Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Foreign powers test US defenses amid coronavirus pandemic

04/20/2020

U.S. adversaries are probing America's defenses as the world is preoccupied with the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. In the past two weeks, Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have all moved to test Washington in the sea, in the air and on land as U.S. forces have become more restricted in movement amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

China’s FTC-2000G multirole combat aircraft bags first export contract

04/20/2020

With its first export contract for delivery of the FTC-2000G multirole combat aircraft to an undisclosed Southeast Asian country, Guizhou Aviation Industry Corp can expect a surge in interested customers, aviation experts predicted on Sunday. Local media reports reposted Saturday to the WeChat account of the Guizhou Province-based developer affiliated to the state-owned Aviation Industry Corpof China (AVIC) said the deal was signed in late January.

France Finds More Than 1,000 Virus Cases on Aircraft Carrier

04/19/2020

The French navy is investigating how the coronavirus infected more than 1,000 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, amid growing pressure on government leaders to explain how it could have happened. The ship, France's biggest carrier and the flagship of its navy, is undergoing a lengthy disinfection process since returning to its home base in Toulon five days ago.

Budget Problems Are Killing Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighter Dreams

04/18/2020

Speaking on May 15, 2019, Putin said the Kremlin would buy scores of Su-57s over the next eight years. If Putin is serious and the Russian defense ministry follows through on the pledge, Russia soon could possess a meaningful number of stealth fighters. But there are good reasons to be skeptical. The Su-57 still isn’t a mature design. It lacks key combat systems. Sukhoi hasn’t set up a big, efficient production line for the type.

Indian AH-64 Apache Makes Emergency Landing in Punjab, Fuels Wild Speculations.

04/18/2020

An Indian Air Force AH-64E Apache attack helicopter made an emergency landing in a farm field in the Punjab region in India on Friday after what reports say was a, “technical snag”. Indeed, a statement from the IAF said that the helicopter experienced a critical failure 1 hour into the flight that forced the aircrew to perform an emergency landing.

First Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft Successfully Completes Inaugural Flight

04/18/2020

Embraer Defense & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced the first of 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack, combat and reconnaissance aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) successfully completed its inaugural flight at the production facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

A Russian fighter jet buzzed a US aircraft by flying an 'inverted maneuver' just 25 feet in front of it

04/18/2020

The US Navy said on Wednesday that one of its aircraft was intercepted by a Russian jet while flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. The US Navy P-8A Poseidon, an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft, was flying over the Mediterranean Sea when it was approached by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa said.

Boeing preparing to reopen CH-47 Chinook production facility in Philadelphia

04/18/2020

Boeing is preparing to reopen its CH-47 Chinook production facility in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania on 20 April after shutting the site about two and a half weeks prior due to risks of coronavirus contagion. The facility will open with “enhanced safety measures”, says Boeing on 17 April. The campus was shut on 3 April amid a growing number of coronavirus cases in nearby Philadelphia.

Coronavirus clue? Most cases aboard U.S. aircraft carrier are symptom-free

04/17/2020

Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a clue about the pandemic: The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic, officials say.

Interceptor aircraft of Kazakhstan’s air force crashes

04/17/2020

MiG-31 interceptor aircraft of Kazakhstan’s air force crashed on Apr. 16, 2020 near country’s Karaganda city, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry. The ministry said that the plane crashed during a scheduled training flight to prepare for combat duty.

France's Only Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle Taken Out of Service by COVID-19

04/17/2020

Across the world, France's sole aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, has also returned to port as 50 members of its 1,760 sailors have tested positive. According to a ministry statement, three sailors had already been evacuated by air to a military hospital in Toulon in southern France, the home port of the carrier, despite the fact that the aircraft carrier is equipped with its own intensive care facilities.

Flankers vs Gripens: What Happened at the Falcon Strike 2015 Exercise?

04/17/2020

Over the last few months, defense and aviation media have reported on a lecture made by PLA Air Force (PLAAF) test pilot Li Zhonghua in December 2019 at the Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shaanxi. The lecture provided a rather detailed look at the PLAAF experience in the Falcon Strike 2015 exercise conducted in Thailand with the PLAAF’s Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) counterparts.

Leonardo lands Spanish PC-21 radio deal

04/17/2020

Pilatus has contracted Leonardo to supply its RT-700/A V/UHF airborne communications system and other equipment for installation on PC-21 trainers ordered for the Spanish air force. Announcing the award earlier this month, Leonardo said its contract also includes the provision of cockpit control panels and associated electronics for the turboprop-powered type.

Macomb's Selfridge base snubbed on F-35 aircraft

04/16/2020

The Trump administration is deploying F-35 aircraft to Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison, Wisconsin, snubbing the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. Democrats and Republicans in Michigan's congressional delegation have been heavily lobbying for years to get the F-35 planes sited at Selfridge to replace the aging Warthogs at the base, but the Trump administration's decision to send the planes to Madison was announced Wednesday.

Russians, Iranians hassle U.S. military in separate incidents

04/16/2020

Russian and Iranian aircraft and boats came dangerously close to U.S. Navy crews in two separate incidents Wednesday. In both cases, no one was injured. In the first instance, 11 Iranian vessels conducted "dangerous and harassing" approaches of U.S. ships in the international waters of the northern Persian Gulf, coming as close as 10 yards to a Coast Guard cutter, the Navy said.

USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Remains at Sea to Avoid COVID-19

04/16/2020

This week the United States Navy announced that the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will remain at sea off the East Coast of the United States, despite the fact that it has completed its most recent deployment. This is part of an effort to keep the crew healthy from the COVID-19 pandemic and remain combat-ready to take on missions if needed.

Libyan Army shoots down French-made aircraft with Russian defense system: video

04/16/2020

The Libyan National Army (LNA) reportedly shot down a Mirage F1 fighter jet that was flying over their territory, the Russian publication Avia.Pro reported on Wednesday. According to the publication, the LNA’s air defenses, using their Russian-made Pantsir-S system, shot down the French-made Mirage F1 fighter jet that was being used by the Government of National According.

US spy plane seen over South Korea after latest North Korea missile launch

04/15/2020

On Tuesday, a U.S. surveillance plane flew over South Korea, shortly after North Korea launched what appeared to be short-range cruise missiles on the east coast. A US Navy “EP-3E” plane was detected flying over South Korea at around 10:00 A.M. (Seoul time), according to the aircraft monitor Air Traffic. which was cited by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.

Delivery of Rafale Fighters to India Likely Delayed Due COVID-19

04/15/2020

The delivery of the first batch of four Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to be delayed by three months, according to local media reports. The delivery flight of the first Rafale fighters from France to India reportedly had to be postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Lockdown and social distancing measures imposed by the French authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus have also negatively impacted the training schedule of Indian pilot

Luxembourg’s A400M completes 5h debut flight

04/15/2020

Luxembourg’s lone A400M tactical transport made a 5h flight debut from Airbus Defence & Space’s San Pablo final assembly site in Seville, Spain, on 13 April. The Europrop International TP400-D6-powered airlifter (MSN104/CT-01) is scheduled to be delivered before the end of the second quarter of this year, its manufacturer says.

Morocco approved to buy 10 Harpoon anti-ship missiles for its F-16s

04/15/2020

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 10 Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles for Morocco’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters. The sea-skimming missiles and related equipment are estimated to cost $62 million, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice posted on 14 April. Associated equipment includes containers, spares, and repair parts, support and test equipment, as well as publications and technical documentation.

First F-15QA fighter flown for Qatar

04/15/2020

Boeing has conducted a 90min first flight with Qatar’s lead F-15QA fighter, describing the model as “the most advanced version” of the twin-engined type ever manufactured. The Qatar Emiri Air Force will receive 36 F-15QAs from next year under a $6.2 billion contract awarded in 2017. Boeing also is to provide training for aircrew and maintenance personnel under a separate deal signed last year.

U-2 to get avionics, mission computer update

04/15/2020

Lockheed Martin recently secured a $50 million US Air Force contract to update the venerable U-2 spy plane. The project involves three elements: a new avionics suite, a new mission computer, and modern cockpit displays, says Lockheed.

US government clears Harpoon, Torpedo deal for India P-8Is

04/15/2020

The US government has approved to separate deals to sell India anti-ship missiles and air-launched torpedoes for its fleet of Boeing P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft. The first possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) covers 10 Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and related services and equipment for around $92 million, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notice to Congress.

China Sends Aircraft Carrier near Japan, Taiwan as US Navy Struggles with Coronavirus

04/14/2020

Japan and Taiwan kept watch on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and its strike group as they steamed through the Miyako Strait and past Taiwan over the weekend, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense and published reports Monday. The Liaoning and five accompanying warships passed through the 155-mile-wide strait halfway between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako on Saturday, turned south and passed east of Taiwan on Sunday, according to reports.