Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

High ticket F-35 aircraft ready to redefine air warfare for military branches

05/15/2011

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. 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 and replacing more aircraft in the nation's arsenal than any aircraft in history, industry and military officials said. The single-seat, single-engine F-

Inside the art deco war room for Nato on Libya

05/15/2011

The imposing Art Deco building that dominates the hills above the Bay of Naples has been turned into a war room for Nato's military campaign against another notorious dictator, Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Sweden releases Qaddafi aircraft pics

05/14/2011

The Swedish Armed Forces have released photographs, which it claims indicates that Muammar Qaddafi still retains several fighter aircraft.

Britain to control aerial drones over Afghanistan from military base in northern England

05/14/2011

Britain’s military says that it is bringing its drone controllers back from the western United States and setting them at an air base in northern England. Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton said Friday that the transfer of the controllers from the U.S. to the U.K. would allow “more efficient and effective use of our resources.”

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.