Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Su-27 Performed Flyby of US RC-135 Plane in the Baltic Sea

04/30/2016

With tensions rising in the Baltic Sea following an incident involving two Russian fighters and the USS Donald Cook, US officials claim that an Su-27 has performed another “unsafe” flyby of an American surveillance aircraft in the region. Two US defense officials claim that a Russian jet performed a "barrel roll" within 100 ft. of a US Air Force RC-135 spy plane, according to the Telegraph.

Obama Scraps Subsidy in $700Mln F-16 Sale to Pakistan

04/30/2016

US President Barack Obama’s administration plans to abandon the plan to subsidize the $700 million deal to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, a senior US State Department official said Friday.

US Lawmaker: More Operations in South China Sea

04/29/2016

The United States has increasingly carried out what have been called freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea. This month, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited a warship in the South China Sea in an effort to show America’s commitment to security in the area.

Airbus profit falls in 'challenging year'

04/29/2016

It also said delays in deliveries of its new A350 and A320neo airliners were creating a drain on cash. The world's second largest aircraft maker reported a 23% fall in first quarter operating profits to €501m ($568m; £390m). Chief executive Tom Enders said: "2016 turns out to be the challenging year we anticipated."

ANALYSIS: House panel approves funds for 11 F-35s and 14 F/A-18s

04/29/2016

On 28 April, just days after the developmental aircraft’s many flaws were enumerated at a Senate hearing, the US House Armed Services Committee agreed on a defence policy that would fund 11 more F-35s in fiscal year 2017, on top of the 63 aircraft already requested by the US services.

Russian Mig-31 intercepts U.S. P-8 patrol aircraft near Russia’s Far East

04/29/2016

On Apr. 21, a Russian Air Force MiG-31 jet intercepted a U.S. P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flying in international airspace near Kamchatka Pensinsula, in Russia’s Far East, where a firing range used also to test intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from Borei-class strategic nuclear submarines is located.

Facing skepticism, military leaders say Islamic State strategy is making headway

04/29/2016

Top U.S. military leaders faced skepticism Thursday on Capitol Hill as they made the case that President Barack Obama's strategy in Iraq and Syria is beginning to show results against the Islamic State. Appearing before the Senate Armed Service Committee, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described growing momentum against the group, which has lost ground to U.S.-backed fighters in Syria and Iraq in recent months.

Pakistan, China jointly launch production of JF-17B fighter jets

04/29/2016

The production of the first prototype of JF-17B aircraft was initiated by both the countries at an induction ceremony held in Chengdu Aerospace Corporation in southwestern Sichuan province's Chengdu city.

Only One of Six Air Force F-35s Could Actually Take Off During Testing

04/29/2016

Five of six Air Force F-35 fighter jets were unable to take off during a recent exercise due to software bugs that continue to hamstring the world’s most sophisticated—and most expensive—warplane. During a mock deployment at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, just one of the $100 million Lockheed Martin F-35s was able to boot its software successfully and get itself airborne during an exercise designed to test the readiness of the F-35, FlightGlobal reports.

Marines' deadly fighter jet to make its first ship-based deployment next year

04/29/2016

The concept was rolled out by Adm. Scott Swift during an April 26 all-hands call on the destroyer Momsen, which was docked in Hawaii on a port visit. “I think this is going to revolutionize where we are with expeditionary strike groups,” Swift said. “The three-ship PAC SAG that [destroyers] Decatur, Momsen and Spruance are part of will pave the way for another SAG, just like this one, attached to the large-deck amphib so that it will become what I’m calling an ‘Up-Gunned ESG.’”

China Combat Drones in High Demand Around the World

04/29/2016

For the time being, the US is the preeminent participant in drone warfare, its Reapers and Predators clouding the skies over the Middle East. But other nations have their own unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, and the future could see a drone race between Washington and Beijing.

The F-22 Raptor is Forward, Ready, Now.

04/28/2016

Two F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base landed at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania today, accompanied by a KC-135 Stratotanker, from the 100th ARW, RAF Mildenhall. The Aircraft and crew were welcomed by the Lithuanian President, Dalia Grybauskaite who commented that with the arrival of these aircraft, the United States is actively honoring its commitments and demonstrating its ability to protect the region.

Giving The Infantry Their Own Bomber Aircraft

04/28/2016

The Israeli military has bought some new locally developed Roetm L UAVs for their infantry to use in urban combat. What is unique about the Roetm L it is a lightweight (4.5 kg/10 pound) quad-copter that not only carries the usual day/night cameras but is also armed with two 450g (one pound) grenades that can be armed and released by operator command.

Uruguay, Russia May Sign Military Cooperation Deal in September - Official

04/28/2016

Speaking on the sidelines of the fifth Moscow Conference on International Security, Menendez said that his country’s delegation arrived at the conference with great expectations. "We are about to sign a treaty between Russia and Uruguay on defense and military cooperation," the official said.

Saab picks Brazilian firm for Gripen fighter training gear

04/28/2016

Saab has selected a Brazilian company for simulators, training systems and ground support systems for Gripen fighters for the Brazilian Air Force. The fighters - 36 in all - will mainly be built in Brazil under a contract that came into effect last year. The Brazilian company to produce the simulators and traing systems is Atech Negocios em Tecnologia S/A, Saab said, and is an example of Saab's commitment to deliver industrial cooperation as part of the Brazilian Gripen NG program.

Congress to block A-10 retirement pending F-35 combat evaluation

04/28/2016

The chairman of the US Senate House Armed Services Committee says lawmakers aren't likely to authorise the retirement of any more legacy warplanes until there is “no doubt” that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II can adequately fulfil its intended roles.

F-35 Stealth Fighter Prepares for the Unthinkable: War with China or Russia

04/28/2016

The Air Force F-35 is using “open air” ranges and computer simulation to practice combat missions against the best Chinese and Russian-made air-defense technologies – as a way to prepare to enemy threats anticipated in the mid-2020s and beyond. The testing is aimed at addressing the most current air defense system threats such as Russian-made systems and also focused on potential next-generation or yet-to-exist threats, Harrigian said.

UK Targets ISIS Bunker With Royal Air Force’s Largest Bombs

04/28/2016

The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) has ramped up its bombing campaign against ISIS. Enhanced Paveway III (EPW III) bombs, the largest in RAF's arsenal, successfully hit two entrances to an underground bunker as part of the coalition's efforts to combat ISIS. The strikes, which occurred on April 21, targeted a large complex of tunnels and bunkers in the terraced hillsides above the Euphrates in western Iraq, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defense.

John Ivison: Trudeau shouldn’t rule out purchasing Lockheed’s F-35 just because he said he would

04/28/2016

One of the first lessons a president learns is that every word he says weighs a ton, Calvin Coolidge once said. The same is true of Canadian prime ministers, which is perhaps why you haven’t heard Justin Trudeau talk recently about blocking Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet from the competition to replace the venerable CF-18s.

Why the pugnacious A-10 is flying maritime patrols over the South China Sea

04/28/2016

The situation in the South China Sea has grown even more complex over the past week, with A-10 attack planes flying maritime patrols over a coral reef chain known as Scarborough Shoal. It’s less than 150 miles to the west of the Philippines, and considered a site where Beijing may carry out “land reclamation” and continue its military expansion in the region this year, prompting concern from the United States and its partners in the region.

Egypt-Russia-France Cooperation on Mistrals 'Progressing Greatly'

04/28/2016

Cairo’s cooperation with Moscow and Paris on the sales to Egypt of the Mistral helicopter carriers France originally built for Russia is progressing "in leaps and bounds," Mohamed Elkeshky, Egypt’s deputy defense minister, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Russia to Deliver 3 Yak-130 Fighter Trainers to Myanmar by Year End

04/27/2016

Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Irkut manufacturer plan to deliver three Yak-130 (Mitten) advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft to Myanmar by the end of the year, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing defense cooperation sources.

Revealed: Flying America’s Mighty B-2 Stealth Bomber

04/27/2016

Air Force pilots of the 1980s-era stealthy B-2 Spirit bomber plan to upgrade and fly the aircraft on attack missions against enemy air defenses well into the 2050s, service officials said. “It is a dream to fly. It is so smooth,” Maj. Kent Mickelson, director of operations for 394th combat training squadron, told Scout Warrior in an interview.

Gloves come off in fight to win Denmark's combat jet order

04/27/2016

U.S. defence giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing have stepped up their battle in Denmark to win a $5 billion order for combat jets which is due to be decided next month, with an advertising blitz in newspapers and on billboards by Boeing reflecting the importance they give to winning the deal.

Congress wants the Air Force to prove the F-35 can take over for the A-10

04/27/2016

House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry drafted a bill that would stop the Air Force from using funds in their 2017 budget to retire or reduce the use of the A-10 Warthog until the Pentagon's weapons tester completes comparative tests between the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II.