March 16, 2011 Military Aviation News

Japan Needs Its Own Berlin Airlift

03/16/2011

Right now, helicopters are needed most. With roads, airports, and ports washed away or clogged with debris, the only way to reach many of the affected areas is by helicopter. Yet Japan now has barely 100 military helicopters engaged in relief efforts. The United States should start sending all of its heavy-lift helicopters in Japan and South Korea to northern Japan. Similarly, the Air Force should dramatically ramp up the number of C-17s bringing in supplies to Misawa Air Base, so that supplies

Qaddafi's Helicopters Pose Unique Challenge

03/16/2011

Senior U.S. military officials believe that Libyan strongman Muammar el-Qaddafi’s Russian-made attack helicopters -- and not his warplanes -- pose the biggest challenge to the creation of a no-fly zone over the war-torn country, a policy option drawing increasing support in both Arab and Western capitals.

V-22 Osprey: A Marine’s best friend

03/16/2011

The V-22 Osprey, an innovative aircraft that combines the best of both helicopter and airplane, was one of the programs under consideration. In combat conditions, the Osprey could move our Marines in and out of battle safer and faster than any of the helicopter options available then or even on the drawing board. It was clear that for the force of the future, an aircraft with game-changing capabilities was the smart choice. The decision to proceed with this forward-looking program was, and remai

Africa arms imports up: SIPRI

03/16/2011

Africa's share of international major conventional weapons imports increased from 5% in 2001–2005 to 7% in 2006–10. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) adds the Middle East accounted for 17% of imports over the same period, down from 21% in the years 2001–2005.

Here's Why A No-Fly Zone Might Not Really Change Anything In Libya

03/16/2011

The world's opinion-makers, in both government and media, seem to have settled on the idea that imposing a "no-fly zone" over Libya would be a good idea for all concerned. Not everyone has jumped on this bandwagon yet, but it seems to be the most popular option under discussion by those advocating "doing something" about the situation in Libya.

U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Reaffirm Commitment To F-35

03/16/2011

The much maligned F-35 program recently received a vote of confidence from two of its three major constituencies, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. A revised interservice agreement between the two envisions the procurement of 680 F-35s. The Navy will buy 260 F-35Cs, specifically designed for carrier operations. The Marines will buy a mix: 80 F-35Cs and 340 short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) F-35Bs.

Some JSFs Return to Flying, Others Remain Grounded

03/16/2011

Seven test versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) have been cleared to resume flight testing, but others remain grounded while investigators work to determine why one aircraft's primary generators failed last week, the program's top official told Congress March 15.

Indian Defence Minister Resisting U.S. Lobbying on $ 10 bn Fighter Aircraft Deal

03/16/2011

India’s defence minister A.K.Antony is reported to be resisting American attempts to use an Indo-U.S. Strategic dialogue as a lobbying point to sell American warplanes in the $10 billion MMRCA deal.

All Articles