Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Indian C-17 Deal Seen As Near

10/26/2010

The contract is likely to be finalized during President Barack Obama’s visit to India, due to begin on Nov. 4, industry executives say. India is in talks with the U.S. government to purchase 10 airlifters at a cost of up to $5.8 billion, which includes training, ground equipment and other items.

France desperate for Rafale sales in Persian Gulf

10/26/2010

The French are driving hard to clinch orders for Dassault's multi-role Rafale fighter in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to keep the jet's production line going.

Iran training Taliban fighters to use surface-to-air missiles

10/26/2010

Iranian military advisers have been training Taliban fighters in Afghanistan on the use of surface-to-air missiles, a potential game changer in the war if insurgents can use such weapons effectively, several current and retired military officials told The Washington Examiner.

Boeing Receives US Army Contract for Low Rate Initial Production of AH-64D Apache Block III

10/26/2010

The Boeing Company today announced it has received a $247 million contract to begin Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter, the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in the world. The contract, signed by the U.S. government on Oct. 22, covers production of eight Apache Block III helicopters in the Lot 1 configuration.

Second AW159 Lynx Wildcat Makes Its First Flight

10/25/2010

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the second AW159 multi-role military helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility yesterday.

Eurofighter Supervisory Board meets in New Delhi for the first time

10/25/2010

Eurofighter has upped its ante on the IAF MMRCA contract. For its long-term cooperation with India, the Supervisory Board of Eurofighter GmbH is meeting in New Delhi the first time. CEOs from Eurofighter partner companies which includes EADS, BAE Systems and Alenia Aeronautica are visiting New Delhi from 25th to 26th October 2010.

Kazakhstan looking at U.S. military planes

10/25/2010

Kazakhstan is interested in buying some American military transport aircraft, the country's air force chief of staff says.

Pentagon plans 4 new helos

10/25/2010

The Pentagon is fleshing out its plans to change the way it buys and develops helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft.

Kyrgyzstan’s uncertain future looms over fate of U.S. air base

10/25/2010

Taking advantage of an invitation to tour this small U.S. air base as a friend of a civilian Kyrgyz national who works here, tobacco producer Ulvgbek Abazgano took a moment to reflect as he struggled to describe what he was feeling.

Tankers extend RAAF's reach to northern Asia

10/23/2010

F0r an investment of almost $2 billion - relatively modest by defence standards - Australia is about to acquire five aircraft that will dramatically boost the capability of the defence forces, and the RAAF in particular.

U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon launches first sonobuoys

10/23/2010

A U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon launched sonobuoys for the first time on Oct. 15, Naval Air Systems Command announced Thursday.

U.S. Advances Saudi F-15 Package

10/22/2010

The Obama administration notified Congress it plans to sell Saudi Arabia up to $60 billion in advanced military aircraft, including F-15s equipped with bunker-buster bombs that Washington sees as part of an effort to contain Iran.

CSIO device to perfect fighter pilots' aim

10/22/2010

Indian fighter pilots will be able to strike at the enemy with an accuracy that others can only hope to achieve. All thanks to the head up display (HUD) developed and tested by Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), Chandigarh. Overcoming limitations of hitting a target within a range of 10-100m, they have cut it down to single digit accuracy.

Airbus Military looks to India for A400M Grizzly airlifter

10/22/2010

European aerospace major EADS is on the verge of bringing into markets its new A400M Grizzly to compete in Indian military proposals for inducting giant airlifters to boost its strategic reach.

Noise: IAF planes on radar

10/22/2010

In the first ever move of its kind in India to mitigate noise pollution around an airport, the aviation ministry and DGCA have asked the defence ministry to avoid flying their old and extremely noisy military aircraft in and out of Delhi airport. At the same time realising the security requirements, the aviation authorities have suggested a practical alternate also by suggesting the movement of such aircraft be limited to runway 27 (that's closest to Dwarka side).

Russian, Kazakh pilots to hone live-firing skills prior to CSTO drills

10/22/2010

Russian and Kazakh combat pilots will take part on Friday in live-firing exercises in preparation for the upcoming large-scale exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Hard bargain on US pacts

10/21/2010

New Delhi has decided to play hardball on military pacts with the Pentagon after expectations were raised that the pending agreements may be signed during the visit of Barack Obama in about two weeks from now.

Boeing confident with Indian Super Hornet bid

10/21/2010

Boeing is optimistic it will make the shortlist for India's medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement in 2011 with its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, says Rick McCrary, capture team manager for its Defense, Space & Security business unit.

UN’s plea for helicopters in Congo going unheard

10/21/2010

Struggling to contain a horrifying epidemic of mass rapes and murders, United Nations peacekeepers in Congo say they desperately need one thing above all: helicopters. But more than 50 countries – including Canada – have failed to help.

World's fastest helicopter races above Palm Beach County

10/21/2010

Sikorsky had picture perfect weather to show off the world's fastest helicopter Wednesday morning, and X2 test pilot Kevin Brendenbeck didn't waste the opportunity.

U.S. Agrees to Sell Up to $60 Billion of Military Aircraft to Saudi Arabia

10/21/2010

Boeing and United Technologies could win billions of dollars of orders from a U.S. deal to sell military aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department plans to sell as much as $60 billion worth of planes and helicopters to the Arab country over the next two decades, in an attempt to help protect the Middle East against the threat of Iranian military expansion, Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, said during a news conference Wednesday.

Indonesia set to continue buying arms from Russia

10/20/2010

Indonesia will continue its military-technical cooperation with Russia, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday.

Gulf states eye new combat jets

10/20/2010

As the U.S. Congress mulls the administration's plans to sell Saudi Arabia advanced F-15S strike jets and other weapons worth some $60 billion, Riyadh's Persian Gulf partners are also looking at new combat aircraft to counter Iran.

First Gripen flight for Saab´s new CEO

10/20/2010

Håkan Buskhe has only been CEO of Saab for one and a half months but he has already travelled the globe marketing Gripen to several countries. Yesterday, Mr Buskhe got his first flight in the Gripen fighter, taking-off from the Saab airfield in Linköping, Sweden.

Navy aircraft carriers not operational for 26 years

10/20/2010

The Royal Navy is set to lose its ability to fly combat jets off aircraft carriers for the next 26 years under defence cuts to be announced today, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.