Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Ready to Roll Out Its Brand New A-100LL 'Flying Laboratory'

10/20/2016

The Beriyev A-100LL is built around the A-50 early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and is designed to stress-test all of the plane’s elements and the electromagnetic compatibility of Russia’s next-generation A-100 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft.

Russia Not Holding Talks With Pakistan on Supply of Su-35 Jets - Official

10/20/2016

Russia is not engaged in negotiations on Su-35 fighter jets supply to Pakistan, Anatoly Punchuk, the deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Wednesday.

Penetrating Counter-Air: What Comes After the F-22 Raptor and F-15C Eagle

10/19/2016

The United States Air Force is in the process of completing its initial research on a next-generation air superiority capability to replace the Boeing F-15C Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters. Once such research is completed, the service will embark on an 18-month analysis of alternatives (AOA) starting this coming January to determine exactly what kind of capabilities it will need to gain and maintain control over the skies in the post-2030 threat environment.

Our Latest Look at China's New Stealth Fighter

10/19/2016

China's latest fighter, the Chengdu J-20, is sporting a new camouflage scheme. The new "fifth generation" fighter is wearing new "splinter" camouflage in photos spotted on the Chinese internet in early October. The photos show four aircraft: Two wearing a yellow primer paint coating, one in plain gray, and a fourth in the aforementioned splinter camouflage. According to Combat Aircraft, the planes were photographed over the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group factory in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Canadian Troops Backing Coalition Fight in Iraq Against Daesh

10/19/2016

"Canada continues to support our coalition partners through efforts that include an expanded train, advise and assist mission with local security forces; intelligence capabilities; ongoing tactical aviation support; and further leading a Coalition Role 2 medical facility," Owens said Tuesday. The Iraqi government, backed by coalition forces, launched an operation on Monday to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh.

Egypt Appeals to Russia for Supplies of Helicopters for Mistral Ships

10/19/2016

Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said that FSMTC received n appeal from the Egyptian side for the supplies of shipborne Ka-52. Egypt has appealed to Russia to supply Ka-52 helicopters (NATO reporting name: Hokum B) for Mistral helicopter carriers, Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Tuesday.

Flying Wing DARPA Drone to Increase Soldier Mobility

10/19/2016

The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has revealed plans to develop a high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft over the next few years that would provide terrain-independent non-human cargo transportation for the military.

South Korean Air Force Receives New Bunker Busting Cruise Missiles

10/18/2016

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has started receiving its new Taurus KEPD 350K air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), IHS Jane’s Defense reported on Friday, when the first delivery was announced. The new ALCMs, designed by a joint German-Swedish partnership, will be integrated into the ROKAF’s existing Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle multi-role fighters.

War in Ukraine: NATO Military Instructors Were Onboard Helicopter Shot Down in Donbass

10/18/2016

Military instructors from NATO countries were onboard a combat helicopter, shot down by servicemen of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on October 13, deputy commander of the Operational Command of the republic, Eduard Basurin, said on Friday.

How Canada Is Indirectly Taking Part In The Battle For Mosul

10/18/2016

On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi went on state television to announce that the Battle of Mosul was finally starting. "Today I declare the start of these victorious operations to free you from the violence and terrorism of Daesh," al-Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL.

Pakistan/China Thunder over Africa?

10/18/2016

Having successfully developed a number of military aircraft together, the Pakistani/Chinese partnership is now actively courting African countries looking for a modern, budget friendly fighter. Exhibiting for the first time at this year’s 2016 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition at Air Force Base Waterkloof was the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex – Kamra (PAC).

Thales flight tests TALIOS aboard Rafale fighter aircraft

10/18/2016

Thales has successfully flown its targeting long-range identification optronic system (TALIOS) for the first time aboard a Rafale fighter aircraft. The prototype, mounted on a single-seater aircraft, took off from the Istres base, as part of the F3R programme. The two-hour long test flight collected high-quality images taken using the 'day' channel, and offered remarkable performances in pointing and telemetry.

DoD awards $743 million contract linked to ninth lot of F-35s

10/18/2016

The US Department of Defense has awarded a Lockheed Martin a $743 million contract linked to the ninth batch of F-35 fighters, as negotiations on a final production contract for Lots 9 and 10 continue.

India moves closer to acquiring Heron TP

10/18/2016

The Indian air force is moving ahead with implementation of a plan to purchase the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron TP unmanned air vehicle, having joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June.

Russia-India Deal on Delivery of S-400 Air Defense System Multibillion Contract

10/18/2016

The Russia-India deal on the deliveries of S-400 Triumf air defense systems is a multibillion-dollar contract, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday. On Saturday, Russia and India signed a deal on the deliveries of S-400 Triumf air defense systems and other equipment to India.

Exclusive: Obama, aides expected to weigh Syria military options on Friday

10/14/2016

U.S. President Barack Obama and his top foreign policy advisers are expected to meet on Friday to consider their military and other options in Syria as Syrian and Russian aircraft continue to pummel Aleppo and other targets, U.S. officials said. Some top officials argue the United States must act more forcefully in Syria or risk losing what influence it still has over moderate rebels and its Arab, Kurdish and Turkish allies in the fight against Islamic State, the officials told Reuters.

Air Force to upgrade HH-60G combat search-and-rescue helicopter fleet with Esterline CMC avionics

10/14/2016

U.S. Air Force helicopter avionics experts needed replacement control display units (CDUs) for the Air Force fleet of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopter fleet. They found their solution from Esterline CMC Electronics Inc. in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

No real alternative to JSF: Senate panel

10/14/2016

The controversial F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is expensive and running late but there's no real alternative available to meet the RAAF's needs for an advanced combat aircraft, a Senate committee says. However, it recommends that Defence adopt a "hedging strategy" to be implemented by 2019 at the latest in case further JSF delays raise the risk of a capability gap between the retirement of older RAAF aircraft and entry to service of the JSF.

Russian Defense Ministry to Order Some 50 New Tu-160M2 Advanced Bombers

10/14/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry plans to procure around 50 Tu-160M2 upgraded supersonic strategic bombers, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Thursday. In August, the Russian Aerospace Forces said the bomber may make its maiden flight as early as late 2018.

Russia, China Boosting Defense Ties in Response to US Deploying THAAD in S Korea

10/14/2016

Russia and China have strengthened bilateral defense cooperation as both countries are wary of the United Stated deploying the land-based Aegis combat system in Europe and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, in South Korea which the White House has pledged to install as soon as possible.

Singapore Urges China to Engage With Neighbors in Easing Tensions

10/13/2016

Singapore urged Beijing to engage “constructively” with other regional players—including the U.S.—to ease tension in the disputed South China Sea, even as the city-state wraps up a deal here to sharpen its military skills. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Australia’s Parliament at the start of a two-day visit on Wednesday that both allies wanted a “stable and orderly world in which countries big and small can prosper in peace.”

Thwarting Plans For A Russian Airbase, Minsk Strengthens Its Air Force

10/13/2016

On 1 October the investigative platform Bellingcat reported that Russia has withdrawn its fighter jets from Belarus. After analysing satellite images, it found no Russian planes on the Baranavichy ?airbase.

Sweden’s SAAB sweetens deal for Gripen jet

10/13/2016

In an aggressive push to capture a share in India’s fighter aircraft market, Swedish aerospace major SAAB has offered its latest radar technology as part of the Gripen fighter package along with significant technology transfer in addition to design consultancy for developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A which the Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct in large numbers.

APAN AEROSPACE: Kawasaki sees unique niche for C-2 transport

10/13/2016

The first aircraft is already in service with JASDF after being delivered in June, says a company representative. He did not give firm numbers on the total to be delivered, but expects that Tokyo will need 20-40 examples of the airlifter to replace the nation’s fleet of C-1s. Production could ramp up to 3-4 aircraft annually, but this is contingent on Tokyo’s defence budget.

JAPAN AEROSPACE: Boeing promotes F-15 as air-to-air missile truck

10/13/2016

Boeing believes there are several upgrades that can be applied to Tokyo's fleet of F-15J air superiority fighters, which could both extend the type’s service life and greatly enhance its capabilities.