Military Aviation News Archive

Making Sense of Sensor Data

01/03/2010

As the U.S. military buys more and more sensors, cameras and surveillance gear, it also is purchasing systems to turn the new data feeds into usable information for soldiers.

Why JTRS Can't Handle UAV Video

01/03/2010

More and more U.S. troops are viewing video feeds directly from UAVs - and that is highlighting what is either poor planning or fresh evidence of how hard it is to anticipate future needs.

86th AW expands U.S. Air Forces Africa support with first Super Hercules flight

01/03/2010

The first C-130J Super Hercules mission in support of U.S. Air Forces Africa, or 17th Air Force, opened up doors to a future partnership of support between the 86th Airlift Wing and upcoming missions into Africa.

Raptors to deploy to Guam

01/02/2010

Fifteen F-22 Raptors are scheduled to deploy to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in January 2010 for approximately three months.

Egypt clinches new F-16s deal

01/01/2010

U.S. Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has clinched a deal to sell at least 20 advanced F-16 jet fighters to Egypt.

Russia to commission new stealth bomber in 2025-2030

01/01/2010

Russia’s new strategic bomber will use stealth technologies and is expected to enter service in 2025-2030, the commander of Russia’s strategic aviation said on Tuesday.

‘It’s India’s decade in aviation’

12/31/2009

India’s capability of building state -of- the art fighter planes and rockets would be put to test in the New Year.Scientists are confident of propelling the country’s aerospace industry into a new orbit in the coming decade.

UK sanctions purchase of third F-35B Joint Strike Fighter news

12/31/2009

Lockheed Martin has announced that the United Kingdom has sanctioned funds for the purchase of its third Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft. The decision, it said, reinforced the UK's continued commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter programme's upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).

Sukhoi delivers two Su-34 bombers to Russian Air Force

12/31/2009

After supplying modernised Su-24M2 bombers, the Sukhoi Company has delivered two Su-34 frontline fighter bombers to the Russian Air Force.

Sukhoi Fighter Starting Flight Tests

12/30/2009

The prototype of Sukhoi’s fifth-generation fighter, known as PAK-FA or T-50, has started taxi trials with an aim to make first flight early in January, industry sources say.

Pilot son lost to MiG-21 crash, father turns to help school he saved

12/30/2009

Flight Lieutenant Manu Akhouri’s greatest passion was flying. As a child, his only toys were planes and helicopters and he would rush out to see aircraft flying past. His father, Colonel Sanjay Akhouri, doesn’t know whether the students in a government school at Bhisiana village of Gidderbaha did the same when Manu’s plane went down nearby on September 10, reportedly as the 24-year-old made his best to ensure he didn’t crash into the building.

Dr M wants Najib to keep MiG-29s

12/29/2009

Dr Mahathir said that with the country’s current economic conditions, he wondered whether the government could afford new acquisitions. He argued that the MiG-29Ns should actually be refurbished as that would be more cost-effective.

MC-12 arrives, heralds activation of 4th ERS

12/28/2009

The newest aircraft to the Air Force's inventory arrived Dec. 27, 2009, to Bagram Airfield. The MC-12 aircraft, tail number 090623, was the first of an undisclosed number of aircraft for the new 4th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here.

'India can manufacture only 8 Light Combat Aircraft a year'

12/28/2009

Despite a pending order from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for 20 light combat aircraft (LCA), India can manufacture only eight such aircraft annually, a senior Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) official has said.

Yak-130 Combat-Trainer Aircraft Successfully Completes Russian State Joint Tests

12/28/2009

The commander-in-chief of the Air Force of Russia Colonel General Alexander Zelin has signed the «Certificate about ending of the state joint tests of a combat-trainer aircraft Yak-130». This document allows operation of Yak-130 aircraft in units of the Air Force of the Russian Federation for training and combat purposes.

Deck not ready yet, navy scouts for aircraft

12/28/2009

The Indian Navy has invited five global makers of combat planes, including the US-led F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, to participate in a competition for deck-based aircraft that it wants to buy.

MMRCA trials to end by April: IAF Chief

12/28/2009

The trials all the six aircraft competing for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal will be completed before April end next year, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik said, according to a media report.

USAF wraps up F-22 tests in Middle East

12/27/2009

The U.S. military wrapped up a war games exercise in the Middle East in the first deployment of the F-22A Raptor, the U.S. Air Force announced.

Egypt Endeavors to Enhance F-16 Engines

12/27/2009

On Dec 18/09, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced [pdf] Egypt’s request to buy parts and services from GE Aircraft Engines, in order to upgrade its most modern F-16s. Egypt wants to upgrade 156 of the F-110-GE-100 engines that power its F-16 C/D Block 40+ fighters through the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). Egypt will also buy transportation services, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, and U.S. Government and contractor te

Russian military to receive Il-476 heavy transport planes in 2012

12/25/2009

The Russian Air Force will start receiving Il-476 heavy transport planes in 2012, the commander of the Russian Air Force's military transport aviation said on Friday.

First Four Lynx Mk9A Helicopters Delivered Just 12 Months After Contract Award

12/24/2009

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first four upgraded Lynx Mk.9A helicopters for the British Army have been delivered, with the fourth aircraft delivered today, just 12 months after contract award.

U.S. Army fires TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Rounds from OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

12/24/2009

The U.S. Army fired two TALON Laser-Guided Rocket guided test vehicle rounds during the Aviation Multi-Platform Munition Demonstration.

Russia could double number of bombers on strategic patrols - general

12/23/2009

The number of strategic bombers performing routine patrols could be doubled if the Russian General Staff makes such a decision, the commander of Russia's strategic aviation said Tuesday.

United Kingdom Announces Approval Of Third F-35B Joint Strike Fighter Purchase

12/23/2009

The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) program has announced that the United Kingdom has received financial approval to purchase its third Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft, reinforcing the U.K.'s continued commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter program's upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).

Boeing Acquires Alenia North America's Interest in Global Aeronautica

12/23/2009

Boeing said today it has acquired Alenia North America's half of Global Aeronautica, LLC, a South Carolina fuselage subassembly facility for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, and is now the sole owner of that entity. Alenia North America is a subsidiary of Italy's Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company.