Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

India Mulls Rafale or Gripen Combat Aircraft Over F-16 Read more: https://sputniknews.com/military/20161004/1045992683/india-rafale-f-16.html

10/05/2016

In what could be a difficult road ahead for US manufacturers Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will prefer the company that would not only set up its production line in India but would also be ready to transfer technology. During Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar's visit to the US in August, Boeing and Lockheed Martin made official proposals to manufacture F/A-18 and F-16s respectively under the "Make in India" campaign.

US Military Builds a New Air Base in Northern Syria

10/05/2016

The US is building a military airfield in northern Syria as part of its ongoing campaign against Daesh, a representative of the Syrian Democratic Forces command told Sputnik on condition of anonymity.

China Goes All Out to Become 'Global Aviation Power'

10/04/2016

Chinese leadership views investing in domestic aviation, both civilian and military, as one of the country's top priorities in hopes that this will help Beijing improve its manufacturing industry, boost innovation and improve national defense, Xinhua reported.

The Philippines considering additional purchase of S. Korean FA-50s: report

10/03/2016

The Philippines is considering a move to purchase additional FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea to bolster its defense capabilities, a news report picked up in Seoul on Sunday said. According to the latest issue of IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, Manila may be weighing the need to acquire 36 planes from Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) as part of its Flight Plan 2028.

AFSOC shoots for AC-130 laser gunship mod in 2020

10/03/2016

US Special Operations Command has requested funding from the Defense Department for fiscal year 2018 budget to begin modifying an AC-130 gunship for a high energy laser capability.

F-16 drone reaches initial operational capability

10/03/2016

The US Air Force’s QF-16 full scale aerial target drone reached initial operational capability 23 September, US Air Combat Command declared this week. Boeing leveraged retired Lockheed Martin F-16As and C’s to create the unmanned QF-16, which can be flown with a pilot during training or as an unmanned target for live missile testing. The FSAT also maintains all of the F-16’s characteristics and payload capacity, including high-G maneuvering and electronic attack.

Italian air force struggles to prove air power relevance

10/03/2016

Italy’s air force is “taken for granted” by the general public, politicians and the nation’s other armed services, according to a leading academic. “It is difficult to make surface forces realise that they have some of their freedom because of the air [operations],” he says. And despite notable recent milestones – including it performing the first transatlantic crossing with the Lockheed Martin F-35 – the air force is still perceived less favourably than its sister services.

India’s Lethal 1370 MPH 4.5 Generation Tejas Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

10/03/2016

ndia’s elite indigenous fighter jet crosses a major benchmark this week ahead of being deemed combat ready providing the country with a masterful fighter jet at a fraction of the cost of Western fighter jets.

Chinese Locally Made Aircraft Carrier To Enter Sea By Year End, Carry 40-50 Aircraft

10/02/2016

The Chinese PLA Navy’s first home-made aircraft carrier is likely to be seaworthy by the year end and play host to 40-50 aircraft and an Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) radar, Chinamil website reported today. The official website of the Chinese army quoted western media and a local military expert to provide details of the aircraft carrier and not any authoritative Chinese government source.

Air Force looking to acquire additional 36 FA-50PHs, 12 attack AW-109Es

10/02/2016

The Philippine Air Force is looking to acquire 36 additional South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” and 12 more AW-109Es, IHS Jane’s 360 reports. This was revealed by a senior Air Force officer speaking at the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2016 exhibition in Manila.

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) military vessel has been damaged in an incident off the coast of Yemen, local media said Saturday

10/02/2016

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) military vessel has been damaged in an incident off the coast of Yemen, local media said Saturday. The vessel was damaged in the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb strait between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. No injuries were suffered among crew members, according to the news outlet.

Turkey Set to Open First African Military Base in Somalia

10/02/2016

Turkey is about to finish the construction of its first African military base in Somalia's capital of Mogadishu, media reported Saturday. The base, at which Ankara will train about 10,000 Somalian soldiers in compliance with the bilateral security cooperation agreement, is being built with the United Nations' approval, the Garowe Online news agency reported. Some 200 Turkish military specialists will arrive to the country soon to provide training, the media outlet said, citing its sources.

Russia Opposes Prospects of US Supplying Syria Opposition With MANPADS

10/02/2016

Any attempts by Washington to supply the Syrian opposition with man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) would be absolutely counterproductive, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.

European MALE definition study phase begins

09/30/2016

A definition study phase for the future European medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle development has begun, paving the way for an operational sovereign system to enter use by 2025.

Kenya to receive five Huey II helicopters

09/30/2016

Kenya is to acquire five remanufactured Bell Helicopter Huey II rotorcraft in a deal worth $52.2 million. Awarded on 26 September, the contract also includes spare parts, training and programme management.

Beijing Warns Tokyo: 'China’s Military Will Not Sit Idly By' in South China Sea

09/30/2016

Tensions have escalated between China and Japan over a territorial dispute in the East China Sea, where both nations claim ownership over a string of islands called the Senkakus. But Japan is also in talks with the Pentagon to join military patrols in the South China Sea, a move Beijing warned against on Thursday.

Russian Aerospace Force’s Operation in Syria in Details

09/30/2016

Russia began its military operation in Syria a year ago, on September 30, 2015, following a request of assistance from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

White House OKs Fighter Jet Sale to Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait

09/30/2016

The deal paves the way for the three Middle Eastern countries to receive F-15E Strike Eagles, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and F-16 fighters. Kuwait and Qatar requested the sale of the fighters two years ago, and while the US Congress approved of the deal, the White House has been dragging its feet.

Mixed Prospects for Boeing Military Aircraft

09/29/2016

The future sales prospects for Boeing’s military aircraft are mixed at present. The F-15 and F-18 production lines now seem more likely to extend into the next decade with more sales to the Middle East, now that political objections in Tel Aviv and Washington appear to be subsiding. A sale of four KC-46 tankers to Japan has now been formally notified, but some U.S. Air Force (USAF) leadership has suggested that the service will buy no more than the 179 aircraft to which it is already committed.

China is worried its fighter pilots are dumb

09/29/2016

China has the third largest air force in the world and may surpass the United States within the next 15 years. But in an aerial shooting war with the U.S. Air Force, Beijing will need more than aircraft — also fighter pilots with well-honed skills capable of facing off with some of the best jocks in the world.

Rafale fighter jet deal to be sealed with France on Friday

09/29/2016

While New Delhi made a decision to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets in 2012, it later scaled down its initial plans to acquire only 36, apparently because the jets were too expensive. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar signed an agreement with French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation SA that will give India an edge over Pakistan.

The 5 Best Submarines, 5 Best Bombers and 5 Worst Fighter Aircraft of All Time

09/29/2016

History is filled with examples of pieces of military equipment that performed miracles on the battlefield-and others that cost many military professionals their lives. Indeed, wars can be shaped by the 'kit' that you bring to the fight. In fact, not only having better arms but men and women properly trained to win the battle of the day with such weapons is critical-as you may even be able to deter your opponent from wanting to take the field against you.

Investigators say MH17 downed by missile brought in from Russia

09/29/2016

A Dutch-led criminal investigation into the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 has said the aircraft was downed by a missile brought in from Russia and fired from territory held by Moscow-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Tejas-SP3 completes maiden flight

09/29/2016

The third series production Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas-SP3, on Wednesday took to the skies for the first time in a successful 15-minute sortie. Sources in HAL told TOI that the first profiling of the aircraft was satisfactory and that most parameters that were to be checked were fulfilled. "The flight was restricted to only 15 minutes because of the low-hanging clouds, the initial plan was to fly for longer," a source in the LCA complex said.

Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Continues Platform Expansion with Eurofighter Typhoon

09/29/2016

Lockheed Martin has received a direct commercial sale contract for the integration of Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) onto the Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role fighter. The contract, signed with Eurofighter partner company Leonardo Aircraft, includes 18 pods, integration and logistics support for the Kuwait Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon. The Eurofighter Typhoon is the ninth aircraft platform to be equipped with Sniper ATP.