Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

This is the first glimpse of America's most secretive spy plane

11/14/2015

The Pentagon is unflinchingly tight-lipped about any new, high tech planes it has in the works. But every so often, a bit of information manages to squeak out into the public domain. In 2013, the U.S. Air Force sent a secret spy plane out over the Pacific region. The unknown aircraft — possibly a drone — flew "national collection missions" — a euphemism for strategic intelligence against states like North Korea or China.

Need a Cheap Fighter Aircraft? The JF-17 Might Work

11/14/2015

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and its and its partner, the Pakistan Aeronautical complex (PAC) Kamra, is once-again reiterating that it has signed a deal to sell the JF-17 Thunder to an unnamed customer at the Dubai airshow.

Awesome Science: Did China Just Turn All Fighter Jets Invisible?

11/14/2015

A team of researchers from China is said to have created a material that could hide the world's best war machines from the all-seeing eyes of the most powerful anti-stealth microwave radars… and they have made the technology publicly available.

Russia’s T-50 PAK FA '100 Percent Digital Aircraft'

11/14/2015

The Russian T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation jet fighters is a "100 percent digital aircraft" because of the "smart covering" of its body, Igor Nasenkov, Deputy CEO of KRET Holding, told RIA Novosti. KRET, part of Russia’s Rostec hi-tech corporation, developed electronic systems for the aircraft.

US Approves Surveillance Aircraft Sales to Japan, Australia - Pentagon

11/14/2015

The US government has approved the sale of advanced electronic surveillance aircraft to Japan and Australia, the Department of Defense said in two contract notifications.

US sends B-52 nuclear bomber over disputed South China Sea islands

11/13/2015

A UNITED States B-52 strategic bomber flew over artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea recently and was contacted by Chinese ground controllers but continued its mission undeterred, a Pentagon spokesman said overnight.

War against ISIS moves A-10 jet from cutting board to front lines

11/13/2015

Air Force Col. Martha McSally was leading a squadron of A-10 attack jets over Afghanistan when they encountered U.S. forces engaged in a desperate fight against Islamist insurgents. One of the embattled troops signaled his unit’s location with a small mirror that reflected sunlight upward. McSally, the first American woman to fly in combat, and the other pilots flew to the light and opened fire with the seven-barrel Gatling cannons nestled in the A-10s’ noses.

The F-23 Fighter: The Super Plane America Never Built

11/13/2015

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is the best air superiority fighter ever built, but could America have done better? When the YF-22 prototype won the contract for the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) in April 1991, it was a lesser plane compared to the Northrop YF-23 in many ways. Though the YF-22 was a more maneuverable aircraft, the YF-23 had far greater supersonic cruise capability—especially when outfitted with the General Electric YF120 variable cycle engines.

A meaningful pose for photos by top Turkish commander

11/13/2015

Turkey, perhaps for the first time, allowed its soil to be used for combat operations by both NATO allies and non-NATO countries when it struck a deal with the US in late July to open Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey to the US-led coalition forces of about 60 nations in their fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

BAE Systems Cuts Earnings Outlook

11/13/2015

BAE Systems PLC on Thursday cut its earnings outlook for the year and said it would reduce production and jobs for the Typhoon combat jet after failing to secure export business it had expected to win. BAE Systems said full-year earnings per share should be 38 pence, the same as last year, after previously saying they would be “marginally higher,” the London-based arms maker said on Thursday. Earnings would have been lower if not for a 2 pence-a-share tax benefit.

Exposed: Are Secret U.S. Spy Planes Flying Over the Pacific?

11/13/2015

The Pentagon is unflinchingly tight-lipped about any new, high tech planes it has in the works. But every so often, a bit of information manages to squeak out into the public domain. In 2013, the U.S. Air Force sent a secret spy plane out over the Pacific region. The unknown aircraft – possibly a drone – flew “national collection missions” – a euphemism for strategic intelligence against states like North Korea or China.

India To Boost LCA Order; AF Questions Its Capabilities

11/13/2015

The Indian government will increase orders for its homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), called Tejas, from 20 to 120, but Air Force officials question the plane's capabilities, and the scheduled arrival of a more advanced model remains murky.

Argentina's purchase of Israeli fighter jets will be left to next government

11/13/2015

Argentine defence minister Agustin Rossi has announced that negotiations for new fighter jets are under way, but will be left to the next government to purchase. Rossi’s decision comes only a day after the Argentine government announced the purchase of Israeli manufactured Kfir fighters.

Pakistan Seeks Joint Plane Engine Development With Russia

11/13/2015

A Russian engine is being installed in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet which inspires hope for cooperation between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Russian engine maker, a PAC representative said on Monday.

Indonesia Invokes International Tribunal in South China Sea Dispute

11/12/2015

Indonesia could take China to an international tribunal if Beijing’s South China Sea territorial claims, which include Indonesia’s resource-rich Natuna islands, aren’t resolved through dialogue, Jakarta’s chief security minister said Wednesday.

France asks United States for C-130J and KC-130J aircraft

11/12/2015

The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of for Lockheed Martin C-130J transports and associated equipment to France. The proposed deal under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program - administered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency - would be worth an estimated $650 million.

America's 5 Next Generation Super Weapons

11/12/2015

The United States military is far by the most technologically advanced and capable force the Earth has ever seen. From satellites, to stealth fighters and bombers, to advanced surface ships and submarines, America’s arsenal is unmatched by any other power. But American military supremacy rests on maintaining that technological edge. Even now, Russia and China are advancing their capabilities in the hopes of one day matching or even exceeding U.S. capabilities.

Why It's So Damned Hard To Build a New Bomber

11/12/2015

Northrop Grumman didn't get long to celebrate winning one of the most important defense contracts of the 21st century. The week after it secured a $55 billion-and-growing deal to build the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LSRB), the successor to the B-2, losing bidders Boeing and Lockheed filed a protest against the stealth bomber contract award.

China-Pakistan fighter said to have found new buyer

11/12/2015

The FC-1 Fierce Dragon, or JF-17 Thunder, a fourth-generation fighter jet co-developed by China and Pakistan, has found a buyer following several years of speculation and promotion. The aircraft's developers, Aviation Industry Corp of China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, signed a contract with an unidentified buyer, AVIC said in a statement sent to China Daily on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin F-16 Auto GCAS Team Wins Aviation Week Award

11/12/2015

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) team was presented a 2015 Aviation Week Program Excellence Award for its role in managing part of the F-16 Auto GCAS program.

Russian Help in Anti-Terror Efforts in Syria Reassuring – French Lawmaker

11/12/2015

The results of Russian anti-terrorism efforts in Syria are reassuring against a backdrop of ineffective military action of the US-led international anti-ISIL coalition, Thierry Mariani, the head of a French National Assembly delegation to Syria, told journalists.

Russia, Iran Sign Deal on Mi-17 Helicopter Service Center Upgrade

11/12/2015

The Russian Helicopters Company has signed contracts with the Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (PANHA) on upgrading its maintenance and overhaul facility for Mi-17 helicopters, the Russian company’s deputy head said Wednesday.

China, Thailand Decide to Conduct First Joint Aerial Drills in November

11/12/2015

China and Thailand will conduct joint air force exercises for the first time in November, China’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement Wednesday. "The Air Forces of China and Thailand will hold first joint exercises Falcon Strike-2015 on November 12-30," the ministry stated on its website.

Defense Minister: France Strikes IS Oil Sites in Syria

11/11/2015

The French military has stepped up its bombing campaign against the Islamic State group's oil infrastructure with two new strikes in eastern Syria, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Tuesday. "We struck again twice last night in the Deir Ezzor region, firstly on an oil distribution station and secondly on a gas separation plant," Le Drian told journalists on the sidelines of a forum on African peace and security in Dakar, Senegal.

Too Costly, Too Tight: Finnish Military Can't Find Plane That Fits

11/11/2015

The Finnish defence ministry said Tuesday it has scrapped plans to renew its aging fleet of trainer aircraft after none of the planes on offer seemed to fit. A German model, made by Grob Aircraft, was deemed too expensive, daily Helsingin Sanomat reported.