Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Ukraine downs Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for first time

04/20/2024

Ukrainian anti-aircraft units shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on April 19. The Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in Russia's Stavropol Krai on the morning of April 19, just after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Nigeria expects first batch of Leonardo M-346 fighter jets this year

04/20/2024

Nigeria will take delivery of the first six of 24 Italian M-346 light fighter-trainer aircraft it has ordered by year end, the country’s Air Force has said. Originally manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo as a twin-seater jet trainer, the M-346 has been acquired by Nigeria in its more recent, armed M-346FA fighter format.

More Dutch F-16s Arrive in Romania for Ukrainian Pilot Training

04/20/2024

The Netherlands has delivered three more F-16 Fighting Falcons to Bucharest as part of a multinational flight training cooperation for Ukrainian pilots in Romania. The mission supports allied forces in preparing Kyiv’s aircrews as they transition from Soviet-era aircraft to F-16s amid Russia’s invasion. For the latest delivery, the three Dutch planes were accompanied by two Romanian F16s to a European Flight Training Center developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin.

The Air Force's Unstoppable F-16 Fighter Jet

04/20/2024

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a cornerstone of U.S. Air Force capabilities since its introduction in 1979, has evolved from a supporting air superiority fighter to a versatile multi-role fighter. Designed to complement the heavier F-15 Eagle, the F-16 has proven its adaptability and effectiveness in various combat roles, notably during Operation Desert Storm.

India proffers HAL its largest-ever tender: 97 Tejas fighters

04/20/2024

Indian state-owned aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a request for proposal from the Ministry of Defence for 97 light fighters, setting up the largest-ever order for the aircraft. The company’s Tejas fighters – also known as Light Combat Aircraft, or LCA – are critical to the Indian Air Force, as the service currently has only 31 fighter squadrons compared to a mandated level of 42.

Kenyan military aircraft crashes: Government

04/19/2024

A Kenyan military aircraft has crashed, a government spokesperson said on Thursday. A police source who asked not to be named said five soldiers died when the chopper crashed in western Kenya on Thursday afternoon and three other passengers survived. The injured soldiers have been taken to hospital, the source said.

Portuguese F-16s Intercept Russian Aircraft Close to NATO Territory

04/19/2024

Portuguese F-16 fighter jets participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing have escorted two Russian military aircraft flying close to the alliance’s airspace. The F-16 planes scrambled from the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem in western Germany for their first intercept during their seventh deployment to the mission.

DARPA tests dogfighting AI against human fighter pilot

04/19/2024

The Pentagon’s secretive technology development agency has for the first time pitted an artificial intelligence (AI) agent against a human fighter pilot in air combat drills. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), working with the US Air Force (USAF) test pilot school, calls the tests a breakthrough in the efforts to automate close-range fighter manoeuvres and combat aviation more broadly.

Israeli missile has struck Iran, US officials say

04/19/2024

Explosions were reported in Isfahan, about four hours drive or 350km (217 miles) south of Iran's capital, Tehran. As we've reported, Isfahan is home to a major military air base and several Iranian nuclear sites are in the province- including the city of Natanz, a centerpiece of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Joint Strike Fighter expansion plan facing axe under government defence reprioritisation

04/18/2024

Plans to purchase additional Joint Strike Fighter aircraft are being halted under sweeping defence changes unveiled by the Albanese government that would see Australia’s overall military budget almost double within a decade. On Wednesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles released Labor’s long awaited National Defence Strategy that includes plans to lift annual spending to around $100 billion by 2034.

Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation

04/17/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (April 15) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 16). Of the 11 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one entered the southwest sector of the nation’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and one helicopter was detected in the southeast ADIZ, according to the MND.

Japan's Next-Gen Fighter Jet and the Future of its Defense

04/17/2024

Japan's next-gen fighter jet, increased collaborative efforts, and military spending signal a new, more proactive era in its defense strategy. The Japanese government's recent approval of exporting a next-gen fighter jet developed with Italy and Britain marks a significant milestone. It signals a new era in Japan's security outlook, emphasizing collaboration and innovation.

Argentine President Buys 24 F-16 Military Aircraft From Denmark

04/17/2024

On Tuesday, Argentine President Javier Milei celebrated the signing of an agreement to purchase 24 F-16 fighter jets from the Danish Army. "The task we are carrying out is only possible because I am accompanied by a cabinet with extremely talented human beings," Milei told Defense Minister Luis Petri, who was at the Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.

Air Force secretary: Selfridge could 'potentially' get future fighter jet mission

04/17/2024

The secretary of the U.S. Air Force said Tuesday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County would "potentially" be considered for a future fighter mission to replace the base's aging A-10 aircraft, "but at the current time we don't have an option to do that." Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was testifying Tuesday morning before the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

France Approves Transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E Fighter Jets from UAE to Morocco

04/16/2024

France has authorized the transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco. According to Spanish media, the transfer is part of a broader cooperation agreement that will see Abu Dhabi acquire 80 Rafales.

Russia's Su-57 Felon Fighter Nightmare Is Just Getting Started

04/16/2024

As the Russo-Ukraine War continues into its third year, the limitations of the Russian military, particularly in controlling airspace, have become evident. Notably, the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon,” a fifth-generation multirole fighter, has underperformed. Since its first flight in 2010, only about 32 Su-57s have been delivered, with production delays exacerbated by industrial bottlenecks.

The Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fighter Now Has the 'Stormbreaker'

04/16/2024

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a mainstay of the U.S. Navy, has recently been enhanced with a significant capability upgrade, making it the first carrier-based aircraft to deploy the SDB-II, also known as the StormBreaker. This 250-pound precision-strike weapon is designed to handle adverse weather conditions and dynamic targeting scenarios, thanks to its tri-mode seeker that integrates infrared, millimeter wave radar, and GPS/INS systems.

Iran launches aerial attack on Israel in major escalation

04/14/2024

Iran has launched dozens of aerial drones and missiles at Israel, marking a widely anticipated reprisal attack. It is the first such direct clash between the two enemies, who have been engaged in a years-long shadow war, with Iran using proxy forces. The Israeli military said Israel and other countries had intercepted hundreds of cruise missiles and drones, mostly outside Israeli airspace.

First KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft Lands in Kecskemét for Testing

04/13/2024

From April 12, the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft manufactured for the Hungarian Defense Forces will stay at the Kecskemét (central Hungary) airbase for three weeks, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky informed MTI on Thursday. According to the statement, the Minister said that the testing schedule, which began after the aircraft’s first take-off on February 8, 2024, has entered its final phase, with ground and air tests being carried out in the final stages of the pro

Florida Air Force Reserve group returns to the Tyndall skies

04/13/2024

The 44th Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve, conducted their first flying Unit Training Assembly at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 6, 2024, since returning to Tyndall. This training proved valuable for the pilots and maintainers by giving them hands-on experience with F-35A Lightning II’s and their first local sortie since departing Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael.

Will Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft Mean Airmen Need New AFSCs?

04/13/2024

The Air Force will award more contracts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the coming months and is committed to fielding the autonomous unmanned jets within the next few years. But how that will impact Airmen’s job remains to be seen, the head of Air Force Futures said April 12. Speaking at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event, Lt. Gen. David A. Harris said the manpower matters raised by CCAs are still a work-in-progress.

Taiwan Fighter Planes Suffer Damage From Earthquake

04/12/2024

The Republic of China Air Force has reported damage to eight of its fighter planes caused by the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake. The six F-16V aircraft and two F-5 fighters stationed at Hualien Air Force Base suffered minor damage caused by the shaking of its boarding ladders during the incident. According to the command, the damage is easily repairable and will not affect the aircraft’s combat readiness.

Tensions On Thai-Myanmar Border: Thailand’s F-16s Check MiG-29 Jets Conducting Airstrikes Near Border

04/12/2024

The patrolling by the F-16s comes in the wake of reports of Russian-built MiG-29 fighter jets, operated by the Myanmar military, conducting air strikes close to the border area. The RTAF announced its deployment via a Facebook post on April 10, citing the need to monitor the situation in Myanmar, particularly in the vicinity of Myawaddy township, where the recent conflict between the Myanmar military and Karen rebel forces has intensified.

Eurofighter Typhoon: The Fighter Jet NATO Is Now Depending On

04/12/2024

In March 2024, six Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were deployed to Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base for NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission, marking 30 years since the Typhoon's first flight. Developed by Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, these multi-role combat aircraft will undertake air policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force until August 2024.

How F-16s could change the war in Ukraine

04/12/2024

With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, the pitched battle this past winter between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the town of Avdiivka now appears notable for at least two reasons. The first is that Ukraine’s loss of the town marks the latest in a series of high-profile military setbacks, including its counteroffensive; the second is that it appears that for the first time in the war, Russia has, at least for the moment, gained a degree of local air superiority.

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