Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Video Shows Drone Landing On Russian A-50 Radar Jet That Was Supposedly Attacked

03/03/2023

A video has emerged showing a drone that is claimed to have been launched by a Belarusian partisan group, landing on the radar dome of a Russian A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft at Machulishchy Air Base, Belarus. The video was released by BYPOL, the organization of Belarusian military dissidents opposed to the Lukashenko government that claims it struck the A-50, damaging it in two critical places its radome and its upper forward fuselage area on February 26.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast innovates to support fleet need for air combat training aircraft

03/03/2023

Since Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) inducted its first F-5N Tiger II, the depot has forged forward despite the challenges associated with standing up a new product line. The F-5s were initially purchased in the 1970s by the Air Force and then sold through foreign military sales to Switzerland. In 2002, the Department of Defense decided to repatriate many of these aircraft back to the Navy. The F-5 is a twin-engine tactical fighter aircraft that provides air-to-air combat training.

US Approves ‘Big Batch’ Of HARMs, AMRAAMs For Taiwan’s F-16 Vipers Amid Boiling Tensions With China

03/03/2023

The Biden administration formally notified the US Congress of the proposed sales of F-16 missiles and associated equipment on March 1, 2023. The announcement comes days after Pentagon’s top China official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Michael Chase, visited Taiwan, drawing sharp criticism from China.

Taiwan sees second Chinese air incursion as US agrees arms sale

03/03/2023

Taiwan has reported a large-scale Chinese air force incursion into its air defence zone for a second day running, just as the United States approved the potential sale of $619m in weapons to the island – including hi-tech missiles for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets. Taiwan’s defence ministry said a total of 21 Chinese combat planes – 17 Chengdu J-10 multirole fighters and four advanced Shenyang J-16 strike fighters – had flown into the southwestern corner of the island’s ADIZ on Thursday.

Russian Il-76 military aircraft reportedly delivers spare parts for damaged A-50 plane in Belarus

03/01/2023

The monitoring group stated that a Russian Air Force Il-76 (RF-86843) and an An-26 military transport aircraft arrived at the Machulishchy airfield late on Feb. 26. Early on Feb. 27, the Il-76 flew to Russia’s Ivanovo Severny airfield. The planes arrived on the day a Russian Air Force A-50U AEW aircraft was reported to have been attacked and damaged.

Australia requests sale of AARGM-ER missiles from US

03/01/2023

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of AGM-88E extended-range anti-radiation missiles to Australia. Valued at approximately $506m, the proposed deal has already been approved by the US State Department.

US Navy prioritizes sustaining and modernizing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for future combat readiness

03/01/2023

As the backbone of the US Navy’s carrier air wing, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet remains a top priority for Naval Aviation. The Navy expects the final delivery of new Super Hornets to occur in 2025, ensuring the strike fighter’s capabilities remain at the nation’s service for decades to come.

Singapore to buy eight more F-35B jetsSingapore to buy eight more F-35B jets

02/28/2023

Singapore will exercise a contractual option to acquire eight more F-35B fighter jets, bringing it fleet to 12 aircraft that manufacturer Lockheed Martin will deliver by the end of the decade. Speaking to lawmakers during a budget hearing, Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the decision came after a “full evaluation” of the F-35, which followed increased access to the aircraft program thanks to the country’s initial order.

Russia ‘Shot Down’ Several Of Its Own Fighter Jets; Now Faces Severe Shortage Of Experienced Pilots – New Reports

02/28/2023

In the initial stages of its invasion of Ukraine, Moscow shot down several of its own military aircraft, leading to a shortage of experienced pilots required for Russia to establish air superiority over Ukraine, The Financial Times recently reported. Despite having a large fleet of fourth-generation fighters and cutting-edge aircraft like the Su-57, which British intelligence earlier claimed had not yet been used for operations within Ukraine’s airspace, Moscow has struggled to maintain control

Belarusian partisans damage russian A-50 AWACS aircraft

02/28/2023

On February 26, 2023, a Russian A-50 AWACS aircraft was damaged at Minsk’s military airfield near Minsk, according to Reuters and Militarnyi with reference to the opposition Belarusian channels Belarusian Hajun and BYPOL. Belarusian sources mentioned the use of two UAVs, which were controlled from the territory of Belarus. Operators are reported to be safe outside the country. It is claimed that the A-50 has received serious damage and will not fly anywhere.

Ukraine Says Fighting in Eastern Mining Town Becoming More Difficult

02/28/2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday the situation is becoming increasingly difficult in the eastern city of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in heavy fighting. "The situation is getting more and more complicated," Zelenskyy said Monday during his nightly address. He said Russian forces are "constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect our positions."

What’s the future for crewed aircraft in combat?

02/28/2023

Russia’s war on Ukraine, with its images of helicopters trailing flames, has demonstrated their vulnerability to effective air defences and triggered debate on the future of crewed aircraft sent to penetrate enemy airspace. Former Australian Army major general Mick Ryan, who has studied the conflict closely since Moscow’s 2014 invasion, says Russia is no longer flying crewed aircraft over Ukraine because of its potent air- and missile-defence regime.

Volodymyr Zelensky: We need modern combat aircraft to protect the entire territory of Ukraine from Russian terror

02/28/2023

The day began with an attack by Iranian drones. Most of them were shot down. Eleven out of fourteen. Unfortunately, there were also hits. Three employees of the State Emergency Service in Khmelnytskyi were wounded, two were killed. In fact, that is why we need the aviation component of air defense – modern combat aircraft – to protect the entire territory of our country from Russian terror. Air defense is complete only when it is backed by aviation. Modern aviation.

War update: Ukraine’s Air Force launches four strikes on enemy positions

02/27/2023

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine’s Air Force has launched four strikes on enemy personnel and military equipment clusters. Russian troops attempted to conduct offensive actions in five directions but failed. The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The spring-summer period will be tough, but we are ready for any development in the situation

02/27/2023

The Armed Forces, defense forces, and all defenders of Ukraine are ready for any scenario during the spring-summer campaign, which will be extremely difficult. This was said by the Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, Vadym Skibitsky, at an event on the occasion of the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian Federation’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, organized on February 24 at the residence of the Federal President of Germany in the Bellevue Palace in Berlin.

CJTF-HOA conducts joint FARP exercise on African continent

02/27/2023

Various U.S. units under Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, or CJTF-HOA, and the 449th Air Expeditionary Group pooled their resources to conduct the first simulated joint branch Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, exercise on the African continent, Feb. 22.

Ukraine War ‘Thwacks’ SAAB; JAS-39 Fighter Jets Take A Hit Due To Pilot Shortage, Export Losses — New Report

02/27/2023

The maker of JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets, Saab, is facing an acute supplier shortage, according to a newly published annual report. As per the report, Sweden has been facing supplier shortages due to the Ukraine war, which have caused struggles with the maintenance of military equipment and “major delivery deviations,” such as delayed delivery of the new signals intelligence ship “HSwMS Artemis.”

'American aircraft, this is the PLA Air Force': Moment Chinese fighter jet and guided-missile destroyer threaten U.S. reconnaissance aircraft in heart-stopping confrontation over the South China Sea as tensions between the nations escalate

02/26/2023

A Chinese fighter jet together with a guided-missile destroyer warship in the South China Sea warned a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft to turn away from Chinese airspace in a heart-stopping confrontation all caught on camera.

C-130 airlifter used to refuel an M1A2 Abrams tank for the first time

02/26/2023

The 317th AW successfully passed fuel from a C-130 to an M1A2 utilizing an Emergency Response Refueling Equipment Kit, marking the first time in USAF history that a C-130 has been used to refuel an Abrams tank.

Air-To-Air Missiles Extend Combat Engagement: As Missiles Evolve In Range & Tech, Dogfighting Goes Down

02/26/2023

The latest use of an Air-to-Air missile (AAM) was by the US Northern Command F-22 Raptor fighter jet launching an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to take down a car-sized object flying above Alaska on February 10. The same combination of jet and missile destroyed the Chinese balloon on February 4. While there have been a few air combat engagements in the initial days of the war in Ukraine, missile usage is not clear.

Lightning ‘Strikes’ Asia: F-35 Fighters Proliferate In China’s Neighborhood As New Orders Mount With More In Pipeline

02/26/2023

Singapore announced on February 24 that the country would purchase eight additional F-35B Lightning II fighter jets on top of the four for which a deal was signed in 2019. The announcement indicates that the F-35s are rapidly proliferating in China’s neighborhood.

Stalemate in the skies

02/25/2023

As the world marks the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Dr DAVE SLOGGETT asks if the lessons emerging from the conflict challenge the long-held military doctrine on achieving and maintaining air supremacy? It is still true to say that the enduring characteristic of war is that it is a bloody affair. While some significant technological advances have occurred, they have not changed this fundamental perspective.

How many fighter jets does the UK have as country is willing to supply jets to allies for Ukraine

02/25/2023

Britain is prepared to provide fighter jets to its allies in eastern Europe, according to UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. According to Mr Wallace, this would enable Britain's allies to give Ukraine their own Soviet fighter jets. Notwithstanding the UK's willingness to “backfill” ally stocks, he reiterated that it would not send its own Typhoon fighters to Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine: A Year of War

02/25/2023

Ukraine’s leader pledged Friday to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians marked the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion that upended their lives and Europe’s security. It was Ukraine’s “longest day,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, but the country’s dogged resistance a year on has proven that “every tomorrow is worth fighting for.”

177th Fighter Wing Hosts Air Mobility Command Units For Integrated Combat Turnaround Training

02/25/2023

The 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, part of Air Combat Command, hosted Integrated Combat Turnaround (ICT) training for members of Air Mobility Command (AMC) from Feb. 9 to Feb. 17, 2023. An ICT is a process by which an aircraft is recovered and relaunched in a minimum amount of time, through the simultaneous fueling, loading of munitions, aircraft reconfiguration and aircraft inspections.