Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Joint drill ushers military unity

06/06/2016

The Gripen aircraft and the F16 jets have different communication systems and for security reasons the US will not unlock the link of the F16 jet's system allowing communication between the F16 jet and the Gripen aircraft. For the purpose of the drill, the air force and navy were able to overcome the restriction and talk to the US-made planes anyway. "The [Thai] air force has for some time requested the unlocking but the US has never agreed on that," said an air force source.

MiG - 21 : The Story Of Russia’s ‘People’s Fighter’ And Its Service In The IAF

06/06/2016

One of the most eagerly awaited dogfights in aviation history is about to take place. The Americans have supplied their ally Pakistan with the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the most advanced jet in their inventory, while the Indians have opted for the Russian MiG-21. It will be the first aerial combat between Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) aircraft.

Asia defense spending rises in China's shadow

06/06/2016

Global defense contractors are circling for business in Asia, with countries from Australia to Vietnam upgrading and adding everything from submarines to fighter jets as China expands its military reach.

Russian MoD Denies Rumors Russian Jet Allegedly Downed in Syria's Aleppo

06/06/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov has disproved rumors about a Russian Aerospace Forces' war plane, allegedly downed in Syria's Aleppo.

Russia's Aerospace Forces to Receive Over 100 Advanced Aircraft in 2017

06/06/2016

Russia's Aerospace Forces will receive more than 100 advanced planes and helicopters in 2017, Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Sunday. "Yes, we can say so," Bondarev said, answering a question on whether Aerospace Forces will receive more than 100 aircraft.

Nigerian Air Force deploys more combat aircraft, gunships against Niger Delta Avengers

06/05/2016

The Nigerian Air Force said it had deployed additional aircraft to the South South region of the country to support the ongoing military operation against the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

Russia's Western Military District Leaders, Chinese Military Discuss Ties

06/05/2016

Russia's Western Military District leadership had conversation with Chinese military delegation on a wide range of issues, the district’s spokesman said Saturday.

Russian Jets Crush Daesh-Controlled Oil Facilities Near Syria's Raqqa

06/05/2016

Four illegal oil production facilities controlled by the terrorist group Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, have been destroyed by Russian fighter jets.

In a bizarre coincidence Blue Angels F/A-18 and a Thunderbirds F-16 crash on the very same day

06/03/2016

In what is a really incredible coincidence, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 and a U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 have crashed on Jun. 2, 2016. The first incident occurred to the Thunderbirds F-16 shortly after the demo team performed a flyover at the annual Air Force graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs, attended by President Barack Obama.

Putin risks fresh Nato rift as Russian army announces plans for THOUSANDS of summer drills

06/03/2016

RUSSIA'S military has announced plans for more than 2,000 air, sea and land exercises over the summer, in an attempt to discourage Nato from further build-ups of troops in eastern Europe.

Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon On Malaysian MRCA Wishlist

06/03/2016

Malaysia is in the final stages of studying companies that meet the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement to replace its ageing MiG-29 fighter aircraft. "We are now in the final stages of studying which of the companies are able to meet with our requirements and the decision to be made is not for a short term, RMAF chief, Tan Sri Roslan Saad was quoted as saying by Malaysia Digest during the RMAF 58th anniversary at Kuantan Air Base Tuesday.

The USAF’s Pilot Shortage Has Reached Disastrous Levels

06/03/2016

A shrinking and rapidly aging aircraft fleet. An underperforming, “bet it all” fighter program that is grossly over budget and many years behind schedule. A tactical air plan that will be insolvent in just five years. A culture that is laughably slow at adapting to the unmanned aircraft revolution, and a totally irrational vendetta towards the most effective tactical platform it has to fight ISIS, the A-10 Warthog.

Prototype Hammerhead UAV crashes off Sicily

06/03/2016

A prototype of Piaggio Aero's P.1HH Hammerhead unmanned air vehicle crashed into the sea near Sicily during a test flight on 31 May. The P180 Avanti II twin-pusher-derived prototype – registration CPX621 – was operating from Vincenzo Florio airport in Trapani, Sicily. It is believed to have lost communication with its ground control station, after which it crashed into the Mare di Levanzo around 4.3nm (8km) north of Isola di Levanzo island.

Lockheed Martin Flies First T-50A Upgraded Aircraft for T-X Competition

06/03/2016

Lockheed Martin successfully completed the initial flight test of its T-50A configured aircraft. The T-50A is the company’s aircraft offering in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training competition. “The aircraft in its new configuration with the 5th Gen cockpit and other upgrades performed flawlessly,” said Mark Ward, Lockheed Martin T-50A lead test pilot, after his flight in Sacheon, South Korea.

US Navy Approves $62Mln Contract to Maintain Maritime Spy Drones

06/03/2016

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman has received a US Navy contract to maintain the company’s MQ-4C Triton drone used in its oceans’ surveillance program, the US Department of Defense announced.

Russian Military Receiving New Improved Combat Air-to-Air Missiles

06/03/2016

According to the general director of the Duks designing company, Russia’s new short-range maneuverable combat air-to-air missiles based on the R-73 short-range missile have begun being delivered to the military.

USAF calls for a "penetrating counterair" study in 2017

06/02/2016

The US military will lose air superiority by 2030 unless a host of new capabilities and sweeping changes to acquisition processes can be adopted and fielded within the next 14 years, including a new penetrating counter-air system, the US Air Force says in a newly-released strategy document.

A-10 Versus F-35: What a Head-to-Head Showdown Won't Answer

06/02/2016

Recently, Rep. Martha McSally suggested that the Air Force conduct a fly-off between the F-35 and the A-10 to see which did better at providing Close Air Support (CAS). But effective CAS is about more than just the capabilities of the aircraft involved. It requires an Air Force community with intimate knowledge of the Army’s maneuver tactics, mindset and intent.

Kazakhstan to Get New Helicopters in 2016

06/02/2016

Ahead of Kazakhstan’s defense expo KADEX 2016, which will run through the weekend, Astana got some good news from Russia. As TASS reported earlier today, Kazakhstan should be getting the first delivery of Mil Mi-35M (NATO reporting name: Hind-E) combat helicopters by the end of the year.

How Obama’s Afghanistan plan is forcing the Army to replace soldiers with contractors

06/02/2016

Current restrictions on U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan and a heavy reliance on civilian contractors are eroding the skills and cohesion of units deployed to the country, according to information from the Army given to the House Armed Services Committee and provided to The Washington Post.

Rusty Ships and Unused Aircraft Carriers: the Other Side of Asia's Militaries

06/02/2016

As China spends billions to upgrade and reorganize the People's Liberation Army, the deficiencies in competing Asia-Pacific militaries are coming into focus. And even some of China's much heralded military advances are drawing attention for their shortcomings. Here is a snapshot of some of Asia's less illustrious military kit.

Use of MIG-29N fighter aircraft being reduced - RMAF chief

06/02/2016

The use of the MIG-29N fighter aircraft will be reduced following increasing operating expenses, said Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief, Tan Sri Roslan Saad. He said apart from that, the capabilities of the fighter aircraft were also getting more limited as the aircraft have been in service for 21 years since they were first used in 1995.

Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract for Pilot Survivability Training with the Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division

06/02/2016

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a 5-year, single award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of $424 million by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division (NAWC-WD) to support the Aircrew Electronic Warfare Tactical Training Range (AEWTTR) program in Ridgecrest, Calif. The company will provide tactical training products and services for Navy pilot training through development of threat radar emitter simulators.

L-3 Communications Wins $1.9Bln Logistics Contract for US Air Force Tankers

06/02/2016

The Pentagon announced that L-3 Communications had been awarded almost a $2 billion US Air Force contract to guarantee the supply of airframes for the next generation of air refueling tankers.

Russian Su-34 Strikes Daesh-Controlled Oil Refinery in Syria

06/02/2016

Russian airstrikes have severely damaged oil facilities controlled by the terrorist group Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, in Syria's al-Hasakah Province, according to the Russian military.