Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

A New Shadow is Cast

02/15/2011

The first Combat Shadow II for the United States Air Force Special Operations Command has completed manufacture at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Following installation of additional special mission equipment, such as the chin-mounted sensor turret, the aircraft will begin flight test.

Raytheon Conducts Free-Flight Demonstration of JSOW-C From F-16IN

02/14/2011

Raytheon Company completed a series of free-flight demonstrations of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-154-C from an F-16IN fighter aircraft. The tests were part of the Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition.

Tejas to be fitted with Israeli Derby missile

02/14/2011

Israel’s Derby missile is the weapon of choice for India’s Tejas fighter. A contract will be signed by March with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd to supply the air-to-air missile system to be fitted on some 200 jets, said P.S. Subramanya, director of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the light combat aircraft.

Govt to sanction more fighter aircraft jets for IAF

02/14/2011

Preparing itself for a two-front war scenario, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a proposal to the Defence Ministry to increase its sanctioned fighter aircraft strength from 39.5 to 45 squadrons.

Asia's New Arms Race

02/13/2011

China's first aircraft carrier, a diesel-powered vessel, is expected to be deployed this year or next. A prototype of a new J-20 stealth jet fighter—it appears designed to rival the U.S. F-22—made its first test flight on Jan. 11, just hours before U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met in Beijing with President Hu to mend frayed relations.

Manned and unmanned planes in the Navy's future

02/13/2011

Looking ahead to the next 100 years, or even the next decade, Navy aviation may be a tailless airplane, flown by a nonpilot with enlisted stripes on his sleeve.

In conversation with Gripen fighter pilot

02/13/2011

Swedish defence and security company, Saab is displaying and flying three of its multirole fighter aircraft ''Gripen'' during eighth edition of the Aero India International Air Show 2011. Brahmand.com had an exclusive conversation with the Swedish Air Force pilot Martin Björn during the Aero India 2011. Martin has flown many fighter aircraft and is currently attending the airshow to promote Gripen fighter in India.

Dassault Chief Says Eight Countries Considering Rafale Jet Order

02/12/2011

Dassault Aviation SA, maker of Rafale fighter planes and Falcon corporate jets, is discussing the sale of the combat aircraft with eight potential buyers, Chief Executive Officer Charles Edelstenne told French lawmakers.

Raytheon tests new Maverick missile

02/12/2011

The latest variant of the laser-guided Maverick missile has completed a series of flight tests by U.S. defense company Raytheon.

India’s choice of 5G fighter aircraft says a lot

02/12/2011

India and Russia have finalised the Russian PAKFA aircraft - a Sukhoi-T50 fighter aircraft - as the base design model for their $6 billion Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme.

Boeing Completes Industrial Participation Programs for 1st 5 UK C-17s

02/12/2011

Boeing today announced that it has successfully completed - ahead of schedule -- its industrial participation (IP) programs for the first five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). To date, Boeing has delivered benefits of more than $1 billion to United Kingdom industry for this aircraft program.

Russian-Indian joint development of 5G fighter jet to cost $6 billion - HAL

02/12/2011

The Russian-Indian joint development of a fifth generation fighter jet will cost some $6 billion, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Financial director D. Shivamurti said.

Eurofighter woos India with partner offer

02/11/2011

The Eurofighter consortium is prepared to offer India a manufacturing role, as the international race intensifies to supply 126 jet fighters worth $11bn to New Delhi.

IRKUT Corporation Demonstrates Its Products at Air India 2011 Air Show

02/11/2011

JSC “IRKUT Corporation” demonstrates advanced military and civilian products at the “Aero India – 2011” air show which opens in Bengaluru, India on 9 February.

India to start talks on $12 billion fighter jet order

02/11/2011

India said Thursday it would begin crucial contract negotiations in the next fortnight for an estimated $12 billion order for 126 fighter jets.

Boeing Submits Final NewGen Tanker Proposal to US Air Force

02/11/2011

The Boeing Company today submitted its final proposal for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X tanker competition. The proposal offers a fleet of Boeing NewGen Tankers -- 767-based, multi-mission aircraft that deliver superior capabilities to U.S. warfighters and burn 24 percent less fuel than the competing European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company’s tanker.

RAF Leuchars Tornados scrambled to 'repel' Russian aircraft

02/10/2011

There was drama in the skies as Tornado crews were scrambled from RAF Leuchars in a bid to track down two "unidentified" aircraft detected over the North Sea.

Bell Helicopter dedicates military aircraft assembly and delivery center to US Army Kiowa Warrior

02/10/2011

Bell Helicopter officially dedicated their newest flight hangar at the Military Aircraft Assembly and Delivery Center in Amarillo, TX for work specifically supporting the US Army’s OH-58 Kiowa Warrior program.

India Fighter Jet Order Likely by March 2012

02/10/2011

India is expected to place an estimated $10 billion order for 126 fighter jets during the next fiscal year starting April 1, the biggest such deal globally in the past 15 years.

Russia may deliver first upgraded MiG to India in 2011

02/10/2011

Russia could deliver the first modernized MiG-29 fighter jet to India as early as in 2011, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said on Wednesday.

Boeing Providing Facebook Fan With the 'Opportunity of a Lifetime'

02/10/2011

"We are trying to find a few unique opportunities during each year for some of the more than 73,000 fans we have on our Facebook page to engage with Boeing," said Director of Brand Management & Advertising Jim Newcomb.

Russia proposes equipping Indian SU-30MKI with AESA Radar

02/09/2011

Russia has offered to equip the Indian Su-30MKI aircraft with the electronically scanned array radar to bring them on par with the most modern fighter aircraft in the world. Currently the technical configuration of the upgraded aircraft with onboard AESA radar is being discussed by Russian and Indian experts.

Robot Jet Fighter Takes First Flight – Aiming for Aircraft Carriers in 2013

02/09/2011

Navy officials and military developers are beaming with smiles of success for they are the proud papas of the newest military marvel: a robotic jet fighter. The X-47B, built by Northrop Grumman, completed its first successful test flight on February 4th at Edwards Air Force Base in California without the assistance of an onboard or remote human pilot.

Aero India 2011: Aerobatic display by fighter jets, copters to be major attraction

02/09/2011

Aero India 2011, Asia's biggest air show, which gets underway at the Yelahanka Air Force base near Bangalore from February 9, will be the largest ever with 29 countries bringing their aerospace products, including fighter jets and transport aircraft.

Alabama firm may protest Russian helicopter deal

02/08/2011

A small Alabama-based firm is gearing up to protest the Army's plan to hand an exclusive helicopter contract to a Russian government agency, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.