Military aviation
3,236 news found
Military aviationNew upgrade for Yakoklev Yak-130 trainer jet
Moscow, Russia - "Increasing its combat potential allows it to be potentially used in action"
Irkut, the well-known Russian aircraft-maker (the same which produces the popular Su-27 interceptor family), has declared it will upgrade the sensor-package of its latest release, the Yakoklev Yak-130... more
Military aviationUSAF plans to replace its AC-130 gunships (VIDEO)
London, United Kingdom - More technology, less pure firepower
During the Farnborough exhibition (London, 9-15 July), the US Air Force reported it signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to add a precision strike package to the new MC-130J to create a new gunship,... more
Military aviation"Farnborough International Air Show": Super Hornet aircraft receive new AESA radar
London, United Kingdom - This upgrade will improve both the Super Hornets and the aging Hornets
Boeing continues to make announcements at the "Farnborough International Air Show". In particular, Airbus Military declared it is going to upgrade almost the entire fleet of F/A-18E/F Block 2 Super Hornet... more
Military aviation"Farnborough International Air Show": Oman chooses General Electric for F-16 fighter aircraft
London, United Kingdom - "This follow-on buy is indicative of the confidence in the F110 engine"
Muscat has selected the General Electric F110-GE-129D for the 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D it ordered in 2011. The decision was made on Tuesday at the "Farnborough International Air Show" in London, July... more
Military aviationJapan orders first F-35 aircraft batch
Tokyo, Japan - A vote of confidence from Tokyo
Tokyo has agreed to order a first batch of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft despite recent concerns about deliveries and costs. A first batch of four aircraft has been ordered by Japan which has confirmed... more
Military aviationEurofighter Typhoon impresses F-22 Raptor pilots
Eielson, Alaska - The aircraft dogfighted during the Red Flag exercise
Can a fourth generation fighter such as the Eurofighter Typhoon play some kind of role inside a modern combat scenario? Can this fighter face and defeat a fifth generation stealth fighter such as the F-35... more
Military aviationTwo RAF Tornado aircraft crash off the Scottish coast
Mornay Firth, United Kingdom - Two persons have been already picked up by the coast guard
Two Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado aircraft crashed today 03/07/2012 off the Scottish coast. "We are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR4 from RAF Lossiemouth -declared a RAF spokesperson in condition... more
Military aviationIndonesian President will ask to Australia grant five C-130 aircraft
Darwin, Australia - They will be used to replace the outdated Fokker F-27 fleet
According to the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Asian country is about to close a deal for the grant of five C-130 transport aircraft with Australia. The president communicated shortly... more
Military aviationSweden upgrades its Saab Gripen fighter fleet
Stockholm, Sweden - "Upgrades make the Gripen a state-of-the-art fighter"
Sweden has signed a contract with Saab (around 520 million dollars) to continue supporting operations with the Gripen fighters of the Swedish Air Force. The agreement is expected to end in 2016. This... more
Military aviationBoeing and Embraer will collaborate on the KC-930 aircraft project
São José dos Campos , Brazil - The two firms will share technical knowledge and market evaluations
Boeing and Embraer signed a collaboration deal about the development programme of the medium-size military transport aircraft KC-390. This is not the first deal between the two firms, which had already... more
Military aviationBoeing: F-15 Silent Eagle aircraft ready for Korea
Washington, USA - CWB tests successfully completed
Boeing has completed most of the tests for its F-15 Silent Eagle aircraft, the latest version of the popular fourth-generation multi-role fighter. The latest test was the wind tunnel for the conformal... more
Military aviationElbit Systems to upgrade South Korean C-130 aircraft
Tel Aviv, Israel - "We hope this new contract with Seoul will create the potential for additional deals"
Elbit Systems, the well-known Israeli hi-tech company which produces the Hermes class drone aircraft, has been awarded a 62 million dollar contract do upgrade the South Korea's fleet of Lockheed Martin... more
Military aviationTejas aircraft undergoes flight trials and firing tests
Pokhran, India - "It is a major modern light combat aircraft that have been contracted for induction into IAF"
The indigenous Tejas single-engine single-seat lightweight fighter aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is currently undergoing flight trials and firing tests. Tests are operated... more
Military aviationLockheed, Boeing and Eurofighter place formal bids for Seoul fighter aircraft tender
Seoul, South Korea - A decision should be made by October
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and the Eurofighter European consortium have placed official bidding documents to South Korea for the F-X III 60 aircraft competitive tender. The tender will select the aircraft... more
Military aviationRussian Air Force purchases 10 MiG-31BM aircraft and 2 Mi-26 helicopters
Moscow, Russia - Orders could involve up to another 50 models of the same fighter
The Russian Air Force's Central Military District will receive its first 10 MiG-31BM interceptor fighter aircraft this year, as declared today 18/06/2012 by the District's press office. The delivery... more
Military aviationUS Marine Corps hopes to receive first F-35B aircraft squadron in November
Bethesda, USA - Lockheed Martin receives funds to proceed with the production
Lockheed Martin has been assigned a US Department of Defence contract worth $490 million to purchase materials and components for the production series of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. This... more
Military aviationNorway purchases its first two F-35 aircraft of a total of 52
Oslo, Norway - The other ones will be delivered over the next few years
The minister of Defence of Norway Espen Barth Eide announced today, 15/06/2012, the purchase of the first two F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft of a total of 52, thanks to the parliament's support,... more
Military aviationJapanese citizens balk at US Osprey aircraft deployment
Iwakuni, Japan - A history of mechanical failures follow the well-known tactical tilt-rotor
The Iwakuni major, together with Iwakuni citizens (a Japanese town), have expressed safety concerns about the deployment of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in the city's American airbase. First concerns... more
Military aviationMedvedev: "An-70 aircraft will be manufactured in Kazan facility"
Moscow, Russia - Russian Army will buy 60 models by 2020
Russian minister of defense Anatoly Serdyukov, after a meeting organized to discuss strategic aviation issues, declared to journalists that the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev decided to entrust the Kazan... more
Military aviationQantas Defence deliveries last A-330 MRTT aircraft conversion
Brisbane, Australia - The Australian brand will also provide maintenance services
QDS, Qantas Defence Services, has completed the fourth and final Airbus Military A-330 MRTT conversion (Multi Role Tanker Transport) which is set to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force "The... more
Military aviationPhoto of the month: formation flight of five A-400M airplanes
Madrid, Spain - Each aircraft continued its specific flight test activity
At the unique occasion of having the five Airbus Military A-400M flight test aircraft in Toulouse all at the same time, the Airbus Military Flight Test team put in place a formation flight including all... more
Military aviationThe US Air Force is facing aging aircraft issues
Washington, USA - "Despite the challenges we face, we are the world's best"
"The US Air Force is facing challenges because it has not succeeded in modernizing its fleet to anywhere near the degree it needs to, so the fleet is getting old", said a defense analyst of the Lexington... more
Military aviationRussia delivered last Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft to Uganda
Moscow, Russia - They will replace the aged MiG-21 fleet
Russian arms export agency Rosboronexport has declared it delivered the last Sukhoi 30MK2 fighter aircraft to Uganda. The Russian firm added that it signed a preliminary agreement with Uganda in April... more
Military aviationRoyal Australian Air Force receives its last AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft
Sydney, Australia - Initial operational capability expected later in 2012
The Royal Australian Air Force has received its sixth Boeing Wedgetail AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft. The airplane is based on the Boeing 737 airframe. The Wedgetail can track... more
Military aviationRussian Aviation plans renewal of its fleet
Moscow, Russia - "Purchases of foreign equipment do not interest us"
Russian Military Transport Aviation (VTA) is planning a sweeping renewal of its fleet, as service's commander Lt. Gen. Viktor Kachalkin declared to the Russian press agency "Ria Novosti". "From... more
Military aviationBoeing delivers first Bangalore-equipped Growler electronic warfare fighter aircraft to the US Navy
Washington, Usa - New cockpit floodlighting by Bharat Electronics Limited
Today May 30, 2012, Boeing delivered to the US Navy the first EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft with a cockpit subassembly produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (Bangalore). The subassembly provides... more
Military aviationAircraft and technology: Marks Gunzinger against the Super Hornet
Washington, USA - Analysis of the 4th generation aircraft limits related to modern scenarios
As previously said, the new Super Hornet fighter-bomber fleet upgrade has already started some controversies which see fifth generation aircraft as the only solution for the US Air Force renewal process. Mark... more
Military aviationBoeing develops Super Hornet aircraft upgrade
Washington, USA - New infrared camera integrated into the centerline station fuel tank
The Super Hornet, the latest version of the well-know US Navy F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighter aircraft, is going to be upgraded again. The new hardware is currently being developed at a Boeing facility. In... more
Military aviationThe last Boeing C-17 aircraft purchased by the RAF arrives in the UK
Brize Norton, United Kingdom - Fundamental for airbridge with Afghanistan
The last Boeing C-17 aircraft of the eight purchased by the UK Royal Air Force was unveiled today at the RAF Brize Norton base (Oxfordshire), at the presence of the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. A... more
Military aviationSouth Korea to announce in October its military aircraft and helicopters contractors
Seoul, South Korea - Among others, in competition also Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Eurocopter
South Korea government, through the military acquisition programme's spokesperson, announced that the choice regarding the suppliers of fighters aircraft and the helicopters for its air force will be communicated... more
Military aviationEurofighter airplanes take full responsibility defending Italian airspace: replacing F-16s
Hallbergmoos, Germany - Entering into service in 2004 and now operational with four Typhoon Squadrons
Eurofighter Typhoons of the Italian Air Force (ItAF) have replaced the last of the air forces’ F-16 jets to leave the Typhoon solely responsible for the defence of Italian airspace. Entering into service i... more
Military aviationSaudi Arabia signs trainer aircraft deal
London, United Kingdom - "A real manna from heaven for BAE and Pilatus"
Saudi Arabia will purchase 22 BAE Systems Hawk aircraft and 55 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop airplanes. The country has signed a contract of approximately 1.6 billion pounds. Saudi Arabia has a military fleet... more
Military aviationAirbus is on track to meet A-400M aircraft delivery target
Toulouse, France - Vibration issue solved
Airbus Military has declared it remains on track to deliver its first pre-production exemplar of the A-400M Grizzly heavy tactical transport aircraft by 2012. In addition, the cause of a vibration issue... more
Military aviationUS military aircraft fitted with counterfeit Chinese parts
Washington, USA - According to a Senate Armed Service Committee report
Counterfeit goods coming from China have by now conquered the world, and constitute a relevant market share in every product field. But a US Senate Armed Service Committee report shows how "Made in China"... more
Military aviationRussian paratroopers joined exercise with US Green Berets
Fort Carson, USA - Drills in competition with US commandos.
Some Russian special force paratrooper units have started small arms firing exercises with US commandos at Fort Carson, Colorado. "Following a briefing on safety measures by Green Beret instructors,... more
Military aviationUnited States will sell Taiwan 66 new F-16 fighter aircraft
Washington, USA - Republicans said no to Taiwanese fleet upgrade
The House of Representatives voted Friday to require the US to sell 66 new F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan in addition to the current upgrade deal. Kay Granger, Republican Representative of Texas, said... more
Military aviationNORAD drills to ensure security ahead of the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago
Chicago, USA - Warplanes, air tankers and helicopters
The NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), will hold a large-scale military air exercise in the skies over Chicago to ensure security ahead of the 2012 NATO summit. The meeting was previously... more
Military aviationPAK-FA experimental aircraft: first operational tests in 2013
Moscow, Russia - 14 exemplars by 2015
The Russian Air Force has declared that it will receive the first batch of prototypes of its T-50 PAK-FA fifth generation in 2013. Russian Air Force chief of staff Alexander Zelin confirmed the news yesterday. The... more
Military aviationThe United States negotiates possible South Korean helicopter deal
Washington, USA - MH-60R or AW-159 Lynx?
The United States will participate to a tender which will supply naval combat helicopters to South Korea. The US is evaluating the possible sale of eight Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters. The deal would include... more
Military aviationRussia will sell off 18 Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft
Moscow, Russia - Previously used by India, these aircraft are on sale to potential buyers
Moscow is to put up for sale a batch of 18 Sukhoi Su-30 Standard fighter aircraft which have been rejected by India because of concerns about their engines or, probably, in relation of the lack of thrust-vectoring... more
Military aviationRussian Air Force receives first upgraded Antonov An-124 super-heavy transport aircraft
Moscow, Russia - It is the largest transport airlifter worldwide
The Russian Air Force modernization programme continues. Today May 17, 2012 the Russian Air Force received three modernized Antonov An-124/100 super-heavy transport aircraft. The airplanes have been modernized... more
Military aviationEurofighter Typhoon aircraft: Saudi Arabia ready to receive 48 fighters
Riyad, Saudi Arabia - The will be equipped with modern future-proofed systems
The Eurofighter Typhoon, the well-known fourth generation aircraft produced by the European consortium created by EADS, BAE Systems and Alenia-Aermacchi, is suffering an heavy competition in relation to... more
Military aviationAirbus Military reveals new gunship airplane programme
Toulouse, France - It could be the European reply to the American AC-130
Airbus Military, the military subsidiary of the well-known European aircraft-maker, is developing a new version of its CN-235 and C-295 tactical medium transport aircraft. The new version is expected to... more
Military aviationRoyal Air Force on Voyager aircraft contract: it smells burning
London, United Kingdom - An English network investigates and discovers differences between contracts
"BBC Newsnight" has discovered the Royal Air Force may be paying billions of pounds too much for its new Voyager aircraft. The network said there have been differences between the contract sealed by the... more
Military aviationAustralia continues its Air Force reduction policy
Canberra, Australia - After the F-35s Canberra cuts the C-130H fleet
The RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) continues its policy of savings by reducing its fleet. As reported before (AVIONEWS), the Australian government postponed last week the purchase of the F-35 Lightning... more
Military aviationAirbus Military A-400M aircraft: RT certificate received
London, United Kingdom - "We will respect scheduled deliveries"
Airbus Military continues to affirm it remains on track to deliver its first A-400M tactical transport aircraft, the airplane which should soon be the European reply to the popular Lockheed Martin C-130J... more
Military aviationBoeing and BAE Systems won contract for RAAF 737 Wedgetail aircraft support
Canberra, Australia - MRO operations are going to be operated locally
Boeing and BAE Systems (the latter as a subcontractor for the programme) have won a contract with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for the testing and the maintenance of the RAAF 737 Wedgetail aircraft... more
Military aviationUS Navy does not have money to pay for F/A-XX aircraft programme
Washington, USA - "If you do not have stealth by the year 2022 to 2025 you will be irrelevant"
An interesting investigation has revealed some details about the future US Navy F/A-XX programme which aims to replace the multi-role fighter aircraft F/A-18 Hornet and its latest version F/A-18 Super... more
Military aviationAustralia delays the acquisition of the F-35 aircraft
Canberra, Australia - "We put a fair amount of padding in our cost and in our timetable"
Australia, which had planned to purchase only 12 F-35 fifth generation aircraft, will delay its acquisition by two years to save costs. The decision to buy the 12 aircraft will be postponed until 2014-2015. Only... more
Military aviationUSA assessed value of Japanese F-35 aircraft at $ 10 billion
Tokyo, Japan - This is an emergency measure to calm down Japan
US has assessed the price for the proposed sale of 42 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft (the "A" version, that is the one with traditional take-off and no hooks for aircraft carrier) to Japan... more