Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

USA approves sale of 32 F-35As to Poland

09/12/2019

The US State Department has approved the sale of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters to Poland as part of a package worth an estimated $6.5 billion. NATO member Poland wanted the stealth aircraft as a counterweight to Russia, a country Poland has viewed as increasingly aggressive following invasions of Georgia and Ukraine. The F-35As are to replace the Polish air force’s Russian-built MiG-29 and Su-22 fighters, says a US State Department notice posted online on 11 September.

USAF shows larger B-1B weapons capacity for hypersonic missiles

09/12/2019

The US Air Force (USAF) has modified a Boeing B-1B Lancer to enable the bomber to carry larger and heavier weapons, including hypersonic missiles. The service's 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California showcased a B-1B with the improve weapons capabilities to an undisclosed group of industry partners on 28 August, the USAF says.

ANALYSIS: Despite troubles, Super Puma remains key for Airbus

09/12/2019

Speaking to employees gathered in a delivery hangar at its Marignane site, Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even laid out the importance of the Super Puma family to the airframer. Over its 41-year history – first flight of the original AS332 took place in September 1978 – the Super Puma has made Airbus Helicopters "stronger, more humble and more demanding", Even said.

US bombs ISIS-'infested island' in Iraq, new video shows

09/11/2019

U.S. jets bombed an ISIS-“infested island” in northern Iraq Tuesday, according to new video and a statement from the U.S.-led coalition battling the terrorist group. More than 80,000 pounds of laser-guided bombs were dropped on the island located on the Tigris River south of Mosul, according to U.S. Army Col. Myles B. Caggins III, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, based in Baghdad.

Polish Mi-24 modernisation offer details emerge

09/11/2019

Poland is being offered a locally developed modernisation package for its land forces' Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters, with updates to include replacement avionics and new weapons. An integrated avionics system would incorporate new head-up and multi-function displays and the update’s developers are also proposing the installation of a Rafael Toplite electro-optical/infrared sensor turret.

KL studying possible Su-30MKM replacement

09/11/2019

Kuala Lumpur is studying options for replacing its Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters, but its poor acquisition record suggests a long process. Media reports from Malaysia quote defence minister Mohamad Sabu as saying that studies about new jets are underway, with an eye to replace the jets with new aircraft from Russia - he did not mention specific types.

Arms companies are 'washing their hands of their responsibilities' - new report

09/09/2019

As the global arms industry prepares to set up shop at the DSEI arms fair in London this week, a new report today by Amnesty International reveals that the world’s biggest arms companies - including Airbus, BAE Systems and Raytheon - are failing to undertake adequate human rights due diligence which could prevent their products from being used in potential human rights violations and war crimes.

Canada sends more military support to Bahamas in wake of Hurricane Dorian

09/08/2019

The federal government says it’s providing additional emergency military support to areas in the Bahamas that were destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Global Affairs Canada says a Canadian Armed Forces’ CC-130J Hercules aircraft was sent Friday to provide airlift support.

Welcome to Syria, the Russian Air Force’s Battle Lab

09/08/2019

Welcome to Syria, the Russian Air Force’s battle lab. Russia has been able to gain valuable combat experience in Syria, according to Anatoly Tsyganok, a retired Russian colonel and military commentator writing in the Russian defense publication Independent. Russian pilots have learned to perform high-altitude bombing runs over Syria, fire air-launched cruise missiles, conduct low-level helicopter attacks, and effectively support the ground troops.

Why Russia's New Su-35 and Su-57 Stealth Fighter Went to War and Syria

09/07/2019

Russia’s intervention in the Syrian Civil War proved pivotal in saving Bashar al-Assad’s regime from defeat by Islamic rebels. While Hezbollah and Iran fought the ground war with troops and advisers that buttressed the sagging Syrian Arab Army, Russia flew constant and devastating air strikes against the rebels (and also killed numerous Syrian civilians). Russia had a chance to test numerous planes, including the Su-35 fighter, the Tu-160 strategic bomber, the Su-57 stealth fighter and various m

Here’s how Army aviators must prepare for large-scale combat operations

09/07/2019

To continue current missions, adapt to brand new aircraft and prepare for large-scale combat operations, the Army is pushing its pilots in some of the toughest training challenges, both real and virtual, that they’ve ever faced.

HAL to receive ?45,000 crore orders for 83 LCA fighters

09/07/2019

In a major boost for the indigenous defence manufacturing capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to place orders worth around ?45,000 crore with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to acquire 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighters. The IAF had issued a tender for 83 LCAs about two years ago and the project was stuck over the pricing issue as the government and the Air Force felt that the price offered by the HAL was slightly higher.

Czech Republic picks Bell for Mi-24 replacement

09/06/2019

The Czech Republic intends to acquire a dozen aircraft from Bell – eight transports and four attack helicopters – as part of a fleet modernisation worth Kc14.5 billion ($600 million). Speaking during a visit to Sedlec air base in late August, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said that the nation wants to acquire the new rotorcraft "as soon as possible".

Philippine set to receive two Jordanian AH-1s in 2020

09/06/2019

The Philippine air force looks set to receive two Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters donated by Jordan in early 2020. The delivery had apparently been planned for this month, but training the crews for the rotorcraft has delayed this, according to the government-owned Philippines News Agency.

Brazilian air force receives first Embraer KC-390

09/06/2019

The Brazilian air force received its first Embraer KC-390 transport in a ceremony at Anápolis Air Base outside of Brasilia on 4 September. The service is starting preparations for the transport’s entry into service with its First Troop Transport Group. Embraer says it has already been conducting “theoretical and practical training with the air force teams to start operations”.

Field shrinks further for Canada fighter contest

09/06/2019

Canada's options for a new fighter have narrowed to three, with the formal withdrawal of the Eurofighter Typhoon from the competition. In a statement on 30 August, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Airbus Defence & Space announced that the Typhoon would not compete for the 88-fighter deal. This whittles contestants down to just three: the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35A and the Saab Gripen.

Two Su-57s Flown To Hmeymim, Syria, As Russia Upgrades Infrastructure At Air Base

09/04/2019

As Russia upgrades infrastructure at its Hmeymim air base in Syria, prototypes of two Sukhoi Su-57 stealth-capable fighters have been sent, presumably to show off Russia's weaponry. This is the “first demonstration of the latest Russian combat aircraft under real war conditions," reports Krasnaya Zvezda.

Croatia aims to buy 12 fighter jets by end-2020

09/04/2019

NATO member Croatia aims to buy 12 fourth-generation fighter jets by the end of 2020, a government official has said. "Our aim is to know by the middle of next year what jets we can buy and have a contract signed by the end of next year," Robert Kopal, a special advisor to prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, said in a government press release on Monday.

Russian jet fighters not a realistic option for Turkey

09/04/2019

Now it is unlikely the United States will allow Turkey to buy fifth-generation F-35 fighters jets, there is renewed speculation the Turkish government could seek to buy warplanes from Russia instead. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had ice cream with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a visit to Russia last week and had a look at Russian Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 jet fighter-bombers exhibited at the MAKS-2019 air show. “Yes, you can buy it,” Putin said of the Su-57.

Why Aircraft Carriers Are The Most Cost-Effective Way Of Containing China's Military

09/04/2019

Deterring and/or defeating aggression by China’s military has become a top priority of U.S. defense strategy. Due to China’s geographical circumstances, Pentagon planners assume that any outward thrust of the People’s Liberation Army, Navy and Air Force would occur in the east, presumably using maritime routes. So it is there that America and its allies intend to block aggression—starting at the first island chain off the eastern coast that includes Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Eight Apache attack helicopters to be inducted into IAF at Pathankot on Tuesday

09/03/2019

In a major boost to the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities, eight US-made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters are set to be inducted into the IAF on September 3, officials said on Monday. Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa will be the chief guest during the induction ceremony, which will take place at the Pathankot Air Force station.

ohn Bolton accuses China of stealing F-35 technology to make a stealth fighter. Is this what he was talking about?

09/03/2019

US National Security Adviser John Bolton recently accused China of stealing US technology to make a stealth fighter, a charge Beijing has denied. On a visit to Ukraine last week, Bolton said an unnamed fifth-generation aircraft “looks a lot like the F-35, that’s because it is the F-35. They just stole it”.

COBRA WARRIOR KICKS OFF IN THE UK WITH ISRAELI JETS

09/02/2019

Israeli fighter jets touched down at Waddington Air Force Base in the United Kingdom to take part in a high-intensity tactical drill with aircraft from other nations. The jets joined 50 aircraft of various types from the German, Italian and American air forces for the 20-day Cobra Warrior exercise.

Russian MiG-35D Loses Wing Panel During Flight Demo at MAKS 2019

08/31/2019

Panel Loss is Second Caught on Film This Month Following U.S. F-16 Three Weeks Ago. A new MiG-35D two-seat, advanced “generation 4++” fighter lost a large wing panel from its left wing after takeoff during a flight demonstration at the MAKS Aviasalon 2019 air show at Zhukovsky Air Base outside Moscow on Thursday, August 29, 2019. The aircraft, which may have been crewed by a delegation from the Indian Air Force at the time of the panel separation.

Armed with J-20 stealth fighters, China's future flattops could 'eventually fight US carriers'

08/31/2019

China appears to be considering arming a future aircraft carrier with the country's first fifth-generation stealth fighter, a move that will seriously boost the Chinese navy's combat power if it can overcome the relevant hurdles in the coming decade or so.