Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Defense Ministry Receives 100 Su-34s With Radio Warfare Systems

07/20/2017

The Russian Defense Ministry has received about one hundred Su-34 aircraft equipped with Khibiny aircraft electronic countermeasure systems, a representative of Russia's concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET), a part of the Rostec state corporation, said at MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon on Wednesday.

Iran displays Kosar light attack and trainer jet at MAKS

07/19/2017

Iran’s military plans to field a new light attack and training jet called the Kosar within 2.5 years, industry officials tell FlightGlobal on 18 July at the MAKS air show outside Moscow. After a public roll-out last month, Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) displayed a scale model of the twin-engined, two-seat Kosar jet to an international audience for the first time in the MAKS exhibit halls.

Centre wing box replacement deal supports RAF's Hercules

07/19/2017

The UK Royal Air Force will continue operating its remaining Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports until 2035, with their service-life extension to be supported by a key structural upgrade programme.

Russian Defense Ministry to Purchase MiG-35 Multipurpose Fighter Jets From 2018

07/19/2017

The Russian Defense Ministry will begin purchasing MiG-35 fighters from 2018 as part of the new state armament program, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday. The MiG-35 is a multipurpose fighter and an advanced derivative of the original MiG-29?/?2 fighter, featuring improved combat capabilities and flight performance characteristics. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 2,700 kilometers per hour (1,700 miles per hour) and having a combat radius of 1,000 kilometers.

Contract on Russian-Indian Joint 5th Gen Fighter Jet to Be Signed Shortly

07/19/2017

The contract on creation of a Russia-India fifth-generation FGFA fighter will be signed shortly, the general director of Russia's Rostec state corporation said Tuesday. The Russian-Indian Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) has stealth capabilities and is based on the Russian T-50 prototype jet.

Russian Defense Ministry Says Eyeing Purchase of 50 Modernized Tu-160 Bombers

07/19/2017

The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to buy some 50 modernized Tu-160 bombers the serial production of which will begin in 2012, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Tuesday.

Russia Considering Development of Vertical Takeoff Planes for Aircraft Carriers

07/19/2017

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the development of a vertical takeoff (VTOL) plane for aircraft carriers based on the Yak-family, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday.ZHUKOVSKY (Sputnik) — The VTOL aircraft would be based on the Yak-family jets. "The Defense Ministry is discussing with our aircraft manufacturers the development of an aircraft with a short take-off and landing, possibly with a vertical take-off and landing, this is the development of the Yak line," Boris

Rafael nears latest Indian contract for Litening pods

07/18/2017

India is about to sign a contract to equip its Dassault Rafales with Rafael's Litening targeting pod, according to Yuval Miller, head of the Israeli company's air and C4I systems division. Miller says the advanced sensors will be manufactured by a local company that is jointly owned by Rafael and an Indian partner. "The Rafale is a multi-role aircraft, and the Litening gives it the flexibility to deal with ground and air targets with the same efficiency," he notes.

Israel broadens Lavi training scope

07/18/2017

The Israeli air force has enhanced the capabilities of its Leonardo Aermacchi M-346 "Lavi" advanced jet trainers by adding external fuel tanks. The enhancement was made possible after the aircraft's software was upgraded following a long series of test flights performed by the service's flight test squadron.

Former Israel Security Chief Calls for Military Action in Syria

07/18/2017

One day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his opposition to the Russia-US brokered ceasefire in parts of Syria, the nation’s former National Security Council chief called for Israel to examine military options that would keep Iran and Hezbollah from setting up permanent bases in the country.

Hypersonic Shield: Why Russia's Zircon Missile Could Be a Game Changer

07/18/2017

The newest Russian missile Zircon, which has already been tested, leaves no chance for any warship and cannot be destroyed by existing air defense systems. Sputnik explains why. According to numerous reports, the Zircon is actually a modified version of the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile – a joint Russian-Indian design based on the P-800 Onyx missile. Therefore, the Zircon could have an effective range of about 400 kilometers.

Stratospheric Combat: Russian MiG-31 Intercepts, Destroys Supersonic Missile

07/18/2017

A Russian MiG-31 interceptor has successfully intercepted and destroyed a simulated supersonic cruise missile flying in the stratosphere during a drill in the Russian Far East. The press service of Russian Pacific Fleet reported that a pair of MiG-31s, stationed in Kamchatka, successfully locked onto and destroyed a simulated cruise missile target launched from a ship in the Sea of Okhotsk at an altitude of over 12,000 meters at over three times the speed of sound.

'Maneuverable and Reliable': MiG-35 to Steal the Show at MAKS-2017 (VIDEO)

07/18/2017

Russia's MiG-35S multipurpose generation 4++ fighter jet, which will be displayed at the MAKS-2017 airshow, will certainly be remembered as one of the highlights of the event. July 18 will see the opening of the MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon in the town of Zhukovsky outside Moscow; the presentation of the advanced Russian fighter jet MiG-35S is almost sure to become one of the highlights of the airshow.

Pyongyang Observed to Be Ramping Up Nuclear Weapons Fuel Processing

07/17/2017

Pyongyang has stepped up its manufacture of nuclear weapons fuel, according to a US group’s interpretation of recent satellite surveillance data. According to satellite imagery recorded between September 2106 and June 2017, North Korea has stepped up its production of weapons-grade plutonium at a faster rate than previously asserted by military experts.

Indian Navy wants its only fighter aircraft to toughen up

07/16/2017

The Indian Navy's only fighter aircraft MiG-29K continues to face problems as the maritime force feels that the fighter jet needs to be further ruggedised for carrying out operations from aircraft carriers which is supposed to be its main role. "The plane needs to be ruggedised further as very frequently after landings, the settings of the plane change and they have to be re-set," sources in the Navy told Mail Today.

Exclusive: Malaysia shelves plan to buy new fighter jets - defense source

07/14/2017

Malaysia has put on hold a $2 billion plan to replace its aging fleet of combat aircraft, looking instead to upgrade its aerial surveillance capabilities to confront the growing threat of militancy inspired by the Islamic State group, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

France and Germany Want to Build Their Own 5th Generation Fighter Jet

07/14/2017

France and Germany have announced their intention to work together to develop a new advanced "European" fighter jet. Though the final plan is still in the works, the decision appears to be wrapped up in a number of political and economic considerations and could potentially see the end the German military’s interest in the controversial F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

US approves new systems for Australian Super Hornets

07/14/2017

The US State Department has approved a potential electronics upgarde for Canberra's fleet of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft. The contractor for the deal is Harris Corporation, which would provide 32 MIDS JTRS tactical radio systems, and 39 AN/ALS-214A (V)4 countermeasures systems, says the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Russian Aerospace Forces to Get New Electronic Warfare Complexes at MAKS-2017

07/14/2017

Russia's Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern, part of the Rostec state corporation, says it would hand over new electronic warfare complexes to the country's Aerospace Forces at the International Aviation and Space Salon next week.

Indian Air Force Jets Slated to Have Beyond-Visual-Range Strike Capacity by 2018

07/14/2017

India’s Tejas light combat aircraft is armed and ready with I-Derby missiles for downing other aircraft, according to The Diplomat. The missiles have been integrated into the plane’s weapons suite but have yet to finish testing, which is slated to happen by year’s end, Flight Global reported.

USAF pins F-35A engine fire on strong tailwinds

07/13/2017

A US Air Force investigation blames a Lockheed Martin F-35A engine fire last September at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, on strong tailwinds, according to an accident report released by the service this week.

US, Australia conclude secretive hypersonic flight series

07/13/2017

The United States and Australia have concluded a series of hypersonic test flights at the Woomera test range in South Australia. The tests were conducted under the auspices of the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HiFIRE) programme, says Australia's Department of Defence in a statement.

UK to Spend $50Mln on Upgrades of Typhoon Fighter Jets - Defense Secretary

07/13/2017

The United Kingdom will invest 40 million pounds [$50 million] in the development of a technology, which will enhance the defenses of Typhoon fighter jets, according to UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

Taiwan: Chinese Navy Sailed Liaoning Carrier Into Its Defense Zone

07/13/2017

The Soviet-built carrier left Hong Kong early Wednesday morning before crossing over into the western side of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwanese defense officials said the ship didn’t present a concern, as there was no suspicious activity, but the situation is being closely watched, according to Channel News Asia.

USAF calls for drone defences after F-22 overflight

07/12/2017

Small, civilian-owned drones can buzz past the US Air Force’s stealthy fighter fleet sitting at domestic bases and the service’s head of Air Combat Command (ACC) has no way to deal with them.