Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Indian military capable of detecting any intrusion, says DRDO scientist

05/14/2011

India's military has the capability to detect any suspected intrusion by low-flying aerial vehicles, similar to what happened during the recent operation by the U.S. Navy Seals in Abbotabad, Pakistan, according S. Sundaresh, Distinguished Scientist of Defence Research and Development Organisation said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 20th convocation of Sathyabama University here, Mr. Sundaresh, who is also the Chief Controller, Research and Development, Armaments and

British Army assisting Libya operations with RAF

05/14/2011

British Army personnel are taking to the skies over Libya in RAF Sentinel aircraft, helping gather essential intelligence in support of NATO-led operations to protect civilians on the ground below.

Pentagon's Light Attack Plane Competition Has Large Implications

05/14/2011

he Air Force is planning to buy a "light attack and armed reconnaissance" aircraft for use by U.S. and foreign pilots in counter-insurgency warfare. At about $10 million per plane, it's probably the cheapest combat aircraft the service will buy in this century -- which is one reason why few politicians or pundits are paying attention. But the competition to select a winning aircraft raises broader questions about the way the military buys weapons, and in particular whether Pentagon policymakers

For Libyan Rebels, a Light Moment in a Doleful War

05/13/2011

If the official statements by the government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi about the battle for this city were true, then much that was visible around the airport on Thursday did not actually happen or exist. There were no clusters of rebels and machine-gun trucks at the traffic circle by the outdoor bazaar and huge mosque. The empty fighting holes, left in haste on Wednesday by fleeing Qaddafi soldiers, were not empty. The loyalist soldiers there were just especially well-camouflaged.

Accueil Africa news Air Force Fighter Plane Crashes in Gboko-Nigeria

05/13/2011

Air Force Fighter Plane Crashes in Gboko - A Nigerian Air Force Fighter Jet F-7Ni at the early hours of Wednesday, crashed at Mbaniongu Mbazaam, near Yandev in Gboko local government area of Benue State. The ill fated jet crash landed near the Yandev Community Secondary School, at kilometer 4, Buruku road, but no casualties were recorded in the accident. In a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer of the Tactical Air Command of the force in Makurdi, Wing Commander Adebayo Makun, the t

Army Planning New Purchases of Unmanned Aircraft

05/13/2011

In the U.S. Army, aviation remains a growth industry, especially the unmanned kind. The service continues to purchase hundreds of drones, ranging from large Predator-like aircraft to backpack size Ravens. Now the Army is seeking yet another big-ticket item: a long-endurance unmanned helicopter that can fly at high altitudes and survive in extreme weather conditions. While the Army owns and operates hundreds of fixed-wing unmanned air vehicles, rotary-wing UAVs have been a tough sell. After many

Canadian Forces Completes Participation in NATO-Iceland Air Policing Program

05/13/2011

A Canadian Forces detachment of five CF-18 Hornet jet fighters last week completed its deployment to Keflavik, Iceland, in support of the NATO-Iceland Air Policing Program.

Air guard’s switch to A-10s deemed success

05/13/2011

Fort Wayne’s fighter-jet base is an example of the Air National Guard’s accomplishments and challenges during a budget crunch, the Guard’s top officer said Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Lt. General Harry Wyatt was responding to questions from Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing. Coats noted that the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne made “a successful conversion” from F-16 jets to A-10 planes last year.

Decks cleared for biggest-ever Indo-US defence deal

05/13/2011

India may have ejected American fighters out of the $10.4 billion race to supply 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) but US really has no reason to crib. Decks have now been cleared for the biggest-ever Indo-US defence deal: the $4.1 billion contract for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft.

Boeing Awarded CH-47F Chinook Modification Work by US Army

05/13/2011

Boeing received a $23.7 million contract on May 9 to perform Initial Production Fielding Support modifications on 49 CH-47F Chinook helicopters at the Boeing Millville Modification Center. The contract period extends the current work of modifying Chinook aircraft at the Boeing Millville facility for another year, from May 2011 through April 2012.

Levin, McCain Call for Rethinking U.S. Military Basing in Asia

05/12/2011

Leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee called on the Pentagon today to re-examine U.S. military basing plans in East Asia, saying billions of dollars may be saved in South Korea, Japan and Guam.

US deployed three aircraft carriers to support Operation Geronimo

05/12/2011

The US Navy deployed an unprecedented three aircraft carriers to support Operation Geronimo, and gave very strong air cover to the SEALs who hunted down Osama bin Laden in Pakistan’s Abbotabad city. An analysis of the operation, the deployment pattern, and the possibilities of a clash with Pakistani forces clearly indicate that at least two squadrons of the US Navy’s sophisticated F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, one or two EA-18 G Electronic Attack Growlers, two aerial refuellers and one E-8C Joint Su

PENTAGON'S LIGHT ATTACK PLANE COMPETITION HAS LARGE IMPLICATIONS

05/12/2011

The Air Force is planning to buy a "light attack and armed reconnaissance" aircraft for use by U.S. and foreign pilots in counter-insurgency warfare. At about $10 million per plane, it's probably the cheapest combat aircraft the service will buy in this century -- which is one reason why few politicians or pundits are paying attention. But the competition to select a winning aircraft raises broader questions about the way the military buys weapons, and in particular whether Pentagon policymakers

Russian Helicopters suspends $500 mln IPO indefinitely

05/12/2011

Russian Helicopters, which designs and manufactures civil and military rotorcraft, has indefinitely suspended an initial public offering (IPO) in which it expected to raise $500 million in London and Moscow, the company said on Wednesday.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Flight Test Update

05/12/2011

Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Flight Test Update, May 11th, 2011 -- Since the last F-35 flight test program update issued March 31, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft have conducted 125 test flights, bringing the total number of flights for the year to 331.

Libya aviation show cannot help NATO

05/11/2011

"This is turning into the best shop window for competing aircraft for years. More even than in Iraq in 2003," a prominent defense analyst told Reuters. "You are seeing for the first time on an operation the Typhoon and the Rafale up against each other, and both countries want to place an emphasis on exports. France is particularly desperate to sell the Rafale."

Coming soon, LCA's naval variant

05/11/2011

Bangalore: The maiden flight of the naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will take to the skies in July, exactly a year after it rolled out from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL's) Aircraft Research and Design Centre hangar in Bangalore. "We would be conducting the first flight of the LCA Naval Prototype-1 (NP1) – a trainer aircraft -- in July. The aircraft is currently undergoing a series of ground tests, and preparations are on for the flight certification which is mandator

US stumped by Europe

05/11/2011

The F16 is a 40-year-old single-engine aircraft which has been the mainstay of the Pakistani Air Force while the F18 did not fulfil the IAF's parameters.

Not to worry, India ties will survive MiG setback

05/11/2011

The Indian Defence Ministry’s announcement that the Russian Mig-35 failed to make the short list for the Indian tender to purchase 126 warplanes under the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) programme was bad news for the Russian Aircraft Building Corporation MIG. But it was not exactly a “bolt from the blue”. The result was expected. Why?

Honeywell F-22 Oxygen Systems Probed

05/11/2011

A Honeywell Inc. system for providing oxygen to F-22 pilots is being investigated as a possible source for malfunctions that prompted the Air Force to ground its premier fighter jet after reports of five incidents since late April, according to officials. “The inquiry is not solely focused” on Honeywell’s on- board oxygen generating system, Air Combat Command spokeswoman Captain Jennifer Ferrau said in an e-mail. “However, that is one area investigators will look at.”

Thousandth GKN nacelle on Qatar's C130J

05/11/2011

Lockheed Martin has installed its 1000th GKN Aerospace-manufactured nacelle for its C-130J military airlifter on the second of four aircraft destined for the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

First F-35A Destined for Eglin AFB, Fla., Completes First Flight

05/11/2011

The first F-35A production aircraft that will be delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., later this year takes off from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base on Friday, May 6, with Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti at the controls.

Boeing Delivers UAE Air Force and Air Defence's 1st C-17

05/11/2011

Boeing today delivered the first of six C-17 Globemaster III airlifters to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence during a ceremony at the company’s final assembly facility in Long Beach.

An Initial Assessment of China's J-20 Stealth Fighter

05/10/2011

The maiden test flight in January 2011 of China's J-20 stealth fighter prototype is an important strategic milestone in several different respects, and is part of an ongoing effort by China to develop advanced military technology. The J-20 is the first combat aircraft developed by China that qualifies as "state of the art" by Western measures. It also shows that China has mastered "stealth shaping" technology—the essential prerequisite for developing stealth aircraft.

Northrop secretly develops spy plane in San Diego

05/10/2011

Northrop Grumman will today unveil a small new spy plane that it secretly developed in San Diego and the Mojave Desert to compete in the fast growing market for aircraft that can do everything from stalk terrorists to patrol borders to provide live video of natural disasters.