Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

House Panel Proposes Adding $874 Million for Weapons

05/16/2012

The House panel that controls military expenditures proposed a net increase of $874 million for weapons over the Pentagon’s budget plans for the year starting Oct. 1. The largest amounts that the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee added in producing a $102.4 billion procurement request were $562.4 million to buy 11 additional Boeing Co. (BA) (BA) F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets and $447 million to buy seven more Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) (LMT) C-130J transport planes.

A Dozen Lockheed Martin F-35s Now Call Eglin AFB Home

05/16/2012

The twelfth Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II destined for the training fleet at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was ferried today. U.S. Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk piloted the aircraft, known as BF-11, which departed Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas at 10:02 a.m. CDT for an approximate 90-minute flight to Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Iran Expands Fleet of Home-Made Fighter Jets

05/15/2012

Speaking to FNA in Iran's Northeastern province of Khorassan Razavi, Vahidi said that the new aircraft can play a key role in protecting the countries' airspace. The minister announced that production the new fighter jets and their delivery to the Air Force is done exactly on the drawn timetable.

Government reveals it has balanced the defence budget – but at what cost to Britain?

05/15/2012

Britain will no longer be able to fight and project power overseas in ways that military commanders had hoped to do, it was admitted yesterday, as the Government outlined plans to eliminate a £38bn hole in the defence budget. Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, said the MoD had now scaled back spending across a range of defence equipment projects and could balance his department's books over the next 10 years.

UK to Move Back to F-35B STOVL Fighter

05/15/2012

The British government has changed its mind again on some of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets that it intends to purchase. Unlike Canada, the British aren't considering delaying orders or reducing the number of jets they ordered this time around. Rather, the British government is now announcing that it will switch back to the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing version of the fighter rather than the F-35C carrier-based version.

Putin boost to Indo-Russian defence ties

05/15/2012

As an architect of strategic partnership between India and Russia, President Vladimir Putin has been the driving force behind closer military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Ever since he became the Russian president after the transfer of power by Boris Yeltsin over a decade ago, bilateral defence ties have steadily climbed new heights.

Aerospace & Defense Stock Outlook - May 2012 - Industry Outlook

05/15/2012

The U.S. is the world's largest aerospace and defense market, and also home to the world's largest military budget. The growth of the Aerospace and Defense industry depends largely on the spending outlook of government departments, with the U.S. defense budget being the primary driver. The industry largely depends on U.S. government contracts.

Ghana commissions new military aircraft

05/15/2012

Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Monday commissioned a CASA C-295, a new multi-purpose military aircraft, and four buses into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The twin-turboprop transport aircraft, manufactured by Air Bus Military of Spain, for which the Deustche Bank Socied Anonima of Spain arranged funding, can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance as well as search and rescue missions, medical evacuations, and peace support operations.

Global Strike Commander Previews B-52 Upgrades

05/15/2012

During a recent visit to Edwards Air force base, Calif., the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command spent time with B-52 Stratofortress combined test force officials to preview the combat capability enhancements made to the B-52H. Modernizing and sustaining the nation's long-range strike aviation capability is a top priority for the command, Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, said.

Is China About to Get Its Military Jet Engine Program Off the Ground?

05/15/2012

Tensions in the South China Sea—most recently with the Philippines—and Beijing’s unease about Washington’s renewed strategic focus on Asia are likely to strengthen calls from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for more modern fighters and strike aircraft. Russia has historically supplied the high performance military jet engines that power these craft.

F-35 to replace most US combat aircraft by 2020

05/15/2012

The Pentagon plans to have the F-35 fighter jet replace most of the combat aircraft fleet of the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps by the end of the decade. The single-engine fighter is considered a fifth-generation aircraft because of its advanced software and stealthy attributes aimed at evading radar in hostile territory.

Flight academy camp teaches teens math, science

05/14/2012

The panicked voice came into Ambition's air traffic control room — one of the aircraft carrier's young pilots was in trouble. "Dude, my nose is down," the pilot shouted as he struggled to regain control over his X12 experimental Triad aircraft.

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.