Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Egypt’s upheaval has transformed much of the Sinai into a no-go zone

11/03/2015

Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula was long known for its stunning desert treks and pristine diving. But in recent years, the territory has gained a reputation for its violence and militancy. Some of the same arid landscapes that drew tourists for desert safaris are now lawless badlands stalked by dangerous militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Airbus Targets Helo Refueling, Paratrooper Airdrops for A400M

11/03/2015

Airbus is seeking ways to allow the A400M to refuel helicopters and airdrop paratroopers on both sides of the fuselage, two capabilities seen as key for the military transport, said Fernando Alonso, head of military aircraft. The plane is a “fantastic platform,” but Airbus Defense & Space knows air forces of the client nations are “very frustrated” and eager to have the capabilities fitted, Alonso told journalists Oct. 26.

RAAF superior to regional air forces: ASPI

11/03/2015

A modernised RAAF equipped with new combat aircraft will easily overmatch credible regional adversaries and could even take on a great power threatening Australia, a new study says. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the RAAF is updating almost its entire aircraft fleet, from basic trainers through to frontline combat aircraft.

Outwitting Pakistan? India Offers Sri Lanka Its Newest Fighter Jet

11/03/2015

In an attempt to outdo its archrival Pakistan, which has offered its JF-17 fighter jet, India is trying to sell the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft to Sri Lanka, the Sunday Observer reports. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is looking to procure 18 to 24 new fighter aircraft to replace its obsolete fleet of Chinese license-built MIG-21 by 2017, although there have been debates within the country about whether the SLAF is in genuine need of a next-generation fighter aircraft.

Hypersonic Space Plane Set to Revolutionize How We Move Through the Cosmos

11/03/2015

One of Britain’s most promising space plane technology companies has just secured investment for what may mark a turning point for the future of air transportation: a non-expendable unmanned hypersonic aircraft capable of operating in space at 25 times the speed of sound.

Russia, Iran in Talks on Arms Cooperation, Missile Systems Supplies Ongoing

11/03/2015

Director general of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said that Russia has been supplying Iran with air defense systems and several types of radio electronics, while continuing negotiations on military-technical cooperation.

US Army’s Black Hawk Chopper May Soon Fly Without a Pilot

11/03/2015

Last year, aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky announced its intention to develop a brand new version of the UH-60A, also known as the Black Hawk helicopter. The goal: To make the aircraft fully functional without the need of a pilot. Last week, the company took a major step toward that goal. Conducting tests at Sikorsky’s Aircraft Development Flight Center, an autonomous Black Hawk successfully delivered an amphibious all-terrain vehicle.

‘Stakes Are High’: Chance of War Between US, China Moves Up a Notch

11/03/2015

Although the conflicting sides aren't ready for an all-out war against each other, any incident might potentially lead to a military escalation. Last week, the USS Lassen, a US Navy missile destroyer, sailed through the disputed waters in the South China Sea in an attempt to challenge Chinese territorial claims. China strongly criticized the action and immediately issued a statement saying that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security.

US Satellite Detects Flash Over Sinai as Russian Airliner Crashed

11/03/2015

A US surveillance satellite detected a heat flash over the Sinai Peninsula at the same time the Russian Kogalymavia airliner crashed on Saturday killing all 224 people on board, according to media reports. The satellite’s evidence does not support the theory that the airliner was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, NBC News reported on Monday evening.

Egypt: Four F-16 Fighter Jets Join Egyptian Air Force

11/02/2015

Four US-made F-16 fighter jets joined the Egyptian Air Force as part of Egyptian-American military cooperation. Commander of the Air Force Younes Al Masry said the Egyptian Air Force fighters are in war with terrorism to protect the Egyptian borders as part of the Egyptian national security.

S China Sea tensions increasing demand for US presence: Pentagon

11/02/2015

Disputes over territory in the South China Sea are causing countries in the region to increase their demand for an American security presence, the United States defence chief said yesterday. “The attention to disputed claims in the South China Sea, the prominence of those disputes, is having the effect of causing many countries in the region to want to intensify their security cooperation with the United States,” US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters during his trip to South Korea.

Turkish, US air strikes kill more than 50 ISIL militants in Syria

11/02/2015

air strikes by Turkish and US aircraft in Syria on Saturday killed more than 50 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants and wounded around 30, Turkish media said on Sunday. A senior government official told Reuters on Saturday that Turkish jets had bombed ISIL targets in Syria, as before Turks prepared to vote in Sunday's parliamentary election.

Russian Militancy Drives Eastern European Modernization

11/02/2015

Fearful of a possible military intervention by Moscow, Eastern European NATO member states are resisting acquiring new equipment from Russia and scrapping their cooperation with Russian defense manufacturers to service their existing gear. In Slovakia, the Defence Ministry is planning to replace a large portion of its Warsaw Pact-era military equipment with new gear, preferably purchased from other NATO member states, local analysts said.

Major airlines avoid area where Russian plane crashed, killing 224, as conflicting reports of cause pour in

11/02/2015

In the wake of a Russian passenger plane crash that killed all 224 people on board, several major airlines announced they will avoid the area where the tragedy occurred, as details of the crash grew murkier. Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates all said they will no longer fly over the area in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, where a Metrojet plane reportedly snapped in half while traveling from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg Saturday.

Q&A: Obama to dispatch advisers to Syria

11/02/2015

The White House announced last week that it will dispatch no more than 50 U.S. military advisers to Syria to help rebels battle the Islamic State militants. Here are answers to some key questions surrounding the developments.

ON TARGET: Time for Canda to end its tiny ISIS mission

11/02/2015

With prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau sticking by his campaign promise to end Canada’s bombing mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the usual warmongers and fear mongers have stepped up their game. Desperate to keep Canada’s military in a fighting war — any war — the retired Colonel Blimps brigade has been furiously penning editorials arguing why Trudeau must stay the course and keep on bombing.

China Conducted Military Drills in Past Week

11/02/2015

China’s military conducted aerial and maritime drills this past week, its official news portal said, just days after a U.S. warship sailed through disputed waters in the South China Sea in a direct challenge to Beijing’s territorial claims.

US, Canada to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty

11/02/2015

Canadian, US military experts will fly over the territory of Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies on November 2-6, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov has announced.

Impressive previously unreleased footage shows how two F-14 Tomcats shot down two Gaddafi’s MiG-23s

11/01/2015

After two F-14As from VF-41 Black Aces shot down two Su-22 Fitters on Aug. 19, 1981, the Tomcat faced again LARAF (Libyan Arab Republic Air Force) fighters on Jan. 4, 1989, when two jets from VF-32 Swordsmen shot down a pair of MiG-23 Floggers. In the following video you can see, for the very first time, the whole dogfight, including previously unreleased (at least not available on the Web) footage.

AMC commander discusses the future of Mobility Air Force at 2015 A/TA

11/01/2015

Gen. Carlton "Dewey" Everhart, Air Mobility Command commander, delivered the final keynote address of the 2015 AMC and Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium on Oct. 31, addressing more than 1,500 Mobility Airmen and civilian partners in attendance. This was Everhart's first opportunity to engage such a large crowd of mobility experts in one location on the past, present and future state of global mobility operations.

US F-18 fighter jets scrambled to escort Russian planes from carrier in Pacific – report

11/01/2015

Two Russian anti-submarine planes flew close to a US aircraft carrier in the Pacific, prompting four F-18 combat jet to be scrambled to escort them away, according to a US Navy official. The jets were launched from the USS Ronald Reagan on Tuesday after two Russian anti-submarine TU-142 “Bear” aircraft flew past the warship at a distance of one nautical mile, the official told Reuters on Thursday.

SYRIA: THE “NEW” HYBRID WAR

11/01/2015

The biggest factors that stem from the sudden Russian deployment of air and ground forces to Syria are several fold. Firstly, it does highlight a major failure of intelligence – and even if it wasn’t the intelligence, then it was failure in interpretation of the data, a serious degree of wishful thinking. Second, it highlights the fact that many/most western armed forces have taken a “capability holiday” from high intensity threats over the past decade and more.

Russian Plane Crash Highlights Fears of Flying Near Conflict Zones

11/01/2015

The crash of a Russian jetliner in the Sinai Peninsula once again raises concerns about planes flying near combat zones, which have been a growing worry for aviation regulators. U.S. aviation officials earlier this year warned airlines and pilots not to traverse the area of the Sinai Peninsula below 26,000 feet out of concerns that ground fire could put planes at risk.

Boeing Defense Jobs, Business In St Louis At Risk After Losing Bomber Jet Contract To Northrop Grumman

11/01/2015

For much of the last decade, workers at Boeing's aircraft manufacturing plant in St. Louis, Missouri, continued in the aviation company's long tradition of churning out quality major defense items for a steady stream of customers at home and abroad. According to the labor union chief for many Boeing employees there, the last thing on the workers' minds was the possibility of being laid off.

Killers in the Sky: The 5 Most Lethal Combat Aircraft Going to War in Syria

11/01/2015

The air war over Syria has seen the combat debut of some of the most advanced warplanes from around the world. No less than three new fighter types from the United States and Russia have dropped weapons in anger for the first time. But those new jets are accompanied by their older stablemates, which are often the mainstays of the war on both sides.