Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Paratroopers Set to Hold Anti-Terror Drills in Egypt for First Time

09/17/2015

Russian paratroopers plan to hold anti-terrorist exercises for the first time in Egypt in October and November this year, the paratroopers’ press service said Wednesday. Cairo and Moscow agreed to increase military, trade, security and economic cooperation earlier this year after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Egypt in February.

Japan Requests Explanations After ‘Russian’ Plane Enters Airspace

09/17/2015

Tokyo sought explanations from Russia after it scrambled four fighter jets to intercept a foreign aircraft - believed to be Russian - which briefly violated its airspace, government officials said Wednesday.

Russia sends artillery and tanks to Syria as part of continued military buildup

09/16/2015

Russia has sent tanks and artillery to Syria amid a reported military buildup, US officials say, raising concerns about a potential mission to bolster President Bashar al-Assad’s embattled regime. Moscow has sent artillery units and seven tanks to the Syrian airbase near Latakia on the Mediterranean coast as part of an ongoing military buildup, a US official told AFP on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. Air Force planning for increased stealth bomber availability

09/16/2015

The U.S. Air Force is overhauling maintenance and restoration of its B-2 stealth bombers, shortening maintenance periods to keep more aircraft mission-ready. The Air Force is working with contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation in an effort to improve the B-2's readiness and sustainability. Under the contract signed by both parties in April, each jet will undergo a complete restoration process known as programmed depot maintenance (PDM).

The Alliance Between Israel And Saudi Arabia

09/16/2015

The apparent Israeli-Saudi alliance, even though hidden from the masses for now, matches the interests of the US in the Middle East and Western Asia. Washington hopes that this will weaken anti-Israeli feelings in the Arab and Muslim world, create a reliable counterweight in the region to a possible strengthening of Iran, and isolate to the extent possible radical islamist Sunni and Shiite groups.

Australian jets drop first bombs on Islamic State targets in Syria

09/16/2015

DEFENCE Minister Kevin Andrews says Australian aircraft have dropped bombs on ISIS targets in Syria for the first time. Mr Andrews confirmed the mission, that occurred two days ago, this morning. “An Australian hornet fighter aircraft destroyed a Daesh armoured personnel carrier with a precision guided missile,” Mr Andrews said.

U.S. Air Force warns F-35 order review could damage program

09/16/2015

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh on Tuesday warned that short-term moves to revise downward the Air Force's planned purchase of 1,763 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighters could damage the program and scare off foreign buyers. "Let’s delay this discussion for a little while until we see what happens in the world," Welsh told reporters at the annual Air Force Association conference, citing efforts by Russia and China to field more advanced fighter aircraft of their own.

Vietnam War aircraft on display

09/16/2015

A RECENTLY restored Pilatus Porter army aircraft that was deployed during the Vietnam War is on display at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre. The centre has its monthly, free public open day this Sunday giving visitors a chance to not only see the extensive collection of restored military aircraft but to learn their story as well.

F-35 tests fell short, Pentagon report says

09/16/2015

After nearly 15 years of schedule delays and highly criticized cost increases, U.S. military officials and defense contractors confidently proclaimed the much maligned Joint Strike Fighter program back on track when the Marine Corps declared its version of the F-35 fighter jet combat-ready last month.

Talks With Buyers of Mistral Warships Held in 'Good Conditions'

09/16/2015

The negotiations between France and potential buyers of the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers that were initially constructed for Russia are being held in "good conditions", French Foreign Minister claimed Tuesday.

Brazil Plans to Buy 3 Russian-Made Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Systems in 2016

09/16/2015

Brazil is planning to sign a contract with Russia in 2016 on the purchase of three advanced Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, Ambassador to Russia Jose Vallim Guerreiro said on Tuesday. "As far as I know, a contract on delivery of three [Pantsir-S1] systems, worth around $500 million, could be signed in 2016," the diplomat told RIA Novosti.

Coming Soon: Russian Su-35s to Pakistan and American F-35s to India?

09/15/2015

Russia seems to be eager to antagonize both friend and foe alike these days. In a move that seems to be completely inexplicable, Russia is apparently negotiating to sell Pakistan advanced Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighters along with Mi-35 Hind-E attack helicopters. Perhaps more amazingly, the Russians don’t seem to grasp that their Indian allies are likely to react extremely negatively at the prospect of such a deal.

Kuwait to purchase 28 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from Italy

09/15/2015

Kuwait has signed an agreement with Italy to purchase 28 Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role combat aircraft, strengthening the country's military capabilities. Under this new deal, Kuwait is expected to receive 22 single-side jets and six dual-seat aircraft. Eurofighter CEO Alberto Gutierrez said: "This new agreement is the confirmation of the superiority of the Eurofighter over its competitors and will provide a great opportunity for further Eurofighter orders.

Aerospace Industrial base in Transition as Fleets Age

09/15/2015

The aerospace industrial base is healthy but entering a transitional period, a panel of experts said Monday at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference. Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group; Jim McAleese, consultant and founder of McAleese associates; and David Melcher, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association discussed the coming paradigm shift as the US transforms from an aviation nation to an aerospace nation.

This Satellite Image Leaves No Doubt That Russia Is Throwing Troops and Aircraft Into Syria

09/15/2015

Over the past year, evidence has steadily emerged of a growing Russian military presence in Syria. As Bashar al-Assad’s armies have failed him in the field, he has increasingly relied on outside help. Initially, that help came from Hezbollah and Iran, but now it appears to be Moscow’s turn. And Washington may finally be waking up to what looks like a substantial Russian intervention in Syria.

Want to See a Fighter Jet Fly Low and Fast? Here Are Some Prime Viewing Spots

09/15/2015

In Death Valley National Park, north of Barstow, California, is Rainbow Canyon. It’s not especially remarkable, just one canyon in an area full of them, all but indistinguishable from its neighbors in an area populated mainly by snakes. But stand on one of the canyon tops for long enough and a fighter jet will suddenly roar into the valley below you, flying fast and very, very low.

Poland Selects Lockheed Martin’s JASSM

09/15/2015

Lockheed Martin has received a Foreign Military Sales contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM®) to the Polish Air Force for its F-16 fleet. Lockheed Martin is providing hardware and software, documentation, program management and missiles in support of the Polish Shield initiative. Poland is the third international customer for JASSM.

China Building Third Airstrip in South China Sea, US Expert Warns

09/15/2015

China appears to be building a third airstrip in contested territory in the South China Sea, a US expert said on Monday, citing satellite photographs taken last week.

If Mistrals Sold to Egypt or India, Russian Equipment Won't Be Removed

09/15/2015

A French official cited by defense news website Defense One said that Moscow has signaled that Russian telecommunications and missile control systems installed onboard the Mistral helicopter carriers may not be removed, if Egypt or India were to purchase the warships.

Sukhoi PAK FA versus Chengdu J-20: Which Fighter Has the Bigger Punch?

09/15/2015

The US magazine The National Interest, which takes much interest in comparing countries' military hardware, has chosen a new pair of war machines to compare: Russia’s Sukhoi PAK-FA and China's Chengdu J-20. Though both aircraft are positioned as air superiority fighters, the magazine’s defense analyst doubts that the J-20 could be called as such.

Partnerships bolster U.S. military pivot to Pacific

09/14/2015

With more than half of the world’s land and population as its responsibility, the task facing Pacific Air Forces is sometimes daunting. “The Indo-Asian Pacific is vast and it is complex,” said Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of Pacific Air Forces and air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command. “It is more than 60 percent of the world’s population,” including speakers of nearly 3,000 languages.

Colombia Accuses Venezuelan Military Planes Of Invading Airspace

09/14/2015

Colombia is demanding an explanation from Venezuela after spotting two military aircraft flying in Colombian airspace, the defense ministry said Sunday. The confrontation comes amid a larger diplomatic rupture between the countries as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has closed major border crossings and deported of thousands of Colombian nationals.

Counter-Terrorism: Jordan Gets By With A Little Help From Its Friends

09/14/2015

Jordan recently revealed more details of the Israeli assistance it was receiving for the fight against Islamic terrorism. Israel has supplied Jordan with a dozen lightweight Slylark UAVs and the services of one or more larger Heron TP UAVs. Israel has also provided special electronics and software so that Jordan can more effectively track its own troops and possible Islamic terrorist activity.

One of America’s First Female Combat Pilots Recounts her 9/11 Mission to Take Down United Flight 93

09/14/2015

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney readied herself for the ultimate sacrifice. According to MSN, Penney, one of America’s very first female combat pilots, sat on the runway at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland preparing to fly. The day’s fourth airliner had been hijacked and it seemed to be headed straight for Washington, D.C. Penney was one of the first two combat pilots in the air that morning, so the task fell on her and her commanding

Taranis stealth drone may see final test flights later this year

09/14/2015

Britain’s top secret stealth drone will complete its third and possibly final round of test flights later this year, the Ministry of Defence has said. The £200 million Taranis programme, making the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers, will have achieved all its objectives if this year’s trials go well, officials said. No decision has been made on further tests.