Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Govt okays 10% stake sale of HAL

11/09/2012

The government on Thursday decided to offload 10 per cent stake in aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) in a public offer. The Bangalore-based public sector undertaking is engaged in manufacture of light combat aircraft, fighters, trainers, transport helicopters and aero engines.

Bulgaria to hit political turbulence over fighter jet purchase plans?

11/09/2012

Days of silence have descended over the potentially controversial current plan by Bulgaria to go ahead with soliciting offers to buy fighter jets without going through a public procurement process; but depending how the plan proceeds, there could be sonic booms in domestic politics and at European level.

Laser Pointing at Planes Puts One Person in ER

11/08/2012

The U.S. Coast Guard said military aircraft in the Coastal Bend are being targeted by laser pointers. The most recent incident happened just two days ago, sending a crew member to the emergency room. Pilots say the growing problem is dangerous to flight crews.

Ready, fire, aim: putting the subconscious in charge

11/08/2012

Over the past decade, the skies have become increasingly patrolled by a growing armada of remote-controlled flying robots or drones. Now plans are afoot by international military to use mind-control techniques to operate and fire these airborne weapon systems. Since the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001, some aspects of modern warfare have become increasingly automated. This is especially so in aerial-combat operations.

Second day of Dubai Helishow 2012 sees sustained focus on military and homeland security helicopter applications

11/08/2012

Dubai Helishow 2012, the premier civil and military helicopter technology and operations exhibition in the Middle East held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, saw sustained interest and activity focusing on issues of military, homeland security and civil defence in its second day.

Row jeopardises purchase of new military jets

11/08/2012

The government and the Swiss armed forces want to buy a new fighter jet: the Swedish Saab Gripen. However, diverging opinions on the mission of the air force, the type and number of crafts needed, threaten to bring a possible deal down. Experts agree on one thing: It would only be required in order for the Swiss Air Force to carry out its mission of protecting national air space in the event of a terrorist attack.

Inside China: J-31 stealth jet takes to the skies

11/08/2012

The 10-minute maiden test flight of China’s newest stealth fighter jet, the J-31, sparked intense debate among the world’s weapons and intelligence communities. That’s because little is known about the aircraft, which China boasts is the only other fifth-generation stealth light combat aircraft in the world after the U.S. Air Force F-35.

EADS Flying Solo Leaves Enders Repairing Investors Faith in Jets

11/07/2012

A month after European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD) buried plans to merge with BAE Systems Plc (BA/), Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders gets a chance to assure investors he can ride out demand swings in civil aviation alone. Enders will announce third-quarter earnings tomorrow that further tilt Europe’s largest aerospace company toward its Airbus civil aircraft business.

The Air Force's Flight to Weakness

11/07/2012

Serious talk of America's defense budget was largely absent from the final weeks of the presidential campaign, once President Barack Obama likened Gov. Mitt Romney's concerns to an anachronistic focus on "horses and bayonets." But when Mr. Romney lamented that (among other things) the U.S. Air Force has the fewest airplanes it has ever had, he was correct. At its founding in 1947, it had more than 12,300 planes. Today: approximately 5,200.

Boeing wins another billion-dollar-plus Indian military contract

11/07/2012

Boeing, which has won a string of competitive victories against other multi-national defense contractors for Indian military business in recent times, has added another contract to its string. Defense News is reporting that Boeing has won a $1.4 billion contract to furnish India with 15 CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters. Boeing had been competing against Russian military contractors who had proposed furnishing India with Mi-26 helicopters.

Philippines Protecting South China Sea Interests

11/07/2012

China's increased assertiveness over territorial claims to the South China Sea is leading the Philippines to embark on the biggest military procurement program it has ever undertaken.

Syrian Defector Says Most Bomber Pilots Grounded

11/07/2012

A former Syrian air force general who was also the country's first astronaut said Tuesday that only about one-third of Syria's fighter pilots are carrying out the daily bombing raids of rebel strongholds because President Bashar Assad's regime cannot count on the loyalty of the rest.

As U.S. Navy Consolidates Spy Plane Units, Critics Say ISR Will Suffer

11/07/2012

Although there has been an ever-increasing demand for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to help scour hostile ground, the Navy plans to cut nearly a quarter of its highly specialized multi-intelligence aircraft in the next few years. Critics, including Navy officers familiar with the program, warn the cuts will degrade intelligence gathering for not just the Navy, but also land forces that have depended on the planes for combat operations.

Saudi air force in $4bn Boeing fighter jet deal

11/07/2012

US aerospace giant Boeing Company has secured a contract valued at US$4bn to modernise the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force's fighter jet fleet, according to the Pentagon. The procurement order covers conversion of 68 existing F15S jets to the new F15S-A configuration.

F-35 Stopover in Marietta

11/07/2012

Employees at the Lockheed Martin facility here got the rare opportunity to see an F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighter up close on Nov. 5, as a new U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stopped by on its ferry flight from the Lockheed Martin production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to the U.S. Navy’s test center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

French, Brazilian defense ministers discuss possible fighter jet sale to South American nation

11/06/2012

French Defense Minister Jean Yves Le Drian arrived in Brazil on Monday to promote the sale of Rafale jet fighters to the South American nation. Brazil wants to modernize its air force with 36 new aircraft, but has delayed a decision on the deal that could be worth as much as $7 billion. Dassault of France, which manufactures the Rafale jets, is competing against Boeing of the United States and Saab of Sweden to sell new aircraft to Brazil.

Work on Tranche 3 Typhoon progresses

11/06/2012

BAE Systems in Britain reports that the fuselage, wings and undercarriage for the first Tranche 3A Typhoon jet fighter have been integrated. The aircraft, ordered by four European countries that are involved in its development, is ready for the next stage of assembly, the company said. "Over the next few months, the fin and foreplanes will be fitted and all the systems will be married-up," BAE Systems said.

Strong Tailwinds for Aerospace Electronics

11/06/2012

As worldwide defense spending shows more strength than widely anticipated and the battered civilian aerospace market shakes off its slump, companies with long-time expertise in aircraft electronics will emerge as huge winners.

Eglin Completes 500TH F-35 Sortie

11/06/2012

The Integrated Training Center (ITC) here completed its 500th combined sortie for both the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) and F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft Friday. Flight operations for the F-35 began on the Emerald Coast March 6. There are currently 22 F-35s at Eglin as the fleet continues to grow supporting the team as it trains instructor pilots and maintainers.

Boeing Delivers 5th Production P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to US Navy

11/06/2012

Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Nov. 2 delivered the fifth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy. The P-8A is one of 24 low-rate initial production (LRIP) maritime patrol aircraft that Boeing is building for the Navy as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012.

Flight tests on China’s air carrier confirmed by Ministry of Defense

11/05/2012

Military authorities confirmed Sunday that carrier-based jets have been conducting take-off and landing training on the country's first aircraft carrier Liaoning. According to an official report released by the Ministry of Defense, jets have practiced touch-and-go landings, a maneuver that involves landing on the flight deck of the carrier and taking off again without coming to a stop.

UK PM Cameron visits Gulf, Typhoon jet sales high on agenda

11/05/2012

British Prime Minister David Cameron will visit the Gulf and Middle East on a three-day diplomacy and trade trip this week, his office said on Monday, adding that selling BAE Systems-built fighter jets would be high on the agenda. Cameron will visit the United Arab Emirates on Monday, and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday before travelling to another destination in the Middle East, in a trip his office said "was to help Britain compete and thrive in the global race".

Marines replacing Harriers lost in attack

11/05/2012

The U.S. Marine Corps is in the process of replacing the six Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) AV-8B Harriers destroyed during an insurgent attack Sept. 14 at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. “We are slowly building back up,” Capt. Brett Ackerbauer told the Yuma Sun Saturday afternoon in a hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

JF-17 Thunder to participate in China Air Show

11/05/2012

According to a press release issued on Sunday, the Thunder’s Squadron pilots have completed series of aerobatics training drill program and are fully prepared to steal the show on the eve of 9th Zhuhai Air Show.

US Air Force keeps fleet of aging warhorses flying

11/05/2012

For decades, the U.S. Air Force has grown accustomed to such superlatives as unrivaled and unbeatable. These days, some of its key combat aircraft are being described with terms like geriatric, or decrepit.