Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pilots, crews practice combat skills at Red Flag Alaska

06/19/2016

Airmen are testing their mettle at Red Flag Alaska 2016, a series of four Pacific Air Forces training exercises held at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, that bring together pilots from across the U.S. military and allied nations. The second of the four exercises ended June 17, with the next portion scheduled to begin August 4.

South China Sea Mission: Advanced U.S. Attack Jets Arrive In Philippines

06/18/2016

As the international court at The Hague grapples with the Philippines’ case brought against China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, and while Beijing and Washington trade verbal jabs almost daily over the issue, the U.S. Navy has sent four fighter aircraft, E/A-18G Growler airborne electronic attack planes and 120 support personnel, to the Philippines to help train the country’s forces and patrol its airspace and sea lanes, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.

North Korea Steals U.S. Fighter Blueprints

06/18/2016

North Korean hackers reportedly infiltrated a computer network belonging to a South Korean aerospace firm’s computer network and made off with blueprints for the F-15 Eagle—the American-designed jet fighter that forms the backbone of the U.S. and South Korean air forces. But don’t panic quite yet. There’s not much Pyongyang’s engineers can actually do with the blueprints.

Argentina negotiates with France for Mirage aircraft

06/18/2016

Argentina is reportedly negotiating with France to purchase F-1 Mirage fighter aircraft. The talks also involve the possible purchase of engines to power 20 Argentinian Pucaras aircraft that are currently grounded. "The transaction provides excellent value, and under very favorable conditions," Defense Minister Julio Martinez told La Nacion during a visit to France. "The Argentine Air Force cannot do without supersonic aircraft. Our pilots must be able to train in modern aircraft."

Russia's New PAK-FA Stealth Fighter Might Have a Fatal Flaw (or Two)

06/18/2016

United Aircraft Corporation is gearing up to start serial production of the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA fifth-generation stealth fighter according to Russian media reports. The eighth prototype T-50—which is nearly compliant with Moscow’s requirements for a next-generation fighter—is set to make its first flight on June 20.

Indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft makes inaugural flight

06/18/2016

India's indigenous basic trainer aircraft, Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), on Friday made its inaugural flight here in the presence of defence minister Manohar Parrikar. The two-seater aircraft designed and developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was flown by Group Captain C Subramaniam and Group Captain Venugopal for about 10 to 15 minutes at the HAL airport here.

Spain's first A400M leaves paintshop

06/18/2016

Spain’s first A400M tactical transport has been painted at Airbus Defence & Space’s San Pablo final assembly site in Seville, as the manufacturer conducts preparations for its debut flight within the coming weeks.

Navy EA-18G Aircraft Support Maritime Domain Awareness in Philippines

06/17/2016

The U.S. Seventh Fleet has sent a detachment of EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the Philippines for training and for maritime domain awareness missions. Four EA-18Gs assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138, an expeditionary unit deployed to Japan to support Seventh Fleet, flew June 15 to Clark Air Base on the island of Luzon for exercises with the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Israeli Fighter Pilots Head to US for F-35 Training

06/17/2016

Israel’s first cadre of F-35 pilots are headed next month to the United States to begin simulator and ground-based training on the new stealth fighter, the first two of which are scheduled to arrive here by the end of the year.

A wait too long: IAF to get first squadron of Tejas in July

06/17/2016

After a wait of over three decades, the IAF will finally get its hands on the first squadron of indigenous Tejas next month with the delivery of the fourth Light Combat Aircraft. However, the first squadron will be made of up of just four Tejas aircraft, in stark contrast to at least 16 aircraft that usually makes up for one squadron globally.

Amended bill may open door for upgrade of A-10 aircraft wings

06/17/2016

Defense contractors could submit bids by next week on a new contract to supply more than 100 sets of new A-10 aircraft wings, with help from a new $100 million that cleared the House on Thursday. An amended version of the U.S. Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal 2017 passed the House 282-138, largely along party lines, with a new appropriation to supply wing upgrades to the A-10 fleet at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township and elsewhere.

DARPA picks Lockheed, Raytheon for swarming UAS tests

06/17/2016

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have been awarded contracts by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the next phase of a project to develop collaborative control technology for unmanned air systems.

Qatar signs deal for 24 AH-64E Apaches

06/17/2016

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress in 2014 that an authorisation had been granted to provide 24 of the type to Qatar, and a $667 million contract was signed on 7 June. In addition to the aircraft, one Longbow radar crew trainer will also be provided, plus ground support equipment and Thales radios. Deliveries will commence in 2019, and the contract will complete in May 2020.

Sikorsky and Turkish Industry Launch Program to Build T70 Utility Helicopters

06/17/2016

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, along with the Government of the Republic of Turkey and members of the Turkish aerospace industry have activated contractual agreements under the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) to produce the T70 utility helicopter based on Sikorsky’s successful multi-role Black Hawk utility aircraft.

US Navy Launches Airstrikes on Daesh From 2 Theatres for First Time

06/17/2016

US Naval Forces Central Command said that the US Navy is conducting airstrikes against Daesh from two operational theatres for the first time after the amphibious assault ship Boxer joined the strikes from the Persian Gulf.

Establishing Russian Military Bases in Belarus Not Under Discussion - Envoy

06/17/2016

The issue of establishing Russian military bases in Belarus is not under discussion at the moment, the Belarusian ambassador to Russia told Sputnik on Thursday.

Afghanistan Requests Helicopter Deliveries From Russia - Foreign Ministry

06/17/2016

Afghanistan sent an official request to Russia for the delivery of helicopters to Kabul, Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai said Thursday. The deputy foreign minister is on an official visit to Moscow, noting that one of the main goals of his trip was to urge Russian partners to provide military support to Afghanistan.

audi Vision 2030: From arms imports to military industrialization

06/16/2016

The American business magazine, Forbes, observed that Saudi Vision 2030, laid out by Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, and approved by the Council of Ministers, “would, in an unpredictable manner, enable Saudi Arabia to realize its dream of becoming one of the world’s major weapon manufacturers after having long been a major weapons importing country”.

Gripens To Replace Botswana F-5 Fighter Jets

06/16/2016

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has confirmed negotiations with Swedish aircraft manufacturer Försvarets Materielverk (FMV) are underway for the acquisition of between eight and 12 JAS Gripen "C" and "D" aircraft variants to replace its ageing fleet of US-made F-5 fighter jets.

Chinese ship 'shadows' U.S. carrier

06/16/2016

A Chinese ship was "shadowing" a U.S. aircraft carrier in the western Pacific on Wednesday, a U.S. official told CNN. The incident took place as the USS John C. Stennis was sailing to join warships from Japan and India as part of annual maritime exercises conducted by those nations.

The Airbus Group Commits to 3DEXPERIENCE for Additive Manufacturing

06/16/2016

As additive manufacturing continues to prove its place in the aerospace industry for both prototypes and finished parts, refined and powerful software solutions that capitalize on new workflows continue to be in high demand with the world's top aerospace engineering firms.

Saab Vows to Boost Its Aerospace Footprint in India

06/16/2016

Saab of Sweden will model its Indian aerospace business line after the company’s venture into Brazil, with plans to create dedicated manufacturing and maintenance facilities for fighter aircraft in India, according to Jan Widerström, chairman of Saab India. Addressing a news conference here, Widerström said the company had aligned supply of the Gripen E fighter aircraft under the “Make in India” policy.

China to Produce Home-Made Jets But Continue to ‘Rely on Russian Il-76’

06/16/2016

The mass production of Y-20 heavy military transport aircraft is set to begin as early as this year. According to Chinese media, the aircraft will also join the military forces around the same time.

Poland to Send 4 F-16 Jets to Middle East Prior to July NATO Summit

06/16/2016

Poland is likely to send four F-16 fighter jets to take part in a reconnaissance mission in the Middle East prior to the NATO summit scheduled to be held in Warsaw on July 8-9, Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Wednesday.

Good Choice! Belarus Plans to Buy Russian Su-30SM Fighter Jets

06/16/2016

The Belarusian Air Force already has Russian-made Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft in service. Asked about what plans Belarus might have to purchase new aircraft from Russia, Ravkov told RIA Novosti that Minsk intends to "purchase Su-30SM-type aircraft for the armed forces."