Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China to get first 4 Su-35 Fighter Jets from Russia in 2016 and they will reverse engineer the AL-117S engine

10/24/2016

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Air Force (PLAAF) is slated to receive the first four out of 24 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter jets, the governor of Khabarovsk Krai, a federal subject located in the Russian Far East, said in a speech during the opening of a new aircraft production plan on September 15, according to local media reports.

Peshmerga forces 5 miles from Iraq's Mosul in key battle against ISIS

10/24/2016

Kurdish Peshmerga forces are within 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Mosul, commanders said Sunday, after days of fighting and sweeping territorial gains in the operation to free the key Iraqi city from ISIS control. A coalition of 100,000 troops have been closing in on Mosul since Monday, liberating surrounding communities village by village and making quicker-than-expected gains.

Daesh Executes Hundreds of Men and Boys as Battle for Mosul Rages

10/24/2016

The men and boys are reported to have been rounded up over October 20 and 21 and brought in three waves to the city's former College of Agriculture, where they were shot and then dumped in mass graves. Iraqi News reports that the victims were residents of towns and villages in the city’s northwest outskirts, and that 61 of them were no more than 14 years old.

Russia’s New Look Mi-28NM Attack Helicopter to Tote New, Better Missiles

10/24/2016

“We are updating Ataka and Khrizantema missiles for the Mi-28NMs to increase their range of target detection, lock on and destruction. The helicopter’s onboard fire control system will likewise be adapted for the use of these new missiles,” Valery Kashin, chief designer of the Kolomna-based Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, said.

Analysis: Why are Russian warships in British waters?

10/22/2016

Russia is believed to be sending a massive naval task force, with warships from its Northern, Baltic and Black Sea fleets, to the Mediterranean Sea in preparation for what could be a major escalation in the conflict in Syria. It's the largest naval deployment since the end of the Cold War, according to a diplomat speaking to Reuters.

Exclusive: Why Pakistan May Stop Getting F-16 Fighters From US

10/22/2016

If India were to acquire the US-designed F-16 fighter it would effectively mean that the Pakistan Air Force will not be able to acquire the latest variant of the jet that it has operated for 33 years. That's because Lockheed Martin has proposed to the Indian government that it is willing to transfer its entire F-16 manufacturing line from Fort Worth in the US to India as part of the government's Make in India policy.

IAF's plan to replace ailing MiG with 'Make in India' combat aircraft heading for trouble

10/22/2016

An Indian Air Force plan to replace its MiG fighter fleet with a 'Made in India' combat aircraft is heading for trouble. As of now the choice is between two aircraft from Sweden and the US, both of which failed a comprehensive technical evaluation process in 2010. Plus, there are grumbles that other countries which have fighter jets were not called at all.

Claims of Egypt Selling Mistral Ships to Russia 'Nonsense' - Russian MoD

10/22/2016

"Macierewicz regularly makes statements of this kind to promote his image," Konashenkov stressed. In August 2015, Paris and Moscow formally terminated the 1.2-billion-euro (some $1.3 billion at current exchange rates) deal on the construction and delivery of two Mistral-class warships. Shortly after, French President Francois Hollande confirmed that a deal had been reached with Egypt on the delivery of two Mistrals to the Arab country.

Purchase of Russian S-400 System Top Priority for Cash-Strapped India

10/21/2016

India has signed many defense deals with Russia despite a strong financial crunch. Out of its deals it has accorded top priority to the purchase of the S-400 which it expects to be signed by the beginning of the next financial year.

Russia to Test PAK FA Fighters With Operational Engines in Late 2017

10/21/2016

The tests of the Russian Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighters using operational engines should begin in late 2017, the head of the United Engine Corporation said Thursday.

Russia's naval task force: Power play or just theatre?

10/20/2016

The naval task force from Russia's Northern Fleet will proceed past the British Isles, down to Gibraltar, and through the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian combat mission in war-torn Syria. Why is Russia enhancing its naval presence off Syria now? The answer is part capability and part theatre.

UK Pilots In Syria Ordered To Shoot Down “Hostile” Russian Aircraft

10/20/2016

With tensions between the US and Russia escalating over the Syrian conflict, it appears the UK is more than willing to leap into the fray. According the Sunday Times, Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots have been given orders to shoot down Russian military jets operating in Syria if they feel that the Russian jets pose a threat: “if a pilot is fired on or believes he is about to be fired on, he can defend himself.”

CHENGDU AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY GROUP J-10

10/20/2016

The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) J-10 is the People Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s main medium-weight multi-role fighter. Beijing tasked the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute to design the J-10 in 1988 with the intent of developing a modern and – more importantly – long-term solution for replacing the PLAAF’s legacy J-7 and J-6 interceptors and Q-5 attackers, all of which are derived from Soviet designs from the 1950s.

Mysterious Arabian Arms Embargo Lifted

10/20/2016

After nearly three years of delays the United States government has finally approved the sale of over $11 billion worth of aircraft to Qatar (36 and eventually 73 F-15E fighter bombers for nearly $4 billion), Kuwait (28 F-18E fighters for $3 billion) and Bahrain (19 new F-16s and upgrades to existing one for over $3 billion). The American Department of Defense and State Department approved the deal early on and there was support in Congress but for reasons unclear the American president refused

BAE to up the pace on APKWS production

10/20/2016

This is the first indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the precision-guided weapon system, and will support a ramp-up of deliveries from 1,500-2,000 units at the current rate to 5,000 in the first year of the new arrangement. APKWS is a laser-guidance kit that converts 2.75in-diameter rockets into precision-guided weapons. Some 7,000 units have been delivered to date, the company says, and rounds will be provided to all US services through the new deal with the USN.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Shows Off New Camouflage

10/20/2016

The Chinese Chengdu J-20 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter expected to enter service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2018. While details of the J-20 have been kept under wraps, two models were seen conducting test flights over Chengdo on Monday, each sporting the new camouflage.

US Navy Eyes Automated-Landing Capability for F-35, Drones

10/20/2016

A $255 million US Navy contract to develop the next-generation precision landing system for fighter jets and unmanned drones includes plans for automated-landing capability, defense contractor Raytheon International said in a press release Wednesday.

Russia Ready to Roll Out Its Brand New A-100LL 'Flying Laboratory'

10/20/2016

The Beriyev A-100LL is built around the A-50 early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and is designed to stress-test all of the plane’s elements and the electromagnetic compatibility of Russia’s next-generation A-100 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft.

Russia Not Holding Talks With Pakistan on Supply of Su-35 Jets - Official

10/20/2016

Russia is not engaged in negotiations on Su-35 fighter jets supply to Pakistan, Anatoly Punchuk, the deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Wednesday.

Penetrating Counter-Air: What Comes After the F-22 Raptor and F-15C Eagle

10/19/2016

The United States Air Force is in the process of completing its initial research on a next-generation air superiority capability to replace the Boeing F-15C Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters. Once such research is completed, the service will embark on an 18-month analysis of alternatives (AOA) starting this coming January to determine exactly what kind of capabilities it will need to gain and maintain control over the skies in the post-2030 threat environment.

Our Latest Look at China's New Stealth Fighter

10/19/2016

China's latest fighter, the Chengdu J-20, is sporting a new camouflage scheme. The new "fifth generation" fighter is wearing new "splinter" camouflage in photos spotted on the Chinese internet in early October. The photos show four aircraft: Two wearing a yellow primer paint coating, one in plain gray, and a fourth in the aforementioned splinter camouflage. According to Combat Aircraft, the planes were photographed over the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group factory in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Canadian Troops Backing Coalition Fight in Iraq Against Daesh

10/19/2016

"Canada continues to support our coalition partners through efforts that include an expanded train, advise and assist mission with local security forces; intelligence capabilities; ongoing tactical aviation support; and further leading a Coalition Role 2 medical facility," Owens said Tuesday. The Iraqi government, backed by coalition forces, launched an operation on Monday to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh.

Egypt Appeals to Russia for Supplies of Helicopters for Mistral Ships

10/19/2016

Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said that FSMTC received n appeal from the Egyptian side for the supplies of shipborne Ka-52. Egypt has appealed to Russia to supply Ka-52 helicopters (NATO reporting name: Hokum B) for Mistral helicopter carriers, Anatoly Punchuk, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), said Tuesday.

Flying Wing DARPA Drone to Increase Soldier Mobility

10/19/2016

The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has revealed plans to develop a high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft over the next few years that would provide terrain-independent non-human cargo transportation for the military.

South Korean Air Force Receives New Bunker Busting Cruise Missiles

10/18/2016

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has started receiving its new Taurus KEPD 350K air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), IHS Jane’s Defense reported on Friday, when the first delivery was announced. The new ALCMs, designed by a joint German-Swedish partnership, will be integrated into the ROKAF’s existing Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle multi-role fighters.