Military Aviation News Archive

Russia’s Growing Military Ties With Iran

08/18/2016

Russian military aircraft on Tuesday and Wednesday targeted rebel positions in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria. Not much new in that—except the Kremlin made a point of announcing that the bombers are flying out of an air base in western Iran.

Russia checks readiness of military aircraft in Urals, Western Siberia

08/18/2016

Russian fighter-interceptors MiG-31 and Su-24 bombers stationed in the Urals and Western Siberia have been relocated to the Perm region for military drills, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. "The pilots are practicing reacting to a massive missile strike, as well as protecting aircrafts from air attacks in the Central Military District. Crews of MiG-31 will perform the role of an imaginary enemy," the ministry said.

China’s Lone Aircraft Carrier Liaoning Hyped as Combat Ready by Media

08/18/2016

Chinese media is hyping the "growing combat capabilities" of China's only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (CV-16), but has omitted mentioning the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) classifies this outdated carrier as a training ship that likely won't go to war given its many deficits.

BAE-Turkey Fighter Jet Plan Said Delayed After Failed Coup

08/18/2016

BAE Systems Plc’s deal to develop Turkey’s first home-built fighter jet has been delayed as the U.K. assesses the aftermath of the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to people familiar with the situation. Formal details of the cooperation with Turkish Aerospace Industries on the jet, dubbed the TF-X, may be announced only toward the end of the year, the people said. The agreement had originally been expected within the next few weeks, two of the people said.

US Navy makes F-35C carrier qualification push

08/18/2016

The US Navy continued a three-year campaign to build the Lockheed Martin F-35C’s sea legs with the third and last shipboard deployment of the development test phase for the carrier-based variant starting on 14 August.

US Strategic Projection Bombers Hold First Joint South China Sea Operation

08/18/2016

Three US Air Force strategic power projection bombers — the B-52, B-1 and B-2 — participated in their first integrated operation in the South China Sea, the US Pacific Command (PACOM) said in a statement on Wednesday. This was the first time all three bombers flew a formation pass over Andersen Air Force Base, dispersed and then simultaneously conducted operations in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia," PACOM stated.

Russia Uses Iran's Airfield Only to Refuel Bombers - Senior Iranian MP

08/18/2016

Russia uses a western Iranian airbase only to refuel its long-range strategic bombers striking Daesh terrorist group targets in Syria, a senior Iranian lawmaker said Wednesday.

China could begin reclamation in disputed Scarborough Shoal as early as next month

08/17/2016

Judging by fresh reports, China won’t be folding to stern threats over the South China Sea any time soon. In a bold move that would be sure to raise tensions, the emerging superpower may be ramping up its attempt to reclaim the Scarborough Shoal, a key disputed territory in the area. On the weekend, the South China Morning Post reported that the country could begin reclamation work in the shoal as early as next month.

Afghan Air Force Needs More Pilots, As Well As More Planes

08/17/2016

The Afghan air force is limited not only by its size. Despite numbering only 130 aircraft, there are not enough pilots and crews to fly them all. The shortage is hampering Afghan security forces' ability to fight Taliban terrorists, who are once again gaining territory in the north and south of the country. Troops on the ground are crying out for more air support, which ranges from firing on the enemy to evacuating casualties from the battlefield.

Navy Pilots Describe How the F-35’s Brains Will Change Air Warfare

08/17/2016

Navy pilots say piloting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on to the flight deck of U.S. aircraft carrier is almost like flying a plane that flies itself. The software aboard the new fighter could enable the military to train pilots faster and, in the event of a major conflict, possibly fly more sorties against the enemy.

Moscow touts its next generation fighter, the T-50 PAK-FA

08/17/2016

The slick presentation from the Russian Ministry of Defence was recently released to mark Air Force Day. In it Russia’s most advanced combat aircraft can be seen being put through their paces. There’s the Mig-29KUB naval fighter, which we’re likely to see a lot more of in coming months if Russia’s only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, is deployed to Syria next month as announced.

In a First, Russia Uses an Iran Base for Its Syria Campaign

08/17/2016

Russia launched a fleet of bombers bound for Syria on Tuesday from an Iranian air base, becoming the first foreign military to operate from Iran’s soil since at least World War II. Russian use of the base, with Iran’s obvious support, appeared to set back or at least further complicate Russia’s troubled relations with the United States, which has been working with Russia over how to end the Syria conflict.

UK orders advanced ASRAAM weapons for F-35B

08/17/2016

MBDA has been awarded a £184 million ($238 million) contract for the provision of advanced short range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAMs) for the UK’s Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

USAF Reapers demonstrate missile tracking capability

08/17/2016

Two General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles have demonstrated the system’s ability to track missiles, during ballistic defence testing in Hawaii. The test was carried out in late June, during the Pacific Dragon exercise at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai: a multilateral ballistic missile defence training event involving the US Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the South Korean navy.

Tokyo Releases Video Allegedly Showing Territorial Intrusion of Chinese Vessels

08/17/2016

Amid ongoing tensions in the East China Sea, Japan’s coast guard has released video showing Chinese vessels entering disputed waters near the Senkaku Islands. Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Tokyo has plans to develop new land-to-sea missiles to be deployed to the southernmost point of Okinawa prefecture. With a range of 186 miles, the projectiles could easily reach the Senkakus.

Turkey Could Provide Incirlik Airbase for Russian Anti-Terror Campaign - Senator

08/17/2016

Turkey could provide its Incirlik airbase for the Russian Aerospace Forces jets in the anti-terrorist campaign in Syria, member of Russia’s upper house of parliament Igor Morozov said Tuesday. He clarified that the decision could be taken based on similar agreements made with Syria on the use of the Hmeymim facility and the latest use of the Hamadan airfield in western Iran to carry out airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria.

US Ensured Safety of Russian Bombers Flying From Iran to Syria - Pentagon

08/17/2016

US forces ensured the safety of Russian bombers en route to Syria from an Iranian airbase as the aircraft traversed areas controlled by the US-led coalition, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. Christopher Garver said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

USAF F-15E vs. Russian Su-35S - Who Wins?

08/16/2016

I have been asked to compare the venerable American F-15 Eagle fighter to Russia’s new competitor for the crown of best Fourth Generation fighter, the Su-35S “Flanker E.” The former is the airplane that in many ways defined what a Fourth Generation fighter can do. Introduced in the 1970s, it has been extensively updated to keep with the times—and hundreds will remain in service for decades to come.

Israel and Pakistan Take Part in Joint Aerial Combat Exercise in U.S.

08/16/2016

The Israel Air Force will be taking part in the Red Flag advanced combat training exercise beginning Monday in the United States, along with additional aerial forces including those of Pakistan and the Emirates. The advanced training exercise, during which fighter jets simulate combat involving coalition forces, will take place at the Nellis Air Force base in Nevada.

PAF rejects Indian claim its aircraft resembles JF-17

08/16/2016

Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reacted on Sunday with a ‘broad smile’ here when his attention was drawn toward Pakistan’s arch enemy India’s video shot wherein pride of the PAF JF-17 Thunder was shown with Indian tri-colour flag on Indian Independence Day celebrations promotional video.

After 30 years in the air, Blue Angels jet is on its way to Seattle’s Museum of Flight

08/16/2016

A 30-year-old Navy F/A-18 Hornet jet that’s been through combat duty as well as a dozen years with the Blue Angels is being packed up in Florida for ground delivery to Seattle’s Museum of Flight. Museum spokesman Ted Huetter told GeekWire that the partially disassembled airplane will travel from the Blue Angels’ home base at Pensacola Naval Air Station by truck. “It is going to be making its way across the country this week,” he said today.

Gripen & F-16 compete in MMRCA re-run

08/16/2016

Since April 2011, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) shortlisted the Eurofighter and Rafale for purchase, Swedish company Saab has believed its JAS-39 Gripen fighter was unfairly eliminated from that globally watched tender for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). Similarly, US aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin, which had offered an F-16 Block 50/52 variant called the Super Viper, feels hard done by.

Navy F-35s begin final round of sea trials aboard USS George Washington

08/16/2016

For Navy pilot Lt. Graham “Boss” Cleveland, landing the Navy’s new Joint Strike Fighter aboard a moving aircraft carrier was a relief. That relief came not because landing the Navy’s new fighter is more difficult – it comes with a program called Delta Flight Path that functions as a sort of cruise control for the aircraft, which can help to make that crucial step easier – but because this day has been a long time coming.

India, Russia make progress in talks on Su-30 upgrade

08/16/2016

India and Russia made significant progress in the discussions for modernisation of all Su-30 fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the visit of a Russian team last month. An agreement is possible by the year-end, senior officials say. “Discussions were held last month, and significant ground was covered. We hope to conclude the deal soon,” a top official told The Hindu.

Pentagon clears Boeing for KC-46 low-rate production

08/16/2016

A top Pentagon official has cleared the US Air Force to advance the Boeing KC-46A tanker programme into low-rate production on a delayed schedule. Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics, approved the KC-46A programme on 12 August to pass Milestone C, an acquisition milestone signifying a transition from building prototypes for flight test to making production aircraft for delivery to operational squadrons.