Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US pushes deal, secrecy hitch on IAF screen

02/22/2011

The US’s strong pitch to sell its fighter aircraft to India for an estimated $12 billion has run into a hurdle with the Indian Air Force telling the government that it does not favour the signing of agreements that risk compromising its operational secrecy.

U.S. Fighter Sales To Asia Will Reinforce Alliances, Deter Troublemakers

02/22/2011

The Obama Administration has acquired an unfortunate reputation for neglecting U.S. allies and not standing up to troublemakers. This year the administration will have a number of chances to improve its image and at the same time enhance U.S. relations with friends and allies. How, you ask? The answer is by actively supporting the sale of U.S. fighter aircraft to India, Japan and Taiwan.

UAE Air force to get Airbus transporter planes by year-end

02/22/2011

The UAE Air Force will receive the first of three new Airbus military transporter planes by the end of the year.

Knowledge Point and Lockheed Martin Announce UAE Training Partnership

02/22/2011

Lockheed Martin and Knowledge Point announced a strategic training partnership today to address military, security services and civil training needs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sweden to base military aircraft in Malta

02/21/2011

Sweden is to base a military aircraft - a Hercules C-130 - in Malta to assist in the evacuation of its nationals from Libya, informed sources said.

Eurofighter Typhoon: ultimate air power on display at IDEX 2011 in Abu Dhabi

02/21/2011

The Eurofighter Typhoon is continuing to have its credentials placed in the forefront of the region's defence procurement staff through its extensive participation at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) which opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) this morning.

Jordan takes delivery of unmanned helicopter for surveillance missions

02/21/2011

The UAS will form a key part of the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) reconnaissance Squadron, as KADDB is an independent Governmental military-civilian agency existing within the JAF tasked with operating to best commercial practices with predetermined performance targets.

Pentagon reveals tiny $4m Nano Hummingbird flying spy

02/21/2011

The Pentagon's research arm has backed the development of the Nano Hummingbird, an experimental miniature drone that could one day do reconnaissance by landing on a window ledge.

Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) Awards Contract to ATK to Modify Two CASA-235 Military Transport Aircraft

02/21/2011

ATK announced it has received a contract from the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) of the Kingdom of Jordan to modify two of the country's CASA-235 transport aircraft into highly-capable and cost-effective special mission aircraft, according to the combined modification designs of both KADDB and ATK. Subject to U.S. government export licensing approval, the modified aircraft are expected to be delivered by the late spring of 2013. Terms of the contract were not announced.

Red Flag Gets Underway Feb. 21

02/20/2011

More than 80 aircraft are scheduled to depart Nellis twice a day with early launches around 11 a.m. and late launches around 7 p.m. The exercise will involve military aircraft from around the United States as well as the U.K. Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.

Egypt maintains larger air combat fleet 'than it can properly support'

02/19/2011

The Center for Strategic and International Studies asserted that Egypt has failed to maintain its huge F-16 multi-role fighter fleet supplied by the United States. In a report by former Pentagon official Anthony Cordesman, the center said the Air Force has been hampered by crashes of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

Govt denies buying F16 Jet fighters

02/19/2011

The acting Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Edwin Batshu, has denied knowledge about reports in the Zimbabwean media that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is in the process of purchasing sixteen F16 Fighter jets from the United States over the next 12 months.

Kyrgyz-Russian JV set up to supply jet fuel to U.S. airbase

02/19/2011

Russia and Kyrgyzstan on Friday set up a joint venture to supply jet fuel to a U.S. military airbase outside the capital, Bishkek.

Lockheed Martin Receives $726.6 Million Contract Modification For F-22 Raptor Sustainment

02/18/2011

Lockheed Martin Corp. has received a $726.6 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for sustainment of the F-22 Raptor fleet.

Lockheed Martin Receives $34.5 Million Contract For Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb Kits

02/18/2011

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $34.5 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for production of paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) GBU-12 kits. The majority share contract includes deliveries to both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and is scheduled to begin the second quarter of 2011.

Boeing EA-18G Growlers Deployed by US Navy

02/18/2011

Boeing today announced that EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft have been deployed for the first time by the U.S. Navy.

Will Russia's MiG abandon the Indian race?

02/17/2011

The Indian tender for 126 MMRCAs (medium multi-role combat aircraft) to replace its ageing MiG-21s was announced long ago, but only now is the real intrigue unfolding. Competition between two main rivals - the United States' F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Russia's MiG-35 has been stiff.

Obama victory as House votes down expensive jet fighter engine

02/17/2011

President Barack Obama won a showdown vote Wednesday in the GOP-controlled House to kill a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon's next-generation fighter jet.

A proven fighter for the UAE

02/16/2011

A major reason France punches above its weight in the defence sector is Dassault Aviation, which will be a major exhibitor at next week's International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, the region's largest defence expo.

F-16 upgrades in wake of double crash

02/16/2011

The Defence Ministry has earmarked a Bt6.9-billion secret budget for the upgrade of six F-16 AB fighter aircraft, including the installation of an air navigation system and maintenance costs.

European unity the first victim of killer drones

02/16/2011

Europe needs to co-operate on building unmanned military aircraft or risk falling behind in the race to develop the next generation of jet fighters that may not even be flown by pilots, industry experts have warned.

Commander in Russian Mi-28 helicopter crash dies in hospital

02/16/2011

The commander of the Mil Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter, which crashed in the southern Russian region of Stavropol on Tuesday, died at a military hospital, a Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman said.

Lockheed Martin Awarded $270 Million C-130 Aircrew Training System Contract

02/16/2011

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $270 million contract for C-130 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS), to provide an affordable and effective academic and simulation training program for C-130 aircrews around the world.

Boeing to Demonstrate High-Technology, Low-Risk Solutions at AFA Air Warfare Symposium

02/16/2011

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], at this week's U.S. Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium, will highlight a range of proven, low-risk, affordable products and services that will enable the Air Force to continue to dominate in the air, space and cyberspace. The symposium takes place Feb. 17-18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Fla.

London cuts 100 RAF student pilots of airplanes and helicopters

02/15/2011

It's of today the news, released by the British press, about the cuts the would are being implemented, according to plans announced already in October 2010, in defense of the United Kingdom, to reduce the deficit of the Country.