Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

LETTER | RMAF purchase of Light Combat Aircraft to bolster defence industry

12/02/2021

The Malaysian government has mandated a requirement for prospective suppliers of the 18 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), currently being evaluated, to source or procure at least 30 percent of products/services from domestic companies.

With T-7 on the way, why is ACC eyeing a new trainer?

12/02/2021

The Air Force is considering a new trainer aircraft — one intended to emulate 4th and 5th generation fighter jets and be able to better train the service’s newest fighter pilots how to fly in combat. Nope, not the T-7A Red Hawk. Another one. Maybe.

Kazakhstan Orders Two Airbus A400M Airlifters

12/01/2021

Airbus Defence and Space announced on September 1 that it has received an order from the Republic of Kazakhstan for two A400M airlifters. The order brings the number of A400M customers to nine. The first aircraft is scheduled to be handed over in 2024. To support the aircraft, Airbus will deliver a complete training and maintenance support package.

Russia to Test Upgraded Tu-160 Bomber in December

12/01/2021

The Russian military will commence ground tests of its upgraded Tupolev Tu-160 bomber in December, TASS revealed, citing sources. The ground tests will begin with a maiden trial run on the Kazan Aviation Enterprise runway, the outlet added.

More Eurofighters ‘the right choice’ for Spain’s Halcon need, Airbus claims

12/01/2021

A repeat Eurofighter buy represents Spain’s best option for replacing an aged fleet of Canary Islands-based Boeing F-18 fighters, Airbus has claimed, after Lockheed Martin recently cited interest in its F-35 from Madrid. “The F-35 is an available aircraft, but for Spanish industry and for the Spanish customer, the Eurofighter is the right choice,” claims Kurt Rossner, Airbus Defence & Space’s head of combat aircraft systems.

Canada Rejects Boeing’s Proposal For CF-188 Hornet Replacement Program

11/30/2021

Boeing might be out from the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) that aims to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of legacy CF-188 Hornets (local designation of the F/A-18), as Canada’s federal government reportedly said that the replacement proposal based on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet did not meet the federal government’s requirements. The Canadian Press first reported the news saying that, according to three sources from industry and government who spoke on condition of anonymity

Australia Says Farewell To The F/A-18 Legacy Hornet As Its Final Flight Looms

11/30/2021

After more than three decades, the Royal Australian Air Force has formally bid farewell to its F/A-18A/B fighter jet, often referred to as the Classic Hornet, as it gets ready to withdraw its last examples of the type. The F/A-18A/B was Australia’s premier fighter and its first line of air defense for most of that time, but it has since been complemented by the F/A-18F Super Hornet and will be superseded by the F-35A stealth fighter.

Taiwan sends jets after 27 Chinese planes enter buffer zone

11/29/2021

Taiwan said 27 Chinese aircraft entered its air defense buffer zone on Sunday, the latest in a long series of incursions as part of Beijing's pressure on the self-ruled island. The Defense Ministry said Taiwan scrambled combat aircraft to "warn" the Chinese planes to leave. It also deployed missile systems to monitor them.

China sends 8 aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ amid visit of US lawmakers

11/28/2021

As US lawmakers' visit to Taipei irked China, as Beijing sent eight military aircraft into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), local media reported on Friday. The five US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to meet with government officials. The five-representative delegation is the second US congressional delegation visit to Taiwan this month. The recent visit is following a three-day visit to Taiwan by Senator John Cornyn-led group in November this year, reported Taiwan News.

Rocketeer F-15E Strike Eagle Looks Like a Deadly Predator Lurking in the Dark

11/28/2021

Of all the F-15 photos we’ve featured so far, this one has to be the most exciting. It was captured by a Senior Airman on the tarmac of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, at a time when the aircraft was preparing for a deployment overseas.

Inflation swells cost of replacing Swiss fighter jet fleet

11/27/2021

In September 2020, Swiss voters agreed to CHF6 billion ($6.4 billion) being spent on replacing Switzerland's ageing fleet of F-5 Tigers and F/A-18 Hornet jets by 2030. In June of this year, Switzerland appeared to have struck a bargain deal with United States manufacturer Lockheed Martin to provide 36 F-35A aircraft for just over CHF5 billion.

Gripen E Fighter Moves into Serial Delivery Phase

11/27/2021

Saab this week announced that the Gripen E—a major enhancement of the original Gripen fighter design—has now entered the delivery phase. Six serial production aircraft have left the factory and are now being prepared and tested prior to delivery to the aircraft’s two customers. Four of the aircraft are destined for the Força Aérea Brasileira, and two for Sweden’s Flygvapnet.

Russia’s upgraded MiG-31 fighters to provide security for Northern Sea Route

11/27/2021

The upgrade of MiG-31 high-altitude fighter-interceptors will boost the efficiency of their missions, in particular to protect Russia’s northern frontiers amid other states’ growing interest in the Northern Sea Route, Merited Military Pilot of Russia, Major-General Vladimir Popov told TASS on Friday.

Germany Approves Nuclear-Capable F/A 18 Super Hornets, EW Aircraft EA-18G Growlers To Modernize Fleet – Media

11/25/2021

Michael Hostetter, vice-president of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security Germany, told Janes that a letter of intent to proceed with the planned sale is expected to be released in January, immediately after the German government is seated in early December. In 2020, Germany’s Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer stated that Berlin plans to buy 30 American-made F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.

First Ever Naval Combat H225M Delivered To The Brazilian Navy

11/25/2021

Stationed at the naval base in São Pedro d’Aldeia, the aircraft will boost the Brazilian Navy’s mission capabilities including anti-surface warfare and maritime surveillance.

Italian F-35 Pilot in Estonia Air Policing Mission

11/25/2021

The militaries of each NATO Ally rely on machines and vehicles to help them perform at the highest levels. Meet the men and women who operate those vehicles and learn how their machines help keep people safe. This Italian pilot, who must remain anonymous for security reasons, flies the F-35A fighter jet, a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft.

Russia Stages Military Drills in the Black Sea With Aircraft, Ships Amid Tensions

11/25/2021

Russia carried out a military drill on naval bases in the Black Sea, south of Ukraine, with about ten crews of combat planes and ships that targeted hypothetical enemy warships, the Black Sea Fleet’s press office said on Wednesday.

The Air Force wants to kill a drone that ground commanders say they can’t live without

11/24/2021

“We believe we have a genuine requirement for them … it gives us visibility and intelligence gathering capabilities that we might not otherwise have,” said Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, when he spoke before the House Armed Services Committee in March 2020.

Pakistan disputes India's claim that pilot downed F-16 jet

11/24/2021

Pakistan on Tuesday rejected India's claim that an Indian pilot shot down the Islamic nation's F-16 fighter plane in 2019. The statement from Pakistan came a day after Indian President Ram Nath Kovind awarded pilot Abhinandan Varthaman India's third-highest honor, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top military officials looking on at the ceremony in New Delhi.

Reviewing China’s New Stealth Fighters

11/24/2021

In the last week of October 2021, a number of Chinese combat air developments were uncovered in a short span of time. The first of these was the emergence of the expected twin-seat variant of the J-20 air superiority fighter at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), documented by progressively clearer photos and videos.

Iran nuclear programme: Threat of Israeli strike grows

11/23/2021

It followed a war-game at a desert airbase just north of the Israeli port city of Eilat last month, which sent fighter planes from Israel and seven other countries roaring into the skies. Such drills aim to send a strong warning to Iran, which has recently been holding its own large military exercises, and stress strategic alliances.

China eyes MidEast market with upgraded L-15 attack trainer in Dubai

11/23/2021

China used last week’s Dubai Airshow to show off its upgraded version of the L-15 attack fighter trainer, as part of an effort to broaden its influence in the Mideast and North Africa. Showcased both on ground and in the air during the five-day show, the latest variant of the aircraft features “high performance, reliability and cost efficiency,” a spokesperson at China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) told Breaking Defense.

Raytheon to build 19 advanced AESA radar sets for targeting and mapping on U.S. Marine Corps combat jets

11/23/2021

Radar experts at Raytheon Technologies Corp. will provide the 19 AN/APG-79(V)4 active electronically scanned array (AESA) airborne radar systems to upgrade U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C/D combat jets under terms of a $63.1 million order announced Thursday.

Army orders Gray Eagle unmanned combat aircraft and SATCOM from General Atomics in $103.2 million deal

11/23/2021

U.S. Army aviation experts are ordering MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned combat aircraft for reconnaissance and attack, as well as satellite communications (SATCOM) air data terminals, maintenance, repair, and support services under terms of a $103.2 million order announced Thursday.

U.S. admiral warns of China threat and urges allies to work and train more closely

11/22/2021

The United States and its allies should move more urgently in the face of rapidly evolving Chinese military tactics, the new U.S. commander of the Indo-Pacific region warned on Saturday. Admiral John Aquilino spoke at the Halifax International Security Forum and urged allies to take part in more joint military exercises, which have been growing in size and complexity in the region over the last couple of years.