Military Aviation News Archive

US firm sweetens Turkey helicopter bid

01/17/2011

A helicopter manufacturer from the United States, competing with an Italian rival for a Turkish tender to jointly produce 109 mostly military-utility helicopters worth around $4 billion, sweetened its bid over the weekend.

Shore Up America's Air Superiority

01/17/2011

After the Chinese military tested its new stealthy fighter during U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' visit to Beijing, most attention focused on whether or not President Hu Jintao had advance knowledge of the test. The fact that Mr. Hu appeared surprised when Mr. Gates brought it up led to speculation on the relative independence of the PLA and its potential role in next year's change in China's leadership. These are obviously important issues but they should not make us lose sight of the test

Chinese stealth fighter makes first test flight

01/17/2011

China's radar–eluding stealth fighter made its first–known test flight Tuesday, marking dramatic progress in the country's efforts to develop cutting–edge military technologies.

Lockheed buys into UAE's AMMROC aircraft repair firm

01/17/2011

The US defence giant Lockheed Martin yesterday bought a stake in the UAE's military aircraft repair and maintenance company.

Stealthy Chinese J-20 Vulnerable

01/16/2011

China’s newest combat aircraft prototype, the J-20, will require an intense development program if it is going to catch up with fast-moving anti-stealth advances.

We never had a single failure in 1,500 flights of Tejas: ADE

01/16/2011

India ensured its place among an elite group of countries making a fighter jet from scratch when the indigenous multi-role Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas got initial operational clearance this week. A key part in this success was placed by the avionics and flight control systems that were designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

Military aircraft flying to all-fiber network gear

01/16/2011

Looking to significantly reduce weight, improve on-board communications and make it easier to upgrade avionics, the US military is developing prototype photonic gear for use in all aircraft.

NASA reveals strange, bomberlike planes of 2025

01/16/2011

It seems that in the darker parts of 2010, NASA gave Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Brumman money to ponder what improvements might be made to our current aerial cattle carriers.

Russia lifts ban on Tu-95 bomber flights

01/16/2011

The Russian Air Force has lifted a ban on the flights of Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers imposed after an An-22 Cock transport plane was destroyed in a crash last December.

Russian Air Force to receive Ka-52 helicopters

01/04/2011

Russia's Defense Ministry plans to start procuring Ka-52 Alligator helicopters for the national Air Force in 2011, ministry's official spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Sunday.

Russian Air Force to receive up to 100 Sukhoi fighter jets by 2015

01/04/2011

The Russian Air Force will receive up to 100 Sukhoi fighter jets by 2015, the Defense Ministry spokesman said on Sunday.

Chinas J-20 Stealth Fighter In Taxi Tests

01/04/2011

China’s first known stealth aircraft just emerged from a secret development program and was undergoing high-speed taxi tests late last week at Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute’s airfield. Said to be designated J-20, it is larger than most observers expected—pointing to long range and heavy weapon loads.

RussiaRussian Ground Forces' Air Defense Force to become part of united aerospace defense system

12/27/2010

In the course of the creation of a united aerospace defense system, the Russian Ground Forces' Air Defense Force will become one of its most important parts which together with other aerospace defense elements will be responsible for air defense and non-strategic missile defense at infrastructure and military facilities and troop deployment sites, Major General Alexander Leonov told journalists in Moscow on Saturday.

Pakistan to build radar for JF-17 'Thunder' fighter

12/25/2010

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said the indigenously produced radar, built with China's assistance at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), in Kamra, north of Islamabad, would equip the JF-17 'Thunder' fighter aircraft jointly produced by the two countries.

Russia, India sign design contract for prototype multirole fighter

12/23/2010

Russia and India signed a contract on Tuesday to jointly develop a design for a new fifth-generation multirole fighter.

Russian-Indian second prototype T-50 fighter to fly in 2011

12/22/2010

The Russian-Indian second prototype T-50 fighter aircraft will take to the skies in early 2011, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) President Alexei Fyodorov said on Monday.

Lockheed Martin Receives Order From U.S. Customs And Border Protection For Additional P-3 Orion MLU Kits

12/22/2010

Lockheed Martin recently received an order for two additional P-3 Orion Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) kits from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The order brings the total number of CBP P-3s on contract to receive the MLU to 11 with an option for five additional kits in 2011.

Boeing-built C-17 Fleet Surpasses 2 Million Flight Hours

12/22/2010

The worldwide fleet of C-17 Globemaster III airlifters built by The Boeing Company surpassed 2 million flying hours during an airdrop mission over Afghanistan on Dec. 10. Reaching 2 million flight hours equates to 1.13 billion nautical miles – the equivalent of a C-17 flying to the moon and back 2,360 times.

Turkey to build ‘national, original’ fighter aircraft

12/19/2010

Turkey's top defense procurement committee decided late Wednesday that Ankara would develop and manufacture its next air-to-air fighter aircraft, either by itself or in cooperation with another country, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül said.

California man charged with trying to sell military jet to Iran

12/19/2010

Federal agents have arrested a California man who allegedly attempted to export a U.S. military fighter jet to Iran, authorities announced Friday.

LONGBOW LLC Delivers 400th Longbow Fire Control Radar To The U.S. Army

12/19/2010

The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Northrop Grumman [NYSE: NOC], marked the delivery of the 400th LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) at a ceremony held today at a Lockheed Martin facility in Orlando, FL. The combat-proven LONGBOW FCR is fielded with the U.S. Army and eight international customers.

Indian Air Force Receives First Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

12/19/2010

Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] delivered the first of six C-130Js for the Indian Air Force at ceremonies here today. The new fleet was ordered under a $1.2 billion U.S. Foreign Military Sale (India’s first) in late 2008.

Rolls-Royce scores more military business

12/18/2010

Rolls-Royce Corp. scored more than $100 million in military business this week, winning two contracts to provide support for engines its makes.

Aerospace sees continued sales growth in 2011

12/18/2010

The aerospace industry is headed for continued sales growth in 2011, but warplanes are likely to play a smaller role than in recent years, the industry's main trade and lobbying group said on Wednesday.

Turkey decides to launch program to produce first fighter jets by 2020

12/18/2010

Turkish authorities decided during a Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) meeting on Wednesday to begin production on the first Turkish fighter jets in 2020, in order to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).