Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Stealth on Steroids: Meet Israel’s F-35I Adir (An F-35 Like No Other)

03/18/2019

Israel is also developing two different sets of external fuel tanks to extend the F-35’s range. The first will be non-stealthy 425-gallon underwing tanks developed by a subsidiary of Elbit—these could be dropped when approaching enemy airspace (the pylons holding the drop tanks would reportedly detach as well so as not to compromise stealth), or used for missions in which stealth isn’t necessary.

Servicing delays ground India’s best fighter jets SU-30 MKI

03/18/2019

With India and Pakistan sabre-rattling over cross-border skirmishes, a distressing fact about India’s premier fighter jets has come to light. According to sources, over 20 SU-30 MKI fighters, the backbone of the Indian Air Force, are lying with Hindustan Aeronautics for overhaul and are not available for combat.

The Skyborg Program: The Air Force’s new plan to give fighter pilots drone sidekicks

03/18/2019

The Australian government and Boeing recently unveiled their plans for a “Loyal Wingman” drone system that would provide multiple support drones for fighters, bombers, and even unarmed aircraft during combat operations. Now, the U.S. Air Force has begun touting a new endeavor, dubbed “Skyborg,” that could take the Loyal Wingman concept to the next level.

India no longer the largest importer of arms: Should not induce complacency

03/17/2019

According to the latest report on arms transfer, released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) earlier this month, India ceased to be the world’s largest importer of arms during 2014-18, sliding to the second position behind Saudi Arabia with a 24 per cent decrease in imports compared with the imports during the preceding five-year period (2009-13) as compared with a 192 per cent increase in imports by Saudi Arabia.

Russia returned the SU-25 attack aircraft to Syria

03/17/2019

The Russian Armed Forces again deployed Sukhoi SU-25 attack aircraft to Syria after a year’s interval. Images from civilian satellite company ImageSat International released a new photo showed returned SU-25 attack aircraft at Khmeimim air base in Syria. Recent satellite images from ImageSat reveal a new deployment of SU-25 aircraft at the Khmeimim base since the previous one in July 2018.

Pakistan’s Long, Controversial Love Affair with the F-16 Fighting Falcon

03/17/2019

During an aerial skirmish on February 27, 2019, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison was shot down by a radar-guided missile. The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) claims the kill was scored by a JF-17 Thunder, a domestically-built fighter built with Chinese assistance. However, India subsequently revealed fragments of an AIM-120C-5 missile—a U.S.-built weapon only compatible with the American-built F-16s in PAF service.

Death by Stealth: How the F-35 Is Destroying Enemy Fighter Jets in War Simulations

03/17/2019

“I’ve never seen anything like it before. My wingman was a brand new F-35A pilot, seven or eight flights out of training. He gets on the radio and tells an experienced, 3,000 hour pilot in a fourth-generation aircraft. ‘Hey bud, you need to turn around. You’re about to die, There’s a threat off your nose,’” Wood explained in the service report.

Qatar receives first batch of Apache aircraft

03/16/2019

Qatar has received the first batch of Apache-QA during a ceremony held at the Boeing Defense Systems headquarters in Arizona, US, in presence of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. nnThis batch comes as part of a deal signed by the Qatar Armed Forces to acquire the latest - sixth generation - of the fighter aircraft.

US Air Force takes first Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship

03/16/2019

The US Air Force’s (USAF) 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida took delivery of the first Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship on 6 March. The Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship is to replace the AC-130U Spooky gunship, which is slowly being retired from active duty after more than 20 years of operation.

Leonardo targets role on UK's Tempest next-gen fighter

03/16/2019

Leonardo is hopeful that Italy can join the UK's Tempest sixth-generation fighter programme, building on the involvement of its defence electronics division in the effort. Although the company is headquartered in Rome, it has a large presence in the UK, including the former Selex operation.

US Navy declares F-35C stealth fighter aircraft mission-ready

03/15/2019

The US Navy has announced that the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is ready for operational use after meeting all requirements. The F-35C achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after the Navy’s first F-35C squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, completed aircraft carrier qualifications aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

US Air Force sees F-15EX as cheap and quick fix

03/15/2019

The US Air Force (USAF) is requesting funds from Congress for eight Boeing F-15EX fighters instead of more of its favoured aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, in a move aimed at cutting costs.

Two dead after Chinese navy plane crashes

03/14/2019

A Chinese navy plane crashed in Hainan province on Tuesday killing two crew members, the military said. A short statement said the crash happened during a training exercise over rural Ledong county in the southern island province. No one else was reported to have been injured after the plane hit the ground and the cause of the incident is being investigated.

PAF successfully test-fired extended range smart weapon from JF-17

03/14/2019

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday successfully test-fired indigenously developed extended range smart weapon from JF-17 multi-role fighter aircraft. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “the weapon has been developed, integrated and qualified solely through indigenous efforts of Pakistani scientists and engineers.”

Report: JF-17 ‘Thunder’ Block III Fighter Jet Production Is Underway

03/14/2019

Development and production of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 “Thunder” Block III multirole fighter aircraft is reportedly underway, the chief designer of the fighter jet, Yang Wei, said at press conference in China last week.

US Air Force begins search for Next Generation Ejection Seat

03/14/2019

The US Air Force started a market assessment to identify potential sources for its Next Generation Ejection Seat. The service is looking for a modern ejection seat replacement to be installed in a variety of aircraft, including the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor and Rockwell B-1 Lancer, it says in an online announcement.

PICTURE: Polish-based US Reapers declared fully operational

03/14/2019

A Polish-based US military unit equipped with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted air system has achieved full operational capability. Forward-deployed at the Polish air force's Miroslawiec air base, the US Air Force's (USAF) 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group Detachment 2 flies the medium-altitude, long-endurance type in an unarmed configuration. MQ-9s have been flown from Poland since May 2018, the service says.

Japanese F-35s get powerful anti-ship capability

03/14/2019

Kongsberg has entered into a deal with Tokyo to supply its Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for use by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The Norwegian company disclosed the deal in a statement, but said that neither it nor the Japanese government are disclosing the number of weapons or the value of the contract. The timing of deliveries was also not discussed.

Pentagon budget proposal heavy on aircraft R&D and repairs

03/13/2019

As part of its fiscal year 2020 budget proposal, the Pentagon is requesting billions from the US Congress to further research and development work on new aircraft, as well as funds to improve the day-to-day flight readiness of its current fleet. For example, requested funding for the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider heavy bomber is to increase more than 30% to $3 billion as the programe moves from design to manufacturing development. The stealth bomber completed its critical design review in Novemb

Poland eyes F-35 for Harpia requirement

03/13/2019

Warsaw has prioritised its Harpia fighter programme as part of a new technical modernisation plan for its armed forces, while its aged RAC MiG-29s remain grounded following a 4 March crash. Poland plans to acquire 32 "fifth-generation" aircraft to replace its remaining MiG-29s and a ground-attack fleet of Sukhoi Su-22s. It is believed to be particularly interested in the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Harris chosen to provide electronic warfare (EW) avionics to protect Kuwaiti combat aircraft from missiles

03/12/2019

Electronic warfare (EW) experts at Harris Corp. will provide sophisticated EW systems to the government of Kuwait that are designed to protect combat aircraft from incoming radar-guided missiles. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., on Friday announced a $43.3 million order to the Harris Electronic Systems segment in Clifton, N.J., for additional lot 16 AN/ALQ-214 A(V)4/5 EW jammers for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter-bombers for the Kuwaiti milita

Infrared search and track (IRST) technology gives jet fighter aircraft stealthy vision

03/12/2019

Look on the nose of many modern jet fighter aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and you’ll spot a large bulbous protrusion coming from just near the cockpit. Air Force Technology reports. Continue reading original article

Northrop Grumman starts AARGM-ER engineering and manufacturing

03/12/2019

Northrop Grumman received a $323 million contract from the US Navy for engineering and manufacturing development work on its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER), an air-launched weapon designed to seek and destroy radar sites on the ground.

ANALYSIS: Why Dassault trusts in abilities – not luck

03/12/2019

Although it has a manufacturing presence throughout France, Dassault's headquarters is in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Cloud, its heavy black gates a stone's throw from the river Seine. Journalists attending the airframer’s annual results press conference have grown used to the event being held on the company's boat, Le Talisman, moored opposite the main office building.

U.S. Navy awards order to upgrade additional MV-22 to Block C configuration

03/10/2019

The U.S. Navy has signed delivery order for Bell-Boeing team to upgrade an additional four MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the Block C configuration. The modification to a previously awarded contract, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense, is worth more than $85,7 million and provides for the upgrade of four MV-22 aircraft from the Block B to the Block C configuration in support of the Common Configuration Readiness and Modernization Program (CC-RAM).