Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Japan, S Korea warplanes debut alongside F-35s at Exercise Pitch Black

08/26/2022

Fighter jets from Japan and South Korea are making their debut at a large-scale air combat exercise in northern Australia, along with F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters from the host nation and the United States. The aircraft and personnel from the U.S. allies will take part in the biennial Exercise Pitch Black alongside that from 15 other nations, making up a force of over 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel at what the Royal Australian Air Force or RAAF calls its “premier multinational air co

More 'Unsafe' Encounters Between Australian and Chinese Forces Near Disputed South China Sea Region

08/25/2022

Australia’s new Air Force Chief has said surveillance missions would continue in the South China Sea despite a “recent spate of unsafe incidences” in the contested region. In May, a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane was intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet in international air space claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea region.

Canada’s Future Fighter

08/25/2022

The Canadian government in March 2022 began the finalization phase of the Future Fighter Capability Program to purchase 88 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets through prime contractor Lockheed Martin and the United States government. The parties will now need months of negotiation on key contractual elements like when and where aircraft are to be delivered, pilot and maintainer training, logistics, and a final price tag – estimated to be worth $19 billion.

Updates on Nordic Defense: July and August 2022

08/25/2022

The 2023 draft budget for the Ministry of Defence’s branch of government is EUR 6.1 billion, representing an increase of EUR 1 billion, or 20%, on the current budget. The figure is explained by general increases in the Defence Forces’ operating expenditure, in defence materiel procurement and in support for the activities of national defence organisations. The increases seek respond to the changes in the Defence Forces’ operating environment.

Turkish F16s escorting B-52s were radar-locked by Greek fighters

08/25/2022

F-16 fighter jets from the 132nd Fleet Weapons and Tactics Command, located at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in the Turkish Air Force Command, escorted US B-52s as part of the NATO mission. During the operation conducted in Slovakian airspace to protect NATO’s eastern flank, Turkish F-16s were tasked with protecting American B-52s loaded with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile munitions.

Slovakia to send 30 IFVs to Ukraine

08/24/2022

"Slovakia will send its 30 IFVs to Ukraine & get 15 Leopard2A4 MBT from Germany," Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Jaroslav Nad posted on Twitter. Earlier, Nad stated that the Government of Slovakia would not stop military support to Ukraine despite all the efforts of Russia to influence public opinion in his country on this matter.

Air Force to Expand Synthetic Environment for Mission Rehearsal, Testing, and Training

08/24/2022

Aircraft simulators must evolve to meet the adversary threat, leaders from the 53rd Wing told Air Force Magazine. Once mainly used for initial qualification training, the Air Force is moving toward a paradigm of simulator training known as the “common synthetic environment” that will create non-proprietary, interchangeable training devices and environments for aircrews to train, conduct mission rehearsals, and even test new weapons and other capabilities in a virtual environment.

US cautiously eyeing F-16 deal for Turkey despite more Russian S-400s for Ankara

08/23/2022

An announcement by Russia last week revealing that Turkey is on track to receive another “regiment” of the S-400 missile defense system has left officials in Washington scratching their heads. But the Biden administration suggested that Ankara would not face additional sanctions as it appeared the new batch of Russian weapons is part of the original deal, which forced the Trump administration to penalize Turkey under US law.

The 58th Fighter Squadron executes exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field

08/23/2022

Nomads with the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, participated in exercise Northern Lightning from Aug. 8-19. Northern Lightning is a joint training exercise that replicates today’s air battle-space and where the Nomad’s worked to enhance Agile Combat Employment and build combat-credible Airmen. The Nomads stayed in Volk for roughly four weeks as they conducted off-site training and participated in the exercise.

Multibillion Engine Deals Show Air Force Wants to Maintain Three Future Warplane Makers

08/23/2022

The Air Force plans to invest billions of dollars to develop new combat fighters—and the military engines to power them—over the next decade. The plan shows Air Force leaders’ desire to keep its three large airplane makers—Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman—as well as engine makers General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, viable to build aircraft for years to come.

The RAAF and the US Air Force Work Integration

08/22/2022

When I worked for Secretary Wynne when he was head of defense acquisition and then Secretary of the USAF, I had a chance to focus on the coming of the F-35 global enterprise. What I argued at the time was that a global force of F-35s would provide a foundation for working defense integration, not just interoperability. For me, the aircraft was not really a fighter understood in classic terms; it was a multi-domain flying combat system.

The aircraft, slated to replace the EC-130H Compass Call, made a brief visit to show to the 55th Electronic Combat Group the progress with the program.

08/22/2022

The U.S. Air Force released new photos of the new EC-37B Compass Call as it briefly visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on August 17, 2022. The visit gave to the personnel of the 55th Electronic Combat Group the opportunity to see up-close the aircraft that will replace in a few years their ageing EC-130Hs giving in turn better performance and new capabilities over the retiring aircraft. The aircraft, which received all external modification, is still flying with its primer paint and the civili

Drone Strikes Headquarters Of Russia's Black Sea Fleet In Ukraine's Occupied Crimea Region

08/21/2022

The headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine's occupied Crimea region was hit by a drone attack early on August 20, a Russia-installed administrator reported. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed administrator of the port city of Sevastopol, posted on Telegram that the drone crashed into the roof of the building and that there were no casualties. A video showing a plume of smoke rising over the building was posted on social media.

Belarusian specialists repairing Russian combat aircraft, says Ukraine’s intel

08/21/2022

According to intelligence data, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense and the Russian government have signed urgent contracts for the repair and restoration of aviation equipment. “In particular, employees of the 558th aircraft repair plant (Baranovichi) periodically go on business trips as part of ‘field groups’ to carry out work on the restoration and commissioning of aircraft equipment at the 121st aircraft repair plant (the territory of the Kubinka air base),” reads the report.

Iraq Is Facing Difficulties Sustaining Its Russian Military Helicopters

08/20/2022

Iraq’s military is reportedly facing significant difficulties sustaining its fleet of Russian-made military helicopters as an indirect result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The latest quarterly report by the U.S. Defense Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS notes that Russian supply chain issues caused by the Ukraine war, and sanctions against Moscow for perpetrating it, has affected Iraq’s ability to sustain its Russian-built aircraft.

China's Response to Pelosi Visit a Sign of Future Intentions

08/20/2022

China's response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was anything but subtle — dispatching warships and military aircraft to all sides of the self-governing island democracy, and firing ballistic missiles into the waters nearby.

Explosions at a Russian base knocked out over half the Black Sea fleet's combat jets, crippling its warfighting ability, Western officials and intelligence say

08/20/2022

Recent explosions widely considered to have been a Ukrainian attack at a Russian base in occupied Crimea knocked out over half of the Russian Black Sea fleet's combat jets, Western officials have revealed to the media Friday. Multiple blasts on August 9 at Saki Air Base — situated well-behind the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine — caused widespread damage, destroying several Russian warplanes and buildings.

Slovakia to send weapons to Ukraine despite Russia’s efforts to prevent supplies – defence minister

08/19/2022

Jaroslav Nad', Slovakia's defence minister has stated that the Government of Slovakia will not stop providing military support to Ukraine despite all Russia’s efforts to influence public opinion in his country on this matter. According to the minister, a not too high number of Slovaks' support for this government initiative is related to the activity of Russian propaganda in his country which is making significant efforts to block the arms supplies to Ukraine, EuroNews reports.

Ukrainian attacks in Crimea weaken Russia’s military capacity

08/19/2022

A series of apparent Ukrainian attacks and logistical disasters for Russian forces in the 25th week of the war may indicate that Ukraine’s promised southern counteroffensive is still viable, despite the absence so far of significant territorial gains for Kyiv.

Exercise Pitch Black takes off

08/19/2022

The skies over the Top End have filled with aircraft from across the world for the return of Exercise Pitch Black. From today until 8 September, 16 nations will participate alongside Australia in Exercise Pitch Black in an effort to enhance interoperability and develop strong relationships between participating military forces.

US B-52s and fighters from what may soon be NATO's newest member teamed up for a first-of-its-kind operation

08/19/2022

US Air Force B-52 bombers arrived in Europe for a Bomber Task Force deployment on Thursday after training with Norwegian and Swedish fighter jets before landing at RAF Fairford air base in England. The exercise yielded first-of-their-kind photos of the countries training together, reflecting an already close military relationship that is growing closer as Sweden moves to join NATO and the alliance increases its focus on the high north.

BAE Systems Delivers First Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft to Qatar

08/18/2022

BAE Systems officially delivered its first Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) during a roll-out ceremony at the company’s facility in Warton, UK. The Typhoon aircraft was delivered on schedule and will be transported from the UK to Doha later this month. BAE Systems and the UK see the delivery as a “significant milestone” under Qatar’s 5-billion-euro ($5.08 billion) program to acquire Eurofighter jets and Hawk advanced jet trainers.

Latvian residents have donated EUR 250,000 for purchase of Bayraktar drone in first day of collection drive

08/18/2022

In the first day since the launch of a collection drive in Latvia for the purchase and donation of the Bayraktar combat drone to Ukraine, over EUR 250,000 has been collection, according to information on the portal Ziedot.lv. The collection driver itself was launched on Tuesday, and already 8,000 persons have donated to the initiative.

Navy chooses Crane Keltec to upgrade power supplies in EA-18G electronic warfare (EW) combat jet aircraft

08/18/2022

U.S. Navy airborne electronic warfare (EW) experts needed upgraded power supplies for the AN/ALQ-218 signals intelligence (SIGINT) system aboard the Boeing EA-18G Growler carrier-based aircraft. They found their solution from the Crane Aerospace & Electronics Keltec segment in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Taiwan showcases most advanced fighter jet after China drills

08/18/2022

Taiwan unveiled its most advanced fighter jet, the missile-equipped F-16V, in a rare nighttime demonstration in the wake of China’s unprecedented military drills around the island. Chinese forces have staged days of air and sea military drills in the Taiwan Strait this month after visits to the self-governed island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a congressional delegation.