September 20, 2012 Military Aviation News

Turkish jet shot down by Syrian missile blast: Military prosecutor

09/20/2012

A Turkish F-4 Phantom warplane which crashed into the Mediterranean on June 22 was shot down by a Syrian air defense missile even though the missile did not directly hit the plane, a report by a military prosecutor said today.

US Osprey Military Aircraft Given Safety Clearance To Fly In Japan

09/20/2012

A controversial U.S. military aircraft has been granted permission to begin flight operations at an American base in Japan after the Japanese government declared it safe to fly in the country, saying it has found no basis for thinking the transport aircraft is dangerous.

HBC Completes AT-6 Weapons Assessment In LAS Bid

09/20/2012

Hawker Beechcraft, hoping to bolster its case for the $355 million U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) contract, has completed a weapons assessment that involved the launch of laser-guided rockets and bombs. The Phase III weapons assessment, at Eglin AFB, Fla., involved more than 265 bombs and rockets and 3,000 rounds from AT-6 .50-caliber guns.

News from Eurocopter

09/20/2012

The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a further major step forward when Eurocopter handed over its first Puma Mk2 aircraft to MOD. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly from Oxford into QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility where it will support trials.

Throw some CH-53Ds on it: the history of the Sea Stallion

09/20/2012

After more than 40 years of service, the Marine Corps retired the aging CH-53D heavy lift helicopter after it completed its final combat operation in Afghanistan last month. The CH-53D Sea Stallion supported the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by providing assault support transport of heavy equipment, combat troops, and supplies, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.

China Offers Glimpse Of Another New Stealth Fighter

09/20/2012

Ahead of high-profile talks in China by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, there was a high-impact leak. Photos emerged of a second Chinese stealth fighter jet — one that had been rumored but never seen before. The J31, as analysts call it, shows how fast China is moving.

Russian 'Super-Holding' to Build Hypersonic Missile

09/20/2012

Russia will set up an aerospace "super-holding" company consisting of missile makers NPO Mashinostroyenie and Tactical Missiles Corporation to develop hypersonic weapon technology, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday. "Initially, we are talking about a big 'super-holding' based on Tactical Missiles Corporation and NPO Mashinostroyenie," said Rogozin, who oversees Russia's military-industrial complex.

19 Russian Firms Take Part in South African Arms Show

09/20/2012

Some 19 Russian defense companies led by state-owned hi-tech conglomerate Rostechnologii will showcase their products at an arms show in South Africa this week. The Africa Aerospace & Defense arms show is held on September 19-23 at the Waterkloof airbase near Pretoria.

Russian Military to Receive 2nd Batch of Pantsir-S Systems

09/20/2012

Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces will receive the second batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems by November this year, the Defense Ministry said. Pantsir-S is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system designed to protect point and area targets. The Russian military took delivery of the first batch (more than 10 units) in 2011.

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