Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing Begins Full-Rate Production of Laser JDAM for US Navy

09/26/2012

Boeing recently received a $22.7 million modification to an existing U.S. Navy contract for more than 2,300 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors, starting full-rate production to meet the Navy’s Direct Attack Moving Target Capability (DAMTC) program requirement.

Northrop Grumman to Develop Navigation System for U.S. Navy’s Fighter Aircraft

09/25/2012

Northrop Grumman has received a competitive prototyping contract from the Boeing Company for developing an embedded global positioning/inertial navigation system (EGI) on behalf of the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

Iran tests home-built anti-aircraft system: report

09/25/2012

Iran successfully tested a domestically made anti-aircraft system, its English-language Press TV said on Monday, the latest in a series of military exercises Tehran has trumpeted in the face of hints that its nuclear sites could be attacked. "The mid-range system ... is capable of intercepting targets at a range of 50 km (30 miles) and can fly at an altitude of 75,000 feet," state-run Press TV's website said.

Russia’s Su-30SM Fighter Performs Maiden Flight: Photo

09/25/2012

On September 21, at the airfield of Irkutsk Aviation Plant – branch of JSC Irkut Corporation (a part of United Aircraft Corporation) Su-30SM fighter, developed by JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau and designed for the Russian Ministry of Defence, performed its maiden flight.

IAF planning to buy two more Mirage combat planes

09/25/2012

The Indian Air Force is planning to buy two second-hand Mirage 2000 combat aircraft to make up for the losses suffered by it in crashes earlier this year. The IAF, which has signed a deal with France for the upgradation of 51 Mirage 2000 aircraft, lost two of these planes in crashes in February and March after which its fleet was reduced to 49.

Putin Demands New Plan for Defense Industry Overhaul

09/25/2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday urged the government to draft a new defense industry modernization program that includes increased private investment and improved social benefits for employees. “This program must be tailored so that enterprises are modernized in parallel with the resolution of these social issues,” Putin said during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $111 Million Apache M-TADS/PNVS Performance Based Logistics Contract

09/25/2012

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $111 million Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from the U.S. Army.

Boeing Receives $1.9 Billion Contract for 11 P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

09/25/2012

The U.S. Navy on Sept. 21 awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $1.9 billion contract for 11 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which will take the total fleet to 24 and bolster the service's anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

China navy takes delivery of first aircraft carrier

09/24/2012

China's first aircraft carrier was handed over Sunday to the navy of the People's Liberation Army, state press said, amid rising tensions over disputed waters in the East and South China Seas. The handover ceremony of the 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a former Soviet carrier called the Varyag, took place in northeast China's port of Dalian after a lengthy refitting by a Chinese shipbuilder, the Global Times reported.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs

09/24/2012

More than 130 U.S. military members were invited to demonstrate the air and ground capabilities of American forces as they partnered with the South African air force during the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 22-23.

Elbit Systems to Establish a Mission Training Center for Fighter Pilots of a Latin American Air Force

09/24/2012

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) ("Elbit Systems") announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at $18.5 million for the establishment of a Mission Training Center (MTC) for fighter aircraft of a Latin American Air Force. The establishment of the MTC will be performed during 2014.

Naval expert: Aircraft carrier will play a major role in settlement of islands disputes

09/24/2012

Naval expert Li Jie said that China's first aircraft carrier, which is mainly used for experiments and training, will soon enter service, which will mark a significant milestone in China's naval and maritime history. The aircraft carrier will play an important role in China's settlement of islands disputes and defense of its maritime rights and interests.

RMAF may lease Gripens an option

09/24/2012

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is considering an offer from Sweden to lease up to 18 JAS39 Gripen fighter jets for its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme. RMAF chief Tan Sri Rodzali Daud told theSun leasing the Gripens is a cheaper solution considering the huge capital expenditure needed for the procurement of new fighters.

Canadian Inspectors Set for Surveillance Flights over Russia

09/24/2012

A group of Canadian observers will conduct a series of inspection flights over Russia under the Open Skies Treaty starting on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. “The flights will be along the route coordinated earlier with Russian specialists, who will be on board of the aircraft monitoring implementation of agreements on the use of technical equipment for the observation,” the statement said.

Belarus to beef up air defense with new Russian warplanes

09/23/2012

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said the former Soviet republic plans to employ advanced Russian-made fighter jets in as part of attempts to boost its air defense. “We have a joint air defense system. We talked a lot concerning the air force. I requested support and I have got it. In the near future we will get modern aircraft to put on duty at the border,” RIA Novosti quoted Lukashenko as telling reporters on Friday.

Russia ‘Ready’ to Export Su-30 Fighters to Africa

09/23/2012

Russia is ready to sell Su-30s and other modern fighter jets to African countries, state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Saturday. Delivery contracts with countries such as Uganda, Angola, Ethiopia and others should include personnel training programs and after-sales servicing, Rosoboronexport’s deputy chief Alexander Mikheyev said.

China Unveils Second Stealth Fighter

09/22/2012

China's unveiling of a second low-observable (LO) or stealthy fighter, a Shenyang product possibly designated J-31, followed the same pattern as the revelation of the Chengdu J-20 at the end of 2010: Photos were leaked via the Internet on the eve of a U.S. defense secretary's visit to Beijing. The not-too-subtle message, as the U.S. follows through with its plans to shift air and naval forces to the Pacific region, is that China's own military modernization is not slowing down.

US Osprey Military Aircraft Test-Flights Begin In Japan

09/22/2012

Within two days of getting safety clearance of the Japanese government to fly over the country, the first batch of a controversial U.S. military aircraft carried out test flights at an American base in Japan on Friday. Four gray-painted U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft took off from the Marines' Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi prefecture, two each in the morning and afternoon, reports said. No trouble was noticed in the maiden flights, which were on cruise mode.

How combat ready is the BDF Air Wing?

09/22/2012

A source close to the BDF says the aircraft were grounded last year because they were considered unsafe for continued use. Among the grounded aircraft are F5 fighter jets and transporters, including the massive C 130 and the Super King Air 200. According to the source, at present, the only aircraft in use are utility helicopters and a small fleet of PC-7 MK2 trainer aircraft that were bought last year.

India Looks to Finalize Fighter Deal By March

09/22/2012

India expects to finalize the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal by March 2013, according to the country's air force chief, N.A.K. Browne. "The negotiations are absolutely on with Dassault Aviation," Browne says. "We hope that at least this financial year [which runs through March 2013], we should be able to finish the negotiations and finalize the deal" for 126 Rafale fighters. After a global competition, the Rafale beat out the other finalist, the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Kyrgyz Air Base May Soon Host Russian Strategic Bombers

09/22/2012

The overhauled airfield at the Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan will be able to accommodate Russian strategic bombers in six months, but their deployment in the Central Asian state needs thorough consideration, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said. “Technically, we will complete the reconstruction [of the runway at the Kant airbase] in half a year,” Serdyukov told reporters on Friday.

New Su-30SM Fighter Makes Maiden Flight

09/22/2012

The Russian Air Force’s first Su-30SM advanced fighter jet made its first flight on Friday, the manufacturer said. “The flight lasted for two hours and went smoothly,” the Irkut corporation said. The Su-30SM is a specialized version of the thrust-vectoring Su-30MKI for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.

Uganda in Talks for More Su-30 Fighter Jets

09/22/2012

Uganda is in talks with Russian state arms export company Rosoboronexport over an option purchase of six more Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter jets, the company's Deputy Director Alexander Mikheyev said on Friday at an arms exhibition in South Africa.

US Charges Iran with Using Commercial Aircraft to Arm Syrians

09/21/2012

Washington has again accused Iran of providing military aid to the Syrian government in its battle against rebel forces and then allowing those same weapons to kill innocent civilians. The Treasury Department issued a statement Wednesday that Tehran is undertaking "deceptive practices" that allows Damascus to get a hold of ammunition and other equipment "that contribute to the regime's violence against the Syrian people."

As Israel's Threat to Bomb Iran Looms, U.S. Vows to Keep Aircraft Carrier Strike Group in Persian Gulf

09/21/2012

The U.S. Navy is vowing to keep commercial sea lanes open in the international waters off Iran, despite a view among a small number of critics that Washington’s military muscle may inadvertently stoke tensions with Tehran in the event of a crisis.