Military Aviation News Archive

KAI upbeat after Jakarta resumes K-FX/I-FX payments

01/05/2019

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has received a W130 billion ($117 million) payment from Indonesia’s defence ministry, suggesting Jakarta’s involvement in the K-FX/I-FX programme is back on track.

Problem: China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Doesn't Have a Gun

01/04/2019

Observers of the twin-engine stealth fighter long had speculated that the J-20 lacks a cannon. Photography of J-20s since the type's first flight in January 2011 hadn't revealed bulges or openings that might point to an internal gun. The J-20 hadn't appeared in public carrying an external gun pod.

Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build infrared search and track systems for F/A-18E/F combat aircraft

01/04/2019

U.S. Navy air combat experts are asking electro-optics engineers at the Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. to build infrared search and track (IRST) sensors for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jet fighter-bomber to enable the aircraft to detect, track, and attack enemy aircraft in a stealthy way without making its presence known.

Boeing to upgrade Spain CH-47D fleet to -F standard

01/04/2019

Boeing will upgrade Spain’s fleet of 17 CH-47Ds to the CH-47F standard, in the first such order outside the United States. The work will see the 17 helicopters receive a digital automatic flight control system, a common avionics architecture, and an improved cargo handling capability,” says Boeing.

PICTURE: Russia's improved Il-78 tanker makes flying start

01/04/2019

The improved United Aircraft (UAC) Ilyushin Il-78M-90A tanker commenced factory flight testing with a debut sortie conducted from the Aviastar SP production site in Ulyanovsk in late last month.

Modernised Tu-22M3M makes flight debut

01/04/2019

Russia's first modernised Tupolev Tu-22M3M strategic bomber got airborne for the first time on 28 December 2018, completing a 37min sortie from the Kazan Aviation Plant. United Aircraft (UAC) says the type underwent tests of its updated systems and equipment during the flight, and reached an altitude of 16,400ft. The test asset had been rolled out in Kazan in August 2018 after undergoing modification.

How the Military Is Making Sure the F-35 Can Fight the Wars of the Future

01/03/2019

When a single F-35 used sensors, on-board computers and targeting systems to find, track and destroy two airborne drones at the same time with air-to-air missiles, the emerging 5th Gen fighter transitioned into a new era for offensive attack missions.

Spain To Pit Its Eurofighters Against France's Stealth Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle

01/03/2019

Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and supporting personnel recently arrived in France to take part in evaluating the stealthy qualities of the Dassault nEUROn unmanned combat air vehicle, or UCAV. This comes as the Spanish are considering buying more of the fighters and are looking to join the French and Germans in the development of a new stealth fighter, as well as advanced unmanned combat aircraft.

The F-35 Is Getting Ready to Strike America's Enemies from Navy Aircraft Carriers

01/03/2019

The Navy’s first-of-its-kind carrier-launched F-35C has been conducting aerial maneuvers, weapons integration, “cyclical” flight take-off missions and other war operations from the flight deck of a Nimitz-Class carrier in recent weeks, marking the first operational tests of the stealth fighter slated to deploy in 2021.

Raytheon wins $434.4 million order to build 926 AIM-9X air-to-air missiles for combat aircraft

01/03/2019

U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are asking the Raytheon Co. to build 926 AIM-9X precision short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles for jet fighters and other combat aircraft under terms of a $434.4 million order announced last week.

Gripen E production tweak safeguards Swedish fighter fleet

01/03/2019

Sweden has dropped a plan to reuse some parts from its air force's in-service fleet of Saab Gripen C/Ds during production of new-generation Gripen Es, citing operational considerations. Announced on 21 December 2018 and worth around SKr430 million ($47.5 million), a new contract from Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covers the provision of unspecified new-build components for some of the nation's future inventory of 60 E-model fighters.

Introducing Israel's Ultimate Weapon: Killer F-35 Stealth Fighters on Steroids

01/02/2019

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 on May 9.

Upgraded MiG-29 To Take On F-16 In The Refurbished Fighter Jet Market

01/02/2019

The MiG-29, one of Russia’s most exported military jet has been upgraded in India that expands its capabilities from an air superiority fighter to a multi-role aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) revealed the upgrade, called the MiG-29UPG ahead of the Air Force Day celebrations in October 2018.

‘Sink two aircraft carriers’: Chinese Admiral’s chilling recipe to dominate the South China Sea

01/02/2019

Beijing has a devastating plan to force the world out of the East and South China Seas — and it could cost the US 10,000 lives. They’re the pride of the US fleet: enormous 100,000 tonne, 333m long nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. But Beijing thinks they’re Washington’s achilles heel. Rear Admiral Lou Yuan has told an audience in Shenzhen that the ongoing disputes over the ownership of the East and South China Seas could be resolved by sinking two US super carriers.

PICTURE: Russia continues A-50 AEW&C upgrade work

01/02/2019

The Russian Air Force has taken delivery of an upgraded Beriev A-50U Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft as part of a broader fleet upgrade. Following the work, the aircraft, based on the Ilyushin IL-76, can “track more targets and guide more fighters,” says state arms company Rostec in a statement. The upgrades were conducted by Beriev Aircraft Company and Vega Radio Engineering.

As China tests military muscle, PLA warns Taiwan efforts to resist reunification with force are dead end

12/30/2018

The People’s Liberation Army said that Taiwan would run into a “dead end” if it resisted the mainland’s reunification efforts with force, and that Beijing would continue its “encirclement patrols” in waters and airspace around the island.

USAF T-38 Talon Community Suffers Again As Jet Skids Off The Runway At Virginia Airport

12/30/2018

An U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jet trainer went skidding off the runway at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Virginia earlier today, but thankfully no one was injured. This is the latest in a series of major accidents for the T-38 community, which has suffered multiple crashes, including one that led to the death of a pilot, this year already.

Why Russia May Never Get a 'New' Tu-160 Supersonic Bomber

12/30/2018

The problem with a 21st Century Blackjack may have less to do with the plane than with the factory. As the U.S. is discovering with its older aircraft, spare parts and – most importantly – manufacturing expertise are permanently lost when a production line is closed down.

PICTURES: Il-112V undergoes taxi trials ahead of first flight

12/30/2018

The initial prototype of Ilyushin’s Il-112V transport has begun taxi trials on the runway at the VASO manufacturing plant in Voronezh, as United Aircraft (UAC) prepares the twin turboprop for its maiden flight.

Pakistan Dismissed US Report on China's Secret Plan to Build Fighter Jets in Its Country

12/29/2018

Pakistan has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a bilateral economic project and has no military dimensions. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said this at the weekly media briefing here on Thursday when asked about a US media report that alleged that China has hatched a secret plan to build fighter jets and other military hardware in Pakistan as part of the USD 60 billion project.

A Fleet of 'J-20s'?: China Wants to Take Old Air Force Planes and Make Them Stealthy

12/29/2018

China is trying to devise ways to make its nonstealthy aircraft radar resistant. This week, the Hong Kong–based South China Morning Post reported that China is working on experimental technologies to make even its older aircraft appear stealthy to most radar systems. Citing scientists working on the project, the SCMP said, “The technology involves the use of a ‘metamaterial’, a fabricated layer comprising microscopic structures similar to integrated circuits.

Israel has used Lebanese airspace to avoid Russian S-300 on yesterday’s attack in Syria (Photos)

12/28/2018

The Israeli air force (IAF) attack on Iranian targets in Syria was performed by standoff weapon systems, learned BulgarianMilitary.com. According the Middle Eastern sources, the Israeli fighter aircraft released their weapons while flying over Lebanon. This to avoid entering the foot print of the Russian S-300 air defense systems deployed recently in Syria

Kazakhstan receives four new Su-30SM fighter jets

12/28/2018

The Kazakhstan Air Defense Forces (KADF) has received a four new Sukhoi Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft from Russia, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense. “Within the framework of the agreement on military-technical co-operation with the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan received next shipment newest Su-30SM multirole aircraft,“ – according to a 25 December statement.

Pilots Kept Losing Oxygen and the Military Had No Idea Why. Now There’s a Possible Fix.

12/28/2018

The United States Air Force and Navy appear to be closing in on a partial solution to a complicated set of problems that have for years caused pilots to experience adverse physiological symptoms midair, endangering them and the aircraft. Officials from both services said that by early 2019 they will replace faulty oxygen-supply systems with new hardware and software in their T-6 Texan trainer aircraft.

Air War: Russia's Su-35 Fighter vs. America's F-16 Fighting Falcon (Who Wins?)

12/27/2018

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the mainstay of the U.S. and allied air forces for decades. Over the years, the aircraft has evolved from a lightweight visual range dogfighter into a potent multirole warplane that flies the gamut of missions ranging from the suppression of enemy air defenses to air superiority. Though it has been operational since 1980, the “Viper” continues to evolve and will remain in service with the U.S. Air Force and other militaries for decades to come.