Military Aviation News Archive

‘Cash Cows’ Saudi Arabia & Japan Could Dramatically Boost GCAP Fighter Jet Program; Eclipse Franco-German FCAS

09/27/2023

After Japan, resource-rich Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in jointly developing the 6th generation fighter jet, which is expected to take to the skies by 2035 and could eclipse the best contemporary fighter jets.

Japan’s growing military power will help the West challenge China’s threat

09/26/2023

Last December, the UK, Italy and Japan agreed to combine their respective projects and build next-generation military fighter aircraft in a scheme dubbed the Global Combat Aircraft Programme (GCAP). At the DSEI international arms fair in London earlier this month, the three principal contractors, BAE Systems, Leonardo SpA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries concluded a Collaboration Agreement to develop long-term working arrangements and capability requirements for GCAP.

Air Capabilities of the Taliban: A Geospatial Analysis

09/26/2023

When the Taliban overran the last government held positions, the bulk of the Afghan Air Force departed for Tajikistan. After the fall of Kabul, the United States likewise left an inordinate amount of military hardware. A good amount of that hardware included rotorwing assets. Attention has now turned towards whether or not the Taliban are capable of fielding offensive air assets.

Generate Airpower, Check: Kadena ACEs no-notice exercise

09/26/2023

The U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly generate airpower at a moment’s notice was put to the test at Kadena Air Base, when the 18th Wing conducted a no-notice agile combat employment exercise Sept. 22, 2023. Airmen from the 18th Wing partnered with deployed Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to launch multiple F-15C/D Eagles, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs without prior notice.

In Argentina’s fighter competition, Washington and Beijing fight for regional influence

09/26/2023

The global influence struggle between the United States and the People’s Republic of China has quietly arrived in America’s backyard, with Washington attempting to fend off Beijing establishing a sizeable military relationship with Argentina. The competition, as it so often does between large powers, is playing out through a defense industrial decision: Namely, whether Buenos Aries buys second-hand Danish F-16 A/B Fighting Falcons or newly-made Chengdu JF-17 Thunder Block Three fighters from Chi

ASEAN concludes first-ever joint military drills in Indonesia

09/24/2023

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have strengthened cooperation in maritime security through their first-ever joint military exercise on Indonesian islands in the South China Sea, where China has been increasing maritime activities. Indonesia hosted the military drills that took place from Tuesday through Saturday on the Natuna Islands and elsewhere. Jakarta holds this year's rotating chair of ASEAN.

A Month After Prigozhin’s Suspicious Death, the Kremlin Is Silent on His Plane Crash and Legacy

09/24/2023

Why Yevgeny Prigozhin's private jet plummeted into a field northwest of Moscow is still a mystery. The Russian military leaders he tried to oust with his armed rebellion remain in power. His mercenary army is under new management. And President Vladimir Putin, whose authority was badly dented by the short-lived mutiny, seems as strong as ever, with Prigozhin's fiery death sending a chilling message to anyone challenging him.

Germany and France: Still keen on joint defense projects?

09/23/2023

The development of the Franco-German battle tank MGCS has taken a step forward this week. Army inspectors from both countries signed a document on the requirements for the joint main battle tank of the future. "This is a milestone that will enable the work to come," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu.

U.S. fighter jet flew 100 km unpiloted, pilot tried to explain to perplexed 911 operator

09/23/2023

A military pilot whose advanced fighter jet went temporarily missing last weekend is heard repeatedly requesting an ambulance in a perplexing 911 call from the South Carolina home where he had parachuted to safety, according to an audio recording released Thursday to The Associated Press.

Taiwan says detects 24 Chinese military aircraft in air defence zone

09/22/2023

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Friday that over the previous 24-hour period it had detected 24 Chinese air force aircraft entering into Taiwan's air defence zone, part of a regular pattern of what Taipei calls Chinese harassment. At least 17 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to a map the ministry published.

Norwegian F-35 Fighters Landed on a Finnish Highway for the First Time

09/22/2023

After training with Finland's F/A-18 Hornet fighter, two of Norway's F-35A fighters landed for the first time on a Finnish highway on Thursday. This is reported by the Norwegian Armed Forces. More specifically, this took place in Tervo, North Savo – which is located in central Finland.

Saboteurs 'blew up' aircraft at a Russian base in the latest in a string of attacks, causing 'hysteria,' Ukrainian military intelligence reports

09/21/2023

Unknown saboteurs "blew up" several Russian military aircraft at a base near Moscow earlier this week, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Wednesday. The reported attack marks the latest in a string of assaults specifically targeting airfields inside Russia's internationally recognized territory, which have taken place hundreds of miles away from active fighting along the Ukraine war's front lines and exposed major shortcomings in Moscow's domestic security apparatus.

A-10 Pilot’s Compelling Case For Replacing Warthogs With Super Hornets

09/21/2023

The U.S. Air Force wants to retire the A-10 Warthog, an aircraft I have ?own for years around the globe, by the end of the decade. While many may think all of us in the A-10 community want to hold onto our beloved mount for dear life, that isn’t necessarily the case. What many of us do want is a suitable replacement, of which there is none currently planned. This new aircraft should be relatively economical while also bringing additional capabilities to the ?ght, especially one in the Paci?c aga

Australia to upgrade maritime surveillance fleet in $965m deal

09/20/2023

The Australian government has said it will buy a new drone and upgrade existing patrol and response aircraft in a 1.5 billion Australian dollar ($964.88m) deal to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities. The military will buy a fourth MQ-4C Triton drone and upgrade the air force’s existing fleet of 14 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Pat Conroy, minister for defence industry, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Japan's new jet fighter alliance pushes limits of defense policy

09/20/2023

About an hour by train from downtown Tokyo, two five-story office towers in the quiet suburb of Akishima are an unlikely hub for Japan's jet engine industry. Inside, 2,000 employees of IHI, Japan's largest maker of jet engines, design everything from turbines for business jets to fan modules for Airbus and Boeing passenger liners.

China flies 103 military planes toward Taiwan in a new high in activity the island calls harassment

09/19/2023

China’s military sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period in what the island’s defense ministry called a recent new high. The planes were detected between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday, the ministry said. As is customary, they turned back before reaching Taiwan. Chinese warplanes fly toward the self-governing island on a near-daily basis but typically in smaller numbers. The Taiwan ministry didn’t explain what time period it meant by a “recent” high.

US finds debris from fighter jet one day after crash

09/19/2023

The U.S. military said it finally found debris from a crashed F-35 fighter jet in South Carolina on Monday, a day after asking for the public's help in locating the elusive wreckage. The pilot of the F-35B Lightning II jet had safely ejected from the aircraft on Sunday afternoon. Joint Base Charleston on Sunday asked people on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to "please call the Base Defense Operations Center" with any information to assist the recovery teams.

Russia updates Tu-22M3 bombers’ missiles to receive new payload: Aviation Commander

09/18/2023

Missiles for Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bombers have been updated to receive a new payload with an increased weight up to 1,700 kilograms, Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Commander Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash said on Sunday. “The next aircraft is Tu-22M3. We have updated this missile with a new payload which will increase its capacity to 1,700 kilos," he said according to state news agency TASS.

South Korean Fighter Jets ‘Storm’ The World; After FA-50, KF-21 Boramae Makes Big Impact In Aviation Market

09/18/2023

One notable area in which Seoul has significantly expanded its activities is the fighter jet industry, traditionally dominated by the United States and Russia. In particular, the country has been actively establishing a presence in the advanced jet trainer and light fighter market, with its T-50/FA-50 models gaining momentum and achieving success in the global export market.

BAE opens door to Saudi Arabia tie-up in Tempest fighter jet programme

09/18/2023

The boss of defence contractor BAE Systems has opened the door to Saudi Arabia becoming involved in the UK’s flagship fighter jet programme. Charles Woodburn, BAE’s chief executive, said the kingdom can ‘offer a lot’ and had a talented workforce that could boost the project. Woodburn was speaking after it emerged that the Saudi government is pushing to become a full partner in the international global combat air programme

Authorities searching for missing F-35 plane after Marine pilot ejected during flight over Charleston

09/18/2023

A South Carolina military airbase has appealed for the public's help in finding a missing Marines Corps fighter aircraft after its pilot ejected from it on Sunday afternoon. Marine Corps investigators have launched an inquiry after the 'mishap' which saw one of their pilots ejected from an F-35 fighter aircraft over North Charleston Sunday afternoon.

Taiwan Eyes New Chinese Aircraft Carrier as Major Threat

09/17/2023

A new Taiwanese military assessment highlights the threat posed to the self-governing island by China's third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is expected to enter service after completing sea trials sometime next year. The assessment, laid out in Taiwan's National Defense Report 2023, also calls for developing a decentralized command platform across military services based on lessons learned from observing Russia's war on Ukraine.

Ukraine war: Kyiv's army 10 km from Bakhmut, evacuations ordered in south, fighter jet training

09/16/2023

The Ukrainian army announced Friday morning it had recaptured Andriivka, a village on the eastern front some ten kilometres from Bakhmut. Russian forces suffered "significant" casualties and equipment losses, the Ukrainian General Staff wrote in its daily report. "During their assault, they [the Ukrainian Armed Forces] liberated Andriivka in the Donetsk region," it said.

The Fight to Get to the Fight: ANG Deputy Director on the Fighter Shortage, Homeland Defense

09/16/2023

During the final senior leader panel of the 2023 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, deputy director, Air National Guard, discussed the shortfall of fighter aircraft across the total force and its impact on the ANG’s role in homeland defense.

Denmark unboxes its fearsome F-35 combat aircraft and new Light Rail project

09/16/2023

Denmark’s first new F-35 fighter jets landed at the air station in Skrydstrup, Jylland on Thursday. In total, 27 of the state-of-the-art combat aircraft have been added to the Danish military arsenal to replace the earlier F-16 fleet. According to Ritzau, the F-35s, delivered by American manufacturer Lockheed Martin, cost some DKK 16 billion.