Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 2 military aircraft

04/09/2026

The Ministry of National Defense tracked nine Chinese naval vessels, two military aircraft, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday and the same time Wednesday. The two People’s Liberation Army aircraft both crossed the median line and entered the country’s northern and southeastern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA activity.

Kazakhstan Opens Skies to Turkish Military Aircraft

04/09/2026

Kazakhstan has approved a law allowing the transit of Turkish military personnel and equipment through its airspace, marking a new step in defense cooperation with Türkiye. The decision was adopted at a plenary session of the Mazhilis (parliament), The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

U.S. AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT FACTSHEETS

04/09/2026

Read about the capabilities, development, and operational history of the aircraft used by the Air Force across a wide range of mission requirements. Scroll through the different airframe types and click the airframe to view it's Factsheet.

UK Trials BAE Systems APKWS-Guided Rockets on Typhoon Fighter Jet to Counter Rising Drone Threat at Lower Cost

04/09/2026

On April 8, 2026, BAE Systems announced that a Royal Air Force Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft had successfully fired an APKWS-guided weapon during a trial at a UK military range, opening a new path for the Eurofighter’s adaptation to the low-cost drone threat.

A New Device Gives the A-10 Warthog Another Way to Refuel

04/09/2026

The Air Force has developed a probe refueling adapter that could give the aging A-10 Thunderbolt II more options for refueling. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center led the effort, along with multiple other organizations, to provide the A-10 with probe-and-drogue air refueling capability in addition to its flying boom option, according to a release.

Virginia Airmen Strengthen Interoperability Across Platforms

04/09/2026

In the high-stakes world of fifth-generation warfare, mission success can hinge on how quickly a fighter jet returns to the fight. For Airmen of the 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, that means being ready to generate combat power across platforms—not just the F-22 Raptor they operate every day.

Pentagon approves F-35 software upgrade for Israel

04/09/2026

The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin an $11.4 million contract modification to develop additional software for Israel’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet, the Pentagon announced April 7, 2026. The modification adds $11,437,794 to a previously awarded contract numbered N0001921C0040. The work is fully funded through Foreign Military Sales customer funds — meaning Israel, not the U.S. taxpayer, is financing the effort.

FACTBOX - Iran war: US military aircraft damage and losses

04/08/2026

The American forces have seen multiple aircraft damaged in the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, including fighter jets, drones, refueling tankers and helicopters, in incidents ranging from combat losses to accidents and strikes across the region, according to US authorities and media reports.

Ukraine slashes fighter jet upgrade timelines to one month to counter Shahed drone threat

04/08/2026

Ukraine will cut the time needed to upgrade weapons and systems on its fighter jets to just one month, in a move aimed at countering Russian Shahed-type drone attacks. The Ukrainian government has taken the step to simplify the process of upgrading Ukrainian aircraft to counter Russian one-way attack drones. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the country is consistently adapting and innovating its procedures to the realities of war.

The F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Costs $85,000 Every Hour It Flies. The Air Force Just Spent $11 Billion To Keep It In The Air. Here’s Why.

04/08/2026

The F-22’s New Fuel Tanks Don’t Have to Be Dropped Before Combat — That Single Change Adds 850 Nautical Miles of Range and Solves the Raptor’s Biggest Weakness . The US Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor, remains the world’s stealthiest aircraft. Introduced in 2005, it is the world’s first mass-produced fifth-generation fighter jet and has been a cornerstone of the US Air Force’s air superiority strategy.

Uncrewed combat aircraft flight testing paused after take-off incident

04/08/2026

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has paused flight testing of its YFQ-42A uncrewed combat aircraft after one of the production-representative test platforms experienced a mishap shortly after take-off from a company-owned airport in the California desert.

Indonesia to get first KF-21 fighter jet from South Korea

04/08/2026

South Korea and Indonesia tentatively agreed to transfer one KF-21 prototype valued at 600 billion won once Jakarta completes full payment by June. he transfer includes the fifth single-seat prototype previously used in radar and aerial refueling verification tests.

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese ships, 1 military aircraft

04/07/2026

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese naval vessels, one military aircraft, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The People’s Liberation Army aircraft entered the country’s southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

U.S. Requests 38 F-35As for Air Force in New Budget Proposal Under 85-Aircraft Plan to Reinforce Stealth Power

04/07/2026

In April 2026, the FY2027 Procurement Programs P-1 document confirmed that the U.S. Air Force is set to receive 38 F-35A Lightning II fighters under the new defense budget request, placing the aircraft once again at the center of American tactical airpower planning.

How US operation to rescue air officer from Iran unfolded

04/07/2026

United States President Donald Trump has announced that the US military has rescued a missing American fighter jet crew member in Iran. The Air Force officer went missing in a remote part of Iran after the downing of his F-15 jet on Friday. Its two crew members ejected from the plane. The pilot was quickly rescued by US forces, but a search had to be launched for the F-15’s weapons systems officer.

Air Force wants almost $1B to buy first CCA drones in 2027

04/07/2026

The Trump administration released a record-breaking $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal Friday, comprising $1.15 trillion of discretionary funds for FY27 and $350 billion from a future reconciliation bill. The request would allocate $30.6 billion in total for Air Force aircraft procurement, which for the first time includes the CCA program.

Footage emerges of three US military aircraft destroyed in Iran

04/06/2026

Newly surfaced footage appears to show three US military aircraft destroyed in Iran's Isfahan Province, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The aircraft were reportedly involved in a search-and-rescue operation for a missing US airman. A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the aircraft included two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport plane.

US military loses seventh aircraft in ongoing West Asia conflict

04/06/2026

The United States has lost another aircraft in the ongoing war in West Asia. With this, it has been confirmed that at least seven US military aircraft have been destroyed during this conflict. Recently, debris from a US fighter jet, allegedly shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has also been made public.

Russian Su-30 fighter crashes in occupied Crimea — fourth Russian military aircraft loss in four days

04/06/2026

A Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed in occupied Crimea during a training flight on 3 April, Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed. Both crew members ejected and were recovered safely, making it the second Russian military aircraft to crash in occupied Crimea and the fourth overall in four days.

‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice

04/06/2026

A United States Air Force member who was missing behind enemy lines for more than 24 hours after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down in Iran on Friday has been rescued, President Donald Trump announced early Sunday morning. “WE GOT HIM!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after midnight. "The U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," Trump wrote.

US Forces have rescued missing crew member of F-15E jet downed by Iran in daring mission, intense fighting: reports

04/05/2026

US forces have successfully extracted a downed American airman from Iran, with the rescued crew member and the special operations team now “safely out of Iran,” according to reports. The airman was one of two aboard an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down earlier this week. Both had ejected over southwestern Iran, triggering a high-risk rescue mission.

How the US military rescues pilots after aircraft losses in combat

04/05/2026

When a U.S. military aircraft is lost behind enemy lines, survival training begins immediately and rescue operations are quickly set into motion, according to former Navy fighter pilot Matthew “Whiz” Buckley. Once a pilot ejects, the immediate focus shifts to survival and evasion, he said. “As an aviator, as an air crew, we go through SERE, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training,” Buckley said.

Second US combat aircraft crashes in Persian Gulf area, pilot rescued - Media

04/03/2026

On Friday, a second US Air Force fighter jet crashed in the Persian Gulf region, and the sole pilot was rescued. This was reported by two American officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, according to UNN with reference to The New York Times.

US F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran

04/03/2026

A United States F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been shot down by enemy fire over Iran, U.S. officials confirmed. One of the aircraft’s two crew members has been rescued, Israeli media first reported. U.S. officials confirmed the reports in statements to CBS News and Axios. A search for the second crew member is ongoing. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Military Times “the president has been briefed” on the downed fighter jet.

Guard, Reserve Leaders Flag Concern over Recapitalizing Fighter Fleet

04/03/2026

Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve leaders warn that the Air Force must modernize their fighter fleets along with the Active force, or they risk losing combat-tested talent and making the reserve forces irrelevant in future operations. Speaking at a media roundtable during AFA’s Warfare Symposium in February, Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve, said more than 80 percent of his aircraft inventory are legacy jets with limited future lifespans.