Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US Special Forces join Turkish troops in Syria

09/17/2016

Up to 40 US Special Operations Forces are accompanying Turkish troops as they clear ISIS from northern Syria, two US officials told CNN Friday. The new mission, dubbed "Operation Noble Lance," was authorized this week and is now underway, the officials added.

USAF confirms F-15D delivery to Israel

09/16/2016

Following the signing of the largest military aid package in US history, the US Air Force confirmed the transfer of 10 Boeing F-15D fighters to Israel. During the Obama administration, Israel received new capabilities from the US, including 10 F-15 fighters, several Lockheed Martin C-130 cargo aircraft, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and joint direct attack munitions, according to a White House fact sheet published this week.

Boeing protests Denmark's F-35A decision

09/16/2016

Boeing has initiated a legal challenge against Denmark’s Ministry of Defence for selecting the Lockheed Martin F-35A over the F/A-18E/F as the Danish air force’s next generation fighter.

Zambian L-15 debuts

09/16/2016

The first Chinese-made Hongdu L-15 supersonic light attack/jet trainer for Zambia has broken cover at Africa Aerospace and Defence in the markings of the air force’s 15 Sqn.

Armored Su-34 Will Become a 'Revolutionary' Ground Support Aircraft

09/16/2016

Over the past year, Russia's Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber has been demonstrating its deadly potential against terrorists in Syria. According to independent military analyst Valentin Vasilescu, the next logical step for the plane's designers is to equip it with armor. This, the analyst emphasizes, will "revolutionize" its impact on the battlefield.

India Coaxes France Into Selling its Air-to-Air Missile Equipped Rafale

09/16/2016

India and France are still working on preparing a fresh Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale combat aircraft. Sources told Sputnik that following negotiations, officials from both countries are finalizing documents which will be placed before Cabinet Committee of Security, India’s topmost approving authority, for final approval.

Air Force denies report China aircraft entered ROC airspace

09/15/2016

The R.O.C. Air Force on Wednesday denied that a Chinese military aircraft briefly trespassed into Taiwan's aerial identification zone Monday. In a statement, the Air Force said no Chinese fighter jet had intruded into Taiwan's airspace on Monday, Sept.12, as was reported by online media outlet Up Media.

Boeing reveals new U.S. military aircraft design

09/15/2016

The T-X aircraft has one engine, twin tails, stadium seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. Boeing is showing off its latest designs with two new production T-X aircraft. The aerospace giant partnered with Saab AB to develop next-generation aircraft specifically designed for U.S. Air Force training missions.

B-2 Bomber to Receive New Ejection Seats, Other Upgrades

09/15/2016

The B-2 Spirit, America’s sole heavy stealth bomber, is getting upgraded ejection seats, the latest in a series of upgrades for the multi-role bomber to keep the aircraft flying into the 2050s. The Air Force on Tuesday awarded AMI Industries Inc., a United Technology Corp. subsidiary, a $14.4 million contract to develop upgraded Advanced Conception Ejection Seat II as part of the service’s Safety and Sustainability Program, according to a Defense Department contract announcement.

Lockheed Martin Expands F-16 Repair Center Support with Derco Aerospace

09/15/2016

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is partnering with Derco Repair Services, Inc. to expand its Global Supply Chain Services and support to F-16 operators worldwide. The company recently named Derco Repair Services as an authorized F-16 Hologram repair center. The Lockheed Martin Hologram designation is only awarded to repair and overhaul facilities that meet or exceed strict quality assurance criteria. Only two existing F-16 repair centers have been recognized with the distinction worldwide.

ANALYSIS: AFRL prepares to unveil 20-year propulsion vision

09/15/2016

Since the arrival of the high-bypass turbofan almost 50 years ago, engineers have made huge strides in jet engine efficiency without altering the basic architecture. Two air flows of constant volume either bypass or enter a core section. The core combusts a mixture of compressed air and fuel to generate thermal energy, which is then converted to supply some of the aircraft’s thrust and most of the power.

Airbus set to deliver C295W to Brazil

09/15/2016

Airbus plans to deliver the first C295W search and rescue aircraft to the Brazilian air force in the first quarter next year, the company tells FlightGlobal. A completed maiden flight means Airbus can start the process of having the aircraft cleared for delivery by Brazilian customers.

US adds F-15 to $38 billion military aid package for Israel

09/15/2016

US and Israeli diplomats announced the largest military assistance package in US history on 14 September in a $38 billion, 10-year package that will deliver an assortment of American-designed weapon systems, including Lockheed Martin F-35 and Boeing F-15 fighters to Tel Aviv.

AAD: Denel to begin formal talks over relaunching Rooivalk

09/15/2016

South Africa's government has given the go-ahead for Denel to engage in formal talks with potential foreign partners with a view to launching production of a new "mark two" version of its Rooivalk attack helicopter.

Russia to Showcase Advanced Helicopter Models at South Africa Expo

09/15/2016

The Russian Helicopters company, part of the Rostec state corporation, will present current and future helicopter models at the Africa Aerospace and Defense-2016 (AAD 2016) exposition in South Africa, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

South Korea Mulling Purchase of 20 More F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets

09/14/2016

Given recent North Korean provocations, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force is considering purchasing 20 additional fifth-generation stealth multirole Joint Strike Fighter F-35As—the aircraft’s conventional takeoff and landing variant—in order to boost its air combat capabilities in the event of war with North Korea, according to senior ROK defense officials.

Fighter jets to conduct combat training

09/14/2016

The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will host pilots and jets from Arizona-based 21st Fighter Squadron for air combat training today through Sept. 29 to practice maneuvering against potential adversary pilots. The flights from the Portland Air National Guard Base will take off at 8 a.m. and end before 4 p.m.

The 5 Best (and 5 Worst) Fighter Aircraft of All Time

09/14/2016

So what are the best and worst fighter aircraft of all time? What plane would you pick for a war in the sky? On the surface, the questions seem easy to answer. One might look at which planes performed the best in combat as opposed to fighters that did not. Or, one could look at which planes had the best technology, took advantage of historical circumstances, or utilized a combination of the two.

Boeing Reveals First Two Aircraft for U.S. Air Force T-X Competition

09/14/2016

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its partner Saab AB [Stockholm: SAABB] will use their two production T-X aircraft, revealed today, to show the U.S. Air Force the performance, affordability, and maintainability advantages of their approach.

F-35 and Aegis Combat System Successfully Demonstrate Integration Potential in First Live Missile Test

09/14/2016

Two pre-eminent weapon systems, the F-35 Lightning II and Aegis Weapon System, worked together for the first time during a live fire exercise. The joint Lockheed Martin, (NYSE: LMT) U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps exercise was the first live fire missile event that successfully demonstrated the integration of the F-35 to support Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA).

IAF puts western sector bases on high alert for massive combat exercise

09/13/2016

The Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been put on high alert ahead of the massive combat exercise code-named TALON. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also being used to conduct surveillance. This is the first time that IAF has undertaken such a move, reports said.

Chinese military aircraft in West Pacific for combat simulation drill

09/13/2016

The Chinese Air Force on Monday sent multiple aircraft models to the West Pacific, via the Bashi Strait, for a routine combat simulation drill at sea, a spokesperson said. Shen Jinke, spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, said the fleet included H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters, and air tankers.

Combat planes from Korea, not US, clarifies Lorenzana

09/13/2016

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the two FA-50 combat aircraft that arrived in the country in November last year had come from South Korea and not from the United States as President Duterte had stated. Lorenzana issued the clarification following the President’s speech before the Filipino community in Indonesia last week, that the two FA-50s, which he claimed were just for show, had come from the United States.

After Latest Nuke Test, US to Launch B-1B Bombers Over Korean Peninsula

09/13/2016

The Pentagon will respond to last week’s incident with a flyover intended to show solidarity with South Korea. On Friday, US officials promised a "swift response" to North Korea’s latest nuclear test, which triggered a 5.3 magnitude earthquake early that morning.

Last Minute Russian Visit by Indian Minister Hopes to Deny Pakistan New Weapons

09/13/2016

Rajnath Singh will visit Russia during the first ever Pakistan-Russia joint military exercise later this year. While a visit to US was planned months ago, his Russian visit was firmed up just last month. Experts believe that India is sending Rajnath Singh to convince Russia not to sell combat aircraft to Pakistan.