Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Video - C-5 Galaxy, biggest cargo aircraft in the US Air Force

01/30/2017

Operating exclusively within the US Air Force for nearly five decades, the C-5 Galaxy is still the biggest US military cargo aircraft. When American manufacturer Lockheed built it in 1969, it was also the largest aircraft in the world. Measuring a whopping 250 feet long (76m), 223 feet across (68m), and 65ft tall (20m), this monster can easily swallow up two M1 Abrams tanks, six Apache helicopters or ten light armoured vehicles in its hold, and then transport them up to 5,000 miles (8,000 km).

Why China and Russia Fear America's New Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers

01/30/2017

In 2009, the U.S. Navy finally began construction of the first new type of aircraft carrier in nearly thirty-five years. Named after former president and naval aviator Gerald R. Ford, the USS Ford fully takes the nuclear supercarrier into the twenty-first century. The technological innovations built into the new ship, while causing the inevitable delays involved in building a first-in-class vessel, will keep the Navy’s unique fleet of super flattops the largest and most advanced in the world.

Confronting China's slow invasion at sea

01/30/2017

Since the 1990s, China has insistently waged a slow and deliberate imperial war of territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "Imperial war" is the apt description. China exhibits classic imperial ambition. Using economic, diplomatic and military muscle (camouflaged by propaganda), Beijing adds territory to its imperial dominion at the expense of less powerful neighbors.

U.S. service member killed in Yemen raid, first combat death under Trump administration

01/30/2017

A U.S. Special Operations member died of injuries suffered during a weekend raid against al-Qaida militants in Yemen, the military said Sunday. Three other American troops, members of a Navy SEAL unit, were wounded in the operation on Saturday against members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. The militant organization has remained a potent threat amid an extended civil war in Yemen.

Revealed: The U.S. Air Force Wants Drones that Can Refuel Other Drones in Midair

01/30/2017

The U.S. Air Force wants drones that can be refueled in midair by other drones. The reason is simple. While drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk can stay in the air for more than thirty hours without getting tired, bored or feeling the urge to urinate, even an unmanned aircraft needs to refuel sooner or later. That means the drone must interrupt its mission to return to base, or a manned tanker aircraft will have to fly to where the drone is to refuel it.

FA-50PHs getting components for avionics, engine systems

01/29/2017

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has allocated PhP37,955,000 for the acquisition of Philippine Air Force FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jets spares and components for avionics and engine systems. The said acquisition aims to maintain the combat and mission readiness of all FA-50PHs.

Serbia to Get 8 MiG-29 Fighters, 2 Buk Missile Systems From Belarus

01/29/2017

Serbia will get eight Mikoyan MiG-29 twin-engine fighters and two Buk missile systems as a gift from Belarus, Serbian Defense Minister Zoran Dordevic told the Politika Serbian daily newspaper.

Boeing Receives $2.1Bln Order to Build More KC-46 Pegasus Air Tankers

01/29/2017

Boeing has been awarded a more than $2 billion contract to build 15 KC-46 military air refuelling tankers, two spare engines and five wing refuelling pod kits, the US Department of Defense announced. "The Boeing Company [of] Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2.1 billion… for KC-46 Lot 3 production," the announcement stated on Friday.

As Pentagon Orders Review of F-35 Costs, Norway Gears Up for New Fleet

01/29/2017

In an attempt to trim costs of the most expensive weapons program in history, US Defense Secretary James “Mad Dog” Mattis is looking at new ways to meet program requirements.

First Flight of Russia’s Il-112V Transport Jet to Be Carried Out Until July 1

01/29/2017

The first flight of the Russia’s new Il-112V military transport jet will be carried out until July 1, 2017, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Saturday during a visit to the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO) plant.

Mattis Orders Comparison Review of F-35C and Advanced Super Hornet

01/28/2017

Defense Secretary James Mattis is ordering a Pentagon review to compare the capabilities and cost between the emerging carrier-based Lockheed Martin F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter and an upgraded version of the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, according to a memo obtained by USNI News.

ANALYSIS: India acts to maintain air power edge

01/28/2017

The Indian air force continues to grapple with the challenge of sustaining its combat fleet to project a strong defensive and offensive posture on India’s eastern and western borders. Defence credibility, however, comes from the existing force structure. The air force today is down to 33 operational fighter squadrons, of which 24 squadrons are made up with fighters of Russian origin, namely MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, MiG-29s, and Sukhoi Su-30MKIs.

Boeing Receives $2.1Bln Order to Build More KC-46 Pegasus Air Tankers

01/28/2017

Boeing has been awarded a more than $2 billion contract to build 15 KC-46 military air refuelling tankers, two spare engines and five wing refuelling pod kits, the US Department of Defense announced. "The Boeing Company [of] Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2.1 billion… for KC-46 Lot 3 production," the announcement stated on Friday.

Russian Naval Group Led by Admiral Kuznetsov to Return From Syria on Feb. 8-9

01/28/2017

The naval group of Russia's Northern Fleet led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will return from Syria to the country's northern port city of Severomorsk on February 8-9, a source in Russia's Defense Ministry told Sputnik on Friday.

Russia Starts Work on Boosting BrahMos Missile's Range for India

01/28/2017

Russian-Indian BrahMos short-range ramjet supersonic cruise missiles, currently produced for India's armed forces, may gain an extended range variant by 2019, the missile's Russian manufacturer said Friday.

Watch RAF Typhoons fly close to Russian aircraft carrier group sailing past the UK

01/27/2017

A British warship, Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans, along with 3 RAF Typhoons have shadowed the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and its battle group as they passed by the UK on Jan. 24. The Russian carrier and her battle group (the Pyotr Velikiy, a nuclear-powered Kirov-class battlecruiser and a salvage tug) are returning home after completing their first combat deployment to the eastern Mediterranean to take part in the air war in Syria, a cruise that was plagued by two crashes.

Saudi Arabia Shows Off New F-15 Warplane, Missile Attached To Belly

01/27/2017

Saudi Arabia unveiled its next-generation fighter-bomber on Wednesday, nearly two years after beginning a controversial air war in Yemen. At a ceremony and air show in the Saudi capital, a hangar opened to reveal one of the F-15SA Eagle aircraft made by US manufacturer Boeing. A missile was attached to the belly of the plane displayed against the backdrop of a giant Saudi flag.

America's Military (for Better or Worse) Is Stuck with the F-35

01/27/2017

The first four Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighters to be stationed at the U.S. Navy’s West Coast fleet replenishment squadron arrived at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The aircraft will be operated as part of the newly reestablished Strike Fighter Squadron-125 (VFA-125).

Northrop noncommittal on T-X bid

01/27/2017

Despite spending millions to develop a prototype jet to compete for a $16 billion contract, Northrop Grumman chief executive Wes Bush surprised market analysts on 26 January by striking a noncommittal tone about participating in the competition to replace the US Air Force's Northrop T-38C trainers with more than 300 new aircraft.

PICTURES: HAL rolls out improved Hawk i trainer

01/27/2017

India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has rolled out an upgraded version of BAE Systems’ Hawk 132 advanced jet trainer, named the Hawk i. The updated aircraft features an indigenously developed mission computer and introduces a digital map generation system. An embedded virtual training system, secure voice communications and data link capability have also been incorporated.

Indian navy launches search for new carrier-based fighter

01/27/2017

The Indian navy’s formal requirement for 57 multirole carrier-borne fighters (MRCBF) has been advanced via a request for information (RFI) issued by the nation’s defence ministry. Responses are due by 24 May, with the service having detailed its requirements over 59 pages of parameters and specifications.

Chinese Media Suspect Work on New Super-Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile Underway

01/27/2017

China is reportedly testing a beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile in combat drills capable to engage targets up to 400 kilometers away, China Daily wrote.According to the newspaper, a photo posted on the People's Liberation Army website, shows a J-11B fighter jet armed with an unknown rocket almost one-fourth of the length of the 22-meter-long plane.

Serial Purchases of MiG-35 Fighter Jet to Start in 2019 - UAC

01/27/2017

Serial purchases of Russia's advanced MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F) multirole fighter under the state arms procurement program will begin in 2019, President of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Boris Slyusar said Thursday.

India to Buy Hundreds of Missiles for Russian Self Propelled Air Defence System

01/27/2017

The Indian Army has been searching for a replacement of Kvadrat self propelled air defence system for a long time. But it has been unable to find a suitable option for the air defense of 500 vulnerable areas and vulnerable points across the country.

Bulgarian govt allocates 4.9 mln euro to keeping MiG-29 jets airworthy

01/26/2017

Bulgaria's government said on Wednesday it approved an expenditure of up to 9.6 million levs ($5.3 million/4.9 million euro) under the defence ministry budget to ensure the airworthiness of ageing Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets of the country's Air Force. In order to secure the implementation of the project during its 2016-2017 timeframe, a total of 30.5 million levs are provided for in the central government budget, the government said in a statement following a weekly meeting.