Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Tech transfer vital for fighter jet project

10/21/2011

Attention is being drawn to what technology foreign competitors can offer for South Korea’s next generation fighter procurement. Under the “FX-III” project, the Seoul government plans to purchase a high-end fleet of about 60 fighter jets with a budget of around 8.3 trillion won ($7.3 billion), seeking to deploy them from 2016.

Last Super Hornets touch down under budget

10/21/2011

Australia's last four Super Hornets will touch down at RAAF Amberley on Friday with all 24 aircraft now delivered ahead of the original schedule and for less than the contracted cost.

Canada's military contribution in Libya

10/21/2011

Canada has been involved in the NATO-led mission in Libya since March. During the seven-month conflict, it has committed a total of 635 personnel, seven jet fighters, two patrol aircraft, two tankers and two frigates. The air component of Operation Mobile, as Canada's mission is known, has been focused on enforcing the no-fly zone imposed on Libya by the UN Security Council on March 17 and protecting civilian-populated areas.

Germany Said to Cancel Billions in Military Plane Orders

10/21/2011

EADS, the parent company of Airbus, is bracing for months of thorny negotiations with Germany as the country seeks to cancel billions of dollars’ worth of orders for military aircraft in an effort to cut its defense budget.

The scary prospect of global drone warfare

10/21/2011

Drone technology is spreading rapidly. As many as 50 countries are developing or purchasing these systems, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Even non-state actors are involved. Hezbollah reportedly has deployed an Iranian-designed drone. Iran is developing a new drone aircraft with a range of more than 600 miles.

EADS Defence Unit Wants To Reduce Eurofighter Production

10/21/2011

Aircraft maker European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co NV (EADS) said it will manufacture fewer military aircraft in coming years than previously, in response to cost-cutting measures by the German defence ministry. A report in the Financial Times stated Wednesday the government's austerity measures include reducing the size of its armed forces, and buying 140 instead of 177 Eurofighters, 40 instead of 53 A400Ms, 80 instead of 122 NH-90s, and 40 instead of 80 Tigers.

Eurocopter aims for S. Korean contracts

10/21/2011

Eurocopter is planning to offer two defense aircraft platforms to South Korea in response to possible requests for proposals. The company, which has headquarters in France, said the aircraft would be the Panther platform for the Light Attack Helicopter program and the Tiger for the Heavy Attack Helicopter program. The two formal Requests for Proposal are expected to be issued by Seoul next year.

Two killed in Su-24 fighter-bomber crash in Russia's Far East

10/21/2011

Two aircrew were killed on Thursday when a Russian Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft crashed at the Ukrainka military airfield in Russia's Far East, military prosecutors said. "A Su-24 aircraft crashed while landing at about 12.00 local time (02:00 GMT) in the Amur region. Both pilot and navigator were killed in the crash," a statement said

Brazil's C295s achieve milestone

10/20/2011

Brazil's fleet of C295 aircraft, made by Spain's Airbus Military, has reached 25.000 flight hours after six years of successful operation. The 12 aircraft fly mainly in Amazonia and Mato Grosso, areas where the airplanes are vital for the local population.

Germany seeks to slash EADS aircraft orders

10/20/2011

Germany plans to slash the number of military aircraft it will buy from EADS, the European aerospace company, as it shrinks its armed forces by a fifth as part of an austerity drive.

Indian Army’s plan to buy fighter aircraft monitored by Pakistan

10/20/2011

Pakistani armed forces, especially the army and air force, are closely monitoring the Indian Army’s efforts to acquire a ground attack aircraft on its own, sources in the capital city say. According to reports from across the border, the Indian Army is trying to raise two aviation brigades that would consist of two squadrons each, one for attack and the second for surveillance, air observation for artillery and casualty evacuation.

North Korean Air Force Left To Rot

10/20/2011

South Korea recently revealed that North Korea had gone looking for someone to sell them new combat aircraft, and had been turned down by China and Russia. South Korean diplomats were pleased to find this out, and South Korean Air Force officers were not surprised that the North Koreans were desperate to upgrade their air force.

Congress Reviews Future Reserve Equipment Upgrades

10/20/2011

As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.

Forecast International Looks at Military Rotorcraft Engines

10/20/2011

Honeywell’s T55 turboshaft production continues for its sole application, Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook. Boeing biggest customer for the CH-47 is the U.S. Army who is upgrading its Chinook fleet from the D to the F standard. The current requirement is set at 464 aircraft with a mix of new-build and remanufactured airframes. The Army is also buying MH-47Gs and will eventually have a fleet of 69 of the type.

Factbox: Turkey's armed forces

10/20/2011

Turkey launched air and ground assaults on Kurdish militants in Iraq on Wednesday, vowing to take "great revenge" after 24 Turkish soldiers were killed in one of the deadliest Kurdish attacks in decades.

Historic U.S. Air Force 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

10/20/2011

A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe.

Military aircraft engine must be quickly developed: IAF chief N A K Browne

10/20/2011

"You may have to steal, beg or borrow but you have to do it," IAF chief N A K Browne has stated to drive home the urgency for developing a military aircraft engine to strengthen defence capabilities. The DRDO has been entrusted with the task of developing a fighter aircraft engine under the Kaveri programme but not much success has been achieved in this direction for the last over 25 years.

Lockheed Martin Receives Unanimous Decision That “Paveway” Is a Generic Term

10/20/2011

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) unanimously ruled in favor of Lockheed Martin by determining that “paveway” is a generic term for a type of laser guided bomb (LGB).

Australia may upgrade warplanes with jamming equipment

10/19/2011

Australia is considering equipping half its fleet of Boeing-built Super Hornet warplanes with sophisticated radar and communications jamming technology, giving its military a more potent electronic warfare capability than others in the region.

Computer virus did not target US drone fleet: general

10/19/2011

A computer virus that affected the US military's drone fleet last month was not "specifically" aimed at the unmanned aircraft's network, the head of US Strategic Command said Tuesday. "It was a virus that we believe at this point entered from the wild, if you will, not specifically targeted at the RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) activities but entered through some other process," General Robert Kehler told reporters.

McCain letters support F-35, raise concerns for F-16 move

10/19/2011

In a July 20, 2011 letter to West Valley Partners, U.S. Sen. John McCain pledges his continued support for the F-35 and Luke AFB as a major training base for the newest fighter jet in the country’s defense arsenal.

Military airplane crashes in Nepal, six missing: army

10/19/2011

A military aircraft with six people on board crashed Tuesday into hills in a remote hunting reserve in mid-western Nepal, the army said. The Britten-Norman Islander airplane was returning to the capital Kathmandu from a rescue mission by the Indian border in the southwest when it lost contact with the ground, army officials told AFP.

Afghan, NATO troops ramp up fight against Haqqani

10/19/2011

Afghan and NATO forces have stepped up their fight against a militant network considered the most dangerous threat facing coalition forces in Afghanistan, the nation's defense officials said Tuesday.

Boeing showcases aircraft in South Korea

10/19/2011

Boeing is showcasing its F-15 Silent Eagle fighter jet and AH-6i attack/reconnaissance helicopter at an international exhibition in South Korea. In addition to military aircraft, Boeing will feature passenger aircraft such as the 787-9. 747-8 and 737 MAX at 2011 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition this week.

US Involved in Covert Mideast War Games

10/19/2011

The United States is reportedly launching major military maneuvers in the Middle East amid speculation that the Pentagon is preparing a response to Iran’s alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Washington.