Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Finland receives five responses for HX fighter procurement

11/26/2016

Finland has received information from five aircraft primes regarding the replacement of its air force’s Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet. The HX fighter replacement programme was kicked off in November 2015 by defence minister Jussi Niinistö. This was followed some weeks later by the issue of a request for information (RFI) from the government to five manufacturers.

OPINION: Canada's F-35 participation deserves scrutiny

11/26/2016

Canada’s crazily protracted process to acquire a new fighter has been the subject of another unexpected plot twist, with its defence minister announcing a plan to order an interim batch of 18 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

Moscow Demands Kiev Stop Preparation of Missile Drills in Crimean Airspace

11/26/2016

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) said Friday it had sent a protest note to the Ukrainian authorities demanding that Kiev stop immediately the preparation of missile drills that violate Russian airspace.

US Soldier Killed in IED Blast in Syria; First US Casualty in Syrian War

11/26/2016

A US soldier was killed in a blast in northern Syria November 24. The soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device near Ayn Issa, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Ayn Issa is about an hour from Raqqa, Daesh's self-declared capital in Syria.

India Unable to Integrate Missiles, Looks to Israel for Combat Drones

11/26/2016

The Indian Government had put a contract for Heron drones on hold for a year in the hope that defense scientists will produce an alternative. The Indian government has signed a $400 million final contract with Israel Aerospace Industries during Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's last week's India visit for armed drones.

Bulgaria approves 28 mln euro spending to ensure MiG-29 jets' airworthiness

11/24/2016

Bulgaria's government said on Wednesday it approved an additional expenditure of up to 54.6 million levs ($29.6 million/27.9 million euro) under the defence ministry budget to ensure the airworthiness of the country's Air Force fleet of ageing Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets.

MoU signed with Turkey for sale of trainer aircraft

11/24/2016

Day two of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2016 saw the signing of some 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), which included an agreement with Ukraine for up-gradation of the Al-Khalid tank and another with Turkey for the sale of the primary trainer aircraft, the Super Mushshak.

Four combat and training aircraft Yak-130 handed over to Belarusian Air Force

11/24/2016

A solemn ceremony took place in Lida, Grodno Oblast on 23 November to hand over four new combat and training aircraft Yak-130 to the 116th Guards Attack Aircraft Air Base of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense, BelTA has learned. The aircraft were made by the Russian R&D corporation Irkut.

India Took a Shocking 33 Years to Develop a Jet Fighter (And It’s Still Not Ready for Combat)

11/24/2016

The Indian government is proposing to export its Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas light combat aircraft to other Asian nations. New Delhi hopes that the indigenously developed fighter’s relatively simple design and potentially low maintenance costs will be a selling point for the jet. But India’s prospects for selling the its “new” fighter are highly dubious.

Ugraded Jaguar achieves Indian IOC

11/24/2016

The Indian air force has declared initial operation clearance for the latest avionics upgrade to its Sepecat Jaguar attack aircraft. Under the Darin (display, attack, range and inertial navigation) III programme, three Jaguars have received upgraded avionics packages installed by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

Indian Air Force Gives Thumbs Up to Upgraded 'Bomb Trucks'

11/24/2016

The Indian Air Force’s Deputy Chief flew a sortie in an upgraded Anglo-French Jaguar fighter as a vote of confidence in these dependable deep penetration strike fighters.

Russia to Deliver Su-35 Fighter Jets to China on Schedule

11/24/2016

Russia will stick to the schedule on supplying Su-35 fighter jets to China under a military-technical deal between the two countries, Khabarovsk Territory's Governor Vyacheslav Shport told Sputnik on Wednesday.

France Promises 50 Years of Support to Indian Rafale Jets

11/24/2016

The Indian Government on Tuesday disclosed some details of the $ 8.85 billion deal to purchase French combat aircraft. Among them is a promise by French company Dassault Aviation to provide product support for five decades.

Russian Jets Unaffected by EU Fuel Sanctions Against Syria - MoD

11/24/2016

EU sanctions on fuel supplies to Syria do not affect the Russian air group based at the Hmeymim airbase as its combat operations in the war-torn country are part of Russia's contribution to the fight against terrorism, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Russian Tu-95MS bombers launch Kh-101 cruise missiles at Syrian targets

11/22/2016

Airstrikes by Russia’s strategic aviation has destroyed concentrations of armored vehicles and facilities producing weapons for Islamic State militants, says the Russian Defense Ministry. Unlike the previous sorties, this one was carried out by bypassing Europe, while the cruise missiles were launched from the Mediterranean Sea.

I/ITSEC 2016: US gears up for red air adversary procurements

11/22/2016

Shephard understands that likely respondents include Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), part of Textron Airborne Solutions; Draken International; and Discovery Air Defence Services, a subsidiary of Discovery Air. The US Navy is likely to be first to award a contract. Its requirement includes the provision of improved adversary training at its Top Gun school at NAS Fallon in Nevada.

Korea pursuing KFX technology through future offset deals

11/22/2016

After the US denied South Korea export licenses for active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for its future KFX fighter, Seoul is in talks with Washington over acquiring lower technologies for the jet.

South Korean Military Wins $1.2Bln Contract to Upgrade F-16 Fighter Jets

11/22/2016

The South Korean Air Force has been granted a contract worth $1.2 billion to upgrade 134 F-16 combat aircraft, the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced in a press release on Monday.

Total Immersion: Watch a Su-33 Blast Off From Admiral Kuznetsov in 360 Video

11/22/2016

A video, produced by RT, offers you a unique opportunity to watch a Sukhoi Su-33 multirole fighter take off from the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the flagship of the Russian Navy. Shot using a panoramic camera, it provides 360-degree visibility for a truly immersive experience.

Russia to Create New Infrastructure at Hmeymim Airbase in Syria – Lawmaker

11/22/2016

Russia could create new infrastructure at the country’s Hmeymim airbase in Syria, including the construction of the second runway and improvement of its air defense capabilities, a senior lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament said.

Future Russian Base in Syria May Be Able to Host Aircraft Carriers, Nuclear Subs

11/22/2016

The future Russian naval base in Syria's Tartus will be able to host aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines allowing Moscow to expand its naval presence and role in the Mediterranean, a senior lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament said.

LIGHTNING CARRIER PROOF OF CONCEPT TESTING

11/21/2016

Currently, onboard the USS America, the USN-USMC team is validating the proof of concept of the Lightning Carrier, i.e., a large deck amphibious ship with combined F-35B and Osprey assault capabilities. The capability to insert ground forces and to support them with a 360 degree combat system overhead will prove to be significant in a wide range of contingencies.

Royal Navy fleet at 'dangerous and historic low'

11/21/2016

The assessment by the Defence Select Committee will endorse widespread concerns that the Royal Navy has been left too small after recent job and spending cuts. The committee's report, called Restoring The Fleet, said the current number of vessels is "woefully low" and raised doubts over the availability of skilled workers in the service.

India’s Stealth Fighter will be Superior to China’s J-20 and Russia’s PAK FA T-50; will also Launch BrahMos

11/21/2016

India's new fifth generation stealth fighter will be superior in key aspects to Russia's PAK FA T-50 from which it's derived, and will also have the added advantage of being able to fire the newest iteration of the fearsome BrahMos cruise missile, the BrahMos NG.

IAF assesses effects of sleep deprivation on fighter pilots’ performance

11/21/2016

The Indian Air Force is experimenting with the sleeping pattern of its fighter pilots to find out how fatigue affects flight performance in an unforgiving environment. A sleep deprivation study conducted on 40 fighter pilots has revealed significant deviations in their performance and now the IAF will kick off field studies on a larger scale, officers familiar with the research told Hindustan Times.