Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Aerospace Forces Undergoing Snap Checks at Putin's Order

02/08/2017

The Russian Aerospace Forces are undergoing an unannounced inspection to evaluate their readiness to conduct combat training tasks. An unannounced inspection of the Russian Aerospace Forces has begun at President Vladimir Putin's orders to evaluate their readiness to conduct combat training tasks, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

Forget the F-35: Why America's Military Misses the F-14 Tomcat

02/07/2017

The F-35C was never designed to be an air superiority fighter. Indeed, naval planners in the mid-1990s wanted the JSF to be a strike-oriented aircraft with only a 6.5G airframe load limit with very limited air-to-air capability, according to one retired U.S. Navy official.

HAL’s light combat aircraft, Swedish fighter to be on show at Aero India

02/07/2017

With the five-day ‘Aero India 2017’ just a week away, defence manufacturers from both public and private sectors have started making announcements regarding the aircraft to be put on display. On Monday, Swedish aerospace and defence company announced that the premier single engine fighter aircraft, Gripen-E, will be on display.

OPINION: The dwindling pool of T-X bidders

02/07/2017

Back in October 1986, the US Air Force was faced with a difficult decision. It had received seven responses to a request for proposals to build two prototypes for the advanced tactical fighter competition that ultimately yielded the Lockheed Martin F-22. In the wake of later industry consolidation, the USAF, it seemed, would never again enjoy such a wealth of bids.

ANALYSIS: Raytheon hits milestone for missile that changed air warfare

02/07/2017

Raytheon will deliver the 20,000thcopy of the missile that three decades ago changed air-to-air combat in a 31 January ceremony inside the company’s factory in the desert on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona.

Boeing to Sell Saudis Advanced Radars for F-15 Combat Jets

02/07/2017

US aerospace giant Boeing won a $18.2 million Air Force Foreign Military Sales contract to provide the Royal Saudi Air Force with advanced radars in their F-15SA Eagle aircraft, the Department of Defense said in a press release.

Pentagon: F-35 Is Ready to Attack Daesh

02/07/2017

The US Air Force may soon have an operational F-35A multirole fighter at its disposal in the fight against Daesh as well as as in a campaign in the Pacific. Last year, Air Combat Commander Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle told reporters, "We have a global force management process. The F-35 move into the Middle East is scheduled further down the road. If a combatant commander needed it sooner they would ask for it," according to Scout Warrior.

Operation Inherent Resolve: Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria and Iraq, February 5, 2017

02/06/2017

On Feb. 4, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 25 engagements using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Russia's Yak-38 Fighter: The Failed Jump Jet That Helped Inspire the F-35?

02/06/2017

Everyone’s heard about the Harrier jump jet. Arnold Schwarzenegger used one to blast terrorists in True Lies. The Royal Navy beat him to the punch when it used a few dozen to score twenty air-to-air kills for zero losses against Argentine fighters in the Falklands War. The United States Marine Corps, too, has had a lasting affection for Vertical Takeoff Or Landing (VTOL) jets, which can be operated from small amphibious carriers and deployed to forward operating bases.

F-35 kill ratio tops 17:1 in air combat exercise

02/06/2017

As of Feb. 3 the F-35A had achieved a quite impressive score during Red Flag 17-1, the U.S. Air Force’s premier air combat exercise underway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, that pits “Blue Air” (friendly forces) against “Red Air” (enemy) in an all-out air war featuring air-to-air, air-to-ground, search and rescue, and special forces elements.

Indo-UK made new Hawk combat aircraft looks to take on China

02/06/2017

India and the United Kingdom have jointly developed a combat ready aircraft that will be on offer to neighbouring countries, countering growing Chinese penetration of the defence market in the region. A jointly developed, dual role version of the Hawk trainer aircraft will make its debut later this month, with an Indo-UK combine targeting export markets for the versatile plane.

Serbian Defense Ministry to Receive Six MiG-29 Jets From Russia by May

02/06/2017

Russian specialists would help Belgrade modernize six aircraft to be received from Russia, as well as four fighter jets from the Serbian Air Force fleet, according to local media.

How Military Pilots Keep Rogue Planes Out of No-Fly Zones Like the Super Bowl

02/05/2017

YOU’RE A PRIVATE pilot, out on a Sunday jaunt in your single engine prop plane. Lovely day for a flight—calm skies, good weather. Then you hear, feel, and then see the fast approach of two, grey, angular military jets, flying terrifyingly close to you, most definitely armed and dangerous.

UK faces massive rise in costs to fix stealth fighter

02/05/2017

Britain is being forced to pour millions of pounds of new funds into the troubled F-35 stealth fighter programme being developed in America and considered a vital part of the UK’s future defences. The F-35, being built by the US in partnership with countries including the UK, is the costliest weapon ever developed by the Pentagon. It is scheduled to go into service in the UK in 2018 and into full production in 2019, and is intended to be a cornerstone of UK defences for decades to come.

USS Enterprise Decommissioned

02/05/2017

The aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was decommissioned during a ceremony held in the ship's hangar bay on February 3. The ceremony not only marked the end the ship's nearly 55-year career, it also served as the very first decommissioning of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Russia Unnerved by China’s Decision not to Buy any more Russian Combat Aircraft

02/05/2017

Russia is hoping against hope that China will change its mind about not buying any more Russian-made combat aircraft after 2018 as it starts delivering 10 Sukhoi Su-35S supermaneuverable air superiority fighters this year.

Could low-end attack aircraft ease pressure on fighter jets now involved in combat?

02/05/2017

Senator John McCain, the Republican leader of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is proposing the Pentagon buy 300 inexpensive, off-the-shelf fighter aircraft. These cheaper aircraft would be used instead of higher end fighter jets, which are expensive to operate.

Secure Sky: Belarus to Purchase Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM Jet Fighters in 2017

02/05/2017

Minsk plans to purchase a number of Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM (Flanker C) multirole fighter jets this year, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Defense for Armament, Chief of Armament Igor Lotenkov said on Saturday.

U.S. Navy deploys new 'digital quarterback' in Japan

02/04/2017

The U.S. Navy is strengthening airborne radar and detection capabilities in the Asia-Pacific with five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes early warning and control aircraft. Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Thursday. Japan's air self-defense force may also use the aircraft, Stripes Japan reported.

Operation Inherent Resolve: Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Feb. 3, 2017

02/04/2017

On Feb. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 40 engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets.

Italian Typhoons along with Spanish Hornets and Typhoons take part in DACT 2017 exercise in the Canary Islands

02/04/2017

From Jan. 17 to 26, three Italian Typhoon jets, belonging to the 4°, 36° and 37° Stormo (Wing), the three ItAF units that operate the Eurofighter, took part in the DACT 2017 exercise the most important Air Defense drills organized by the Ejercito del Aire (Spanish Air Force), at Gando Air Base, in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

India, Vietnam hold talks on sale of Akash, Brahmos missiles

02/04/2017

India has held a range of talks on the sale of indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile and supersonic Brahmos missile to Vietnam, the government on Friday said.

F-35A proving its worth at Red Flag combat exercise

02/04/2017

After eight days “at war” the F-35A Lightning II is proving to be an invaluable asset during Red Flag 17-01, the Air Force’s premier air combat exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The F-35A is a fifth-generation, multi-role stealth fighter designed to gather, fuse, and distribute more information than any other fighter in history. Lt. Col George Watkins, an F-35 pilot and 34th Fighter Squadron commander, said flying the F-35A in combat “feels like air dominance.”

Lockheed finalises deal for 90 F-35s, claims $728M savings

02/04/2017

Following a year of tense negotiations, Lockheed Martin secured its low-rate initial production lot 10 contract to deliver 90 F-35 fighter jets this week. The F-35 Joint Programme Office touted $728 million in savings on lot 10 compared to lot 9, which exceeds by $128 million the cost reduction estimated by president Donald Trump earlier this week.

Controversial F-35A warplane struts its stuff in Red Flag excercise

02/03/2017

While controversy trails the F-35A Lightning II fighter whenever it flies these days, only contrails were visible Thursday as the cutting-edge stealth jet made one of its first appearances in the ongoing Red Flag air combat exercise at Nellis Air Force Base.