Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Must Consider Int'l Situation When Organizing Military - Defense Minister

01/13/2017

The development of Russia's military organization should take place while paying heed to international military and political conditions, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.

Israeli jets bombed Syrian military airport near Damascus – state media

01/13/2017

Syrian state news agency SANA says Israeli jets have bombed the Mezzeh military airport west of Damascus, accusing Tel Aviv of supporting terrorism. The airport was rocked by multiple explosions, with ambulances rushing to the scene. The Syrian Arab Army has warned that there will be repercussions for Israel for the “flagrant attack” on the military base, state TV said, citing a Syrian army command spokesman. It also linked the alleged strike to Israel’s “support of terrorist groups.”

Why will F-35 make US aircraft carriers more leathal?

01/12/2017

The Marine Corps F-35B Short-Take-Off-and-Vertical-Landing Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter took off from a Navy amphibious assault ship for the first time with a full load of weapons — in preparation for its planned deployment in 2018. The aircraft flew from the Navy’s first America-Class Amphibious Assault Ship, the USS America, to Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., where it dropped live precision guided weapons on mock targets in the desert.

MTS-209 Selected to Support Thailand T-50 Trainer Aircraft

01/12/2017

Marvin Test Solutions’ MTS-209 Common Armament Test Set has been selected by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) as part of the support package for a group of T-50TH aircraft purchased by the Thai Air Force in 2015 and slated for delivery in the next 24 months. The new aircraft will replace aging L-39 Albatros trainers.

F-35s Head To Japan As Chinese Bombers and Carrier Make Big Moves

01/12/2017

Marking a major milestone in its development, the long awaited operational deployment of the F-35 is underway. A group of Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, the “Green Knights,” left their home base at MCAS Yuma in Arizona on Monday, starting their hop across the Pacific to their new home at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

Taiwan deploys fighter jets as China enters Taiwan Strait

01/12/2017

Taiwan on Wednesday deployed fighter jets, a surveillance aircraft and Navy frigates in response to the movement of China's lone aircraft carrier into the Taiwan Straits, according to Taiwan's state-run Central New Agency. The Liaoning carrier and its flotilla of escorting frigates and destroyers were apparently on their way back to base in northeastern China from the South China Sea following training exercises, the agency reported.

A-10 Thunderbolt upgraded for Combat Search and Rescue missions

01/12/2017

The iconic A-10 Thunderbolt has a new upgrade that will give ground troops one more reason to love it: communications equipment for Combat Search and Rescue operations. Advocates of the famed “Warthog” received welcome news in October when Air Force Materiel Command announced plans to sustain the aircraft “indefinitely.”

Trump teases possible F-35 competition

01/12/2017

President-elect Donald Trump has hinted again at a potential competition between Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In his first press conference since winning November’s election, Trump took aim at the entire US defense industry in his opening remarks, but focused on the F-35 programme as his favourite target.

Rafale output rose in 2016, Dassault says

01/12/2017

Dassault delivered nine newly-built Rafale fighters in 2016, according to a financial update issued by the company on 5 January. The total was in line with plans for the year, and represents an increase of one unit over the eight shipped in 2015, it adds.

Does Pakistan Have a Second Nuclear Strike Option in Place?

01/12/2017

In a public statement, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that the country had successfully test fired a nuclear-capable, 450-km range Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM). It went on to add that the missile provides a credible second strike capability and augments deterrence.

Russia to Deliver 4 Mi-35M Attack Helicopters to Kazakhstan in 2018

01/12/2017

The Russian Helicopters will deliver four Mi-35M attack helicopters with transport capability to Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry in 2018, according to the statement of the manufacter.

RUSSIAN MIG-35 FLIGHTS WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY

01/11/2017

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, announced that the Russian Air Force’s (VVS) Mikoyan MiG-35 will begin its test flights this January. Rogozin made the statement during a visit to one of Almaz-Antey’s subsidiaries (MKB Fakel). The MiG-35 is the latest version of the MiG-29M/M2, the current production model of the Fulcrum, which has been among the Russian aviation industry’s leading exports.

VMFA-121 DEPARTS FOR RELOCATION TO JAPAN

01/11/2017

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, an F-35B squadron with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, transferring to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 9, 2017. The first location to receive the Marine Corps' F-35B, as part of its worldwide deployment capability, is Iwakuni, Japan.

F-16 for India Air Force…Really?

01/11/2017

In 2007, MoD (Ministry of Defence) issued a tender to purchase 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA procurement programme). Objective of this procurement was to bridge the gap between a light fighter (MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27 etc and LCA Tejas) and heavy duty fighter Su-30.

Pentagon tester: F-35 needs rigorous review by Trump team

01/11/2017

The Trump administration should “rigorously and comprehensively review” Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jet, the Pentagon’s costliest program, the Defense Department’s director of combat testing said.

France Receives American Reaper Drones, Immediately Deploys Them to Niger

01/11/2017

The French military received two additional General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and has deployed them to West Africa. Toward the end of 2016 the remotely piloted aircrafts (RPA) arrived in Niamey, Niger, at Base Aérienne 101 where three other MQ-9s have been operated by Escadron de Drone (drone squadron) 1/33 Belfort since January 2015.

Beijing Sends Heavy Bomber Over Disputed South China Sea Islands

01/11/2017

Beijing leaders seized the past weekend as an opportunity to flex the People's Liberation Army’s (PLA) muscles in a region where many parties have staked competing territorial claims. Since January 1, China has flown strategic bombers over the Spratly islands on at least two occasions.

China Frequently Breached S Korean Air Defense Identification Zone in 2016

01/11/2017

Chinese military aircraft breached the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on numerous occasions last year, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday. On Monday, around 10 Chinese military planes, including bombers and an early warning aircraft, entered KADIZ for several hours from 10 a.m. (01:00 GMT) to 3 p.m., prompting South Korea to counter by sending 10 F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets.

Russian Helicopters to Take Part in India's 8th Vibrant Gujarat Forum

01/11/2017

The Russian Helicopters company, part of the Rostec state corporation, is taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 regional investment forum in India's Gujarat state, the company said Tuesday.

U.S. Pilots See Close Calls With Russian Jets Over Syria

01/10/2017

One night this past fall, a U.S. radar plane flying a routine pattern over Syria picked up a signal from an incoming Russian fighter jet. The American crew radioed repeated warnings on a frequency universally used for distress signals. The Russian pilot didn’t respond.

U.S. Air Force Official: F-35 Could Beat Russia's Stealth PAK-FA or China's J-31 in a Fight

01/10/2017

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would be able to use its sensors, weapons and computer technology to destroy Russian and Chinese 5th-Generation Stealth fighters in a high-end combat fight, service officials said.

US Navy accepts 50th P-8A Poseidon aircraft at NAS Florida

01/10/2017

The US Navy’s 50th P-8A Poseidon (P-8A), the next-generation long-range maritime patrol aircraft has been delivered by Boeing at the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Jacksonville, Florida. Under the P-8A programme, the latest addition is part of a total requirement for 117 of the 737-based anti-submarine warfare jets for the US navy.

Asian Fighter Aircraft Market Looking Bullish

01/10/2017

The need for new fighter aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to remain buoyant, with simmering tensions centered on territorial disputes for resource-rich islands in the South and East China Sea being most often cited as the main driver for increased regional defense spending.

Beijing recieves first four Su-35s

01/10/2017

Beijing has taken delivery of four Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft, the first installment in an acquistion that will see it acquire 24 examples. News of the jet’s arrival in China was revealed in a report state news organ China Daily.

Czech Republic, Slovakia to Jointly Protect Airspace Since Summer

01/10/2017

Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said that the air forces of the Czech Republic and Slovakia will cooperate in protection of the air space over the two countries starting from summer 2017.