Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

UK Pilots In Syria Ordered To Shoot Down “Hostile” Russian Aircraft

10/20/2016

With tensions between the US and Russia escalating over the Syrian conflict, it appears the UK is more than willing to leap into the fray. According the Sunday Times, Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots have been given orders to shoot down Russian military jets operating in Syria if they feel that the Russian jets pose a threat: “if a pilot is fired on or believes he is about to be fired on, he can defend himself.”

CHENGDU AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY GROUP J-10

10/20/2016

The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) J-10 is the People Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s main medium-weight multi-role fighter. Beijing tasked the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute to design the J-10 in 1988 with the intent of developing a modern and – more importantly – long-term solution for replacing the PLAAF’s legacy J-7 and J-6 interceptors and Q-5 attackers, all of which are derived from Soviet designs from the 1950s.

Mysterious Arabian Arms Embargo Lifted

10/20/2016

After nearly three years of delays the United States government has finally approved the sale of over $11 billion worth of aircraft to Qatar (36 and eventually 73 F-15E fighter bombers for nearly $4 billion), Kuwait (28 F-18E fighters for $3 billion) and Bahrain (19 new F-16s and upgrades to existing one for over $3 billion). The American Department of Defense and State Department approved the deal early on and there was support in Congress but for reasons unclear the American president refused

BAE to up the pace on APKWS production

10/20/2016

This is the first indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the precision-guided weapon system, and will support a ramp-up of deliveries from 1,500-2,000 units at the current rate to 5,000 in the first year of the new arrangement. APKWS is a laser-guidance kit that converts 2.75in-diameter rockets into precision-guided weapons. Some 7,000 units have been delivered to date, the company says, and rounds will be provided to all US services through the new deal with the USN.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Shows Off New Camouflage

10/20/2016

The Chinese Chengdu J-20 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter expected to enter service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2018. While details of the J-20 have been kept under wraps, two models were seen conducting test flights over Chengdo on Monday, each sporting the new camouflage.

US Navy Eyes Automated-Landing Capability for F-35, Drones

10/20/2016

A $255 million US Navy contract to develop the next-generation precision landing system for fighter jets and unmanned drones includes plans for automated-landing capability, defense contractor Raytheon International said in a press release Wednesday.

Russia Ready to Roll Out Its Brand New A-100LL 'Flying Laboratory'

10/20/2016

The Beriyev A-100LL is built around the A-50 early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and is designed to stress-test all of the plane’s elements and the electromagnetic compatibility of Russia’s next-generation A-100 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft.

Russia Not Holding Talks With Pakistan on Supply of Su-35 Jets - Official

10/20/2016

Russia is not engaged in negotiations on Su-35 fighter jets supply to Pakistan, Anatoly Punchuk, the deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Wednesday.

Penetrating Counter-Air: What Comes After the F-22 Raptor and F-15C Eagle

10/19/2016

The United States Air Force is in the process of completing its initial research on a next-generation air superiority capability to replace the Boeing F-15C Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters. Once such research is completed, the service will embark on an 18-month analysis of alternatives (AOA) starting this coming January to determine exactly what kind of capabilities it will need to gain and maintain control over the skies in the post-2030 threat environment.

Our Latest Look at China's New Stealth Fighter

10/19/2016

China's latest fighter, the Chengdu J-20, is sporting a new camouflage scheme. The new "fifth generation" fighter is wearing new "splinter" camouflage in photos spotted on the Chinese internet in early October. The photos show four aircraft: Two wearing a yellow primer paint coating, one in plain gray, and a fourth in the aforementioned splinter camouflage. According to Combat Aircraft, the planes were photographed over the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group factory in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Canadian Troops Backing Coalition Fight in Iraq Against Daesh

10/19/2016

"Canada continues to support our coalition partners through efforts that include an expanded train, advise and assist mission with local security forces; intelligence capabilities; ongoing tactical aviation support; and further leading a Coalition Role 2 medical facility," Owens said Tuesday. The Iraqi government, backed by coalition forces, launched an operation on Monday to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh.

Egypt Appeals to Russia for Supplies of Helicopters for Mistral Ships

10/19/2016

Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said that FSMTC received n appeal from the Egyptian side for the supplies of shipborne Ka-52. Egypt has appealed to Russia to supply Ka-52 helicopters (NATO reporting name: Hokum B) for Mistral helicopter carriers, Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Tuesday.

Flying Wing DARPA Drone to Increase Soldier Mobility

10/19/2016

The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has revealed plans to develop a high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft over the next few years that would provide terrain-independent non-human cargo transportation for the military.

South Korean Air Force Receives New Bunker Busting Cruise Missiles

10/18/2016

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has started receiving its new Taurus KEPD 350K air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), IHS Jane’s Defense reported on Friday, when the first delivery was announced. The new ALCMs, designed by a joint German-Swedish partnership, will be integrated into the ROKAF’s existing Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle multi-role fighters.

War in Ukraine: NATO Military Instructors Were Onboard Helicopter Shot Down in Donbass

10/18/2016

Military instructors from NATO countries were onboard a combat helicopter, shot down by servicemen of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on October 13, deputy commander of the Operational Command of the republic, Eduard Basurin, said on Friday.

How Canada Is Indirectly Taking Part In The Battle For Mosul

10/18/2016

On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi went on state television to announce that the Battle of Mosul was finally starting. "Today I declare the start of these victorious operations to free you from the violence and terrorism of Daesh," al-Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL.

Pakistan/China Thunder over Africa?

10/18/2016

Having successfully developed a number of military aircraft together, the Pakistani/Chinese partnership is now actively courting African countries looking for a modern, budget friendly fighter. Exhibiting for the first time at this year’s 2016 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition at Air Force Base Waterkloof was the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex – Kamra (PAC).

Thales flight tests TALIOS aboard Rafale fighter aircraft

10/18/2016

Thales has successfully flown its targeting long-range identification optronic system (TALIOS) for the first time aboard a Rafale fighter aircraft. The prototype, mounted on a single-seater aircraft, took off from the Istres base, as part of the F3R programme. The two-hour long test flight collected high-quality images taken using the 'day' channel, and offered remarkable performances in pointing and telemetry.

DoD awards $743 million contract linked to ninth lot of F-35s

10/18/2016

The US Department of Defense has awarded a Lockheed Martin a $743 million contract linked to the ninth batch of F-35 fighters, as negotiations on a final production contract for Lots 9 and 10 continue.

India moves closer to acquiring Heron TP

10/18/2016

The Indian air force is moving ahead with implementation of a plan to purchase the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron TP unmanned air vehicle, having joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June.

Russia-India Deal on Delivery of S-400 Air Defense System Multibillion Contract

10/18/2016

The Russia-India deal on the deliveries of S-400 Triumf air defense systems is a multibillion-dollar contract, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday. On Saturday, Russia and India signed a deal on the deliveries of S-400 Triumf air defense systems and other equipment to India.

Exclusive: Obama, aides expected to weigh Syria military options on Friday

10/14/2016

U.S. President Barack Obama and his top foreign policy advisers are expected to meet on Friday to consider their military and other options in Syria as Syrian and Russian aircraft continue to pummel Aleppo and other targets, U.S. officials said. Some top officials argue the United States must act more forcefully in Syria or risk losing what influence it still has over moderate rebels and its Arab, Kurdish and Turkish allies in the fight against Islamic State, the officials told Reuters.

Air Force to upgrade HH-60G combat search-and-rescue helicopter fleet with Esterline CMC avionics

10/14/2016

U.S. Air Force helicopter avionics experts needed replacement control display units (CDUs) for the Air Force fleet of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopter fleet. They found their solution from Esterline CMC Electronics Inc. in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

No real alternative to JSF: Senate panel

10/14/2016

The controversial F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is expensive and running late but there's no real alternative available to meet the RAAF's needs for an advanced combat aircraft, a Senate committee says. However, it recommends that Defence adopt a "hedging strategy" to be implemented by 2019 at the latest in case further JSF delays raise the risk of a capability gap between the retirement of older RAAF aircraft and entry to service of the JSF.

Russian Defense Ministry to Order Some 50 New Tu-160M2 Advanced Bombers

10/14/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry plans to procure around 50 Tu-160M2 upgraded supersonic strategic bombers, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Thursday. In August, the Russian Aerospace Forces said the bomber may make its maiden flight as early as late 2018.