Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Eielson reactivates fighter squadron ahead of F-35's arrival

10/13/2019

In preparation for the arrival of the first of its F-35s next spring, Eielson Air Force Base has reactivated the 356th Fighter Squadron and named its new commander. Lt. Col. James Christensen will lead the 356th, the first of two combat fighter squadrons coming to the base, according to an Oct. 10 news release. The first of 54 F-35 Lightning IIs is scheduled to arrive in April 2020, with the rest following over two years. A number of personnel dedicated to the F-35s have already arrived.

RSAF marks 10 years of F-15SG fighter jet training in the US

10/12/2019

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pilots, weapon systems officers and engineers have been doing advanced training on F-15SG fighter jets for the past 10 years in the United States. At the same time, the more than 370 airmen of the Peace Carvin V (PC V) detachment and their families have made the city of Mountain Home in Idaho their second home, participating in events such as the annual air force appreciation day parade and charity projects.

South Korea Considers Building Large Aircraft Carriers As Country Prepares To Buy More F-35s

10/12/2019

A senior South Korean lawmaker has said the country should reconsider proposals for acquiring either light or medium aircraft carriers with Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery, or CATOBAR, configurations to respond to growing regional security threats. These were alternatives to South Korea's reported decision to purchase a number of large amphibious assault ships capable of supporting fixed-wing short takeoff and vertical landing combat jets.

Russian Helicopters to merge Mil and Kamov design bureaus

10/12/2019

Russian Helicopters plans to merge its two storied design bureaus, Mil and Kamov, into one unit, called the National Helicopter Center. The board of directors of Russian Helicopters, which is part of the larger Russian government-owned Rostec State Corporation, decided the two bureaus would be more efficient as one, the company says in a media release on 11 October.

Harbin Z-20 destined for wide number of roles: report

10/12/2019

The Harbin Z-20 helicopter will be employed for a number of missions across China’s military, according to a report in Beijing’s official China Daily. The helicopter appeared in the 1 October military parade in Beijing to celebrate 70 years of communist rule in China, and closely resembles the Sikorsky S-70.

?Islamabad highlights defence aviation progress

10/12/2019

The Pakistan military’s yearbook for 2017-2018 disclosed that Islamabad has obtained at least 60 CM-400AKG air-to-surface missiles, and that work continues on a future fighter concept. During the two years covered in the yearbook, which covers all arms of the military, Islamabad spent $100 million to obtain 60 Chinese-made CM-400AKGs, a supersonic anti-ship missile that can be deployed from the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) JF-17 fighter.

How drones can change the nature of future warfare

10/11/2019

In light of the recent drone attack in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated necessary action to counter this new form of threat to critical installations and the security of the country. The drones have become versatile multi-role platforms because they can be launched for various purposes from a hill, dessert or sea.

Is the Su-35 Flanker-E Russia's Best Fighter Yet?

10/11/2019

The Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E is the top Russian air-superiority fighter in service today, and represents the pinnacle of fourth-generation jet fighter design. It will remain so until Russia succeeds in bringing its fifth-generation PAK-FA stealth fighter into production.

Turkey-Syria payback: Norway suspends arms sales to Erdogan regime, exposing cracks in NATO solidarity

10/11/2019

Turkey’s incursion into northeastern Syria this week has been met with international condemnation – but it’s also induced something of a schism between members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Sikorsky pushes deeper into autonomous flight with OPV UH-60A

10/11/2019

Since making its first flight in May, Sikorsky’s optionally-piloted UH-60A Black Hawk has flown a combined 54.5h and tested several autonomous flight functions. The test helicopter, which is retrofitted with a full authority fly-by-wire Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) kit developed by Sikorsky, has now flown up to 150kt (278km/h), the company says.

RAAF funds work to beef up P-8A SAR capability

10/11/2019

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is funding a project to expand the search and rescue (SAR) capability of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The work is taking place NAS Patuxent River and has seen P-8As deploy the UNIPAC III SAR kit, according to a NAVAIR statement.

Kurdish-Led SDF Report Turkish Airstrikes On Civilians, Panic Among Population

10/10/2019

Turkish combat aircraft on Wednesday delivered their first airstrikes against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria, spreading the panic among the civilian population, Mustafa Bali, the head of SDF Press Office in northern Syria, said. "Turkish warplanes have started to carry out airstrikes on civilian areas. There is a huge panic among people of the region," Bali wrote in his Twitter blog.

Argentina to retrofit aging IA-58 Pucará into Fenix ISR model

10/10/2019

The Argentine air force plans to retrofit an undisclosed number of IA-58 Pucara light attack aircraft into intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) variants, renaming the type as the IA-58 Fenix. Buenos Aires operates 25 IA-58s, according to Flight International’s 2019 World Air Forces Directory.

Airbus, Dassault warn over FCAS funding need

10/10/2019

Industry partners Airbus Defence & Space and Dassault are urging the French and German governments to agree funding commitments to rapidly launch demonstrator-phase activities linked to a proposed Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Italy adds three more maritime patrol ATR 72s

10/10/2019

Italy’s Guardia di Finanza agency has signed for three additional ATR 72MPs – the maritime patrol variant of the turboprop airliner. Valued at over €150 million ($162 million), including support services, the deal adds to an initial example ordered in 2018.

Manila to return 7 UH-1s to service with Japanese spares

10/10/2019

The Philippine Air Force will use spare parts donated by Japan to help return seven UH-1 utility helicopters to service. According to an air force statement carried by the official Philippine News Agency, a team of air force personnel “found several items needed for restoring seven of the helicopters [to] operational status.”

The Netherlands to buy nine more F-35s for $1.1 billion

10/09/2019

The Dutch government on Tuesday announced plans to purchase nine more of Lockheed Martin's F-35 jets, a move that would bring the country's inventory to 46. The envisioned €1 billion acquisition will “lay the foundation” for a third F-35 squadron in the Dutch air force, a plan that government officials first floated in late 2018, according to a statement posted on the defense ministry website.

F-16 Crashes Near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, Pilot Ejects Safely.

10/09/2019

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at approximately 3:00 pm local time (1300 GMT) near Spangdahlem Air Base in western Germany close to the German/Luxembourg border. The pilot ejected and is safe, having sustained minor injuries, according to a news release from the 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs unit.

Boeing military aircraft deliveries jump 114% in Q3

10/09/2019

Boeing Defense, Space & Security delivered 77 military aircraft in the third quarter of 2019, a 114% jump over the number of aircraft it delivered in the second quarter, as the company continues catching up on orders delayed by quality issues. Much of the production lift comes from a boost in deliveries of new and remanufactured AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, as well as of KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers, the company disclosed in a media release.

Dassault delivers first Rafale to India

10/09/2019

New Delhi has taken delivery of its first four Dassault Rafales, completing a decades-long odyssey to obtain a new fighter for the Indian air force. The jets were handed over to Indian defence minister Raksha Mantri at a ceremony held at Dassault's Merignac production line near Bordeaux in southwest France.

Bulgarian PM: F-16 acquisition means long-term partnership to benefit Air Force

10/08/2019

The acquisition of the F-16V Block 70 fighter jets is not just a purchase, but a long-term partnership that enables the Bulgarian Air Force to successfully meet the new challenges in the sector, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said at a meeting with representatives of Lockheed Martin, a government statement said.

Turkey launches airstrike after US confirms withdrawal

10/08/2019

Fears a US withdrawal from Syria will leave Kurdish fighters exposed to Turkish invasion have materialised amid reports of an airstrike by Ankara. Turkish combat aircraft carried out an airstrike against a Kurdish and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) military base in Syria's Hasakah province, local media reports. It came after US President Donald Trump defended a decision to withdraw American troops from northern Syria.

A botched program to train Saudi pilots for war in Yemen cost a U.S. Army aviator his life

10/08/2019

He died Sept. 6, 2018, while training a Saudi student pilot at the Khashm Al An Airfield in Riyadh. When the accident occurred, Reidy only had 75 hours of flight time on the AH-6i. He needed a minimum of 250 hours in that aircraft, according to Saudi Arabia’s own regulations, and so was granted a waiver, according to an investigation into the mishap obtained by Army Times.

Thailand wants software work for new fighter buy

10/08/2019

Bangkok wants to be involved in the development of software when it eventually looks to obtain a new fighter. In remarks made to the Bangkok Post, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) commander Maanat Wongwat said that a Concept of Project Requirements (COPR) will be developed for aircraft acquisitions.

Why the U.S. Military Needs to Worry about China's 'Mini' Aircraft Carriers

10/07/2019

Is China’s newest aircraft carrier half-full or half-empty? That depends on how you look at the vessel’s aircraft capacity. The ship, prosaically named the Type 001A for now, is China’s second carrier and the first built in China. The first carrier, the Liaoning, is a refurbished ex-Soviet vessel. The Liaoning could carry twenty-four J-15 fighters. The Type 001A can carry thirty-six J-15s plus various support aircraft and helicopters, according to Chinese media.