Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Dutch F-35s visit Hill AFB to integrate and train with 388th FW

03/24/2026

For much of March, a contingent of Dutch F-35A Lightning IIs, along with support personnel from across the RNLASF Air Combat Command, have been deployed to Hill Air Force Base for exercise Lightning Forge – flying and training alongside their U.S. Air Force F-35 counterparts from the 388th Fighter Wing. The primary goal is to sharpen combat skills in a realistic, contested environment, with a focus on integration between the NATO allies.

USAF Pilot Suffered Shrapnel Wounds after F-35 Hit Over Iran

03/24/2026

A U.S. Air Force F-35A pilot suffered shrapnel wounds after their aircraft was damaged during a combat mission over Iran on March 19, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

U.S. Army announces arrival of first AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

03/23/2026

On March 12, the U.S. Army announced that the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, known as the “Iron Dragons,” received its first AH-64E Apache helicopters at Biggs Army Airfield. The delivery marks the beginning of the Combat Aviation Brigade’s transition to the latest Apache variant.

All seven on board Qatar military helicopter killed in crash

03/23/2026

All seven people on board a Qatari military ?helicopter, including three Turkish nationals, have been killed in a crash in the Gulf state’s territorial waters, authorities ?said. The Qatari and Turkish defence ministries on Sunday said the helicopter crashed after suffering a ?technical malfunction, which the Qatari ministry said happened during a “routine duty”.

Dutch F-35 fighters conduct joint training with U.S. Air Force at Hill AFB During exercise Lightning Forge

03/23/2026

Dutch F-35A fighter jets and personnel have deployed to Hill Air Force Base in Utah to train alongside U.S. Air Force units during exercise Lightning Forge. The deployment, involving the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force Air Combat Command, marks the largest F-35 deployment by the Dutch service to date.

Taiwan Expected to Receive Long-Delayed U.S. Fighter Jets This Year

03/23/2026

Taiwan’s defense ministry announced that long-awaited F-16V fighter aircraft from the United States will finally begin arriving this year, with manufacturing now operating at maximum capacity following a high-level visit to the production facility. The island nation, which confronts growing military pressure from China, has expressed frustration over recurring postponements of weapons deliveries from the U.S., its most crucial international ally and primary arms provider.

US rejects Iran's claim of hitting F-35

03/23/2026

US Central Command on Sunday rejected Iran's claims that it shot down a fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet over central Iran. "US forces have flown more than 8,000 combat flights during Operation Epic Fury. No US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran," CENTCOM said on US social media company X. Before the post, a spokesman of CENTCOM told Anadolu that they had no comment at that time regarding Iran’s claim that it had “shot down an F-15.”

Taiwanese officials shown 1st F-16V jet due this year

03/22/2026

Taiwanese officials were shown the first of 66 F-16V fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday, adding the aircraft has completed an initial flight test and is expected to be delivered later this year. A delegation led by Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited Lockheed Martin’s F-16 C/D Block 70 (also known as F-16V) assembly line in South Carolina on March 16 to view the aircraft.

Israeli fighter jet targeted by surface-to-air missile over Iran

03/22/2026

An Israeli fighter jet was targeted by a surface-to-air missile during operational activity over Iran but was not damaged and completed its mission, the Israeli army said on Saturday. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, also announced that strikes against Iran will "significantly escalate" this week, as Iranian media reports drone attacks on fuel infrastructure at Ben Gurion Airport.

All the special mission aircraft flown by the USAF and what they do

03/22/2026

The United States Air Force (USAF) operates a range of military aircraft for various special missions, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. The 2026 Flight Global Report states that the USAF currently operates 167 special mission aircraft, accounting for over 27% of the active fleet operated by various US military divisions. This article explores the USAF special mission fleet and the roles these aircraft serve.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese naval ships and 2 military aircraft

03/22/2026

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese naval vessels and two military craft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday and the same time Saturday. One of the sorties reportedly crossed the median line and entered the eastern part of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, or ADIZ. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.

Ukraine Seeks Mirage 2000-5 Jets From Qatar in Exchange for Drone Cooperation

03/21/2026

Ukraine is seeking used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar in exchange for help with interceptor drones, sources told Intelligence Online. According to the report, cooperation between Kyiv and Doha on counter-drone efforts has stalled due to disagreements over the Mirage fleet. Qatar has been trying for several years to sell its fleet of nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDA aircraft and three two-seat Mirage 2000-5DDA jets, which it purchased back in the 1990s.

U.S. Army Takes Major Leap into Future of Aviation with Delivery of First Autonomous-Ready Black Hawk

03/21/2026

The U.S. Army officially received a groundbreaking H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter, extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. This next-generation "Optimally Piloted Vehicle" (OPV) now enters a rigorous testing phase, marking a pivotal moment in the Army's push to build a safer, smarter, and more versatile helicopter fleet for the future.

Ukraine says attacks hit military aircraft factories in Russia

03/21/2026

The Ukrainian military has hit two aircraft factories in Russia with airstrikes, the General Staff in Kiev announced on Wednesday. The Aviastar aircraft factory near Ulyanovsk on the Volga River was attacked on Sunday night, the military said in Kiev. An air-conditioned hangar and a parking area, as well as several aircraft, were damaged, it said.

KF-21 Export Breakthrough: South Korea Sells 16 Fighter Jets to Indonesia, Shifting Indo-Pacific Airpower Balance as Mass Production Begins

03/21/2026

South Korea’s first export of the KF-21 Boramae fighter to Indonesia signals a major shift in Indo-Pacific airpower dynamics as Seoul enters the global combat aircraft market with its first domestically developed 4.5-generation jet.

Netherlands to join U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme to enhance future unmanned air capabilities and integration

03/21/2026

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced plans to take the next step in joining a U.S.-led Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme focused on developing unmanned aerial systems. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk informed parliament that the Netherlands intends to sign a Letter of Acceptance to participate in the initiative.

Military Prepares to Accept F-35s Without Radars

03/21/2026

The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with ballast, rather than an advanced radar in its nose, flew an acceptance flight the last week of February, Air & Space Forces Magazine has learned. The F-35B successfully completed the test flight at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility, a required step before the U.S. military could accept delivery of jets without their advanced radar.

Sri Lanka declined ground access to two US combat aircraft, president says

03/21/2026

Sri Lanka declined permission for two U.S. combat aircraft to land at a civilian airport earlier this month, President Anura ?Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday. The U.S. had requested permission ?for the two aircraft to land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the southern part of the country from March 4-8, Dissanayake told lawmakers. "They wanted to bring two ?warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti," ?he said during a statement.

A-10 Warthogs target Iranian fast-attack craft in Strait of Hormuz

03/20/2026

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft are now engaged in maritime interdiction operations along the southern flank of Operation Epic Fury, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday.

The Netherlands accelerates access to CCA technologies for advanced unmanned air systems

03/20/2026

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has confirmed a new step in its participation in the U.S.-led Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, announcing its intention to sign a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) ahead of the April 8 deadline. The decision, communicated by State Secretary Derk Boswijk to the Dutch Parliament, formalizes the continuation of an initiative first outlined in October 2025 with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI).

Russia tests Estonia’s border again with a brief airspace violation

03/20/2026

Russia has once again tested Estonia’s border, with a fighter jet briefly violating the country’s airspace near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland – a smaller incident than last September’s extraordinary incursion, but one that Tallinn is clearly unwilling to let pass without protest.

Poland looks to join rival to FCAS fighter jet programme

03/20/2026

Negotiations to join the British-Italian-Japanese fighter jet project, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), are ongoing, a Polish deputy minister revealed. The GCAP project rivals the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS). And while the €100 billion FCAS project is on the brink of failure, a similar project by the UK, Italy and Japan is progressing. Now, Poland is turning its back on the struggling FCAS project and is aiming to join the alternative.

US F-35 Stealth Jet Forced Into Emergency Landing After Possible Iranian Strike

03/20/2026

A fifth-generation US F-35 stealth fighter sustained damage and was forced to perform an emergency landing at a US military facility in the Middle East. The incident occurred during a mission. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, confirmed the aircraft was on a combat mission over Iranian territory when the emergency landing became necessary, according to CNN on March 19.

Germany marks April deadline to rescue FCAS fighter project from collapse: Reports

03/20/2026

In partnership with France, Germany says it is working to a deadline next month aimed at resolving a long-running industrial dispute over the troubled New Generation Fighter (NGF) element of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The last ditch effort to save NGF from collapse centers on France’s Dassault and Germany’s Airbus aligning on a common approach for the NGF in the coming weeks — a timeframe communicated by a German official today and widely reported.

RAF Typhoons deploy to Romania to lead NATO Air Policing mission under Operation Biloxi 2026 on Alliance’s eastern flank

03/19/2026

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft from 3 (Fighter) Squadron have deployed to Romania to begin the United Kingdom’s four-month commitment to NATO’s Air Policing mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The deployment forms part of Operation Biloxi 2026 and will see the RAF operate from Borcea Air Base as part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities.