Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Could Start Delivering S-400s to China by Year-End - Source

04/06/2016

S-400 is by far Russia's most advanced surface-to-air missile system that has a range of 248 miles and is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

Lockheed Martin Mini-Missile Takes Flight in New Demonstration

04/06/2016

A Lockheed Martin-built Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) interceptor was successfully launched from a Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) in an engineering demonstration on April 4 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Israeli Military Aircraft into Lebanon Denounced

04/05/2016

Lebanese authorities denounced today that four Israeli combat aircraft overflew regions in the Beqaa Valley and around the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, at the border with Syria, at medium altitude. Although they did not give details, the sources quoted by the official news agency NNA said the four violations of the air space followed other disrespectful actions against the sovereignty of this Arab country by Israel, especially in southern border towns.

Russia's Mi-28N helicopter's combat debut is Syria

04/05/2016

Russian Mi-28N ('Havoc-B') attack helicopter has made its combat debut in Syria, according to the footage provided by Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD). The footage shows the usage of at least one Mi-28N helicopter in fighting against the Islamic State terrorists near the city of Palmyra (Homs province).

F-35I C4 software enters production

04/05/2016

The command, control, communications and computer (C4) system is being developed by Israel Aerospace Industries’ Lahav division, which announced on 3 April it had completed the system definition, prototyping and testing phases ahead of production.

Bulgaria Approves $1.4B Fighter Jet, Vessel Acquisition Programs

04/05/2016

The Bulgarian government has approved three programs to acquire new fighter jets, modernize the country’s Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft and purchase new patrol vessels, worth a total of 2.42 billion leva (US $1.4 billion), reports local news agency Novinite.

US, Philippines Launch Wargames As China Issues Warning

04/05/2016

The United States and the Philippines began this year’s iteration of their annual war games on Monday as China issued a pointed warning about outside interference in the ongoing South China Sea disputes. Some 8,000 U.S. and Philippine will participate in the Balikatan exercises, which will run from April 4 to April 15. Australian troops will also participate in Balikatan this year, while several countries sent observers.

Calls for calm after third day of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh

04/05/2016

Armenia’s president has warned that renewed fighting in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh could spiral into all-out war after a third day of fighting. “A further escalation of military action could lead to unpredictable and irreversible consequences, right up to a full-scale war,” President Serzh Sarksyan said in a speech opening a meeting with foreign ambassadors in the Armenian capital Yerevan.

US military gives go ahead to 'Gremlin' drones: Swarms of craft will overwhelm enemy defenses and conduct missions too dangerous for manned aircraft

04/05/2016

They were the mischievous creatures blamed for causing mechanical failures and faults on aircraft during World War Two and later the destructive monsters in a hit film franchise. So Gremlins might not seem like the first choice for a fleet of robotic aircraft being developed by the US military. But the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has given the go ahead for four firms to begin building the craft.

Air Force to base two F-35 fighter squadrons at Eielson AFB in Alaska

04/05/2016

The Air Force’s first operational overseas F-35A Lightning II fighters will call Alaska home starting in 2020. Eielson Air Force Base, just south of Fairbanks, was chosen after a lengthy analysis of the area’s operational considerations, installation attributes, environmental factors and cost, the Air Force said in a Monday statement.

WATCH: First Ever Footage of Russia's Ka-52 Helicopters in Action in Syria

04/05/2016

Combat use of Ka-52 Alligator attacks helicopters by the Russian Aerospace Forces was caught on camera for the first time in history. The Syrian Army published on one of its YouTube channels a video taken near the town of Al-Qaryatayn. On April 3, the Syrian Army and its allies backed by Russian airstrikes fully liberated Al-Qaryatayn from Daesh militants.

Why Russian MoD Needs More Su-30SM Gone Through Baptism by Fire in Syria

04/05/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry has ordered over 30 Su-30SM jet fighters, after the aircraft successfully made its combat debut in the Syrian campaign. Pilots described it as an "exceptionally reliable" aircraft.

Admiral Kuznetsov to go to Mediterranean Sea carrying new fighters - source

04/04/2016

The Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy in autumn will arrive in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, its aviation grouping will include fighters Sukhoi Su-33 (Flanker-D) and Mikoyan MiG-29K (NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-D), a source told TASS on Saturday.

Officials Provide Details of Latest Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq

04/04/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Military Buildup “To Deter Russian Aggression”: US Sends F-15 fighter Jets to Iceland, Netherlands

04/04/2016

According to an announcement by the US Air Force on Friday, US aircraft units from the 131st Fighter Squadron at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts and the 194th Fighter Squadron at Fresno Air National Guard Base in California will support NATO air surveillance missions in Iceland and conduct flying training in the Netherlands.

Indonesian defense minister confirms plans to purchase Su-35 fighters from Russia

04/04/2016

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has confirmed his intention to sign a contract on the purchase of the Su-35 multi-purpose fighter jets during his upcoming visit to Russia in the next few days. The minister made this statement in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday.

Indian Air Force to participate in Red Flag exercise with NATO forces

04/04/2016

Amid growing bonhomie between India and the US, 12 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, including the Russian origin Sukhoi-30MKI (Su-30MKI), will fly to Alaska this month to take part in the prestigious Red Flag air exercise that will see them in action alongside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces during the war games.

What if the US Went to War - Russia, China?

04/04/2016

Vitaly Kuzmin CC BY-SA 3.0 What if the US Went to War - Russia, China? WE ARE THE MIGHTY 10:24 AM We Are The Mighty takes a look at how the world’s three most powerful militaries stack up in 4 major categories: With the rhetoric about global trade deficits heating up on the campaign trail, it might appropriate to momentarily shift our focus away from the asymmetric threats of the Taliban and ISIS and look at the world of conventional warfare. Here’s how the world’s three most powerful m

US to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty

04/04/2016

US military experts will fly over the territory of Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies on April 4-9, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov said Sunday.

Flying High: Russian Aerospace Forces to Get Over 30 Su-30SM Fighter Jets

04/04/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry and the Irkut aircraft manufacturer have signed a contract to supply over 30 multipurpose Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces by the end of 2018, the ministry's press service said in a statement Sunday.

The Unwanted Heron Becomes A Superstar

04/03/2016

In early 2016 Israel decided to add up to six more Heron TP (also known as Eitan or Heron 2) UAVs by the end of 2016. This came after Germany decided to lease three to five Heron TPs instead of the similar American Reaper. Despite some reliability problems (and several crashes) since it entered service in 2008 the Heron TP has proved to be very useful as a surveillance aircraft and could also carry missiles as needed.

US, PH launch Balikatan ’16

04/03/2016

THOUSANDS of US and Filipino soldiers will launch on Monday annual war games that this year are being seen as a show of strength in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. The 11-day Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises are expected to show how the Philippines, though severely outgunned, can counter China with the help of the United States, its longest-standing ally.

U.S. F-15S DEPLOYED TO ICELAND

04/03/2016

The U.S. deployed 12 F-15C Eagles to Iceland on Friday, an indication of the return of an American military presence on the North Atlantic island nation. The deployment of the aircraft to Iceland demonstrates U.S. commitment to a “free” and “secure” Europe, the Air Force said in a press statement.

Stratotankers 'enable that global reach' that lets Air Force hit Islamic State

04/03/2016

The U.S. and its partners in the coalition targeting Islamic State group militants in Iraq and Syria have conducted more than 11,000 airstrikes since the campaign began, and refueling tankers have been key to those missions.

Why the US Should Stop Building Joint Fighters

04/03/2016

Jointness in defense planning and acquisition is supposed to save money by minimizing redundancy and duplication between the military services. But these benefits often prove illusory in practice, and they never seem to materialize in efforts to build a joint fighter jet. Recent comments by the F-35’s program chief suggest that reality might finally be sinking in.