Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Paris confirms presence of aircraft carrier in waters outside Syria

12/12/2012

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told BFMTV on Tuesday that although French Marines are onboard the vessel, it does not mean that France is preparing for a military intervention in Syria. He, however, justified the presence of the French aircraft carrier in waters just outside Syria as part of Paris’ policy to maintain military readiness in the face of any threat. The French minister also said that the vessel is not conducting a military exercise in the region.

U.S. military to increase presence in Philippines

12/12/2012

U.S. and Philippine officials are expected to agree on an increase in the number of U.S. military ships, aircraft and troops rotating through the Philippines, Filipino officials said, as tensions simmer with China over its maritime claims. Senior U.S. and Philippine officials met on Wednesday in Manila to discuss strengthening security and economic ties at a time of growing tension over China's aggressive sovereignty claims over vast stretches of the disputed South China Sea.

Moscow 'Regrets' N.Korean Rocket Launch

12/12/2012

Russia expressed its “deep regret” over North Korea’s long-range rocket launch on Wednesday and called on Pyongyang to refrain from further action which could increase tension in the region. “This step is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874, unequivocally banning North Korea from rocket launches with the use of ballistic technologies,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

US Military Launches Mysterious Mini-Shuttle into Space

12/12/2012

The United States Air Force successfully launched an unmanned Atlas V rocket Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida carrying a small robotic military space shuttle, kicking off a month long classified operation. "The focus of the program remains on testing vehicle capabilities and proving the utility and cost-effectiveness of a reusable spacecraft," Air Force spokeswoman Tracy Bunko wrote in an email to Reuters in an apparent attempt to debunk the speculation.

Why this indifference to Tejas fighter jet?

12/11/2012

Ask any of the 20-odd Indian Air Force test pilots who have flown the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and they will all swear that it is a great fighter to fly. It handles beautifully, screams along at Mach 1.6 (2,000 kilometres per hour) and fires the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. With 2,000 test flights under its belt, it has already proven that it can fly and fight better than most fighters on the IAF inventory.

F-35 aircraft program funding should be cut

12/11/2012

As we approach the "fiscal cliff," strong consideration should be made of cutting funding for the F-35 aircraft program. This fighter jet, which was designed for three branches of the military, is the most expensive weapons system in history and has been replete with technological flaws, cost overruns, missed production schedules, and a huge price tag.

Pilot Calls F-35 ‘Big Leap’ in Fighter Capability

12/11/2012

The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jet will be a strategic deterrent for the nation because of its "huge leap in capability," a Marine Corps pilot said. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., recently told the Pentagon Channel the F-35 will allow Marines to perform missions in high-threat areas, unlike existing aircraft.

No Chinese parts in US aircraft: India

12/11/2012

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has not encountered any faulty Chinese spare parts and equipment in military aircraft made in the US, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday. "While the government is aware of media reports regarding possible usage of Chinese counterfeit electronic parts in military aircraft manufactured in the US, no P81 aircraft has so far been delivered to India," he said.

Canada drops F-35 order, New York Times reports cost of military jets could climb further

12/11/2012

Canada canceled its order for 65 F-35 fighter jets last week. The Ottawa Citizen reported on Dec. 6 that the decision was prompted by the upcoming release of an audit revealing that the life-cycle cost of the aircrafts will be much higher than originally forecast.

US sending 20 more F-16s to Egypt, despite turmoil in Cairo

12/11/2012

Instability in Egypt, where a newly-elected Islamic government teeters over an angry population, isn't enough to stop the U.S. from sending more than 20 F-16 fighter jets, as part of a $1 billion foreign aid package. The first four jets are to be delivered to Egypt beginning Jan. 22, a source at the naval air base in Fort Worth, where the planes have been undergoing testing, told FoxNews.com.

Pakistani air force planes crashing at an alarming rate, raising concerns about aging fleet

12/11/2012

Over a dozen Pakistani air force planes have crashed in roughly the past 18 months, raising concerns about the health of an aging fleet that officials are struggling to upgrade because of a lack of funds.

Boeing Delivers Qatar Emiri Air Force's 4th C-17 Globemaster III

12/11/2012

Boeing delivered the Qatar Emiri Air Force's fourth C-17 Globemaster III today in Long Beach. The delivery reflects Qatar's agreement with the U.S. government to acquire two additional C-17s, which brings the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) fleet of the world's most advanced airlifters to a total of four as the C-17 continues to attract orders worldwide. Qatar received its third airlifter earlier this year.

Russia Delivers Three Upgraded MiG-29 Fighter Jets to India

12/11/2012

The first three MiG-29UPG fighter jets have been delivered to India under a contract to modernize the fleet of MiG-29 aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MiG aircraft maker said. “The MiG corporation…has started deliveries of upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets to the Indian Air Force,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

MV-22 Ospreys complete landmark deployment to Guam

12/10/2012

Guam-Marine Corps Aviation hit another significant landmark Saturday with the successful deployment of three MV-22 Ospreys across 1500 nautical miles in just over five hours from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. The aircraft arrived at Andersen Air Force Base at 5:09pm. The aircraft are participating in the Marine Aircraft Group -12 Exercise Forager Fury 2012 (FF12).

First pics: X-47B Unmanned Aircraft at sea aboard carrier TRUMAN

12/10/2012

Like just about everybody connected with the Navy, the folks on the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) took time this weekend to watch Navy once again get the better of Army in the annual football smackdown. But the TRUMAN crew also is out to sea, hard at work, and they’re testing a new aircraft, the X-47B prototype strike jet. It’s the first time the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has gotten wet with salty sea spray.

Brazil air force may buy F-18 jets from US

12/10/2012

The Brazilian air force, awaiting the outcome of the selection process for purchasing 36 fighter jets, is leaning toward the F-18 Super Hornet of the US, which is competing against the French Rafale and the Swedish Gripen, Istoe magazine said.

Chinese Air Force conducts comprehensive support drill

12/10/2012

The Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted a comprehensive support drill for multi-types of aircraft on double-runway under information conditions at an airport in southwest China. Nearly 100 fighters of over 10 different types open the curtain of the base-oriented transformation of the combat support mode of the PLA Air Force.

Lockheed and Marines turn military jet into Santa’s sleigh

12/10/2012

The C-130 cargo plane took off from Reagan National Airport with a jolt that nearly stacked its passengers on top of each other. The moment elicited the kind of nervous laughter that only comes from people that don’t do this every day. But this mission was different. There were no combat supplies aboard this flight. Instead there was $50,000 worth of toys to be delivered to families in New Jersey affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Budgets, mechanical setbacks hurt SANDF

12/10/2012

South Africa's military forces are buckling under the strain of crippling budget and mechanical setbacks. This despite the acquisition of high-technology fighter jets, frigates and submarines in the controversial arms deal that has cost the taxpayer an estimated R70bn in today's terms.

Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Portugal, Spain

12/10/2012

Russian military inspectors will carry out surveillance flights over Portugal and Spain starting on Monday under the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Defense Ministry has said. Russian experts will conduct the flights over the Portuguese and Spanish territories in a Tupolev Tu-154 M/LK-1 aircraft between December 10 and 15, a spokesman for the ministry said.

Canada Reconsiders JSF; Italy’s Leading PM Candidate Would Trim F-35 Buy

12/09/2012

The prospect that Canada may drop the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) entirely and Italy would trim its planned buy of the stealthy jet as Washington think-tanks urge the Pentagon to cut the program is raising concern that the world’s largest and most expensive defense program could be destabilized.

Rs 1,500 cr more for combat aircraft Tejas as HAL fails to meet targets

12/09/2012

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allocated an additional Rs 1,500 crore to the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, boosting its projected Rs 14,047 crore budget. The additional amount will be spent on a production line for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL) to build 20 fighters that Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered for its first Tejas squadron. The IAF has also promised another order for 20 more Tejas for its second squadron.

IAF to have midair refuelling capability on all combat aircraft

12/09/2012

In a major step to increase its range and operational capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided that all its aircraft and helicopters will have the capability for midair refueling. Disclosing this, the IAF vice chief, Air Marshal D.C. Kumaria, said at the Fifth National Seminar on Aerospace Technologies (N-SAT) recently that the decision applies to all its current and future acquisitions - whether combat jets, transport aircraft, helicopters or other assets.

Independent panel to oversee Conservative government’s new search for fighter jets

12/08/2012

A former fighter pilot, a number cruncher, an air force commander and a skeptic will oversee Ottawa’s revived search for a new fighter jet as it pulls back from plans to buy the F-35. Details of the government’s new search will be unveiled next week, likely Monday or Tuesday, along with a dramatically higher price tag if Ottawa went ahead with its purchase of 65 Lockheed Martin F-35 jets.

Russia Not Training Enough Military Pilots - Defense Minister

12/08/2012

The Russian Air Force is not training sufficient numbers of pilots and other specialists, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday. "The quantity of pilots and other specialists being trained for the air force is insufficient," Shoigu said, adding he would pay special attention to the issue. "We need to take measures to solve this," he said. "I want to stress that optimizing our military training system is one of the Defense Ministry's main tasks."