Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Signs $35-Mln Missile Contract with Malaysia

04/20/2012

Russia and Malaysia have signed a $35-million contract on the delivery of RVV-AE air-to-air missiles for the Malaysian air force, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Thursday. The deal was inked at the Defense Services Asia-2012 arms show currently under way in Malaysia.

‘A400M is faster, has twice the capacity of Hercules’

04/19/2012

The Airbus Military A400M aircraft which the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is set to receive from January 2015 has a higher capacity and travels faster, RMAF air operations commander Gen Datuk Seri Ackbal Abdul Samad said. Compared to the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which the RMAF currently owns, the travel speed of the A400M is between 400 and 420 knots per hour, which is nearly 50 per cent faster than the C-130, he said.

F-35 fighter jet's escalating costs are on Washington's radar

04/19/2012

The radar-evading F-35 fighter jet, a nearly $400-billion weapons program under development for more than a decade, is facing its worst turbulence since Washington decided to buy it in 2001 — when it was billed as the most affordable, lethal and survivable military aircraft ever built for the U.S. and its allies.

How Lockheed’s Skunk Works Got Into The Stealth Fighter Business

04/19/2012

How do you hide an aeroplane behind a bird? Very skilfully. Lt Col William B. O’Connor (ret) flew the F-117 Nighthawk during the Bosnia Conflict, and in Stealth Fighter, he explains the history, operation and soul America’s most advanced stealth jet.

Boeing Begins Maintenance Training for Turkey's Peace Eagle AEW&C Aircraft

04/19/2012

The Boeing Company has begun an extensive maintenance training program for Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program at a Boeing facility near Seattle. Classroom training for 10 Turkish Air Force personnel and two Turkish Airlines employees is being conducted by instructors from Boeing Defence Australia and Boeing Training and Flight Services.

Russia’s Yak-130 Joins Philippine Combat Trainer Tender

04/19/2012

Russia has decided to join a tender on the delivery of six light fighter jets to the Philippines with its new Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday. “We are taking part in the Philippine tender with the Yak-130 aircraft,” deputy general director of Rosoboronexport, Viktor Komardin, said at the Defense Services Asia-2012 arms show in Malaysia.

Selfridge museum to restore F-89 Scorpion fighter jet

04/18/2012

A military aircraft museum at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base has started a project to restore an F-89 Scorpion, officials said Tuesday. The Michigan Air National Guard used the jet in the 1950s and '60s. Officials said the project may be the only one of its kind in the country and possibly the world. Once completed, the aircraft will be the only known restored F-89 in the "C" model configuration.

Airbus Military A400M makes first landing in Malaysia

04/18/2012

The Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter recently arrived in Malaysia at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Airbase as part of its Asia tour, where a welcome ceremony took place today in the presence of the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The visit, the first time that the A400M will be seen in Asia, will give the Malaysian Government and Air Force a chance to see the A400M at first hand. The Malaysian Government has ordered four of the new aircraft which has as its la

Unmanned aircraft borrowed from Dutch military

04/18/2012

Denmark has borrowed several unmanned aircraft from the Dutch armed forces. Because of spare parts supply problems within the Danish army, Denmark has been given two so-called Raven systems - each consisting of three unmanned aircraft and a ground station - from the Netherlands. The systems will be borrowed for half a year, when the Danish supply problems are expected to be resolved.

Factbox: How Sudan and South Sudan shape up militarily

04/18/2012

Fighting in a disputed border region between Sudan and South Sudan has raised fears the two countries could resume full-blown war. Here is a look at the two countries' military capabilities according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies report, "Military Balance 2012":

Indian air force looks to outsource MRO requirements

04/18/2012

India's air force could outsource some of its MRO requirements to privately-owned companies in the country. This comes as defence procurement begins to lean toward western suppliers, with a large number of contracts in the pipeline, amid frustration with the level of support available for the Russian aircraft that are the mainstay of the air force.

Navy Looks for New Jet, on Top of Its Trillion-Dollar Model

04/18/2012

On Friday, the Navy quietly released a “market survey” asking the big defense contractors for their “candidate[s]” for “strike fighter aircraft” in the decades to come. Which is a little weird, considering the Pentagon is currently spending a trillion dollars on just such an aircraft: the troubled Joint Strike Fighter.

F-35 lifespan claim strains believability

04/18/2012

There's something I'm not buying about the F-35 "stealth" joint-strike fighter. Besides the government's dishonest bloviating and the opposition's peacenik whimpering, I mean. I just can't understand a plane meant to dominate aerial combat for five decades in a world of blinding technological change. I do understand the need for air power. And for "interoperability" with our American ally, the free world's only remaining military hope, even under Barack Obama.

Boeing Receives Additional Laser JDAM Contract from US Navy

04/18/2012

The Boeing Company received a $12.5 million contract from U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on March 12 for 1,116 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors. This is NAVAIR's third Low Rate Initial Production order for its Direct Attack Moving Target Capability (DAMTC). It follows an $8.3 million NAVAIR order for 700 laser sensors on Jan. 31 that allows the U.S. Air Force to maintain its Laser JDAM combat inventory levels.

Russia 3rd Largest Military Spender Worldwide – Analysts

04/18/2012

Russia’s military expenditures in 2011 totaled $71.9 billion, which made the country the world’s third largest military spender, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank said in a report published on Tuesday. Last year, Russia increased its military spending by 9.3 percent, according to figures released by the SIPRI.

Russia-China Su-35 Fighter Talks Frozen

04/18/2012

Negotiations on the sale of Russian advanced Su-35 Flanker-E fighters to China have been put on hold over Beijing’s refusal to buy a large consignment, Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Tuesday. “We have been promoting the Su-35 fighter on the Chinese market,” Rosoboronexport deputy chief Viktor Komardin said.

Despite Crash, Osprey Is Full Speed Ahead

04/17/2012

The recent crash in Morocco of an MV-22 Osprey that killed two Marines will have no affect on operations or the planned expansion of the tilt-rotor aircraft fleet, said Marine Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program Manager. The Osprey remains the “safest, most survivable aircraft we have out there," Masiello told reporters April 16 at the Navy League’s Annual Sea, Air and Space conference. “Our operations currently remain unchanged.”

Airbus tests military craft off Irish coast

04/17/2012

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has again chosen Irish air space to undertake flight testing of one of its new aircraft. The company’s first military transport aircraft, the A400M Grizzly, spent several hours operating off the west coast yesterday. The four-engine turbo-prop transporter, or airlifter, is specifically designed to meet the needs of European Nato nations, as well as the requirements of international air forces.

The Rise of the Killer Drones: How America Goes to War in Secret

04/17/2012

One day in late November, an unmanned aerial vehicle lifted off from Shindand Air Base in western Afghanistan, heading 75 miles toward the border with Iran. The drone's mission: to spy on Tehran's nuclear program, as well as any insurgent activities the Iranians might be supporting in Afghanistan. With an estimated price tag of $6 million, the drone was the product of more than 15 years of research and development, starting with a shadowy project called DarkStar overseen by Lockheed Martin.

Report Wants Air Force ISR to Model Reality TV

04/17/2012

Military intelligence analysts could learn a thing or two from the people who produce popular reality TV shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” according to an Air Force report. The Air Force asked RAND’s Project Air Force team to research reality TV show and closed-circuit TV productions to figure out ways to better analyze data collected by the service’s unmanned aircraft fleet.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Review

04/17/2012

I've been a long time fan of the Ace Combat series, but it has been showing weakness of late. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation felt to me like the finale of the current form of business this arcade flight combat simulator had to offer. Time has definitely come for something new to liven up the formula, to appeal to the new breed of military gamers. Tom Clancy has been trying to steal the crown of air combat away with their HawX series.

Argentina aims to develop defense exports

04/17/2012

Inspired by neighbor Brazil's resurgent arms industry, Argentina is hoping to revive its defense manufacturing with the successful launch of production of Pampa combat and training aircraft. Initially the production will meet domestic demand for the aircraft in Argentina's air force and the navy but government planners are looking ahead to Argentina entering defense export markets, analysts said.

Kaman Corp. And Cargo Helicopters: A New Unmanned Frontier

04/17/2012

Unmanned aircraft are nothing new. What is very new is the use of these aircraft for logistical support in a combat zone. The K-Max Helicopter made its first flight in December of 2011 and is currently being used by the Marines to move supplies. The K-Max is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Kaman Corp (KAMN). According to Kaman's website the K-Max is capable of carrying a payload of 6,000 pounds and can operate for over 12 hours a day.

United Kingdom’s First Lockheed Martin F-35 Makes Inaugural Flight

04/17/2012

BK-1, the United Kingdom’s first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II production aircraft, flew its inaugural flight Friday. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti took the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet through a series of functional flight checks during a sortie that lasted 45 minutes. The jet will complete a series of company and government checkout flights prior to its acceptance by the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

Some 40 Russian Bombers Exercise Near Japan Frontier

04/17/2012

About 40 strategic bombers will participate in five-day drills in Russia’s Maritime Territory near the Japanese border, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Monday. The long-range aviation exercise, which started earlier in the day, includes aerial bombing and launches of airborne cruise missiles at the Litovka test range, he said. Other training missions will include aerial patrol and midair refueling.