Military aviation
3,267 news found

Military aviationFirst F-15E simulators connected to USAF's training network
St. Louis, USA - Three bases will be linked by the end of the year
The connection of the first F-15E Mission Training Center (MTC) simulators at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to the US Air Force's (USAF) Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON) has been completed.... more

Military aviationThailand delays retirement of its F-5s
Bangkok, Thailand - They will be replaced with new Saab Gripens
The Thai Air Force announced that they will delay the retirement of their Northrop F-5 fighters, that will be replaced with new Saab JAS-39 Gripens. The purchase deal of the new aircraft had been signed... more

Military aviationUS Senate committee asks to build new F-22s
Washington, USA - The battle for survival of this fighter continues
Following the House of Representatives, also the US Senate Armed Services Committee voted (13-11) a bill to insert in the military budget for 2010 a $1.75 billion funding for the production of seven more... more

Military aviationRussian Su-24s back to flight
Moscow, Russia - Following recent incidents they had been grounded for 10 days
The Russian Air Force stated that the 10-day suspension of the operations of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft has ended. The decision to ground them had been taken following two recent accidents involving... more

Military aviationIsraeli F-16 fighters practise shooting down UAVs
Tel Aviv, Israel - High concern about this kind of intrusions
The Israeli Air Force is carrying on a series of exercises to develop its capability to shoot down unmanned air vehicles (UAV) that might be launched in the Jewish country's airspace by guerrilla, such... more

Military aviationScramble order for two Italian Eurofighters to intercept Nigerian aircraft
Grosseto, Italy - The Gulfstream IV escorted out of the national borders
At 4:50 am local time two Eurofighter aircraft of the Italian Air Force 4th Wing of Grosseto took off to intercept a Nigerian military airplane - a Nigerian Air Force Gulfstream IV - that was flying from... more

Military aviationItalian Air Force's 4th Wing of Grosseto certified "Quick Response Force" by NATO
Grosseto, Italy - After the evaluation of the flight squadron's operational readiness
Italian Air Force's 4th Wing of Grosseto has achieved NATO's "Quick Response Force" certification following a period of evaluation lasted from June 10 to 19. Aim of the operation was to certify the Wing's... more

Military aviationA-400M: governments grant only one more month
Sevilla, Spain - France and Germany's mediation failed for six further months
France and Germany's mediation to grant Airbus, subsidiary of the EADS consortium, further six months to renegotiate the terms of the contract for the military A-400M airlifter (see AVIONEWS) has failed.... more

Military aviationNo US Global Hawk aircraft in the Italian Sigonella's base
Sigonella, Italy - Confirmed optimal capabilities of the 41st Wing to support future NATO's activities
"Following to the recent journalistic reports and press articles, realized by national and local newspapers about the eventual US presence of Global Hawk aircraft on Sigonella (Catania) base, it is specified... more

Military aviationUAE-Dassault: Rafale deal by the end of the year?
Paris, France - Moderate trust expressed by the French manufacturer
After receiving the technical and operational requirements for the Rafale by the United Arab Emirates (UAE, see AVIONEWS), French manufacturer Dassault expressed its trust in the possibility to reach an... more

Military aviationUnited Arab Emirates supplied their requirements to France for the Rafale
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - While financial talks go on
Everything still has to be decided on the purchase of the French Dassault Rafale multirole fighter by the United Arab Emirates, starting from the number of aircraft to be bought. The contract might become... more

Military aviationThe F-22 programme might be saved
Washington, USA - If the Congress will approve a bill for the production of further 12 stealth fighters
Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor project might receive an unexpected aid following yesterday's decision by the House Armed Services Committee that voted, after 16 hours of discussions, a bill for the production... more

Military aviationBoeing confirms its commitment to develop the F-15 Silent Eagle
Paris, France - The announcement during the "Paris Air Show 2009"
Boeing will dedicate funding to further development of the F-15 Silent Eagle program, with the goal of a flight demonstration in the third quarter of 2010. The announcement came at the "Paris Air Show... more

Military aviationUSD 432 million incentive for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
Bethpage, USA - For the supply of four LRIP aircraft and the relative services
Northrop Grumman Corporation's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program has received a fixed-price, incentive fee contract award from the U.S. Navy valued at $432 million. The contract, which includes two Low-Rate... more

Military aviationSaudi Arabia took delivery of the first two Eurofighters
London, UK - The deal includes a total of up to 72 aircraft
Saudi Arabia now has its Eurofighter Typhoon. In a ceremony held last week at BAE Systems facilities in Warton, England, the two aircraft have been delivered to the Arab kingdom in presence of aviation... more

Military aviationThe A-400M is still vital for France
Paris, France - Prime minister Francois Fillon's statements at "Paris Air Show 2009"
Despite the strong delays suffered by the program, France confirmed its total belief about the importance of the A-400M built by EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). Deliveries are almost... more

Military aviationThe F-22 will not be showcased at "Paris Air Show"
Paris, France - USAF cancelled its fighter's participation due to availability reasons
The US Air Force (USAF) cancelled the participation of the stealth F-22 Raptor fighter to "Paris Air Show 2009", Paris-Le Bourget from June 15 to 21. The official reason given by Lockheed Martin's spokesman,... more

Military aviationCarrier suitability tests for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
Bethpage, USA - To verify its landing and takeoff capabilities from a ship's flight deck
The first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft has flown to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, in Maryland, to begin the next phase of testing in preparation for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in... more

Military aviationEADS granted further six months for the A-400M
Paris, France - Deal between the consortium and the governments of France and Germany
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) consortium has been granted further six months by the governments of France and Germany, among the most reluctant to carry on with this expensive and... more

Military aviationBoeing gets USAF contract for A-10 systems
St. Louis, USA - The Air Force will invest up to $1.6 billion
Boeing has been awarded a four-year US Air Force contract to sustain the A-10 Thunderbolt II weapon system and integrate current and future upgrades into the aircraft’s avionics, mechanical and structural s... more

Military aviationF-35s for Norway
Oslo, Norway - The parliament voted to allow discussions
It will be Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter the new Norwegian fighter aircraft. Oslo's parliament made its final choice, allowing discussions for this airplane that matched its... more

Military aviationEurofighter: Germany and UK hesitate
London, UK - Berlin will probably carry out the order. Doubts for London
The governments of Germany and UK are considering the possibility to an early interruption of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, signed together with Spain and Italy. However, while Berlin is understood... more

Military aviationItalian Air Force in Turin for the "World Air Games 2009"
Rome, Italy - The AMI provides necessary support to the flight competitions from June 6-13
"The Italian Air Force (AMI) is present at 'World Air Games 2009' in Turin, on going from June 6 to 13, with pilots and airplanes of Gliding centre of AMI in Guidonia (Rome), specialized for towing sailplanes... more

Military aviationJapan insists on F-22s
Tokyo, Japan - Despite US pressure for F-35s
Japan is asking again to the US to sell their F-22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft for its defense needs. The USA are reluctant on selling such an advanced technology, even if Japan is one of America's... more

Military aviationNew bombs for the B-2A
Washington, USA - Highly penetrating explosive devices to hit bunkers
The US Air Force (USAF) will equip its stealth Northrop Grumman B-2A bombers with a new generation of penetrator bombs, designed to hit armoured bunkers several meters underground. After years of studies... more

Military aviationFirst Super Hornet Block II trainers delivered
St.Louis, USA - To the US Navy
Boeing and L-3 have delivered four Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Tactical Operation Flight Trainers (TOFT) to the US Navy and declared them "Ready for Training". Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia,... more

Military aviationSix Brazilian Super Tucanos to Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala - To fight drug traffickers
Guatemala is going to get Six Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucanos financed with Brazilian funds for an overall value of $99 million. The deal has been reached for a 12-year loan to supply the country with new... more

Military aviationEgyptian pilots visit Italian Air Force 37th Wing in Trapani
Trapani, Italy - Within Italy-Egypt 2009 bilateral cooperation plan
Last week two Egyptian Air Force pilots visited Italian Air Force 37th Wing base in Trapani. The visit took place within Italy-Egypt 2009 bilateral cooperation plan. The two pilots were lieutenant colonel... more

Military aviationSultanate of Oman buys C-130J Super Hercules
Marietta, USA - It's the 11th country to acquire this aircraft model
The Sultanate of Oman bought from Lockheed Martin a C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft, to be delivered in mid-2012, is in the longer C-130J-30 configuration. "The C-130J is ideally suited to the operating... more

Military aviationAlso the second Boeing P-8A takes off
Seattle, USA - The US Navy will buy 117 of these aircraft
Also the second Boeing P-8A Poseidon, T2, painted in US Navy's livery, completed its first flight. T1's commissioning took place on April 25 (see AVIONEWS). The flight plan for T2 included a flyby of... more

Military aviationFirst FSTA tanker destined to the UK completes maiden flight
Toulouse, France - The special Airbus A-330/200 will be delivered in 2011
AirTanker (a consortium of Cobham, EADS, Rolls-Royce, Thales UK and VT Group) succesfully completed the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft's (FSTA) maiden flight, in accordance with the requirements of the... more

Military aviationThe Venezuelan President announces Mirage 50's retirement
Caracas, Venezuela - The updating version of the Mirage 5
The Venezuelan President has announced yesterday the final retirement of Mirage 50 EV/DV airplanes of the Aviacion Militar Nacional Bolivariana that have operated with the Grupo Aereo de Caza n°11 El... more

Military aviationLockheed Martin will produce 17 F-35s in the third production lot
Forth Worth, USA - Under a $2.1 billion contract
Lockheed Martin announced yesterday that the United States Department of Defense has awarded it a $2.1 billion contract modification to produce 17 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters in the third lot of... more

Military aviationLockheed Martin and AFRL complete Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft tests
Palmdale, USA - Based on a Dornier 328J
Lockheed Martin and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) yesterday successfully conducted the initial demonstration flight of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA). This flight marks the final and... more

Military aviationNew refuelling system for A-330 MRTT aircraft
Madrid, Spain - Flight tests completed with a Spanish F/A-18A+ fighter
Airbus Military's, EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), A-330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) aircraft has completed another major milestone performing successfully a series of dry... more

Military aviationMalaysia to retire its MiG-29 fighters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Due to the problems that the aircraft had through the years
Malaysia is going to gradually retire its fleet of MiG-29 fighters in the next 5 years. The decision has been taken by the defence ministry of Kuala Lumpur due to the problems suffered by these type of... more

Military aviationIndia: MMRCA fighters' evaluation complete
New Delhi, India - Getting ready for following test phase
Indian Air Force (IAF) is carrying on operations to chose its new medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA). The technical evaluation report has been sent to New Delhi's ministry of defence. The six contenders,... more

Military aviationRussia to upgrade its military air transport fleet
Moscow, Russia - It will purchase new aircraft starting in 2012
Russia will start to purchase new military air transport aircraft starting in 2012, while upgraded versions of the Il-76, An-22 and An-124 will stay in service for 20-30 years more, 61st Air Army commander... more

Military aviationRussia extends air base lease in Kyrgyzstan
Kant, Kyrgyzstan - For 49 years with automatic renewal after every 25
The Russian government approved an agreement for a 49-year lease of Kant air base, Kyrgyzstan, with automatic renewal every 25 years. This replaces the previous contract that included the lease for a period... more

Military aviationDassault's Rafale might be allowed back in Indian race for new MMRCAs
New Delhi, India - For the supply of 126 aircraft to the country's Air Force
Dassault's Rafale might be allowed back into the $10 billion race for Indian Air Force's (IAF) new MMRCA fighters (Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft), after news that the French aircraft might be excluded... more

Military aviationBoeing and Eurofighter to race for Canadian new fighters
Ottawa, Canada - They will contend the contract to Lockheed Martin
Boeing and Eurofighter are going to race with Lockheed Martin for the new Canadian air force fighters that should be delivered starting in 2017. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Typhoon will challenge F-35 Joint... more

Military aviationThe first Indian AWACS enters into service
New Delhi, India - A tripartite project with Russia and Israel
The first Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) today entered into service after a commissioning ceremony in presence of IAF chief, Marshal Fali Homi Major. The aircraft... more

Military aviationThree Boeing KC-767J tankers to Japan
Tokyo, Japan - Two scheduled for delivery to Italy by the end of the year
Boeing announced yesterday that three KC-767J aerial refuelling tankers recently achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been placed in an active air wing in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force... more

Military aviationUSAF might extend F-15 fighters' lifetime
Washington, USA - To face the transition to F-22 and F-35s
The US Air Force (USAF) is performing a series of tests on F-15C/D/E fighter aircraft to establish if it would be possible to extend their lifetime with a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). To date... more

Military aviationSwiss air force to train in France
Berne, Switzerland - A joint campaign
Within the cooperation on the joint training between French and Swiss air forces, from May 25 to June 5 the French island of Corsica (near the city of Solenzara), units of the two countries will spend... more

Military aviationFirst flight for a B-52 with CONECT technology
Wichita, USA - An upgrade for the legendary bomber
Boeing completed 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... more

Military aviationThe first Phalcon AWACS arrives in India
Jamnagar, India - A tripartite project with Russia and Israel
The first Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Phalcon, destined to the Indian Air Force (IAF), arrived in India this morning at 11:35 am local time (6:05 GMT) at Jamnagar base. It landed escorted... more

Military aviationBoeing will produce and test DT systems for the Super Hornet
St.Louis, USA - Within the upgrade programme of the F/A-18E/F
The Boeing Company announced today it has received a $48.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy for development and testing of a Distributed Targeting (DT) system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter. The... more

Military aviationBoeing gets contract for USAF's sat communication systems
Arlington, USA - To go on with the supply of the Combat Track II
Boeing today announced that it has received a $3.4 million follow-on contract to provide the US Air Force with 46 additional Combat Track II airborne satellite communications systems. These can be installed... more

Military aviationRussia suspends fighter aircraft contract with Syria
Moscow, Russia - Due to Damascus's economical problems
Russia is understood to have suspended a $500 million contract with Syria for the delivery of MiG-31E Foxhound interceptor fighter aircraft to Syria, signed in 2007. The "Kommersant" newspaper reported... more