Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Satellite images show 33 Russian combat aircraft at Syria’s Khmeimim Airbase – Pictures

08/02/2017

Recent satellite images (dated July 15, 2017) of the Khmeimim Airbase in Syria’s Latakia Governorate have surfaced on social media. The pictures reveal the presence of a total of thirty-three (33) combat aircraft belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces at the military installation.

ANALYSIS: Combat Dragon revival kicks off, but USAF light attack plans unclear

08/02/2017

In 1968, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff needed an answer. The US Air Force then operated two vastly different types of aircraft to attack North Vietnamese trucks moving reinforcements and supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Joint Chiefs wanted to know how well each type of aircraft –the fast, modern jets with high wing loadings and slow propeller-driven fighters with lightly loaded wings – performed that mission.

Does North Korea Have an ICBM With a Working Reentry Mechanism?

08/02/2017

Even if North Korea has successfully constructed an ICBM that can fly into low earth orbit en route to hitting targets like the continental United States, American and South Korean experts have expressed doubts that the missile will be an effective weapon by the time it completes the journey.

Russian Planes Intercepted by NATO Jets During Training Mission - MoD

08/02/2017

Two Russian MiG-31 Foxhound fighter jets and an An-26 Curl military transport aircraft carried out a planned training flight over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday when they were intercepted by two NATO fighters, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

USAF and special operations team up on light attack aircraft

08/01/2017

As month-long demonstration begins today, a newly-released acquisition document reveals a potential path for the US Air Force to acquire a light air support capability for special operations forces.

Avionics upgrade to boost French AWACS fleet

08/01/2017

An avionics upgrade will enable France's Boeing E-3F airborne warning and control system (AWACS) fleet to remain operationally relevant until at least 2035, the nation's DGA defence procurement agency says.

RAF weighs training balance as new fleet nears use

08/01/2017

Military release to service for the Grob Aircraft G120TP was achieved on 11 July, and the elementary trainer will be followed into use by the Embraer Phenom 100 and Beechcraft T-6C. The Elbit Systems/KBR joint venture company Affinity Flying Training Services is responsible for acquiring, introducing and supporting an eventual combined fleet of at least 38 aircraft.

PICTURE: US Army awards Block II Chinook contract

08/01/2017

Boeing has received a three-year, $267 million contract from the US Army that will see it build three modernised CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. The rotorcraft will be built to a CH-47F Block II standard, the company says. The primary objective is boosting the CH-47's lifting power.

US Airstrikes in Somalia Kill High-Ranking Militant

08/01/2017

An American airstrike in Somalia on Saturday killed a militant with the al-Qaeda aligned al-Shabaab Mogadishu Attack Network. This is the third US airstrike in Somalia as part of the renewed bombing campaign that began in June.

Seoul: North Korea Likely to Conduct Sixth Nuclear Test Soon

08/01/2017

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Monday that North Korea will likely conduct its sixth nuclear test and and another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch, in the wake of two controversial launches in July.

USMC grounds 12 KC-130Ts after fatal crash

07/31/2017

The US Marine Corps is grounding 12 of its Marine Forces Reserve-operated Lockheed Martin KC-130T tanker/transports indefinitely, following a 10 July crash which left 16 service members dead.

Japan, US Carry Out Joint Aviation Drills After N Korea's Missile Test

07/31/2017

Japan and the United States held joint aviation drills as a response to the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile carried out by North Korea, Fumio Kishida, Japanese Defense and Foreign Minister, told reporters on Monday.

'Carbon Ghosts': How Coal Plastic Will Help Russian Planes to Dodge Enemy Radar

07/31/2017

Composite materials are all the rage today with Russia’s fifth-generation T-50 fighters and, Ka-52 and Ka-62 helicopters making extensive use of polymeric carbon plastics and other high-strength materials, rendering them virtually invisible to enemy radar. Sputnik looked at the way composites can help planes fly better and dodge enemy radar.

DOD issues interim contract for international F-35s

07/29/2017

The US government obligated $2.18 billion in funding from foreign military sales customers and international partners in the Joint Strike Fighter programme for an interim contract to Lockheed Martin to continue F-35 production.

Boeing completes KC-46 electromagnetic testing

07/29/2017

Boeing, the US Air Force and US Navy completed electromagnetic effects (EME) testing on the KC-46A tanker during July, checking off another step before the manufacturer can deliver its first of the 767-based aircraft to the USAF at the end of this year.

OPINION: Will USAF's light-attack trial rekindle warrior spirit?

07/29/2017

As it follows the elevation from Western Front trenches to air corps fame – or infamy – of German corporal Bruno Stachel, the 1966 film The Blue Max debunks many myths of chivalry and aerial combat. By means fair and foul, Stachel (George Peppard) tramples friend and foe alike in relentless pursuit of the 20 “kills” that would secure him the medal of the film’s title.

Additional THAAD Missile Launchers to Be Deployed at US Base in South Korea

07/29/2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has announced that a new set of missile interception launch platforms will be deployed at a US military base in South Korea, according to public news outlet Yonhap. The interceptor is part of the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interception system. President Moon delayed the deployment of the THAAD shortly after assuming office in May, citing environmental concerns.

Pentagon Says It Detected Ballistic Missile Launch From North Korea

07/29/2017

The Pentagon said on Friday it had detected a North Korean ballistic missile launch and was carrying out assessments to gather further information. According to Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis, the launch occurred at about 10:45 ET (14:45 GMT).

Boeing completes electromagnetic tests for KC-46 refueling tanker

07/28/2017

Boeing said Thursday it has completed electromagnetic testing for its troubled KC-46 air refueling tanker, the militarized version of its 767 wide body jet. The successful tests, conducted by a Boeing-led team that included U.S. Air Force and Naval Air Systems Command employees, cuts outstanding risks to the KC-46 tanker program, the jet maker said.

Franco-German defence pact does not threaten UCAV initiative: Dassault chief

07/28/2017

The pact between France and Germany to develop a next-generation fighter does not threaten the Franco-British unmanned combat air vehicle project on which Dassault and BAE Systems are partnered, the French company’s chief executive insists.

Indian Air Force Says Shalom To Israel’s Largest Air Exercise

07/28/2017

With India stepping up its ties with Israel, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will take part in the Blue Flag exercise to be held during November this year in Israel. This will be the largest multi-national exercise in Israel where the US, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, and Poland will take part.

Airmen Fighting ISIS Talk Future Electronic Attack Aircraft EC-X

07/26/2017

No matter which company wins the Air Force contract to build the Compass Call successor, warfighters who fly the EC-130H are hoping for the new jamming plane to sport similar if not smaller airborne electronic equipment — and sooner rather than later. “There’s always a requirement to improve,” Lt. Col. Matthew, mission commander with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, said during a recent interview.

5 countries invited to bid for Croatia fighter buy

07/26/2017

The Croatian Ministry of Defense has submitted requests for proposals to acquire “multi-purpose combat aircraft” to the U.S., Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Greece, the ministry said in a statement. Zagreb is considering to purchase new or second-hand F-16s from either the U.S., Israel or Greece, acquire South Korean FA-50s, or buy Sweden’s Saab JAS-39 Gripens. Contrary to earlier reports by the local media, France’s Mirage and Israeli Kfir were not included in the RFP.

SAUDI ARABIA INTERESTED IN TEXTRON SCORPION LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT

07/26/2017

Textron’s CEO Scott Donnelly told investors that the company is in preliminary talks with Saudi Arabia for the sale of Scorpion light combat aircraft. Flight Global reported that the information was disclosed during Textron’s second-quarter results call with shareholders. The procurement of “light close air support” (CAS) aircraft was among the armaments Riyadh intended to procure from the U.S. as part of its $110 billion U.S. weapons deal with Washington.

Five bidders to contest USAF hypersonic weapon deal

07/26/2017

The US Air Force has narrowed its search for a new hypersonic strike weapon for bombers and fighters to five vendors. The service intends to award an engineering, manufacturing and development contract in early fiscal year 2018 to either Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK or Raytheon. Only those companies could produce the weapon within the USAF’s timeframe, according to a 21 July notice of contract action on the US Federal Business Opportunities website.