Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

‘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

Spain extends Airbus Military maintenance contract for C212 fleet

11/08/2011

The Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural Affairs and Fisheries has extended its existing contract with Airbus Military for the maintenance of three C212 aircraft for two more years. These C212 aircraft are used by the Fisheries Inspections Department for the surveillance of Spanish territorial waters.

Israel, U.S. to hold largest-ever joint aerial defense drill next year

11/08/2011

With Iran said to be on its way to obtaining a nuclear weapon, Israel and the United States plan to hold the largest-ever joint exercise aimed at testing their defense against ballistic missiles. The drill, dubbed "Austere Challenge," is scheduled to take place in May 2012, and will simulate Israel's ballistic missile defense in action, the Israel Hayom daily reported on Monday.

Military transport aircraft modernized for Kazakh Air Defence Forces

11/08/2011

Kazakhstan’s Air Defence Forces have received the first modernized Antonov An-12 military transport aircraft. It was repaired and re-equipped at an aircraft factory in the Russian city of Taganrog. Among other things, navigational equipment was installed to ICAO standards in the cargo aircraft, which allows it to fly outside Kazakhstan. The An-12 is also referred to as a similar aircraft to the American Lockheed C-130 Hercules which is widely used around the world.

General: National Guard is a bargain in these challenging times

11/08/2011

We are at a critical point regarding our nation’s security. The weak U.S. economy and massive national debt are currently the biggest threats to our country. Attempts to decrease our nation’s debt will result in the Department of Defense budget reductions of $400 billion and future cuts to our military are expected to increase over $1 trillion in the next 10 years.

Lockheed Martin to Modernize 29 U.S. Air Force Early Warning Long-Range Surveillance Radars

11/08/2011

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] $46.8 million in contract options to begin modernizing 29 long-range radars which provide advanced warning and air traffic control surveillance over North America’s airspace.

New ATC tower equipment goes operational at Iraqi air bases

11/08/2011

The procurement, integration, testing, and installation of the new equipment was carried out by Arinc Engineering Services of the USA. The new technology allows Iraq’s Air Force to establish efficient operational control with modern equipment in the towers at the two airbases, as part of the rebuilding of Iraq. Arinc performed the work under a US Air Force Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract, awarded by the USAF Electronic Systems Center (ESC) Aerospace Management Systems Division.

Russian planes spark NATO scramble in Baltic

11/08/2011

NATO jets were scrambled Monday as four Russian air force planes flew near the territory of the Baltic states, Lithuania's defence ministry said, adding that the unusual number was a cause for concern, AFP reported. Defence ministry spokeswoman Ugne Naujokaityte said that four Danish F-16 fighters, which currently police the skies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, took to the air twice to escort the Russian planes.

Missing MiG-29 pilot’s remains found in Himachal

11/07/2011

The remains of the pilot of the MiG-29 combat jet that crashed in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley last month have been recovered after a fortnight-long combing operation in the snow-capped mountains, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said Nov 6.