Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

9 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan’s ADIZ

11/22/2021

Nine Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Sunday (Nov. 21), marking the 20th intrusion this month. Two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, four Chengdu J-10 fighter planes, and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). Meanwhile, two Xian H-6 bombers flew into the southwest and southeast corners of the zone.

How US Drone Pilots Are Preparing for a Fight Against Enemies Who Actually Could Knock Them Out of Action

11/21/2021

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have become one of the weapons most closely associated with the global war on terror. Hundreds of U.S. drones, also known as remotely piloted aircraft, of various types have spent countless hours tracking terrorists and providing American and coalition troops with early warning.

Air Force pilot killed and two others injured during 'mishap involving two trainer aircraft' in Texas following string of fatal military accidents

11/21/2021

An Air Force pilot was killed and two others injured Friday morning in a 'mishap' involving two trainer aircrafts at a Texas base. Officials at Laughlin Air Force Base said an accident involving a pair T-38 Talon jets occurred on the runway around 10am. One of the injured pilots was taken to San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center in critical condition. Their current condition remains unknown.

As China Flies Nuclear Bomber Near The Disputed Border, Indian Air Force ‘Gears-Up’ To Counter The PLAAF

11/21/2021

Amid India-China border tensions, the Chinese PLAAF recently dispatched an H-6K bomber close to the LAC, the disputed border with India. Satellite imagery accessed by the media outlets has revealed that China’s Air Force (PLAAF) has three airbases opposite eastern Ladakh – Kashgar, Hotan and Ngari Gunsa.

Now the RAF goes green: Trainee pilots set to spend just 20% of practice sessions in real fighter jets and will do the majority of their training in simulators

11/20/2021

Like all areas of society, the Royal Air Force can't escape the need to go green or to save money, and it hopes that virtual training can help it do just that. It costs tens of thousands of pounds every time the RAF sends a pilot up in a Typhoon as part of a training exercise, but in the future the Air Force hopes to reduce how often this happens, and BAE Systems is helping it achieve that goal. Pilot training is currently 70 per cent in the air, and 30 per cent synthetic training.

France To Sign Multi-Billion Rafale Fighter Jet Deal With The UAE During Macron’s Visit To Abu Dhabi – French Media

11/20/2021

Reports suggest that if negotiations progress at this pace, an announcement could be made before the end of this year. The French media also reported that President Emmanuel Macron will visit Abu Dhabi on December 2, followed by visits to Doha (Qatar) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) on December 3 and 4.

Navy combat aviators live fire weapons during Tyndall WSEP

11/20/2021

Tyndall Air Force Base’s unique airspace paves the way not only for the U.S. Air Force but also for sister service, the U.S. Navy, and many other service partners who come together to conduct mission objectives in as close to real world operations as possible. Tyndall welcomed Sailors stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, to bring their F/A-18 Super Hornet, for the 53rd Wing’s Weapons System Evaluation Program 22.02 to utilize the training environment.

British F-35 fighter jet crashes while flying off aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

11/19/2021

A British F-35, one of the newest stealth fighter jets in the UK military, crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday morning while operating off the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK Defense Ministry said in a tweet. The pilot ejected and was returned safely to the ship, and an investigation of the incident, which occurred during routine flight operations, had begun, the ministry said.

Russia delivers combat aircraft, missile systems to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

11/18/2021

Russia delivered military equipment to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this year, including combat aircraft and missile systems, Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said in an interview with the RBC media group on Tuesday. "For example, we delivered Su-30SM aircraft, Mi-35M helicopters, Buk-M2E surface-to-air missile systems.

China's 'Soviet-era' bombers in focus after claim of deployment to India border

11/18/2021

Ever since the standoff with India over Ladakh began last year, Chinese state media have frequently played up deployment of various military systems to the region. These have ranged from new artillery systems to tanks to helicopters, which have often been shown in exercises in “high-altitude areas”, a euphemism for the border with India. In comparison, Chinese state media have reported more sparsely on deployment of fighter aircraft and bombers of the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Malaysia’s Air Force to get India’s Tejas LCA? Kuala Lumpur looking to buy 36 jets

11/18/2021

Highly placed sources have confirmed to the Financial Express Online that, “Presently the ASEAN nation Malaysia is in the midst of evaluating the Request of Proposal (RfP) it had floated earlier this year for getting the light fighter jets for its Air Force.” India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas’’ is in the forefront of Malaysia’s requirement of 36 low cost light fighter aircraft for its Air Force.