Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Mobility Commander Delivers Dyess C-130J

04/05/2012

Gen. Raymond Johns, commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, accepted delivery of another C-130J Super Hercules for Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Johns praised the increased capabilities of the C-130J for resupply of the warfighter in forward operating locations, aeromedical evacuations, Antarctic support and humanitarian relief.

Interior Ministry Orders 8 Aerial Drones

04/05/2012

Russia's Interior Ministry has said it plans to spend up to 120 million rubles ($4 million) to buy eight unmanned aerial vehicles. The ministry would also require vans and radios to operate the drones, according to a tender document posted on the government purchasing agency website zakupki.gov.ru on Tuesday.

First F-35 For The Netherlands Rolls Out Of F-35 Production Facility

04/04/2012

The first F-35 Lightning II for The Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on April 1. This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., later this summer. The Netherlands will use the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet, known as AN-1, for training and operational tests for pilots and maintainers.

Belarus to Build Vertical Takeoff Drones

04/04/2012

The Belarusian State Military-Industrial Committee is planning to develop a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, the committee’s chairman Sergei Gurulev said. “We are considering a wide range of UAVs with VTOL capability – from mini-sized to medium and heavy class UAVs,” Gurulev said in an interview with “VPK.Belarus” publication.

Brazil to insist on technology transfer in defense deals

04/04/2012

Brazil, which is close to awarding a lucrative jet fighter contract, said Tuesday that it would insist on technology transfer in its defense agreements. "In all its alliances, Brazil will put on the table the demand for technology transfer," Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante told foreign correspondents. "We no longer intend to have the passive attitude we used to have throughout our history," he added.

American Eurocopter unveils new military aircraft

04/04/2012

American Eurocopter unveiled a helicopter if plans to build at its Columbus manufacturing facility. On Monday, company officials introduced the Armed Aerial Scout 72X plus combat helicopter during a presentation in Nashville. The company says the aircraft is an armed version of the UH-72 Lakota light utility helicopter currently being built in Columbus.

Budget Woes Leave Army Aviation Few Options

04/04/2012

The Army plans to stick with its current helicopter inventory over the next two decades, opting to wait until 2030 at the earliest to revolutionize a fleet flown hard around Iraq and Afghanistan. Army helicopters will receive upgrades over the next two decades, as they always have, but the austere budget environment has forced the Army to try and keep its current fleet in the air for as long as it can.

Money and the military

04/04/2012

The ministry of defence (MoD) is the final authority on defence purchases. The department of defence production oversees purchases. The department is vested with the overall responsibility for growth of indigenous defence industry as well as framing of policies.

Boeing Completes On-cost, On-schedule Delivery of F-15K Slam Eagles to Korea

04/04/2012

Boeing delivered the final two F-15K Slam Eagles to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) on April 2 at Daegu Air Base. All ROKAF F-15Ks were delivered on cost and on schedule. "Boeing is proud to have worked with the ROKAF to ensure that their F-15Ks included all the capability and power necessary to defend their homeland through 2040 and beyond," said Roger Besancenez, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing.

Lockheed Martin Commemorates 4,500 F-16 Aircraft Deliveries

04/04/2012

Lockheed Martin commemorated the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon delivery today with a ceremony for employees, customers, former executives and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Kay Granger and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.

Baku Says No Israeli Bases For Iran Strike

04/04/2012

Azerbaijan denies reports that Israel is to set up military bases aimed at Iran on its territory, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on Tuesday. In late March, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry denied a media report saying it granted Israel access to air bases near the Iranian border. "This information is absurd and groundless,” ministry spokesman Teymur Abdullayev said.

Russian Military to Use Civilian Planes

04/04/2012

Russia's military-transport aviation will use civilian An-124 Ruslan Condor heavy-lift transport aircraft owned by large carriers, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Monday. “Orders will be placed for dozens of aircraft - 60-70 Ruslans,” he said. It was not immediately clear whether the military will pay for the use of cargo aircraft or simply commandeer them in the interest of “national defense.”

Russia's Defense Ministry Wants Strike Drone

04/04/2012

Russia’s Defense Ministry has issued a technical specification for development of a strike unmanned air vehicle (UAV), Izvestia daily said on Monday quoting a high-level source. Tranzas company will build the UAV's on-board electronics as well as its navigation and control systems. The airframe, which will weigh about five tons, will be produced by the Kazan-based Sokol design bureau.

Falklands 30 year anniversary: Commander criticises fighter jet policy

04/02/2012

Admiral Sir John Woodward said the Prime Minister would be powerless to respond if an invasion of the South Atlantic islands should happen again. On the 30th anniversary of Argentina he joined other senior veterans in criticising the reduction in British aircraft carrier capability. Admiral Woodward also warned Mr Cameron against changing his mind over the type of jet to buy for the carriers under construction. Conventional Joint Strike Fighters had been ordered but the Prime Minister is now e

In Yemen, lines blur as U.S. steps up airstrikes

04/02/2012

A surveillance aircraft operated by the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command flew over southeastern Yemen on the evening of March 9, tracking a mid-level Al Qaeda commander as he drove to his mountain hideout. American missiles soon rained down. The Al Qaeda commander was killed, along with 22 other suspected militants, most of them believed to be young recruits receiving military training, U.S. officials said.

Brazil close to jet fighter decision: minister

04/02/2012

Brazil is in the "final chapters" of making a decision to award a lucrative jet fighter deal, the defence minister Celso Amorim said on Saturday. Amorim indicated that the decision could be expected within a few months. Swedish manufacturer Saab's Gripen jet fighter is up against the Rafale fighter, made by French firm Dassault Aviation and US aviation giant Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet for a tender from Brazil to supply 36 multi-role combat aircraft.

Government plans to re-evaluate F-35 program when harsh AG report drops

04/02/2012

The Harper government will commit to re-evaluating the F-35 fighter jet program Tuesday, in response to a scathing Auditor-General’s report that is expected to charge Department of National Defence officials with misleading Parliament. The government will respond to the report from new Auditor-General, Michael Ferguson, by launching a multi-pronged action plan that includes a freeze on spending on the F-35 at $9-billion and committing to annual updates to Parliament on the progress of the pro

Nuclear-powered drones developed but shelved

04/02/2012

Drones have become the favorite weapon system of the Obama administration, currently in use in several countries around the world by both intelligence services and the military. Be it for spying or killing, drones keep pilots safe thousands of miles away as they spend sometimes days in the air. Now imagine if drones could spend months in the air. Just as nuclear energy is used to keep submarines and ships at sea for months on end, plans have been drawn up to give drones a similar capability i

New Raytheon Guided Bomb Completes Initial Flight Test

04/02/2012

Raytheon Company's Small Tactical Munition Phase II scored a direct hit on a target during the weapon's first guided flight test. "STM Phase II is ideally suited to weaponize Shadow-class unmanned aircraft systems and counterinsurgency aircraft because STM is a mature, precise and affordable weapon," said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "STM gives warfighters flexibility because it enables them to engage moving and

India on military buying spree

04/01/2012

Sailor-suited Russian models touted their nation's submarines. Indian officers posed for pictures atop foreign-made armor-plated vehicles. And working the room at New Delhi's aging exhibition center were French, British and U.S. arms merchants from global-defense giants, elbowing one another aside in the search for a deal at Defexpo India 2012, the country's biggest-ever weapons trade show.

New Aircraft Introduced at P-8A Roll-Out Ceremony

03/31/2012

More than 1,200 distinguished visitors filled the Patrol Squadron 30 hangar at Naval Air Station Jacksonville March 28 to celebrate the first fleet delivery of the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft. "In the same year that our maritime patrol and reconnaissance force (MPRF) is celebrating 50 years of service for the P-3 Orion, we're also celebrating the fleet introduction of P-8 Poseidon," said Capt. Mark Stevens, VP-30 commanding officer and master of ceremonies. In his remarks, Vice Chief

Vertical-lift aircraft design expected soon

03/31/2012

The military services expect to unveil performance specifications this summer for a new joint vertical-lift aircraft, Maj. Gen. William T. Crosby told congressmen. Crosby, director of the Army’s Program Executive Office Aviation, testified Tuesday afternoon to the House Armed Services Committee, subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces at a hearing on rotorcraft modernization programs. His counterparts from the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force also testified.

BrahMos develops anti-aircraft variant of the missile

03/31/2012

Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos has developed an anti-aircraft carrier variant of the 290-km supersonic cruise missile. "We have achieved the capability to attack aircraft carriers using the supersonic vertical diving variant of the missile and after demonstrating the capability recently with high precision, we will now offer this to the Indian Navy," BrahMos chief A Sivathanu Pillai said here today.

Sudan sends warplanes over South Sudan as border conflict rages

03/29/2012

Sudan sent military aircraft over a key South Sudanese city Tuesday as part of a two-day bombing campaign that has targeted South Sudanese military positions along the two nations' disputed border. No explosives fell from the aircraft, a pair of Russian-made Antonov cargo planes that Sudan has long used to drop bombs on opposing forces, as they "hovered" above Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan's Unity state.

Finally, LCA Navy all set for takeoff in Bangalore

03/29/2012

Having missed many deadlines for its maiden flight, the naval prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-NP1) is finally expected to fly this week. The LCA-NP1, the country’s first indigenous effort to build a carrier borne naval fighter aircraft, was scheduled to be flight-tested last year. However, technical problems led to postponements a couple of times. “We are looking at scheduling the flight anytime now. Final trials are currently on,” said DRDO sources.