Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

Indonesia Takes Delivery of Two C295s

09/21/2012

Indonesia has taken delivery of two Airbus Military C295 transport aircraft ordered in February this year. The aircraft are the first of nine to be delivered to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence under the terms of a contract signed by Airbus Military and PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

Government opens IAF's combat helicopter bid

09/21/2012

The government is set to give the Indian Air Force (IAF) more firepower and capabilities during its 80th anniversary year: New combat and heavy-lift helicopters. Authoritative sources told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) that the financial bid for the Boeing Apache AH-64D had been opened mid-September while that of the two helicopters in the heavy-lift competition - the Boeing Chinook CH-47F and the Russian Mi-26 - should be opened before September-end or so.

Tawazun creates African partnership for UAE's precision-weapon manufacture

09/21/2012

The manufacturing deal has come as a direct result of a parnership between Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Holding, the strategic investment firm focused on defence and specialised manufacturing, and the dynamics division of Denel, South Africa’s largest defence manufacturer.

Turkish jet shot down by Syrian missile blast: Military prosecutor

09/20/2012

A Turkish F-4 Phantom warplane which crashed into the Mediterranean on June 22 was shot down by a Syrian air defense missile even though the missile did not directly hit the plane, a report by a military prosecutor said today.

US Osprey Military Aircraft Given Safety Clearance To Fly In Japan

09/20/2012

A controversial U.S. military aircraft has been granted permission to begin flight operations at an American base in Japan after the Japanese government declared it safe to fly in the country, saying it has found no basis for thinking the transport aircraft is dangerous.

HBC Completes AT-6 Weapons Assessment In LAS Bid

09/20/2012

Hawker Beechcraft, hoping to bolster its case for the $355 million U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract, has completed a weapons assessment that involved the launch of laser-guided rockets and bombs. The Phase III weapons assessment, at Eglin AFB, Fla., involved more than 265 bombs and rockets and 3,000 rounds from AT-6 .50-caliber guns.

News from Eurocopter

09/20/2012

The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a further major step forward when Eurocopter handed over its first Puma Mk2 aircraft to MOD. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly from Oxford into QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility where it will support trials.

Throw some CH-53Ds on it: the history of the Sea Stallion

09/20/2012

After more than 40 years of service, the Marine Corps retired the aging CH-53D heavy lift helicopter after it completed its final combat operation in Afghanistan last month. The CH-53D Sea Stallion supported the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.

China Offers Glimpse Of Another New Stealth Fighter

09/20/2012

Ahead of high-profile talks in China by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, there was a high-impact leak. Photos emerged of a second Chinese stealth fighter jet — one that had been rumored but never seen before. The J31, as analysts call it, shows how fast China is moving.

Russian 'Super-Holding' to Build Hypersonic Missile

09/20/2012

Russia will set up an aerospace "super-holding" company consisting of missile makers NPO Mashinostroyenie and Tactical Missiles Corporation to develop hypersonic weapon technology, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday. "Initially, we are talking about a big 'super-holding' based on Tactical Missiles Corporation and NPO Mashinostroyenie," said Rogozin, who oversees Russia's military-industrial complex.

19 Russian Firms Take Part in South African Arms Show

09/20/2012

Some 19 Russian defense companies led by state-owned hi-tech conglomerate Rostechnologii will showcase their products at an arms show in South Africa this week. The Africa Aerospace & Defense arms show is held on September 19-23 at the Waterkloof airbase near Pretoria.

Russian Military to Receive 2nd Batch of Pantsir-S Systems

09/20/2012

Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces will receive the second batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems by November this year, the Defense Ministry said. Pantsir-S is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system designed to protect point and area targets. The Russian military took delivery of the first batch (more than 10 units) in 2011.

Two models of Chinese 5th-Gen fighter in works

09/19/2012

The Chinese military has leaked first photos of a brand new lightweight fighter with external characteristics that allow the jet fifth-generation attribution. Some pictures suggest it could be used on future Chinese aircraft carriers. Shenyang Aircraft Industry Group (SAC), one of the leading aircraft design and manufacturing corporations of China’s aviation industry, has rolled out a prototype that might eventually become Chinese analogue to America’s F-35.

FGFA – Quantum leap for Indian aerospace

09/19/2012

The signing of the Sukhoi T-50 fifth generation fighter aircraft contract propels India to joint developer of the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft. Two significant developments have stirred up the world of military aviation this year. In March, the U.S. Air Force revealed it had started work to field a new Long Range Strike Bomber by the 2020s. This will be first new American strategic bomber to be built after the Cold War.

Irkut to deliver Russia's first Su-30SM early

09/19/2012

Irkut is to accelerate its delivery schedule under a Russian air force order for 30 Sukhoi Su-30SM strike aircraft, with its first examples now to be handed over before the end of this year. Moscow signed a production deal for the two-seat Su-30SM in March, when Irkut announced that the type would be handed over between 2013 and 2015.

Northrop Grumman, AgustaWestland Announce Teaming Agreement To Compete For Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter And Navy ‘Marine One’ Presidential Helicopter Programs

09/19/2012

Northrop Grumman Corporation and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that they have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the U.S. Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One” presidential helicopter. A U.S.-built helicopter based on the AW101 platform will be offered by Northrop Grumman to meet these requirements.

Sikorsky awarded contract to integrate and test enhanced BLACK HAWK helicopter capabilities

09/19/2012

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the award of the Combat Tempered Platform Demonstration (CTPD) contract from the U.S. Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD). This program will build upon and improve the BLACK HAWK platform's already high operational durability and survivability by developing and integrating a suite of advanced new technologies and establishing their benefits before transitioning them to the platform and eventual use by the nation's soldiers.

The emergence of the F-35

09/19/2012

The F-35 fighter was designed to be the next generation of single engine fighters with new features such as stealth technology, maneuverability at a 50 degree angle of attack and helmet mounted displays. It is intended to replace the aging fleet of F-16s, F/A-18s and AV-8s.

PLA units hone their battle skills

09/19/2012

A large-scale exercise was carried out along the costal areas to test the command area's capabilities in amphibious operations. Another drill was performed in a mountainous region involving self-propelled artillery vehicles, main battle tanks and attack helicopters, Nanfang Daily reported.

Boeing, AEL Link Cockpit Simulators in US and Brazil

09/19/2012

Boeing last month linked one of its advanced fighter cockpit simulators in St. Louis with a simulator more than 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) away in Porto Alegre, Brazil, demonstrating the effectiveness of sharing advanced situational awareness and training technologies between the United States and Brazil.

F-35 helmets face tough tests

09/18/2012

When the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets become operational, the pilots will be able to look into the bubble-shaped visors on their helmets and see through the plane, so to speak, thanks to cameras on the aircraft that will give them a 360-degree view.