Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Expects to Lose Billions in Arms Exports to Libya

03/05/2011

While Libya is still struck by increasingly intense fighting between Muammar Gaddafi’s forces and those who protest against his regime, countries which had been trading with Libya before the uprising began are also looking at the developments with a crying eye. Besides those countries that partly rely on oil supplies from Libya or suffer from effects on the global markets, this also includes Russia.

Russian fighter jet designer Simonov dies at 81

03/05/2011

Mikhail Simonov, the former chief designer at the Sukhoi aircraft design bureau who was known as the father of the Su-27 family of fighter jets, died on Friday aged 81.

Air Force unveils 1st airborne early warning plane

03/04/2011

The South Korean Air Force’s first airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-737 Peace Eye, has been unveiled at Boeing’s factory in Seattle.

New Details On China's J-20 Fighter Provide More Nuanced View Of Threat

03/04/2011

Aerospace experts scrutinizing images of the Chinese J-20 fighter that first began appearing on the internet in late December have developed a more nuanced view of the plane's features than what was available in early reports. Although the J-20 resembles the outline of the stealthy F-22 Raptor when viewed head-on in its forward aspect, the plane clearly lacks many of the features that make Raptor the most capable air-to-air combat system in history.

Airbus Military completes A400M full scale fatigue tests for EASA certification

03/04/2011

Airbus Military has successfully completed the number of required simulated flight-cycles on a full scale test airframe to achieve civil type certification of the A400M by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The test programme is required to simulate flights at least one year ahead of the actual operations performed by the aircraft.

U.S. Military Aircraft to Aid Egyptians Leaving Libya

03/04/2011

President Barack Obama announced today he has approved the use of U.S. military aircraft to help Egyptians who have fled to the Tunisian border get back home to Egypt.

Russia tests 2nd prototype of fifth-generation fighter

03/04/2011

A second prototype of the Russian fifth-generation T-50 fighter successfully conducted its maiden flight on Thursday, the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer said.

China's military modernization

03/03/2011

China says it needs to upgrade its outmoded forces and that its plans are not a threat to any country, pointing out its defense budget is far lower than the United States.

Japan sends jets as China planes near disputed islands

03/03/2011

Japan says it scrambled jets after two Chinese military aircraft flew close to disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Sikorsky to make helicopters in India for local, overseas markets

03/03/2011

US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. plans to design and manufacture civilian and military helicopters in India for the local and Asia-Pacific market in four years, the first time a foreign aircraft company will use the country’s aerospace know-how to make choppers for the overseas market.

Top Marine vows to oversee embattled fighter jet program under congressional scrutiny

03/03/2011

The Marine Corps' top leader is vowing to personally oversee the embattled effort to replace its aircraft with the F-35B fighter jet that's being scrutinized by budget-cutting lawmakers.

Lockheed Martin And Bristow Helicopters Australia Team For Helicopter Aircrew Training System

03/03/2011

Lockheed Martin and Bristow Helicopters Australia, an affiliated company of Bristow Group Inc. [NYSE: BRS], today announced a partnership to offer a complete training solution to the Australian Defence Force for its Project Air 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) requirement.

Bell Boeing-built V-22 Osprey Fleet Surpasses 100,000 Flight Hours

03/03/2011

The Boeing Company and Bell Helicopter today applauded the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) announcement that the Bell Boeing-built V-22 Osprey fleet has surpassed 100,000 flight hours. The milestone arrived on Feb. 10 during a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey combat mission in Afghanistan.

IAF raises new squadron of SU-30 warplanes in NE

03/02/2011

Augmenting its strike capabilities along the Chinese border in the north-east, Indian Air Force (IAF) today raised a new squadron of its frontline Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the air base here. "102 squadron of Sukhoi-30 multi-role fighter aircraft was raised today at Chabua air base. This is the second Sukhoi squadron to be deployed in the north-eastern region after Tezpur air base," an IAF spokesperson said here.

Seoul accelerates stealth fighter program

03/02/2011

South Korea is accelerating moves to purchase a high-end fleet of stealth fighter jets to counter North Korea’s asymmetrical threats and keep pace with neighboring countries seeking to secure their own radar-evading combat aircraft.

With an eye on China, India steps up defence spending

03/01/2011

India increased annual defence spending by about 11.6 percent on Monday, aiming to overhaul the military to counter the rapidly growing capabilities of giant neighbour China.

Hawker Beechcraft to Highlight Commercial Aircraft and Military Trainer at Avalon

03/01/2011

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it will display a Hawker 4000 business jet, a King Air 350i turboprop, a Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and its T-6C military trainer, next week, March 1-6, at the 2011 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (Avalon) in Geelong, Victoria.

UK, Germany fly secret rescue missions into Libya

03/01/2011

British and German military planes swooped into Libya’s desert, rescuing hundreds of oil workers and civilians stranded at remote sites yesterday, as thousands of other foreigners remained stuck in Tripoli by bad weather and red tape.

IDEX: Partnership to bring Predator to the UAE

03/01/2011

General Atomics and the UAE's International Golden Group are working together to supply the Predator XP unmanned system to meet the surveillance needs of the UAE Government.

EADS Loss of U.S. Tanker Deal Threatens Plan to Reduce Airbus Jet Exposure

02/28/2011

European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co.’s rejection for a $35 billion U.S. tanker contract threatens its goal to cut reliance on commercial aircraft and may force it to seek acquisitions at home to build up defense operations.

Royal Air Force airlifts 150 in second Libya rescue

02/28/2011

Three RAF Hercules aircraft have rescued a further 150 people - including 20 Britons - from the Libyan desert, the defence secretary has said. One plane suffered minor damage after coming under small-arms fire, the Ministry of Defence has since revealed.

Sweden to base military aircraft in Malta

02/28/2011

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.

Iran launches production of latest fighter

02/27/2011

Iran launched a project to produce the latest national fighter, Iran's air force deputy commander, Mohammad Reza Karshaki, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.

British military planes in daring Libya desert rescue

02/27/2011

Two British military C-130 aircraft swooped into strife-torn Libya on Saturday and evacuated more than 150 foreign nationals from remote camps in the desert, the defence minister said.

Russia confirms plans to supply Syria with Yakhont missiles

02/27/2011

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Saturday Russia has not dropped its plans to supply Syria with Yakhont missiles.