Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

More on Shooting Down of Drone Over Israel

10/15/2012

srael’s shooting down of an unmanned pilotless aircraft on Shabbos October 6, 2012 was covered by the international media, albeit lacking some of the details surrounding the event. At about 10:00 on shabbos morning, the Patriot missile battery detection system in the Haifa area detected the unidentified aircraft over the Mediterranean in the Gaza area, heading into Israel.

As Tension Escalates, Turkey Issues a Ban on All Syrian Aircraft

10/15/2012

Turkey’s foreign minister announced on Sunday a ban on all Syrian aircraft entering his country’s airspace, days after the authorities discovered what they said were Russian military munitions on board a passenger plane bound for Damascus. The announcement followed Syria’s ban on Turkish aircraft a day earlier and became the latest volley in an increasingly aggressive dispute between the two neighbors over Syria’s devastating civil war.

India’s Air Force Provides Details on Its Ambitious Modernization Plans

10/15/2012

The Indian Air Force expects to complete 75% of its modernization in another decade and raise four more squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters in the near future. AF chief, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne told journalists that the acquisition process of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) was on track and would be finalized by the March 31, 2013.

France to Make Surveillance Flights over Russia, Belarus

10/15/2012

French observers will conduct inspection flights over Russia and Belarus under the Open Skies Treaty, while Russian inspectors will do the same over the territory of Norway, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said. “In the period from October 15 to 20, a French mission will conduct a surveillance flight on board of a C-130H surveillance aircraft over the territory of the Russian Federation under the international Treaty on Open Skies.

Air Force delays sending F-22s from New Mexico to Tyndall

10/14/2012

The U.S. Air Force is delaying the planned transfer of F-22 fighters from a New Mexico base because of a defense spending freeze. Aircraft and personnel assigned to the 7th Fighter Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base were scheduled to move to Tyndall Air Force Base next spring, bringing hundreds of jobs to Bay County. But without a final defense appropriation and authorization bill, operations have come to a stalemate.

Turkey sends in fighter jets to patrol Syrian border

10/14/2012

Turkey has scrambled fighter jets to its border with Syria for the first time since warning its neighbour that escalating tensions could lead to war. The Turkish jets fired no shots, but their response to a Syrian aircraft flying close to the frontier on Friday is being interpreted as a sign that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be prepared to enforce a de facto no-fly zone inside Syrian airspace.

F-15 Test Force celebrates 10 years of Eagle improvements

10/13/2012

On Oct. 12, the F-15 Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The members of the unit, many of whom were there at the inception, recalled the major accomplishments and changes they’ve seen after 10 years.

Turkey beefs up security at Syrian border

10/13/2012

Turkey will send more military aircraft and tanks to its border with Syria, local media report, as the rift between the two countries keeps growing after Turkish jet fighters forced a Syrian passenger plane to land in Ankara. The Turkish Air Force will transfer 15 fighter jets to Diyarbakir, near the Syrian border in the south-east of the country, the Hurriyet daily reported on Friday, citing government sources.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Become Lighter, Faster

10/13/2012

In the future, the military can expect to have unmanned aerial vehicles that are faster, stealthier and lighter, with longer endurance and can hold heavier payloads. “[There will be] more focus on making systems that are stealthier, so they can’t be detected as easily by the enemies, [and] more autonomous so they can operate more on their own. So, if they lose [a] communication link with the headquarters, they can continue to do their mission.

India and Russia Agree To Develop A Military Transport Aircraft

10/13/2012

India and Russia gave the green light on Friday to a joint project to develop a Military Transport Aircraft, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (OAK) said after the signing ceremony in New Delhi. “A contract was signed by the client, the joint Indian-Russian MTAL venture, and the contractors, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation Transport Planes (OAK-TS),” OAK said.

Iraq agrees on $1 billion deal to buy Czech-made military airplanes

10/13/2012

Iraq has agreed to buy 28 Czech-made military airplanes in a deal worth $1 billion (€775 million), part of a broader effort by Baghdad to rebuild military capabilities destroyed during the U.S.-led invasion of the country, officials said Friday.

Three Dead, One Injured in Russian Navy Be-12 Plane Crash

10/13/2012

A Russian amphibious antisubmarine warfare aircraft in service with the Black Sea Fleet crashed on Friday in Ukraine killing three and injuring one crewmember, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Beriyev Be-12 Mail plane crashed during landing at the Kacha airfield, 50 kilometers from the Russian naval base in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.

Russia Denies Syria Plane had Weapons on Board

10/13/2012

Russia's foreign minister said on Friday that a Moscow-Damascus passenger airliner forced to land in Turkey over suspicions it had weapons on board was legally carrying Russian radar parts. Turkish F-16 fighter jets forced down the Syrian Air Airbus A320 some three hours after it had taken off from Moscow's Vnukovo international airport late on Wednesday.

Turkey: Syrian plane was carrying ammunition

10/12/2012

A plane intercepted by Turkish fighter jets on its way from Moscow to Damascus was carrying equipment and ammunition destined for the Syrian Defense Ministry, Turkey’s prime minister said Thursday. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments follow a fierce denial by Syria that anything illegal had been aboard the Airbus A320 that was forced by Turkey to land in Ankara late Wednesday. Syria, whose relations with neighboring Turkey have plummeted over the Syrian war, branded it an act of piracy.

Seoul taps Lockheed for aircraft support

10/12/2012

South Korea has awarded three contracts to Lockheed Martin to support its supply chain needs for aircraft operated by its navy and air force. The contracts have an annual ceiling value of $2 million and are funded incrementally by the government, Lockheed Martin said. No details were disclosed on the length of the supply chain support awards.

Saab early warning aircraft arrives

10/12/2012

The Royal Thai Air Force now has two new, rather strange-looking, aircraft. At first glance they look like ordinary small passenger planes with turboprop engines. If you take a closer look, however, you will see that each is equipped with a long box-like container on the top of the fuselage. The aircraft, the Saab AEW from Sweden, is an early warning aircraft and the box-like container holds its radar system.

Marine Corps Joint Strike Fighter conducts first aerial refuel

10/12/2012

In the sky above the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the future of Marine aviation punched through the warm Florida air Oct. 2. F-35B Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 from Eglin conducted the first air-to-air refuel of an operational aircraft in the program’s history. Previous aerial refueling operations with the F-35 had been conducted with test aircraft.

Hezbollah admits launching drone over Israel

10/12/2012

The leader of Lebanese Shia militant movement Hezbollah has said that his group was behind the launch of a drone shot down over Israel last week. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah told the movement's al-Manar television network that the drone was made in Iran and had flown over "sensitive sites" in Israel.

Sweden offers Croatia Gripen fighters

10/12/2012

Sweden has offered eight Saab Gripen fighters to Croatia to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-made MiG-21 combat aircraft, Croatia's defense ministry said Thursday. The offer for a 10-year lease includes a support and training package for Croatian pilots and technicians, plus an unspecified deal with Croatian companies. No financial or other details were released.

Iraq to Buy Czech L-159 Trainer Jets - Prime Minister

10/12/2012

The Iraqi government intends to buy Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets, Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Thursday in Prague after talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas, local TV reported. "Further talks about purchasing the L-159 will take place on Friday between the Iraqi and Czech defense ministries," he said. Talks about an L-159 purchase between Baghdad and Prague have been underway for at least three years.

Las Vegas Aviation Convention: Military Planes and Secrets

10/11/2012

My fascination with weapons technology has grown over the years. Sometimes I can’t believe, my own fascination with planes and the military technology. Where it began? Probably when I was a kid, living in Upland, California, near Mt. Baldy just South of the airport. It was a fun time to be growing up. Occasionally, we would bike on up to the airport to see the planes take off and land.

Upgraded An-70 Aircraft To Undergo Three Flight Tests Soon

10/11/2012

The Russian AN-70 military transport STOL aircraft will undergo three test flights after the completion of works on deep upgrading of its airborne equipment. Within the process of the trials, the new and upgraded systems of the aircraft including engine, propfans, aircraft and wing high-lift devices control systems as well as crew environmental control system were checked.

India to Build Export T-50 Stealth Fighter by 2020

10/11/2012

India will begin production of an export variant of Russian plane-maker Sukhoi's T-50 stealth fighter from 2020, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Wednesday during a visit to Delhi. "The technical characteristics have been confirmed to our (Russia and India) defense ministries. We propose serial production of the plane should start by 2020," he said, following the meeting of an Indian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

Turkey Permits Syrian-bound Aircraft to Resume its Course

10/11/2012

Turkey has issued a permission for a Syrian-bound passenger aircraft, which it earlier forced to land in Ankara, to resume its course, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told local television. On Wednesday, Turkish F-16 fighter jets forced down the Airbus A320, which was flying from Moscow to Damascus, over suspicions it has prohibited cargo on board.

Lockheed Martin To Provide Supply Chain Support to the Republic of Korea’s Military Services

10/11/2012

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded three new contracts to support the supply chain needs of the Republic of Korea Air Force and Navy. Under the terms of the basic ordering agreements, Lockheed Martin will provide spare material and repair of military hardware for the Republic of Korea’s fleet of F-16s and P-3 military aircraft. The company has also provided these same services for the C-130 for nearly 13 years.