Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

India, China hold Major General-level talks, disengagement in Depsang Plains discussed

08/09/2020

Continuing the effort to disengage peacefully at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India and China on Saturday (August 8, 2020) held a Major General-level talk at Daulat Beg Oldi area over the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the Depsang plains in the Ladakh region.

South China Sea: Beijing mobilises invasion craft along coast as Taiwan tensions escalate

As tensions between Taiwan and China continue to escalate, satellite images reportedly show amphibious armoured vehicles and mobile missile launchers massing at military bases near the island nation. Though Taiwan, a country of 25 million people, is happy as an independent democracy, Beijing insists it is a "breakaway province" and "inviolate" Chinese territory, repeatedly stating it will use force to bring the island back under China's control.

Volk Field to host 50 aircraft, 1,000 service members for Northern Lightning training

The Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center will host about 50 aircraft and nearly 1,000 service members during the annual Northern Lightning Counterland training exercise Aug. 10-21. Units from as close as the backyard in Wisconsin and neighboring Minnesota, as well as far-flung states such as California, Idaho, New York, Vermont and Virginia, will participate. Military branches to be represented include the National Guard, Air Force, Army and Navy.

Ronald Reagan CSG Exercises With Land-Based Navy, Air Force Aircraft Off Japan

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is conducting drills off the coast of Northern Japan with land-based Navy and Air Force units this week. The CSG is operating with the Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, which flies the EA-18G Growler electronic attack jet, and the Air Force 35th Fighter Wing that flies F-16 fighters. The joint integrated training operations began Aug. 1 and include air-to-air operations, combat search and rescue drills, and air defense exercises.

US Air Force tests electronic warfare capabilities with fighter, recon and bomber aircraft

The U.S. Air Force has concluded a two-day, $1.4 million exercise that evaluated the F-35 fighter jet’s ability to provide its electronic warfare capabilities to other stealthy reconnaissance and bombing platforms. The event, which took place Aug. 4-6 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, tested the ability for the F-35 to provide Suppression of Enemy Air Defense, or SEAD, support for other stealthy platforms such as the B-2 and the RQ-170 reconnaissance drone.

Taiwanese F-16s Begin Flying Patrols With Live Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles To Deter China

Two Taiwanese F-16A Vipers have flown air patrol missions armed with live AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Taiwan’s Liberty Times said the missions were launched amid fears of imminent Chinese military exercises that are expected to be designed to simulate capture of the Taiwan-administered Dongsha Islands, in the northern area of the South China Sea.

Russia confirms progress on new jet engine. Is it for Pak JF-17 fighter?

A Russian company announced on Wednesday that a new engine for fighter aircraft that it had developed has been shipped for conducting thermal pressure chamber tests. The state-owned United Engine Corporation controls development and manufacturing of all engines for military, civilian and space use in Russia and for Russian exports. The UEC's Klimov plant in St Petersburg had been developing the RD-93MA engine, which is a modification of the RD-93 engine, used on the JF-17 fighter.

Boeing Bid To Sell F-15EX Eagles To India Faces Stiff Competition

Boeing is showing growing interest in selling its F-15EX twin-engine multi-role fighters to the Indian Air Force. Back in February, Boeing Vice President Pratyush Kumar stated the company was seeking a license to export the F-15EX to India—a request which may soon be granted according to Indian defense journalist Shiv Aroor.

Japan Turns Its F-15s Into Ship-Killers

It’s official. The Japanese air force plans to add an anti-ship capability to its fleet of F-15Js as part of a comprehensive upgrade to the three-decade-old fighters. It’s no secret why. As the Chinese navy adds powerful new ships, the Japanese air force adds powerful new ship-sinking weapons. But pity the poor F-15J pilots, who are already some of the busiest combat aviators in the world—and now must add anti-ship training to their schedule.

Companies line up for potential Hawk replacement opportunity

China Warns India’s Rafale Fighters ‘Have No Chance’ Against Chinese Stealth Jets

Russian MiG-31 intercept Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

U.S. Air Force F-16 flew its first-ever operational flight carrying new Legion Pod

US Congress moves against Egypt over Russian aircraft

Scorpion packs a sting for straitened times

Russian planes bomb rebel-held area in Syria's Latakia, say opposition, war monitor

The U-2's Latest Feat: Passing Data from F-35s to Army Missiles

China’s Kashgar airbase: Underground vaults hint at nuclear facilities, H-6 bombers seen since early June

Why India's Military Isn’t Getting the Weapons It Needs

Eglin four-ship conducts advanced radar test