Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

AF fighter jets practice for inauguration flyover

01/20/2017

Four Air Force fighter jets practiced for the inauguration flyover at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 19, 2017. Two generations of fighter aircraft are scheduled to fly in a close formation during the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2017.

Why the B-2 Stealth Bomber Was Used to Strike ISIS Camps in Libya

01/20/2017

Six years ago, US-backed coalition airpower tore down Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses. Since then the dictator has been killed. So have a US Ambassador and three other Americans, and thousands of Libyans. Libya, in general, descended into chaos following the death of Gaddafi and the winding-down of coalition air operations over the country.

B-2 bomber hits Islamic State sites in Libya

01/20/2017

Together with the interim Libyan government, the bombers destroyed two Islamic State camps 45km southwest of Sirte, according to the air force. The two bombers launched over 100 Boeing GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and USAF MQ-9 Reapers employed Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missiles following the initial strike, a service spokesman says. Each B-2 has the capacity to carry 80 226kg (500lb) JDAMs or an equivalent 18,100kg payload.

Did Trump Really Bring Down Price of F-35?

01/20/2017

People with knowledge of the ongoing negotiations between the US Department of Defense and weapons-manufacturer Lockheed Martin indicated Wednesday that the average unit cost will fall below $100 million for the first time, two days before Trump takes office. The tenth order of F-35s delivered by Lockheed Martin will be the largest shipment, at 90 fighter jets, in the Joint Strike Fighter’s history.

Russia and Turkey 'in first joint air strikes on IS'

01/19/2017

IS was targeted in the suburbs of the town of al-Bab, Aleppo province, where Turkey suffered heavy casualties last month battling the group on the ground. Turkey's military was quoted by Reuters as saying Russia had carried out air strikes "in co-ordination with Turkey". Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in Syria's five-year civil war.

The F-35 Is Slowly Starting to Replace the F/A-18 (But One Big Problem Won’t Go Away)

01/19/2017

The United States Navy is pressing ahead with plans to replace the original model Boeing F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornets with the Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter. Four F-35Cs are scheduled to arrive at Naval Air Station Lemoore on Jan. 25 as part of a new Fleet Replacement Squadron for the West Coast.

Rolls-Royce studies two new stall fixes for V-22 engines

01/19/2017

The US Naval Air Systems Command plans to award the maker of the AE1107C turboshaft engines a contract to complete two studies that would validate the company’s ideas for making the propulsion system safer to operate.

F-35B arrives in Japan

01/19/2017

US Marine Corps F-35B fighters made their inaugural trip to Air Station Iwakuni, Japan on 18 January, where the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 will operate the Lockheed Martin stealth fighter on its first operational deployment overseas.

Air Force mulls low-end fighter experiment

01/19/2017

As Textron Aviation eyes the US Air Force’s lucrative T-X trainer competition, its dual light-attack fighter and trainer Scorpion aircraft could remain in the running for a low-end fighter role in the USAF.

Israel tests updated self-protection fit for C-130J

01/19/2017

As Israel continues to receive deliveries of the US-built transport, the air force's flight test centre has been performing operational tests of new countermeasures equipment based on highly-accurate decoy flares. This work has been conducted as part of a wider activity to equip the service's C-130Js with systems to support the missions of the Israeli defence forces' depth command.

Taiwan commences F-16 upgrade programme

01/19/2017

Four aircraft were flown to the Taichung production facility of Aerospace Industry Development Corporation (AIDC), according to local media reports quoting the Taiwanese air force. The upgrade work, which was due to have started in 2016, will see the entire fleet upgraded within five years.

U.S. forces team with Turkey again to attack ISIS in Syria

01/18/2017

American warplanes and combat advisers are once again backing Turkish military units battling Islamic State fighters in northern Syria, the most tangible indication yet that months of tension between the NATO allies may be easing.

America's First Step toward Reclaiming Naval Power

01/18/2017

The Senate Armed Services Committee, under the leadership of chairman John McCain, has taken up President-elect Trump’s challenge to make America great again and rebuked President Obama in his final days in office. The committee’s white paper, “Restoring American Power: Recommendations for the FY 2018-FY 2022 Defense Budget,” was released this week.

Davis-Monthan passed over for new F-35, drone units

01/18/2017

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base has been passed over, for now, as a home to new drones or the F-35 Lightning II next-generation fighter jet. After months of study and site visits, the secretary of the Air Force announced that Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina is the preferred location to base a new MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft group.

Aircraft carriers in Asia: How they are taking shape

01/18/2017

Aircraft carriers, it seems, are all the rage nowadays in Asia. Long written off by some as bulky, oversized “cruise missile magnets,” the flattop appears to be enjoying a new lease-of-life as of late. Until quite recently, only two nations in the Asia-Pacific operated fixed-wing carriers: India with a 50-year-old-plus ex-British carrier; and Thailand with its “pocket carrier,” the Chakri Nareubet. Both vessels could only operate aging Harrier jump jets, and most of these aircraft were in fact l

The Smart and Sneaky Way Russia's Military Is Getting Stronger

01/18/2017

In a recent article for The Strategist, I showed how Russia’s economic woes are negatively affecting plans to modernize the country’s military. In order to be thrifty, Moscow has, for the most part, been investing in modernized or upgraded versions of existing platforms, rather than waiting for altogether new platforms like the Armata tank or PAK-FA fighter to enter service.

Bell-Boeing receives $138 million Osprey contract modification

01/18/2017

Bell-Boeing, a joint-venture between Boeing and Bell Helicopter, received a $138 million contract modification for additional V-22 aircraft work. The modification is a follow-up to the company's contract with the U.S. Navy initially awarded in July 2014. Under the modification, Bell-Boeing will provide engineering services for MV-22 Osprey aircraft to be sold to the government of Japan.

Taiwan Begins Massive Drills Simulating Chinese Attack

01/18/2017

In what may be a response to a recent show of force by the transit of the Chinese aircraft carrier through the Strait of Taiwan, Taipei initiated defense preparation exercises over the weekend while vowing to "enhance training 365 days a year."

Russian Defense Ministry to Withdraw More Su-24 Bombers, Medics From Syria

01/18/2017

Russia is preparing to withdraw an additional flight of Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft and personnel of a special-purpose medical team from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria after a successful conclusion of their duty, Col. Gen. Andrei Kartapolov, commander of the Russian military contingent in Syria, said Tuesday.

Russian Anti-Submarine Jets Drills Start in Far East – Defense Ministry

01/18/2017

The Russian Navy has launched anti-submarine Il-38 jets drills that involve flying for a long period of time and in adverse conditions, a spokesman for the Eastern Military District’s Pacific Fleet said Tuesday.

Russia's Su-35 Fighter Has a Key Edge over America's F-22 Stealth Raptor in Battle

01/17/2017

America’s F-22 Raptor is one of the world’s most advanced warplanes. But it has several weaknesses. For one, it’s blind in the infrared though several of its potential rivals have infrared-search-and-track sensors, effectively allowing them to scan for enemy warplanes’ heat signatures.

North Korea ramping up emergency airfield capabilities, spy satellite reveals

01/17/2017

Amidst its nuclear war threat, North Korea seems to be silently preparing for war. Since late 2015, the reclusive state under the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un is reportedly preparing its highways to be used as airstrips in emergency. This has been backed up with commercial satellite imagery, IHS Jane's Defence Weekly reported.

Texas to Receive First Air Force Reserve F-35 Fighter Wing

01/17/2017

The Lone Star State will be home to the first Air Force Reserve Wing of the new F-35A Lighting II advanced stealth fighter. The 5th generation fighter will be hosted by Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.

India: 200-250 additional fighters needed in next 10 years: IAF chief

01/17/2017

The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, said on Wednesday that an additional 200-250 fighter aircraft needed to be inducted in the next 10 years to meet operational requirements, even as he termed the disappearance of an AN-32 transport one of the “worst memories” of his career.

Italy presses ahead with AW129 attack helicopter replacement

01/17/2017

Italy has begun the process of replacing its army’s fleet of AW129 attack helicopters, signing a multi-year, €487 million ($515 million) contract with Leonardo, which will see the nation’s aerospace champion develop a successor aircraft.