Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Japan Seeks to Answer China With an Aircraft Carrier

03/21/2018

Japan’s ruling party called for the nation to develop its own aircraft carrier and buy American F-35B fighter jets in response to what it described as aggressive Chinese actions. Tuesday’s proposal from the Liberal Democratic Party’s defense panel, if adopted, would be the latest step by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to beef up defense of outlying islands, including those also claimed by Beijing.

In a First, a Finnish Fighter Pilot Lands on a U.S. Aircraft Carrier

03/21/2018

On March 17, 2017 in the Atlantic, a fighter jet landed onto the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The only difference this time was that the pilot was Finnish, not American. Capt. Juha “Stallion” Jarvinen’s landing was the first landing on an aircraft carrier by a Finnish air force pilot in history, according to the U.S. Navy.

Here’s South Korea’s First F-35A Lightning II Stealth Aircraft During Its Maiden Flight

03/21/2018

On Mar. 19, 2018, the first F-35A destined to the ROKAF performed its maiden flight at Lockheed Martin Ft. Worth facility, Texas. Piloted by LM F-35 Chief Test Pilot and Test Flight Director Alan Norman, the aircraft flew as “Lightning 41”, taking off at 14.48LT and landing at 16.40LT. The photo in this post was taken by Highbrass Photography’s Clinton White during South Korea’s F-35’s first sortie (designated C01).

USAF criticises Boeing on new KC-46 delay concerns

03/21/2018

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson heavily criticised Boeing for what she believes will be further delivery delays of KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on 20 March.

RAAF P-8As achieve IOC five months ahead of schedule

03/21/2018

The Royal Australian Air Force's Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC). The IOC for the 737-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft came five months ahead of schedule, says defence minister Marise Payne. The RAAF has taken delivery of six P-8As from an overall order book of 12. The type is operated by the No. 11 sqn. from RAAF Edinburgh.

We Now Know When Navy Aircraft Carriers Will be Armed with F-35s

03/20/2018

US Navy leaders have announced that the first-of-its kind carrier-launched F-35C stealth fighter will deploy for its first operational deployment on the USS Carl Vinson - in 2021. The anticipated historical deployment could be accelerated by the 2019 budget proposal which supports a transition of the F-35C program from a developmental phase to more formal test and evaluation before being declared operational later this year.

Lockheed Martin: Long Range Anti-Ship Missile completes successful test

03/20/2018

Lockheed Martin announced on 19 March that a production-version of its Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, or LRASM, had another successful test firing after it hit a stack of shipping containers aboard a boat on the Pacific Ocean.

OPINION: It may be ageing, but U-2S could be more relevant than ever

03/20/2018

On its first overflight mission of the Soviet Union 62 years ago, the Lockheed U-2 was tracked for the entire mission. It would take the Soviets another four years to acquire the technology to shoot down the U-2, as Central Intelligence Agency pilot Francis Gary Powers learned to his cost over Sverdlovsk on May Day.

India Weighs Expanding Scope of Fighter Aircraft Order

03/19/2018

India is planning to revise the specifications for one of the world’s biggest fighter jet orders, people familiar with the matter said, a move that would allow manufacturers such as Boeing Co. and United Aircraft Corp. to pitch their twin-engine combat aircraft.

UAE's military aircraft violate Qatari airspace: Qatar inform UN

03/18/2018

Qatar informed the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General of a violation of Qatari sovereignty on the part of UAE. Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said in a message to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and to President of the UN Security Council for this month Ambassador Karel van Oosterom that a military transport aircraft CN-35 that belongs to the UAE violated the airspace of Qatar on Sunday March 4.

Maiden solo sortie by IAF first woman combat pilot

03/18/2018

The country’s oldest airbase, Ambala, witnessed another landmark in the history of military aviation when the Air Force’s first woman combat pilot, Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth, flew her maiden solo sortie in a fighter aircraft from the base on Friday. Bhawana took off in a MiG-12 Bison belonging to the IAF’s No.3 Squadron, the Cobras, from Ambala, where she has been posted, at 2 pm and the sortie lasted about half an hour.

The Air Force's Light Attack Search Won't Yield a New A-10. Here's Why

03/17/2018

Lawmakers have been pressing the U.S. Air Force the last few weeks about its light attack program. The service says that light attack, dubbed OA-X, will be an example of how it intends to buy and field planes faster in the near future.

Israel keeps quiet over F-35I's combat debut

03/17/2018

Israel’s Lockheed Martin F-35I "Adir" is reported to have made its combat debut during strikes conducted against Syrian air defence systems last month. The action was mounted following a border clash that culminated in an Israeli air force Lockheed F-16 being shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

US military helicopter crashes in Iraq

03/16/2018

A US military HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, a Black Hawk variant, has crashed in western Iraq near the border with Syria, according to multiple US defense officials. One US defense official said that there were "likely fatalities" involved and that rescue teams were on the scene in under an hour. The officials cautioned that these are early reports and that the Pave Hawk was carrying seven personnel, but was not on a combat mission.

India eying Boeing's Super Hornet in latest twist to air force procurement

03/16/2018

Boeing Co, considered the frontrunner in the race to supply the Indian navy with new fighter jets, is now in contention for a much bigger $15 billion order after the government abruptly asked the air force to consider the twin-engine planes.

PICTURES: Saab's GlobalEye makes flight debut

03/16/2018

Saab's GlobalEye swing-role surveillance aircraft completed a 1h 46min debut flight from Linköping in Sweden on 14 March, less than three weeks after its formal unveiling. Carrying the temporary registration SE-RMY, the heavily modified Bombardier Global 6000 demonstrated "smooth handling, just as predicted," according to Saab experimental test pilot Magnus Fredriksson. The debut included "collecting extensive flight-test data using the on-board instrumentation suite," the company adds.

Fighter Jet Crashes Off Key West, Florida - US Navy

03/15/2018

A US Navy F-18 Hornet crashed in the water on the Naval Air Station Key West property late Wednesday afternoon. The two pilots ejected and were later found, according to the US Navy. Rescue crews recovered both pilots after search and rescue efforts and they were taken by ambulance to Lower Keys Medical Center, the US Navy reported Wednesday evening. Their condition has not been revealed.

Qatar ups order for NH90 helicopters as it firms 2014 deal

03/15/2018

Qatar has finally firmed a long-held tentative deal for NH Industries (NHI) NH90 helicopters, to be split between the naval and troop transport variants. The revised order sees the Gulf state increase its commitment to 28 helicopters, up from the 22 it initially signed for in 2014.

USAF considers accelerated light-attack aircraft buy in 2019

03/15/2018

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson may ask Congress to reallocate funds to the light-attack aircraft programme this year, a move which would accelerate the department’s purchase of the aircraft by one year to 2019.

Chengdu J-20 to become multi-role platform

03/15/2018

Beijing will evolve the Chengdu J-20 fighter into roles well beyond aerial supremacy. The aircraft’s primary mission for the time being is “making way for other aircraft in an air battle,” says Zhang Hao, who heads an air force flight test centre. Zhang made the remarks in a story carried by Beijing’s official China Daily news organ.

South Korea Signs Deal for 90 Bunker-Buster Cruise Missiles

03/14/2018

South Korea has concluded a contract for 90 German-built Taurus KEPD 350 long-range precision-guided cruise missiles, the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed on March 12. “The contract was signed in late February,” Kang Hwan-seok, a DAPA spokesperson, told reporters this Monday, according to Yonhap news agency.

UK and Saudi Arabia sign memorandum of intent for Typhoon aircraft

03/14/2018

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has signed a memorandum of intent with the UK Government to purchase 48 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role fighter jets. The memorandum of intent has been signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the UK. In a statement, BAE Systems said: “This is a positive step towards agreeing a contract for our valued partner.

USAF likely to issue B-52 engine replacement request for proposals in early 2019

03/14/2018

The US Air Force is likely to issue a request for proposal for its Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber engine replacement programme close to the first quarter of 2019, according to an Air Force document released on 13 March.

J-20 stealth fighter's capabilities to be enhanced

03/13/2018

China will continue to improve and upgrade its cutting-edge J-20 stealth fighter jet, giving it more capabilities than merely penetrating an enemy's air defense networks, according to its chief designer.

France Pitches Another Batch of 36 Rafale Fighter Jets to India

03/13/2018

During an official state visit to India from March 10 to 12, French President Emanuel Macron in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted the sale of additional Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF). “It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership,” the French president said in a statement following talks with the Indian prime minister on March 10.