Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Merhaba Eurofighter! Two Typhoon Jets Land In Turkey; Ankara Inches Close To Acquire European Aircraft?

12/20/2024

Turkey’s bid to acquire Eurofighter jets appears to be advancing positively. On December 18, two Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom touched down at Mürted Air Base, approximately 35 kilometers north of Ankara, for inspection by Turkish officials. This arrival coincides with ongoing discussions regarding Turkey’s potential purchase of Eurofighter aircraft. The jets recently participated in a military exercise in Qatar before arriving in Turkey.

Pentagon Says Chinese Air Force Nipping at USAF’s Heels, but Not Yet a Match

12/20/2024

China’s air force is very good and improving quickly, but has not yet matched the air combat capabilities of the U.S. Air Force, according to the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military power and officials who helped prepare it. The 2024 edition of the report particularly emphasized how the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has expanded the capabilities of its unmanned aerial systems, saying they are now comparable to USAF systems. It also noted strides the Chinese have made with air-to-a

‘Not a warfighter’: Air Force secretary hits back at Musk comments on canceling manned fighters

12/20/2024

The Pentagon should continue to buy and upgrade the Lockheed Martin F-35, Frank Kendall said today, while underscoring that “better performance” is needed from the stealth jet’s manufacturer. As his tenure overseeing the Air Force comes to an end, Secretary Frank Kendall today offered a word of advice for the incoming Trump administration: the F-35 is here to stay, and now is not the time to talk about replacing manned fighter jets with drones.

Russian bombers detected in Alaskan air defense zone

12/19/2024

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported on Dec. 18 that it had detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ADIZ as a designated stretch of international airspace that necessitates the identification of all aircraft for national security purposes. NORAD reported that the Russian planes remained in international airspace and did not breach U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.

15 Chinese military aircraft, 13 ships tracked around Taiwan

12/19/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels, and four official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. According to the MND, two of the 15 People's Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ). These included fighter jets, fighter bombers, support aircraft, and a helicopter.

Bell Textron chooses Fort Worth for major expansion to build V-280 Valor military aircraft

12/19/2024

Bell Textron Inc., already one the largest employers in the Metroplex, has chosen its hometown of Fort Worth to build components for the next generation of military assault helicopters. The news, announced Tuesday by Bell CEO Lisa Atherton and Gov. Greg Abbott at a Bell facility in northern Fort Worth, represents an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in North Texas. The company’s new facility in Alliance is expected to create more than 500 high-paying jobs after it opens in 2025.

India orders additional twelve locally-built Su-30MKIs

12/19/2024

Additional units of the two-seater, twin-engine multirole fighter will be built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nasik plant, with an indigenous content of 62.6%; “enhanced due to the indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by Indian defence industry,” explained the MoD.

Dutch F-35s intercept Russian military aircraft armed with long-range cruise missiles

12/19/2024

Dutch fighter pilots intercepted Russian fighter jets and bombers while monitoring NATO’s northeastern airspace north of Russian coastal exclave Kaliningrad on Tuesday, the Dutch Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday. “Yesterday, together with Finland and Sweden, we intercepted Russian planes [armed] with supersonic missiles over the Baltic Sea,” said Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on X.

DC Air National Guard Will Lose Fighter Jet Squadron to Maryland as Part of Government Funding Deal

12/19/2024

The Washington, D.C., Air National Guard would transfer ownership of its F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard as part of a proposed stopgap government funding bill unveiled in Congress on Tuesday.

Safran's Hammer Bomb Enhances French Rafale F4 Fighter's Precision Against Ground Targets.

12/18/2024

The Rafale F4 marks a crucial step in enhancing the offensive capabilities of the French military aviation with the upcoming integration of the 1,000 kg AASM, developed by Safran Electronics & Defense under the name Hammer. This optimized version of the AASM represents a major innovation, enabling the Rafale F4 to destroy targets with extreme precision, regardless of weather conditions and from a safe distance.

Tu-22M3 Strategic Bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces Conduct Patrols Over the Baltic Armed With Kh-22/32 Anti-Ship Missiles

12/18/2024

Fighter jets and strategic bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Air Forces of Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden have been involved in a new episode over the Baltic. This occurred when a squadron of Tu-22M3 bombers began a patrol over international waters of the Baltic Sea, escorted by combat aircraft. The detection of the formation triggered the activation of NATO QRA protocols, which carried out a staggered response to intercept the flight of the Russian aircraft.

“Never Defeated”! U.S. Says F-15EX Fighter’s Deployment In Japan Will Challenge China’s ‘Bully’ Behavior

12/18/2024

Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, Commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, discussed the upcoming deployment in a recent interview and highlighted the evolving security challenges posed by Beijing. The F-15EX aircraft are part of a US strategy to replace aging airframes with more advanced fighters. The US Air Force began phasing out its 48 F-15C and D aircraft fleet in December 2022.

Leonardo UK to Provide Missile-Luring EW Decoys for US F-35s

12/17/2024

The US Navy has awarded Leonardo UK a $33-million contract to supply its BriteCloud 218 Active Expendable Decoys (AEDs) for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. This is the first BriteCloud 218 contract for the F-35 after being approved for the radar decoy in July. The contract is expected to satisfy the requirements of fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2027.

Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets head to Turkey for evaluation

12/17/2024

Two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons are set to arrive in Ankara on December 18. These aircraft, previously deployed in Qatar for training, will land in Ankara for inspection, marking a significant milestone in Turkey’s ongoing efforts to diversify its airpower. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler confirmed the news, describing ongoing negotiations over the fighter jets as “progressing positively.”

UK, Italy and Japan Reach Landmark Agreement for GCAP Program

12/17/2024

BAE Systems, Leonardo and JAIEC reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for the GCAP, building on the trilateral cooperation started in 2022. The three national industry leads participating to the Global Combat Aircraft Programme (GCAP), BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (JAIEC), have reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture and continue working on the program.

China Develops Own ‘Loyal Wingman’ to Rival US

12/17/2024

In a move seen to rival the “loyal wingman” concept of the US, China has unveiled a new unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to operate in tandem with its advanced fighter jets. Showcased at the recent Zhuhai air show in southern China, the Feihong FH-97A is capable of leading swarms of smaller drones or acting as a companion wingman for Beijing’s stealth fighters, such as the J-20.

Despite their announced retirement, the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft continue to prove their worth in combat

12/16/2024

Despite the impending retirement of the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, these renowned attack planes, also known as Warthogs, continue to demonstrate their effectiveness. One of their most recent operations occurred in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Air Force aircraft carried out a series of strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions on December 8.

B-21 Raider: US Air Force Wants 145 Stealth Bombers With CCA Drones As Next-Gen Fighter, NGAD, Still Evolves

12/16/2024

As the US Air Force (USAF) struggles with questions over Stealth Bomber B-21 Raiders’ force size, the head of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), General Thomas A. Bussiere, has said that based on the B-1 and B-2 bombers’ age, and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China, the US must have an open discussion about the required numbers and speed of delivery of the B-21.

Portugal to acquire 12 Embraer A-29N Super Tucano aircraft for €200 million

12/16/2024

Portugal has finalized a €200 million deal with Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer to acquire 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft. The A-29N is a NATO-adapted version of Embraer’s EMB 314 Super Tucano, a turboprop aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, light attack, and advanced pilot training missions.

Eurofighter consortium invests £133m in BAE Systems’ most advanced fighter pilot helmet

12/16/2024

The consortium behind the Eurofighter Typhoon has awarded BAE Systems a £133m contract to further develop its Striker® II Helmet Mounted-Display (HMD). Under the new contract, awarded by the four-nation Eurofighter consortium – Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, BAE Systems engineers will continue to mature the helmet’s capability alongside a programme of flight testing.

Bangladesh looks to buy J-10 jets from China

12/16/2024

Bangladesh may be exploring the acquisition of 16 J-10C multirole fighter jets from China, according to local media reports citing Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force. The reports emerged after Hannan’s official visit to China from November 15 to 18, at the invitation of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Ukrainian agents burned up Russian Su-27 fighter

12/15/2024

The operation was carried out by GUR operatives and has been described as a calculated act targeting Russian military infrastructure. The Su-27P, bearing the red tail number 16, was set ablaze at the Krymsk operational airbase. Initial reports mistakenly identified the destroyed aircraft as a Su-30, but subsequent verification confirmed the jet as a Su-27. Judging by footage from the scene, the aircraft either suffered critical damage or was completely destroyed by fire.

The Israeli Air Force destroyed dozens of Syrian combat aircraft and helicopters

12/15/2024

In a series of coordinated strikes following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed the destruction of Syrian military assets that could pose a threat, targeting aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems stationed across various locations. Ground footage and videos released by the IAF verified the effectiveness of this aerial offensive.

U.S. Ally Shoots Down American Drone In Northern Syria; Cutting-Edge UAV Falls Prey, Again

12/14/2024

In a costly error, a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone was accidentally shot down in northern Syria on December 9 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-allied group, according to US officials. The MQ-9, valued at approximately $30 million, was conducting a mission under Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Denmark delivers first F-16 to Argentina under fighter jet agreement

12/14/2024

Denmark has dispatched the first of its F-16 aircraft to Argentina as part of a broader agreement to sell 24 jets, along with support equipment and spare parts. The contract, signed in spring 2024 by Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and the Argentine Air Force, marks a significant step in cooperation between the two nations.