Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Aero Vodochody shifts L-39NG certification plan

08/02/2019

Aero Vodochody has transformed its certification plan for the L-39NG, and is now seeking to clear the type for delivery in a full trainer configuration during the third quarter of 2020. It had previously been working towards securing approval for a basic standard before the end of this year.

EJ200 trial to accelerate UK hypersonics research

08/01/2019

A Rolls-Royce (R-R)-led team is to conduct a two-year study into hypersonic propulsion systems for the UK Ministry of Defence, with the technology demonstration linked to its Project Tempest future combat air system activity.

Fighter variant of M-346 secures launch deal

08/01/2019

Leonardo has secured a launch order for six examples of the M-346FA – the fighter attack variant of its advanced jet trainer – from a major "international customer". Speaking on a half-year results call on 30 July, Leonardo chief executive Alessandro Profumo said the deal was signed during the last month.

Here’s Everything We Know About The Alleged Israeli Air Force F-35 Air Strike on an Iranian Base in Iraq

07/31/2019

On July 19 and again on Jul. 28, the Israeli Air Force carried out air strikes on Iranian warehouses storing arms and missiles at Camp Ashraf, north-east of Baghdad, in Iraq. What is more, during the first raid, the base was struck by an F-35I Adir stealth jet. This is what Israeli media outlets are reporting after the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat broke the news, citing Western diplomats, on Jul. 30.

India, Russia sign Rs 1,500 crore deal for air-to-air missiles to be used by Su-30

07/31/2019

Boosting its capabilities in beyond visual range warfare, India has signed a deal worth around Rs 1,500 crore to acquire R-27 air-to-air missiles from Russia to be equipped on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft. "A contract has been signed with Russia for the acquisition of R-27 air-to-air missile to be fitted on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force," government sources told ANI here.

RAF targets April 2020 for maritime patrol resumption

07/31/2019

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is on track to restore its lapsed maritime patrol aircraft capability within the next nine months, according to Air Commodore Rich Barrow, senior responsible owner for the service’s Boeing P-8 and E-7 acquisitions.

UK details Reaper transition plan as Protector advances

07/31/2019

The UK is planning to achieve a seamless transition in its delivery of unmanned surveillance services from the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator to the company's more capable Protector RG1 by 2024, with flight testing of the new model now gathering pace.

Bulgarian parliament clears F-16V buy for second time

07/31/2019

Bulgaria's on-off acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-16V appears to be proceeding again after the country's parliament overturned a presidential veto of the $1.26 billion deal. On 23 July, President Rumen Radev stopped the procurement – the country's largest since the fall of Communism – arguing that there was no "consensus" over the eight-aircraft purchase and that the process had been rushed through parliament.

One Pilot Died after two Ukrainian Ilyushin Il-76TD Cargo Aircraft were Destroyed in Libya

07/30/2019

According to Avia.pro, two Ukrainian Il-76TD cargo aircraft were destroyed on Al Jufra Airbase in Libya, after rocket attacks carried out on the airfield under control of the Libyan National Army. Earlier, unconfirmed news reported that the aircraft were destroyed after multiple Libyan Air Force drone attacks on Al Jufra Airbase conducted by means of a Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) which was instead shot down.

Test 461: When NASA Tested The Aerodynamic Effects of Adding External Stores to the F-117 Nighthawk

07/30/2019

The iconic Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a U.S. Air Force single-seat, twin-engine, stealth attack aircraft that was developed by Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works division. The first prototype (YF-117A), developed around the Have Blue Proof of Concept demonstrator, made its maiden flight on Jun. 18, 1981 and entered active service in 1983, even though the USAF denied and covered the existence of the aircraft until November 1988. 64 F-117s were built, 59 of those were production jets.

Why North Korea Fears the F-35 Stealth Fighter

07/30/2019

Pyongyang hasn’t made its opposition to the combat aircraft delivery a secret. On July 11, about two weeks before the launch, an unnamed official in the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s Institute for American Studies lambasted Seoul’s purchase of the F-35 as an “extremely dangerous action” requiring countermeasures from the North.

Government Official: Russia Has Launched Production of Su-57 Stealth Fighter

07/30/2019

The Russian military aircraft industry has started manufacturing the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter aircraft, Russia’s first alleged indigenously designed and developed fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, according to the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Yuri Borisov.

First AH-64E Apaches arrive in India

07/30/2019

India will receive its full complement of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by 2020, with its first four examples having arrived at Hindan Air Force Station. Four more examples will follow "in the coming week", the airframer says.

Michigan ANG 127th Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II returns from Afghanistan combat deployment

07/29/2019

More than 200 Airmen of the 127th Wing returned home from a combat tour in Afghanistan with their A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. Deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Selfridge operators, maintainers, and support staff were responsible for supporting close air support missions, aircraft maintenance, and logistics operations.

F-15s Attack!: Israel Shot Down 88 Syrian Fighter Jets In this Famous Battle

07/29/2019

The MiG-21s and -23s were at an almost total disadvantage against the Israeli F-15s and F-16s. While the Israeli fighters had long-range radars allowing them to position themselves advantageously for the attack, the MiGs were limited to initial GCI vectors from radar sites back in Syria, and as they approached the Israeli fighters, electronic jamming rendered their radars useless and disrupted their radio contact with the Syria-based GCI units.

Revealed: Israel Has a Copy of One of Russia's Deadliest Fighter Jets

07/29/2019

It has been reported that Israel obtained a nearly complete, crated, MiG-29 via a covert deal with a Polish general. The aircraft was at Gdansk awaiting shipment to Syria, but was instead put on a plane and flown to Israel in late 1985. The Soviets soon got wind of this and demanded its return. Because the Israelis were then attempting to foster good relations with the Soviet Union, they complied in about February 1986.

Chinese Breakthrough in Stealth Technology to Revolutionise Radar Evading Capabilities for J-20, J-31, H-20 and Others

07/28/2019

China’s. People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force inducted its first stealth aircraft into active service in early 2017, and the Chengdu J-20 fifth generation air superiority fighter remains the most advanced combat jet in the Chinese fleet with a role analogous to the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor.

Ankara's S-400 purchase from Russia a priority for national security

07/27/2019

Ankara continues to call on NATO allies to acknowledge that Turkey's defense choices are a matter of national security and no threat of sanctions could prevent the country from acting in accordance with its own interests

‘Ready to fight’: Tensions escalate in South China Sea

07/26/2019

Asia has just taken a giant leap towards disaster: The combat jets of four nations have squared off above a disputed island. Vietnam is challenging an aggressive Chinese spy ship. And the Philippines has appealed to the US for protection. On Wednesday a chaotic confrontation unfolded above a tiny island claimed by both South Korea and Japan. Chinese and Russian bombers infringed the territory, with Tokyo and Seoul fighting over the right to defend the airspace.

Russian air clash is a wake-up call for South Korea

07/26/2019

On July 23, South Korean fighter jets fired more than 300 warning shots at a Russian military aircraft that violated airspace claimed by Seoul as it was conducting a joint air patrol with China. Around the same time, Japan scrambled combat aircraft to warn off the Russian and Chinese planes flying near islands claimed by both Japan and South Korea in the Sea of Japan.

Russia’s MiG-35 in race for IAF’s 114-fighter jet deal

07/26/2019

“A completely new aircraft”, ‘MiG-35 4++ Generation’ combat plane of Russia, said IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa will be added to the force after going through the due process of tender, evaluation and test flights. The IAF Chief came across the MiG-35 jet during his visit to Russia from July 9 to 12.

Ottawa releases RFP for 88 new fighters

07/26/2019

Ottawa has released a request for proposals (RFP) for its future fighter competition that could see it obtain 88 new fighter jets. Released on 23 July by Public Services and Procurement Canada, it names four potential contenders: Saab, Airbus Defense & Space, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing.

South Korea’s Deadly FA-50 Fighter Is Headed to Argentina

07/24/2019

The FA-50s would help the air force to begin rebuilding. The navy meanwhile has begun its own rearmament program. Five ex-French navy Super Etendard fighters in May 2019 arrived at the port of Bahia Blanca in Argentina.

Lockheed sees $3.5 billion of hypersonic work in near term

07/24/2019

Lockheed Martin expects to sign $3.5 billion worth of hypersonic development contracts within the next two years. The company foresees booking around $600 million in hypersonic sales this year, with the remaining $2.9 billion to come beyond that, according to a quarterly earnings call on 23 July. The aerospace manufacturer appears to be winning more hypersonic development work than any other US defence firm.

Bulgarian president vetoes F-16V purchase

07/24/2019

Bulgaria's president has vetoed the country's planned $1.26 billion acquisition of eight Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, citing a lack of agreement and clarity over the deal. Issuing the veto on 23 July, President Rumen Radev said that for a purchase of this size it was necessary not only for it to be affordable, but also "to have a broad consensus and support".