Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Lockheed to assemble Korean T-50 jets

09/16/2011

Lockheed Martin will establish facilities in the U.S. for the final assembly of Korea’s T-50 supersonic aircraft to meet the possible U.S. demand for trainer jets, a senior official at the defense giant said last week. It has already reached an agreement on this with Korea Aerospace Industries, the country’s sole aircraft maker which developed the T-50 with technological assistance from Lockheed Martin.

Power Politics, NATO, and the Libyan Intervention

09/16/2011

The recent NATO intervention against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya has been a considerable source of contention among many on the left, with self-proclaimed progressives, most notably Juan Cole, openly supporting this military action.

Deal near on more US military access in Australia

09/16/2011

An emerging defense agreement would let the U.S. expand its military presence in Australia as the Obama administration and its allies maneuver to counter an increasingly assertive China. It would include positioning U.S. equipment in Australia, increasing access to bases and conducting more joint exercises and training.

U.K., France Extend Drone Alliance to Fighter Craft

09/15/2011

Britain and France have extended their cooperation on drone technology to a possible unmanned replacement for fighter aircraft, Peter Luff, the U.K. defense- procurement minister, said today at a military exposition in London.

China’s Military Modernization: The Pentagon Report and Indian Fears

09/15/2011

The recent edition of Pentagon’s Annual Report on ‘military and security developments involving China (2011)’ received unexpected coverage in Indian media. In particular, the focus was on how the Chinese PLA has deployed advanced and survivable solid-fuelled CSS-5 medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) to strengthen its deterrence posture against India.

NATO balks at Libya nation-building, policing

09/15/2011

NATO, which has been bogged down for nearly 10 years in Afghanistan and more than 12 in Kosovo, is desperately seeking a mission it can end, quickly, cleanly and for good.

Defence Reforms and National Security: Managing Threats and Challenges to India

09/15/2011

South Asia is the second most unstable region in the world and is closely following West Asia in the race to reach the number one spot. Among the world’s major democracies India faces the most complex threats and challenges spanning the full spectrum of conflict from nuclear to sub-conventional.

Military training brings more aircraft over Nevada

09/15/2011

Southern Nevada residents will be seeing more military aircraft flying overhead for the next two weeks as the Air Force begins a series of battle exercises known as Green Flag West. Missions start at Fort Irwin, Calif., and fly over the Las Vegas Valley, to and from Nellis Air Force Base, near Mount Charleston, and north of Pahrump. The exercise runs from 1 p.m. to 10:40 p.m. this week and 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. next week.

Ka-52 helicopter OK'd for Mistral carrier

09/15/2011

Russia’s state-of-the-art Kamov Ka-52 combat helicopter has passed all tests to be approved for deployment on Navy vessels. The aircraft will be used with Mistral-class carriers, which Russia buys from France.

The Decade Of Disaster

09/15/2011

The last decade has revolutionized air warfare, and air forces. This revolution was brought about by two technologies (smart bombs and UAVs) that have been around for decades but, over a decade ago, became reliable and capable enough to have a decisive effect on warfare. Now UAVs armed with smart bombs are poised to replace manned aircraft.

Aerospace industry campaigns against further defense cuts

09/15/2011

The defense-aerospace sector is lobbying supercommittee members not to make any additional Pentagon budget cuts, saying they could hinder America’s national security, force thousands of job losses and further erode the nation's economic viability.

Boeing Delivers Royal Australian Air Force's 5th C-17 Globemaster III

09/15/2011

Boeing today delivered Australia’s fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during a ceremony at the C-17 program’s final assembly facility in Long Beach. A RAAF delegation led by Stephen Smith, Australia’s Minister for Defence, received the country’s latest C-17 at an event also attended by Chief of the Defence Force Gen. David Hurley, Australian Secretary of Defence Duncan Lewis, and U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich.

Lockheed Martin Delivers First F-35 Center Wing Produced In Marietta

09/15/2011

Lockheed Martin’s first F-35 Lightning II center wing produced here is complete and en route to the F-35 final assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas.

U.S. Congress Pushes for Taiwan F-16s With TAMA

09/14/2011

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., introduced the Taiwan Airpower Modernization Act (TAMA) on Sept. 12 for congressional review. The new act is an effort to force the Obama administration to adhere to "obligations" under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act "to provide Taiwan with the military equipment it needs to maintain its self-defense capabilities," said a press release issued by the two senators.

Combat Aircraft Crashes During Evening Training Exercise in Fallon

09/14/2011

In F/A-18A Hornet aircraft attempting to land at NAS Fallon crashed at approximately 1:10 a.m., Tuesday. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft and was treated at Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon for minor injuries.

Military aircraft reported to have crashed off Suhua

09/14/2011

Witnesses last night said they saw what appeared to be two air force aircraft crash into mountains near the 116km section of the Suhua Highway on Taiwan’s east coast. Following the report, the Ministry of Defense sent a search and rescue team to the area.

China Arms Meeting With Gadhafi Officials Raises Questions

09/14/2011

Beijing's admission last week that Chinese defense companies met with representatives of Moammar Gadhafi as recently as July to discuss a possible arms deal has raised questions about the kind of military support China supplied Libya's former ruler.

Boeing Receives US Air Force F-22 Mission Planning System Contract

09/14/2011

The Boeing Company has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide mission planning support for the F-22 Raptor.

How the Gripen engine will increase power

09/13/2011

At the major international aero engine conference ISABE 2011 in Gothenburg today, Volvo Aero will present a number of technical solutions to increase the thrust produced by the RM12 Gripen engine.

"Wikileaks" sources say that Belgium wants to purchase F-35 aircraft

09/13/2011

A news release stated that the Belgian government would be willing to buy F-35 military aircraft: in a meeting held October 16, 2009, defense minister Pieter De Crem had discussed the matter with the US ambassador to Brussels, claiming that despite being late to enter the production process of the aircraft as a partner, Belgium would be interested in purchasing the planes once realised, "Maybe in 2020."

North Korean Jammer Forces Down U.S. Spy Plane

09/13/2011

North Korea, East Asia’s most annoying Stalinist dictatorship, tends to get a little cranky when its neighbor to the South drills with the US military.Usually, that means Pyongyang using its GPS jammers to try and throw a wrench in the exercise.Now, South Korea’s military says the North’s electronic interference has done more than just bug folks trying to get satellite-guided directions to their favorite bibimbap spot.North Korea’s jamming pushed an American military aircraft out of the skies.

Selling F-16s To Taiwan Would Provide Jobs

09/13/2011

Trade up, or upgrade? That's the question when it comes to Taiwan's fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft.And if Sens. John Cornyn (R., Texas) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) have their way, the U.S. will be selling brand-new F-16s to Taiwan, instead of simply upgrading existing ones. The lawmakers today introduced a bill, the Taiwan Airpower Modernization Act, that would require the Obama administration to sell Taiwan 66 new F-16C/D multirole fighter jets, made by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT).

Franco-British deal ruffles allies’ feathers

09/13/2011

When Peter Luff, the UK’s defence equipment minister, spoke to business leaders this summer about the Anglo-French military treaty, the most closely followed part of his speech concerned the future of drone-aircraft. Indeed, the most eye-catching industrial development to emerge from the treaty is an alliance between the UK’s BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation of France, the two countries’ fighter jet manufacturers.

Japan Proceeding with F-X Competition, Official Says

09/13/2011

Japan is apparently proceeding on schedule with the F-X fighter competition, despite the large economic impact of the recent earthquake and tsunami, and a recent government reshuffle. A Ministry of Defense spokeswoman told Bloomberg news agency that a decision is likely by year-end. Requests for proposals were issued to Boeing (for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (for the F-35) and Eurofighter last April. Formal responses are due at the end of this month.

NATO's Intervention In Libya: A New Model?

09/13/2011

NATO planes are still in the air and bombing targets over Libya, and Moammar Gadhafi is still on the loose. Nonetheless, NATO is taking something of a victory lap in the wake of an operation that broke new ground for the military alliance. But the Libyan operation also raised questions about its mission, its future role in such conflicts, and how it determines when to intervene.