Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RAAF was part of fatal air strike in which 80 Syrian troops were killed ‘by mistake’

09/19/2016

AUSTRALIAN aircraft were part of a botched bombing raid against Islamic State terrorists in which 80 Syrian army soldiers were allegedly killed by mistake. It is believed that two RAAF F18 Super Hornets could have been part of the combat operation, which struck at what was thought to be a significant Islamic State fighting position in eastern Syria.

Chinese Media Warns US-Japan 'Fishing for Trouble' in South China Sea

09/19/2016

China’s Xinhua news suggests that Japan has “ulterior motives” for intervening in the South China Sea including cozying up to the United States and garnering influence towards its own territorial dispute over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands.

India’s Rafale Fighter Jets to Serve as ‘Strategic Delivery System’ of Nukes

09/19/2016

India pushed forward the completion of the long-delayed deal for the French fighter jets after determining that the aircraft fulfills a vital strategic purpose – the delivery of nuclear weapons.

Test of Gun for Russia's PAK FA 5th-Gen Stealth Aircraft Spotted on Video

09/19/2016

A video of live fire tests of an automatic rapid-fire cannon developed for Russia’s T-50 fifth generation fighter plane has appeared on the Internet, Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported.

Eurofighter Typhoon is No Pushover

09/18/2016

The Eurofighter Typhoon has joined the Dassault Rafale, the Saab Gripen, and the Sukhoi “Flanker” in pursuit of a growing niche in the international fighter market. These aircraft offer capabilities beyond the Generation 4 platforms developed in the 1970s, but don’t carry the costs and complications of stealth. While the Eurofighter has enjoyed outstanding technical success thus far, the market niche may not be large enough to sustain production over time.

US-led Coalition Airstrike Accidentally Hits Syrian Government Troops

09/18/2016

U.S. military officials said coalition aircraft had accidentally struck Syrian government troops Saturday during a raid against Islamic State fighters. Syrian and Russian sources said dozens of soldiers were killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group gave a toll of at least 80 soldiers killed.

The Latest F-35 Grounding Isn't That Big a Deal

09/18/2016

The media is making a big deal out of the sudden grounding of 15 F-35s, which includes nearly the entire inventory of “operational” USAF F-35As, or around ten jets. 57 aircraft are affected in all, but 42 of those are in various stages of production and not flying.

The Legend of the Vietnam War’s Mystery Fighter Ace

09/18/2016

Col. Nguyen Tomb?—?or “Toon”?—?is one of the names immortalized in military aviation, like Baron von Richthofen and Eddie Rickenbacker. I first encountered Tomb when I was 10 years old, playing Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat on my dad’s computer. In one mission, you fly against the Vietnamese ace, infamous for having scored 13 air-to-air kills.

China's Military Is Getting Strong (So Why Aren't Chinese Weapons Selling?)

09/18/2016

One of the frequent arguments made about China’s 20-year-long military buildup is that its locally produced weapons are better than they used to be. To a certain extent this is true, if hardly surprising. Relatively modern systems, such as the J-10 fighter jet, the Yuan-class submarine, and the Type-99 main battle tank, are certainly superior to the weapons systems they replaced, that is, the J-7, the Ming-class sub, and the Type-59 tank – all basically copies of Soviet weapons.

Thailand To Buy New Transport Aircraft

09/18/2016

The Thailand Air Force is eyeing to buy a new fleet of transport aircraft to replace their ageing C-130 Hercules. The competition between Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation Y-9 and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules might emerge for procurement of new transport planes, an official was quoted as saying by Xinhua Friday.

Nigeria to buy JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan; Turkey to buy Super Mushshak

09/18/2016

Nigeria is likely to buy JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft from Pakistan. The oil-rich West African country has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that covers the sale of the aircraft. The deal is expected to be finalised in November, during the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar in Karachi, IHS Jane's reported quoting a senior official of Pakistan's Defence Export Promotion Organisation.

Aero Vodochody stresses military market focus

09/18/2016

Aero Vodochody has reaffirmed that its primary strategic focus is on the military jet trainer market, one month after UK start-up Aircraft Integrated Solutions announced it was to resurrect development of the Czech manufacturer’s Ae 270 civil light transport.

Deliveries of Spanish NH90s gather pace

09/18/2016

Airbus Helicopters is on track to deliver another pair of NH Industries (NHI) NH90 TTH troop transports to Spain before the end of the year, adding to the three examples already handed over.

Israel to Receive More Second-Hand F-15 Eagles in Massive New Aid Package

09/17/2016

There has been much speculation about what exactly the massive military aid package between the US and Israel would include. Some reports stated that more F-15 Strike Eagle derivatives would be a part of it, along with dozens of F-35s. Now that the deal has been inked we know more about what it will actually includes and there are signs that long-pending fighter jet sales to Kuwait and Qatar are finally going to be cleared to move forward.

China to Receive 4 Su-35 Fighter Jets From Russia in 2016

09/17/2016

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Air Force (PLAAF) is slated to receive the first four out of 24 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter jets, the governor of Khabarovsk Krai, a federal subject located in the Russian Far East, said in a speech during the opening of a new aircraft production plan on September 15, according to local media reports.

Air Force Grounds ‘Combat Ready’ F-35 Over Coolant Line Flaw

09/17/2016

Seven weeks after the Air Force declared its first F-35 jets combat ready, 10 of the aircraft aren’t flying after service mechanics discovered “peeling and crumbling” insulation wrapped around lines that carry liquid to cool combat systems and computers.

US Special Forces join Turkish troops in Syria

09/17/2016

Up to 40 US Special Operations Forces are accompanying Turkish troops as they clear ISIS from northern Syria, two US officials told CNN Friday. The new mission, dubbed "Operation Noble Lance," was authorized this week and is now underway, the officials added.

USAF confirms F-15D delivery to Israel

09/16/2016

Following the signing of the largest military aid package in US history, the US Air Force confirmed the transfer of 10 Boeing F-15D fighters to Israel. During the Obama administration, Israel received new capabilities from the US, including 10 F-15 fighters, several Lockheed Martin C-130 cargo aircraft, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and joint direct attack munitions, according to a White House fact sheet published this week.

Boeing protests Denmark's F-35A decision

09/16/2016

Boeing has initiated a legal challenge against Denmark’s Ministry of Defence for selecting the Lockheed Martin F-35A over the F/A-18E/F as the Danish air force’s next generation fighter.

Zambian L-15 debuts

09/16/2016

The first Chinese-made Hongdu L-15 supersonic light attack/jet trainer for Zambia has broken cover at Africa Aerospace and Defence in the markings of the air force’s 15 Sqn.

Armored Su-34 Will Become a 'Revolutionary' Ground Support Aircraft

09/16/2016

Over the past year, Russia's Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber has been demonstrating its deadly potential against terrorists in Syria. According to independent military analyst Valentin Vasilescu, the next logical step for the plane's designers is to equip it with armor. This, the analyst emphasizes, will "revolutionize" its impact on the battlefield.

India Coaxes France Into Selling its Air-to-Air Missile Equipped Rafale

09/16/2016

India and France are still working on preparing a fresh Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale combat aircraft. Sources told Sputnik that following negotiations, officials from both countries are finalizing documents which will be placed before Cabinet Committee of Security, India’s topmost approving authority, for final approval.

Air Force denies report China aircraft entered ROC airspace

09/15/2016

The R.O.C. Air Force on Wednesday denied that a Chinese military aircraft briefly trespassed into Taiwan's aerial identification zone Monday. In a statement, the Air Force said no Chinese fighter jet had intruded into Taiwan's airspace on Monday, Sept.12, as was reported by online media outlet Up Media.

Boeing reveals new U.S. military aircraft design

09/15/2016

The T-X aircraft has one engine, twin tails, stadium seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. Boeing is showing off its latest designs with two new production T-X aircraft. The aerospace giant partnered with Saab AB to develop next-generation aircraft specifically designed for U.S. Air Force training missions.

B-2 Bomber to Receive New Ejection Seats, Other Upgrades

09/15/2016

The B-2 Spirit, America’s sole heavy stealth bomber, is getting upgraded ejection seats, the latest in a series of upgrades for the multi-role bomber to keep the aircraft flying into the 2050s. The Air Force on Tuesday awarded AMI Industries Inc., a United Technology Corp. subsidiary, a $14.4 million contract to develop upgraded Advanced Conception Ejection Seat II as part of the service’s Safety and Sustainability Program, according to a Defense Department contract announcement.