Military Aviation News Archive

USAF declares F-35A ready for limited combat

08/03/2016

Five years after the projected initial operational capability (IOC) date, the Air Force has declared the first 15 Lockheed Martin F-35As assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill AFB are capable of performing a basic set of combat missions.

Berlin to Step Up Security of German Soldiers at Turkey's Incirlik Base

08/03/2016

Berlin has decided to take additional measures for protection of German soldiers deployed at Incirlik military base in Turkey after the attempted coup, German media reported on Tuesday.

US Airstrikes Against Daesh in Libya to Last ‘Weeks, Not Months’ - Pentagon

08/03/2016

On Monday, the Pentagon said Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) requested "precision airstrikes" to aid Libyan operations against the Daesh near the Mediterranean city of Sirte. The airstrikes are likely to last "weeks, not months," Davis said as quoted by The Military Times.

France, India Move in on Deal for Dozens of Rafale Fighter Jets

08/03/2016

India and France are now one step closer to making a deal on the procurement of 36 Rafale jet fighters, according to Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar. According to Parrikar's written reply to parliament, both sides have agreed to sign an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), a vital step to finalizing the $9 billion deal for the three dozen French fighter jets.

Unintentional Consequences': Japan Warns of Chinese Aggression in Pacific

08/03/2016

Citing Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, Japan’s annual defense review expresses “deep concern” over China’s refusal to accept to the nine-dash line territorial ruling.

US Air Force’s F-35A Conducts Successful 'Kill' Test Against Drone

08/03/2016

In the lead up to being declared combat ready, the US Air Force carried out a “kill” test with the fifth-generation fighter against a UAV. "With the F-35A, the Air Force now has a fighter combining next-generation radar-evading stealth, supersonic speed, fighter agility and advanced logistical support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history," the defense giant said in a statement.

Dogfight Between MiG-29, Su-30SM to Be Staged at Aviadarts Competition

08/03/2016

A dogfight between the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets will be staged at the Aviamix airshow on August 6 as part of the Aviadarts international flight skills competition, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Indian Navy initiates steps to acquire Predator B Guardian, EMALS

08/02/2016

The Indian Navy has initiated the first steps towards acquiring the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for carriers as well as the long-range Predator B Guardian surveillance drone by sending Letters of Request (LoRs) to the Pentagon under government-to-government deals.

Beijing's Navy Launches Large-Scale Military Drills in East China Sea

08/02/2016

Beijing's navy started large-scale drills including a cruiser, a submarine, more than 100 vessels, several dozens of combat aircraft and several coastal radar stations in the East China Sea.

Russia To Help India Upgrade Sukhoi Fleet

08/02/2016

India is holding talks with Russia for upgrading the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 194 Sukhoi Su-30MKI multi-role aircraft with the near fifth-generation level. A senior Indian Defence Ministry official told the local media in New Delhi over the weekend that the Narendra Modi government recently allocated USD 8 billion for the project. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, also said that the IAF would rename the upgraded version of fighter jets ‘Super Sukhoi’.

F-35 targeting system laser will be 'almost impossible' to use in UK

08/02/2016

US restrictions on the F-35 fighter jet's targeting system will make it “almost impossible” for training to be carried out in the UK, the Ministry of Defence fears – but its press office insists the constraints are normal. The F-35's electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) includes a target designator laser and a laser rangefinder. According to the Defence Ranges Safety Committee, the F-35 has only been cleared to use the designator laser “in the US under very tight controls”.

U.S. Air Force Close To Declaring F-35 Jet Combat Ready

08/02/2016

Five years behind schedule, the U.S. Air Force is this week expected to declare that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet is finally ready for combat even as critics continue to rail against the most expensive military program in history. The plane’s builders and military officials will likely describe it as a milestone for a weapons program that was once hailed as the cheapest way to replace the aging U.S. fighter fleet.

5 dead as Russian helicopter shot down in Syria

08/02/2016

A Russian helicopter was shot down Monday after delivering aid to the Syrian city of Aleppo, killing all five people on board, Russian state media reported. It was the biggest single loss of life for Russia in Syria since Russian warplanes started carrying out airstrikes in September 2015 in the country ravaged by war for five years.

US launches airstrikes on ISIS targets in Libya

08/02/2016

The United States has expanded its airstrikes against ISIS into Libya, bombing targets in the coastal city of Sirte, U.S. officials said Monday. The attacks mark the beginning of an ongoing U.S. air campaign in Libya, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Defense Industry Cooperation to Remain Priority for Russia-Peru Relations

08/02/2016

The development of defense industry cooperation will remain a priority for the relations between Moscow and Lima, Russian Ambassador to Peru Andrei Guskov told Sputnik on Monday.

Moscow, Kabul Look for Options of Mi-35 Helicopter Deliveries to Afghanistan

08/02/2016

Russia and Afghanistan are in discussions over various formats of delivering Russian Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters to Kabul, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Director of the Second Asian Department, Zamir Kabulov, said Monday.

'Give them a bloody nose': Xi pressed for stronger South China Sea response

08/01/2016

China's leadership is resisting pressure from elements within the military for a more forceful response to an international court ruling against Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sources said, wary of provoking a clash with the United States. China refused to participate in the case overseen by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Croatia Receives American Combat Helicopter Donation

08/01/2016

The first five of 16 Kiowa Warriors OH-58 combat helicopters have arrived on Saturday to Croatia. The helicopters have been donated to Croatia by the United States, and the donation also includes a flight simulator, as well as accessories and parts, including weapons. It is expected that soon the remaining 11 helicopters will also arrive to the Zemunik Air Base near Zadar.

MIDDLE EASTERN OPERATIONS, NEW AIR COMBAT SYSTEMS AND SHAPING THE WAY AHEAD

08/01/2016

I have had the chance to visit with the pilots and crews of four new or modified new air systems used by the U.S. and the allies in current Middle Eastern operations. Each of these platforms has provided capabilities important to the effort and foreshadows the way ahead.

B-1 Bombers to Patrol Skies from Guam

08/01/2016

Pacific Air Forces said it is sending speedy and low-flying B-1B bombers to Guam for the first time in 10 years. The move comes with China vowing to up its bomber and fighter flights in the contested South China Sea and the United States adding to its own aircraft firepower in the unstable region.

Russia’s most advanced spyplane has deployed to Syria again

08/01/2016

The Tu-214R is the most modern Russian ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) aircraft. Equipped with sensors to perform ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) missions as well as with all-weather radar systems and electro-optical sensors that produce photo-like imagery of a large parts of the ground the special mission aircraft, the aircraft can fly multiple intelligence gathering missions.

Poland, Italy to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia

08/01/2016

Polish and Italian experts will carry out a joint observation flight over Russian and Belarusian territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said.

South Korea, US Discuss Technology Transfer for KF-X Fighter Jet

08/01/2016

The Korean delegation, led by Vice Defense Minister Hwang In-mo and Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho, met with the US delegation, led by David Shear, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, and Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department, this Thursday, according to Korean Times.

US Air Force Considers Reviving 1,500MPH F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Jet

08/01/2016

A movement is underway in the US to restart the production of the fearsome super elite F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet despite warnings by the Pentagon that it would be cost prohibitive. The US Air Force is not particularly keen on the idea nor are Pentagon officials who warn that bringing back the F-22 fighter jet, America’s most lethal warplane, would be cost prohibitive and threatens to undermine progress on the F-35 and a future sixth-generation fighter jet, but US lawmakers are not convince

Is China's DF-41 Missile Really a Late Soviet Gift to Beijing?

08/01/2016

Rumors about a big Soviet gift to China are circulating in the country, which will ease Beijing’s jitters about the impregnability of America’s THAAD missile system. Sputnik discussed the matter with Russian defense expert Vasily Kashin.