Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

U.S. sends fighter jets to Japan in apparent warning to North, China

02/25/2022

In an apparent warning to North Korea and China, the United States has deployed an unspecified number of F-35A stealth fighter jets to Okinawa, Japan, its military said Thursday. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the F-35A jets from the 354th Fighter Wing in Alaska had been moved to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on Sunday to take part in “integrated air operations.”

Germany will extend support of NATO air policing in Romania

02/25/2022

Germany is ready to extend and expand its support of NATO's air policing mission in Romania and also to comply with further requests from the alliance, the German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced Thursday. "I have given (an) order to expand and extend our engagement in the air policing in Romania," Lambrecht told reporters after briefing Germany's parliament defense committee.

Compass Call deploys to Kuwait to support USCENTCOM AOR

02/25/2022

Two U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call aircraft arrived at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait to demonstrate a continued U.S. presence in theater to our partners and adversaries, and support a commitment to security and stability in the region. The EC-130 aircraft were redeployed to the United States where they postured as an immediate response force following the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron’s inactivation from Al Dhafra Air Base in Sept. 2021, after a 20-year-long standing deploym

Bell Textron begins AH-1Z Viper production for Czech Republic

02/25/2022

Bell Textron has commenced the manufacture of the first AH-1Z Viper twin-engine attack helicopter for the Czech Republic Air Force. The aircraft is being built at the company’s assembly centre in Amarillo, Texas, US. The development follows after Bell Textron started production of the UH-1Y Venom helicopters for the country in July last year, marking the first production for an international operator of the UH-1Y.

Two Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone

02/25/2022

Amid tensions in Ukraine due to Russia, Taiwan media reported that two Chinese military planes entered the region's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, February 23, marking the 12th intrusion this month. As per Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND), two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-16 fighter jets flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan’s ADIZ.

US F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets Arrive in Lithuania Amid Russian Military Action In Ukraine – Vilnius

02/25/2022

“In Lithuania, on February 24, armed US F-35 military aircraft landed at the airbase of the Lithuanian Army Air Force in Siauliai, where additional US military forces are deployed. In response to the current security situation, the US has also taken an important and necessary decision – the rotation of the heavy 3-66 armor battalion continues in Lithuania,” the ministry said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the Netherlands dispatched two F-35 fighters to protect NATO airspace over Eastern Eur

From ground troops to fighter aircraft, a look at military capabilities of Russia and Ukraine

02/25/2022

On Thursday, Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure. He urged Ukrainians to stay home and not to panic.

Ukraine claims Russian aircraft losses as invasion begins

02/25/2022

Ukraine’s defence ministry claims to have destroyed several Russian aircraft during its early efforts to defend the country from invasion by Moscow’s military. “The enemy suffers losses. Currently, six Russian air force planes and two helicopters have been shot down,” the defence ministry claimed, just hours after Moscow had launched strikes against Ukrainian military facilities in the early hours of 24 February.

Explosions reported near Kyiv after Putin authorises 'military operation' in Ukraine | Ukraine latest

02/24/2022

The latest as Vladimir Putin orders the invasion of Ukraine, with explosions heard in the country's capital Kyiv; The UN Security Council's pleas for peace fall on deaf ears as Mr Putin threatens other countries with "consequences they have never seen" should they interfere.

Biden condemns Putin’s attack on Ukraine: ‘The world will hold Russia accountable’

02/24/2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an early Thursday morning address in Moscow, announced that Russia would launch a military action in Ukraine. NBC News reported that explosions were heard in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

UAE to order L15 planes from China as it diversifies suppliers

02/24/2022

The United Arab Emirates has said it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft, as it seeks to bolster its defences after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels. The UAE defence ministry said it intended to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to buy 12 of the L15 training and light combat aircraft, with the option for 36 additional jets of the same type, the official Emirati news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

Turkey and Pakistan to Develop National Combat Aircraft Together

02/24/2022

Pakistani retired general AvM Dr Rizwan Riaz and TAI General Manager Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil announced that the MMU (National Combat Aircraft) project was carried out in cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Pakistan's savings within the scope of the AZM project will be used jointly with Turkey's savings within the scope of MMU, and both countries will take part in the design and manufacture of the aircraft.

Here are the competitors for Malaysia’s jet trainer contract

02/24/2022

One of the aircraft competing for a Malaysian trainer contract made its debut at the Singapore Airshow last week, taking part in static and flying displays. While the other competitors opted to maintain a lower profile, three of India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-made Tejas showed off their capabilities, courtesy of the No. 18 “Flying Bullets” Squadron based in Sulur. Two of the aircraft participated in aerial displays during the air show, which took place Feb. 15-18 at the Changi Exhibition

DARPA to outfit F-16D jet fighter with artificial intelligence (AI) to boost trust in AI as a human partner Feb. 23, 2022

02/24/2022

U.S. military researchers are moving forward on a project that relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine autonomy in complex air combat maneuvering that involves manned aircraft and combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

HOW 3D PRINTING-ENHANCED MIG-31S PERMIT RUSSIA TO THREATEN DEPLOYMENT OF HYPERSONIC WEAPONS OVER UKRAINE CONFLICT, AND HOW TO STOP THEM

02/23/2022

With Russian tanks said to be rolling down the streets of the occupied Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, and Russia now in breach of the Minsk accords a full-scale conflict in the region is an increasingly realistic prospect. Thus far, the majority of Western coverage on the Ukraine crisis has focused on the number of Russian troops on the country’s frontiers, with as many as 190,000 said to have been amassed at its borders, whether ready to embark on an all-out invasion or utilized as a

Thailand to Acquire Boeing AH-6 Attack Helicopters for $104 Million

02/23/2022

The US Department of Defense has announced that Thailand is purchasing an undisclosed number of AH-6 light attack and reconnaissance helicopters as part of a $103.8 million contract. Developed by Boeing, the AH-6 reportedly possesses “superior” performance and is equipped with “flexible” equipment ideal for precision attacks, close combat, security and escort, troop insertion and extraction, and combat search and rescue operations.

US sanctions effectively cut Russia off from Western funds

02/23/2022

President Joe Biden has announced heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and business leaders just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed troops into two separatist-held regions in Ukraine. "I'm announcing the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia in response to their actions yesterday,” Biden said Tuesday. "We'll continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates.”

Turkish firm offers combat aircraft co-production in RMAF contract race

02/23/2022

THE Turkish bidders for the hotly contested Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter aircraft said they are offering Malaysia co-production of a new fighter jet as part of their offerings. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc management said it will also provide technology transfer and is willing to cut its bid price by as much as 30%, in order to secure RMAF’s open tender for military aircraft.

US attack helos, F-35s and infantry heading to Baltics amid Ukraine invasion

02/23/2022

Another round of U.S. troops has been mobilized in support of Eastern European countries as Russia further invades Ukraine. Joining 6,000 troops already activated in Germany, Poland and Hungary, the Defense Department announced Tuesday that a spate of combat aircraft and infantry troops will head to the Baltics and Poland.

Learning to ride a Raptor; the 43d FS mission

02/23/2022

The 43d Fighter Squadron was the first unit to receive the F-22 Raptor and remains the only squadron in the U.S. Air Force to train and prepare pilots to operate one of the world’s most advanced 5th-generation aircraft.

A400M is being transformed into a drone-launching mothership

02/23/2022

As a key part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the A400M demonstrated its drone launch capability from its cargo hold. Airbus Defence & Space conducted a successful test flight in which an A400M deployed a drone from its cargo ramp, validating its ability to launch drones from the air.

Ukrainian Crisis: NATO Order Of Battle

02/22/2022

In a situation reminiscent of the Cold War, the last few weeks have seen a continuous stream of military aircraft across Europe in response to the growing tensions around Ukraine and the fear of an imminent Russian invasion. NATO and partner nations quickly deployed additional fighters in support of the ones already performing air policing duties in Eastern Europe.

U.S. B-52 Bomber Has Just Made A Rather Unusual Stopover In The Czech Republic

02/22/2022

While a Russian invasion of Ukraine appears to be a matter of hours, U.S. and NATO combat aircraft continue to operate in the eastern Europe region. In particular, on Feb. 21, 2022, shortly after 15.00LT, one of the four B-52H Stratofortress bombers deployed to RAF Fairford, UK, as part of BTF (Bomber Task Force) 22-2 carried out a quite unusual visit to Leoš Janácek Airport in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

China sanctions US defence firms Raytheon, Lockheed over Taiwan

02/22/2022

China says it will impose new sanctions on United States defence contractors Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin due to their arms sales to Taiwan, stepping up a feud with Washington over security and Beijing’s strategic ambitions.

Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions

02/22/2022

The self-declared people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are home to Russia-backed rebels who have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014. Russia's move is likely to end peace talks in the region, which has been under a tenuous ceasefire for years. Western powers also fear it could pave the way for Russian military forces to enter Ukraine's eastern regions.