Military Aviation News Archive

Uganda Military Helicopters Have Rough Landings

08/14/2012

One Ugandan military helicopter made an emergency landing and two others came down hard and went missing while being deployed to strengthen peacekeeping troops in Somalia, a Ugandan military spokesman said Monday.

Military to test hypersonic jet that could zip across the U.S. in less than 1 hour

08/14/2012

A superfast jet that could fly from L.A. to New York City in less than an hour may be one step closer to reality after a key test this week. The X-51A WaveRider, an unmanned aircraft that could reach speeds up to Mach 6 will be launched from the wing of a B-52 bomber high above the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Japanese Defense Experts Leave For US To Probe Military Aircraft Crash

08/14/2012

A Japanese government mission left for the United States on Monday to verify the safety of the Osprey transport aircraft in response to mounting public concerns in Japan over the deployment of the controversial military aircraft. The team headed by Parliamentary Vice-Defense Minister Hideo Jinpu is to be briefed by U.S. officials on the crash of an MV-22 Osprey in Morocco in April.

Syrian Rebels Claim To Have Shot Down Military Aircraft Near Iraq Border

08/14/2012

Syrian rebels have claimed to have shot down a military fighter jet in eastern Syria near Iraqi border, but the Syrian state media says it crashed due to "technical problems." Video footage uploaded online by the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Monday shows an aircraft that looks like Syrian air force's Russian-built MiG-23 fighter jet bursting into flames amidst the sound of gunfire, reports say.

Ramstein Spy Linked to Russia

08/14/2012

A NATO civilian worker arrested last week on suspicion of espionage in western Germany has been linked to Russian intelligence, The Times reported on Monday. The 60-year-old NATO employee at the Ramstein Air Force Base, whose name was given only as Manfred K., was offered over $10 million by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) for access to classified information, the paper said citing a German journalist.

Saudi Arabia Requests Follow-On Support for Aircraft in Possible $850 Million Deal

08/13/2012

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress Aug. 6 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for follow-on support and services for the Royal Saudi Air Force at an estimated cost of $850 million.

Germany Seizes Russian Military Plane Engines

08/13/2012

German customs have seized two shipments of military airplane engines from Russia on the grounds that they violate the country's stringent arms trading rules, a news report said Sunday. Customs stopped the shipment of four turboprop engines for Tu-142 reconnaissance aircraft destined for India and a shipment of MiG-29 fighter jet engines en route to Algeria because they lacked the necessary permits, the weekly news magazine Spiegel reported.

T-34C Trainer Aircraft Gets 5-Year Checkup/Makeover at FRCSE

08/13/2012

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) completed painting its first T-34C Turbomentor Trainer aircraft for a California-based detachment aligned under Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) July 31. FRCSE painters completed the aircraft’s unique paint scheme by applying primer and a white topcoat with blue and black markings to protect the airframe from water intrusion and corrosion.

More Than 2500 Sukhoi-family Combat Aircraft Were Exported

08/13/2012

Su-family combat aircraft have been exported since 1964. More than 2,500 Su-7, Su-17, Su-20, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30 aircraft and their modifications were delivered to the Air Force of more than 30 countries for all these years.

600 new combat planes, 1000 helicopters by 2020, says Putin

08/12/2012

Addressing a crowd of people today at an air show at Zhukovsky just outside Moscow marking the air force's 100th anniversary, President elect Vladimir Putin, said the military will receive more than “600 new combat planes and 1,000 helicopters by 2020.” "I'm sure, each of us will feel pride for the country, for the people who build such aircraft and pilot them," he said smiling.

US arms sales to Pakistan touch $5.4 billion since 2001: Pentagon

08/11/2012

US military sales to Pakistan since 2001, including in-process supply of F-16 combat aircraft, are collectively worth about $5.4 billion, accordingly to a newly-released report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Major US arms sales and grants to Pakistan since 2001 have included not only items related to counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, but also a host of big ticket platforms more suited to conventional warfare.

Drone piloting gains popularity in military

08/11/2012

Becoming a fighter pilot is still a hotly coveted goal at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. But slowly, a culture change is taking hold. Initially snubbed as second-class pilot-wannabes, the airmen who remotely control America's arsenal of lethal drones are gaining stature and securing a permanent place in the Air Force.

Russia’s Air Force to Get 180 New Aircraft by Yearend

08/11/2012

The Russian Air Force will receive some 180 brand new planes and helicopters by the end of the year, the Air Force Commander in Chief Major General Viktor Bondarev said. The country’s air force has already received several new Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback warplanes and will get another 12, along with Kamov Ka-52 Alligator and Mil Mi-28 Havoc helicopters, as well as trainer jets including 15 Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten aircraft, Bondarev said in an interview.

President Putin to Attend Air Force Centenary Air Show

08/11/2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend on Saturday a spectacular air show near Moscow marking the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force, the Kremlin’s press service said.

Turkish Authorities Disprove Plane Shot Down by Syria

08/11/2012

An investigation by Turkish authorities found no evidence that the Turkish reconnaissance aircraft that crashed on June 22 was shot down by Syrian air defense, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Friday.

Chile still seeking Black Hawk helicopters

08/10/2012

Chile is seeking U.S. government information for possible purchase of additional Black Hawk helicopters for the Chilean air force, industry sources said. Chile has been aiming to modernize its armed forces but has been hamstrung by budgetary constraints and divergent opinions within the military establishment on options available to the country and the competitive edge of rivals to U.S. suppliers.

Embattled F-35 Program Scores A Key Victory

08/10/2012

The embattled F-35 fighter program, amid a myriad technical problems, quietly keeps racking up wins as Pentagon officials try to protect America's lone active tactical jet program from big cuts.

U.S. Air Force works to fill need for drone pilots

08/10/2012

Florida company buys military light-attack aircraft from New Zealand

08/10/2012

Draken International in Lakeland, Fla. has been selected as the winning bidder for nine Aermacchi MB-339 tactical jet trainer aircraft from the New Zealand government. The fleet will complement the company's already expansive and highly capable fleet of fighter aircraft, with capabilities in all mission sets including air to air and air to ground.

Indonesia Says ‘No, Thanks’ to More Sukhoi Fighters

08/10/2012

Indonesia will buy no more Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia, opting instead for U.S. F-16s, Air Marshal Eris Herryanto told Flightglobal aviation news portal on Thursday. The Indonesian Air Force has 10 Su-30 and Su-27s with six additional fighters on the way. Money is being made available to accelerate the refurbishment of its existing fleet of 15 Lockheed Martin C-130s, as well as buy four C-130Hs from Australia and upgrade them, and purchase more Indonesia Aerospace CN-295 transports.

Florida Based Company Obtain New Zealand’s Remaining A-4s to Support Military Training Missions

08/09/2012

Draken International has signed an agreement with the New Zealand government to purchase eight Douglas A-4K Skyhawk strike fighters formerly used by the Royal new Zealand Air Force. Draken has already received the necessary approval from the US State Department and expects to have the aircraft operational by the first quarter of 2013. In the 1990s these planes formed the New Zealand strike force. They flew until 2001, when the unit was disbanded and its aircraft put for sale.

The X-47B Doesn’t Need A Pilot to Land on an Aircraft Carrier

08/09/2012

As the role UAVs in the US military expands, the demands placed on these unmanned platforms grow as well. One of the most important new abilities these autonomous fliers must have is the ability to land atop a thin strip of tarmac rolling on the high seas. And that's just what the new Northrop Grumman X-47B will do.

American military hardware's 'faulty' Chinese spare parts under lens

08/09/2012

India, which has emerged as a major importer of American military hardware, is verifying reports about "faulty spare parts made in China" being used in defence equipment sold by the US to other countries. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, defence minister A K Antony said the entire issue of Chinese spare parts being used in US weaponry was being examined. "There have been media reports in this regard which are being verified," he said.

Saudis seeks military aircraft support

08/09/2012

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency reports that Saudi Arabia has requested follow-on support and services for its military aircraft. The deal, if approved by Congress, would include support and services for aircraft, engines and weapons; publications and technical documentation; airlift and aerial refueling; support equipment; and spare and repair parts.

Sukhoi Tests New Radar Array for 5th-Generation Fighter

08/09/2012

Russia’s Sukhoi aircraft maker has started tests of a new onboard radar system for its 5th generation T-50 fighter jet, the company said on Wednesday. The new X-band active phased array radar has been installed on the third prototype of the T-50 fighter and showed a stable and effective performance comparable with the most advanced existing radar systems.