Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The 5 Best (and 5 Worst) Fighter Aircraft of All Time

09/14/2016

So what are the best and worst fighter aircraft of all time? What plane would you pick for a war in the sky? On the surface, the questions seem easy to answer. One might look at which planes performed the best in combat as opposed to fighters that did not. Or, one could look at which planes had the best technology, took advantage of historical circumstances, or utilized a combination of the two.

Boeing Reveals First Two Aircraft for U.S. Air Force T-X Competition

09/14/2016

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its partner Saab AB [Stockholm: SAABB] will use their two production T-X aircraft, revealed today, to show the U.S. Air Force the performance, affordability, and maintainability advantages of their approach.

F-35 and Aegis Combat System Successfully Demonstrate Integration Potential in First Live Missile Test

09/14/2016

Two pre-eminent weapon systems, the F-35 Lightning II and Aegis Weapon System, worked together for the first time during a live fire exercise. The joint Lockheed Martin, (NYSE: LMT) U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps exercise was the first live fire missile event that successfully demonstrated the integration of the F-35 to support Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA).

IAF puts western sector bases on high alert for massive combat exercise

09/13/2016

The Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been put on high alert ahead of the massive combat exercise code-named TALON. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also being used to conduct surveillance. This is the first time that IAF has undertaken such a move, reports said.

Chinese military aircraft in West Pacific for combat simulation drill

09/13/2016

The Chinese Air Force on Monday sent multiple aircraft models to the West Pacific, via the Bashi Strait, for a routine combat simulation drill at sea, a spokesperson said. Shen Jinke, spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, said the fleet included H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters, and air tankers.

Combat planes from Korea, not US, clarifies Lorenzana

09/13/2016

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the two FA-50 combat aircraft that arrived in the country in November last year had come from South Korea and not from the United States as President Duterte had stated. Lorenzana issued the clarification following the President’s speech before the Filipino community in Indonesia last week, that the two FA-50s, which he claimed were just for show, had come from the United States.

After Latest Nuke Test, US to Launch B-1B Bombers Over Korean Peninsula

09/13/2016

The Pentagon will respond to last week’s incident with a flyover intended to show solidarity with South Korea. On Friday, US officials promised a "swift response" to North Korea’s latest nuclear test, which triggered a 5.3 magnitude earthquake early that morning.

Last Minute Russian Visit by Indian Minister Hopes to Deny Pakistan New Weapons

09/13/2016

Rajnath Singh will visit Russia during the first ever Pakistan-Russia joint military exercise later this year. While a visit to US was planned months ago, his Russian visit was firmed up just last month. Experts believe that India is sending Rajnath Singh to convince Russia not to sell combat aircraft to Pakistan.

Video: The Technologies of Modern Warfare in Syria. Russia’s “Electronic Ears” over Aleppo

09/12/2016

The information revolution that began with the explosion of computing technology in the 1970s which has transformed the face of warfare. Whereas in the past wars were waged by sizable military forces which sought decision by closing with the enemy and destroying him, including through close interpersonal combat, these days such actions are rare. The cost of modern weapons means that military forces are far smaller, and their lethality means that risking exposure to enemy fire is tantamount to s

What Are Russia's 5 Most Dangerous Warplanes?

09/12/2016

When it comes to air power, it’s no secret that the United States and the West have often held an edge over Russia. This dates at least as far back to World War II, when the United States and Britain were allied with Russia. While Russia supplied much of the manpower that ultimately defeated Nazi Germany, it was the United States and UK that took the lead in the strategic bombing campaigns against Germany.

After Pathankot operations, IAF holds massive combat exercise TALON

09/12/2016

First time after Pathankot operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is holding a massive exercise code named TALON across the northern and western borders with Pakistan and China. All frontline squadrons of fighter aircraft including those of the Su-30MKI would be on high alert from Kargil and Leh airbase in Ladakh to the Nal airbase in Rajasthan's Bikaner.

'Military ready to destroy Pyongyang before nuke attack'

09/12/2016

The South Korean military has developed a new operational concept to annihilate Pyongyang with a barrage of pre-emptive missile firings once signs of a North Korean nuclear attack are detected, defense sources said Sunday.

FA-50 Golden Eagle: The Low-Cost Fighter that Might See Some Serious Combat

09/12/2016

The newly elected president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has been throwing shade on his country’s recently-acquired—and only—fighter jets, the South Korean FA-50 Golden Eagle. “We only have what, two FA-50s? Why did you buy that?” he remarked in June this year. “What a waste of money. You cannot use them for anti-insurgency, which is the problem at the moment. You can only use these for ceremonial fly-by.” (The Philippine Air Force will have 12 of the supersonic fighters by 2017.)

Germany, Romania to Fly Mission Over Russia, Belarus

09/12/2016

German and Romanian inspectors will conduct an aerial surveillance flight over Russia and Belarus under the Treaty on Open Skies in September, the head of Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

Russia to Fly Surveillance Mission Over Denmark

09/12/2016

The head of Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said that Russian inspectors will conduct an aerial surveillance flight over Denmark in a Tu-154M-LK-1 surveillance aircraft within the scope of the Treaty on Open Skies.

China, Russia to Begin Massive Eight Day Naval War Games in South China Sea

09/12/2016

The military exercise proceeds as tensions continue to mount over the contested waters with the Obama administration demanding that China submit to the ruling of The Hague international tribunal invalidating Beijing’s historical claim.

Russia Builds Glide Bomb Virtually Invisible to Radar

09/12/2016

“It has no engine. When dropped, it acquires its target and zooms in with the help of the GLONASS global positioning system. The cluster charge opens up at an altitude of 250 meters. I hope that the bomb will pass all the tests already before this year is out,” Vladimir Porhachev said.

Heads Up: Five F-15 Fighter Aircraft Will Fly Over The Hudson, Liberty Island, US Open At 4 P.M.

09/11/2016

Just in case you were wondering why five military fighter planes are flying overhead this afternoon, it's a planned military flyover! The NYPD says, "Today, at approximately 4 p.m., five (5) F-15 E Strike Eagle aircraft from the USAF will be flying over the Hudson River. They will be traveling north on the Hudson River, passing Liberty Island and the USS Intrepid. The aircraft will then flyover the US Open, and then proceed directly back to Newark Liberty International Airport."

UK fighter pilots give training to Slovak Air Force

09/11/2016

Fighter pilots have been training NATO partners in UK air combat techniques as part of a two week exercise in Slovakia. Royal Air Force aggressor pilots based at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, have been involved in Ex SLOVAK HAWK III, and Number 100 Squadron have been providing training to an experienced instructor pilot from the Slovak Air Force.

US aircraft carrier to take part in Korean drills in mid-Oct.

09/11/2016

The United States plans to dispatch a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to South Korea next month in a show of force to deter further military provocations by North Korea following its latest nuclear test, a military official here said Sunday. The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), the flagship of the Yokosuka, Japan-based Carrier Strike Group Five of the US Navy, will sail to South Korea's Yellow and South Seas to participate in a joint naval exercise with South Korea, slated for Oct. 10-15, the offici

China’s Third Aircraft Carrier will be More Lethal

09/11/2016

The third aircraft carrier being planned for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will also be China's first conventional carrier featuring a lengthy, horizontal flight deck and a catapult launch system that allows combat aircraft to carrier more weapons.

Indian fighter jet crashes in western state

09/11/2016

An Indian Air Force's MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in the western state of Rajasthan Saturday, a senior defense official said. However, the pilot and the co-pilot managed to eject safely, he said. "The incident took place near the state's Barmer district when the combat aircraft was on a routine sortie," the official said.

Syrian conflict: US and Russia agree peace moves

09/10/2016

Russia and the US have announced an agreement on Syria starting with a "cessation of hostilities" from sunset on Monday. Under the plan, the Syrian government will end combat missions in specified areas held by the opposition. Russia and the US will establish a joint centre to combat so-called Islamic State and al-Nusra fighters.

Chinese Army Equips All Ground Troops With Advanced WZ-10 Attack Helicopters

09/10/2016

An updated version of China’s WZ-10 combat helicopters will soon be assigned to all ground force aviation units, according to the China Daily. In service since 2012, the WZ-10 is designed for anti-tank warfare. It can be outfitted with cannons and machine guns, as well as guided missiles. Upgraded versions of the WZ-10, however, have also been equipped for air-to-air combat.

What Kind of Bomber Jet Does China Need?

09/10/2016

Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) has officially confirmed the development of a new strategic bomber. Indications of such a project were seen in Chinese military press earlier, although exact details remain unknown. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin spoke to Sputnik, deliberating the possible new bomber.