Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Su-24 Fencer Combat Aircraft (Closely Watched By Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Jets) Buzz Dutch Navy Frigate In The Baltic

05/19/2017

On May 17, two Russian Su-24M Fencer attack jets flew quite close to the Royal Netherlands Navy Frigate HNLMS Evertsen, operating in the Baltic Sea. The two unarmed aircraft, escorted by Swedish JAS-39 Gripen jets in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert), come within 200 meters of the ship.

Boeing could deliver Block II Chinook to international customers in 2026

05/19/2017

The 2026 delivery date is dependent upon Boeing achieving full-rate production approval from the US Army in 2023 and its first full-rate production delivery in 2025, Randy Rotte says this week. The upgrade is also only available to countries with CH-47Fs in their inventory, such as Australia, since Boeing does not currently have the ability to transition a CH-47D to the CH-47F Block II configuration.

Finland analyses responses in Hornet replacement effort

05/19/2017

Finland is continuing to analyse responses to a request for information it issued last year as part of the HX programme to replace its air force’s fleet of Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets. It anticipates beginning the formal selection process in early 2018, when it will send a request for quotation (RFQ) to five manufacturers. These are Boeing, BAE Systems (representing Eurofighter), Dassault, Lockheed Martin and Saab, for their respective F/A-18E/F, Typhoon, Rafale, F-35 and Gripen E.

General Atomics Wins $195Mln for Electromagnetic Aircraft Carrier Catapult

05/19/2017

General Atomics will manufacture and install the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for the third next-generation Ford-class aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) under a $195 million contract, the US Department of Defense said in a press release.

Lift Off: New Chinese Attack Chopper Takes Maiden Flight

05/19/2017

China’s latest domestically produced military vehicle has made its first flight. The Z-19 helicopter conducted its maiden flight Thursday morning over the city of Harbin in northeastern China. State-owned AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry developed the Z-19E attack chopper with the intention of selling it to foreign clients. The Z-19E is “the first export-oriented helicopter made especially for attack purposes,” Chinese media reported.

BP to Provide $244Mln in Jet Fuel to US Aircraft in Turkey Through Pipeline

05/18/2017

The US Department of Defense announced that BP has received a nearly quarter billion dollar contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency to supply jet fuel to air bases in Turkey and possibly along the Central European pipeline system.

Moon Warns of War on Korean Peninsula

05/18/2017

Following the deployment of the cutting-edge US-built THAAD missile system in South Korea and Sunday’s successful launch of Pyongyang’s most powerful ballistic missile to date, newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in has declared that war with the North is a "high possibility."

British RAF Drone Halts Daesh Public Execution, MoD Says

05/18/2017

A British RAF drone strike has managed to stop a public execution by Daesh in eastern Syria. The drone which is known as a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, spotted the group of jihadists mustering a large crowd in the town of Abu Kamal in eastern Syria.

U.S. Air Force Sends Robotic F-16s Into Mock Combat

05/17/2017

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories and Lockheed Martin have demonstrated a mixed formation of manned and unmanned F-16s in a simulated combat environment. The Have Raider demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base in California included two phases, Lockheed announced on April 10, 2017. The first phase, Have Raider I, focused on formation-flying. Have Raider II sent the pilotless F-16 on a mock bombing run through “dynamic” enemy defenses.

Dassault Aviation sees new deal for its Rafale fighter jet in 2018

05/17/2017

French plane-maker Dassault Aviation SA sees a new sale contract for its Rafale fighter jet in 2018, Chief Executive Eric Trappier said in an interview with French regional newspaper Sud-Ouest on Sunday. "After a contract signed in India, regarding the delivery of 36 Rafale jets, and the order of 24 of these aircraft by Egypt and 24 other by Qatar, we should soon conclude a fourth contract abroad, but it will rather be in 2018," Trappier said in the interview.

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.