Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Indian Air Force deploys new Rafale combat aircraft with Pakistan and China in mind

05/17/2017

Faced with a two-front war scenario against Pakistan and China, the Indian Air Force is set to deploy its latest Rafale combat aircraft at Ambala in Haryana and Hasimara in West Bengal. In September 2016, India signed a deal with French Dassault Aviation to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets for close to Rs 60,000 crore to meet the urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts.

USAF lifts ban on lightweight pilots for F-35A ejection seat

05/17/2017

The US Air Force has removed a nearly two-year-old restriction in the Lockheed Martin F-35A cockpit that banned pilots lighter than 61.9kg (136lb) over concerns that an ejection could cause a severe neck injury.

AT-6, Scorpion invited to challenge A-29 for USAF demo

05/17/2017

Textron Aviation has confirmed the US Air Force will invite the AT-6 turboprop and Scorpion twin-jet to face off against the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano in a demonstration of close air support capabililty in August called the Light Attack Experiment.

HAL Tejas successfully fires Derby BVR missile

05/16/2017

The Hindustan Aernautics (HAL) Tejas light combat aircraft has successfully fired the Rafael Derby beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile. The aircraft released the weapon in "lock-on after launch" mode, and successfully destroyed an aerial target, says India's defence ministry in a statement.

BAE shows first Typhoon for Oman

05/16/2017

Oman will take delivery of its first Eurofighter Typhoon later this year, with BAE Systems having rolled out a lead example for the customer at its Warton final assembly site in Lancashire, the UK.

Sweden extends jet trainer use to consider T-X outcome

05/16/2017

Sweden is to further extend the operational use of its Saab 105 (SK60) jet trainers until the middle of the next decade, to enable it to consider the Boeing/Saab T-X platform as a potential replacement.

Boeing to remanufacture 38 Apaches for UK

05/16/2017

The UK's project to field Boeing AH-64E attack helicopters has been advanced, under a contract modification detailed by the US Department of Defense on 11 May. At the Farnborough air show last July, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that 50 new-build examples of the Apache would be acquired under a foreign military sales deal agreed with Washington. These would replace an in-service inventory of Boeing/AgustaWestland-built Apache AH1s flown by the British Army.

China ‘May Back’ New UN Sanctions After Pyongyang’s Latest Missile Test

05/16/2017

In what could be a turning point in China’s foreign policy toward North Korea, Beijing may be ready to support an increase in economic pressure against the isolated state to end ballistic missile and nuclear bomb testing.

What Possible Revival of 'Tiger' Fighter Jets Could Mean for Vietnam's Aviation

05/16/2017

In an interview with Sputnik, expert on combat aviation Makar Aksenenko said that Vietnam may be considering bringing back the “Vietnamese Tigers” or the F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets. What could be the possible reasons behind this decision and how might these jets come in handy?

India’s Light Combat Aircraft: What does the future have in store?

05/15/2017

The Tejas Mk 1 had delivered an agile performance at Aero India 2017 last February. The smallest combat aircraft in its class, it keeps costs down and its small size contributes to its agility — a vital capability for an interceptor. It can turn circles around other larger and less agile aircraft.

THE RAF AND THE WEAPONS REVOLUTION: SHAPING AN INTEGRATED 21ST CENTURY AIR COMBAT FORCE

05/14/2017

The RAF is positioning itself for a triple transition. The first transition is from the Tornado to Typhoon. The second is the transition is to a fifth generation enabled air combat force. The third transition is the deployment of F-35s aboard the new Queen Elizabeth class carriers and shaping their operational integration with land based Typhoons into an air-sea-land combat package.

Sierra Nevada and Embraer to fly in USAF OA-X experiment

05/14/2017

The US Air Force has invited Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) and its Brazilian partner, Embraer Defense and Security, to participate in the OA-X light attack experiment, SNC announced 12 May.

Ottawa should cancel Super Hornet acquisition, say senators

05/14/2017

Canadian politicians have recommended that the country cancel its proposed acquisition of 18 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, describing the plan as a "political decision" that fails to serve either the air force or taxpayers.

North Korea Launches Unidentified Projectile - South Korea

05/14/2017

North Korea has fired what appears to be a ballistic missile from its west coast, the South Korean military reported early Sunday. According to a South Korean military official, the type of projectile is not yet known, but South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported early on that it appears to be a ballistic missile. US Pacific Command has also announced that it tracked the missile and that its flight did not appear consistent with an intercontinental ballistic missile.

China Deploys New Spy Aircraft in Disputed South China Sea

05/14/2017

China has extended its surveillance and monitoring operations to include the deployment of a new early warning system- and radar-equipped aircraft. The KJ-500 recently took off joined older patrol aircraft at the Jialaishi Air Base on Hainan Island, the southernmost province of China that sits prominently in the disputed South China Sea, according to satellite image from DigitalGlobe.

What to Expect From China's Next Two Aircraft Carriers

05/12/2017

The construction of aircraft carriers will not stop after the commissioning of China's recently-launched second carrier, experts say, assuming that the third carrier will likely still be conventionally powered but will use steam launch catapults, whereas the fourth carrier could be nuclear powered and use advanced launch and lacing systems.

Pakistan to Sell 52 Military Aircraft to Turkey

05/12/2017

The Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries (SSM) has awarded Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) a contract for the sale of 52 MFI-395 Super Mushshak military training aircraft. According to media reports, the deal was concluded on May 10 at the sidelines of this year’s International Defense Industry Fair, which is taking place in Istanbul.

PICTURES: Saab reveals Global ambition with updated Swordfish

05/12/2017

Saab has dramatically enhanced its Swordfish maritime patrol aircraft, adding increased capability for the anti-submarine warfare and maritime-strike roles. Revealing the company's updated Swordfish design on 10 May, head of marketing and sales for airborne ISR Emilien Saindon said the heavily adapted business jet – using Bombardier's Global 6000 airframe – would have greater weapons carrying ability than the design announced in February 2016.

Airbus achieves automatic air-to-air refuelling contact

05/11/2017

Airbus’ A310 MRTT company development aircraft performed six automatic contacts with an F-16 of the Portuguese Air Force in a demonstration of a technique which the company believes holds great promise for enhancing in-service AAR operations.

UAE deploying US-made planes to support rival Libyan authority

05/11/2017

US manufactured combat aircraft are being used in Libya in violation of a UN arms embargo on the war-torn country, an American magazine has revealed. The supply of at least six American-made turboprop planes to an eastern authority - the chief rival to the UN-backed government in Tripoli - could thwart US interests in Libya, according to a report published in TIME magazine.

Extended Gray Eagle slated for 2018 delivery

05/11/2017

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will deliver the extended range MQ-1C Gray Eagle to the US Army by 2018, the army’s medium altitude and endurance office product manager says this week.

After Buying S-400, Turkey Aims to Build Own Components for Air Defense Systems

05/11/2017

Talks with Russia on deliveries of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey are at final stages, but Ankara still aims to manufacture its own components for such systems, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Wednesday.

NATO to Decide on Increasing Afghanistan Military Presence Within Weeks - Chief

05/11/2017

NATO has received a request from its military authorities to increase its military presence in Afghanistan with a few thousand troops, and is assessing it, a decision is expected in coming weeks, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

Turkey to begin building its first fighter jet with British support

05/10/2017

Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to soon begin the TF-X combat aircraft alongside British counterparts, with the goal of developing its own “5th generation” fighter which will replace the currently-used Lockheed Martin F-16. “The building of the TF-X fighter jet will be the most important technology project developed in Turkey within the last 30-40 years,” Temel Kotil, general director of Turkish Aerospace Industries told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Navy F-35C Pilots Test New High-Tech Helmet

05/10/2017

The Navy has been training with and testing high-tech adjustments to the stealthy carrier-launched F-35C’s Helmet Mounted Display to better enable targeting, sensor data viewing and pilot awareness of flight information such as airspeed, heading and altitude, service and industry developers explained. Development and operational pilot training of the aircraft is underway after four F-35C Lightning II aircraft arrived several months ago at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Southern Calif.