Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

F-35B Makes Long-Awaited Landing on Specially Designed Ship

11/05/2016

The surf was high where the amphibious assault ship America sailed off the coast of San Diego -- high enough to make the flight deck pitch and roll and set the conditions for a few minutes of crisis when an unfortunate sailor fell overboard and had to be rescued by helicopter. But with sea states between three and four, indicating swells from three to eight feet, the chop was still too subdued to be ideal for this last, rigorous round of testing for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

First two enlisted pilots complete solo flights

11/05/2016

Two Air Force master sergeants became the first enlisted Airmen in six decades to complete solo flights during Initial Flight Training at the 1st Flying Training Squadron Nov. 3. Both soloed in a DA-20 Katana at Pueblo Memorial Airport as part of the Air Force’s IFT program, which is mandatory for all manned aircraft pilots, combat systems officers and remotely piloted aircraft pilots.

Increased traffic expected during Keen Sword

11/05/2016

As part of Exercise Keen Sword (KS) 17, motorists should expect an increase in military traffic between U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen South from Nov. 7 to 9. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), based out of San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California, and scheduled to participate in Exercise Keen Sword 17, will conduct maneuvers on Guam that will act as shaping operations for the Japanese-U.S. bilateral training on Tinian.

China reveals world's most powerful combat spy drone that can bomb targets relentlessly for days before refuelling

11/05/2016

A new Chinese high-tech spy drone has been revealed at a military air show. The plane - codenamed CH-5 - is reportedly being dubbed the “world’s most powerful” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The plane was unveiled yesterday at the International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, as the nation further displays its military prowess.

Ominous news for Aleppo as Russian frigate reaches Syrian coast

11/05/2016

A Russian frigate armed with cruise missiles has passed through the Bosphorus on its way to the eastern Mediterranean in a potentially ominous development for the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo. The Admiral Gligorovich, part of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, arrived off the Syrian coast on Friday as the latest pause in the Russian bombardment of eastern Aleppo came to an end, adding to an emphatic Russian show of naval force in the Mediterranean.

After J-20: How China Plans to Become Aviation Superpower

11/05/2016

The state-owned Aero Engine Corp of China (AECC) was launched in August as part of a multi-billion dollar effort to boost the country’s domestic aviation production, and the company’s grand plans are on full display at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition this week, including mock-ups of new engines like the Jade Dragon, as well as gas turbines.

China Rules Out Selling its J-20 Fifth Generation Jet on Global Market

11/05/2016

On Tuesday, China unveiled two Chengdu J-20 stealth fighters at the Airshow China-2016 in Zhuhai. The aircraft was developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation. The J-20 conducted its first test flight in early 2011. "We are not considering putting [the J-20] on the global market," Ma was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post.

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

10/31/2016

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 the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Operation Inherent Resolve - Targeted Operations Against ISIL Terrorists

2 LA Men Charged in Scheme to Smuggle $3M in Defense Items to Iran

10/31/2016

Two Los Angeles-area men have been arrested on federal charges for their alleged role in a scheme to smuggle military aircraft parts and other potential defense items to Iran in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).

German Air Force faces 2-year downturn in combat capability – leaked memo

10/31/2016

Germany is experiencing “serious problems” with its military aircraft procurement, which may soon result in an inability to maintain the proper level of combat capability, according to the army's document obtained by media. The memo, according to Welt am Sonntag, originated from a source in the military and was later passed to the defense committee of the parliament.

Canada, Spain to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies

10/31/2016

Spanish and Ukrainian observers will fly over Russian and Belarusian territories this week under the Open Skies Treaty, the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said.

NATO Combat Aircraft to Continue Drill Flights Over Estonia

10/31/2016

These flights are regularly carried out by the fighter jets of the NATO countries to fulfill the bloc's obligation to protect the airspace over the Baltic countries. On August 31, the Germans took over the mission from the UK pilots and their four combat aircraft of the same type.

Lashkar-e-Taiba Militants Killed by Afghan Government Airstrikes

10/31/2016

At least 19 militants from the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group have been killed and eight more wounded in airstrikes on the group's operating area near the border with Pakistan, the Afghan Ministry of Interior reported October 30.

China Assembles First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Resembling Soviet Varyag

10/31/2016

China has assembled its first domestically-designed aircraft carrier built solely out of indigenous components, the latest major achievement in Beijing's large-scale efforts to upgrade its military. Currently known as the Type 001A, the warship bears resemblance to the Admiral Kuznetsov-class multirole aircraft carrier Varyag.

Turkey Intends to Increase Military Presence on Border With Iraq

10/31/2016

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his intention to boost military presence on the border with Iraq. According to Erdogan, if Shia militias start conducting terrorist attacks in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar, predominantly populated with Iraqi Turkmen, Turkey will be able to respond.

Northrop won bomber bid on costs

10/27/2016

Both Northrop Grumman and Boeing’s bids for the US Air Force’s long-range strike B-21 bomber met technical requirements, but a top USAF acquisition official tells reporters that the deciding factor came down to costs.

F-35 supplier deal suggests Lockheed close on LRIP 9/10 contract

10/27/2016

Northrop Grumman has completed negotiations with Lockheed Martin on pricing for low-rate initial production (LRIP) lots 9 and 10 of the F-35, suggesting the prime contractor may be close to wrapping up a 15-month negotiating period with the US joint programme office (JPO), Northrop chief executive Wes Bush says.

Russia, India Discuss FGFA Advanced Fighter, Su-30MKI Upgrade

10/27/2016

Indian and Russian defense delegations discussed joint defense projects and defense issues of mutual interest, in particular, the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and the upgrade of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter, the sources at the Indian Defense Ministry sources told Sputnik.

Some 60 Iraqi Soldiers Killed in Mosul Offensive, 250 Wounded - CENTCOM

10/27/2016

Iraqi forces lost some 60 soldiers in the operation to liberate Mosul from the Daesh, while about 250 others have been wounded, US Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel said on Wednesday.

Russian MoD Denies Reports of Aircraft Carrier's Call to Refuel in Spain

10/27/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had not asked Spain for refueling the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier currently en route to the Mediterranean. The Russian Defense Ministry denies foreign media speculation of an alleged plan for the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to refuel at the Spanish port of Ceuta, the ministry's spokesman said Wednesday.

Defense Union? EU Flexes Military Muscles in Shadow of NATO

10/27/2016

Members of the European Parliament have approved plans to create an "advanced European defense policy" with plans for an "EU operational headquarters" to plan, command and manage operations in what is seen by critics as an attempt to undermine NATO, which is currently hosting a meeting of defense ministers.

Portugal Monitors Russian Warships Heading to Syria

10/26/2016

A Portuguese Navy frigate and a patrol aircraft are tracking the movement of the Russian warships in the waters of the Portuguese exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Portuguese Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday.

US Air Force Downs Daesh Drone With Electronic Weapon

10/26/2016

On Monday a top-ranking US Air Force official announced that a small enemy drone controlled by Daesh had been downed by an electronic weapon. The weaponized unmanned craft responsible for the death of four civilians.

India to Install Modern Avionics in Mi-17 V5 helicopters

10/26/2016

“Ministry of Defence intends to procure and install approximately 200 sets of Electronic Warfare Suite comprising Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) and Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) on Mi-17 V5 helicopters,” reads a request for information issued by the Indian government.

New jet will likely change how America fights wars

10/25/2016

Perhaps the best-kept secret of the top-secret F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is that it might be the best airplane of its kind in the world — and that it will likely change the way America fight its wars. Plagued by cost overruns, mechanical gremlins and fears that its high-tech sensors would overload a human pilot’s ability to analyze the aerial battlefield, the $379 billion project for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps infamously became known in the Pentagon as “acquisition malpractice