Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pakistan’s JF-17 Block-3 Fighter Surfaces With ‘Deadly’ Upgrades; German Expert Compares With India’s LCA Tejas

11/18/2022

A photo of a pilot wearing an advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), claimed to be from inside a JF-17C (or Block III), went around on social media. Also, another report about the jet being further upgraded also interested observers. Reported to share some of the technology from China’s J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ stealth fighter, the JF-17 is expected to replace the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) aging fleet of Chengdu F-7 and Dassault Mirage-III/V.

A ‘Ridiculously Clean’ Su-24 Flanker Spotted In Dark Grey Coating; Military Watchers Explain The Ukrainian Paint Scheme

11/17/2022

The 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade’s staff sergeant shared pictures of Ukrainian soldiers on his Facebook page as Russian forces were routed in the Kherson region. The photo that caught the most attention was of the Su-24M Flanker.

Here’s all the military planes that keep falling short on readiness

11/17/2022

A new federal watchdog report has flagged a troubling trend among U.S. military aircraft: More than two dozen fleets haven’t met their annual combat-readiness goals in at least a decade. The Government Accountability Office studied 49 types of airframes across the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps for its Nov. 10 report. Those platforms make up the bulk of American military airpower.

Can the Air Force train new pilots without planes?

11/16/2022

Airmen are gearing up for what could be the most consequential move in military pilot training since the Air Force was created in 1947: teaching students to fly without stepping foot in a real airplane. The new program, known as “Air Mobility Fundamentals-Simulator,” is the Air Force’s next step in a yearslong attempt to modernize pilot training without sacrificing quality. It’s also an opportunity for the service to embrace more cost-effective technology and retire its 30-year-old fleet of T-1A

Doomed to Failure — Russia’s Efforts to Restore its Military Muscle

11/16/2022

After almost nine months of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has burned through, and seen destroyed, enormous stocks of arms and munitions. It cannot fully replace them. Faced with an acute loss of advanced components and industrial equipment as a result of Western sanctions, the Russian defense industry will simply be unable to compensate for its losses in the foreseeable future.

Exercise fuels relationship with South Korea

11/16/2022

For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has provided valuable air-to-air refuelling support in South Korea during Exercise Vigilant Storm 23. A RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) and aviators from 33 Squadron deployed to the exercise from October 28 to November 5. Exercise Vigilant Storm is one of several exercises routinely held by the United States and South Korea, and is intended to enhance combined defence posture and strengthen combined air operations.

Accelerating capability for the fleet: The case of the CMV-22B

11/16/2022

In a period of global competition and conflict, the liberal democracies need to accelerate their capabilities to defend themselves and to find ways to enhance their deterrent capabilities not just for the long haul but in the short to mid-term.

Poland To Carry Out Maintenance, Repair Of F-16 Fighters - Prime Minister

11/15/2022

14th November, 2022) Poland will carry out maintenance and repair works on US-made F-16 fighter jets, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Monday.

MiG-31 Armed With Kinzhal Missile Spotted Over Belarus; Russia Orders More Hypersonic Weapons Amid Ukraine War

11/15/2022

Citing the “Belarusian Hajun Project” Telegram channel, the report stated that a MiG-31 with the number RF-92339 was flying over Belarus and carrying a hypersonic missile. A photograph was subsequently released as evidence of the aircraft over Minsk. While the MiG-31s armed with Kinzhal missiles remain reportedly deployed in Belarus, Russia’s Defense Ministry has meanwhile ordered an additional batch of Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic missiles, as reported by the state news agency TASS.

Inside Block 4—The Mostly Secret Plan For Making The F-35 Fighter Even More Lethal

11/15/2022

The F-35 fighter is the most advanced tactical aircraft currently in production anywhere. Its low-observable (“stealth”) features give the plane a radar signature similar to that of a steel golf ball, and its onboard sensor fusion gives the pilot unprecedented situational awareness. Designed to perform a diverse array of missions, from air-to-air combat to precision bombing to radar jamming to intelligence gathering, the F-35 is so capable that 16 countries have signed up to buy it—and more wil

South Korea likely to bag Royal Malaysian Air Force deal, not India

11/14/2022

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has left no stone unturned to close the Royal Malaysian Air Force deal for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A. Amidst the changing political landscape in that country, it is said that South Korea is on the brink of closing the deal.

With Over 2000 Pilots Killed, China Is Struggling With Its Aviators Despite Three Aircraft Carriers & An Enormous Air Force

11/14/2022

According to a Chinese media report, the J-10 project was greatly aided by a five-person team of Chinese test pilots trained to fly US warplanes aircraft in the UK. This also paved the way for creating the technologically sophisticated J-20 fifth-generation aircraft. The SCMP report claimed that Lei Qiang, the son of a Korean war pilot and a member of the five-person team, was chosen to fly the first flight of the J-10 on March 23, 1998.

Taiwan Counters China With Combat Aircraft, Missiles As 36 PLA Warplanes Encroach Island

11/14/2022

In a major development, China has again sent its military fighter jets and bombers near Taiwan, resulting in the Island responding with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems. According to the Taiwan defence ministry, at least 36 fighter jets and three People's Liberation Army (PLA) vessels were detected near the median line in the Taiwan Strait on November 13.

Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets take to the skies at Bahrain Airshow

11/13/2022

Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets performed breathtaking aerial feats at the Bahrain International Airshow, demonstrating the combat capabilities of Pakistan’s premier multi-role aircraft to thousands of spectators.

South Korea’s second KF-21 fifth-gen advance fighter jet prototype completes maiden flight

11/13/2022

South Korea's KF-21 Boramae fighter jet's second prototype conducted its first flight. The fighter jet took its first flight out of Korean Aerospace Industries near Sacheon airport, South Korea. It is to be noted that the first prototype of the aircraft took flight four months ago. Reportedly, the aircraft stayed airborne for around 35 minutes, based on the information provided by Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the South Korean procurement agency.

Russia’s ‘Bayraktar Duplicate’ UAV Shot Down By Kyiv Forces; Moscow Brings Several Rare Drones To Ukraine War

11/13/2022

Images of a destroyed Russian UAV resembling Turkish-made Bayraktar drones have surfaced online. The Russian drone is a rare UAV called the ‘Corsair’ or ‘Korsar,’ not to be confused with the Ukrainian Korsar Infantry Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs).

Strangely, Russian Su-30s remain underemployed in Ukraine

11/12/2022

Before Russia decided to begin its “special operation” against Ukraine, the Su-30 was one of the most widely used and widely sold military aircraft in the world; it was a true ‘contract’ machine. However, as of the end of February 2022, there has been complete silence at Sukhoi, and especially at its parent corporation UAC, regarding anything and everything that is connected to the Su-30 Flanker-C. Instead, Russia focuses on the Flanker-E variant of the Su-35.

Analysis: North Korea’s other missiles: Salvaged debris shines light on aging air defences

11/12/2022

The recovery of a Soviet-era anti-aircraft missile after a recent North Korean launch shows the age of the nuclear-armed country's air defences - systems and aircraft Pyongyang has been working to modernize alongside the rest of its arsenal. Although North Korea’s ballistic missiles get most of the attention, the country has been quietly pouring resources into trying to find ways to counter stealth fighters, analysts say.

Russia Sends MiG-35 Fighter Jets To China As ‘Falling Fulcrums’ Look To Gain Momentum In Export Sales

11/12/2022

Nearly all advanced fighter jets in Russia’s arsenal are pressed into service in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. While Moscow has not been able to achieve complete air superiority owing to Ukraine’s air defense, it has given the Ukrainian Air Force a hard time.

Challenging Rafale Jets, Turkey Develops Own AESA Radar For Its F-16 Fighters To Gain Superiority Over Greece

11/12/2022

Turkey has unveiled its indigenously developed AESA radar that will be integrated into the F-16 fighter jets, among other manned and unmanned aircraft in the Turkish Air Force.

Special ops airmen get fewer new gunships than promised

11/11/2022

The Pentagon has quietly cut procurement of its new AC-130J Ghostrider special operations gunships, downsizing the fleet from 37 to 30. U.S. Special Operations Command originally planned to buy nearly 40 Ghostriders to replace three older gunships: the AC-130H Spectre, AC-130W Stinger II and AC-130U Spooky. Each of those 37 aircraft are now retired.

Pakistan showcases three new JF-17 fighter jets at Bahrain International Airshow

11/11/2022

Pakistan brought three of its JF-17 fighter jets to showcase at the Bahrain International Airshow on Thursday. The JF-17s took part in a flying display at the 9-11 November event at which companies from several countries including Israel are participating.

Tunisian Air Force receives first of 8 T-6C trainers from Textron

11/11/2022

The Tunisian Air Force (TAF) took delivery of the first of eight Beechcraft T-6C trainer planes from Textron Aviation, the firm announced here at the Manama Air Power Symposium 2022.“The aircraft was delivered at Wichita to the TAF and will arrive [in] Tunisia by the end of first quarter of 2023,” Fouad Kasri, director of sales & strategy for Africa and the Middle East at Textron Aviation Defense, told Breaking Defense.

Air Force asks Lockheed Martin to provide logistics and mission planning computers for F-35 combat aircraft

11/11/2022

U.S. Navy combat aircraft experts needed logistics and mission-planning computer hardware for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. They found their solution from Lockheed Martin Corp. Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., have announced a $152.3 million contract to provide F-35 logistics information systems to include Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS).

More than 100,000 Russian military casualties in Ukraine, top US general

11/11/2022

America's top general estimated on Wednesday that Russia's military had seen more than 100,000 of its soldiers killed and wounded in Ukraine, and added Kyiv's armed forces "probably" suffered a similar level of casualties in the war. The estimates could not be independently confirmed by Reuters.