Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

PICTURE: Su-30 MKI flies first sortie with BrahMos missile

06/28/2016

An Indian air force Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft has carried a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile aloft for the first time, a key milestone toward the eventual deployment of the capability. The twin-seat aircraft carried the 2,500kg missile during a 45 minute sortie from the Hindustan Aeronautics airport in Bengaluru, said the Indian aerospace firm in a statement.

Taiwan-US to Test Missile Defense System as Threat of War with China Grows

06/28/2016

In its push for full independence, Taipei looks to the Obama administration for support, a move that could result in a catastrophic war. On Monday, Taiwan announced plans to test-fire the newly acquired US-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile defense shield next month amid heightened tensions with China.

How Russia Plans to Catch Up With the US in AWACS Capabilities

06/28/2016

Russian military analyst Vladimir Tuchkov sorts through Russian and US Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms, laying out the two countries' capabilities and offering insights into the future trajectory of the development of Russian systems.

Can Hague ruling help curb China advances?

06/27/2016

Are China’s claims and actions in the South China Sea violations of international law? As early as by the end of this month, a court of arbitration in The Hague is expected to hand down the first ruling on the issue in a case initiated by the Philippines based on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The struggle between China and the international community over the “rule of law” is about to get into full swing.

Iran’s Trying to Rebuild Its Air Force

06/27/2016

After decades of financial and technological strangulation, the Iranian air force—at one time among the most advanced in the world—finally has an opportunity to modernize and potentially become a serious aerial opponent for the United States and other rivals. The gradual lifting of international sanctions on Iran that began in January—a reward for Tehran agreeing to scrap its nuclear program—means the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force could, in theory, buy new jet fighters.

NAF to acquire 10 training aircraft to boost capacity

06/27/2016

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has concluded arrangement to acquire 10 super mesh training aircraft from Pakistan Air Force to boost the country’s security. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made the disclosure on Saturday at the graduation of Student Pilot Course (SPC) 41B in Kaduna. He said that the aircraft would be inducted into the 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna.

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

06/27/2016

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

DARPA To Develop Military Aircraft Engine Capable Of Mach-5 Speed

06/27/2016

The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched its Advanced Full Range Engine (AFRE) program to develop an aircraft propulsion system that could operate over the full range of speeds required from low-speed take-off through hypersonic flight.

Russia Aerospace Forces to Receive Six S-400 Air Defense Systems in 2016

06/27/2016

Russian Aerospace Forces will receive six S-400 Triumph air defense missile systems in 2016, Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Sunday. "The industry is reaching its full capacity, so this year we will receive six S-400, and next year, we won't slow down the pace as well," Bondarev said.

Russia, China or Iran vs. US Navy: Who Wins? (A Sea Control Showdown)

06/26/2016

The capability risks that the United States Navy took in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War are coming back to haunt the service as Russia, China and Iran seek to challenge American forces at sea. Increasingly, rival powers are challenging American sea control—something that the U.S. Navy has not encountered since the implosion of the once mighty Soviet Navy in 1991.

How Long Before U.S. and Russian Jets Clash Over Syria?

06/26/2016

How long will it be before American and Russia jets dogfight in the skies over Syria? That possibility seems more likely after the latest in a string of confrontations between American and Russian aircraft. Earlier this month, Russian aircraft bombing U.S.-backed rebels fighting ISIS and the Syrian government almost confronted U.S. Navy fighters, according to the Los Angeles Times.

U.S. launches first attacks on Taliban under new rules

06/25/2016

U.S. warplanes in Afghanistan have launched airstrikes against Taliban targets in recent days under new authority granted to the top commander there to help Afghan forces achieve “catastrophic success,” Defense officials said.

A MIXED FIGHTER FLEET FOR CANADA? SUPER HORNETS, F-?35S, AND THE CHALLENGE OF COMPARISONS

06/25/2016

The following article originally published at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. It is republished with permission. It may be read in its original form here. CDA Institute guest contributor Peter Layton, a Visiting Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Queensland Australia, offers his thoughts on Canada’s potential plan to acquire Super Hornets as a bridging capability.

Watch this video of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle flying at low level over Norway

06/25/2016

Cool GoPro footage shot by 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons during Arctic Fighter Meet 2016. From May 23 to 27, the 48th Fighter Wing from RAF Lakenheath, trained alongside the Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish air forces during exercise Arctic Fighter Meet 2016. Seven jets (F-15C and F-15E) from the 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons deployed to Bodø airbase, Norway, to conduct BFM (basic fighter maneuvers) and DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) to improve combined air operations.

RSAF's Peace Carvin V detachment tops Gunfighter Flag exercise in Idaho

06/25/2016

The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Peace Carvin V’s (PC V) F-15SG fighter detachment topped a week-long Gunfighter Flag exercise in Idaho, United States in April, clinching the Overall Best Squadron award. It competed alongside teams from air bases in the US, as well as RSAF PC II’s F-16 detachment in the quarterly-held exercise. Other external units from the United States Navy, Air National Guard and United States Marine Corps were also invited to participate.

EXCLUSIVE: With only two planes and issues unresolved, IAF to bring LCA Tejas home

06/25/2016

A squadron of the indigenously designed and built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be commissioned and thereafter join the ranks of frontline jets like Sukhoi 30MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 among others in securing the Indian airspace.

This aging amphib will soon take on ISIS. Here's how sailors and Marines got it ready for the fight

06/25/2016

The Islamic State group is about to feel the sting of this 27-year-old gator as it heads out on its first major deployment in more than a decade. The amphibious assault Wasp is back in the fight. For the first time in 11 years, the Wasp will deploy to the Middle East with two other aging vessels: the dock landing ship Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock San Antonio. The three ships in the amphibious ready group have a combined age of 68 years.

1000 multi-function displays for Sukhoi 30 MKI handed over to HAL

06/25/2016

About 1,000 units of indigenously manufactured multi-function display (MFD) for installation in India's frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft has been handed over to state-run HAL. The displays were manufactured by Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Samtel Avionics and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Run Silent, Run Scared: Russian Sub Hunter to Tote Powerful New Bomb

06/25/2016

Russian engineers are working to adapt the all-new Zagon-2 antisubmarine corrected air bomb for use by Mi-14 helicopters, RIA Novosti wrote citing Techmash Concern’s CEO Sergei Rusakov.

National Guard Units Bolster Air to Ground Integration During Saber Strike

06/24/2016

Saber Strike 16, this year’s iteration of a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise, brought together 14 NATO Allies and regional partners to train alongside one another and enhance the relationships that are essential to successful future operations. Integration of air and ground operations is a major point of emphasis in the exercise.

Russia's attack on U.S.-backed rebels in Syria puzzles, frustrates the Pentagon

06/24/2016

One week after Russian aircraft bombed American-backed rebels in Syria, U.S. officials say they are still waiting for Russia to explain the incident that has put the two militaries at risk of confrontation. Russian aircraft on June 16 dropped cluster bombs on a New Syrian Army unit garrisoned at a base in al-Tanf, a remote desert outpost where the borders of Iraq, Syria and Jordan meet.

Lockheed's Fort Worth plant shows off new Israeli stealth fighter jet

06/24/2016

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics rolled out its first F-35 bound for Israel Wednesday where the sleek stealth fighter is so greatly anticipated it is known as "Adir," Hebrew for mighty, powerful and great. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman was among the foreign, state and local dignitaries at Lockheed's complex in west Fort Worth to see the F-35 unveiled and then described as the weapon that will become the backbone of Israel's security needs far into the 21st century.

Marines To Pair Laser Weapon With Stinger Missile For Mobile Ground Unit Protection

06/24/2016

The Marine Corps is moving towards a future in which small dispersed units can protect themselves from incoming enemy drones with laser weapons and from missiles and aircraft with Stinger missiles, with both weapons netted into a detection system and mounted atop Humvees, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and other combat vehicles.

Marines pull aircraft from 'boneyard,' get used Navy jets amid aviation crisis

06/24/2016

With most of its F/A-18 strike fighters unable to fly on any given day, the Marine Corps is resurrecting 23 Hornets from the “boneyard” and getting another seven aircraft from the Navy. The move comes as the Marine Corps and Navy struggle to keep F/A-18s in the skies until the F-35 joint strike fighter can replace the services’ aging aircraft.

OPINION: Can Airbus bear weight of A400M Atlas?

06/24/2016

By all rights, the Airbus Defence & Space A400M should be a soar-away success story in both the domestic and export markets – but at the moment the programme is looking dangerously vulnerable.