Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Nuclear blast in North Korea: A face-saving reason for talks

05/25/2009

The past few days shocked the Korean Peninsula at least twice. Roh Moo Hyun, who served as South Korea's president from 2003 to 2008, jumped from a 100-foot cliff on May 23 while hiking near his home. On May 25, North Korea expressed condolences to South Korea and at the same time announced a successful test of a nuclear weapon.

Bolivia set to order weaponry from Russia

05/25/2009

Bolivia may order weaponry worth several million dollars from Russia in the near future, a deputy foreign minister said on Friday.

Australia to Acquire Eight P-8A Maritime Surveillance Aircraft

05/25/2009

Australia has committed to buy eight Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of an investment of $A5 billion. These aircraft will maintain the capability currently provided by the AP-3C Orion aircraft, when that aircraft is retired in 2018 after 30 years of RAAF service.

Elmendorf to retire F-15s next year

05/24/2009

The Air Force has announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions. This proposal includes the 28-year presence of F-15s at Elmendorf drawing to a close in 2010 when the last of its 24 F-15s depart.

USAF officials announce Combat Air Forces restructure plan

05/23/2009

Following the May 7 roll-out of the fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the Department of Defense, Air Force officials announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions.

How Sri Lanka's military won

05/22/2009

Few believed him when Sri Lanka's powerful defence secretary said he required three years to defeat the once invincible Tamil Tiger rebels.

Boeing B-52 With Combat Network Communications Upgrade Makes 1st Flight

05/22/2009

Boeing today announced the successful first flight of a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a modification that equips the legendary B-52 with 21st-century situational awareness and mission flexibility. The aircraft made the 3.5-hour flight on May 21 from the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita.

Boeing Wins $250M Special Ops Contract for ScanEagle ISR Services

05/22/2009

Boeing announced today that it recently received a contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services using the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The contract has a potential value of $250 million.

Russia freezes warplane contract with Syria

05/21/2009

Russia has put on a hold a contract to deliver MiG-31E Foxhound interceptor-fighters to Syria, a Russian business daily reported on Wednesday, citing defense-industry sources.

Indonesian Military Plane Crashes

05/20/2009

Indonesian officials say a military transport plane crashed into homes and burst into flames Wednesday near an air force base in East Java, killing at least 97 people and injuring more than 10 others.

Boeing to Develop Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Aircraft

05/19/2009

The Boeing Company was awarded a $38 million contract April 27 to develop and test a nonlethal, high power microwave (HPM) airborne demonstrator for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Counter-electronics High power microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP).

Lockheed Martin Awarded Technology Development Contract for F/A-18E/F

05/18/2009

Martin was awarded a $4 million contract by the Boeing Company for the technology development phase of the F/A-18E/F Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program.

Future Of Military Aviation Lies With Drones - US Admiral

05/18/2009

Unmanned aircraft likely represent the future for U.S. military aviation, with next-generation bombers and fighter planes operating without pilots onboard, the top U.S. military officer said Thursday.

The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 “MASTER” makes its first three aircraft formation flight

05/18/2009

The 60-minute flight was made by the two prototypes and LRIP00, representative of the series production configuration, while the M-311 aircraft acted as camera ship.

Israel nuclear programme 'real danger'

05/18/2009

Israel's alleged atomic arsenal poses "the real danger" in the Middle East and not Iran's nuclear programme, Arab League chief Amr Musa said on Sunday.

Zardari seeks US drones 'ownership'

05/14/2009

President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan’s nuclear arms are in safe hands and those foreign governments, which could have apprehensions in this regard, are satisfied with the security situation in the country and with the command and control system that Islamabad already has. The matter of acquisition of technology in order to tackle militancy and terrorism had been taken up in his talks with the US leaders during his visit to Washington and there would be a breakthrough and good news very

Northrop Grumman Highlights Maritime Defence Capabilities At IMDEX Asia 2009, Singapore

05/13/2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will display a range of its maritime defence capabilities and programmes including navigation and ship control systems, landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious ships and the International Patrol Frigate, at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEX), Singapore.

Czech Air Force Acquires C-295 Military Transport Aircraft

05/13/2009

The Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic has signed an agreement for the acquisition of four C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus Military. The agreement extends to logistical support. These aircraft will replace the former fleet of Antonov An-26 aircraft.

India to acquire first AWACS Aircraft

05/13/2009

India is expected to acquire its first Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) next week, officials said on Monday, crowning its drive to achieve air dominance over rival Pakistan.

U.S. buys Su-27 fighters from Ukraine for 'aggressor' training

05/13/2009

The United States has bought two Su-27 Flanker fighter jets to help train U.S. pilots to cope with the growing number of Russian 4th-generation aircraft sold around the globe, a U.S. online magazine said.

Russia to start flight tests of 5th-generation fighter by yearend

05/12/2009

A Russian deputy prime minister said Monday that flight tests of a fifth-generation fighter will start in Russia by the end of 2009.

B-1B makes impact throughout Southwest Asia

05/12/2009

Before late 2008, the B-1B Lancer was known primarily as a bomber, but since then the aircraft was modified to include the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod now provides nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces.

USAF, ROKAF put Max Thunder into full swing

05/12/2009

U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force personnel began the second 7th Air Force-designed Max Thunder bilateral air training exercise here May 7.

Boeing Delivers RAAF C-17 Aircrew Training System

05/11/2009

Boeing has delivered a C-17 Aircrew Training System (ATS) to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), making Australia the first C-17 ATS customer outside the United States.

RSAF gets 4 F-15SG jets

05/09/2009

THE Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has received its first four F-15SG fighter jets, armed with the most advanced air-to-air missiles and the sharpest sensors outside the United States.