Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Edwards F-35A Conducts First External Weapons Test Mission

02/21/2012

On Feb. 16, the first external weapons test mission was flown by an F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., further expanding the program’s flight test envelope. The weapons load for this mission involved carrying two air-to-air AIM-9X missiles on the outboard wing stations.

Russian Air Force to Receive New Attack Aircraft by 2020

02/21/2012

The deliveries of new close air support aircraft to the Russian Air Force will start by 2020, Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said. “The Air Force units will start receiving this aircraft by 2020,” Drik said on Monday. “It will gradually replace highly-reliable Su-25SM Frogfoot attack planes.”

Iran Launches 4-Day Air Defense Drills

02/21/2012

Iran launched on Monday four-day air defense drills to train protection of important national facilities, primarily nuclear facilities, Iran’s Fars news agency reported. The exercise in the south of Iran involves various missile systems, radars and aircraft. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) ground forces also launched military exercise, code-named Valfajr, on Sunday in the desert area of central Iran and in the central province of Yazd.

India to Buy 71 More Russian Helicopters

02/21/2012

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to procure 71 more Mi-17 V5 helicopters, including 12 for the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Business Standard daily reported on Monday. These would be in addition to the 80 already ordered from Russia. Of the 71 helicopters to be ordered, 59 would be provided to the IAF for replacing its old Mi-8 and Mi-17IV choppers and six would go to the Border Security Force.

Kyrgyzstan Wants U.S. out of Manas in 2014

02/21/2012

The Kyrgyz president reiterated on Monday that the United States must withdraw all its troops from the Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan when the current lease agreement expires in the summer of 2014.

Al Fursan to display at Royal International Air Tattoo

02/21/2012

The UAE's aerobatics display team, Al Fursan, is to take its place among the world's top military performers when it makes a debut appearance at the UK's Royal International Air Tattoo in July.

Greece and Turkey: Offensive and Defensive Balance of Air Power in 2012

02/20/2012

The Greek and Turkish air forces are two of NATO’s strongest and most experienced. The chronic antagonism between the two neighboring states has meant that their pilots have received significant training as they have for decades often engaged in dogfights over the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

STATEMENT: U.S. Aircraft Crashes in Djibouti, Four Fatalities

02/20/2012

During a routine flight, a U.S. military aircraft crashed approximately six miles from the Djibouti International Airport, Djibouti, February 18, 2012. All four U.S. military personnel on board died. The accident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. local. U.S. military personnel were dispatched to the scene to provide immediate response assistance and secure the crash site.

Drones at home? Unmanned aircraft cleared for takeoff inside U.S.

02/20/2012

Until recently, unmanned aircraft like Predator drones have been developed for the battlefield, acting as the eyes, ears and muscle of the U.S. military in hostile territory. Drones have also been deployed inside the United States, but in a more limited way.

Navy turns to Honeywell to provide avionics displays for F/A-18F and EA-18G aircraft

02/20/2012

U.S. Navy aircraft specialists needed several sizes of advanced multi-purpose displays for the avionics systems of the Navy Lot 35 F/A-18F jet fighter-bomber and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft. They found their solution from the Honeywell Inc. Defense & Space Electronic Systems segment in Albuquerque, N.M.

Ottawa should come clean on cost of the F-35, Canada’s new stealth fighter

02/20/2012

Will Canada get the full fleet of 65 new F-35A “stealth” fighter jets that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government promised when it agreed to spend $9 billion to refit the air force with the latest in radar-defying planes? That’s the minimum number of high-end aircraft the air force says it needs.

Malaysia's correct strategic decision

02/20/2012

With the arms build-up by India and China, and America’s pivot policy, Malaysia is taking precautionary steps.

Lack of interest nixes Labrador supersonic flight plan

02/20/2012

The Canadian military has dropped a plan to fly supersonic aircraft over Labrador because it has been unable to attract allied forces that want to carry out air combat training, a source tells CBC News. The military hasn’t spoken publicly about why an application it had filed with the province's department of the environment has been withdrawn.

Boeing Apache Fights Tiger in $10 Billion Asian Helicopter Demand Contest

02/20/2012

Boeing Co. (BA), Sikorsky, Eurocopter and Bell (TEXTRON), the top four helicopter makers, are focused on Asia as 1,000 orders from states spanning India to Korea are set to make it the fastest growing military-chopper market by 2015.

Russian Arms Designer Warns of Problems With Defense Orders

02/20/2012

The current standoff between arms makers and the Defense Ministry over the pricing and quality of weaponry for the Russian military may continue to disrupt state defense orders in 2012, missile designer Yury Solomonov said on Thursday. “The efforts of the defense industry have not yet been synchronized with the efforts of the Defense Ministry and the government,” Solomonov said at a meeting with Russian lawmakers.

General Criticizes Cutbacks At Michigan Base

02/19/2012

The Pentagon’s plan to eliminate a squadron of fighter jets at a Detroit-area base makes no economic sense and would cost more than 550 jobs, according to the director of the Michigan National Guard. The U.S. Air Force is planning mission changes at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, north of Detroit, and a base in Battle Creek to rein in military spending.

US military flying drones over Syria

02/18/2012

US has deployed a large number of drones over Syria to monitor Syrian military attack on the opposition forces and civilians, NBC News reported. Quoting Pentagon officials, the TV channel said that the operation of unmanned aircraft over the Syrian skies was not a harbinger of a US military intervention in the country but to gather evidence that can be used to "make the case for a widespread international response."

Vadnais: Strong Guard strengthens America

02/18/2012

Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, the adjutant general of Michigan’s Army and Air National Guard, is seeking to maintain the current levels of personnel, aircraft and mission assignments in Michigan – possibly seeking to grow those numbers – even in the face of overall declines in the nation’s military spending. A strong militia makes for a strong America, Michigan’s top soldier said today. And Vadnais aims to keep it that way.

BAE Systems Selected to Provide Electronic Warfare Systems for B-2 Bomber

02/18/2012

BAE Systems has won a contract from Northrop Grumman - Aerospace Systems to provide Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems for use on all 20 B-2 Spirit bombers. This ESM upgrade will be a complete replacement of the current aging AN/APR-50 system. With this award, BAE Systems will now be providing Electronic Warfare systems on all three of the U.S. Air Force's Low Observable platforms; the F-22, F-35 and B-2 aircraft.

New mission plan for Battle Creek ANG

02/18/2012

Michigan's top military man shared his battle plan with the troops Friday morning. Despite past mission changes, Guard members thought their future was secure. Even though they knew they would lose their current mission, the C-21 aircraft on the tarmac at the W.K. Kellogg Airport, they had another one lined up -- the C-27 cargo plane.

Israel’s decision to buy Italian trainer planes dampen T-50 sale efforts

02/18/2012

Israel has decided to purchase 30 Italian-made trainer aircraft in its $1 billion procurement project, snubbing South Korea’s efforts to sell its homegrown planes overseas. Israeli defense officials told the media on Thursday that their government had reached a preliminary deal to buy the M-346 military training planes built by the Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi.

India Says It is Negotiating Contract With Dassault

02/18/2012

India today virtually ruled out a rethink on its decision in the multi-billion dollar combat aircraft deal saying it has already started negotiating the contract with French firm Dassault Aviation in this regard. On January 31, India had announced that the French Rafale fighter jet has emerged as the lowest bidder in the deal for procuring 126 combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) edging out its European rival EADS consortium's Eurofighter Typhoon.

Indonesia Seeks More Civil, Military Aircraft

02/18/2012

Air travel in the world’s fourth most populous nation is poised for expansion, and airlines have a healthy appetite for new aircraft. On the military side, Indonesia’s defense forces have a long list of equipment they plan to purchase in the coming years, and—unlike their colleagues in some other Asian countries—they appear to be relatively successful at getting budgets approved.

Britain, France up cooperation to include joint drone, aircraft carrier; sign nuclear deals

02/18/2012

Britain and France upped military cooperation Friday to include a joint combat drone program, aircraft carrier, and combined monitoring of nuclear weapons arsenals — all of which could cut defense costs on both sides of the Channel. British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy set aside their disputes over the eurozone’s debt crisis to agree to a raft of deals at talks in Paris.

Russian Mi-17s Enter Service with Indian Air Force

02/18/2012

The Indian Air Force has put into service the first batch of 80 Mi-17V-5 tactical transport helicopters under a $1.3 billion deal, Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Friday. Under the 2008 deal, India has already taken delivery of about 20 Russian helicopters, built by the Kazan Helicopter Plant. The remaining helicopters are to be delivered and adopted for service in 2014. The Mi-17V-5, a utility helicopter, can carry up to 36 passengers or four tons or cargo.