Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

‘HAL slipping up on deliveries as it handles too many projects'

03/04/2012

Are too many projects spoiling the broth for defence enterprise Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd? On a day its new Chairman from outside the organisation took charge four months after the previous one retired, the junior Defence Minister clearly said HAL was not meeting critical aircraft delivery schedules of its primary customer - the Air Force - as it had far too many projects on its plate.

India sets date for scrapping MiG-21 jets

03/03/2012

India will begin phasing out its dreaded MiG-21 fighter jets - nicknamed "the flying coffin" - in 2014, Defense Minister A.K. Antony told a parliamentary committee. Pilots, former pilots and families of pilots who have died in MiG-21 crashes have been pressing the government for years to scrap the aircraft. India purchased 946 of the aircraft, many of them made in India, in the past 45 years.

Fifth generation fighters crucial to air superiority

03/03/2012

The Air Force is the world's most advanced air and space force and, with the integration of fifth generation aircraft, is gaining new tactical advantages that transcend beyond just stealth into areas such as enhanced maneuverability, multi-role capabilities and fused sensor and avionics systems that can communicate with other weapons systems.

US Air Force to spend $9 million on up to 18,000 iPads

03/03/2012

Air Mobility Command, which provides transport and refueling services to the US military using cargo planes and other military aircraft, announced on Friday that the US Air Force will be buying as many as 18,000 iPads worth over $9 million to be used as electronic flight bags by its pilots. Apple’s tablets will replace the bulky paper-based flight bags traditionally used by its pilots.

Obama and Israel: Setting the Record Straight

03/03/2012

When President Obama addresses the annual conference of the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) next week, he will be given an important opportunity to set the record straight on his administration's handling of U.S.-Israel relations. The president's outreach to the Arab and Muslim world, as well as his policy and personal differences with Prime Minister Netanyahu, have led to charges that he is either insufficiently "pro-Israel" or downright "anti-Israel."

More cash for less flash: Reaper UAVs said much more costly than manned aircraft

03/03/2012

The MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle isn't cheaper to buy than some manned military aircraft it's frequently compared with; the UAV is from two to six times more costly, Winslow Wheeler writes in Time Magazine's Battleland blog. Media reports cite a per-unit cost from $4 million to $5 million for the Reaper, but they're wrong, writes Wheeler, the director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

Boeing scores another Air Force production contract for Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System

03/03/2012

U.S. Air Force aviation experts needed helmet-mounted targeting systems for the U.S. Navy, as well as for air forces in Pakistan, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Finland. They found their solution from the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis.

Indian Air Force holds war games in northeast part of India

03/03/2012

The Indian Air Force has been conducting a major war exercise in the northeast part of the country in coordination with the army to test their combat potential, reported a local daily Friday in Guwahati, state capital of Assam. "The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Shillong-based Eastern Air Command commenced the exercise codenamed 'Pralay' (Apocalypse) on Feb. 29," an air force officer was quoted as saying.

Upgraded Il-76 Plane to Make Maiden Flight in Summer

03/03/2012

Russia’s modernized Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A aircraft, also known as the Il-476, will conduct its maiden flight by the end of June, Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar aircraft maker said on Friday. The Il-476 is an extensively modified variant of the Il-76 freighter, with new engines, reinforced wing, modernized cockpit, and heavier payload. The aircraft will be primarily built for the Russian Armed Forces and Emergencies Ministry.

Indian navy purchasing 9 more recon planes

03/02/2012

The Indian government has allocated its navy funds to buy an additional nine mid-range reconnaissance airplanes for nearly $1 billion. The new aircraft will assist in maintaining India's Indian Ocean security and supplement the Indian navy's earlier order of P-8I Poseidon long-range reconnaissance airplanes from U.S. defense manufacturer Boeing.

Boeing wins support deal for Seoul's F-15s

03/02/2012

Boeing has won a $300 million performance-based logistics support contract with the South Korean military to maintain the air force's F-15K Slam Eagle fighter jets. The five-year deal will ensure long-term viability of the Boeing F-15K aircraft, of which South Korea is believed to have around 60.

Swedish military: New jets needed

03/02/2012

Sweden's military says it needs up to 80 new Gripen fighter jets to replace its indigenous aging fleet of fighter aircraft. The Swedish Ministry of Defense said in a statement that it needs 60-80 planes because the upgrade program for the fighter jet system isn't to begin until 2020 and will take about 10 years.

Cold War still lives for U-2 aircraft

03/02/2012

As a sleek black U-2 roared back from a mission, Pontiac muscle cars zoomed along the runway to help it touch down using a low-tech method dating back more than half a century to when this Cold War-era aircraft was cutting-edge. "It's notorious for being hard to land," the pilot said after climbing out of the cockpit.

Airbus Military Signs Contract with Kazakhstan for Two C295 Aircraft

03/02/2012

Airbus Military has signed a firm contract with Kazspetsexport, a State Company belonging to the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan, to supply two C295 military transport aircraft plus the related service support package for spare parts and ground support equipment. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Forces of Kazakhstan in support of their transport missions throughout the nation’s vast territory.

US Still Interested in Brazilian Military Aircraft

03/02/2012

The United States is still interested in the Brazilian-made Super Tucano light aircraft, a top State Department official said Thursday, days after the U.S. Air Force said it was rescinding a $354 million contract for such aircraft. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said the U.S. "is in the midst of some internal processes" related to the deal for 20 light air-support aircraft by Brazil's Embraer.

New Russian weapons: To build or not to build?

03/02/2012

On the last Sunday of February, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin once again reiterated the need for breakthrough ideas for building new weapons. A shortage of cutting-edge military equipment is believed to be one of the main problems faced by the Russian Armed Forces. However, fascination with new technologies could prove to be as dangerous.

Russian Defense Ministry to Buy 92 Su-34 Fighters

03/02/2012

The Russian Defense Ministry has signed a deal for 92 Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers from the Sukhoi aircraft maker, the ministry said on Thursday. The deal under which the warplanes are to be delivered by 2020 was signed by Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Sukhoi General Director Igor Ozar.

Military aircraft. USAF reverses the agreement with Embraer

03/01/2012

USAF reverses its contract for the turbo-engined Embraer Super Tucano, a twin-seated fighter aircraft for ground attack. The decision re-opened the competitive tender for LAS (Light Air Support), or rather an aircraft for close light support, a role assigned for years, since Korea to Vietnam, to the A-1 "Skyraider".

Rafale Revolution in Indian Airspace

03/01/2012

The Rafale deal has the potential to either make or break the country's future in aerospace manufacturing. India's defence procurement orders are a game for the patient. For over five years, a bunch of companies with ambition to grab a chunk of offsets that would accrue to our fledgling aerospace industry have awaited the decision on the multi-role fighter aircraft. The suspense ended when French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation's fighter plane Rafale was chosen as the preferred bidder.

How the US is Addressing China’s Military Strategy

03/01/2012

President Barack Obama unveiled the new national security strategy on Jan. 5 that directs the military to focus on potential adversaries in Asia and the Pacific. The military shift to the Asia-Pacific is carrying out the Defense Department’s Air-Sea Battle concept, which was laid out in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)—a strategy to “defeat aggression in anti-access environments” and to “deter, defend against, and defeat aggression by potentially hostile nation-states.”

Celebrating 100 years of Marine Corps aviation: Osprey’s long journey to the fleet

03/01/2012

The MV-22 Osprey is a new aircraft with a long story. NASA, the Army and numerous corporations worked to create an aircraft that could land like a helicopter and fly like a plane since the 1970’s. In September 2007, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 became the first Marine squadron to deploy to combat with this capability.

Afghan Forces Lead Air Assault for First Time

03/01/2012

As Afghan National Security Forces begin to take the lead in providing security for their people, coalition forces have moved forward into a mentoring role while conducting joint combat missions. In Regional Command-South, the Kandahar Air Wing, or KAW, took its first steps toward conducting independent operations. On Feb. 21, KAW executed its first air assault operation in Kandahar Province to disrupt and counter Taliban efforts.

Boeing Receives Contract for AC-130U Components

03/01/2012

Boeing has received an $11.4 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Air Force. The first delivery order under this contract is worth $4.6 million and will provide parts to be used to complete installation of 25mm Ammunition Storage and Handling Systems (ASHS) on four AC-130U gunships. The contract also includes spares to support sustainment of the ASHS. The Boeing Fort Walton Beach facility will build the components for delivery to Robins Air Force Base, G

Kyrgyz President 'Mixed Up' Over Russian Military Bases

03/01/2012

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev confused Russian military facilities when he demanded that Russia pay off a $15-million debt for leasing an air base in the former Soviet republic, Kommersant daily reported on Thursday. Atambayev told Kommersant earlier there was "no need" for the base at Kant. He accused Russia of walking out on its obligations and said the base did nothing but flatter the "vanity of Russian generals."

Tokyo May Cancel Order for U.S. Combat Jets if Price Rises

03/01/2012

Japan may cancel its order to buy 42 U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II stealth combat aircraft if prices grow or delivery is delayed, the Kyodo News Agency said on Wednesday. “If the U.S. side makes an unrealistic proposal, we will cancel the purchase or consider [buying] other types of aircraft,” the agency quoted Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka as saying.