Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

OPINION: Can Scorpion jet fight its way to sales success?

05/07/2016

When commercial aircraft product launches are stage-managed with a careful unveiling of billions of dollars worth of orders from a few hand-picked customers, the sight of a new military aircraft propelled into development with no announced buyers can come across as a rarity bordering on reckless.

Swiss Air Force plans to replace wing of F/A-18 fighter jet

05/07/2016

The Swiss Air Force is to replace a wing on its Boeing F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft after it discovered a disbond in an adhesive joint during regular inspection. The joint between the wing and the fuselage of one F/A-18 aircraft was found to have become detached, according to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection, and Sport (DDPS).

IAF gains experience by taking part in global air exercises

05/07/2016

Indian Air Force gains by participating in international combat exercises, especially when its fighter jets are pitted against US F-16s and F-18s which are used by Pakistan, government said on Friday. Without naming Pakistan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Lok Sabha that knowledge of close combat ability of F-16s and F-18s was important for the Western front of India.

U.S. Seeks To Approve Attack Aircraft For Nigeria

05/07/2016

Additionally, U.S. military officials revealed that it would provide more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance resources to the Nigerian military and plans to train Nigerian infantry troops to more effectively combat the insurgents.

U.S. forces now on the ground supporting combat operations in Yemen, Pentagon says

05/07/2016

The Pentagon has placed a small number of U.S. advisors on the ground in Yemen to support Arab forces battling al-Qaeda, military officials said on Friday, signaling a new American role in that country’s multi-sided civil war. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said U.S. personnel had been in the country for about two weeks, supporting Yemeni and Emirati forces that are fighting a pitched battle against militants near the southeastern port city of Mukalla.

US-Foreign Military Sales 2016 Are Thriving; Middle East Among Major Buyers, Recipients Of Aircraft, Weapons

05/07/2016

The United States has continued its foreign military sales (FMS) momentum from last year into the first half of this fiscal year and is on pace to exceed its 2015 profits from selling combat aircraft in part to countries in the Middle East and Asia, according to Defense News. Last year, the U.S. pocketed $43 billion in foreign military sales.

Amid Daesh Threat, Turkey Ramps Up Drone Development

05/07/2016

Since January, dozens of Turkish residents have been killed in cities along the Syrian border, victims of rocket attacks believed to have been carried out by Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State. In an effort to counter these attacks, the Turkish military will fast-track two programs aimed at developing armed drones.

US Defense Giants Expect $50Bln Aircraft Sales to Israel, Arab States

05/07/2016

A new financial report projects that the largest US defense contractors are looking forward to a new bonanza of expensive aircraft sales to Gulf states and Israel, including an extra squadron of F-15 jets, the Defense News reported on Friday. "The… finalization of a ten-year military funding plan for Israel [is] expected to be in the $40 billion to $50 billion range," the newspaper stated, citing a financial report from Guggenheim Securities.

Flat Refusal: India Dismisses US Offer of F-16 Jets

05/07/2016

In what can be seen as a sharp denial to the US, India has dismissed a proposal made by Lockheed Martin Corp to build F-16 fighter jets in India. India's defense minister Manohar Parrikar said in Parliament, "The experience of flying against F-16 is what we require as we are not going to induct F-16, at least; as of now."

A call on Vietnam’s most modern air force units

05/06/2016

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters followed a major general of Vietnam’s air defense force on Wednesday during a surprise military inspection on two of the country’s most modern air regiments in the southeast province of Dong Nai.

Will the Air Force Build More New F-22s?

05/06/2016

Several prominent leaders in the national defense community are calling upon the Pentagon to re-start production of the high-speed F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet which began air attacks against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. The F-22's recent performance in combat missions for Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Syria have led observers and analysts to emphasize the importance of the fighter.

Sri Lanka may buy a Russian fighter (instead of JF-17/LCA)

05/06/2016

The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) is reportedly planning to open talks with Russia for the purchase of fighter aircraft. The type and numbers have not been specified, but it seems Sri Lanka is not going to engage with any of its neighbours in South Asia for new combat aircraft to replace its ageing MiG-27s and IAI Kfirs.

Chinese naval group heads to disputed South China Sea for combat drill

05/06/2016

The Chinese navy has begun a comprehensive combat drill in the South China Sea involving its most advanced warships amid rising tensions with the United States over the disputed waters. A naval group of two destroyers, two frigates, and a supply ship left Sanya, Hainan province, on Wednesday for drills analysts said were aimed at boosting combat readiness. Another destroyer will join them soon.

Even as Agusta fire rages, government puts UPA's Rafale deal under scanner

05/06/2016

As the BJP and the Congress lock horns over the AgustaWestland chopper deal, the Narendra Modi government has decided to up the ante by initiating investigation into all the defence deals finalised by the previous UPA government, including the high-profile Rafale jets. Sources in the Defence Ministry have told India Today that a probe has been ordered into the previous acquisition of Pilatus Aircraft and MMRCA deal (Rafale jet deal) finalised during the Congress-led UPA-2 regime.

Who’s making sure the Saudi bombs keep falling on Yemen? The Tories

05/06/2016

Since the 1960s, Labour and Conservative governments have sold the Saudi regime entire fleets of combat aircraft, as well as providing regular continuing supplies of training, upgrades and ammunition. Since the onslaught on Yemen began in March last year, the flow of arms – bombs, rockets and missiles in particular – has not only continued, but dramatically increased.

Raytheon retaining focus on small, swarming unmanned aircraft

05/06/2016

US missile manufacturer Raytheon is zeroing in on low-cost, tube-launched small unmanned aircraft like the Coyote and autonomous swarming technology to capture new business as part of the Pentagon’s Third Offset Strategy.

Boeing-Equipped Training Center Opens, Enhances Worldwide P-8A Maintenance

05/06/2016

Boeing has equipped the U.S. Navy’s new P-8 Maintenance Training Facility with a suite of realistic, interactive training systems, another key step in the service's efforts to fully integrate the aircraft into the fleet.

India Sends Letters to 8 States Over Italian-Made Chopper Deal Probe

05/06/2016

India has sent letters of request to eight countries in relation to a corruption probe into the process of procuring helicopters from an Italian producer, AgustaWestland, for the Indian Air Force, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said Thursday.

WATCH: Russian High-Tech Aircraft Conducting Flights in Syria (VIDEO)

05/06/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry published a video of the Russian Aerospace Forces conducting flights in Syria on its official YouTube channel. The video shows the incredible Su-25 fighter jet, Mi-8 transport-combat helicopter, Su-35s, the Su-24M and fighter-bomber Su-34.

Algeria to test Su-35 fighter ahead of possible acquisition

05/05/2016

The Algerian Air Force has asked to evaluate the Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighter jet in preparation for the possible acquisition of at least 10 of the aircraft at a cost of up to $900 million, a Russian defence industrial source has revealed.

USAF to automate MQ-9 takeoffs and landings

05/05/2016

The US Air Force is pressing forward with a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper upgrade that would allow the widely fielded armed aircraft to takeoff and land automatically.

Kratos breaking into the unmanned combat air vehicle market

05/05/2016

Kratos Defense is gaining ground in the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) market traditionally dominated by the world’s largest defence firms and privately-held General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in the USA, having captured at least one significant classified contract and most recently winning a place on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) “Gremlins” project.

The U.S. Air Force's Next Super Weapon: Lethal Lasers?

05/05/2016

The Air Force plans to arm its fleet of drones and fighter jets with high-tech laser weapons able to incinerate enemy targets from the sky, service officials said. Aircraft-launched laser weapons could eventually be engineered for a wide range of potential uses, including air-to-air combat, close air support, counter-UAS(drone), counter-boat, ground attack and even missile defense, officials said.

Finland May Turn to Drones To Supplement Combat Aircraft

05/05/2016

Finland’s center-right government’s tightening grip on public spending could result in the acquisition of fewer combat aircraft in the Finnish Air Forces’ (FAF) HX Fighter Replacement Program (HX-FRP). Such a path to procurement strengthens the possibility that economic and affordability factors could see Finland acquire a fleet of combat drone aircraft to supplement the FAF’s operational needs and support its overall capability.

Indian Navy to Replace Sea Harriers with Russian MiG-29K

05/05/2016

The Indian Navy will induct a new squadron of MiG-29Ks in a ceremony scheduled to take place on May 11 in the southern state of Goa. The Russian fighter aircraft is replacing the obsolete British Sea Harriers which served the Indian Navy since 1983, and were placed aboard the INS Viraat warship, which is also being decommissioned.