Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Sikorsky develops agile helo on its own dime

04/25/2011

Sikorsky is betting its own money on a radical new helicopter design, a gambit some observers say might become more common in austere budgetary times. The S-97 Raider will have a pusher propeller meant to send it zooming past the roughly 200-mph top speed of conventional rotorcraft — and, the company hopes, win Pentagon contracts. The Connecticut-based company intends to furnish a prototype for testing by U.S. service officials.

New shipborne navy jet fighter makes waves among analysts

04/25/2011

Photos of a domestic-made shipborne J-15 heavy fighter were released on Sunday afternoon on Internet defense forums, prompting many military observers to coo about China's aircraft carrier capacity. "Heavy shipborne fighters will boost the aircraft carrier fleet's air defense capability and enhance the fleet's strike ability," said Lan Yun, editor of the Modern Ships, a Beijing-based magazine following the latest developments in warships and defense equipment.

Senior Iran military confirm upgraded air defence system now ready

04/25/2011

The announcement was made by Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli, where he cited increased range and optimized guiding system as two main features of the mid-range Mersad air defense system. "These features make the Mersad defense shield different from the Hawk air-defense system," the General told the FARS news agency.

Kiowa scout helicopters are still flying, still fighting

04/24/2011

The first time an Army helicopter pilot flew a Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowa into harm's way was 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War. It's been nearly 40 years since the Army last received a brand new OH-58 from Bell's Fort Worth factory. And between the Army and Bell, there are plans to keep them flying and fighting until 2030 - and perhaps well beyond. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, the designation given the aircraft when they were last rebuilt beginning in the mid-1980s, has been the workhors

'Non-slip paint' is a clue to possible reprieve for threatened Harrier jets

04/24/2011

Refitted aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is being prepared to accommodate combat aircraft, prompting further speculation that the government is preparing to perform a U-turn on the mothballing of the Harrier fleet. The Scotsman has learned that the ship's deck, which has been earmarked as a helicopter carrier, has been painted with special paint which would allow for Harriers to fly from it.

Death Pods Swarm Towards North Korea

04/24/2011

South Korea has received more of the several dozen AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Targeting pods it had ordered for its F-15K fighter-bombers. The growing threat of war with North Korea has led to the speeding up of orders for many critical items of military equipment. South Korea wants as many of its F-15Ks as possible equipped with the Sniper pod, and the pilots trained in its use. The U.S. Air Force buys Sniper XTP targeting pods for about $2 million each, and currently has over 500 of these pods, which ar

Dream Cruise, Air Show to be linked

04/24/2011

An unfortunate scheduling quirk set the Air Show and Dream Cruise on the same Aug. 20-21 weekend, but Hackel saw the misstep as an opportunity to simultaneously promote both events and urge people from throughout Michigan and the Midwest to make plans to attend both events.

Qaddafi abandons Misrata

04/23/2011

Libyan rebels said Saturday afternoon that they now fully controlled the key city of Misrata. The United States launched its first Predator drone strike in Libya on Saturday, the Defense Department said in a statement. It did not provide details on the target of the strike, saying only that it occurred in the early afternoon local time in Libya, according to Reuters.

The danger of drones - and war without risk

04/23/2011

It's fairly common for lazy journalists to invoke comparisons with Hollywood movies when discussing complicated scientific issues. But when an internal Ministry of Defence report warns that the increasing usage of unmanned drones in war is part of an "incremental and involuntary journey towards a Terminator-like reality" it makes the world sit up and take notice.

Sukhoi jet to bid in Brazilian tender

04/23/2011

The Russian Sukhoi-35 fighter jet will be taking part in a new Brazilian Air Force tender for the purchase of a large batch of multifunctional combat aircraft, a source in the Brazilian defence-industrial complex said to the RIAN news agency.

US plans more drones for Pacific

04/23/2011

The Pentagon is planning to move a number of armed drone aircraft to its Pacific Command force from where they could be used in part to support Taiwan’s security and guard against a surprise attack by China. Equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance cameras, the Predator and Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) would monitor China’s military buildup and North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

Air Force on track with KC-46A program

04/23/2011

Air Force and Boeing Company officials met for the KC-46A program post-award conference recently to discuss program specifics, including a technical overview of the program.

A New C-130 Shadow in the Sky

04/23/2011

The first Combat Shadow II for the United States Air Force Special Operations Command has completed its first flight at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Less than one month after a rollout ceremony for the aircraft’s AFSOC customer the MC-130J has begun a series of flight tests prior to delivery to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., in September.

Libya: RAF Tornados carry out 'deliberate, multiple strikes'

04/22/2011

RAF Tornados have carried out "deliberate, multiple strikes" aimed at robbing Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of command and control over his forces as Nato on Tuesday stepped up bombing raids over Libya.

Bulgaria to spend $1.5 billion on military equipment

04/22/2011

Bulgaria plans to spend up to 2 billion levs ($1.5 billion) on buying and maintaining military equipment by 2020, Defence Minister Anyo Angelov said on Thursday. Bulgaria - a NATO and European Union member - envisages buying fighter aircraft so it can secure its airspace within the alliance's integrated system for anti-missile defence.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Operating Costs May Reach $1 Trillion

04/22/2011

It may cost as much as $1 trillion to operate the military’s fleet of Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 aircraft for several decades, according to a preliminary Pentagon estimate sent to Congress. The figure is 9.3 percent more than the $915 billion estimate by the Defense Department in its 2009 Selected Acquisition Report to Congress.

Obama approves use of drones against Gaddafi troops

04/22/2011

U.S. President Barack Obama has approved the use of armed Predator drones against troops loyal to embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said. "The president has said that where we have some unique capabilities, he is willing to use those," he said during a Pentagon news conference on Thursday. "And in fact he has approved the use of armed Predators."

Boeing, US Navy Mark Delivery of 500th Super Hornet/Growler

04/22/2011

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy celebrated a milestone delivery on April 20 in St. Louis: 500 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and derivative EA-18G Growlers have joined the Navy's tactical aircraft fleet. The Super Hornet Block II is the Navy's frontline strike fighter, deploying leading-edge technology and multirole strike capability around the globe. The EA-18G is now the premier airborne electronic attack platform in the Navy's arsenal and the United States' newest tactical aircraft, providing t

Boeing has hands full with Indian defence deals of $14 billion

04/21/2011

US aerospace major Boeing is anticipating Indian defence orders worth $14 billion, with a company official saying its hands are "pretty full" with orders for fighters and choppers for the air force and reconnaissance planes for the navy. Apart from being in contention for the $10.4 billion contract for 126 combat planes for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Boeing is a hot contender in the $650-million tender for 22 attack helicopters and a $700-million bid for 15 heavy-lift cargo helicopters.

‘Norway bombing the most’

04/21/2011

Norwegian fighter jets reportedly have bombed at least 130 targets in Libya since the UN-backed military intervention began last month, meaning that Norwegian pilots are among those carrying out the most bombing raids over Libya. Norwegian officials, meanwhile, have held talks with representatives of the Libyan opposition fighting the country’s longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.

U.S. Air Force wants to fry enemy anti-aircraft sensors

04/21/2011

Thanks to the crisis in Libya, terms like "no fly zone," "air defense" and "anti-aircraft missiles" are bombarding the headlines once again with a vengeance. ??Although the UN-sanctioned, US-led (at the onset) mission has been relatively successful in crippling Colonel Gaddafi's anti-aircraft defenses, the Air Force is already examining possible ways of neutralizing threats to military aircraft in future conflicts.

Argentina, Brazil partner in military transport jet manufacture

04/21/2011

Argentina and Brazil launched a new partnership aimed at joint manufacture of a military transport jet as part of Argentine plans to secure a niche in South America's defense industries. Brazil is the senior partner in the deal involving KC-390, a medium-sized transport aircraft that is the brainchild of Brazil's Embraer defense manufacturer, already a contender for a greater share of the global arms market.

DOD: U.S. continues support of NATO operations in Libya

04/21/2011

A U.S. military fighter jet destroyed two of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's surface-to-air missile sites near the Libyan capital of Tripoli April 18, continuing U.S. support of NATO operations there, officials reported.

Putin outlines blueprint for stronger Russia (WRAPUP)

04/21/2011

Russia needs to be strong and avoid experiments with "unjustified liberalism" in order to safeguard its sovereignty and prevent outsiders from dictating the country's development, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. In an annual address to parliament - his last as prime minister before legislative elections later this year and presidential elections early next year - Putin painted a glowing picture of his government's performance in 2010, stressing achievements ranging from economi

Putin says Air Force upgrade a priority for armed forces

04/21/2011

Upgrading the Air Force and air defense systems will be a priority in the development of the Russian armed forces in the near future, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in his annual address to parliament on Wednesday.