Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Carrier Awaits MiG-29s for Syrian Airstrikes

08/10/2016

The Russian navy’s only carrier, the 59,000-metric ton Admiral Kuznetsov, is being modified to enable operations of MiG-29K/KUB strike fighters against targets in Syria. The work is due to be completed within the next few months. During its first combat deployment, the carrier is likely to carry 15 fighters and a dozen Kamov helicopters. The latter may include a few Ka-52K Katran attack prototypes as well as Ka-31 airborne early warning & control rotorcraft.

The F-35 Is Already Killing Some of the Most Lethal Weapons of War in the Sky

08/10/2016

The F-35 Lightning II destroyed an aerial drone off the Coast of California by launching an AIM-9X air-to-air missile over a military test range, demonstrating the first "live" air-to-air kill test for the emerging stealth multi-role fighter. “It's been said you don't really have a fighter until you can actually hit a target and we crossed that threshold with the first air-to-air weapon delivery of an AIM-9X,” U.S. Air Force test pilot, Maj. Raven LeClair, said in a written statement.

Northern Strike 16 begins

08/10/2016

“The magnitude of this exercise — the complex nature of so many moving components — tell a powerful story about the capabilities that exist here in Michigan,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Cockpit camera shows unique perspective of Typhoon jet's award-winning display in UK

08/10/2016

A UK Eurofighter Typhoon, featuring the latest weapons fit, performed a spectacular display for crowds across the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and Farnborough International Air Show, with BAE Systems’ Typhoon Test Pilot Nat Makepeace at the controls.

Enough Air Power? Singapore Drops the F-35 Stealth Fighter

08/10/2016

Singapore is putting on hold plans to procure up to 12 Lockheed-Martin supersonic fifth-generation F-35B stealth multirole fighter jets for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), according to the Pentagon’s F-35 program office, Bloomberg News reports.

Satellite photos reveal Beijing is building combat jet hangars on its artificial islands in the South China Sea

08/10/2016

BEIJING is set to militarise its illegal presence in the Spratly Islands, with satellite photos revealing reinforced hangars designed to house combat jets on several artificial outposts. The images, released by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, show military infrastracutre being built on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs.

South China Sea Ramp-Up: New Chinese Aircraft Carrier’s Shocking Combat Features

08/10/2016

Last week, Chinese TV boasted about the "growing combat capabilities" of its Liaoning (CV-16) aircraft carrier, noting that the battle platform can carry up to 20 fighter jets, bolstering Beijing’s balance of naval and aviation power in the Pacific rim amid growing tensions.

Russia to Use Syrian Combat Experience in Upgrading Helicopter Blades

08/10/2016

The Mi-28NM attack helicopter, a recent upgraded version of the Mi-28N "Night Hunter" vehicle, became the first helicopter to receive composite blades and will be supplied to the Russian army by 2018, Russia's Aerospace Forces Commander Viktor Bondarev told the Izvestia newspaper.

US to Continue Airstrikes Against Daesh in Libya's Sirte - Prime Minister

08/10/2016

The US Air Force will continue striking Daesh targets in Libya's Sirte, supporting the country's army, Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj told Sputnik.

Will Kuwait Purchase Pakistan’s New Fighter Jet?

08/09/2016

The chief of air staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshall Sohail Aman, offered the possible sale of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and PAC Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to his Kuwaiti counterpart, Major General Abdullah Yaqoob Al-Fodri, during a four day visit to Kuwait last week.

The F-35: The Last Manned Fighter Aircraft?

08/09/2016

A common refrain when discussing the future of airpower is that ‘the F-35 is the last manned fighter’ and the future belongs to unmanned systems. The expanding use of unmanned air systems (UAS) such as Reapers and Predators against international terrorist networks implies a future of remote, push-button warfare. That entails minimal risk (on one side) for maximum tactical precision effect.

Flying Autonomous Robots: The Future of Air Combat?

08/09/2016

If a new study is accurate, drones of the future will not need a human controller – and could in fact defeat a human in a dogfight. "It seemed to be aware of my intentions and reacting instantly to my changes in flight and my missile deployment," said former Air Force battle manager Gene Lee, referring to a recent simulations against battle-AI software, according to Breaking Defense.

Su-30MKI With BrahMos Missiles May Join Ranks of Indian Army in Early 2017

08/09/2016

Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Flanker-H) multirole fighters integrated with Russian-Indian BrahMos cruise missiles are expected to go into service of the Indian Air Force in the first four months of 2017, local media reported Monday.

Ukrainian, German, Swedish Observers to Fly Over Russia Under Open Skies

08/09/2016

Ukrainian, German and Swedish experts will carry out a joint observation flight over Russian territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said.

How Britain's pilots and soldiers are learning to fight together in the digital world

08/08/2016

Hidden inside a pre-war hangar at RAF Waddington is a virtual world that lets the Army and Air Force fight the wars of the future. Though the roof leaks a bit, the soldiers and pilots who train inside fail to notice, so immersed are they in this digital world where they can learn how to work together for maximum effect. Crucially, they also discover how not to get in each other’s way, something likely to have fatal consequences in the real world.

Marines Happy with F-35B’s Performance at Red Flag 2016 Exercise

08/08/2016

Marine pilots flying the F-35B Lightning II for the first time at the annual Red Flag exercise in July say they are happy with the new jet’s performance. It was the F-35’s first participation in the giant exercise on the Nevada Test and Training Range, which this year involved more than 100 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

PLA air force on combat patrols

08/08/2016

CHINA’S People’s Liberation Army Air Force has sent bombers and fighter jets on “combat patrols” near disputed areas in the South China Sea to improve its fighting ability and to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Air Force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Nansha and Huangyan islands, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the PLA Air Force said on Saturday.

Pakistan Air chief’s visit might revive bid to sell F-17 fighters to Sri Lanka

08/08/2016

The on-going visit of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, to Sri Lanka is likely to revive Islamabad’s bid to sell F-17 Thunder fighter aircraft – an earlier attempt having been thwarted by India. Announcing ACM Aman’s visit, a Pakistan High Commission press release said that the visit will provide both sides an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and collaboration, and to discuss ways and means to “enhance continued cooperation between the two countries.”

F-35 to Debut in Canada at Abbotsford International Airshow

08/08/2016

History will be made at the 2016 Abbotsford International Airshow when the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II will appear in Canada for the very first time. The aircraft is set to arrive at Abbotsford International Airport on Thursday, Aug.11 and will be on public display at the airshow starting Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug.14.

OPINION: Why US Air Force needs a low-cost gun-slinger

08/08/2016

Roll the clock back six years to 2010. The US Air Force had just shelved a proposal to stand up a new wing of fighters based on the OA-X, a concept for a propeller-driven, light-attack fighter – reviving the role played by the Vietnam-era Douglas A-1 Skyraider.

Russian Airstrikes Rock Aleppo Artillery College, Al-Nusra After Siege Broken

08/08/2016

The victory for al-Nusra Front and allied anti-Assad Islamist rebel groups, which are strangely backed by the United States, suggests that the “groundbreaking” victory for the terror groups may be short-lived.

India to Test BrahMos Supersonic Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missiles from Su-30s

08/08/2016

The joint Indo-Russian program will provide New Delhi with a high-flying nuclear deterrent ensuring the continued safety and security of the Indian people despite increased regional tension.

F-35 Now Operational: Lockheed Martin A Good Bet?

08/07/2016

Lockheed Martin’s F-35A was awarded Initial Operating Capability (IOC) status by the U.S. Air Force on August 2, allowing a single USAF squadron to use the aircraft, potentially in combat. This marks an important milestone for the project that has long been criticized by Congress and potential buyers for being costly and behind schedule.

5 Chinese Weapons of War America Wishes It Had

08/07/2016

We all know that there are plenty of U.S. weapons the Chinese military would like to get its hands on. The Arsenal of Democracy churns out some of the best, most technologically advanced and versatile weapons in service anywhere. China is willing to steal American military technology to help advance its own military research and development programs.

Beijing sends bombers, fighter jets on combat patrols over contested S. China Sea

08/07/2016

China has said it carried out a combat air patrol over contested islands in the South China Sea. In a separate incident, roughly 230 Chinese fishing vessels and Coast Guard ships were spotted near East China Sea islets, triggering an angry response from Japan.