February 28, 2013 Military Aviation News

CSAF discusses impact of sequester

02/28/2013

America's military superiority is founded on training and readiness, and the fiscal crisis facing the country threatens to strip away that edge, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress Feb. 26.

Cancel JSF program involvement: Greens

02/28/2013

The federal government should scrap its involvement in the $US570 billion ($A560 billion) US joint strike fighter (JSF) program, the Australian Greens say. Australia is considering whether to buy up to 100 of the F-35 fighters from the US. It has so far purchased two and deferred the acquisition of the next tranche of 12 for two years.

US supremo says Joint Strike Fighters for Australia on schedule

02/28/2013

The senior US military officer in charge of the controversial Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program says Australia will receive JSF aircraft on schedule at a cost of about $US90 million ($A88.42 million) each. Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan said Australia's plan was to declare initial operational capability with 12 JSFs in 2020.

Japan Retains Confidence in F-35 Fighter, Defense Chief Says

02/28/2013

Japan is confident Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT)’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will overcome its development setbacks and expects to accept an initial order of four planes on schedule in 2016, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said. “Problems tend to occur when a plane is in development,” Onodera said today in an interview at his office in Tokyo. “We have heard nothing from the U.S. to say there will be a delay. We think the end result will be a good product.”

Battle Creek's air show still on despite military cuts

02/28/2013

As other airshows are canceled, preparations continue for Battle Creek’s high flying summer festival. “Its business as normal,” said Barbara Haluszka, executive director of Battle Creek’s Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. “Even without the (U.S. Air Force) Thunderbirds, we will still have an event.”

No Middlemen in Military Contracts: Russia

02/28/2013

Asserting that middlemen in defence deals provide "extra potential" for corruption, Russia, one of India's biggest defence partners, has said there should be no role for such people when military contracts are being negotiated and signed. The remarks by Russia came amidst a ranging controversy over alleged kickbacks and role of middlemen in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal with an Italian firm Finmeccanica.

EADS Profit Soars 19 Percent for 2012

02/28/2013

European Aeronautic Defense & Space, the parent company of Airbus, reported on Wednesday a 19 percent increase in net profit for 2012, propelled by sales of commercial jets and helicopters, while its military business continued to struggle as budget pressures squeezed U.S. and European defense spending.

Pilot error on Sunwing flight caused CF-18 fighter jets to scramble

02/28/2013

Pilot error was the reason two Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jets scrambled to intercept a Sunwing Airlines flight near Quebec City, after the Toronto-bound aircraft lost contact with air traffic control for more than an hour, a CTV News investigation has learned. The jets were under the command of NORAD, the military command responsible for the defence of North American airspace.

$427 million military plane manufacturing contract includes Jacksonville

02/28/2013

The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a $427 million contract to a Nevada plane manufacturer for construction of military aircraft in Jacksonville. Sierra Nevada Corp. of Sparks, Nev., partnered with Brazilian plane maker Embraer to build fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force in 2011. A Defense Department contract awarded to Sierra Nevada was voided last year in a dispute over the bidding process with Hawker Beechcraft for the plane contract.

Spending cuts mean Congress is grounded from military planes

02/28/2013

Members of Congress will not be allowed to travel by military aircraft once the forced spending cuts set to take effect on Friday kick in, House Speaker John Boehner told Republican members at a meeting Wednesday afternoon.

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