Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Air Force spy planes facing postwar cut

06/20/2012

The U.S. Air Force plans to cut back on the number of Hawker Beechcraft's MC-12 spy planes it wants to operate after the drawdown from Afghanistan and Iraq, official data indicated. There was no immediate comment from Hawker Beechcraft on its future marketing plans for the MC-12. The MC-12 Liberty aircraft is the newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft used by SAF in Project Liberty, which includes operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US to maintain significant military presence in Kuwait months after combat forces left Iraq

06/20/2012

The United States is planning a significant military presence of 13,500 troops in Kuwait to give it the flexibility to respond to sudden conflicts in the region as Iraq adjusts to the withdrawal of American combat forces and the world nervously eyes Iran, according to a congressional report.

Rogozin in Climbdown Over Long-Range Bomber

06/20/2012

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday he was in favor of development of the PAK DA long-range bomber for the country's air force, just hours after saying the project was unnecessary, in apparent contravention of President Putin's call last week for domestic aerospace industry to develop just such an aircraft.

Russian Air Force to Get 10 MiG-31BMs This Year

06/20/2012

The Russian Air Force's Central Military District will receive its first ten modernized MiG-31BM interceptors this year, the District's press service said on Monday. "The air forces of the Central Military District will take delivery of 10 MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors and two Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters this year," a Central Military District representative said.

MEPC opens new doors for world class military engine service in Riyadh

06/20/2012

The “landmark” 18,000 square metre workshop was officially opened by HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the deputy minister of defence, last week. The new facility provides space for the Saudi joint venture company to provide new advanced technologies and technical services alongside the maintenance of some of the world’s most modern military engines.

Airbus Military A400M demonstrates loading of helicopters

06/20/2012

Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the loading of NH Industries NH90 and Eurocopter EC725 helicopters onto the A400M new generation airlifter.

Hawker Beechcraft bankruptcy plan outlines 3 options

06/18/2012

Hawker Beechcraft’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing includes a plan called “Project Flight,” which assesses what the company could look like as it emerges from reorganization. The document, among the materials provided by Hawker Beechcraft as an exhibit when the company filed for bankruptcy last month, outlines three options, each one eliminating all or some business jet models.

IAF to crank up training for rookie pilots with new aircraft and simulators

06/18/2012

From next year onwards, IAF will kick off a major upgrade in its entire training programme for rookie pilots who go on to fly expensive top-notch fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. Better initiation into the intricacies of combat flying, inherently dangerous in contrast to civil aviation, is critical for new pilots since over 39% of the 1,010 crashes recorded by IAF since 1970 have been attributed to ``human error (aircrew)''.

Navy researchers tap Rockwell Collins to develop new high-throughput airborne tactical data link technology

06/18/2012

U.S. Navy researchers are looking to military communications experts at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to investigate design approaches and technologies for a new military tactical data link that offers improved throughput, anti-jam capability, and low probability of intercept.

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.