Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Officials Provide Details of Latest Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq

04/04/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Military Buildup “To Deter Russian Aggression”: US Sends F-15 fighter Jets to Iceland, Netherlands

04/04/2016

According to an announcement by the US Air Force on Friday, US aircraft units from the 131st Fighter Squadron at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts and the 194th Fighter Squadron at Fresno Air National Guard Base in California will support NATO air surveillance missions in Iceland and conduct flying training in the Netherlands.

Indonesian defense minister confirms plans to purchase Su-35 fighters from Russia

04/04/2016

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has confirmed his intention to sign a contract on the purchase of the Su-35 multi-purpose fighter jets during his upcoming visit to Russia in the next few days. The minister made this statement in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday.

Indian Air Force to participate in Red Flag exercise with NATO forces

04/04/2016

Amid growing bonhomie between India and the US, 12 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, including the Russian origin Sukhoi-30MKI (Su-30MKI), will fly to Alaska this month to take part in the prestigious Red Flag air exercise that will see them in action alongside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces during the war games.

What if the US Went to War - Russia, China?

04/04/2016

Vitaly Kuzmin CC BY-SA 3.0 What if the US Went to War - Russia, China? WE ARE THE MIGHTY 10:24 AM We Are The Mighty takes a look at how the world’s three most powerful militaries stack up in 4 major categories: With the rhetoric about global trade deficits heating up on the campaign trail, it might appropriate to momentarily shift our focus away from the asymmetric threats of the Taliban and ISIS and look at the world of conventional warfare. Here’s how the world’s three most powerful m

US to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty

04/04/2016

US military experts will fly over the territory of Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies on April 4-9, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov said Sunday.

Flying High: Russian Aerospace Forces to Get Over 30 Su-30SM Fighter Jets

04/04/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry and the Irkut aircraft manufacturer have signed a contract to supply over 30 multipurpose Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces by the end of 2018, the ministry's press service said in a statement Sunday.

The Unwanted Heron Becomes A Superstar

04/03/2016

In early 2016 Israel decided to add up to six more Heron TP (also known as Eitan or Heron 2) UAVs by the end of 2016. This came after Germany decided to lease three to five Heron TPs instead of the similar American Reaper. Despite some reliability problems (and several crashes) since it entered service in 2008 the Heron TP has proved to be very useful as a surveillance aircraft and could also carry missiles as needed.

US, PH launch Balikatan ’16

04/03/2016

THOUSANDS of US and Filipino soldiers will launch on Monday annual war games that this year are being seen as a show of strength in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. The 11-day Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises are expected to show how the Philippines, though severely outgunned, can counter China with the help of the United States, its longest-standing ally.

U.S. F-15S DEPLOYED TO ICELAND

04/03/2016

The U.S. deployed 12 F-15C Eagles to Iceland on Friday, an indication of the return of an American military presence on the North Atlantic island nation. The deployment of the aircraft to Iceland demonstrates U.S. commitment to a “free” and “secure” Europe, the Air Force said in a press statement.

Stratotankers 'enable that global reach' that lets Air Force hit Islamic State

04/03/2016

The U.S. and its partners in the coalition targeting Islamic State group militants in Iraq and Syria have conducted more than 11,000 airstrikes since the campaign began, and refueling tankers have been key to those missions.

Why the US Should Stop Building Joint Fighters

04/03/2016

Jointness in defense planning and acquisition is supposed to save money by minimizing redundancy and duplication between the military services. But these benefits often prove illusory in practice, and they never seem to materialize in efforts to build a joint fighter jet. Recent comments by the F-35’s program chief suggest that reality might finally be sinking in.

Belgium confirms plans to resume F-16 air-strikes on ISIS targets after Brussels attacks

03/29/2016

Belgian PM Charles Michel after meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry: “We will resume the mission of our F-16s and hold a debate in the parliament and the government to decide whether it is possible to expand the mandate”.

US Airstrikes to Set Conditions for Iraqi Push to Retake Mosul

03/29/2016

U.S. warplanes carried out airstrikes around Mosul on Monday in the intensifying effort to set conditions for retaking the ISIS stronghold in northwestern Iraq as part of the overall effort to defeat the terror group that has cost at least $6.5 billion, the U.S. military said.

More Boeing P-8 Aircraft on the Way to Britain

03/29/2016

According to the Department of Defense, the government has allowed the sale of nine Boeing Co., Poseidon maritime patrol planes to Britain in a deal valued at $3.2 billion. Congress was originally notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) on Thursday, with officials having 15 days to block the sale. Details of when the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered are not available.

Russian arms in demand after Syria campaign

03/29/2016

The $500 million Russia spent on the military operation in Syria may soon pay off for the Kremlin, reports business daily Kommersant, as Moscow expects $6-7 billion worth of new arms contracts. According to the newspaper’s source, close to military exports and technical cooperation, potential customers are looking to buy the weapons proved in action. These are armaments in the inventory of Russian military or already bought by another country.

US allies tapping into weapons stores to combat ISIS

03/29/2016

There's an old adage that in peace, a nation should prepare for war, and when at war, the same nation should prepare for peace. The United States' allies against the Islamic State seem to have forgotten that lesson after reports have emerged that weapons stores from the US are being tapped by other countries operating against ISIS.

Airmen reflect on B-1 bomber attacks over Libya

03/29/2016

Five years ago, a phone rang in the 28th Bomb Wing vice commander's office and made history. Less than 72 hours later, on March 27, 2011, more than 1,100 maintenance personnel launched four B-1B Lancer bombers from the Ellsworth Air Force Base flightline in blizzard conditions to support Operation Odyssey Dawn. It was the first time the aircraft had ever launched from a continental U.S. location in support of combat operations.

'Solid Progress': F-35 Fighter, Pentagon's Biggest Program, Is Moving Forward Fast

03/29/2016

Last week senior Pentagon officials and a representative from a congressional watchdog agency testified before Congress about the status of the tri-service F-35 fighter program. F-35 is by far the biggest weapon development program in the world; to quote two of the officials testifying last week, it will provide the “backbone” of U.S. air combat superiority through 2070, and will serve as a “linchpin” for coalition air operations with allies — many of whom are buying it.

Rafale aircraft deal still on, will close 'very soon': Parrikar

03/29/2016

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Rafale aircraft deal which costs around Rs 60,000 crore is still on and assured that it will be concluded "very soon". His statement comes nearly a year after a government-to- government deal for the multi-medium role combat aircraft was announced. The French team of negotiators is scheduled to arrive in India on Tuesday. The two countries are expected to close the purchase of 36 Rafale mutli-role fighters.

Kremlin: Russian Forces to Continue Supporting Syrian Army Despite Pullout

03/29/2016

Russia's Aerospace Forces will continue to lend support to the Syrian forces in their fight against terrorists despite the major withdrawal of the Russian military from Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

03/28/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

UK plans to buy 9 PA-8 military aircraft from Boeing

03/28/2016

The United States government approved a sale of nine PA-8 military aircraft by Boeing to the UK, bringing the $3.2 billion sale a step closer to closure. The United States government made an announcement of the deal, which will be structured as a government-to-government sale, though the delivery date wasn't mentioned in the official statement.

Advising The Afghan Air Force – Analysis

03/28/2016

Successful advising requires skill in a broad range of competencies that includes political-military relations, operations, and acquisitions. Advising the Afghan air force’s airlift mission seeks to strengthen the legitimacy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as part of the counterinsurgency strategy of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

BRAHMOS, the crucial tactical trump of India

03/28/2016

As the flagship defence partnership programme between India and Russia, BRAHMOS has charted a highly successful trajectory in a very short span of time. The world’s best supersonic cruise missile has proved its versatility as a multi-platform, multi-mission, multi-target weapon capable of knocking down the adversary in the modern-day complex battlefields.