Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

A-10 Thunderbolt forced to make emergency landing in Alpena

07/24/2017

A pilot operating a Michigan Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday afternoon at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. According to a news release from the 127th Wing Public Affairs at Selfridge, the pilot was conducting training activities about 1:40 p.m. at the Grayling Training Complex when the aircraft malfunctioned, forcing him to divert and land at Alpena.

What These Pictures Of Two Russian Yak-130 Jets That Crash Landed Almost Simultaneously in Russia Say About The Causes Of The Mishaps

07/24/2017

According to several reports, two Russian Air Force Yak-130 Trainer/Light Attack (LA) Aircraft (Tail number 43white/RF-44496 from Borisoglebsk airbase and 55red/RF-44583 from Armavir) crashed almost simultaneously in two different places on Wednesday June 21, 2017. Information about incident has not released by the RuAF (Russian Air Force). The Yakovlev Yak-130 is a subsonic two-seat advanced trainer originally developed by Yakovlev and Aermacchi (now Leonardo).

Russia Keen To Sell MiG-35 To India, Talks On, Says Top Official

07/24/2017

Russia is keen on selling its new fighter jet MiG-35 to India with the MiG corporation's chief saying the country has evinced interest in the aircraft and talks were on to understand its requirements. Director General of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG Ilya Tarasenko said the MiG-35 was "the best" and definitely better than Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation combat aircraft F-35. He claimed that the MiG-35 would beat the American jet in air to air combat.

US to Launch New THAAD Missile Defense Test to Counter North Korean Threat

07/24/2017

According to a warning notice from the US Coast Guard for mariners who intend to traverse the thousands of miles between Kodiak Island, Alaska, and the Hawaiian islands next weekend, a live-fire THAAD missile test has been scheduled by the US military.

Three Good Reasons Why Russia May Not Actually Need a Supercarrier

07/24/2017

Russia has adopted a new Navy Policy Framework up to the year 2030. The document devotes considerable attention to creating high-precision long-range cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, robotics, and more, but does not elaborate much on plans to build a new aircraft carrier. Military observer Vladimir Tuchkov explains why this may be a good thing.

OSHKOSH: MILITARY AND CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT TO HIGHLIGHT AMERICA’S LARGEST AIRSHOW

07/23/2017

America’s largest aviation gathering begins on Monday as aerobatic performances by top civilian and military aircraft — including the Navy’s Blue Angels — highlight the seven day EAA AirVenture Airshow.

Trump, on new aircraft carrier, urges military funds boost

07/23/2017

United States President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass a budget that provides for higher, stable and predictable funding for the US military. "Call that congressman and call that senator, and make sure you get it," Trump said Saturday (July 22) at the commissioning of the Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. "We must end the defense sequester once and for all."

George F. Will column: Many Air Force planes would qualify for AARP

07/23/2017

The aircraft arrayed around the spacious lawn of Maxwell Air Force Base, home of the Air University, mostly represent long-retired types. The largest, however, is a glistening B-52 bomber, which represents a still-employed component of the Air Force’s aging fleet: The youngest B-52 entered service in 1962. Sons have flown the same plane their fathers and grandfathers flew.

Japan, Taiwan scramble fighters in response to Chinese bombers

07/22/2017

Japan and Taiwan scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after China flew a squadron of strategic bombers over the western Pacific, according to a Taiwanese press report. The Liberty Times reported Friday the Chinese bombers flew from the East China Sea to the western Pacific, an exercise that may have been conducted to warn Taiwan and Japan.

KC-390 wraps world tour

07/22/2017

Embraer’s KC-390 wrapped its 40-day demonstration tour this week after stops in 18 countries throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. The Brazilian transport tanker made its flight display debut at the Paris air show this June and went on to a series of flight demonstrations before returning to Brazil.

What You Need to Know About Russia’s New Sukhoi Su-30SM1 Fighter

07/21/2017

Russia has developed a new modernized version of the Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker-H that features upgraded avionics and weapons. Designated as the Su-30SM1, the aircraft leverages the operational lessons that Russia has learned during its operations over Syria, according to a report in the Russian-language newspaper Izvestia.

Saudi Arabia considering Scorpion deal: Textron chief

07/21/2017

Saudi Arabia is considering acquiring the Textron AirLand Scorpion light attack aircraft, with initial discussions under way. Scott Donnelly, chief executive of parent company Textron, says Riyadh is one of a number of customers it is in talks with over the developmental aircraft.

UK to drive down Typhoon operating costs to match F-16

07/21/2017

Dubbed the Typhoon total availability enterprise, or Tytan, the new, 10-year arrangement between the RAF and industry partners BAE Systems and Leonardo is expected to reduce the Typhoon's per-hour operating cost by 30-40%. This should equate to a saving of at least £550 million ($712 million), which "will be recycled into the programme", according to BAE Systems Military Air & Information managing director Chris Boardman.

Franco-German fighter proposal gains momentum

07/21/2017

France and Germany have signalled their intention to co-operate on the development of a future combat aircraft to be produced after the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.Part of a broader move to increase military co-operation and enhance export prospects for European products, the fighter initiative was referred to during a press conference involving French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris on 13 July.

Delhi outlines need for seven SIGINT aircraft

07/21/2017

Delhi has issued a request for information (RFI) for seven signals intelligence (SIGINT) and communications jamming aircraft. As per the RFI, two aircraft in SIGINT configuration will be acquired for the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) - India’s technical intelligence agency. Five SIGINT and communications jamming configured aircraft are to be operated by the air force.

Gulfstream proposes nose refuelling for JSTARS candidate

07/20/2017

Gulfstream’s proposal for the US Air Force’s JSTARS recapitalisation project will include a refuelling nozzle mounted on the nose of its G550 business jet, the company’s vice-president of special mission sales has revealed.

China Looking to Join the Race for Hypersonic Planes and Missiles

07/20/2017

A Chinese military expert says China should develop counter technologies after the U.S. and Australia jointly tested at least one flight for their Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HiFIRE) program.

Russian MoD May Get 12 5th Generation PAK FA Fighters Already in 2019

07/20/2017

The Russian Defense Ministry and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) are discussing the delivery of first 12 Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft in 2019, UAC President Yury Slyusar said on Wednesday.

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