Military Aviation News Archive

Asia's military spending likely to overtake Europe this year

03/08/2012

Military spending by Asian countries, led by China, is rising fast and for the first time is likely this year to outstrip Europe, where governments are cutting their defence budgets, according to a leading London-based thinktank.

Russian Peacekeepers End S.Sudan Mission

03/08/2012

As the Russian air group in South Sudan ends its mission all the equipment will be withdrawn within a week, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Vladimir Drik said on Wednesday. All Russian soldiers and helicopters will leave the African country by the end of this week, he added. The move follows a Russian presidential decree after the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) ended on July 11, 2011.

Air Force looking to rebid light-attack aircraft contract?

03/07/2012

An aircraft company with an Arkansas connection could get another shot at a multimillion-dollar Air Force contract. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley indicated today that the Air Force is preparing to rebid a $355 million contract for a light-attack aircraft for the Afghan military that it canceled just a week ago.

Boeing, Elbit invest in Brazil

03/07/2012

U.S. aircraft maker Boeing, and electronics company Elbit Systems of America have signed a memorandum of understanding for technology investment in Brazil. The MOU will cover the development of advanced avionics. Boeing subsidiary AEL Sistemas is involved in the project.

Pilot killed in jet crash

03/07/2012

A civilian pilot flying for Airborne Tactical Advantage Co., was killed Tuesday morning when his F-21 Kfir jet crashed near the west gate of Naval Air Station Fallon, six miles east of the city limits. Spokesman Matt Bannon of ATAC, which is based in Newport News, Va., said the pilot's name is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anatolian Falcon 2012 builds strength, sharpens skills

03/07/2012

The Turkish and U.S. air forces continue to successfully integrate their capabilities during Anatolian Falcon 2012 here March 6. The first four missions of the two-week exercise are through, and the two NATO allies are learning to better communicate with each other and combine their strengths.

Eglin's first F-35 sortie takes off this morning

03/07/2012

Eglin Air Force Base’s 33rd Fighter Wing is flying its first local F-35 Lightning II sortie this morning. The single-craft exercise was set to begin at 10 a.m. and expected to last about an hour, according to Eglin spokeswoman Lois Walsh. As the world’s first multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35 is known for its superior range, cutting-edge avionics and next-generation sensor fusion, according to a news release from Eglin.

The Defense Budget and American Power

03/07/2012

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, other Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before the committee today. That is especially true for a Congressional Budget Office alum like myself who remembers well working for senators Domenici and Sasser and others some two decades ago, when the Cold War ended and we were collectively trying to reduce defense budgets responsibly.

Pentagon Helps New Stealth Fighter Cheat On Key Performance Test

03/07/2012

It seemed like a promising step for America’s next stealth fighter: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter passed a key Pentagon test of its combat capability. But it turns out that the family of jets cleared the mid-February exam only because its proctor agreed to inflate its grade. In essence, the military helped the F-35 cheat on its midterms.

10 companies profiting most from war

03/07/2012

Global sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest defense contractors increased in 2010 to $411.1 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The increase reflects a decade-long trend of growing military spending. Since 2002, total arms sales among the 100 largest arms manufacturers have increased 60 percent.

Air Force seeks to cut 492 Iowa Air Guard jobs

03/07/2012

The Air Force today asked Congress today to eliminate 492 positions with the Des Moines-based 132nd, a 39 percent reduction in staffing, according to members of Iowa’s congressional delegation who received briefings from Pentagon officials.

Boeing Delivers 1st P-8A Poseidon Production Aircraft to US Navy

03/07/2012

Boeing on March 4 officially delivered the first production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy in Seattle. The P-8A is the first of 13 anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft Boeing will deliver as part of a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract awarded in 2011.

IN FOCUS: India advances air force modernisation

03/06/2012

India's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition has all the hallmarks of a classic Indian love story, Bollywood-style. In the late 1990s the Indian air force loved its French Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft, and in 2001 said it favoured buying 126 more. But India dithered, Dassault decided to pitch the Rafale instead, and in 2004 New Delhi decided to tender, with five other suitors emerging to woo its air force.

Program Partners Confirm Support for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

03/06/2012

Amidst growing concern and criticism about the rising cost and delays, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program received a welcome vote of confidence last week from the United States and eight other nations during an international meeting sponsored by Canada. The attendees made it known that they fully support the continued development of the controversial aircraft.

Elbit Systems Large Area Display Selected for Boeing’s Advanced Cockpit Technology

03/06/2012

The Boeing Company has selected Elbit Systems to provide advanced avionics systems for its fighter aircraft, including the upgraded versions of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15SE Silent Eagle. Both are currently competing in several modern fighter tenders in Asia and Latin America. Elbit Systems Large Area Display (formerly known as Cockpit NG) was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show 2010.

Tom Cruise to 'fly' last manned fighter jet in 'Top Gun 2'

03/06/2012

Hollywood is going back to "Top Gun" school with its upcoming sequel to the 1986 film, but hotshot pilot Maverick won't be flying any killer robot drones. Instead, Tom Cruise is set to return in the starring role as a test pilot for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — a plane that could well be the last manned fighter aircraft made in the West.

Advanced aircraft seen as boost to defenses

03/06/2012

STATE-OF-THE-ART air assets will soon fly the country’s skies, a boost to the country’s defense against external threats, as a number of projects have been lined up for acquisition. Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto G. Okol in a press release yesterday said that "more advanced aircraft are expected in Phases 2 and 3 where PAF related components are grouped into what it calls ‘Horizon Programs,’ with Horizon 2 expected to begin in the 2012 to 2016 time frame."

McCain calls for US-led airstrikes on Assad forces

03/06/2012

Arizona Sen. John McCain called for American-led airstrikes on President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria. McCain says the goal of the U.S.-led air strikes should be to establish and defend safe havens for delivering humanitarian and military aid in Syria. "Providing military assistance to the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups is necessary, but at this late hour, that alone will not be sufficient to stop the slaughter and save innocent lives," McCain said. "The only realistic way to do

What If Japan Dumps Lockheed Martin?

03/06/2012

Japan recently made its first public announcement that it may cancel its big order for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter planes if the company adds to the pre-decided price or extends the delivery period of these planes. The cancellation can potentially wipe out more than $5 billion that Lockheed is expected to earn from the deal.

Russia Close to Sign Su-35 Fighter Deal With China

03/06/2012

Russia and China may soon sign a $4-bln contract on the delivery of 48 Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets to the Chinese air force, Russia’s Kommersant business daily said on Tuesday. “The sides have practically agreed on the delivery of 48 Su-35 multirole fighters, worth $4 billion, to China,” Kommersant said citing a source in the Russian defense industry.

Ripple effect from India's biggest defense deal

03/05/2012

First it was the United States that got annoyed, and now it is Britain's turn to ask some tough questions about its India policy. Ever since the French Rafale fighter was declared the lowest bidder in the multibillion dollar contract to provide a new generation fighter for the Indian Air Force, a debate has been raging in the United Kingdom as to what went wrong with Prime Minister David Cameron's charm offensive in wooing India.

IAF Mirage 2000 crashes, pilot safe

03/05/2012

An Indian Air Force (IAF), Mirage 2000 combat jet crashed in Rajasthan on Monday but the pilot ejected to safety, an officer said. "The crash occurred around 12.45 pm. The pilot ejected to safety," the officer said. This is the second Mirage 2000 crash in 10 days. A trainer version of the jet had crashed in Madhya Pradesh on Feb 24, but both pilots, one of whom was an air marshal, had managed to eject in time.

No Middleman in Russian Aircraft Purchase: Official

03/05/2012

Military chief Adm. Agus Suhartono has denied that middlemen were involved in an aircraft purchase deal that critics contend was overpriced by $50 million, but the issue continues to generate controversy. “I don’t believe the allegations about the involvement of middlemen are true,” Agus said on Saturday in Bogor. “The veracity of the report has to be rechecked.”

China’s Defense Spending Dilemma

03/05/2012

China’s always-controversial defense budget announcement will attract particular notice this year. While the U.S. implements potentially dramatic cuts to its defense spending growth, China is robustly increasing its military spending, which is officially set to grow at a clip of 11.2% to 670.2 billion RMB ($106.4 billion) in 2012.

Quickstep wins military aircraft contract

03/05/2012

Australia's Quickstep Holdings says it has been awarded the tender to build part of the C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft. The Perth-based company said on Monday it would be the sole supplier of the wing flaps on Lockheed Martin's C-130J. Quickstep managing director Philippe Odouard said in a statement the wing flaps would be built at Bankstown Airport in Sydney's west and could create 60 jobs.