Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

India's first Naval fighter LCA Tejas to take to skies this month

12/03/2011

India's first carrier-borne naval fighter aircraft "LCA Tejas (Navy)" will take to the skies for its maiden flight this month, a top defence official said today, adding that it will form the air element of the Indian Navy. "LCA (Navy) will be flown in the month of December.I think by the end of this month, it should fly", V K Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

New US Air Force Budget Grounds Airshow Demonstration Teams

12/03/2011

Citing budget constraints, only the Air Force’s flagship aircraft—the F-22 Raptor—survived the chopping block, subsequently banishing the A-10 Warthog East and West, F-16 Viper East and West, and the F-15E Sentry Eagle teams to the history books, at least for the 2012 airshow season.

Airmen Complete Important GPS Afghanistan Airdrop

12/03/2011

Airmen from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron successfully completed an airdrop mission to Combat Outpost Herrera in east Afghanistan, using GPS-guided bundles to deliver the supplies Nov. 27.

Pentagon budget cuts almost certain to affect F-35

12/03/2011

The stealth design of the F-35 joint strike fighter is supposed to make it nearly invisible to enemy radar, but the super high-tech combat aircraft may not be able to avoid the bull's-eye of Pentagon budget-cutters. Congress' failure last month to agree on $1.2 billion in additional deficit reduction measures means the Defense Department is facing enormous funding cuts mandated by law.

Fort Worth firm AVX Aircraft joins bid for Navy contract

12/02/2011

A major defense contractor has joined with AVX Aircraft Co., a fledgling Fort Worth company, in an effort to win a Navy contract for an unmanned surveillance helicopter. AVX officials announced Wednesday that they teamed with BAE Systems, a $36 billion international conglomerate based in Great Britain, to submit a proposal for the planned Medium Range Maritime Unmanned Aerial System.

Rebuilding The Russian Air Force

12/02/2011

The Russian Air Force is receiving about a hundred new or refurbished aircraft and helicopters next year. That's a big improvement over a decade ago, when the air force got no aircraft, and only enough fuel to allow most pilots a few hours a month (on average) in the air.

Raytheon eyes Korean F-16 radar upgrades

12/02/2011

Raytheon is offering its advanced combat radar system to South Korea as the air force opens its competition for radar upgrades to its F-16 aircraft. The RACR employs active electronically scanned array technology, a statement from Raytheon said. The system is the same AESA radar that Raytheon pioneered for the U.S. Air Force's F-15C and fielded in December 2000.

Marine Aircraft Plans in Peril as Tiltrotor Costs Soar

12/02/2011

The cost for the Marines to fix and fly their full fleet of V-22 tiltrotors has grown by nearly two-thirds over just four years, according to a Pentagon estimate. In 2008, the Defense Department calculated the “lifetime” cost of operating 360 V-22 Osprey transports at $75 billion over roughly 30 years. Today the figure is more than $121 billion — a 61-percent increase.

Switzerland acquires 22 Gripen Saab aircraft

12/02/2011

The Swiss Federal Council decided to purchase 22 Swedish-made Saab Gripen fighter jets to replace its ageing F-5 Tiger. The planned purchase will be put to Parliament as part of the Government's 2012 arms programme.

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey Spurs International Interest in Dubai Airshow Debut

12/02/2011

The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company, and The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], drew wide international attention at the Dubai Airshow held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 13 to 17.

Russian Air Force to get 60 air defense systems in 2012

12/02/2011

The Russian Air Force is planning to acquire about 60 new and modernized air defense systems in 2012, Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Thursday. “The new acquisitions include S-400 long-range air defense missile systems, Nebo-U radars and Pantsir-S1 short range missile/gun systems,” Drik said. The Air Force will receive up to 10 Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers, about 10 Su-25SM Frogfoot attack fighters, and an unspecified number of Su-35S Flanker-E multirole fighters.

Korea develops unmanned tiltrotor aircraft

12/01/2011

Korea on Wednesday unveiled its first unmanned tiltrotor aircraft, capable of vertical takeoff and landing as well as high-speed navigation. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute disclosed the new “smart” aircraft at the aerospace center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. The state-funded aerospace think tank is negotiating with government agencies for commercial use of the vehicle.

Russian warships head for Syria

12/01/2011

Moscow is deploying warships at its base in the Syrian port of Tartus. The long-planned mission comes, providentially, at the very moment when it could help prevent a potential conflict in the strategically important Middle Eastern country. The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov.

Cool App-titude: USAF Make It Fly

12/01/2011

A new app from the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service challenges users to see if they have what it takes to design the next generation of military aircraft. The Make It Fly app for the iPhone hit the Apple store in November and already has positive reviews. The free program lets you build and fly your own aircraft—from fighter jets to remotely piloted bombers.

China Sees 'Cold War' in U.S.'s Australia Plan

12/01/2011

China's Ministry of National Defense criticized U.S. plans to establish a permanent military presence in Australia, accusing Washington of acting antagonistically in the region and perpetuating a Cold War mentality.

NATO attack on Pakistani troops not deliberate: U.S.

12/01/2011

General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Reuters that he was trying to discuss the incident with Pakistan behind closed doors. "Candidly we don't want to try to resolve this issue through the media. No offense," he said in an interview as he flew back to Washington after a trip to London. "The one thing I will say publicly and categorically is that this was not a deliberate attack."

Prince Harry finishes Army exercise in US

12/01/2011

Prince Harry has returned to the UK after completing a major exercise in the US, flying Apache helicopters with the Army, St James's Palace has said. The prince spent eight weeks taking part in Exercise Crimson Eagle in California and Arizona. He flew the aircraft in mountainous and desert conditions, during both day and night, as well as firing its weapons.

Dassault 'Astonished' By Swiss Decision To Buy Swedish Fighters

12/01/2011

French military and business jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA (AM.FR) said Wednesday it was "astonished" at the Swiss government's decision to buy 22 Gripen fighter jets from Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab AB (SAABF, SAAB-B.SK) instead of Dassault's Rafale multirole combat aircraft.

Russian Navy to take part in several joint drills in 2012

12/01/2011

The Russian Navy will take part in several international drills, including those involving the United States, Britain and France, in the new training year which begins on Thursday, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

Turkey signs a cooperation treaty with UK Ministry of Defence

12/01/2011

The Armed Forces of Turkey and the UK have signed a military cooperation treaty during an official state visit to Britain. The treaty was signed by the deputy chief of the Turkish general staff, General Hulusi Akar and the UK's Secretary of State for defence, the Rt Hon Phillip Hammond and will enable greater cooperation between the Armed Forces of Turkey and the UK.

U.S. prepares to vacate Pakistan air base

11/30/2011

The United States is preparing to accede to Pakistani demands that it vacate a remote air base in Pakistan used for drone flights, but the move is not expected to have a significant impact on operations against militants, U.S. government sources say.

Airbus Military begins final assembly of the first A400M for France

11/30/2011

Following the launch of A400M series production last February, Airbus Military has begun final assembly of the first A400M that will be delivered to a customer – the French Air Force.

Planning for RAAF Hawk upgrade path approved

11/30/2011

The Government has given first pass approval for Phase 1A of the Air 5438 Lead-In Fighter Capability Assurance Program (CAP). This first phase will identify the requirements for the upgrade the RAAF’s Hawk 127 lead in fighter capability, so that it may continue to produce aircrew with the necessary skills to operate current RAAF combat aircraft, like the F/A-18 Classic and Super Hornet fleets, as well as the future combat aircraft such as the F-35 JSF.

Jet commitment keeps carrier strategy alive

11/30/2011

Britain’s commitment to buy the US-led Joint Strike Fighter combat aircraft and the diplomatic and commercial sensitivities surrounding the project were the prime factors that saved the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers last year, according to information released by the government on Monday.

F-15s May Out-Maneuver Sequestration Impact

11/30/2011

Even with the F-22 on the ramp, if the F-35 program is delayed or killed, the U.S. and its allies will need more aircraft with a reduced radar signature or the ability to carry standoff weapons at a range to penetrate sophisticated air defenses.