Military Aviation News Archive

India Seeks Foreign Defense Firm to Build Domestic Single-Engine Fighters

10/13/2016

As part of its ongoing efforts at military modernization, India is in pursuit of a single-engine fighter jet to be built domestically, but based on foreign designs, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Make in India" initiative.

US Navy Destroyer Comes Under Missile Fire Off Yemen Coast

10/13/2016

According to US officials speaking on condition of anonymity, a US Navy destroyer was the target of a failed missile attack from Houthis within Yemen. The USS Mason and amphibious transport dock USS Ponce were operating north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, between the southwest coast of Yemen and Djibouti. Defensive salvos were fired, and neither ship was damaged.

'We Weren’t Ready for This': Daesh Deploys Weaponized Drones

10/13/2016

Violent extremist groups in the Middle East, including Daesh, have reportedly begun to weaponize drones, using them on the battlefield to kill, according to a source in the US military.

Flying the UK’s new fighter: Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

10/12/2016

Hovering slowly and precisely along the taxiway, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the time I flew a Harrier TMk10. I’d thought that was an incredible flying machine, but the F-35 is something else!

India Kicks Off New Search for MiG-21 Replacement

10/12/2016

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MOD) has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to global aircraft manufacturers alerting international suppliers that there will be a new competition for the building of a new single-engine fighter aircraft under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative.

Bangladesh orders single C295W transport

10/12/2016

The nation has become the ninth to order the C295W, which will become the first multi-engined fixed-wing aircraft to be operated by the aviation branch of the Bangladesh army. It will be used as a transport for troops and cargo, with applications potentially including paratrooping and medical evacuation, and the contract also covers training and support, Airbus says.

Norway AF requests 12 F-35As in proposed block buy

10/12/2016

The proposal, if approved, would raise the total number of authorised F-35A purchases to 40 aircraft, or only 12 short of the Norwegian air force’s requirement. The requested authorisation also would allow Norway to participate in a proposed “block buy” for the F-35’s US and international partners. The F-35 Joint Programme Office is working to package purchases of hundreds of F-35s spread over two or three years from 2018 to 2020 into a single order commitment.

PICTURES: How North Korean air power starred in Wonsan

10/12/2016

North Korea's inaugural Wonsan Air Festival, staged in the coastal city from 24-25 September, was billed as a non-political event "organised to promote the spirit of international peace and friendship through aviation and air sports".

War Crimes and Airstrikes: Accusations and Denials in the War in Syria

10/12/2016

Tension over the conflict in Syria has continued with British MP Andrew Mitchell likening Russia's military intervention to that of the Nazis during the Spanish civil war. Moscow has rejected such claims, in what has been a common theme of accusation and denial throughout the war.

Iraq requests $65.3m sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft from US

10/11/2016

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a $65.3m potential sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft to Iraq. Under the sale, Iraq requested two Cessna AC-208 aircraft, as well as related equipment, training, and support.

VIDEO: C295 demonstrates air-to-air refuelling

10/11/2016

A palletised refuelling unit was installed on a company-owned example for the 29 September trials, along with the computer system required to control the procedure. The medium transport successfully made multiple contacts with a probe-equipped C295 operated by the Spanish air force, with both crews reporting “extremely smooth operation” at speeds down to 110kt (203km/h).

Poland to Consider French Offers on Military Aircraft

10/11/2016

Despite Poland's failed talks on purchase of 50 French Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal, Warsaw will consider other French offers on buying military aircraft, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said.

Adapt and Overcome: Chinese Pilots Learn Russian to Fly Su-35 Fighters

10/11/2016

A new shipment of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft soon to be delivered to China will be fitted with onboard readout systems that display data in Russian.

Joint Russia-Serbia BARS-2016 Drills Kick Off in Serbia

10/11/2016

Joint Russian-Serbian BARS-2016 tactical flight exercises started in Serbia, according to official statement of Russian Defense Ministry.

US, Germany to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia

10/11/2016

The United States and Germany will conduct an observation flight over Russia's territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

Threats and Rising Tensions: Russia’s Military Options against a US Attack on Syria

10/10/2016

The tensions between Russia and the USA have reached an unprecedented level. I fully agree with the participants of this CrossTalk show – the situation is even worse and more dangerous than during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both sides are now going to the so-called “Plan B” which, simply put, stand for, at best, no negotiations and, at worst, a war between Russia and the USA.

On Their Own, Afghan Forces Strain to Combat Taliban Offensives

10/10/2016

As Afghan forces struggle to break a weeklong Taliban siege of central neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Kunduz, insurgents are also stepping up pressure on urban centers in western and southern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.

PLAAF to Build New AEW&C Plane to Track Enemy Warships at Long-range

10/10/2016

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) plans to develop a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the huge Xi'an Y-20 transport nicknamed "Chubby Girl" that entered service only last July. This AEW&C aircraft will be optimized for detecting both aerial and maritime targets and will possess longer endurance, making it suitable for patrols well into the South China Sea and the Western Pacific.

Air Force Pilot Proclaims the A-10 Warthog the Most "Rugged" He Had Ever Flown

10/10/2016

An A-10 pilot told Scout Warrior the aircraft was the most "rugged" he had ever flown. The Air Force now plans to keep the A-10 flying well into the next-decade. Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “flying tank” in the sky.

Air force starts firing exercise

10/09/2016

Air to air live firing exercise by fighter aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) started at Kutubdia firing range in Chittagong yesterday. The exercise will continue till October 26, from 8:00am to 5:00pm. During this 19-day exercise, BAF fighter aircrafts -- F-7BGI/FT-7BGI, F-7BG/FT-7BG, MiG-29B/UB, L-39ZA, K-8W, YAK-130 and F-7MB/FT-7B --will practice different air combat maneuvers and tactics along with air to air live firing, an ISPR release said.

What Weapons Would Fight in a US-Russia War?

10/09/2016

Taking stock of America and Russia’s military assets is important. For example, what are the key weapons platforms each nation has? Which are the very best? What would prove the most decisive in a conflict?

America's First Stealth Fighter: The Legend of the F-117 Nighthawk

10/09/2016

The F-117 Nighthawk, America’s original stealth plane with a deeply sinister appearance, is an example of a weapon system designed around the limitations imposed by a promising new technology. The Nighthawk was revolutionary when it entered service in 1983—not that many could appreciate that, as the plane was kept secret from the public for five years.

IAF kicks off contest to make single-engine fighters

10/09/2016

A global contest has restarted for supplying India a medium, multi-role fighter, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) inviting top international fighter jet manufacturers to set up a production facility in India. Business Standard has learned that Indian embassies in Washington, Moscow and Stockholm wrote on Friday to fighter jet manufacturers in these countries to confirm whether they would partner an Indian company in building a medium, single-engine fighter, with significant transfer of technology

Army will not pursue AH-64F model Apache

10/09/2016

As Boeing prepares for a possible F model Apache as a bridge between the legacy helicopter and the Future Vertical Lift aircraft, the US Army says it will not pursue the development of the AH-64F.

Russia Blocks French UN Security Council Ceasefire Resolution on Syria's Aleppo

10/09/2016

On Saturday, Russia blocked a draft UN Security Council resolution on the cessation of hostilities in Syria's Aleppo favoring a proposal by the UN Envoy to Syria that focuses on evicting al-Nusra terrorists (al-Qaeda) from Eastern Aleppo.