizing this event. I’d also like to give a shout out to Ambassador Steve Browning, the State Department’s Diplomat in Residence here at Berkeley, who has no doubt persuaded countless Berkeley grads to join our ranks.

Japanese Women Take Command, Finally

03/23/2013

The next time Chinese sailors lock radar onto a Japanese warship, they may discover they’re aiming at a woman. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) this week appointed female officers to command two naval destroyers. It’s the first time that women have been given command of frontline warships since Japan’s modern navy was formed seven decades ago.

CIA Expands Role in Syria Fight

03/23/2013

The Central Intelligence Agency is expanding its role in the campaign against the Syrian regime by feeding intelligence to select rebel fighters to use against government forces, current and former U.S. officials said. The move is part of a U.S. effort to stem the rise of Islamist extremists in Syria by aiding secular forces, U.S. officials said, amid fears that the fall of President Bashar al-Assad would enable al Qaeda to flourish in Syria.

German military on Mali mission

03/23/2013

French and Malian troops are fighting to rid northern Mali of Islamist rebels. Germany’s Bundeswehr is providing logistical support. Three Transall transport planes and 90 soldiers are stationed in Senegal. At the French army airbase in the Senegalese capital Dakar, turbines are humming. It is midday and extremely hot, a warm wind sweeps up the dust from the ground. Nearby, passenger planes take off and land at Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport.

France May Cap Purchases of Rafale Combat Jets -Report

03/23/2013

The French government is considering limiting its purchases of Rafale multi-role combat aircraft, made by Dassault Aviation SA (>> DASSAULT AVIATION), to 225 from the 286 planned over the life of the program, according to a report Friday on financial information website latribune.fr.

302nd AW receiving additional C-130 aircraft

03/22/2013

As a result of the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act Intra-theater Airlift Working Group’s recommendations, Colorado’s 302nd Airlift Wing is slated gain an additional C-130 Hercules aircraft in FY 2014. This additional backup aircraft, which was added to enhance mission effectiveness, will bring the total number of aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve airlift unit from 12 to 13.

Sea Knights Depart Bonhomme Richard One Last Time

03/22/2013

Ten CH-46E Sea Knight medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopters, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, departed the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for the final time March 20. Known colloquially as the "Phrog," the Sea Knight has been used in all U.S. Marine combat and peacetime environments since its introduction in 1964, and will be replaced with the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Handheld controller used in X-47B tests

03/22/2013

The fighter-sized X-47B UCAV successful performed hand-controlled deck maneuvers on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, defense company Rockwell Collins said. Rockwell Collins said its Tactical Targeting Network Technology was used to put the unmanned combat aerial vehicle through on-deck paces, which were performed ahead of carrier landings by the aircraft planned for this year.

Russia tests air-defense in Asian region

03/22/2013

The Russian military deployed more than 500 weapons systems and 50 aircraft to a region near Mongolia for air-defense drills, the government said. The Russian government said air-defense drills are under way in the Republic of Buryatia in Asia. Military forces are testing the S-300 surface-to-air missile system, man-portable surface-to-air missiles systems and other defensive equipment, state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reports.

European Union Plans Defense Research, Financing Support Steps

03/22/2013

The European Commission plans to unveil measures to support the region’s defense industry this summer at a time when member states are curtailing military spending as part of austerity measures. Five ideas have been identified to help support military contractors, including aiding small companies gain access to financing, Daniel Calleja Crespo, director-general at the Commission’s Enterprise and Industry directorate said. More proposals could be added, he said.