Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Keeping combat edge is going to be a challenge

12/10/2018

The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter has taken 26 years to get from the beginning of development in 1992 through to its first operational use in combat earlier this year by the Israeli Air Force over Syria. It is the most advanced warplane in the world today, and the RAAF is not only taking delivery of the first two of 72 F-35As, but has the option to order another 28 aircraft next decade.

Williamtown RAAF Base taking delivery of first two F-35A joint strike fighters

The first of Australia’s F-35A joint strike fighters will touch down at Williamtown RAAF Base on Monday. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, will be among the waiting dignitaries as two of the $125 million planes arrive from Brisbane after leaving Arizona last week.

USAF looks for stopgap GPS hardening for special ops C-130Js

Increased anti-GPS electronic warfare from adversaries and delays to the launch of the GPS III network are forcing the US Air Force Special Operation Command to look for GPS hardening technology for its MC-130J and EC-130J aircraft to be used as a stopgap.

Boeing receives contract to build Japan a second KC-46A tanker

Boeing received a $159 million contract from the US Air Force to build a second KC-46A tanker for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The aerial refueling tanker will be manufactured in Seattle and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2021. In December 2017, the USAF awarded Boeing a $279 million contract to produce Japan's first KC-46 tanker aircraft.

ANALYSIS: UK on a roll after F-35B carrier trials

After more than a decade of study, experimentation, modelling and simulation, the UK has successfully completed a first phase of testing using a shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) manoeuvre for the Lockheed Martin F-35B on board the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Royal Air Force Dogfighting with Royal Navy Over Scarce F-35s

When there aren’t enough F-35s to go around, who should get them: The air force or the navy? That question is reportedly roiling the British military as the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy dogfight over which F-35 stealth fighters the cash-strapped UK should buy. The Royal Navy is furious at alleged RAF plans to grab many of the 138 F-35s that Britain is purchasing, according to Britain’s Sky News .

Germany, France to add Spain to fighter program: sources

Germany and France will welcome Spain as a full partner in their program to develop a next-generation air combat system, and expect to sign an agreement finalizing the move at the Paris Air Show in June, German government sources said on Wednesday. Paris and Berlin initially planned to offer Spain only observer status on the program, but changed their plans after extensive discussions with Spanish officials, according to a separate source familiar with the matter.

Rescue search after collision between US Marine F-18 Hornet and C-130 Hercules off Japan

An air and sea search has been launched off the coast of Japan for seven US Marine aircrew after a F/A-18D Hornet fighter and a KC-130 Hercules tanker collided during a refuelling manoeuvre. Both aircraft crashed into the sea about 300km out from their base at Iwakuni. The incident happened about 2am local time (4am AEDT).

US Marine Corps looks to buy two C-40 executive transports

In addition to providing the Texan II trainers, Affinity has sourced 23 G120TPs from Grob Aircraft and five Embraer Phenom 100s – all "configured to meet the needs of the UK Ministry of Defence". The new types are respectively employed in the basic, elementary and multi-engine crew training categories. Deliveries commenced with a first batch of G120TPs being accepted at RAF Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire in November 2016. Affinity notes that the final aircraft's transfer was made ahead of its

PICTURE: T-6C arrival completes UK trainer fleet renewal

J-10C Fighter Aircraft Participating In Pak-China Joint Air Force Exercise: Military Expert

Sikorsky aims to push aircraft sales with Chilean office

USAF fields new aircrew mask to protect against WMD contamination

Airbus and Lockheed team for US tanker services

First flight for upgraded C-27J

Poland accelerates fighter replacement plans

Italy first in Europe to have F-35A fleet declared initial operational capable

KC-46A completes Phase II receiver aircraft testing

Missiles, Fighter Jets And Much More: How China Just Showed Off Its Military Muscles

UkrOboronProm hands over combat aircraft, helicopters and UAVs to Armed Forces of Ukraine