Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Korea Aerospace Industries forecasts a market for up to 100 FA-50 in Egypt

08/10/2022

Korea Aerospace Industries is looking to establish an industrial partnership for the production and marketing of the FA-50 in Africa and the Middle East, and Egypt is a strong candidate. The Black Eagles aerobatic team of the Republic of South Korea Air Force (ROKAF) performed the first aerobatics demonstration during the recent Pyramid Air Show 2022.

New fighters needed after F-5, MiG-29 retired, says former RMAF commander

08/10/2022

The number of fighter jets, which are viewed as national defence assets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), needs to be increased. Former RMAF commander, General (R) Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said the country's capability was affected after the F5-E Tiger II and MiG-29 were retired (end of service). According to him, the addition of these assets need to be done immediately because the country is lagging behind in the aspect of owning air defence assets compared to other countries in the Asian r

Knocking Out Russian Air Defense, US Dispatches ‘Super Lethal’ High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles To Ukraine

08/10/2022

The US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, said in a press conference on August 8 that the US has sent “a number of anti-radiation missiles that can be fired off of Ukrainian aircraft that can have effects on Russia radars and other things.” Kahl’s remarks came shortly after Russian Telegram channels released the images of what is allegedly the destroyed AGM-88 HARM, and the missile in question was reportedly fired at a Russian position.

Stealth technology a driving force in military fixed-wing market

08/10/2022

A report released by GlobalData has revealed growth in the global military fixed-wing market will see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.12% between 2022 and 2032, reaching $98.3bn, driven by developments in stealth technologies.

India tells China: Don't fly your combat jets close to Line of Actual Control

08/06/2022

India has firmly conveyed its concerns to China over certain instances of Chinese combat jets flying close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, official sources said on Friday. They claimed that on August 2, the concerns were expressed at a special round of military negotiations. The Indian delegation vigorously pushed for both sides to refrain from flying activities within 10 kilometres of the LAC during the discussion that took place at the Chushul-Moldo border crossing.

“The F-15EX Eagle II can shoot farther than any other fighter in the USAF arsenal,” Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center says

08/06/2022

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6 team members recently analyzed two of the first developmental and operational test missile shots for the F-15EX Eagle II. Engineers and analysts from the AFOTEC Detachment 6 F-15 division traveled to Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall AFB, both in Florida, to draw results from the AIM-120D and AIM-120C3 missile shots performed as part of the Weapons System Evaluation Program, or WSEP, conducted by Eglin’s 53rd Wing.

The “Non-Stop” Flow of Arms to Ukraine Amidst Reports of Black Marketeering

08/06/2022

The flow of weapons to battle-scarred Ukraine has been “non-stop”, says Rear Admiral Duke Heinz, the European Union’s chief logistician, as the fighting continues uninterruptedly ever since the Russian invasion last February. And US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was quoted as saying: “Ukraine needs the firepower and the ammunition to withstand its barrage and to strike back at the Russians launching these attacks from inside Ukraine’s own territory”.

India bids to sell fighter jets to Malaysia, says six other countries interested

08/06/2022

India has offered to sell 18 light-combat aircraft (LCA) "Tejas" to Malaysia, the defence ministry said on Friday, adding that Argentina, Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines were also interested in the single-engine jet. The Indian government last year gave a $6 billion contract to state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HIAE.NS) for 83 of the locally produced Tejas jets for delivery starting around 2023 - four decades after it was first approved in 1983.

Ukraine Needs NASAMS to Defend Against Russian Cruise Missiles

08/06/2022

Ukraine’s network of surface-to-air missile systems has helped. The Norwegian-built National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which is also used to protect Washington, D.C., will be an added advantage. But two systems announced by President Joe Biden on July 1 and under contract by the U.S. government for Ukraine are believed to be months away from delivery.

F-15EX missile shots examined to verify combat capability

08/05/2022

Engineers and analysts from the AFOTEC Detachment 6 F-15 division traveled to Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall AFB, both in Florida, to draw results from the AIM-120D and AIM-120C3 missile shots performed as part of the Weapons System Evaluation Program, or WSEP, conducted by Eglin’s 53rd Wing. These missile shots conducted Jan. 25, showed how the F-15 EX can be employed in theater and provided the context needed for Detachment 6 to verify its combat capability.

Fighter pilots will don AR helmets to train with imaginary enemies

08/05/2022

In the near future, “Top Gun” may get a reboot. Roughly one year from now, fighter pilots will begin flying with helmets outfitted with visors that can augment reality and place digital replicas of enemy fighter jets in their field of vision. For the first time, pilots will get to fly in the air and practice maneuvering against imitations of highly advanced aircraft made by countries like China and Russia.

Dueling bids for US-made fighter jets could inflame tensions between 2 of NATO's least friendly members

08/05/2022

Turkey and Greece, two of NATO's most valuable but least friendly allies, are pursuing new US-made fighter jets, but their diverging relationships with Washington mean they might not both get what they want. In June, Greece submitted a request to the US for the purchase of 20 F-35 stealth fighters with the option for 20 more jets in the future. The request comes as Athens's ties with Washington, especially their defense relationship, grow closer.

AFOTEC Detachment 6 participates in first F-15EX live-fire missile shots

08/04/2022

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6 Morale Patch. Detachment 6 team members recently participated in two of the first developmental and operational test missile shots for the F-15EX Eagle II.

China Puts Its J-20 Stealth Fighters In ‘Action Mode’ For The Very 1st Time; PLAAF Sends Dozens Of Warplanes Into Taiwan ADIZ

08/04/2022

As tensions soared with the US over Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China commenced joint military exercises surrounding Taiwan, featuring J-20 stealth fighters for the very first time, Chinese media reported. China released a video released showing J-20 stealth fighter jets participating in the military drills. The stealth jets flew from an airfield on Tuesday, with Beijing deploying rockets and missiles to thwart Pelosi’s visit.

New combat pod system wakes up with software updates during test

08/04/2022

The operational assessment of the Angry Kitten Combat Pod electronic attack system in April demonstrated rapid reprogramming between flights. This combat pod, an updated version of the Georgia Tech Research Institute Angry Kitten pod, simulates enemy electronic attack signals during Air Force test and training missions.

Imposing Additional Costs on Russia for Its Continued War Against Ukraine

08/03/2022

The United States is committed to working alongside our allies and partners to further impose severe consequences on President Putin and his enablers for Russia’s unconscionable war against Ukraine.

Chinese Military Drills Will Surround Taiwan As Punishment For Pelosi Visit

08/03/2022

As had been increasingly expected for days now, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan along with a Congressional delegation as part of a scheduled trip through Asia. Despite earlier concerns, China's People's Liberation Army does not appear to have tried to directly intervene to block Pelosi's flight. However, Chinese authorities have now announced plans for a series of highly provocative "targeted military operations."

Four U.S. Marine Hornets Repositioned From Poland To Italy

08/03/2022

On Aug. 1, 2022, four U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) “Death Rattlers”, from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Miramar, California, landed at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Decision looms on fighter jet funding

08/03/2022

The House committee scrutinising the 2023 budget bill will decide on Wednesday on a request by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a budget to fund its F-35A fighter jet procurement scheme. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, vice chairman of the committee, said on Tuesday the panel is split over the issue after reviewing the RTAF's appeal and documents, in which the air force insists the budget request is valid but has agreed to have it slashed by 50%.

BAE Systems launches recruitment drive for Tempest fighter jet

08/03/2022

The plans, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, come amid an announcement at Farnborough Airshow that a demonstrator aircraft will fly within the next five years. The defence manufacturer wants to hire an extra 1,000 engineers in the next 12 months in its air division. The new staff will work on the sixth generation fighter as well as the Typhoon and other future programmes. Team Tempest comprises the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK.

NATO fortifies Eastern Europe’s defenses under new ‘air shielding’ mission

08/03/2022

NATO is building up its defenses in Eastern Europe to fend off Russian aggression in a new effort it calls “air shielding.” The 30-country transatlantic alliance has long flown “air policing” missions that dispatch fighter jets to keep unfriendly aircraft at bay. Air shielding, however, began in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a neighbor it shares with NATO nations.

UPDATED: Carrier USS Ronald Reagan, F-35B Big Deck Operating Near Taiwan as Pelosi Arrives in Singapore; China Renews Threats

08/02/2022

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and big deck amphibious ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), with Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters embarked, are operating in the vicinity of Taiwan, on the edge of the South China Sea ahead of a Western Pacific visit from U.S. House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to the region, according to the Aug. 1 edition of the USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker. An earlier version of this post indicated USS America (LHA-6) was underway but it is in port

Upgraded L-39 combat training aircraft arrive in Kazakhstan

08/02/2022

L-39 combat training planes arrived in Kazakhstan after being modernized and repaired at the manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic, Kazinform cites the press service of the Kazakh Defense Ministry. The planes boast new digital avionics, ejection, objective control systems, communication means, and more.

US F-35 Jets in Europe Resume Flights After Parts Inspections

08/02/2022

The 26 US F-35 fighter jets based in Europe have resumed flying missions after temporary groundings and inspections of their ejector seat parts, according to an Air Force statement. “All subordinate commands hosting F-35A Lightning II throughout the European theater conducted a review” at the direction of Air Force headquarters, US Air Forces-Europe-Africa said in a statement on Monday. The fighter jets “underwent an immediate review” and “both squadrons will continue normal operations,” it said

India ups the ante with new aircraft carrier amid growing concerns over China

08/02/2022

The Indian Navy has accepted delivery of its first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier — a milestone for the country’s defense industry as New Delhi seeks to not only modernize the force, but also counter increased Chinese presence and influence in the Indian Ocean. The future INS Vikrant, also known as the “Indigenous Aircraft Carrier,” was handed over to the navy on Thursday by local shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard following extensive trials.