Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

U.S. interested in Indian helicopter tender

11/11/2011

The United States has expressed strong interest in participating in India's tender for attack helicopter and heavy-lift helicopters despite the snub it received earlier this year in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, according to a top official.

Boeing Receives US Navy Contract to Develop New Mission Computer for Super Hornet and Growler

11/11/2011

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a $48 million contract from the U.S. Navy to collaboratively develop a new mission computer for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.

UCAVs Add Battlefield Mission Capabilities

11/10/2011

Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) have the potential to revolutionize air warfare. The ability of armed UAVs to fly undetected over many areas and launch precision-guided strikes against time-critical targets makes them a major factor in the asymmetric battles that dominate current conflicts.

JF-17 Thunder induction into PAF an achievement

11/10/2011

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleiman has said that the induction of JF-17 Thunder into the PAF combat fleet will go a long way in the history of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Pak-China strategic relations.

Peru Requests Refurbishment of Two C-130E Aircraft

11/10/2011

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress Nov. 8 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Peru for the modification and refurbishment of two C-130E aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $74 million.

US proposes new export control rules for aircraft

11/10/2011

The Obama administration on Monday proposed new rules to govern exports of military aircraft and associated parts, a move that a major industry group said would save U.S. companies time and money. The proposed changes, published in the Federal Register, call for certain less sensitive items such as nuts, bolts and fasteners, to be moved under the oversight of the Commerce Department, while providing more specific language to govern exports of complex items such as avionics.

U.S. budget cuts could affect Seoul’s fighter buy

11/10/2011

As the U.S. government considers reducing its budget for its next-generation fighter jet program, concerns have been raised over Seoul’s planned purchase of new combat aircraft. As part of its deficit reduction plan, Washington seeks to curtail its defense budget by around $450 billion over the next decade.

Air force drill to be held for first time on Pingtung highway

11/10/2011

Taiwan's air force will practice aircraft landings and takeoffs on a Pingtung County highway for the first time, during a military drill that begins Nov. 14, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Wednesday. The Jiadong section of Provincial Highway No. 1 will be used for eight military aircraft, including F-16, Mirage 2000 and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets, E-2K Hawkeye early warning aircraft and AH-1W Super

‘Ace Combat: Assault Horizon’ Gets Shot Down

11/10/2011

I like to think of myself as a bit of a maverick. I always thought how awesome it would be to be Tom Cruise in “Top Gun,” killing bogeys, winning the girl’s heart, and showing Val Kilmerz what’s what. I guess you could say I was excited to strap on the seat belt and give “Ace Combat: Assault Horizon” a try.

Boeing Receives $1.7B for 7 More US Navy P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

11/10/2011

Boeing on Nov. 3 received a $1.7 billion low-rate initial production (LRIP) award from the U.S. Navy for seven additional P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.

LONGBOW LLC’s Data Link Controls UAS from Apache Block III Attack Helicopter for the First Time

11/10/2011

The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) recently controlled an unmanned vehicle from an AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter, while both were in flight. The LONGBOW LLC is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Northrop Grumman.

Eurocopter's the multi-role NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter is formally complete

11/10/2011

The NH90 programme has reached a major milestone with the declaration of compliance for the NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variant's Final Operational Configuration, This marks the NH-90 TTH's development completion, and enables deliveries to begin before year-end in the helicopter's full operational definition.

British military stunt pilot dies after being thrown out of plane

11/09/2011

A stunt pilot in the British military's Red Arrows aerobatic display died Tuesday after he was ejected from the plane while it was still grounded, the Associated Press reported. The pilot's name hasn't been revealed yet and the cause of the deadly incident is being investigated, a Cpt. Simon Blake said in a statement.

Navy signs $17-million deal for armed drones

11/09/2011

In 100 years of naval aviation, only the most experienced combat pilots have performed the difficult task of launching an attack on a nearby target and returning the aircraft to a ship as it bobs in the ocean. Now that tricky task is being turned over to unmanned drones.

Third Airbus Military A330 MRTT handed over to Royal Australian Air Force

11/09/2011

The third aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expanding fleet of new-generation Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker/transports has been formally handed over to the RAAF providing a significant boost to Defence’s in-flight refuelling, air logistics support and air combat capability.

China Counterfeit Parts in U.S. Military Boeing, L3 Aircraft

11/09/2011

Dozens of suspected counterfeit parts have been installed on U.S. defense equipment from Raytheon Co., L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. and Boeing Co., including aircraft deployed to Afghanistan. The Senate Armed Services Committee found counterfeit parts - usually from China - on at least seven aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin Corp. C-130J transport plane, Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and L-3 27J Spartan transport.

Boeing to Showcase Comprehensive Portfolio of Products and Services at 2011 Dubai Airshow

11/09/2011

The Boeing Company’s presence at the 2011 Dubai Airshow will include the Middle East debut of the 787 Dreamliner, the world’s most advanced passenger jet, and the innovative Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor. The two aircraft will be part of a formidable lineup of defense and commercial products and services designed to meet the needs of Middle East customers. The show runs Nov. 13-17 at Dubai’s Airport Expo.

Lockheed Martin Provides Affordable Smartphone Tactical Network Capability to U.S. Marine Corps

11/09/2011

The U.S. Marine Corps will soon be using a tactical Smartphone network developed by Lockheed Martin to support their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission exercises. The Marine Corps Forces Pacific Experimentation Center has acquired the MONAX system, which the Office of Naval Research purchased, a portable private 4G network that provides voice, data and video services through commercial Smartphone technologies.

India set to buy additional Russian-Israeli AWACS planes

11/09/2011

India is close to purchase two additional Russian-Israeli airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, the Times of India newspaper reported. India ordered three A-50EI variants, developed on the basis of the Russian Il-76MD military transport plane and fitted with the Israeli-made Phalcon radar system, in 2004. They are already in service with the Indian air force (IAF).

Russia hopes to sell 90 warplanes in Middle East by 2025

11/09/2011

Russia expects to sell up to 90 warplanes in the Middle East by 2025, the United Aircraft Corporation said on Tuesday. These will mostly include so called 4++ generation fighters - Su-35 and MiG-35, an UAC spokesman said.

India takes delivery of first of 80 Mi-17s

11/09/2011

India has taken delivery of the first batch of 80 Mi-17V-5 tactical transport helicopters ordered under a $1.345 billion deal in 2008, Russian arms sales agency Rosoboronexport said on Tuesday. The helicopters are being built by Russian Helicopters' Kazan Helicopter Factory (KVZ) subsidiary.

Russian Air Force to receive 65 Yak-130 jet trainers by 2017

11/09/2011

The Russian Defense Ministry will sign a contract with aircraft construction company Irkut on the delivery of 65 YakovlevYak-130 advanced jet trainers within the next two weeks, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, said on Tuesday. The contract is expected to be fulfilled by 2017, he said, without elaborating on the contract price of the jets.

MV-22 makes Dubai debut in bid for export deals

11/08/2011

The Bell Boeing joint venture will bring the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor to the Dubai air show for the first time, as it continues to push for the type's first export sale.

Phony U.S. military electronics traced to China

11/08/2011

The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee is planning to crack down on counterfeit electronic parts, which more often than not originate in China and eventually make their way to U.S. military weapon systems. The committee, led by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., released the results of a months-long investigation on Monday.

USAF general: Iraqi air defenses to have two-year ‘gap’

11/08/2011

The U.S. general in charge of training Iraq’s fledgling air force said Monday that there are no plans to have American aircraft protect the country’s airspace when U.S. forces depart next month.The Iraqi air force is in the process of acquiring 18 F-16 fighter jets from the U.S., but the jets and pilots won’t be ready for at least two years, according to Maj. Gen. Russell J. Handy, commander of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, and director of the Air Component Coordination El