Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Increased speed comes at a high price

05/14/2012

Helicopter designers are accustomed to measuring their successes on the basis of speed, vibration levels and the distances that can be travelled. But a more visceral rating appeals to Doug Shidler, a programme manager at Sikorsky Aircraft in the US. He wants to build faster craft to utilise more of the “golden hour”, the 60 minutes after an accident when a victim’s fate is often decided.

USMC: Geiger Fury 2012 Begins TODAY on Guam & Tinian

05/14/2012

Elements of the Marine Aircraft Group -12 (MAG-12) will be participating in two simultaneous exercises May 14 to June 8; Geiger Fury 2012 (GF12) and an Aviation Training Relocation (ATR). Training will be conducted at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and both West and North Fields on the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Island of Tinian.

Dubai Helishow 2012 to Introduce its 5th Edition this November in Al Meydan

05/14/2012

The Domus Group, a leading international exhibition specialist, announced today the dates of the awaited 5th edition of the International Helicopter Technology '&' Operations Exhibition, known as Dubai Helishow 2012- the Middle East's one and only elite trade exhibition for all key players in the helicopter industry.

The UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff Explains Britain’s Decision To Change Its F-35 Program

05/14/2012

From the UK’s Minstry of Defense: Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards has written in today’s Daily Telegraph why the MOD’s decision to use the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter to deliver the UK’s Carrier Strike capability is the right one. Here follows the full article.

Upgrades Keep Aging B-52 Bombers On the Frontlines

05/14/2012

During a recent visit to Edwards AFB, Calif., the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command spent time with B-52 Combined Test Force officials to preview the combat capability enhancements made to the B-52H Stratofortress. Modernizing and sustaining the nation’s long range strike aviation capability is a top priority for the command, Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski said, who recently noted the B-52 has served and delivered decisive effects in many recent U.S. conflicts to include OIF.

Poland Embarks on Helicopter Acquisition Program Worth up to US$1 Billion

05/14/2012

The Polish Ministry of National Defense is embarking on the acquisition of a new transport helicopter for the Polish military, at an estimated budget of US$1 billion. This multi-phase helicopter procurement will be divided into several stages, the first will include the acquisition 26 aircraft for the Army, Navy and Air Force through 2017. The Air Force will also receive three helicopters configured for Combat SAR (CSAR).

SAAF reject wins top honour in Royal Air Force

05/13/2012

A FORMER Maritzburg schoolboy, who was rejected when he tried to join the South African Air Force in 1995, has been awarded a coveted medal for bravery and skill during combat as a pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force.

China’s actions revive U.S.-Philippine alliance

05/13/2012

China’s assertive behavior is breathing life into America’s historically tumultuous relationship with the Philippines. With Washington turning its attention more to the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. and the Philippines last week held the first joint meeting of their top diplomats and defense chiefs. The U.S. increased military aid and resolved to help its ally on maritime security.

Putin plans Russian military modernization

05/13/2012

During his political campaign, Putin says he will spend billions to build up Russia’s military as a safeguard against the current international uncertainty. This one issue appears to find agreement among all Russians. According to the Washington Post, Putin promises Russian military buildup.

South Korea’s Military Shopping List Is Long

05/12/2012

The South Korean military is on a shopping spree this year. And the biggest deal of all – approximately 60 new fighter jets – is nearing the bidding deadline. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration is aiming to sign contracts on about 14 trillion won ($12.2 billion) worth of new equipment and weapons this year. It’s a record amount and a priority for President Lee Myung-bak during his last year in office.

"Pomor 2012": large combat aircraft and warship deployment

05/12/2012

The "Pomor" 2012 edition started today May 11 2012. The drill involves Russia and Norway fast fleets and a large combat aircraft and combat helicopter air fleet. The five-day exercises will be held in the Barents and Norwegian seas. It should be noted that the Russian-Norwegian agreement on delimiting the sea border and cooperation in the Barent Sea and the Arctic Ocean came into force only in July 2011 after more than 40 years of negotiations.

The IDF's dark secret – an utter lack of policy

05/12/2012

Israel's security establishment will continue to develop hardware and tactics to contend with developing threats on the other side. But without agreement on a long-term strategy at the political level, it will be hard to sustain a defense.

Incoming, Outgoing CSAFs Reflect a Deeply Changed AF

05/12/2012

The Air Force's outgoing chief, Gen. Norton Schwartz, had to clean up a mess left by Gen. Michael Moseley when the service lost track of six nuclear warheads. The Air Force has since gotten its nuclear house in order, but Welsh will take the baton at a time when the Air Force is in the middle of a budgetary food fight between its active component, Congress and its Guard and Reserves.

SAAF holds Air Capability Demonstration

05/12/2012

The South African Air Force yesterday held its live fire Air Capability Demonstration at the Roodewal bombing range outside Polokwane, successfully demonstrating its various abilities. The Air Force is busy preparing for Exercise Savannah Thunder, which will use many of the same aircraft deployed for the Demonstration.

Real consequences of delaying F-35 program

05/12/2012

Although American warriors have returned from Iraq and many are re- turning from Afghanistan, our nation still faces serious and continuing security threats. The return - and painful loss - of U.S. combat troops should serve as a reminder that as a nation, we have a solemn duty to provide our military professionals with the best tools available to accomplish their missions at the lowest possible loss of life. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter falls squarely into that category.

Our forces reduced to impotence

05/12/2012

The Munich crisis was the occasion when the Western powers agreed to Adolf Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland. Neville Chamberlain, Britain's prime minister, hailed the Munich Agreement as securing "peace in our time". It is an infamous moment in the 20th century, a moment that symbolised the guilty slumber of fecklessness in the 1930s, and the near-criminal neglect of defence capabilities among the Allied nations.

American Hypersonic Weapons 'Threat to Russia' - Rogozin

05/12/2012

American research into hypersonic weapons, which the U.S. aims to complete by 2015, represents an especially serious threat to Russia, acting Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday. "This breakthrough decision by the U.S. opens up for them the prospect of a transition from a demonstrator prototype to creation of a multirole hypersonic missile by 2015-2018," Rogozin said during a visit to the Raduga "Bereznyak" state-owned missile design bureau at Dubna in the Moscow Region.

Elbit Systems' Joint Venture with Rockwell Collins, VSI, Awarded a Contract Valued at Approximately $32 Million to Supply Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) to The Boeing Company

05/11/2012

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, has received a new contract with a total value of more than $32 million for the delivery of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to The Boeing Company, for the U.S. Navy and Air Force and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to include: Finland, Australia, Belgium, Canada and Switzerland.

Austria: Eurofighter Participates in International Exercise “Amadeus12”

05/11/2012

Six Austrian Eurofighter Typhoons are playing a major role in the “Amadeus12” exercise that began on 7th May and runs until May 16th in the region of Allentsteig, Lower Austria. The exercise, which will be the biggest for Austria in 2012, involves around 2,300 soldiers and 51 different types of aircraft.

Study would be needed before ending C-130 program

05/11/2012

A defense funding bill that would delay efforts to end a program at Oklahoma City's Boeing plant to upgrade the cockpits of U.S. Air Force C-130 transport planes was approved Thursday by the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. The committee voted 56-5 for the National Defense Authorization Act, sending the bill to the full House where it was expected to be considered next week.

Official says India to buy 75 Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft for air force pilots

05/11/2012

The Indian government on Thursday cleared the purchase of 75 Swiss Pilatus aircraft to train new air force pilots who had faced a shortage of trainers, an official said. The delivery of the trainer aircraft, costing around $560 million, is expected to begin by mid-2013, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

GKN, Alenia get production work

05/11/2012

Two European aerospace companies will be busy separately producing aircraft and aircraft structures for military programs for months to come. GKN Aerospace of Britain says it has started production of precision-machined titanium structures for BAE Systems, a principal subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

Airbus Military studies gunship versions of medium transports

05/11/2012

Airbus Military is studying possible new variants of its CN-235 and C-295 medium transports adapted for tasks including combat support and battlefield surveillance, along with performance enhancements for the latter type.

Britain Backtracks on Choice of New Fighter Jet

05/11/2012

In an embarrassing policy change driven by pressure on its defense budget, Britain said Thursday that it was changing the type of fighter jet it intended to buy so it could avoid making expensive alterations to a new aircraft carrier. The decision threatens one stated objective of British defense policy because it could complicate the prospects for military cooperation with allies including France and the United States.

Two Lockheed Martin F-35Bs Ferried To Eglin, Marking 25th DOD Delivery

05/11/2012

Two Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) production aircraft were ferried to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., today, marking the 24th and 25th F-35 deliveries to the Department of Defense. The 5th Generation multirole fighter jets were delivered to the United States Marine Corps and are now assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 501 residing with the host 33d Fighter Wing.