Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

DoD IG: Afghan attack pilots are helping turn the tide for troops on the ground

01/15/2018

Less than two years after flying its first combat mission, the Afghan Air Force’s A-29 Super Tucano aircraft are playing a key role in supporting Afghan soldiers on the ground. “When they show up overhead, the Afghan National Army have the confidence to continue attacking on ground,” the deputy commander for Train, Advise and Assist Command-South said in a new Defense Department Inspector General report.

China J-20 stealth jets on training ops in Tibet

01/15/2018

One of the Chinese military’s most recent cutting-edge acquisitions that is expected to be the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) for the next 20 years, the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter aircraft, has started its operational role about two weeks ago in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force by training for battles that are India-centric amid the realisation that control of the skies will be pivotal in case of a possible India-China conflict.

Dassault details Rafale order backlog

01/15/2018

Dassault ended last year with a firm order backlog for 101 Rafales, after delivering nine of the type during 2017. In a financial overview released on 8 January, the airframer says it shipped eight Rafales to Egypt and a single example to the French air force last year, in line with its planning expectations. Additionally, it returned one Rafale M for service with the French navy, after upgrading it to the latest F3 operating standard.

BAE ignites unmanned interest with Magma

01/10/2018

BAE Systems completed initial flight trials late last year with an innovative unmanned air vehicle which is intended to prove its ability to operate future platforms using their propulsion systems, rather than moving control surfaces.

Nigeria to acquire three JF-17 fighters

01/10/2018

Nigeria's proposed 2018 budget document confirms that the African nation will obtain the Chengdu Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter. The nation's 2018 budget allocation document indicates that N13.1 billion ($36 million) will be earmarked as partial payment for three JF-17s. The payment will also cover support equipment and spares.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to shoot down Saudi-led coalition's fighter jet

01/09/2018

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed they shot down a fighter jet of the Saudi-led military coalition, though Saudi media reported it only crashed due to technical problem. The jet was shot down in the northern province of Saada on Sunday, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported. "The air defense of the army and popular forces (Houthi fighters) shot down a Saudi-led coalition combat aircraft today," the report said, citing a Houthi military official.

China-Pakistan military ties set to get even closer as ‘iron brothers’ eye new alliance

01/09/2018

With reports that China is planning to build its second offshore naval base near a strategically important Pakistani port it appears that the relationship between Beijing and Islamabad is as strong as ever.

Did Russia Really Lose Seven Warplanes in Syria on New Year’s Eve?

01/07/2018

On Jan. 3, 2018, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that “radical Islamists” had destroyed seven Russian combat jets at Khmeimim, or Hmeimim, air base near Latakia, Syria on New Year’s Eve, 2017. Russian president Vladimir Putin had visited the base earlier that month to praise the troops for their “victory over the most combat capable Islamic militants” and announced a partial withdrawal of Russian forces stationed there.

USAF: Skies over Iraq and Syria are “treasure trove” for adversary eyes

01/07/2018

Russia and China are studying American air power over Syria and Iraq, and US Air Force generals are worried they have already learned too much. In the past, the US competed against the Soviet Union’s brute force and China’s overwhelming numbers, but the two adversaries could soon outpace the US with more sophisticated and wider reaching surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

Stealth War Analysis: F-35 vs Russia PAK-FA, Chinese J-20

01/02/2018

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would be able to use its sensors, weapons and computer technology to destroy Russian and Chinese 5th-Generation Stealth fighters in a high-end combat fight, some service officials said.

Bangladesh to build two air bases

01/02/2018

Bangladesh will build two new air bases to further strengthen its Air Force. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement after inspecting a parade on Sunday by young Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) officers in Jessore, 164 km from Dhaka, Xinhua news agency reported. She said steps were on to establish the new air bases in southern region of Barisal and in Sylhet in the northeast.

Russia's Military Is Proving Just How Dangerous It Really Is (And Testing New Weapons)

01/02/2018

Russia this month announced another draw-down from its combat operations in Syria, which began on Sept. 30, 2015. The Russian military will retain troops in the country, likely indefinitely, where it has demonstrated the capabilities of new weapons and tactics — which together show it has learned from its shortcomings in past operations.

F-35 may see combat in 2018

01/02/2018

After a very long and problematic development process, the F-35 Lightning II is about to serve on the front lines. The US Marine Corps is deploying the F-35B (the short takeoff and vertical landing variant) to ships in the Central and Pacific Command theaters in the spring and summer of 2018. The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is traveling aboard the USS Essex, which is headed to the Middle East, while the 31st will be attached to the USS Wasp and might head to the coast of North Korea.

The Gremlins are coming! US military to test 'flying aircraft carriers' that can launch swarms of tiny killer drones in 2019

01/02/2018

They were the mischievous creatures blamed for causing mechanical failures and faults on aircraft during World War Two - before starring in a hit film as destructive monsters. Now, the gremlins are back - as a new type of killer flying drone. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research arm is pitting Dynetics and General Atomics (maker of the Predator drone) against each other in a contest to make the craft.

Trump in Palm Beach: F-16 fighter jets intercept private plane

01/01/2018

Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a private plane on Sunday afternoon that was flying in air space prohibited during the president’s visits to Mar-a-Lago. According to a spokesman for NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the fighter jets from Homestead Air Reserve Base were already patrolling nearby airspace when they were alerted that a small private plane had violated airspace restrictions.

SHAPING NEW COMBAT CON-OPS: F-35 AND F-22 CROSS LEARNING

12/30/2017

As we end 2017, the team at Second Line of Defense would like to note that we have focused for MANY years on the re-norming of airpower associated with the coming of the fifth generation aircraft. There have been many opponents along the way, and many of these folks still do not get it.

Report: 5 Firms Apply to Bid on Polish Fighter Aircraft Program

12/30/2017

Five companies have formally submitted their interest to participate in the Polish defense ministry’s tender process for a fighter aircraft procurement effort, DefenseNews reported Thursday.

Australian air force put on alert after Russian long-range bombers headed south

12/30/2017

An Australian air force base was put on alert while Russian strategic bombers conducted exercises in neutral waters off Indonesia, a move experts said showed Moscow was looking to extend its influence in the Pacific.

USAF plans to buy seven armed AC-208s for Afghan military

12/30/2017

Orbital ATK would deliver seven armed Cessna AC-208 Caravan aircraft to the Afghan National Army under a pending US Air Force contract award, the US armed service says. An acquisition notice posted by the Air Force late on 27 December invites comments on a plan to award the contract to Orbital ATK without a competition.

Israel Aerospace Industries chief to step down

12/30/2017

Israel Aerospace Industries has disclosed that its chief executive Joseph Weiss will step down once a replacement is identified and "an orderly succession process has taken place". Weiss has held managerial positions at IAI for two decades and became its chief in 2012. The manufacturer, which notes that he is now approaching retirement age, credits him with having "led the company to many accomplishments".

Netanyahu vows Israeli air force strong enough to defeat any threats

12/28/2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel has the strongest air force against threats, with the ability to reach targets at all distances. "Israeli Air Force is at the prime of its capabilities, with the very best technological tools, aircraft, pilots, possessing defensive and offensive capabilities, with immense fire capabilities, which can reach near and far targets," said Netanyahu at a graduation ceremony for air force pilots at the Hatzerim Air Base in southern Is

U.S. Marine Corps Planning F-35B Deployment to CENTCOM Area Of Responsibility To Get “First Taste Of Combat” In 2018

12/28/2017

The F-35B, the STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant of the Lightning II 5th generation aircraft is expected to deploy to the Pacific and Central Command theaters in 2018, the Marine Corps Times reported. According to Jeff Schogol, the F-35B, that can operate from amphibious assault ships, “is expected to deploy with two Marine expeditionary units to the Pacific and Central Command theaters in the spring and summer.

Single engine failure damages five E-8C JSTARS

12/28/2017

An engine failure caused damage on 21 December to five E-8C JSTARS aircraft, or nearly one-third of the fleet of aerial ground surveillance aircraft, the US Air Force says. Three of the five damaged aircraft returned to flight status at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia within three days, and a fourth aircraft is expected to be repaired shortly after the New Year’s Day, says the 116th Air Control Wing.

Qatar orders 36 F-15QAs to complete fighter shopping spree

12/28/2017

Qatar’s air force will receive 36 Boeing F-15QA fighters under a $6.17 billion deal announced by the US Department of Defense on 22 December. The order comes after the DOD notified Congress in November 2016 that Qatar could buy up to 72 F-15QAs and associated equipment worth $21 billion over the long-term.

Now the Chinese Air Force is provoking Taiwan

12/27/2017

Taiwan is facing a new source of pressure from rival China as the communist government increasingly often sends military aircraft to skirt the island, a challenge to the local armed forces. Planes from China flew near Taiwan in November and December, raising concern last week at the presidential office in Taipei. Over the past two years, Chinese military units have sent planes 10 times just outside the Taiwanese air defense zone, former Taiwan defense minister Andrew Yang estimates.