Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Middle East: Gulf states start to call the shots on fighter jets

11/13/2011

The Middle East has long been a prized region for aerospace manufacturers wanting to sell combat jets and trainers. But the competition to sell to the leading potential buyers in the region – most notably Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates – is set to become increasingly fraught in the next few years.

Training Underlines Afghan Air Force Rebirth

11/13/2011

Training is just getting under way of the first military fixed-wing pilots to be taught to fly in Afghanistan since the early 1990s. The initiation of the first course follows the delivery of three Cessna 182T basic trainers in September, and three Cessna 208B Caravans for advanced instruction on October 22.

Fighter bid like no other

11/13/2011

The only military wing headquartered outside South Block in the capital’s Raisina Hill is the Indian Air Force. A squat multi-storeyed block, the Vayu Sena Bhavan is marked out by a scrapped fighter aircraft mounted on a pillar, its nose skywards as if it were soaring. Visitors are allowed in only on invitation and after they are frisked, the irises of their eyes checked biometrically to confirm their identities.

Dubai 2011: UAE re-opens fighter contest

11/13/2011

The UAE is re-opening its multi-billion dollar fighter contest, just weeks after it seemed certain that the Dassault Rafale would be selected unopposed. French hopes that the Rafale's selection would be announced here in Dubai appear to have been dashed and the competition to supply the UAE Air Force & Air Defence with a next-generation fighter is again wide open.

Dubai 2011: Eurocopter aiming to strengthen links

11/13/2011

Eurocopter helicopters are operating in a range of applications including homeland defence and security, law enforcement, VIP transport, utility and offshore support for the oil and gas industry. During the show, the Franco-German manufacturer will have five aircraft on show – the NH90, EC725, EC175, EC145 T2, and AS350 B3.

Dubai 2011: Typhoon spearheads UK efforts in Dubai

11/13/2011

The UK has mounted a major ‘push’ here at the Dubai Airshow, with a delegation led by Gerald Howarth, the UK’s Minister for International Security Strategy, supported by Richard Paniguian; head of the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), and Air Chief Marshal Kevin Leeson Chief of Materiel (Air) in the UK Ministry of Defence.

India denies political reasons in aircraft deal

11/12/2011

India Friday ruled out any " political considerations" while awarding the multi-billion dollar deal to acquire 126 combat aircraft. "There will be no political considerations in defense procurement and that is our stand which everybody knows," Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony told the media here.

Israel certain it won’t be affected by F-35 delays

11/12/2011

Israel does not believe that American plans to delay initial operational capability of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will affect the aircraft’s scheduled arrival here in late 2016, defense officials said on Thursday. According to Aviation Week, the US Air Force is now planning to upgrade more than 300 F-16 fighter jets and potentially some F-15s as well to fill the gap caused by delays to the development of Lockheed Martin’s F-35, a fifth-generation fighter jet with stealth capabilities.

Hawker Beechcraft to Showcase Diverse Product Line at Dubai Air Show

11/12/2011

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it will present a comprehensive display of its commercial, special mission and military trainer aircraft at the Dubai Air Show, Nov. 13-17, at Dubai International Airport. On static display will be the company’s flagship super-midsize business jet, the Hawker 4000, as well as a Hawker 900XP, Beechcraft Premier IA, Beechcraft King Air 350i and Beechcraft King Air 250.

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

11/12/2011

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

Military transport: US prepares to lose its lead on the heavy lifters

11/12/2011

Relatively unglamorous they may be, but military transport aircraft are vital workhorses for modern armies. Now the world of these delivery trucks of the sky is set for a shake-up, as the production of long-dominant aircraft winds down and new competitors come to market. One of the transporters facing an uncertain fate is the Boeing C-17, the workhorse of the US Air Force – which has more than 160 of the aircraft.

Stealth fighters: India and Russia form groundbreaking partnership but US rival tries to muscle in

11/12/2011

Fighter pilots who train alongside the their peers in the Indian Air Force (IAF) are left in little doubt of their tactical pedigree. Indian pilots are among the best in the world, with lightning-sharp reactions and the deft hand-eye co-ordination essential to notch up “kills” in aerial exercises.

Russia to showcase its best combat aircraft in Dubai

11/12/2011

Russia will showcase its most advanced combat aircraft and air defense systems at a major airshow in the Middle East which starts on Sunday, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said. The Dubai Airshow will be held on November 13-17 in the United Arab Emirates. The Airport Expo complex in Dubai is expected to host about 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries which will showcase their products to more than 55,000 guests and visitors.

Dubai Airshow: Northrop Grumman highlights global security capabilities

11/12/2011

Northrop Grumman is to highlight its global security capabilities at this year's Dubai Airshow, including airborne surveillance, UAS', airborne early warning and control systems, fire control radars and infrared countermeasures, plus its training and support services.

Aussie Wedgetails complete exercises

11/11/2011

Australia said the participation of its Boeing Wedgetail aircraft in Exercise Bersama Lima was a "step forward" for the nearly $4 billion project. The Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft "successfully participated in the Five Power Defense Arrangements Exercise Bersama Lima," Australian Minister for Defense Materiel Jason Clare said.

French Push Hard to Clinch Jet Deal with UAE

11/11/2011

Fresh from battle experience over Libya, a French Rafale jet is heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strut its stuff amid a heavy pitch to finally clinch a deal for the first foreign sale of the fighter aircraft. The sleek Rafale, built by Dassault Aviation, is expected to fly at the biennial Dubai Air Show, a five-day jamboree of top aviation, defense and aerospace executives, which begins on Sunday.

Grounding of OV-10 planes won't affect operations

11/11/2011

The grounding of the Air Force OV-10 units will not affect operations against lawless elements in Mindanao, the military stressed yesterday. Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said they can tap other air assets to provide air support for ground troops. “We still have other air combat assets like the MG520, SF260TP Warriors and the AS211 Warriors,” Okol said.

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