Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China's incursions over Malaysia add to South China Sea disputes

06/06/2021

China has stepped up incursions into Southeast Asian airspace, drawing the ire of Malaysia in the most recent breach, as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region with the mix of a vaccine charm offensive and a show of force. Malaysia's air force scrambled jets this week to intercept 16 Chinese aircraft entering its national airspace. The Chinese aircraft were "flying in tactical formation" and came within 60 nautical miles of Borneo, the air force said on Monday.

The Ultimate Dogfight Between US & Russian Fighter Jets Over A ‘Top-Secret’ Air Base In Nevada

06/06/2021

There was a time when the US military had used both American and Soviet-made aircraft to train its fighter pilots. In a YouTube video released recently, a former F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Ward Carroll shared exciting details of secret dogfight training he was part of in 1985. Held at Nevada’s Tonopah Test Range Airport, Carroll took part in the secretive Constant Peg program and its equally secretive training unit- the Red Eagles.

Eyes on China as British Aircraft Carrier Group Heads to South Sea for Military Drill

06/05/2021

A British-led aircraft carrier group voyage that will take the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the disputed South China Sea would push Beijing further into an angry defensive position, analysts believe. The 65,000-ton aircraft carrier with more than 30 aircraft plans to visit the Asian waterway for military drills with the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces, British media outlets say.

The Good News About Boeing’s KC-46 Tanker

06/05/2021

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Air Force’s 2011 decision to award Boeing the development contract for its next-generation aerial refueling tanker. Now designated the KC-46 Pegasus, the aircraft is based on a version of the company’s 767 commercial transport that has been modified to deliver fuel to other aircraft in flight, carry cargo and transport personnel (including wounded troops).

A Flying Tank: The A-10 Warthog Is Old But Still Unstoppable

06/04/2021

Often called a “flying tank,” the classic and much revered A-10 Warthog plane has for years been cherished by ground forces under enemy fire in combat. The battle-tested aircraft continues to live into future years due to various upgrades and sustainment efforts. The aircraft’s titanium hull, flight trajectory, and redundant electronics enable it to both withstand incoming enemy small arms fire as well as hover above and fire its 30mm cannon during dynamic fast-moving warfare scenarios.

Chinese Overflight Highlights Malaysia’s Need for a Stronger Military Deterrent

06/04/2021

China has once again flexed its muscles against Malaysian claims in the South China Sea, this time using airpower and not the typical deployment of coast guard vessels or maritime militia. On the afternoon of May 31, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew 16 aircraft consisting of Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 multi-role airlifters over Malaysian maritime zone airspace close to Sarawak.

Fort Smith's 188th Wing chosen as site for multi-national fighter jets

06/04/2021

After a year-long competition with several other cities, Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith was chosen to host a multi-national training site for F-16 Falcon and F-35 fighter jets. The competition for the mission comes with an estimated $800 million – $1 billion economic impact on the region, according to the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Why The US Fears Its Key Defense Partner Could Leak F-35’s Stealth Technology To China?

06/03/2021

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, the security cooperation between China and the UAE may prompt the US to review its decision to sell what is considered the world’s costliest combat aircraft. China’s growing footprints in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East are being critically looked at by the US. The UAE is one of the closest allies of the US in the region.

Understanding China’s Aerial Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ

06/03/2021

Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have risen sufficiently for The Economist to declare on the cover of its May 1, 2021 edition that Taiwan is now “the most dangerous place on Earth.” According to this narrative, Beijing has invested heavily in military capabilities that it can now bring to bear in a confrontation over Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province.

Total Force Integration proved at PSAB

06/03/2021

Rooted in a sea of sand, the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) mission is, in-part, seamlessly accomplished by both active duty and the Air National Guard—proving the concept of Total Force Integration (TFI). TFI is nothing new. Once called “Future Total Force,” TFI became the standard about 15 years ago—fully integrating the Air Force’s active duty, guard and reserve components in exercises and contingency operations around the world.

The Air Force's new F-15EX fighter jet made its dogfighting debut during a major exercise in Alaska

06/03/2021

The US Air Force just started taking delivery on the new F-15EX Eagle II in March of this year, but the jets already found their way into a massive force-on-force war game held in Alaska last month. Thus far, only two F-15EXs have been delivered, and both saw action during the exercises.

To Block Encirclement By China, Taiwan Should Pair F-16s And Tankers: Expert

06/02/2021

The Taiwanese air force is building up a force of 206 of the latest F-16 fighters. Now it needs aerial tankers to boost the new fighters’ endurance. That’s the surprising—and likely dead-end—recommendation of an analyst at Taiwan’s military think-tank.

DoD awards Polish F-35 support contract

06/02/2021

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $24.29 million contract from US Naval Air Systems Commandto provide non-recurring engineering and logistics sustainment programme support for F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft on order from Poland The contract was not competitively procured, the DoD announced on 28 May.

Russia Says Five Nations Vying To Acquire Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jets

06/02/2021

Around five countries, including those located in Southeast Asia, are considering the purchase of Russia’s new fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev said on Tuesday. “We conduct negotiations with several countries, there are requests, and we see interest … [including from] the Southeast Asia … Four or five countries are interested,” Mikheev told reporters.

Air Force Proposes Cutting Most A-10s From Davis-Monthan

06/02/2021

The Air Force is planning to retire most of the A-10 "Warthog" ground-attack jets stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force base by next fall, under a plan unveiled as part of the Biden administration's proposed $715 billon defense budget. But seven members of Arizona's congressional delegation have vowed to fight this latest Air Force plan to start retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II jets — a mainstay of operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Chinese Air Force Fly 16 Aircraft Through Malaysian Airspace in Large-Scale Exercise

06/02/2021

Sixteen aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force conducted a large-scale transport formation exercise over the South China Sea near Borneo on Monday and entered the airspace of Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) said in a statement today.

Brazil To Cut KC-390 Airlifter Order

06/01/2021

The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian air force) is reducing its order for the Embraer KC-390 airlifter. The decision, which was revealed in a notification on May 26, is driven by budgetary constraints that have arisen as a result of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Brazil has been one of the hardest-hit nations by the health crisis, and the cost has caused “direct limitations on the strategic projects of the armed forces” according to the notification.

M-346 In Exotic Color Scheme For Undisclosed Export Customer Breaks Cover

06/01/2021

A pretty interesting M-346 “Master” sporting a camouflage paint scheme quite close to the one used by the combat aircraft of the Turkmen or the Azerbaijani Air Force was spotted at Venegono airport, in northwestern Italy, after its first flight, by photographer Oscar Bernardi, on May 28, 2021. The aircraft was reportedly involved in the very first flight in the new livery.

Largest Checkered Flag exercise wraps up at Tyndall AFB

06/01/2021

The largest Checkered Flag exercise held to date wrapped up at Tyndall Air Force Base, May 21. Checkered Flag, one of the Department of Defense’s largest air-to-air exercises, is a two-week long, large-scale aerial exercise designed to integrate fourth and fifth-generation airframes to enhance mobility, deployment, and employment capabilities of aviators and maintainers.

As Russia tensions simmer, NATO conducts massive war games

05/31/2021

As tensions with Russia simmer, thousands of NATO troops, several warships and dozens of aircraft are taking part in military exercises stretching across the Atlantic, through Europe and into the Black Sea region.

Aerial refueling capabilities could boost Taiwan's regional air superiority

05/31/2021

The Ministry of National Defenses’ Institute of National Defense and Strategic Research (INDSR) said that aerial refueling aircraft for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet would help the nation maintain air superiority in its air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Chen Liang-chi, an associate researcher INDSR, on Thursday (May 27) published a short analysis of the strategic significance of aerial refueling aircraft in Taiwan's air defense.

Not J-20 Fighters, But This Chinese Jet Could Pose The Biggest Threat To The Indian Air Force?

05/31/2021

The two Asian neighbors have been locked in a protracted border standoff in the Ladakh region, with reports of the Chinese PLA amassing advanced weapons on the Tibetan plateau emerging on a regular basis. With an uncanny similarity to America’s stealth F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, the FC-31 ‘Gyrfalcon’ is a twin-engine mid-size fifth-generation aircraft being developed by Shenyang, a state-owned aircraft manufacturer.

Indian Navy’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant Catching Up To China

05/31/2021

The Chinese Navy is rapidly expanding its aircraft carrier fleet, with two in service and at least one more under construction. And while still new to the game, their experience of operating carriers is growing all the time. Regional rival India has a much longer tradition of carrier aviation, but fewer and smaller carriers. The first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant, could keep India competitive however.

Another Soviet-Era MiG-21 Fighter Jet Crashes But This Time In Benghazi, Libya

05/30/2021

On Friday, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said that the planned parade on a military base of Benin in Benghazi would be the largest military parade in the history of Libya. Later, the crash was confirmed by LNA spokesman Khalifa al-Obeidi who expressed grief over the death of Jamal ibn Amer via Facebook.

Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Perform Flights Above Eastern Mediterranean

05/30/2021

“The pilots practiced fulfilling tasks in new geographical areas,” the press office said. The aircraft of this type have been deployed at the Hmeymim airfield for the first time, which has become possible as a result of the upgrade of the second runway with the complete replacement of the runway’s surface and the installation of new lighting navigational and radio equipment.