Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China inducts its largest homegrown military transport plane

07/07/2016

China on Wednesday inducted its largest indigenously-built transport aircraft Y-20, a breakthrough in military aviation technology for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that allows the world’s largest force to transport cargo and troops over long distances in diverse weather conditions.

El Al Plane in Bomb Scare Above Switzerland

07/07/2016

Two Swiss combat jets were scrambled this morning to escort an El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) plane following a bomb scare. The crew of flight 002 inspected the plane's passengers and contents without any indications of a bomb and the flight landed at 1 pm at Ben Gurion Airport.

France Imposes New Conditions on Rafale Deal With India

07/07/2016

France has quietly insisted that an $8.9 billion government-to-government (G2G) deal with India be signed before a 50 percent offset deal for Rafale fighters is finalized, according to a French Embassy source in India.

This Russian aircraft carrier is up to something

07/07/2016

The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is the biggest ship in the Russian navy and the most visible symbol of the Kremlin's military power. This October, she will travel to the Mediterranean and carry out air strikes in Syria, according to a report from the Moscow-based Tass news agency.

Boeing, U.S. Army, Australia Collaboration Supports Early H-47 Deliveries

07/07/2016

Boeing delivered three H-47 Chinooks to the Australian Army, only 85 days after receiving the order, thanks to excellent cooperation with Australia and the U.S. Army. The deliveries increase Australia’s CH-47F Chinook fleet to 10, all of which were delivered early.

Moscow Ready for Dialogue With NATO Members to Prevent Sea, Air Incidents

07/07/2016

Russia is ready for dialogue with individual NATO members to improve the mechanisms of preventing incidents at sea and in the air, Russian envoy to the Western military alliance Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.

Canada to Upgrade Jets Due to Inability to Meet NATO, NORAD Commitments

07/07/2016

Canada needs to upgrade its fighter jets fleet as it is unable to meet concurrently its obligations to NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Italian Air Force’s T-346A and FT-339C jet trainers conduct in-flight refuelling mission

07/06/2016

The Italian Air Force has completed the first fuel transfer from a KC-767A tanker aircraft to T-346A and FT-339C jet trainers. The in-flight refuelling was conducted between jet trainers belonging to the 61st Wing at Galatina near Lecce and tanker aircraft from 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare, near Rome.

Why Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier Might Be Getting Ready for War in Syria

07/06/2016

The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is the biggest ship in the Russian navy and the most visible symbol of the Kremlin’s military power. This October, she will travel to the Mediterranean and carry out air strikes in Syria, according to a report from the Moscow-based Tass news agency.

First British F-35 completes transatlantic crossing

07/06/2016

The first of Britain's next-generation stealth fighters touched down in the U.K. for the first time, the Royal Air Force announced Thursday. The F-35B Lightning II was flown by RAF pilot and Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols across the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by two U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, the RAF said in statement.

US-led forces destroy own combat drone after Syria crash

07/06/2016

Coalition forces fighting the Islamic State group in northern Syria destroyed one of their own combat drones Tuesday after the unmanned aircraft crashed, the US Air Force said. The MQ-9 Reaper — the armed version of the Predator drone — crashed while flying a combat mission after remote pilots lost “positive control” of the aircraft, the Air Force said in a statement.

F-35 Stealth Fighter vs. A-10 Warthog: The Ultimate Close Air Support Showdown

07/06/2016

Flying close to ground troops in combat in hostile and high-threat conditions requires a host of unique attributes for an aircraft -- such as flying slow and low to the ground, absorbing some degree of small arms fire and having an ability to quickly maneuver in response to fast-changing ground combat conditions.

GE wins $1bn contract to develop three-stream engine for combat aircraft

07/06/2016

GE Aviation has secured a $1bn contract to continue developing the three-stream adaptive cycle engine for the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). The company will develop the engine under the USAF's Adaptive Engine Transition Programme (AETP).

Netanyahu Hints at Acquiring F-35B Fighter or V-22 Hybrid Copter

07/06/2016

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested Thursday that Israel is looking into buying US-made next generation vertical takeoff aircrafts.

UK Typhoon with P3E weapons fit to participate in RIAT and Farnborough shows

07/05/2016

A UK Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with full Phase 3 Enhancement (P3E) weapons is set to participate in this year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and Farnborough International Air Show. To be flown by BAE Systems experimental test pilot Nat Makepeace, Typhoon will carry four Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, two Brimstone 2 low collateral precision strike weapons, two ASRAAM missiles and two Paveway IV laser guided precision weapons.

New Delhi issues tri-service MALE UAV requirement

07/05/2016

India’s ministry of defence (MOD) has issued a combined tri-service requirement for the acquisition of up to 150, medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAVs.

Russia's Irkut to Finish Su-30 Fighter Jets Deliveries to Algeria in 2017

07/05/2016

According to annual report, Russia's Irkut aircraft manufacturer will finish the deliveries of 14 Sukhoi Su-30MKA multirole fighters to Algeria in 2017.

Flight Tests of Russia's Advanced PAK FA Fighters Almost Completed - Sukhoi

07/05/2016

According to the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer, flight tests of Russia's Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft are at the final stage.

Delivery of New Sukhoi T-50 Jets to Russian Aerospace Forces to Begin 2018

07/05/2016

According to Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer, Russia will start serial production and deliveries of the Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft to the country's Aerospace Forces in 2018.

Beijing flexes military muscle ahead of South China Sea ruling

07/04/2016

Beijing announced the manoeuvres will be held in waters between its southernmost territory, Hainan island, and the contested Paracel Islands from July 5 to 11. International shipping and aircraft are prohibited from entering the waters during that time.

France offers EUR 1 billion to revive India's combat jet engine project

07/04/2016

France has offered to invest EUR 1 billion to revive India's combat jet engine project, proposing a joint development plan that could see the stalled 'Kaveri' gas turbine powering indigenous Tejas fighters by 2020.

US, Canada to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia

07/04/2016

?he head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said that the United States and Canada will carry out an observation flight over Russia's territory under the Open Skies Treaty.

Putin Warns Finland Against Joining NATO, Says Moscow Would Shift Troops

07/04/2016

During a meeting with Finnish President Niinisto on Friday, the two leaders engaged in a frank discussion on how best to ensure peace in the region leading to historic steps by both sides. If Finland were to join NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday during an official state visit that his country would be forced to reposition its troops to guard against the specter of NATO hostility.

‘The Best Aircraft I’ve Flown’: India’s Pilots Cheer 1370mph Tejas Fighter

07/04/2016

The indigenous jet comes in at about one-tenth of the unit cost of an American made fighter jet with combat specifics that wowed the India’s most venerable fighter pilots. "It is comparable and on par with any fourth generation fighter aircraft you have in the world," said Madhav Rangachari, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Air Force squadron 'Flying Daggers 45.'

Chinese actions over Senkakus spark more Japanese jet scrambles

07/02/2016

Chinese military activity near islands covered under the U.S.-Japan defense treaty resulted in a record number of Japanese fighter aircraft responses in recent months, Japan Defense Ministry officials say. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled jets against Chinese aircraft about 200 combined times in April through June, compared with 114 incidents during the same period last year, defense officials told broadcaster NHK during a news conference Thursday.