Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing looks to sell more 737-based military jets

06/10/2011

Boeing's P-8A Poseidon sub hunter for the U.S. Navy is the base off of which the company could relatively cheaply and easily build other 737-based military aircraft, executives said Wednesday. The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the 737-based P-8As to replace its turboprop Lockheed Electra-based P-3 Orion fleet. The first is set to enter service in 2013.

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Russia, China Shield Syria from Possible U.N. Sanctions

06/10/2011

A resolution inspired by Western nations critical of civilian killings in politically-beleaguered Syria is facing threats from two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China.

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China Looms Large For New Indian AF Chief

06/10/2011

The Indian air force (IAF) has long had big ambitions, and the pending arrival of a new leader with a broad agenda indicates there will be no easing up in efforts to strengthen the service’s capabilities. The first major revamp of the IAF’s order of battle—revival of border air bases to counter Chinese air force deployments, along with quick acquisitions of new weapons and systems—will be operational priorities for Air Marshal Norman Browne, who takes over as IAF chief at the end of July when A

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Photos of possible fifth-generation fighter appear on Chinese websites

06/10/2011

Photographs of an unknown Chinese fighter jet appeared on Internet forums on Wednesday, sparking speculation that the country has developed the world's second fifth-generation fighter. The U.S. F-22 Raptor is currently the world's only operational fifth generation fighter plane.

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Airbus Leads way towards sustainable aviation at Paris Air Show

06/09/2011

Airbus, a market leader in commercial and military transport aircraft is showcasing ideas for a sustainable aviation at the Le Bourget Air Show between June 20th– 26th. Visitors will be able to see revolutionary ideas and concepts as well as daily flying displays from the world’s most modern passenger and military transport aircraft.

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With eye to US, post-bin Laden Pakistan turns to 'all-weather' friend China

06/09/2011

During the state visit, China agreed to provide Pakistan with fifty 'JF-17 Thunder' fighter jets, a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft, jointly developed by the two countries. Reacting to this deal, Indian defence minister A. K. Anthony stated that “It is a matter of serious concern for us. The main thing is, we have to increase our capability, that is the only answer.”

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Pentagon sees Libya military costs soar

06/09/2011

US military operations in Libya are on course to cost hundreds of millions of dollars more than the Pentagon estimated, according to figures obtained by the Financial Times. Robert Gates, the outgoing secretary of defence, said last month that the Pentagon expected to spend “somewhere in the ball park of $750m” in the 2011 fiscal year as part of efforts to protect the Libyan people.

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Former Diplomat, Admiral See U.S. Strike Against Iran as Unlikely

06/09/2011

Two retired U.S. senior Persian Gulf experts -- one a diplomat, another a Navy admiral -- said at separate events on Tuesday that a military strike against Iran's nuclear sector appears both inadvisable and unlikely, at least for the time being.

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China's First Aircraft Carrier Nearly Ready For Launch

06/09/2011

A top Chinese military official has confirmed that Beijing is building its first aircraft carrier, described as a "symbol of a great nation" which could reportedly set sail within weeks.

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Lockheed Martin Releases Paris Air Show 2011 Media Briefing Schedule

06/09/2011

Lockheed Martin today announced its media briefing schedule for the 2011 Paris Air Show. These events will underscore Lockheed Martin's commitment to meeting our customers' needs in the new reality of increasing global security challenges and affordability requirements.

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NATO to continue Libya operation 'as long as necessary'

06/09/2011

NATO will continue its mission in Libya for as long as it takes, the alliance said on Wednesday, after formally endorsing an extension of its campaign for a further three months from June 27. The allies have intensified their efforts and are determined to continue the operation to protect the Libyan people "for as long as necessary."

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Airbus AEW&C conversion of C295 makes first flight

06/09/2011

The first Airbus Military C295 development aircraft fitted with an Airbone Early Warning sand Command (AEW&C) rotodome has successfully completed its first flight he flight - at Airbus Military’s site in Seville, Spain - follows extensive research and development work, including wind tunnel testing, leading to the conversion of a C295 to be fitted with the in-house developed rotodome.

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Military Aircraft Crashes In Adams County

06/08/2011

The pilot was recovered south of the Town of New Chester in Adams County and is being medically evaluated. The crash scene is located north of Highway 82, just west of Interstate 39. The aircraft was flying from Volk Field and was carrying a chemical called hydrazine, which is used to make rocket fuel. A hazmat team was assessing the area Tuesday night.

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Israelis favor V-22 Osprey for special ops

06/08/2011

The Israeli air force is sending a team to the United States this month to evaluate the controversial V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that it's eyeing for search-and-rescue and covert special operations. The successful March rescue of a downed U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot in Libya by an Osprey crew has doubtless enhanced the prospects of the multi-mission aircraft built by Bell Helicopter and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

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US remains top military spender, institute says

06/08/2011

The United States remained the world's top military spender in 2010, laying out six times more money than second-placed China, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported Tuesday. Last year, global military expenditures totalled 1.6 trillion dollars, a 1.3-per-cent increase from 2009 SIPRI said.

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V-22 vertical aircraft gets rave reviews

06/08/2011

Military and industry officials rave about the V-22 tiltrotor’s performance in Afghanistan but know they need to show the aircraft is worth its high price tag. The Marine Corps are flying V-22 Ospreys in theater and “it’s more effective than we expected,” Maj. Gen. Jon Davis, Second Marine Corps Air Wing commander, told reporters here recently. “We have only scratched the surface with this aircraft. … “We’re doing things with the V-22 we did not plan to do.”

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U.S., Korean air forces rumble forward in Max Thunder 11-1

06/08/2011

The South Korean and U.S. air forces hosted a joint exercise here May recently to sharpen their ability to work together in a simulated wartime environment.

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Boeing Awarded Contract to Upgrade E-4B Cockpits

06/08/2011

The Boeing Company today announced it has been awarded phase one of the Communications Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) E-4B upgrade contract by the U.S. Air Force. The CNS/ATM upgrade, a Federal Aviation Administration requirement, will allow the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center to operate more efficiently at airports and in crowded airspace.

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Lockheed Martin Demonstrates JAGM Tri-Mode Seeker Against Moving Sea Targets in Captive Flight Tests

06/08/2011

Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) tri-mode seeker successfully acquired and tracked multiple moving maritime vessels during recent high-speed, captive flight tests.

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Russia, NATO planes chase 'renegade' aircraft in anti-terror drill

06/08/2011

Russian and NATO fighter aircraft started on Tuesday the operational phase of the joint Vigilant Skies 2011 anti-terrorism drills by intercepting a plane hijacked by terrorists over Poland, Russian National Antiterrorism Committee (NAC) spokesman Dmitry Pavlov said.

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Tactical Air Defense Services Executes Letter of Intent to Acquire Military Aircraft

06/07/2011

Tactical Air Defense Services, Inc. (OTCQB:TADF), an Aerospace/Defense Services contractor that offers tactical aviation services, aerial refueling, aircraft maintenance, and other Aerospace/Defense services to the United States and Foreign militaries and agencies, is pleased to announce that it is has executed a letter of intent ("the "LOI") with its pending merger partner, Tactical Air Support, Inc. ("Tac-Air") to acquire certain military aircraft and related aircraft assets (together, the "Ai

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Israel signs high-tech deal with India

06/07/2011

Israel's High-Tech Industry Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Indian counterpart to boost cooperation in advanced technology, a move that will undoubtedly increase the Jewish state's burgeoning defense sales to India. The Jerusalem Post reports that industry executives see the accord with the Confederation of Indian Industry, signed June 1, leading to a convergence of "Israel's innovative prowess with India's huge and talented pool of human resources."

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Boeing Targets India, Japan and South Korea

06/07/2011

Boeing has moved on from its loss in India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition and is now focusing on other opportunities in that country, while also preparing to compete for fighter contracts in Japan and South Korea. “Although we’re disappointed with the results of the fighter campaign in India, we’ve moved forward,” Boeing Defense, Space and Security CEO Dennis Muilenburg told journalists during a press briefing at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 3.

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India confirms 4.1 billion-dollar US plane deal

06/07/2011

India's government on Monday approved the purchase of 10 military transport planes from Boeing Co. for 4.1 billion dollars - the country's biggest defence deal with a US firm. The order for the C-17 Globemaster III planes will enhance the capability of India's air force to swiftly transport combat equipment and troops over long distances. It was confirmed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs (CCS).

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Lockheed Martin Submits Proposal for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile

06/07/2011

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today it submitted a proposal in response to the government’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next phases of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program.

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