Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

20 Years of the Mighty F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter

11/01/2017

The United States Air Force held a ceremony earlier this month to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor’s first flight. The ceremony was held at Edwards Air Force Base in California on October 19. However, the actual 20th anniversary of the Raptor’s was on September 7.

We Finally Know Where Those Surplus Jordanian F-5 Tiger IIs Ended Up

11/01/2017

Private red air contractor TacAir is the purchaser of the ex-Jordanian F-5Es that we wrote about being pulled off a 747-400F in Florida last February. The aircraft were going to be overhauled by the Northrop Grumman plant located in St. Augustine that also supports the Navy and Marine Corps' F-5Ns, and has upgraded other air arms' aging Tiger IIs with structural and avionics enhancements over the years. These aircraft were the only four delivered from Jordan to the U.S. via air.

Myanmar Air Force to induct JF-17 fighters by end-2017

11/01/2017

A JF-17 Fierce Dragon fighter aircraft with the insignia of the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) on its tail has been conducting test flights in China's Chengdu airport, indicating that plans to induct them into MAF by end of this year may be on course. That will make Pakistan a military hardware exporter because the Fierce Dragon has been jointly developed by Pakistan and China.

US delivers 2 A-29 light-attack aircraft to the Lebanese army

11/01/2017

The United States delivered two A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Lebanon's army on Tuesday, a sign of continued US support despite Israeli accusations that the Lebanese military is controlled by Hezbollah. The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft, a security source in Lebanon said, and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

China’s First 5th Generation Fighter Moves Into Serial Production

10/31/2017

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) first fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) J-20 multirole fighter, will soon move into serial production, according to a October 23 broadcast on China Central TV’s (CCTV) Channel 4, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly reports. The broadcast showed five J-20s flying in formation.

US, Japanese Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers

10/31/2017

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF) scrambled fighter jets to intercept two nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Force on October 30, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced in a statement. JASDF and USAF aircraft escorted the Russian bombers as they skirted the Japanese islands of Hoshu and Hokkaido on Monday.

Why Japan’s New Military Aircraft Gift to the Philippines Matters

10/31/2017

Last week, Japan disclosed that, following a change in Japanese law, it will now be donating five aircraft to the Philippines rather than leasing them as previously agreed. Though the move represents just one change in a broader relationship that has already been deepening in the defense realm, its significance for both sides and the wider region ought not to be underestimated.

USAF floats software solutions for KC-46 issues

10/31/2017

The US Air Force believes a software reprogramming could solve some deficiencies discovered earlier this year on the Boeing KC-46 tanker, following initial findings from testing earlier this month.

Lockheed struggles with F-35 sustainment

10/31/2017

The Defense Department plans to ramp up production of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter despite serious sustainment issues that have drawn out repair times and grounded jets, according to a recent government watchdog report.

Can South Korea build its own fighter jet?

10/28/2017

At the recent ADEX defense expo in Seoul, South Korea was showing off its KF-X next-generation fighter jet. Although just a large plastic model for now, a lot is riding on this program. The KF-X embodies the future of South Korean aerospace, and if it succeeds, it will cement the country’s place as a frontrunner in the global aviation industry.

North Korea accuses US of 'criminal moves' as three Navy carriers operate in Asian waters

10/28/2017

North Korea stepped up its defiant rhetoric against the U.S. on Friday and said the U.S. is making "criminal moves for igniting a war of aggression," according to a state-run outlet. The communist state also chided calls for negotiations for denuclearization and again slammed President Donald Trump as seeking "extinction" of North Korea through "pressures and sanctioning," said the propaganda site DPRK Today.

Did a Russian Missile Really Hit an Israeli F-35?

10/27/2017

Pro-Russian media are claiming that an Israeli F-35I was hit and damaged by a Russian-made S-200 surface-to-air missile during an Israeli air strike in Syria earlier this month. Israel says one of its F-35s was damaged—after colliding with a bird. The story begins on October 16, when Israel announced that its aircraft had struck [3] a Syrian SAM battery near Damascus that had fired two hours earlier on Israeli reconnaissance planes flying over Lebanon.

Aero Vodochody completes Iraqi Air Force’s L-159 conversion training

10/27/2017

Under a contract previously awarded by the Ministry of Defense of Iraq, Aero Vodochody has completed the L-159 conversion training of the third group of the Iraqi Air Force pilots. The conversion training of the L-159 pilots, ground staff and instructors included theoretical part and flight training. It also included basic conversion and weapon training, as well as emergency procedures, according to the company.

Jacksonville aircraft manufacturer lands contract to build more planes for Afghanistan

10/27/2017

The relationship between the U.S. Air Force and a Jacksonville aircraft manufacturer continued Wednesday with an order for six A-29 Super Tucanos to be used by Afghan pilots for counterinsurgency operations and airborne self-defense for their government.

McEntire SC Air Guard won’t be getting F-35 fighter jets ... for now

10/27/2017

McEntire has been knocked out of the next two rounds of F-35 deployments because of the relatively young age of its current F-16 fighter jets, a Pentagon spokeswoman told The State. Also, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, who arranged Goldfein’s visit, acknowledged Thursday that the Air Force’s top officer would make no announcements regarding the F-35.

Northrop Grumman Has Patented A Kinetic Missile Defense System For Stealth Aircraft

10/27/2017

We have been talking a lot lately about some cutting-edge technologies that could be incorporated into the upcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber or in other future stealthy aircraft designs. Seeing as evolving integrated air defense system technology will continue to slowly erode some of stealth's current advantages, electronic warfare, laser defenses, advanced decoys, and even high speed are potential applications that will bolster the survivability of future American air combat assets.

Northrop Grumman pulls out of MQ-25 competition

10/26/2017

Northrop Grumman has withdrawn from participating in the US Navy’s competition to develop the MQ-25 Stingray, saying the company would have been unable to execute the programme under the terms of the service’s request for proposals.

Serbia receives six MiG-29s donated by Russia

10/26/2017

Although Belgrade paid nothing for the aircraft, it will still spend €180 million ($212 million) on maintenance with the Russian manufacturer – a deal that includes the examples in its current inventory. Discussions between the two nations will also take place on a potential future upgrade of the MiG-29s, to include new avionics and weapons.

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Enters Asia-Pacific Amid US Buildup in Region

10/26/2017

The USS Nimitz, which is the largest warships in the world, is the supercarrier of the United States Navy and the lead ship of her class. The US Navy has announced that the nuclear powered aircraft carrier Nimitz and other warships had entered the Asia-Pacific region to join the US 7th Fleet.

Israel lifts remaining Apache flight restrictions

10/25/2017

srael has returned its air force's fleet of Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to full operational status following a fatal crash earlier this year.

Beijing Beefing Up Fighting Capacity in Disputed South China Sea

10/25/2017

The People’s Liberation Army-Navy’s South Sea Fleet has deployed a squadron of submarines to the disputed waters of the South China Sea to increase battle readiness, the South China Morning Post reported Saturday.

Indian Aerospace Behemoth Strongly Advocates FGFA Project With Russia

10/25/2017

India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has termed the Indo-Russia Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft project as the best technology offer India has ever received, and that it is a great opportunity for India as a country and for the defense industry as well. HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju said he hoped India's Ministry of Defense would soon sanction the project while claiming that the first aircraft would be ready in three years from the date of approval.

US, Japan, S Korea Kick Off Missile Warning War Games - Reports

10/25/2017

The United States, South Korea and Japan have started the fifth cross-navy exercise off the Japanese and South Korean coasts since June 2016, where the sides will jointly practice detecting and tracking missiles launched in North Korea, the NHK broadcaster reported Tuesday, citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean Armed Forces.

Russia to Upgrade India's Frontline Fighter Jet Su-30MKI Into Super Sukhoi

10/25/2017

Indian Air Force's most formidable fleet of fighter jet Su-30MKI is gearing up for a complete overhaul of weapons and avionics which will lend the aircraft unmatched stealth features. The upgrade is being carried out by Russian agencies in collaboration with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Terma introduces self-protection capability for T-50 light combat aircraft

10/24/2017

Terma has introduced the self-protection capability of the F-16 for the T-50 light-combat aircraft (LCA) at Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2017) this year. The T-50 LCA family has been equipped with a modified wing weapon pylon (ACE-Pylon) to increase the aircraft’s chaff/flare payload capacity. The LCA’s self-protection capability upgrade is similar to the self-protection system fitted on the F-16, Terma stated.