Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Air Force to Expand Synthetic Environment for Mission Rehearsal, Testing, and Training

08/24/2022

Aircraft simulators must evolve to meet the adversary threat, leaders from the 53rd Wing told Air Force Magazine. Once mainly used for initial qualification training, the Air Force is moving toward a paradigm of simulator training known as the “common synthetic environment” that will create non-proprietary, interchangeable training devices and environments for aircrews to train, conduct mission rehearsals, and even test new weapons and other capabilities in a virtual environment.

US cautiously eyeing F-16 deal for Turkey despite more Russian S-400s for Ankara

08/23/2022

An announcement by Russia last week revealing that Turkey is on track to receive another “regiment” of the S-400 missile defense system has left officials in Washington scratching their heads. But the Biden administration suggested that Ankara would not face additional sanctions as it appeared the new batch of Russian weapons is part of the original deal, which forced the Trump administration to penalize Turkey under US law.

The 58th Fighter Squadron executes exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field

08/23/2022

Nomads with the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, participated in exercise Northern Lightning from Aug. 8-19. Northern Lightning is a joint training exercise that replicates today’s air battle-space and where the Nomad’s worked to enhance Agile Combat Employment and build combat-credible Airmen. The Nomads stayed in Volk for roughly four weeks as they conducted off-site training and participated in the exercise.

Multibillion Engine Deals Show Air Force Wants to Maintain Three Future Warplane Makers

08/23/2022

The Air Force plans to invest billions of dollars to develop new combat fighters—and the military engines to power them—over the next decade. The plan shows Air Force leaders’ desire to keep its three large airplane makers—Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman—as well as engine makers General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, viable to build aircraft for years to come.

The RAAF and the US Air Force Work Integration

08/22/2022

When I worked for Secretary Wynne when he was head of defense acquisition and then Secretary of the USAF, I had a chance to focus on the coming of the F-35 global enterprise. What I argued at the time was that a global force of F-35s would provide a foundation for working defense integration, not just interoperability. For me, the aircraft was not really a fighter understood in classic terms; it was a multi-domain flying combat system.

The aircraft, slated to replace the EC-130H Compass Call, made a brief visit to show to the 55th Electronic Combat Group the progress with the program.

08/22/2022

The U.S. Air Force released new photos of the new EC-37B Compass Call as it briefly visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on August 17, 2022. The visit gave to the personnel of the 55th Electronic Combat Group the opportunity to see up-close the aircraft that will replace in a few years their ageing EC-130Hs giving in turn better performance and new capabilities over the retiring aircraft. The aircraft, which received all external modification, is still flying with its primer paint and the civili

Drone Strikes Headquarters Of Russia's Black Sea Fleet In Ukraine's Occupied Crimea Region

08/21/2022

The headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine's occupied Crimea region was hit by a drone attack early on August 20, a Russia-installed administrator reported. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed administrator of the port city of Sevastopol, posted on Telegram that the drone crashed into the roof of the building and that there were no casualties. A video showing a plume of smoke rising over the building was posted on social media.

Belarusian specialists repairing Russian combat aircraft, says Ukraine’s intel

08/21/2022

According to intelligence data, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense and the Russian government have signed urgent contracts for the repair and restoration of aviation equipment. “In particular, employees of the 558th aircraft repair plant (Baranovichi) periodically go on business trips as part of ‘field groups’ to carry out work on the restoration and commissioning of aircraft equipment at the 121st aircraft repair plant (the territory of the Kubinka air base),” reads the report.

Iraq Is Facing Difficulties Sustaining Its Russian Military Helicopters

08/20/2022

Iraq’s military is reportedly facing significant difficulties sustaining its fleet of Russian-made military helicopters as an indirect result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The latest quarterly report by the U.S. Defense Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS notes that Russian supply chain issues caused by the Ukraine war, and sanctions against Moscow for perpetrating it, has affected Iraq’s ability to sustain its Russian-built aircraft.

China's Response to Pelosi Visit a Sign of Future Intentions

08/20/2022

China's response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was anything but subtle — dispatching warships and military aircraft to all sides of the self-governing island democracy, and firing ballistic missiles into the waters nearby.

Explosions at a Russian base knocked out over half the Black Sea fleet's combat jets, crippling its warfighting ability, Western officials and intelligence say

08/20/2022

Recent explosions widely considered to have been a Ukrainian attack at a Russian base in occupied Crimea knocked out over half of the Russian Black Sea fleet's combat jets, Western officials have revealed to the media Friday. Multiple blasts on August 9 at Saki Air Base — situated well-behind the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine — caused widespread damage, destroying several Russian warplanes and buildings.

Slovakia to send weapons to Ukraine despite Russia’s efforts to prevent supplies – defence minister

08/19/2022

Jaroslav Nad', Slovakia's defence minister has stated that the Government of Slovakia will not stop providing military support to Ukraine despite all Russia’s efforts to influence public opinion in his country on this matter. According to the minister, a not too high number of Slovaks' support for this government initiative is related to the activity of Russian propaganda in his country which is making significant efforts to block the arms supplies to Ukraine, EuroNews reports.

Ukrainian attacks in Crimea weaken Russia’s military capacity

08/19/2022

A series of apparent Ukrainian attacks and logistical disasters for Russian forces in the 25th week of the war may indicate that Ukraine’s promised southern counteroffensive is still viable, despite the absence so far of significant territorial gains for Kyiv.

Exercise Pitch Black takes off

08/19/2022

The skies over the Top End have filled with aircraft from across the world for the return of Exercise Pitch Black. From today until 8 September, 16 nations will participate alongside Australia in Exercise Pitch Black in an effort to enhance interoperability and develop strong relationships between participating military forces.

US B-52s and fighters from what may soon be NATO's newest member teamed up for a first-of-its-kind operation

08/19/2022

US Air Force B-52 bombers arrived in Europe for a Bomber Task Force deployment on Thursday after training with Norwegian and Swedish fighter jets before landing at RAF Fairford air base in England. The exercise yielded first-of-their-kind photos of the countries training together, reflecting an already close military relationship that is growing closer as Sweden moves to join NATO and the alliance increases its focus on the high north.

BAE Systems Delivers First Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft to Qatar

08/18/2022

BAE Systems officially delivered its first Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) during a roll-out ceremony at the company’s facility in Warton, UK. The Typhoon aircraft was delivered on schedule and will be transported from the UK to Doha later this month. BAE Systems and the UK see the delivery as a “significant milestone” under Qatar’s 5-billion-euro ($5.08 billion) program to acquire Eurofighter jets and Hawk advanced jet trainers.

Latvian residents have donated EUR 250,000 for purchase of Bayraktar drone in first day of collection drive

08/18/2022

In the first day since the launch of a collection drive in Latvia for the purchase and donation of the Bayraktar combat drone to Ukraine, over EUR 250,000 has been collection, according to information on the portal Ziedot.lv. The collection driver itself was launched on Tuesday, and already 8,000 persons have donated to the initiative.

Navy chooses Crane Keltec to upgrade power supplies in EA-18G electronic warfare (EW) combat jet aircraft

08/18/2022

U.S. Navy airborne electronic warfare (EW) experts needed upgraded power supplies for the AN/ALQ-218 signals intelligence (SIGINT) system aboard the Boeing EA-18G Growler carrier-based aircraft. They found their solution from the Crane Aerospace & Electronics Keltec segment in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Taiwan showcases most advanced fighter jet after China drills

08/18/2022

Taiwan unveiled its most advanced fighter jet, the missile-equipped F-16V, in a rare nighttime demonstration in the wake of China’s unprecedented military drills around the island. Chinese forces have staged days of air and sea military drills in the Taiwan Strait this month after visits to the self-governed island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a congressional delegation.

RAAF’s F-35A aircraft to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2022

08/16/2022

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II aircraft is set to participate in the multinational exercise Pitch Black 2022. This marks the first time RAAF will deploy its F-35As, which will replace the F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet that took part in the last iterations of the exercise. The RAAF’s fifth-generation aircraft from Nos. 3 and 75 Squadron will be deployed to demonstrate their capabilities in a multinational air combat environment.

Every Airplane in Taiwan's Air Force

08/16/2022

Taiwan’s air force showed off in July its first locally designed and manufactured trainer jet in more than 30 years. The jet trainer is part of the self-governed island’s move to advance its domestic defense industry, Reuters reported.

German Air Force to join Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black for first time

08/16/2022

The German Air Force is set to travel to Australia to make its debut in the country’s multi-national Exercise Pitch Black, marking the first time the German and Australian forces have trained together. The Luftwaffe will arrive Down Under in mid-August, with more than 200 personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoons, three A330 multi-role tanker transports and an A400M transport aircraft, the Australian Department of Defence said in a press release on August 15, 2022.

NATO member Poland is going to Asian powerhouse to find a replacement for its aging Soviet-era fighter jets

08/16/2022

On July 27, Poland signed one of its largest arms deals ever for more artillery, tanks, and aircraft to modernize its military amid heightened tensions in Europe. Warsaw's $14.5 billion deal with South Korea — the largest ever for South Korea's defense industry — includes 1,000 K2 Black Panther tanks, nearly 700 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and 48 FA-50 light combat aircraft.

Germany to Send Military Planes to Indo-Pacific

08/15/2022

The German Air Force will send military aircraft to Indo-Pacific countries including Japan, Australia, South Korea and Singapore for the first time from Monday for joint drills and other activities. Germany hopes to deepen military ties with Asian democracies while stepping up efforts to check China's hegemonic ambitions.

Ukraine Air Force seeks game-changing fighter jets from NATO

08/15/2022

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine well into its sixth month, the war has settled into a baffling pattern that defies the expectations of both sides. The most extreme example is the air war over Ukraine, which devolved into a stalemate almost from the beginning. With NATO now open to supplying Ukraine with modern Western fighter planes, the question is, will this change the game or is it already too late?