Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing Awarded US Army Contract for 14 Additional CH-47F Chinook Helicopters

01/12/2012

The Boeing Company has received a U.S. Army contract valued at approximately $370 million for 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters to support Foreign Military Sales efforts. The aircraft will be delivered to the U.S. Army beginning in 2014; all but one are intended for Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Lockheed Martin Delivers First Two Marine Corps F-35s To Eglin

01/12/2012

The first two Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] production model F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps today. The two jets are now assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 501 residing with the host 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Russia to complete delivery of 21 helicopters to Afghanistan by July

01/12/2012

Russia will fulfill a contract to deliver 21 helicopters to Afghanistan in the first half of the year, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service said on Wednesday. Last May, the United States signed a $367.5 million contract with Russia to buy 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army. By December 30, 2011, nine helicopters were delivered to Afghanistan. They are currently being assembly and tested for flightworthiness.

For Tejas, the wait continues

01/11/2012

January 10, 2011, was supposed to be a big day for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme as it was on this day that the aircraft—under development for more than two decades—was to get the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC), signalling that it has crossed the first hurdle to join Indian Air Force (IAF). However, on that day, the aircraft was given only partial clearance (IOC-1) for failing to meet the IAF’s requirement. A year after, it is stuck with the IOC-1 tag.

Hawker Beechcraft announces first sale of T-6C+ aircraft

01/11/2012

Hawker Beechcraft announced Monday the first sale of its new Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainer to the Mexican Air Force (FAM). The T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft, is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes. The first two of six contracted FAM T-6C+ aircraft will be delivered to an advanced training base in Mexico's northern region in early 2012. The new T-6C+ trainers will replace the FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet.

N.L. wants search-and-rescue aircraft

01/11/2012

New Canadian military search-and-rescue aircraft should be based in Gander for safety's sake, say officials in the central Newfoundland town. Reports indicate the federal cabinet approved a $3.7-billion plan to purchase new fixed-wing search-and-rescue aircraft for the military just before Christmas, after almost a decade of bureaucratic wrangling.

$1.5 billion US aircraft deal

01/11/2012

A $1.5 billion contract to buy 10 so-called "battlefield airlifters" will be signed in the first half of this year, and, according to insiders, it will be a sole-source deal under US foreign military sales laws to obtain the Alenia C-27J Spartan. The US has quoted about $950 million under a foreign military sales deal for 10 planes that are due in RAAF service by 2014.

Matt Gurney: Canada needs more than 65 F-35s

01/11/2012

Japan has announced that it will purchase 42 F-35 stealth fighter jets. The planes, which have experienced production delays and cost overruns, have also been selected by the Conservative government to replace Canada’s aging CF-18 fighters, starting (the government hopes) by 2017, when the CF-18s will reach the end of their expected usefulness.

Afghanistan Airdrops in 2011 Hit Record Levels

01/11/2012

In 2011, mobility Airmen delivering airdrops reached a new annual record with 75,956,235 pounds of cargo delivered. That's nearly 16 million more pounds delivered than the previous record set in 2010 of 60,400,000. At more than 75.9 million pounds - that's the equivalent of standing on a mountain top and watching 553 Army M1 Abrams tanks - or even 11,868 Chevrolet Silverado trucks - floating down from the sky with parachutes to a landing zone.

Russian warships leave Syrian port of Tartus

01/11/2012

A Russian naval task force, led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, has left the Syrian port of Tartus after a three-day visit, Russia’s Northern Fleet said in a statement on Tuesday. The task force called on the Syrian port on Sunday amid ongoing bloody protests in Syria against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

Russian Air Force completes Su-25UBM flight tests

01/11/2012

The Russian Air Force has completed flight tests of the modernized Sukhoi Su-25UBM ground attack-trainer aircraft, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Tuesday. “Air Force commander Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin signed off on the completion of flight tests for the Su-25UBM at the end of December 2011,” Drik said.

Indonesia signs $500 mln contract to buy six Russian jet fighters

01/11/2012

Indonesia has signed a $470 million contract with Russia to buy six Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters for the Indonesian Air Force, The Jakarta Post daily has reported. The deal was confirmed by Russian defense-industry and diplomatic sources, but the Sukhoi aircraft maker and arms exporter Rosoboronexport declined to comment. Deliveries will start after 2013.

Factbox: Strait of Hormuz

01/10/2012

Here are some details about the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil export route, which Iran has threatened to block if it faces sanctions on crude exports.

China says U.S. defence policy stance misjudges Beijing intent

01/10/2012

The United States' expanded military presence in Asia is based on a miscalculation of Beijing's intent to modernise its military defences, China said on Monday, taking a tempered stance in its first official response to Washington's plan. The United States unveiled a defence strategy last week to boost capacity in Asia, an attempt to counter China's growing ability to check U.S. power in the region, that comes with a pledged reduction in the overall size of U.S. forces.

France Plans Buying Airbus Tankers; Optimistic on Rafale Sales

01/10/2012

France plans to buy airborne refueling tankers made by the military arm of Airbus, and there are no obstacles in the way of sales of French-made Rafale multirole combat jets to India, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said Monday.

DRG awarded fighter training contract

01/10/2012

Oklahoma City-based defense contractor DRG has been awarded the Air Combat Command Fighter F-15C, F-15E, F-16 and F-22A Contract Aircrew Training contract with the U.S. Air Force. The five-year prime contract is in excess of $50 million. The company will hire at least an additional 45 employees. By March 1, the company will have nearly 600 employees.

Lockheed Martin Awarded $24 Million to Upgrade U.S. Air Force C-130 Training Devices

01/10/2012

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $24 million contract to upgrade weapons systems trainers used in the C-130 Aircrew Training System (ATS) II. The C-130 ATS II program provides a comprehensive academic and simulation training program for C-130 aircrews worldwide. The visual system and imagery databases in the weapons systems simulators will be updated to provide the most advanced and realistic training. The improvements are scheduled to take place through 2014.

Russian Military Fleet Arrives in Syria - Report

01/09/2012

The group of Russian military ships that set sail for violence-grippled Syria has reached its destination on Sunday, report agencies. The fleet, reported to include carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, has arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, quoting official agency SANA. SANA has reported that the ships will stay in Tartus for six days as a sign of support for the Syrian people.

Chinese Troops in Seychelles: An Analysis

01/09/2012

The republic of Seychelles has come in news with the stationing of the Chinese troops in Mahe. The archipelago nation is located at a strategic location as it lies in the path of major shipping lines. This has raised a pertinent question as to what has provoked China to station troops in Seychelles. Is piracy the only reason for this or there are other ulterior motives behind the stationing of the troops?

U.S. Navy and U.K. Royal Navy F-35 unable to get aboard ship

01/09/2012

The U.S. Navy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) known as the F-35C is at serious risk of never being able to land aboard an aircraft carrier. This also poses a risk to the U.K. aircraft carrier program which is supposed to use the F-35C at the end of the decade.

Anti-G suit questioned in crash that killed Nellis pilot

01/09/2012

Air Force investigators who probed the June 28 crash of an F-16C fighter jet that killed Capt. Eric Ziegler should have focused more on the life-support garment he was wearing when he blacked out over the Nellis training range moments before the crash, according to a lawyer for a company that makes the anti-G suits.

Seoul Orders 20 FA-50 Attack Aircraft In a $600 Million Deal

01/08/2012

With the New Year barely underway, South Korea is once again demonstrating a determination to build a formidable military force capable of dealing with potential enemies. The government has signed a $600 million deal with Korea Aerospace Industries (KIA) for 20 FA-50 fighter/attack aircraft based on the highly regarded T-50 advanced jet trainer.

UK concern over future of US F-35 fighter jets

01/08/2012

British Defence Minister Philip Hammond has voiced concern about possible cuts or delays in the US F-35 fighter program as London plans to equip a future aircraft carrier with the stealthy aircraft. In a visit to the US capital, Hammond said he wanted to hear from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the potential effect of a new US military strategy and budget plan on the future of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Military reveals revolutionary pilotless cargo drone that can deliver supplies to territories plagued by roadside bombs

01/08/2012

The U.S. military is testing a revolutionary new drone for its arsenal, a pilotless helicopter intended to fly cargo missions to remote outposts where frequent roadside bombs threaten access by road convoys. Surveillance drones for monitoring enemy activity and armed versions for launching airstrikes have become a trademark of America's wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.

China gets a 'giant' to reach out to inaccessible highlands

01/07/2012

Asia's largest helicopter, built by China and weighing about 13 tonnes, on Thursday received the stamp of approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of the country. The move means that the massive helicopter - AC313 - is officially approved to enter the market, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.