Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US-Led Coalition Confirms Downing Syrian Plane

06/19/2017

The US-led international anti-terrorist coalition confirmed bringing down the Syrian government forces aircraft earlier, adding that the plane had been bombing US-backed opposition forces' troops. The coalition claims that it prevented the Syrian forces from advancing to the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) south of Tabqah by shooting down the aircraft.

OPINION: Don't bet on Dassault joining Euro fighter effort

06/17/2017

Although its combined defence spending is dwarfed by the USA’s fiscal might, Europe currently has an embarrassment of riches in the fighter sector, with three models toughing it out for export deals.

Qatar orders 36 F-15QA fighters

06/17/2017

Qatar has signed a deal for 36 Boeing F-15QA fighter aircraft. The deal is reportedly worth $12 billion, according to media reports quoting official Qatari sources. The deal was finalised in Washington DC by Qatari defence minister Khalid Al Attiyah and US defence secretary Jim Mattis.

US Navy seeks next-generation oxygen system for T-45s

06/17/2017

The US Navy and industry will pursue a next-generation on board oxygen generator system (OBOGS) while the service implements fixes to mitigate persistent oxygen and pressurization issues on its Boeing/BAE Systems T-45 trainers and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

Daesh Leader's Death to Facilitate Liberation of Raqqa - Russian Senator

06/17/2017

The alleged death of Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a Russian Aerospace Forces strike could help facilitate the liberation of its stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria, a senior Russian senator told Sputnik.

“No diagnosis” on pilot oxygen issue

06/15/2017

US Navy pilots flying T-45 Goshawk trainers and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets continue to struggle with oxygen problems, yet the service has found no root cause to date. The navy grounded its T-45s indefinitely after pilots reported oxygen deprivation. T-45 instructors, but not students, were allowed returned to flying in April but under restrictions.

Airbus on track to resolve A400M gearbox and contract issues

06/15/2017

After testing a beach landing capability with a Royal Air Force A400M earlier this month, Airbus Defence & Space says it is on track to qualify a redesigned helicopter refuelling system, roll-out a final solution to a power gearbox problem and resolve a dispute over penalties caused by delivery delays.

Tail rotor crack discovery grounds Israel's Apache fleet

06/15/2017

Israel's air force has temporarily grounded its Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, after a crack was found in one of their tail rotors during a routine check. The decision was made by air force commander Maj Gen Amir Eshel, pending an investigation. The cracked tail rotor has been sent to the service's central maintenance unit to undergo a series of tests.

Raytheon Inks Over $82Mln to Produce Air-to-Air Missiles

06/15/2017

The Department of Defense announced that Raytheon has been awarded a more than $82-million contract to produce AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and supporting equipment. Raytheon has been awarded a more than $82-million contract to produce AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and supporting equipment for the US Navy as well as for Poland, Romania, Belgium and Indonesia, the Department of Defense announced in a press release.

Russia Launches Tactical, Naval Aviation Drills in Western Military District

06/15/2017

According to Russian Defense Ministry, tactical and naval aviation exercises kicked off in the Western Military District. "The joint flight and tactical exercise of the operational-tactical aviation of the Baltic Fleet's Air Force and Air Defense and naval aviation units kicked off in the Western Military District. Pilots of the operational-tactical aviation from [Russia's western] Voronezh Region started practicing joint actions with fighters of the Baltic Sea Fleet's naval aviation over the Ba

BANGLADESH INKS ORDER FOR FIVE MI-171SH HELICOPTERS

06/14/2017

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) inked an order for five Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters from Russian Helicopters on Monday, June 12. In a statement released by Bangladesh’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agreement was signed at the BAF Air Headquarters with the BAF leadership and Russian Embassy officials in attendance. In December, Bangladesh’s Minister of Law Anisul Huq disclosed that several big-ticket acquisitions will be finalized in the fiscal year of 2016-2017.

Navy still unsure what's causing aircraft oxygen system failures

06/14/2017

After more than two months, the Navy still has no idea what is causing serious problems with the oxygen systems in its training aircraft and fighters. “We’re not doing well on the diagnosis,” Vice Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, commander of Naval Air Systems, told lawmakers on Tuesday. “To date, we have been unable to find any smoking gun.”

Multibillion-dollar stealth fighter plane is suffocating its pilots

06/14/2017

About a quarter of the F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Corp., or 55 planes, have stopped flying until further notice because of irregularities in pilots’ oxygen supplies, US Air Force spokesman Capt. Mark Graff said Monday.

Boeing to cut 50 executives in defence shuffle

06/14/2017

Boeing is eliminating 50 executive positions from its defence, space and security security as part of an effort to limit a layer of bureaucratic management. Boeing executive vice-president Leanne Caret announced the move 13 June but the reorganization will take effect 1 July. Boeing military aircraft and network and space systems will be broken up into four smaller entities reporting directly to Caret.

First F-35 Fighter Jet Assembled in Japan Carries Out Successful Test Flight

06/14/2017

The first F-35 fighter jet assembled in Japan completed its maiden flight, local media reported Tuesday. The aircraft's test flight from an airport in Japan's central Aichi prefecture took about two hours, Japan's NHK broadcaster reported. The Japanese Defense Ministry officials who checked the plane's functions, noted the aircraft's ability to maneuver and said everything was functioning normally, the reports added.

Syria Op-Based Upgrades to Make Russia's Su-35S Fighter Jet 'Perfect for Export'

06/13/2017

Russia will modernize its Su-35S fighter jets with due account for their performance in the ongoing operation in Syria, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said. Aviation expert Viktor Pryadka told Sputnik what remains to be done to make the Su-35S “perfect for export.”

UAE breaches UN arms embargo with gunship exports to Haftar

06/12/2017

The United Arab Emirates has violated a United Nations arms embargo by providing attack helicopters, attack aircraft and armoured vehicles to forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, Middle East Eye can reveal.

Deadly airstrike hits al-Shabaab in Somalia as US mission there intensifies

06/12/2017

Unspecified American military aircraft struck a terrorist nerve center in Somalia on Sunday, an operation believed to have killed eight al-Qaida loyalists who've staged repeated attacks on U.S. allies in the region.

IAF to trial American F-16, Swedish Gripen for 120-jet Make in India project to replace MiGs

06/12/2017

The Indian Air Force will hold limited trials of the American F-16 and Swedish Saab Gripen fighter aircraft for selecting the foreign partner to build 120 combat planes under the Make in India project. The total worth of the deal is estimated to be around $20 billion (Rs 1.3 lakh crore).

China rolls out export trainer/fighter aircraft

06/10/2017

The first export variant of China's new FTC-2000 pilot trainer/fighter aircraft has rolled off an assembly line and will be shipped to Sudan after testing. The FTC-2000 Shanying was developed by the Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China. It is the main advanced trainer used by the PLA Air Force and the PLA Navy.

USAF cancels F-35A flying at Luke AFB

06/10/2017

After five oxygen deprivation incidents, the US Air Force has temporarily canceled Lockheed Martin F-35A flying operations at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Since 2 May, five F-35A pilots at Luke have reported “hypoxia-like symptoms,” said the USAF on 9 June.

Portugal opens talks to acquire Embraer KC-390s

06/10/2017

The Portuguese government has started formal negotiations with Embraer to buy five KC-390 twinjet tanker-transports with an option for a sixth aircraft. The talks are expected to last for the next three months, defining the detailed configuration for the Portuguese air force, delivery dates and payment schedules. Also included in the negotiations is a full flight simulator, spares and other support services.

Airbus calls on France to join European future fighter effort

06/10/2017

A week before the Paris air show, the head of Airbus Defence & Space's military aircraft division has called on France to participate in the development of a new airborne weapon system proposed by Germany and Spain to succeed the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Premier Fighter Jet Replacement Candidates Flock to Finnish Centenary Air Show

06/10/2017

Today's air show in Helsinki will become one of the most exciting and ambitious events of Finland's centenary, as fighter jets will fly over the Finnish capital. However, the air show will also serve as a demonstration, as the Finnish air force is currently in the process of choosing a new fighter jet.

U.S. shoots down drone in tense battle for no man's land in Syria

06/09/2017

The incidents are part of a steady escalation of the U.S. military’s role in Syria — one that runs the risk of putting American forces on a collision course with Iran, a close Syrian ally. The Pentagon is not sure Iranian military piloted the aircraft. “It was clearly meant as an attack,” U.S. Army Col. Ryan Dillon, the Baghdad-based spokesman for the campaign against Islamic State, told reporters at the Pentagon via teleconference. “We do not see it as a warning shot.”