Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Kendall Reveals Secret X-Plane Program Paved the Way for NGAD

11/15/2023

There was a secret, multi-agency X-plane program to explore future fighters that paved the way for the Next-Generation Air Dominance program, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall revealed at the POLITICO Defense Summit on Nov. 14. Although Kendall and other Air Force officials have previously said there were flying prototypes before the current stage of the NGAD program,

U.S. Air Force begins flight tests for T-7A Red Hawk digital trainer aircraft

11/14/2023

The aircraft - using the call sign APT-2 - is the first production representative jet off the assembly line and was piloted by a joint U.S. Air Force and Boeing aircrew. According to the Air Force announcement, the aircrew collaboration in the cockpit represents the structure of the T-7A Integrated Test Force, which will see Air Force and Boeing team members working shoulder-to-shoulder to rapidly test and certify the aircraft.

F-15EX not currently at risk of schedule breach, despite delivery delays: USAF

11/14/2023

The first batch of Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II fighters is running late, but not late enough to trigger a schedule breach if current plans hold, according to an Air Force spokesperson. However, the service also confirmed that the first four lots of jets — about half the total expected buy — will not come with conformal fuel tanks, a decision that would reduce those fighters’ potential ranges and limit their ability to conduct ground attack missions.

Commercial tanker refuels US Air Force fighters for Singapore exercise

11/14/2023

The U.S. Air Force conducted its first aerial refueling of fighter aircraft by a commercial tanker on Nov. 6. The commercial refueling of F-16 Fighting Falcons from Osan Air Base in South Korea took place as part of the Commando Sling 23 joint exercise conducted in Singapore. The bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force is sponsored by Pacific Air Forces and is intended to improve how the island nation operates with the United States.

Europe opens F-16 warplane training center for Ukrainian pilots

11/14/2023

The European training center to teach Ukrainian pilots how to operate F-16 combat planes was officially opened on Monday in Romania. "The center will be an international hub for the training of F-16 pilots and will facilitate increased interoperability among allies," the Romanian defense ministry said. It was inaugurated by Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvar and his Dutch counterpart Kajsa Ollongren at an air base east of Bucharest.

China’s J-10 Firebird Looks To Eat Into Rafale’s Market As Many Nations Not Keen On US, Russian Warplanes

11/12/2023

The upcoming Dubai Airshow 2023 is poised to witness a showdown between one of the world’s most popular 4+ generation fighter jets, the French Dassault Rafale, and one that is looking for a breakthrough in the international markets, i.e., the Chinese J-10C.

US military aircraft crashes over eastern Mediterranean Sea

11/12/2023

A US military aircraft has gone down over the eastern Mediterranean Sea, US European Command said Saturday. The command said in a statement that the aircraft crashed while conducting training operations. It said the cause is under investigation, but there are no indications of any hostile activity involved.

A military jet crashes in eastern Myanmar. Ethnic resistance groups claim they shot it down

11/12/2023

A Myanmar military jet fighter crashed Saturday in a combat zone in the eastern state of Kayah, a military officer and a member of an anti-military resistance organization said. The resistance group said the plane had been shot down, but its claim could not immediately be confirmed.

Boeing Announces Arrival Of ‘World’s Best Dogfighter’ – F-15QA In Dubai; Here Is What Makes Them The ‘Best’

11/12/2023

On November 10, US aerospace manufacturer Boeing announced that its advanced F-15QA Ababil fighter aircraft, operated by the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), successfully touched down in Dubai for their inaugural participation in the Dubai Air Show.

Emirati firm to put missiles on MQ-9B, as US official says SkyGuardian, F-35 deal still ‘on the table’

11/11/2023

General Atomics plans try adding missile systems made by the Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE Group to its MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle, as a multi-billion dollar deal between the United Arab Emirates and General Atomics to buy several of the drones remains stalled but alive.

The AC-130J Ghostrider Might Lose Its Big Gun

11/11/2023

The U.S. Air Force has noted that the AC-130J's close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort, and point air defense. In contrast, its air interdiction missions are conducted against pre-planned targets or targets of opportunity and include strike coordination and reconnaissance and overwatch mission sets.

America’s Next Stealth Bomber Got Airborne This Morning

11/11/2023

A short video shot by a freelance photojournalist this morning confirms that Northrop Grumman’s B-21 has taken to the skies. The stealth bomber took off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California at 7 am local time and climbed away on a test flight that reportedly lasted 90 minutes before the aircraft landed at nearby Edwards Air Force Base at approximately 8:30 am.

Turbulence Hits UK’s 6th-Gen Fighter Jet Program, Sweden’s Involvement In GCAP Is Officially Over – Reports

11/11/2023

While long assumed, the reported Swedish disinterest pointed towards problems with the other rival projects — France, Germany, and Spain’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. The development comes amid speculative reports about Germany wanting to quit the FCAS and wanting, ironically, to join the Tempest project. This followed long-running differences with France over the project’s techno-industrial aspects.

Ukraine’s Security Forces thwart illicit trade in fighter jet and helicopter parts

11/11/2023

Ukrainian security forces, in a series of coordinated operations across multiple regions, have dismantled two transnational smuggling networks attempting to export components of military aircraft illegally. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained several individuals involved in these illicit activities, safeguarding national security and preventing the unlawful transfer of equipment.

Iranian Su-35 Fighter Deal Could Prompt Gulf Defense Rethink

11/10/2023

At a time of exceptionally heightened global security tensions, Iran might be on the cusp of a historic acquisition of Russia’s Sukhoi Su-35 Super Flanker fighter. The anticipated deal could immediately affect defense planning among other Gulf states that have long viewed their neighbor as a primary threat.

F-22 Raptor: Meet What Might Be the Best Fighter Plane on Earth

11/09/2023

In July 2023, the United States Air Force deployed several Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors to the Middle East as a show of strength amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russian forces. Sending one of the most advanced fighters was meant to bolster U.S. firepower further if needed – as no one would want to mess with one. Moreover, despite being the world's greatest air superiority fighter, the Raptor, in its nearly 20 years in service, has never been employed in aerial combat.

Spain ‘Rejects’ US F-35 Stealth Fighters; To Focus On ‘Made In Europe’ Eurofighter Typhoons

11/09/2023

The Pentagon’s hopes have been dashed as Spain withdrew its earlier declaration of intent to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as a possible substitute for its existing McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II and Boeing EF-18 Hornets.

US Reaper drone shot down near Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, official says

11/09/2023

An unmanned US military drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Houthi forces, a defense official told CNN. The official said the MQ-9 Reaper drone was operating in international airspace and over international waters when it was shot down. US Central Command is investigating the incident, the official said.

U.S. Strikes Iran-Linked Facility in Syria in Round of Retaliation

11/09/2023

For the second time in nearly two weeks, the United States carried out airstrikes against a facility used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its proxies in eastern Syria early Thursday, ratcheting up retaliation for a steady stream of rocket and drone attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria.

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships around nation

11/07/2023

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 10 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 6) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 7). Of the 10 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three were monitored in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. One Xian JH-7 fighter bomber crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeast sector of the ADIZ.

Poland set to sign MQ-9B contract soon, opens up on loyal wingman plans

11/07/2023

Poland expects to sign a production contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs in a matter of weeks, according to a senior Polish military official, as part of an extensive air force modernization effort jolted into action by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With $100B 6th-Gen Fighter Program ‘Lingering’, Germany Keen On FCAS Drones Amid Tussle With France

11/07/2023

The German Air Force, Luftwaffe, wants the wingman drone, designed to operate alongside the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) aircraft as a manned-unmanned team (MUM-T), to be ready for deployment even before the fighter plane under the sixth generation jet project.

Poland receives new FA-50 light combat jets

11/07/2023

Mariusz Blaszczak, the Polish Minister of National Defense, announced via X, formerly known as Twitter, that the 9th and 10th FA-50 light combat aircraft have now arrived in Poland. The process of integrating these advanced fighter jets has officially commenced at the Minsk Mazowiecki Air Base.

Taiwan's Brave Eagle advanced trainer steadily replacing F-5 fleet

11/06/2023

Taiwan’s domestically developed Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft is set to replace the Air Force’s aging AT-3 and F-5 training aircraft, a military official said on Saturday (Nov. 4). The F-5s will be retired from combat duty by the end of this year, though the RF-5 reconnaissance variants will be retained for surveillance missions, working in conjunction with F-16Vs, the official said.

Keeping Indian Offer On Backburner, Nigeria Acquires 1st Batch Of T129 ATAK Choppers From Turkey

11/06/2023

The development marks a significant enhancement in Nigeria’s military capabilities in the long-running effort to modernize its defense forces and maintain its status as one of the leading military in Africa. The procurement preceded a two-year negotiation between Nigerian defense officials and Turkey’s Tusas Engine Industries (TAI) through 2021 and 2022.