Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

CH-53K King Stallion demonstrates first air-to-air refuelling

04/14/2020

The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion has demonstrated its first air-to-air refuelling. The heavy lift helicopter, in development for the US Marine Corps (USMC), completed the 4.5h test over Chesapeake Bay with a Lockheed Martin KC-130J in-flight refuelling tanker on 6 April, says Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 9 April.

USA approves $675 million support package for Korean F-35s

04/14/2020

The US government has cleared a potential $675 million deal for the sustainment of South Korea’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters. The Foreign Military Sale package includes follow-on support for the aircraft, engines, weapons, spare parts, software, training, and other elements. It follows a request from the Seoul.

U.S., Chinese military aircraft fly near Taiwan's airspace

04/13/2020

A United States military reconnaissance aircraft was reported flying near Taiwan's southern airspace Friday, the same day the Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed Chinese warplanes were monitored southwest of the country. A U.S. RC-135U Combat Sent was operating in the South China Sea, according to a flight chart posted on Twitter Friday morning by Aircraft Spots, a military air movement tracker.

Nigerian Air Force renews war against insurgency

04/13/2020

Apart from the establishment of new units, he revealed that the NAF, in line with the federal government’s commitment to the security of the nation, has also acquired 22 brand new aircraft in the last four and half years with another 16 due for delivery soon. Said he: “The additional air assets include an Mi-17 helicopter, which is expected to arrive the country this month, as well as three JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft and 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft.

Thunderbirds Wow Las Vegas With Tribute Flight to Healthcare Workers in COVID-19 Crisis.

04/13/2020

The U.S. Air Force flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, performed an inspiring flyover of the greater Las Vegas area on Saturday, April 11, 2020 in honor of healthcare workers and first responders working during the international COVID-19 crisis.

These Metrics Show Why The F-35 Is The World's Most Dominant Stealth Fighter

04/13/2020

Overall, the F-35A fighter is flying exceptionally well. The F-35 Lightning II is now the world’s most dominant multi-role fighter. Its detection range, geolocation, threat identification, and system response capabilities allow the jet to precisely fix and destroy the most advanced threats in the world including every layer of Russia’s latest SA-20 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.

Azerbaijan Could the the First Client for Russia’s New MiG-35 Fighter: Why Baku Could Receive the Jets at a Discount

04/12/2020

Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry has revealed that pilots from the country’s Air Force have test flown MiG-35 ‘4++ generation’ fighter jets in Russia, with the announcement coming shortly after the country received permission to purchase new high end Russian fighter jets.

Israel Is Showing America How To Best Use The F-35 Stealth Fighter

04/12/2020

Over time, Israel will likely acquire additional F-35s, as it intends for the type to replace its fleet of over 320 F-16s. On May 22, Israeli Air Force commander Amikam Norkin announced that its F-35I stealth fighters had flown on two combat missions on “different fronts,” showing as proof a photograph of an F-35 overflying Beirut. While details on those missions have not been released—apparently, they were not deployed in a massive Israeli air attack on Iranian forces in Syria that took place

Northern Fleet warplanes perform stratospheric drill over Arctic

04/12/2020

The tactical drill this week involved ten Su-24 bomber and five MiG-31 interceptor-fighters, the press service of Russia’s Northern Fleet in Severomorsk informs. “The crews of upgraded MiG-31 interceptor-fighters will practice assignments at a maximum altitude in the course of tactical flight drills that have stated in the Northern Fleet’s separate composite air regiment this week,” the note from the fleet reads.

Germany to replace most Tornado jets with Eurofighters: report

04/11/2020

Germany will replace most ageing Tornado fighter-bomber jets in its air force fleet with Eurofighter aircraft but buy a share of the replacements from US manufacturer Boeing, media reported Friday. From 2025, the Tornados will be replaced by up to 90 Eurofighters built by Airbus and 45 Boeing F-18s, according to news weekly Der Spiegel.

U.S. and Russian Media Depict Starkly Different Narratives of Russian Navy Il-38N Intercept By Alaskan F-22s.

04/11/2020

As reported in international media, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors supported by KC-135 Stratotankers and E-3 AWACS aircraft responded to a pair of Russian military Ilyushin Il-38N ASW and Maritime Patrol Aircraft off the Alaskan coast in international airspace on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. But the differences in how the story is being reported around the world is an interesting study in how journalism may influence our interpretation of events depending on where we live.

Is Russia Finally Getting New Su-57 Stealth Fighters?

04/11/2020

Russian plane-maker Sukhoi finally is gearing up to begin delivering new Su-57 stealth fighters to the Russian air force. How many of the radar-evading planes the air arm acquires, and how quickly, are open questions. To say nothing of the type’s actual capabilities. In any event, deliveries are good news for the air force. The Su-57 first flew in 2010. Sukhoi hand-built ten prototypes.

F-35 Lightning II for India: Is America About to Make a Big Stealth Sale?

04/10/2020

New Delhi still likes Russian technology, but Washington is trying to make a sale and enhance American-Indian ties. If a deal happens, it will further remove India from Russia’s influence. When the Times of India revealed that the Indian air force was revising its single-engine fighter competition to encompass twin-engine jet designs, a collective groan likely rang from New Delhi to Washington—and even Stockholm.

Draken Works the Red Team: Mirage F-1s as Part of the Arsenal

04/10/2020

Draken International has begun flying supersonic, radar equipped Mirage F1M fighters to support US Air Force (USAF) combat training at Nellis Air Force Base after the aircraft were returned to service by Paramount Aerospace Systems.