Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China unveils amphibious assault ship that can launch fighter jets

12/28/2024

China launched a new amphibious assault ship Friday, capable of launching fighter jets and designed to strengthen the navy’s combat ability in distant seas. The Sichuan, the first ship of the Type 076, is China’s largest such ship yet, displacing 40,000 tons and equipped with an electromagnetic catapult that will allow fighter jets to launch directly off its deck, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Exclusive: French Mirage 2000-5F Fighter Jets Set to Join Ukrainian Air Force in the Coming Weeks.

12/27/2024

After months of rigorous preparation, Ukraine is set to deploy French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets in its ongoing defense against Russia. As reported on the X Account French Aid to Ukraine on December 26, 2024, the six-month training program for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics has successfully concluded, paving the way for the delivery of these advanced multi-role aircraft.

Another US Navy Jet Narrowly Missed ‘Friendly Fire’ Over Red Sea: Official

12/27/2024

Another American fighter aircraft narrowly avoided being shot down by “friendly fire” while conducting a mission over the Red Sea, a US Navy official has revealed. An F/A-18 Super Hornet was forced to take “evasive maneuvers” after an SM-2 missile fired from the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg passed within 100 feet (30 meters) of the aircraft. The combat jet was preparing to land on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier when the incident happened.

Russia “Shoots Down” F-16 Fighter Jet In Zaporizhia Region; Was Ready To Launch Missile: Russian Media

12/27/2024

“The F-16 aircraft was in position to launch a missile strike on the region, and it was shot down.” This was reported to TASS by Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Commission on Sovereignty, Patriotic Projects, and Support for Veterans of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. If true, this would be the second loss of the F-16 Fighting Falcon for Ukraine.

New Chinese Advanced Combat Aircraft Emerge In Flight

12/27/2024

New Chinese combat aircraft broke cover in a flood of social media photos and videos on Dec. 26 showing them in flight and revealing two new examples of China’s evolution as an aerospace innovator. One new aircraft appeared in social media posts revealing a large, three-engine warplane with a cockpit and diamond-style wing with no vertical tails. Yaw control appears to be managed by Northrop Grumman B-2-style split rudders.

Aviation experts say Russia’s air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns

12/27/2024

Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons still unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea.

Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan kill 46 people, Taliban official says

12/26/2024

Bombardment by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province on Tuesday killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women, the Afghan Taliban said, adding it would retaliate. Six people were also injured in the bombing at four locations in Afghanistan, deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday. Pakistani government and military officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Poland scrambles fighter jets amid Russian missile attack on western Ukraine

12/26/2024

This was reported by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on X, Ukrinform saw. "Amid Russia’s air raid, which may target facilities located, including in western Ukraine, warplanes are monitoring our airspace," the statement reads. The Operational Command notes that combat aircraft, ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been put on high alert in Poland.

Taiwan detects 3 Chinese military aircraft, 6 vessels around its territory

12/25/2024

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday reported the operation of three Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels. The aircraft and vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one of them entered Taiwan's eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

From F-16, JF-17 To J-35 Stealth Jets, Pakistan Again Set To “Outdo” Indian Air Force In Fighter Jet Acquisition?

12/25/2024

Pakistan is reportedly set to acquire the J-35 fifth-generation stealth aircraft from China. The purchase would once again position Pakistan ahead of India in the race to acquire an advanced combat aircraft, a trend visible since the mid-1950s when the two countries started building their air power.

These are the biggest air forces in the world in 2025

12/24/2024

Combined, the world’s air forces operate in excess of 50,000 aircraft, with that number changing little year on year. Nevertheless, the World Air Forces Directory has tracked and detailed some 52,642 aircraft from 161 nations in its report for 2025.

Lockheed Lands $11.8B US Military Deal for 145 F-35 Fighter Jets

12/24/2024

Lockheed Martin has secured a nearly $12-billion contract to produce 145 additional F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets for the US military and its international allies. Announced on Friday, the deal covers full-rate production of three F-35 variants under procurement lot 18. The US Air Force is set to receive 48 F-35As, while the US Marine Corps will soon welcome 16 more F-35Bs and five F-35Cs. The US Navy will also get 14 F-35C aircraft.

Analysis of Friendly Fire in Today's Military: US Navy F/A-18 Fighter Jet Incident and Limits of Modern Technology.

12/23/2024

In this article, we analyze the latest incident that took place during the night of December 21-22, 2024, at approximately 03:00 AM local time, when a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was accidentally shot down by a missile launched from the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, over the Red Sea. This tragic case of friendly fire raises critical questions about the challenges and risks of modern military operations.

U.S. approves the sale of new AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles for Morocco’s future F-16 Block 72 fighters

12/23/2024

With the goal of strengthening a key partner in North Africa, the United States government has authorized the possible sale of new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 Block 72 fighters. This information stems from one of the most recent statements by the U.S. Department of State, which notifies Congress of the potential operation through the FMS program for approval.

No J-10C Fighters For Bangladesh; Chinese Aircraft’s “Drawbacks” May Outweigh All Its Capabilities: OPED

12/23/2024

Bangladesh has been actively pursuing the modernization of its armed forces, and the Chinese J-10C, a fourth-generation-plus multi-role fighter jet boasting advanced avionics, weapon systems, and cost efficiency, has featured on its wish list. This news about the possible acquisition of 16 J-10C aircraft follows Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan’s visit to China last month, during which he reportedly expressed Bangladesh’s desire to acquire multirole combat aircraft and attack helicopters.

U.S. Super Hornet Shot Down Over Red Sea in Friendly Fire Incident; Aviators Safe

12/22/2024

Two U.S. Navy aviators are safe after their two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet was shot down by an American ship by mistake, according to a late Saturday statement from U.S. Central Command. The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement.

Seven Chinese nationals tried to illegally enter Guam as U.S. tested missile, authorities say

12/22/2024

Seven Chinese citizens were arrested on charges of illegally entering Guam around the time the U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a key missile interception test using a new radar, the island's Customs and Quarantine Agency has said. The agency said at least four of the people arrested on Dec. 10-11 were found "in the vicinity of a military installation". Guam has many such installations, including Andersen Air Force Base, where the Dec. 10 missile test was conducted.

Price of Transition: How Much Serbia Paid For New Hangars For Rafale After Retiring MiG-29

12/22/2024

Serbia will build new hangars for Rafale multirole fighter jets at the Colonel-pilot Milenko Pavlovic Air Base in the city of Batajnica. In addition, a refurbishment of existing aprons and taxiways is in the plans Serbian Ministry of Defense confirmed on an inquiry from the Tango Six website.

An-72 military aircraft explodes at airfield near moscow – Defense Intelligence

12/21/2024

An explosion occurred at the Ostafyevo airfield (moscow oblast), as a result of which an An-72 military transport aircraft was disabled. The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has announced this on Telegram.

NORAD jets intercept 4 Russian aircraft off Alaska’s coastlines

12/21/2024

Eielson-based jets accompany 2 bombers, 2 fighters flying in international airspace over Chukchi, Bering seas The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft Tuesday as they passed through international airspace off Alaska’s coasts. NORAD dispatched four F-16 fighters and an air tanker from Eielson Air Force Base and an electronic surveillance plane out of Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson to intercept the aircraft.

Australia receives final F-35A Lightning II fighters

12/21/2024

On December 18, 2024, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) welcomed its final three Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft at RAAF Williamtown, marking the completion of its fleet acquisition. According to the Scramble magazine, the delivery concluded a six-year process, during which all 72 aircraft ordered by the RAAF were received, strengthening Australia’s air combat capabilities.

Spain orders 25 additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, links arms on Turkish trainer

12/21/2024

Spain has signed off on an order for 25 Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-generation fighter jets under its Halcon II program. A contract between the Spanish government and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) was inked today and covers the acquisition of 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft.

EXCLUSIVE: New Air Force review supports manned 6th-gen NGAD fighter concept

12/21/2024

A recent internal Air Force analysis supports the development of a manned, next-generation fighter jet, three sources told Breaking Defense — a finding that comes amid a high-profile debate over the future of the multi-billion-dollar Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Bangladesh eyes Chinese J-10C fighters to upgrade its air force fleet

12/20/2024

Bangladesh may be exploring options to modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jets, with China’s J-10C emerging as a potential choice, according to a report by The South China Morning Post. However, acquiring the advanced multirole aircraft could strain regional relations and impose significant costs on the nation. This news follows Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan’s visit to China last month, where he expressed Bangladesh’s commitment to acquiring multirole combat aircraft and attack helicop

Updating Augustine’s Law: Fighter Aircraft Cost Growth in the Age of AI and Autonomy

12/20/2024

In 1979, Department of Defense (DOD) official Norman Augustine conducted a legendary study of U.S. fighter aircraft cost growth over time. He found that the unit cost of new-generation fighter aircraft has increased, on average, roughly an order of magnitude every 20 years since 1910. Augustine observed, “In the year 2054, the entire defense budget will purchase just one aircraft.