Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Jet Fighters in Asia: Why Politics Still Matters

12/10/2015

Russia is known for exporting combat aircraft throughout the world. From the beginning of the Cold War onward, Soviet and Russian MiGs, Sukhois and Yaks have formed the backbone of many air forces throughout the world. This was partly due to old Cold War politics, where states were basically obliged to acquire military equipment from whichever bloc they were aligned with.

Why Britain Should Expand Airstrikes To Syria

12/10/2015

British forces have successfully executed air sorties from Cyprus against ISIS targets in Iraq since September 2014 — over the subsequent fourteen months of “Operation Shader,” Britain was just above France and the Netherlands and second only to the United States in total number of airstrikes against enemy targets. British press reports indicate that if Parliament approves the expansion, the Defense Ministry will double its manned combat aircraft numbers (Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets).

Russian aircraft in Syria hit 204 targets over 24 hours — defense ministry

12/10/2015

Russian warplanes have made 82 sorties, including 32 under night cover, in Syria over the past 24 hours, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov told journalists on Wednesday. "Over the past 24 hours, Russian warplanes have made 82 combat sorties to attack 204 terrorist targets located in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama and Homs," the general said adding that 32 sorties had been made at night time.

Yes, Really, Destroy ISIS With Turboprop Light Attack Aircraft

12/10/2015

First, the United States has a problem—there are no bases in Iraq which currently support the coalition’s fast-jet fighters. The existing fighter bases which served us through Operation Iraqi Freedom are generally too close to the enemy or no longer in the hands of the Iraqi government. Fighters operating over Mosul in northern Iraq have to come from Kuwait, a carrier in the Persian Gulf or airfields in the Gulf states—a one-way trip covering 500 to 1,000 nautical miles, depending on the base.

Why the Blue Angels Don't Want the Navy's New Planes

12/10/2015

?The U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, may be getting new planes. According to Flightglobal, the Navy wants to replace the existing F/A-18 Hornet fighters with the newer F/A-18 Super Hornet. However, the Blue Angels may be less than enthusiastic about the switch.

U.S. ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help retake Ramadi

12/10/2015

The United States is prepared to deploy advisers and attack helicopters if requested by Iraq to help it "finish the job" of retaking the city of Ramadi from Islamic State, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday. Carter's remarks were the latest sign of U.S. preparations to intensify its military campaign against the group, which controls wide swaths of Iraq and Syria and has orchestrated and inspired attacks abroad.

Boeing Delivers Final Peace Eagle AEW&C Aircraft to Turkey

12/10/2015

Boeing delivered the fourth and final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force at Konya Air Base today, completing the Turkish AEW&C fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airspace surveillance and battle management capabilities. This final aircraft includes upgraded software for the platform and the final element of the ground support segment, the Software Support Center. Previously delivered Peace Eagles will receive the upgraded software soon.

Russia Releases Video of First-Ever Submarine Launch of Kalibr Missiles

12/10/2015

The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of its first-ever submarine launch of Kalibr cruise missiles. The missiles, launched by the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don from the Mediterranean Sea, obliterated two Daesh (ISIL) command posts in Syria.

Taliban launch attack on Kandahar Air Field, Afghan official says

12/09/2015

An Afghan official says the Taliban have launched an attack at the airport in the southern city of Kandahar, where clashes are still underway. Samim Khopalwaq, the spokesman for the Kandahar provincial governor, says Tuesday's attack started with the Taliban targeting the facility's main gate. The sprawling Kandahar Air Field has both a military and a civilian section.

Tracking Terrorists: Congress Presses Pentagon To Speed Replacement of JSTARS Radar Planes

12/09/2015

Something unusual happened shortly before Thanksgiving in the often fractious debate of defense priorities on Capitol Hill. Sixty legislators from both parties signed a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter complaining that the Pentagon is dragging its feet on replacing a small fleet of radar planes that could prove vital to tracking and targeting terrorists.

Russia launches new airstrikes in Syria; 1st from submarine

12/09/2015

Russia has unleashed another barrage of airstrikes on Syria, including the first combat launch of a new cruise missile from a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. The Kalibr cruise missiles launched by the Rostov-on-Don submarine successfully hit the designated targets in Raqqa, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin. The submarine was in a submerged position during the launch, he added.

Russia’s Sukhoi optimistic about Tata for India joint venture

12/09/2015

Russia's top aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi is exploring the possibility of investing in an Indian joint venture (JV) for the maintenance and spares production of its combat aircraft Su 30 in what could make India a hub for the fighter fleets operating in the region. Atop Sukhoi executive told ETthat the liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) norms have opened the possibility of a JV and the Russian manufacturer is in talks with Indian private sector companies.

Kratos Demonstrates Cooperation of UCAV with Manned Aircraft

12/09/2015

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced this week the completion of a second test flight of a jet-powered unmanned aerial combat vehicle (UCAV) on November 23, 2015. the flight that took place on the US Navy test range at China Lake, CA involved a newly developed jet-powered drone developed by Kratos, and a US Navy/Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier manned jet fighter.

Lockheed Martin Selected to Help Australia’s Future Pilots Take Flight

12/09/2015

The Australian Department of Defence has awarded the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System contract to Lockheed Martin-led Team 21 to train the next generation of Australian Defence Force pilots. The initial seven year program is valued at AU$1.2 billion. Performance-based options for up to 25 years will provide the opportunity to extend the length and increase the value of the total contract.

China Slams Deployment of US Poseidon Spy Plane to Singapore

12/09/2015

A day earlier, on Monday, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen signed an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which includes the deployment of US Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Singapore.

Russia Sends Attack, Transport Helicopters to Air Base in Armenia

12/09/2015

Seven of Russia’s advanced Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters and Mi-8MT Hip transport helicopters have been deployed to a Russian air base in Armenia, the Southern Military District (SMD) said Tuesday.

Flight tests of Russia’s 5th-generation fighter jet "practically completed"

12/08/2015

The tests confirming the flight characteristics of Russia’s fifth-generation PAK FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) fighter jet have been actually completed, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel on Monday. "Several planes are now primarily testing airborne avionics. The tests proving the aircraft’s flight characteristics have practically been completed," the deputy defense minister said.

Pentagon says Russian — not American — warplanes hit a Syrian army base

12/08/2015

The U.S. military alleged Monday that Russian warplanes were responsible for an attack on a Syrian army position in eastern Syria, an airstrike that Syria blamed on the U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State militant group in the country. The Syrian government issued a statement earlier in the day accusing coalition aircraft of carrying out the overnight attack in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour. The government said three Syrian soldiers were killed and 13 injured in the strike.

Europe's Role Grows in Syria, but Boots Unlikely

12/08/2015

Votes by the British and German parliaments last week expanded Europe's role in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, but analysts believe that the addition of European forces is more symbolic than a game-changer — and that European boots on the ground remain unlikely.

A Little Bombing, a Lot of Surveillance: What Britain Brings to the Syria Air War

12/08/2015

On December 3, just a few hours after a vote from the British parliament, the Royal Air Force flew its first airstrike on Islamic State targets inside Syria. The British have been bombing IS targets in Iraq since last year, but this was the first time — amid heated protests at home — they took part in the campaign over Syria.

JF-17 Still an Option in Egypt-Pakistan Defense Cooperation Drive

12/08/2015

Despite having opted for French and Russian fighter aircraft earlier this year, Egypt has reportedly expressed an interest in the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder. This has come as a surprise to analysts who had considered the possibility of Egypt acquiring the JF-17 to be lost.

Boeing delivery of 14th new-build Mk6 Chinook completes current orders for the United Kingdom

12/08/2015

Boeing has delivered its 14th Mk6 Chinook, completing the United Kingdom’s most recent order and growing the RAF Chinook fleet to 60 aircraft. The order completion coincided with the 35th anniversary of Chinook operations for the U.K.

US Spy Planes to Fly From Singapore Over South China Sea

12/08/2015

Despite having no territorial claims to the waterway, Washington has fiercely contested Beijing’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea. To monitor the progress of those islands, the Pentagon has flown P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes out of the Philippines and Japan.

Customers ‘Lining Up’ to Buy Russian Su-34, Su-35 Aircraft

12/08/2015

Foreign states are "lining up" to purchase Su-34 and Su-35 jets, which demonstrated their outstanding capabilities during the Syrian military operation, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Monday. "Today, military forces are receiving such advanced models as the Su-34 and Su-35, with characteristics equal to those of Western models,” Borisov said.

THREE HISTORIC FIRSTS FOR ITALY IN THE F-35 PROGRAM DURING 2015

12/07/2015

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Italy was a pioneer in combat aviation. Although different at the beginning of the 21st century, Italy has again emerged as an important player in military aviation. They are key players in the two key 21st century multinational military aviation industrial coalitions, Eurofighter and F-35, as well as establishing a center of excellence for pilot training along with introducing one of the best 21st century trainers, the Aermacchi M-346.