Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Saab scraps agreement with Adani to build fighter aircraft in India

01/17/2023

Swedish aerospace and defence company, Saab, which had entered into a partnership with Adani Group to manufacture the Gripen E fighter in India, said on Monday that it was no longer going ahead with that agreement. “We have decided not to pursue the arrangement with the Adanis,” said Mats Palmberg, chairman and managing director of Saab India, at a media interaction in New Delhi on Monday.

Japan and India hold first joint fighter jet exercise

01/17/2023

Over the next 11 days, Japanese and Indian fighter jets are taking part in an exercise northeast of Tokyo. The drills come amid growing concerns of China's military power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Striking Images Show China’s 2nd Aircraft Carrier Shandong & J-15 Fighters Performing Drills In South China Sea

01/17/2023

The images appear to be of an exercise conducted by China in response to the US Navy’s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) operating in the South China Sea, starting from January 12 for the first time during the group’s 2022-2023 deployment. The NIMCSG conducted maritime strike training, anti-submarine operations, integrated multi-domain and joint training between surface and air elements, and flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Why Asia’s arms race risks spinning out of control

01/16/2023

It’s an arms race bigger than anything Asia has ever seen – three major nuclear powers and one fast-developing one, the world’s three biggest economies and decades-old alliances all vying for an edge in some of the world’s most contested land and sea areas. In one corner are the United States and its allies Japan and South Korea. In another corner, China and its partner Russia. And in a third, North Korea.

Powered By US Missiles, Ukrainian Fighter Jets Could Employ Cold War-Era Tactics To Shoot Down Russian Drones

01/16/2023

There are two ways the Ukrainian forces could employ them, one for air-to-ground attacks and another for a World War II-era (WWII-era) tactic that could be used against airborne targets. The second way could be especially relevant to the threat posed by Iranian-made Kamikaze drones that the Russians are using very effectively to wreak havoc on the Ukrainian energy grid and other critical infrastructure.

Tehran expects Russia to deliver Su-35 fighters in two months says Iranian MP

01/16/2023

Russian Su-35 fighter jets ordered from the Kremlin by Tehran should arrive in Iran at the start of the next Persian calendar year (starts March 21), Shahriyar Heydari, a lawmaker who is a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis), has informed Iranian news agency Tasnim.

Top U.S. lawmaker objects to potential F-16 sale to Turkey

01/14/2023

The Biden administration has told Congress it is preparing the potential $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, sparking an immediate objection from a senior U.S. lawmaker who has long opposed the deal. The State Department sent the informal notice to Congress on Thursday, three sources said, informing committees overseeing arms sales in the Senate and House of Representatives of its intention to proceed with the proposed deal.

HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter Makes First Combat Saves

01/14/2023

A combined force of deployed US assets coordinated to save two lives of partner forces outside the wire in the Horn of Africa late this last December. The force consisted of HC-130J recovery aircraft and Guardian Angels from the 347th Rescue Group, as well as HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopters in their first real-world casualty evacuation operation in the African area of responsibility (AOR).

Indispensable Asset! US Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-35 Stealth Jets Get New Facility In Indo-Pacific To ‘Hit’ China

01/13/2023

It would serve as a new training facility for US carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35 fighters to simulate aircraft carrier landings close to China. The SDF will also employ the site as a logistic and maintenance depot to defend Japan’s Nansei southwest islands. The ministry also intends to construct a runway, hangars, and pier facilities for ships used by the Self-Defense Forces. Although the development is anticipated to take roughly four years.

F-15EX Fires Air-to-Air Missiles From New Weapon Stations For The First Time

01/13/2023

The U.S. Air Force recently announced that, on Nov. 29, 2022, the two F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, launched air-to-air missiles for the first time from their new outer wing weapon stations. According to the press release, the 96th Test Wing’s pilots fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile from Station 1 and an AIM-9X from Station 9 over the Eglin Test and Training Complex’s water range.

Russia is scared to fly its best jets over Ukraine in case they're shot down and NATO gets hold of the wreckage, expert says

01/13/2023

Russia is avoiding flying its advanced combat jets over Ukraine for fear of the wreckage from a crash giving away the plane's secrets, an expert told Insider. The Sukhoi Su-57, a modern Russian aircraft prized for its stealth, has not been a regular feature of the war so far, despite Moscow's efforts to hype its capabilities.

Ongoing headaches with F-35 fighter jets are rippling through the rest of the US military's combat aircraft fleet

01/13/2023

Years of delays, cost overruns, and technical glitches with the F-35 have put the Pentagon in a dilemma. If F-35s aren't fit to fly in sufficient numbers, then older aircraft such as the F-16 must be kept in service to fill the gap. In turn, having to extend the lifespan of older planes consumes money that could be used to acquire new aircraft and results in aging warplanes that may not be capable of fulfilling their missions on the current battlefield.

Germany to head up NATO’s high readiness force

01/12/2023

France led the force in 2022, and Germany is taking over this year. In February of this year, NATO deployed elements of the VJTF to Romania for the unit’s first-ever collective-defence mission in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Indian fighter jets welcomed in Japan with water cannon salute

01/12/2023

The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent was given a grand welcome as it landed at the Hyakuri Air Base, about 80 km northeast of Tokyo, on Tuesday, January 10, for the inaugural joint Air Exercise between India and Japan that kicks off on January 12. A traditional water cannon salute was given to the IAF's frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, four of which are participating, along with two C-17s and one IL-78, in Exercise 'Veer Guardian-2023' to be held till January 26.

Colombian Air Force to buy more T-6C training aircraft

01/12/2023

The Colombian Air Force plans to buy four additional T-6C Texan II turboprop training aircraft from Textron Aviation in a potential deal worth $38.34 million. The negotiations are part of an effort to acquire up to 24 of the trainers, unveiled by the Defense Ministry on Dec. 9.

Towards a sixth-generation air combat capability for the RAAF

01/12/2023

Last month, the world got its first look at the US Air Force’s new long-range bomber, the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. The company has called it ‘the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft’ and says it will incorporate enhanced stealth technology based on new manufacturing techniques and materials. The B-21’s open-systems architecture will allow new technology, capabilities and weapons to be ‘seamlessly incorporated through agile software upgrades and built-in hardware flexibility’.

Navy asks Lockheed Martin to prepare to build 118 F-35 jet fighter-bomber aircraft, avionics, and sensors

01/12/2023

Combat aircraft designers at Lockheed Martin Corp. are preparing to build 118 F-35 jet fighter-bombers for U.S. military services and allies under terms of a $1.1 billion order announced on in December. Officials of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. - the organization handling F-35 aviation technology procurement for all military forces - are asking the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas, to procure long lead items for 118 Lot 18 F-

‘Retired’ F-117 Nighthawks Will Fly For Another Decade

01/11/2023

Nearly 14 years after officially 'retiring' its F-117A Nighthawk stealth combat jets, the Air Force may now be looking to keep them flying through at least 2034. A portion of the remaining F-117A fleet, flown by Air Force test pilots, has been very actively used for research and development, test and evaluation, and training purposes in recent years. This has included using the jets as 'red air' aggressors and as surrogates for stealthy cruise missiles during large-scale exercises.

OPINION: A Mercenary Air Force for Ukraine? It’s not as Far-fetched as it Sounds

01/11/2023

Ukraine’s desire for additional combat air assets is soberingly real. After 11 months of war, neither Ukraine nor Russia has secured any semblance of air superiority. As the West struggles to figure out how to resource Ukraine’s requirement for air power, some are suggesting a transfer of aircraft, such as F-16 Falcons, F-15E Eagles, JAS-39 Gripens or others.

F-35 Conducts First Flight with TR-3

01/11/2023

A developmental test team from the 461st Flight Test Squadron conducted the first flight of an F-35 in the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) configuration on January 6, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Maj. Ryan “BOLO” Luersen, a U.S. Air Force experimental test pilot, piloted the mission in tail number AF-7, a specially instrumented flight test aircraft and the first with TR-3 upgrades installed. He executed a functional check flight (FCF) profile to verify aircraft airworthiness and system st

Raytheon to build 408 AIM-9X Block II infrared-guided air-to-air missiles for U.S. Navy, Air Force, allies

01/11/2023

U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are asking Raytheon Technologies Corp. to build 408 AIM-9X precision short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles for jet fighters and other combat aircraft under terms of a $317.4 million contract announced in December. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Raytheon Missiles & Defense segment in Tucson, Ariz., to build lot 23 AIM-9X block II and block II-plus air-to-air missiles.

Canada’s CF-18 Fighters, That Once Beat US F-15, F-16 Warplanes, All Set To Be Replaced By F-35 Stealth Jets

01/11/2023

Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand, on January 9, announced plans to buy 88 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) for CA$19 billion (US $14 billion). Anand said in an online briefing that the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) would receive its first four Lockheed Martin-made F-35s in 2026, with the following six in 2027 and another six in 2028. The remainder would come in subsequent years.

Canada signs deal for the F-35 fighter

01/10/2023

It's now official. After years of false starts and delays Canada will join growing number of countries who have adopted the Lockheed-Martin F35 fighter jet. In addition to the US which has hundreds of the stealth fighter other western countries using the aircraft include , United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Norway, and Denmark. The F-35 provides pilots with enhanced intelligence; surveillance; and reconnaissance capabilities, greatly improving their situational awareness and surviv

Russia uses its most advanced fighter jets against Ukraine

01/10/2023

British Defense Intelligence on January 9 said that Russia has used the Su-57 (NATO nickname Felon) fifth-generation combat aircraft against Ukraine since at least June 2022. “These missions have likely been limited to flying over Russian territory, launching long-range air-to-surface or air-to-air missiles into Ukraine,” the message added.

China mounts large-scale joint strike drills around Taiwan sending 28 war planes as well as naval vessels to the island days after US Navy destroyer went through the Strait

01/10/2023

The Chinese military held large-scale joint combat strike drills starting Sunday, sending war planes and navy vessels toward Taiwan, both the Chinese and Taiwanese defense ministries said. Over the course of 24 hours, between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, China's People's Liberation Army flew 57 warplanes and four ships towards Taiwan, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said in a statement Monday morning.