Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

PHL military acquiring more planes, helicopters for 'territorial defense'

06/18/2012

Over the next two to three years, the Philippine Air Force expects to be more able to defend the country's territory with the acquisition of an array of aircraft ranging from utility helicopters to long-range patrol aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Okol, PAF spokesman told GMA News Online via phone interview that the acquisitions are parts of a capability upgrade program designed to “strengthen territorial defense.”

Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft face off again over planes for Afghanistan

06/17/2012

After conducting an internal investigation, bringing in senior staff and briefing members of Congress, the U.S. Air Force expects this month to restart a contentious competition to purchase single-engine turboprop attack aircraft for Afghanistan that pits the Brazilian company Embraer and its A-29 Super Tucano against Wichita, Kan.,-based Hawker Beechcraft and its AT-6.

2nd Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Successfully Completes 1st Flight

06/17/2012

Boeing today announced the successful de-orbit and landing of the second X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) for the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The X-37B landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:48 a.m. Pacific time today, concluding a 469-day experimental test mission. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on March 5, 2011.

GTRI helps transform a T-6 trainer into a light attack aircraft

06/16/2012

Researchers from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) are helping convert an aircraft used to train pilots into one with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and light attack capabilities. The new aircraft would provide a less expensive alternative to legacy warbirds like the A-10 and F-16 and could be used by foreign military allies as well as U.S. homeland security agencies.

Norway finalizes first F-35 fighter order

06/16/2012

Norway placed its first firm order for Lockheed Martin's (LMT.N) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on Friday in a big victory for a program troubled by cost overruns, production delays and order cuts. Norway formally ordered two aircraft and expects to order another 50 for a total procurement cost of $10 billion, the largest ever public purchase, Minister of Defence Espen Barth Eide told a news conference.

Defense Deal With Italy

06/16/2012

The Philippine government will buy military aircraft and equipment from Italy. The purchase of Italian military equipment was announced by Malacañang after President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola yesterday. The meeting sought to forge “strong defense cooperation between the two countries,” according to a Palace press statement.

Belarus Grounds Military Planes over Su-25 Crash

06/16/2012

The Belarusian Defense Ministry has suspended flights by military combat aircraft following the recent crash of a Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot attack plane, local news agency BELTA reported. The Soviet-era ground attack jet crashed in Belarus during a low-level training flight on Tuesday killing the pilot, who prevented the aircraft from crashing into a village, BELTA said.

Putin Calls for New Long-Range Bomber and UAVs

06/16/2012

Russia must start development of a long-range bomber aircraft, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at a meeting on defense orders. "We have to develop work on the new PAK-DA long-range bomber aircraft for Long-Range Aviation. I know how expensive and complex this is. We have talked about this many times with ministers, and with the head of the General Staff. The task is not easy from a scientific-technical standpoint, but we need to start work," Putin said.

Russia Must Develop Unmanned Planes - Putin

06/16/2012

Russia must develop a range of military unmanned air vehicles (UAV) including strike and reconnaissance types, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during a visit to an air force base. "We need a program for unmanned aircraft. Experts say this is a most important area of development in aviation," he said. "We need a range of all types, including automated strike aircraft, reconnaissance and other types," Putin said.

Fourth T-50 Stealth Fighter to Fly This Year

06/16/2012

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is to introduce a fourth Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter into its test and development program this year, the company's President Mikhail Pogosyan said on Thursday. "We are now testing three aircraft. A fourth will be brought in this year," he said.

Boeing Selects Elbit Systems to Provide Low-profile Head-up Display for Fighter Jet Advanced Cockpit System

06/16/2012

The Boeing Company has selected Elbit Systems to provide a low-profile head-up display (LPHUD) that will be part of the Advanced Cockpit System for Boeing fighter jets. The LPHUD decision presents additional opportunities for Elbit Systems to develop advanced cockpit avionics capabilities at its Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas.

Boeing, US Navy Conduct Successful F/A-18E/F Satellite Communications Test

06/16/2012

Boeing and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed an in-flight demonstration of a satellite communications (SATCOM) system that, if implemented, will enable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews to conduct two-way, secure voice and data communications with other SATCOM-enabled aircraft, ships, ground forces and command centers.

PAF’s Mirage fighter jet crashes in Balochistan, pilots eject to safety

06/13/2012

Another one of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) aircraft was lost to crashes today, when a Dassault Mirage 5 fighter jet went down near the town of Othal, in the Hub district of Balochistan province. According to the PAF officials, the aircraft, which took off from the port city of Karachi, was on a routine training mission. Both the pilot and the trainee successfully ejected to safety, but the aircraft was completely damaged, beyond repair.

Osprey's capabilities ideal for Okinawa deployment

06/13/2012

Coolheaded discussions are needed on the deployment of new military aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture. Attention must be paid not only to the safety aspects but also to the need for strengthening combat readiness of U.S. forces in Japan.

Karzai calls for end to military airstrikes on Afghan homes

06/13/2012

Afghan President Hamid Karzai took a defiant stand on Tuesday against NATO on airstrikes, saying the military coalition can no longer fire on homes from aircraft in any circumstance -- even in defense of Afghan and foreign forces. Karzai said that's what he and the U.S.-led coalition agreed following last week's airstrike in eastern Afghanistan's Logar province that killed 18 civilians.

Lockheed Martin Announces ‘Centennial Flight Contest’ For 2012 Farnborough International Airshow

06/13/2012

Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] today announced a Centennial Flight Contest to be held in conjunction with the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow. The contest invites Lockheed Martin’s Twitter and Facebook followers to share personal stories related to aviation history for a chance to claim a seat aboard a historic Lockheed Super Constellation flight at Farnborough, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, July 10.

Kuwait military undergoes medevac scenario training

06/13/2012

The U.S. Third Army has teamed with the Kuwaiti military for a joint medical evacuation exercise at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait according to the US magazine, Rotor and Wing,

Michigan A-10s land in Estonia

06/11/2012

The Michigan Air National Guard has landed in Estonia. Operating as part of Saber Strike 2012, a multi-national exercise based in Estonia and Latvia, the Michigan ANG has landed KC-135 Stratotanker and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Amari Air Base, Estonia. It is believed to be the first time that A-10s have landed in Estonia.

Parts row delays delivery of 6 Saab aircraft

06/10/2012

The delivery of six more Saab aircraft from Sweden has been delayed, a Royal Thai Air Force source said yesterday. The delivery of the six Saab 340 AEW airborne early warning aircraft was set for last Tuesday at Don Muang military air base with the ceremony to welcome them scheduled for last Wednesday at Wing 7 in Surat Thani.

Is Lamborghini Aventador faster than an F16 fighter jet?

06/10/2012

The appeal of running exotic supercars against military aircraft never seems to get stale, and in recent years we’ve seen the Spyker F1, the Bugatti Veyron and the Lamborghini Reventon throw down against various fighter aircraft. We've even seen Top Gear USA pit a Dodge Viper against an attack helicopter, though not in an outright drag race.

Airbus Military eyes SA’s future needs as A400M debacle is laid to rest

06/10/2012

For European defence aeronautical company Airbus Military, the focus regarding South Africa is now on the light/medium aircraft category, for both transport and mari- time patrol. This was confirmed recently, in Toulouse, France, by Airbus Military CEO Domingo Ureña. He also affirmed that his company and South Africa had agreed to draw a line under the country’s cancellation of the A400M military airlift aircraft and look forward, not back. The two sides had different views on the cancellation.

Israel: Second F-35 deal is in the cards

06/10/2012

Israel's military leaders are expected to give the green light to buying more of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighters to equip a second squadron when they meet this month to finalize the military's procurement plan. The contract for as many as 20 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters is "one of the key elements" in the multiyear program, known as "Oz" -- Hebrew for "strength" -- The Jerusalem Post reported Friday.

The Tortuous Sino-Russian Arms Trade – Analysis

06/10/2012

The history of Russian-Chinese relations are full of turnarounds and mutual distrust, even disdain at times A century of unequal treaties between the two countries, resulting in Russia’s encroachment on China’s sovereignty and ideological tensions dating back to the 1960s, have left deep marks on the consciences of policymakers on both sides.

MILITARIZATION OF ASIA-PACIFIC: America Revives And Expands Cold War Military Alliances Against China

06/10/2012

On May 30 the two officials most in charge of the U.S.'s formidible global military machine, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, visited Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii to launch multi-nation tours of the Asia-Pacific region and formally commence the announced shift of American military concentration and assets to the area.

Russia Confirms G5 Bomber Plans

06/10/2012

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday reiterated plans to develop a new, fifth-generation strategic bomber. “Alongside a fifth-generation fighter there are also plans to develop an advanced long-range aviation complex. I am talking about a new strategic bomber,” he said. Maintenance and modernization of the existing strategic bombers is not enough, he added.