Military Aviation News Archive

India set to sign $2.4bn Mirage deal with France

05/19/2011

efence ministry sources on Wednesday said the long-awaited deal with France for the upgrade of 52 Mirage-2000 multi-role fighters in IAF's combat fleet is "finally ready" at a cost of almost Rs 11,000 crore ($2.4 billion).

Morocco takes delivery of first 12 T-6C military trainers

05/19/2011

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has received the first 12 of 24 T-6C trainers from Hawker Beechcraft. The RMAF is replacing its existing fleet of T-34 and T-37 jet trainers.

Azerbaijan planning missile, aircraft production

05/18/2011

Azerbaijan is planning the joint production of Ukrainian anti-tank guided missiles and Czech light combat aircraft.

Airbus Military offering SA choice of two aircraft types for maritime surveillance

05/18/2011

European aerospace company Airbus Military is offering South Africa dual role aircraft for the country´s Project Saucepan maritime surveillance aircraft programme. Saucepan is being accelerated because of the spread of Somali piracy to Southern African waters. The company can offer the CN235 or C295 aircraft for maritime surveillance.

US eyes drones to counter China's rise

05/18/2011

The US' use of drones like these has been well documented in the hills on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. But a new report reveals that the US military may use a version of unmanned craft for use over the Pacific ocean.

China Developing Military Aviation

05/18/2011

China is actively developing all kinds of military aviation. The other day the country has successfully tested a new type of bomber-missile PLA Navy, which carried out the successful launch of the new model of missiles H-6K (profoundly modernized version of the Soviet Tu-16). In the future we should expect the development of the strategic aviation of China.

Gates stresses U.S. support role in Libya

05/18/2011

The United States has no intention of putting boots on the ground in Libya and should not become militarily involved in unrest shaking Syria, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in portions of an interview that aired May 16 on "The CBS Evening News."

EBACE: Bahrain Air Show to get top quality show daily for the first time

05/18/2011

A deal was signed at EBACE today between Mark Brown, managing director of Times Aerospace, publishers of Arabian Aerospace magazine and Captain Al Gaoud, Bahrain's undersecretary for civil aviation. The Arabian Aerospace daily called 'Show Business ' was launched in association with Aerocomm Ltd at last year's MRO show in Dubai and was the market leader among a number of international show dailies at the MEBA event in December.

Boeing KC-767 Tankers for Italian Air Force Formally Enter into Service

05/18/2011

The first two Boeing KC-767 advanced aerial refueling tankers for the Italian Air Force (ItAF) formally entered into service today during a public ceremony near Rome.

Second F-35C Carrier Variant Flies to NAS Patuxent River

05/18/2011

The second F-35C Lightning II carrier variant arrives at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md., yesterday.

F/A-18 Jet Goes Off Runway At MCAS Miramar

05/17/2011

A Marine Corps pilot escaped injury Tuesday when the F/A-18 fighter jet he was flying slid off a runway during a landing at USMC Air Station Miramar, a base spokeswoman said.

Pakistan to return remains of U.S. stealth helicopter

05/17/2011

Pakistan is to return to the United States on Tuesday the remains of a stealth helicopter used in a special forces raid to kill al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Pakistani television said, quoting army sources. Pakistan agreed to return the tail of the helicopter following a late night meeting on Monday between U.S. Senator John Kerry and Pakistani officials in Islamabad. "Tomorrow the tail of the helicopter will be returned to America," Kerry told journalists. The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter cras

Chinese military chief's visit is first in 7 years

05/17/2011

Of the many planned stops on a U.S. tour this week by a top-level Chinese military delegation, one — the iconic Grand Canyon — is an especially apt metaphor for the wide divide between Washington and Beijing over explosive issues like U.S. support for Taiwan. Pentagon officials hope the visit, which begins Monday in Washington, will mark a fresh beginning for a prickly, start-and-stop relationship between the two military behemoths. The Chinese delegation is led by Gen. Chen Bingde, the counter

Pakistan seeks funding for spare parts

05/17/2011

Pakistan is seeking a U.S. Foreign Military Sales order to provide funds for the purchase of spare parts for its U.S.-made military aircraft. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in its notification to Congress Friday, said the estimated cost of the spare parts for F-16s, C-130s, T-37s, T-33s and other aircraft or systems/subsystems of U.S. origin used by the Pakistani air force is $62 million.

US Navy drones: Coming to a carrier near China?

05/17/2011

The U.S. is developing aircraft carrier-based drones that could provide a crucial edge as it tries to counter China's military rise. American officials have been tightlipped about where the unmanned armed planes might be used, but a top Navy officer has told The Associated Press that some would likely be deployed in Asia. "They will play an integral role in our future operations in this region," predicted Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which covers most of the Paci

IMPACTS OF THE INDIAN FIGHTER COMPETITION

05/17/2011

India is clearly a key player in shaping the future of Chinese power, globally and in the Pacific. At the same time, the significant 2nd and 3rd world fighter market will be dominated by exports from China, Russia, India or Brazil. Neither the U.S. nor Europe is planning a lower cost export fighter. Indian leadership when they saw the Chinese role out of the J-20 understood its impact on global markets. This is an advanced aircraft, which will have implications for upgrades for customers of C

EADS North America Delivers the First UH-72A Lakota Helicopter to the South Dakota Army National Guard

05/17/2011

EADS North America delivered the first of six UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to the South Dakota Army National Guard yesterday during a delivery ceremony at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Second F-35A Production Jet Arrives at Edwards AFB

05/17/2011

The second Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II production aircraft flies above the compass rose of Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13. The aircraft, designated AF-6, ferried to Edwards AFB from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base following the Air Force formally accepting the fighter into its inventory May 12. The first production jet, AF-7, was delivered to Edwards AFB May 6.

UN in new bid for Libya truce, revolt enters fourth month

05/16/2011

The UN special envoy was on Sunday headed for Libya to urge a ceasefire between Muammar Gaddafi's troops and rebels seeking to topple the strongman, as an anti-regime revolt entered a fourth month.

Libyan Combat Stymies Moves on Antiaircraft Threat

05/16/2011

The fierce combat in Libya has unleashed a once-hidden arsenal of portable anti-aircraft missiles that the government fears could easily be siphoned off to terror groups, giving rise to a potential threat to commercial aviation that the U.S. is only beginning to confront, government officials and arms experts said.

Order for C-17 Globemaster to be cleared this month

05/16/2011

The much-awaited order for the American C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force will be cleared this month. The IAF's order for 10 aircraft is expected to cost some Rs. 18,000 crore (roughly $4 billion). The Ministry of Defence has given the go-ahead for the purchase of these aircraft from the U.S. through the Foreign Military Sales (government-to-government) route.

Partners in Peace Enhance Regional Security

05/16/2011

Australia and the other members of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) last week completed a major military exercise to plan and conduct a joint military operation for the defence of Malaysia and Singapore. The FPDA countries - Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the UK - conducted Exercise Bersama Shield 2011 from 2-13 May. Participants were challenged to jointly plan and execute tactical missions for 46 combat aircraft and nine warships.

Flight ready

05/16/2011

Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the Swiss Army knife of combat weapons versatility and lethality. At $65 million to $112.5 million per aircraft at its drive-the-car-off-the-lot cost and $382 billion in total program costs, the F-35 is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program (see "Figuring F-35 costs" on E2). But at more than twice the price of the newest commercial airliner, the fifth generation fighter may be worth it: more impervious to radar, performing more roles a

South African Air Force Grounds Hawk Fighter Trainer

05/15/2011

The South African Air Force has grounded its fleet of 24 BAE Systems Hawk Mk120 lead-in fighter trainers after one experienced an engine surge during a fly-by to celebrate Freedom Day last year. Air Force chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano says the move was precautionary. He added the aircraft, assigned to 85 Combat Flying School at AFB Makhado landed safely.

US ‘TO PROTECT PAKISTAN’

05/15/2011

US troops will be deployed in Pakistan if the nation’s nuclear installations come under threat from terrorists out to avenge the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the Sunday Express can reveal. The plan, which would be activated without President Asif Ali Zardari’s consent, provoked an angry reaction from Pakistan officials last night.