Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

First F-16V Block 72 Fighters Delivered To Greece

09/15/2022

The Hellenic Air Force took delivery of the first two fully upgraded F-16V Block 72 Viper fighter jets during a ceremony at Tanagra Air Base on Sept. 12, 2022. The aircraft are the first of 83 that will be upgraded from the Block 52+ to the latest standard, with the works being done locally by the Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI) at Tanagra, supported by Lockheed Martin.

The US Air Force Is Turning 75: Take a Look at the Aircraft It's Flown

09/15/2022

In honor of the Air Force's 75th anniversary on Sept. 18, here are its high-flying craft, from the sound barrier-shattering X-1 to today's cutting-edge F-35 to the upcoming B-21.

Iranian minister of Defense has confirmed that IRIAF will receive the Sukhoi Su-35SE Flanker-E fighter jets originally ordered by Egypt

09/15/2022

The Iranian minister of Defense has confirmed that Iran will receive the Sukhoi Su-35SE Flanker-E fighter jet, Scramble Magazine reports. The original order of 24 Su-35SE for the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) will now be diverted to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).

See aircraft at the Pitch Black air combat drill

09/15/2022

Defense News attended the multinational air combat exercise Pitch Black, which took part in Australia from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8. Our Asia correspondent, Mike Yeo, was onboard an Australian KC-30 tanker, during which he was able to take some of these photos. He took other shots from a control tower at RAAF Base Darwin or on the ground during the exercise.

Russo-Ukraine War - 13 September 2022 - Day 202

09/14/2022

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Commentary: How F-35B fighter jets can boost Singapore’s air defence amid upcoming Paya Lebar Air Base move

09/14/2022

At the multinational air combat exercise Pitch Black in northern Australia that recently concluded on Thursday (Sep 8), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was able to engage the stealthy F-35B fighter jet in the skies. The head of the RSAF Next-Generation Fighter Project Office Major Zhang Jian Wei said, during a media session, that the F-35B’s ability to take off on short runways and land vertically was a key capability.

Upgraded F-16 Fighters For Pakistan – Is Indian Air Force Worried By China, US Arming India’s Key Adversary?

09/14/2022

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) recently informed Congress of the decision to permit the potential sale of the F-16 Case for Sustainment and associated equipment to Pakistan for an estimated price of US$450 million. The DSCA also notified that the planned transaction would not change the regional military balance and does not involve any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions.

Air Force asks Raytheon to build long-range ASARS-2 imaging radar for U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance jet

09/14/2022

U.S. Air Force aerial surveillance experts are asking the Raytheon Co. to build super-high-resolution imaging radar for long-range target detection, radar mapping, and bomb damage assessment. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced a $184 million five-year contract Friday to the Raytheon Intelligence & Space segment in El Segundo, Calif., for the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2 -- better-known as ASARS-2.

Where do the Eagles go when they retire? F-15C fleet prepares to stand down after 50 years of vigilance

09/14/2022

For 24 years the F-15 Eagle has roared over the city of Klamath Falls, Ore., flying countless training missions and supplying air superiority pilots to the U.S. Air Force. This aircraft is special in its own right boasting an undefeated record in combat and a service life reaching back 50 years—a remarkable lifespan for a fighter aircraft.

‘Every flight might be our last’: The Ukrainian pilot fighting for his homeland

09/13/2022

Yuriy is flying sorties against what was initially viewed as overwhelming odds, with Russia said to have vast numerical and technological superiority. The Su-27 pilot, who has lost friends and mentors during the conflict, spoke as Ukrainian forces made some of the war’s most significant gains.

Top Aces Wins Contract to Train USAF with F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter Fleet

09/13/2022

Top Aces Corp. (Top Aces), the world's only commercial owner/operator of F-16 fighter aircraft, today announced that it was selected under the US Air Force (USAF) Combat Air Force Contracted Air Support program to provide advanced adversary air training to pilots at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida and Luke AFB in Arizona.

US Air Force warns of aging fighters, poor purchasing efforts

09/13/2022

The F-16 Fighting Falcon was the backbone of allied air power in Europe for a generation. Three squadrons on the continent fought over Serbia during the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, repeatedly deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan during the last two decades, and served as a deterrent to keep Russia from making moves in Eastern Europe.

Air Force starts installing EPAWSS advanced electronic warfare (EW) avionics aboard F-15E combat aircraft

09/13/2022

Military avionics experts from the Boeing Co. have begun installing an advanced electronic warfare (EW) system on the U.S. Air Force fleet of F-15E jet fighter-bomber aircraft. The Air Force supervised the first installations of the F-15 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) on operational F-15E aircraft in July at the Boeing facility in San Antonio.

Ukraine says its military shot down Russian Su-34 strike aircraft

09/12/2022

The Ukrainian military stated that they shot down Russian Aerospace Forces Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft. The statement did not specify whether the crew had survived or if they had been captured after the plane was shot down. Open-source-intelligence analysts conclude the aircraft is Su-34 bort number of Red 20, RF-95004, a modern Russian strike aircraft presumably of the 47th Bomber Aviation Regiment.

Wing completes aircraft modernization with arrival of eighth C-130J Super Hercules

09/12/2022

The 123rd Airlift Wing welcomed its eighth C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base here Aug. 25, completing the unit’s transition from legacy C-130H transports. The wing had been flying H models since 1992. It said farewell to the last of those on Sept. 24, 2021, and began receiving new J models from Lockheed-Martin Corp. on Nov. 6.

Stories From The Eyes In The Sky On 9/11

09/12/2022

On the 21st anniversary of the tragic and world-altering events of 9/11, we look to two unique perspectives, separated by thousands of miles, of those who were in the air in the aftermath of the terror attacks. Simon Radley had only been a member of the Royal Air Force’s E-3D Sentry force for four months when the events of September 11 began to unfold. A Communications Operator, Simon worked alongside a Communications Technician to process all messages coming to and going from the rotating-radar

Russian Forces Flee Ukraine’s Kharkiv Offensive In Stunning Rout

09/11/2022

Russian forces are withdrawing from Kharkiv Oblast and elsewhere en masse with Ukrainian forces retaking territory across the eastern frontline. Ukrainian troops have raised the flag over critical cities of Izyum, Lyman, and Kupiansk after nearly a week of gains with a mix of mechanized, special forces, and motorized troops punching through and overrunning Russian positions.

Spanish and German Eurofighters in Estonia begin alert missions

09/11/2022

An alert mission means that aircraft assigned to this activity must respond to a threat at any time. I.e. it is a network of aircraft loaded and ready for combat upon arrival at a moment’s notice. The news is significant as it means that communication alignment has been achieved between the Spanish and German fighters. Upon receiving a moment’s notice, they will be able to act together in mixed crews.

‘Biden’s F-16 deal with Pak linked to Zawahiri’s death’

09/11/2022

The decision of the Joe Biden administration to give $450 million worth “sustainment” and “related equipment” for F-16 fighter jets that Pakistan has been maintaining since the 1980s is being seen as a recognition of Pakistan Army’s effort to help the Biden administration in generating crucial domestic goodwill by way of helping them eliminate Al-Qaeda chief Ayaman Al Zawahiri.

Boise squadron takes home win in A-10 fighter jet showcase

09/10/2022

Boise-based pilots of the 190th Fighter Squadron at Gowen Field are some of the nation’s best to fly the A-10 fighter jet — and they proved as much during this year’s Hawgsmoke competition Thursday. The A-10 Thunderbolt II, known as the “Warthog” fighter jet, has played a pivotal role for the Idaho National Air Guard since the late 1990s.

Ukraine’s Su-27s Appear To Be Wielding Anti-Radiation Missiles Now Too

09/10/2022

A recent image suggests that the Ukrainian Air Force has also now provided its Su-27 Flanker fighter jets with U.S.-made AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, or HARMs. This would make the Su-27 the second Ukrainian combat aircraft (that we know about) to get the missiles, after the MiG-29 Fulcrum. An official video showing Ukrainian MiG-29s firing HARMs appeared last week, and you can read more about it here.

Japan Wants India’s Help To Combat China; To Hold Air Force Drills With IAF’s Su-30 Fighters That PLAAF Also Operates

09/10/2022

The Indian Minister of Defense, Rajnath Singh, and the country’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, met with the Minister of Defense of Japan, Hamada Yasukazu, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa, in Tokyo on September 8, 2022. In a joint statement following the ‘2+2’ meeting, the ministers from both countries noted that the air services of the two countries are working closely for the early conduct of the inaugural India-Japan fighter exercise.

Poland buying 96 AH-64E Apaches, as modernization spending spree continues

09/09/2022

Today’s surprise announcement that Poland would purchase 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters headlined the 30th annual International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) here, but it was far from the only deal announced during the conference. All told, Warsaw — already in the midst of a massive military modernization push — dropped $1.4 billion in contract announcements, even without a final, likely hefty price available on the Apache deal.

Ukrainian Armed Forces kill 640 Russian military personnel, destroy 2 aircraft and 2 helicopters General Staff

09/09/2022

The Armed Forces of Ukraine killed 640 Russian military personnel and shot down two aircraft and two helicopters on Wednesday, 7 September. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale military invasion, Ukrainian forces have killed a total of 51,250 Russian soldiers. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Record number of tankers participate in Pitch Black exercise

09/09/2022

This year’s multinational air combat exercise Pitch Black hosted the largest number of tankers than previous iterations of the drill. The three-week exercise, which took place Aug. 19-Sept. 8 in northern Australia, saw the aerial refueling platforms act as vital force multipliers to keep combat aircraft in the air longer.