Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The Houthi air force has a single fighter jet — an ancient F-5. The US is very much not afraid of it.

01/17/2024

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have one of the world's strangest fighter jet fleets — a single, aged F-5 fighter jet. It is unlikely to be much good helping it against the US-led coalition, which carried out air raids last week. A US official summed up the likely threat the jet poses, calling it "not combat effective."

Why Build the NGAD 6th Generation Fighter? Drone Swarms Could Change Everything

01/16/2024

No More NGAD? We have covered the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter extensively. The NGAD has whiz-bang characteristics and is a sixth-generation airplane that will be highly-stealthy and chock full of modern weapons. But the NGAD could cost the military hundreds of millions a piece, according to the Secretary of the Air Force.

Iraq set to invest in modernised fighter force

01/16/2024

With a resurgence of ISIS activity, Iraq is hoping to enhance its defence capabilities. The commander-in-chief of Iraq’s armed forces, major general Yehia Rasool, has confirmed that modernising its air force is a priority, and that the fighter force is in particular need of renewal. Iraq regained a fast jet combat air capability in 2015 with the delivery of the first of 36 Lockheed Martin F-16s.

U.S. Fighter Jet Shoots Down Missile That Houthi Rebels Fired at U.S. Warship

01/16/2024

Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea on Sunday, but a U.S. fighter jet shot it down in the latest attack roiling global shipping amid Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said. The attack marks the first U.S.-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.

Ukrainian Sources: We Just Shot Down Two Of Russia’s Best Command Planes

01/15/2024

Ukrainian air-defenses reportedly shot down two of the Russian air force’s rarest and most valuable command aircraft on Sunday: a Beriev A-50 radar early-warning plane and an Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post. Ukrainian media has cited government officials confirming the purported shoot-downs, but there’s little hard evidence of the incidents.

RAAF F-35As join exercise Red Flag Nellis 24

01/15/2024

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is preparing for Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1, alongside counterparts from the United States and United Kingdom. Exercise Red Flag Nellis was established in 1975 and recreates the first ten missions of a modern air campaign within a training environment, providing invaluable experience for participants.

French Mirage aircraft may reinforce Ukrainian Air Force, commander says

01/15/2024

Ukraine will not be able to give up Soviet aircraft in favour of Western ones overnight, and French military jets may coexist on Ukrainian airfields with American and Soviet ones, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force said on Sunday. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February, 2022, Kyiv has pressed Western allies to supply increasingly sophisticated arms and ammunition, including armoured vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles and U.S.-made F-16 fighters.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese balloons, military aircraft & 6 naval ships on election day

01/14/2024

Taiwan, in response, sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity. On the day of the election, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected that Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s Southwest Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Additionally, two Chinese balloons crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan planning next-generation indigenous jet fighters: President Tsai

01/14/2024

President Tsai Ing-wen, who is nearing the end of her final term in office, said Sunday that Taiwan is preparing to develop the next generation of indigenous jet fighters, to ensure continuity of her administration's national defense policy. In an interview with Era News in which she reflected on her two terms in office, Tsai highlighted the government's resolve to build Taiwan's autonomy in the area of defense systems.

‘Stolen Tech’ From F-35 & F-22 Raptor, How Powerful Is China’s Newest FC-31 Gyrfalcon Stealth Jet?

01/14/2024

The news about Pakistan showing interest in the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon (formerly known as the J-31) has generated quite a buzz in South Asia, with military watchers talking about it altering the balance of power in the Indian sub-continent. But experts feel that, at best, it is a tempest in a teacup.

Military aircraft crash pilot recalls life-and-death moments

01/13/2024

Three days following the military aircraft crash in the central province of Qu?ng Nam, Captain Ð? Ti?n Ð?c, the aircraft pilot, has recalled the life-and-death moments when his aircraft suffered a sudden loss of control. Captain Ð?c, leader of Squadron 1, Fighter Squadron 929 of the Air Defence and Air Force Division 372, managed to divert the Su-22 aircraft away from residential areas before safely parachuting out.

Selfridge to get new state-of-the-art refueling tankers, ensuring base's future

01/13/2024

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told the Free Press on Thursday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base will be home to a new squadron of 12 KC-46A refueling tanker aircraft, per a conversation with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The announcement, Peters said, ensures that Selfridge, based in Harrison Township in Macomb County, will continued to have a flying mission even as the Air Force phases out the current eight KC-135 tankers at the base.

Türkiye starts works on AI-backed 6th-generation fighter jet

01/13/2024

Türkiye has started work on a sixth-generation fighter jet that will be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), a top defense official said Friday, in an announcement that comes as the country prepares to send its first homegrown warplane to the sky for the first time in the coming days. The domestically developed fifth-generation combat aircraft, named Kaan, will perform its inaugural flight "very soon," Haluk Görgün, the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), told reporters.

France buys 42 Rafale jets for more than $5.5 billion

01/13/2024

France has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation in a deal worth more than €5 billion (U.S. $5.5 billion), the Armed Forces Ministry announced Friday. The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concerns about the Franco-German project to develop a successor to the Rafale. The Future Combat Air System, as it’s known, isn’t expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate’s defense committee.

Chinese-Origin J-10C Fighter ‘Challenges’ Eurofighter Typhoon As Pakistan, Qatar Hold Aerial Drills

01/12/2024

On January 10, 2024, the Pakistan Air Force officially announced that Qatari Eurofighter Typhoons and Pakistani Chengdu J-10Cs are currently engaged in joint air exercises known as Zilzal-II, hosted by Qatar. The exercise aims to simulate a “realistic aerial warfare scenario” to evaluate both air forces’ operational readiness.

Slovakia receives first two F-16 Block 70 jets

01/12/2024

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “The delivery of the first two F-16 Block 70 jets to Slovakia signifies a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities. We are proud to be part of this endeavor and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia.”

China Pitches Its Own C-17 Globemaster To Nigeria; Comes After Talks Of Stealth Fighter Deal With Pakistan

01/11/2024

After debuting at the Dubai Air Show in December 2023, the Y-20 E multi-role transport aircraft is ready to be exported. Media reports suggest that the largest military aircraft currently in production and nicknamed “Chubby Girl” is being offered to Nigeria. This comes after reports that Beijing is planning to sell its stealth J-31 fighters to Pakistan.

Greece Wants the F-35 Stealth Fighter. It Might Not Happen Quickly

01/11/2024

Greece Wants the F-35 – But Turkey and Sweden Could Delay That Acquisition - Currently, ten NATO members, along with another half a dozen partner nations, either operate or plan to adopt the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Two NATO alliance countries would like to join the program. One likely will never operate the fifth-generation stealth fighter, while the other is currently in a related "holding pattern."

Eagles have landed: New F-15EXs arrive at Eglin AFB

01/11/2024

The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023, just minutes from each other. The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.

Airmen Can Now Fix Vital F-16 Electronic Countermeasure Pods On the Go

01/11/2024

The F-16 fighter jet is famous for its maneuverability, and the A-10 attack jet for its armor and armaments. But one of the most important features protecting those aircraft in combat is an unassuming grey cylinder slung beneath their bellies: the ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasure pod, which protects the jets in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation

01/10/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Jan. 9 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 10. Of the eight People’s Liberation Army aircraft, one BZK-005 reconnaissance drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the southwest corner of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.

S. Korea to begin production of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet

01/10/2024

South Korea is set to begin production of the KF-21 fighter jet this year as planned, the state arms procurement agency said Wednesday, in what would be a major milestone in the country's pursuit of an advanced homegrown fighter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) seeks to sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the jet's manufacturer, within the first half of the year to pave the way for the KF-21's large-scale production, according to a DAPA official.

The F-16 Fighter Is No Silver Bullet That Will Win the War for Ukraine

01/10/2024

The Ukrainians have fought ardently to keep the Russian invaders at bay – but the Ukrainian resistance has depended mainly on foreign military aid. Wisely, the Ukrainians have vigorously lobbied the Western powers for cash and equipment donations. And at the top of the Ukrainian’s wish list was the multi-role F-16, an American fourth-generation fighter that has been exported throughout NATO.

Indonesia completes order for 42 French Rafale fighter-jets amid regional tensions

01/10/2024

Indonesia has signed a contract to buy 18 more Rafale fighter-jets from France, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday, as Jakarta completed a 2022 order for 42 of these warplanes, in upgrading its air force fleet amid regional security challenges.

Taiwan to Spend $329M for Crucial Mirage 2000-5 Parts

01/09/2024

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense will spend 10.2 billion New Taiwan dollars ($329 million) to purchase spare engine parts for its Mirage 2000-5 fleet. A government source told local media outlets that the contract aims to ensure the French-made fighter jets will remain mission-capable for years to come.