Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

War Crimes and Airstrikes: Accusations and Denials in the War in Syria

10/12/2016

Tension over the conflict in Syria has continued with British MP Andrew Mitchell likening Russia's military intervention to that of the Nazis during the Spanish civil war. Moscow has rejected such claims, in what has been a common theme of accusation and denial throughout the war.

Iraq requests $65.3m sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft from US

10/11/2016

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a $65.3m potential sale of AC-208 Combat Caravan aircraft to Iraq. Under the sale, Iraq requested two Cessna AC-208 aircraft, as well as related equipment, training, and support.

VIDEO: C295 demonstrates air-to-air refuelling

10/11/2016

A palletised refuelling unit was installed on a company-owned example for the 29 September trials, along with the computer system required to control the procedure. The medium transport successfully made multiple contacts with a probe-equipped C295 operated by the Spanish air force, with both crews reporting “extremely smooth operation” at speeds down to 110kt (203km/h).

Poland to Consider French Offers on Military Aircraft

10/11/2016

Despite Poland's failed talks on purchase of 50 French Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal, Warsaw will consider other French offers on buying military aircraft, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said.

Adapt and Overcome: Chinese Pilots Learn Russian to Fly Su-35 Fighters

10/11/2016

A new shipment of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft soon to be delivered to China will be fitted with onboard readout systems that display data in Russian.

Joint Russia-Serbia BARS-2016 Drills Kick Off in Serbia

10/11/2016

Joint Russian-Serbian BARS-2016 tactical flight exercises started in Serbia, according to official statement of Russian Defense Ministry.

US, Germany to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia

10/11/2016

The United States and Germany will conduct an observation flight over Russia's territory under the Open Skies Treaty this week, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.

Threats and Rising Tensions: Russia’s Military Options against a US Attack on Syria

10/10/2016

The tensions between Russia and the USA have reached an unprecedented level. I fully agree with the participants of this CrossTalk show – the situation is even worse and more dangerous than during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both sides are now going to the so-called “Plan B” which, simply put, stand for, at best, no negotiations and, at worst, a war between Russia and the USA.

On Their Own, Afghan Forces Strain to Combat Taliban Offensives

10/10/2016

As Afghan forces struggle to break a weeklong Taliban siege of central neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Kunduz, insurgents are also stepping up pressure on urban centers in western and southern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.

PLAAF to Build New AEW&C Plane to Track Enemy Warships at Long-range

10/10/2016

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) plans to develop a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the huge Xi'an Y-20 transport nicknamed "Chubby Girl" that entered service only last July. This AEW&C aircraft will be optimized for detecting both aerial and maritime targets and will possess longer endurance, making it suitable for patrols well into the South China Sea and the Western Pacific.

Air Force Pilot Proclaims the A-10 Warthog the Most "Rugged" He Had Ever Flown

10/10/2016

An A-10 pilot told Scout Warrior the aircraft was the most "rugged" he had ever flown. The Air Force now plans to keep the A-10 flying well into the next-decade. Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “flying tank” in the sky.

Air force starts firing exercise

10/09/2016

Air to air live firing exercise by fighter aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) started at Kutubdia firing range in Chittagong yesterday. The exercise will continue till October 26, from 8:00am to 5:00pm. During this 19-day exercise, BAF fighter aircrafts -- F-7BGI/FT-7BGI, F-7BG/FT-7BG, MiG-29B/UB, L-39ZA, K-8W, YAK-130 and F-7MB/FT-7B --will practice different air combat maneuvers and tactics along with air to air live firing, an ISPR release said.

What Weapons Would Fight in a US-Russia War?

10/09/2016

Taking stock of America and Russia’s military assets is important. For example, what are the key weapons platforms each nation has? Which are the very best? What would prove the most decisive in a conflict?

America's First Stealth Fighter: The Legend of the F-117 Nighthawk

10/09/2016

The F-117 Nighthawk, America’s original stealth plane with a deeply sinister appearance, is an example of a weapon system designed around the limitations imposed by a promising new technology. The Nighthawk was revolutionary when it entered service in 1983—not that many could appreciate that, as the plane was kept secret from the public for five years.

IAF kicks off contest to make single-engine fighters

10/09/2016

A global contest has restarted for supplying India a medium, multi-role fighter, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) inviting top international fighter jet manufacturers to set up a production facility in India. Business Standard has learned that Indian embassies in Washington, Moscow and Stockholm wrote on Friday to fighter jet manufacturers in these countries to confirm whether they would partner an Indian company in building a medium, single-engine fighter, with significant transfer of technology

Army will not pursue AH-64F model Apache

10/09/2016

As Boeing prepares for a possible F model Apache as a bridge between the legacy helicopter and the Future Vertical Lift aircraft, the US Army says it will not pursue the development of the AH-64F.

Russia Blocks French UN Security Council Ceasefire Resolution on Syria's Aleppo

10/09/2016

On Saturday, Russia blocked a draft UN Security Council resolution on the cessation of hostilities in Syria's Aleppo favoring a proposal by the UN Envoy to Syria that focuses on evicting al-Nusra terrorists (al-Qaeda) from Eastern Aleppo.

Russian Parliament ratifies indefinite deployment of air force in Syria

10/08/2016

Russia's lower house of parliament on Friday ratified an agreement presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin to indefinitely station combat aircraft and soldiers in Syria. The deal will bring Syria closer to peace, the legislature's deputy speaker, Sergei Zheleznyak, said in comments carried by state news agency TASS.

Five deals that will bolster India's air defence

10/08/2016

In a bid to strengthen the country's defence capacity, India plans to sign big-ticket defence deals with its traditional and strategic partner Russia during the upcoming annual summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week in Goa on October 15-16. It is expected that some of the most important defence deals may get green signal during the meet.

‘Rafale deal not a setback for Saab’s Gripen jet’

10/08/2016

Swedish aerospace giant Saab AB, which is planning to manufacture here its most advanced multi-role fighter Gripen NG, says that it does not see India’s decision to procure French Rafale jets as a set back. Mats Palmberg, Vice-President, Industrial Partnerships, Saab Aeronautics, in an interview with BusinessLine says he finds the Indian market quite promising. Excerpts:

Could Russia Really Shoot Down an F-22, F-35 or B-2 Stealth Bomber in Syria?

10/08/2016

As tensions between Washington and Moscow flare, the Russian military is warning the United States that it has the ability to target stealth aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit that might be operating over Syria with the Almaz-Antey S-400 (NATO: SA-21 Growler) and the recently arrived S-300V4 (NATO: SA-23 Gladiator) air and missile defense systems.

Russian Military Bases Abroad: Facts and Details

10/08/2016

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has ratified the Russian-Syrian agreement on the deployment of an air group of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria at the Hmeymim airbase for an indefinite period of time.

Italy Is Prepping Its Only Aircraft Carrier to Handle F-35B Stealth Fighters

10/07/2016

Cavour, Italy’s only aircraft carrier, is designed to accommodate up to 12 F-35B stealth jump jets. In theory. In reality, actually operating the stealth fighters requires Cavour to undergo some significant modifications. Although conceptually similar to the smaller Harrier jump jet that already flies from Cavour, the Lockheed Martin F-35B produces much more heat than the older Boeing fighter does.

Is Poland really considering restarting production of its indigenous obsolete I-22 Iryda trainer aircraft?

10/07/2016

On Oct. 3, Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of development visited Chelm State Higher School of Vocational Education (PWSZ – Panstwowa Wyzsza Szkola Zawodowa). Among the things said during the visit one is particularly interesting: a claim has been made by the school officials that the Polish indigenous PZL I-22 Iryda trainer program will be reactivated, with the jets being manufactured in Chelm, alongside small UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and drone systems.

BAE Systems in arms talks with Saudi Arabia

10/07/2016

The announcement by the defence, aerospace and electronics giant will stoke controversy over weapons sales to the Arab kingdom. However, it will hold out a lifeline to aircraft factories in the North West. The UK has been one of the biggest suppliers of defence equipment to Saudi Arabia for more than 40 years, including the 1980s al-Yamamah deal.