Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Preparing to Start Deliveries of Advanced Su-35 Multirole Jets to China

11/20/2016

The deliveries of the Russian Su-35 fighter jets to China have not started yet, works on the aircraft to be supplied continue in accordance with the bilateral deal, Alexander Fomin, the director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said.

UK Receives New-Generation G-120TP Aircraft for Pilot Training

11/19/2016

Britain has taken delivery of the first of a new generation of aircraft set to revitalize its fixed-wing military pilot training capabilities. Affinity Flying Training Services delivered two Grob G-120TPs to the British Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Cranwell on Nov. 17, kicking off a program which will see 38 aircraft across three different types handed over by the end of 2018 to replace Britain’s aging stock of trainers.

Defence companies move pieces around Asian chessboard

11/19/2016

This is not the first time a major US defence industry has shuttered its office in Taipei due to a wide variety of excuses. In 2006 Boeing closed its Taipei offices and moved staff to Singapore in an effort to placate Beijing for better opportunities in the commercial passenger aircraft market.

IAF responds to Pak muscle flexing by moving combat aircraft to border areas in Punjab and Rajasthan

11/19/2016

Several units of the Su-30MKI, Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft and other frontline planes have been moved to forward areas in Punjab and Rajasthan and have been retained there, a senior IAF source told Mail Today. Even as Pakistan is flexing its muscles along the Indian border near Punjab, the Indian Air Force is maintaining "high operational tempo" by packing the western front with its lethal combat aircraft.

OPINION: Beijing puts firepower on show with J-20

11/19/2016

Terrorists and Western defence equipment had a bad time at this year’s Airshow China in Zhuhai. Hardened bunkers, speeding trucks and warships were no match for the barrage of missiles and bombs launched by Chinese-built fighters and unmanned air vehicles – all seemingly co-ordinated by emotionless men in sterile control rooms. F-15s, F-16s, F/A-18s and even AH-64 attack helicopters had a tough time, as easy prey for a relentless flow of air-to-air missiles.

USAF completes insulation repairs on operational F-35s

11/19/2016

Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force have finished repairs on the last of 13 F-35As affected by a faulty insulation issue earlier this year, though work continues on Lockheed’s production aircraft.

State Department approves Kuwait and Qatar fighter jet sales

11/19/2016

Pending Congressional approval, the sales of 72 Boeing F-15QA Strike Eagles to Qatar and 40 F/A-18Es and F/A-18Fs Super Hornets to Kuwait are expected to go through, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced this week.

Brazilian military validates KC-390 certification compliance

11/19/2016

The Brazilian military has awarded Embraer a provisional type certificate for the basic configuration of the KC-390 tanker-transport, a step on the way to achieving initial operational capability with the air force in the second half of 2017.

India in Talks for Export of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

11/19/2016

New Delhi’s is trying to export its indigenously assembled LCA `Tejas’ to cost-conscious countries in Asia. It is not known whether export permissions are required from foreign suppliers of critical equipment to the aircraft.

Turkey Seeks to Secure Its Skies With Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems

11/19/2016

Turkey is in talks with Russia on the purchase of S-400 missile systems, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Friday. "As for missile defense, work is continuing. We are negotiating on S-400 not only with Russia, but with other countries that have similar systems. Russia's position on this issue now is positive," Isik said in an interview with Turkey's NTV broadcaster.

Game-changer or spoiler

11/18/2016

The pièce de résistance at the Zhuhai air show in Guangdong province was the long-awaited Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jet. The 60-second flypast in a first ever, public sneak-preview was the cynosure of the world as China demonstrated its claim of entering the exclusive club of countries with “fifth generation” fighter planes. Touted as the only other operation-ready answer to America’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Is the U.S. Military ready for Trump?

11/18/2016

In a September 7th speech, then-candidate Donald Trump described his vision for the future of the American military. “As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military. This will increase certainty in the defense community as to funding and will allow military leaders to plan for our future defense needs.”

Carter: 'We Have to Be Concerned About' Pilot Shortage

11/18/2016

The loss of highly trained and experienced pilots from the U.S. military to the private sector is a legitimate worry for Pentagon leaders, the Defense Department's top civilian said. "It is something we have to be concerned about," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Wednesday during a stopover at this installation. The problem is particularly pronounced in the Air Force, which faces a shortage of several hundred aviators.

VISITING RAF LOSSIEMOUTH: THE RAF SHAPES A WAY AHEAD

11/18/2016

The Royal Air Force is in transition as the Tornado is retired, the Typhoon is modernized and the P-8 and F-35 are introduced. Infrastructure of key bases is being modernized as well. This transition as seen by officers involved in the operation and support of combat aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth is presented in this report.

Britain set to purchase $1 billion in advanced U.S. Predator drones

11/18/2016

Britain is set to buy as many as 26 Certifiable Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles from San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. The $1 billion sale delivers at least 16 of the aircraft, with the option for the country to buy 10 more. The purchase includes the associated material needed to operate the vehicles, including targeting equipment and ground control stations, in addition to contractor support for the aircraft for up to three years.

Vietnam expanding South China Sea runway, says thinktank

11/18/2016

Vietnam is extending a runway on an island it claims in the South China Sea in apparent response to China’s building of military facilities on artificial islands in the region, a US thinktank has reported. Satellite images taken this month showed Vietnam had lengthened its runway on Spratly Island from less than 760 metres (2,500ft) to more than 1 km, Washington’s Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said.

For Make in India fighter plan, will create factory designed for future Indian combat plane: Boeing

11/18/2016

Proposing the setting up of a new, futuristic factory for an upcoming Make in India fighter program, Boeing has said that it is in talks with multiple Indian stakeholders to gear it for the production of the indigenous advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).

Spain receives its first A400M transport

11/18/2016

Spain has taken delivery of its first Airbus Defence & Space A400M tactical transport, which will now be transitioned to its home operating base at Zaragoza in the northeast of the country. Aircraft MSN44 carried out its maiden flight from Airbus’s Seville final assembly site in September, and is the first of 27 examples on order for Spain.

US Government Approves $21.1Bln Sale to Qatar of F-15 Fighter Jet Package

11/18/2016

The US government approved the sale of an F-15 fighter jet package that will include 72 aircraft, support and training worth an estimated $21.1 billion to Qatar, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a press release.

Decision Time: Half of US F-15s Need Overhauls — Or Retirement

11/17/2016

The F-15C Eagle weighs about 16 tons, but with nearly 47,000 pounds of thrust pushing it down the runway it feels more like 16 ounces. In a just seconds, the plane passes 100 miles per hour, then twice that. It hops off the ground but the pilot, Maj. Jay “Fat” Talbert keeps it level, fifty feet up, and pours on more speed. “Here come the G’s,” Talbert warns his passenger in the back seat. Then he pulls back the stick.

Poland's first M-346 trainers arrive in Deblin

11/17/2016

Poland’s first two Leonardo Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers were delivered to its air force’s 41st training base in Deblin on 14 November. The aircraft – with the tail numbers 7702 and 7703 – arrived from Rivolto, flown by Italian air force pilots.

PICTURE: Jordan's first PC-21 trainer gets airborne

11/17/2016

Pilatus has conducted the first flight of a PC-21 trainer for the Royal Jordanian Air Force, a new customer. Conducted from the Swiss manufacturer’s Stans production site on 15 November, the milestone sortie involved PC-21 serial number 283, with the tail number 1170 and temporary registration HB-HXA.

Sharpening the Raptor’s Talons

11/17/2016

Lockheed Martin Corp. has received a $536 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for sustainment of the F-22 Raptor. The funding is part of a Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) contract providing weapon systems sustainment of the F-22 fleet at all operational bases for the 2017 calendar year.

US Approves $1Bln Predator Drones Sale to UK - Defense Cooperation Agency

11/17/2016

US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the US Department of State has approved a possible $1 billion sale of Predator drones, equipment, training and support to the United Kingdom.

Russia to Upgrade Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier in 2018

11/17/2016

Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will be upgraded in 2018 after returning from service, Vice President of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Igor Ponomarev said Wednesday.