Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Deliveries of Russian S-300 Systems to Iran on Schedule

03/11/2016

There are no problems with the deliveries of Russian-made S-300 air defense systems to Iran, the chief of staff of the Iranian presidential administration said on Thursday. Earlier this week, an Iranian Defense Ministry source confirmed that there were no problems with the S-300 delivery to Iran, noting that work was underway to resolve the remaining technical issues.

Pentagon: US Strikes Degrade Daesh Chemical Weapons Capability

03/11/2016

The United States has launched airstrikes that destroyed some chemical weapons capabilities of the Islamic State (Daesh) and will continue such operations in the future, US Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook told reporters on Wednesday.

Russia Developing Advanced Laser Guidance System for Mi-28 Gunships (VIDEO)

03/11/2016

Russia is developing a multifunction image processing system and an upgraded laser guidance system for guided weapons for its newest Mi-28NM attack helicopter.

USAF studying future attack aircraft options

03/10/2016

The US Air Force has begun studying future close air support (CAS) aircraft to succeed the Fairchild Republic A-10 as the Pentagon evaluates the weaponry it needs for “prolonged operations” of one year or more.

Army Chinook Helicopter to Fly for 100 Years

03/10/2016

The Army plans to fly its Vietnam-era workhorse CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter for 100 years by continuously upgrading the platform through a series of ongoing technological adjustments designed to improve lift, weight, avionics and cargo handling, among other things. The Army goal is to allow the helicopter, which was first produced in the early 1960s, to serve all the way into the 2060s – allowing the aircraft service life to span an entire century.

USAF equips F-22 Raptor with AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles

03/10/2016

The US Air Force's 90th Fighter Squadron based in Elmendorf-Richardson has equipped an F-22 Raptor with an AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles. USAF3rd Wing weapons manager chief master Sergeant Chuck Jenkins said: "This has been in the inventory for the Air Force and Navy for some years; it's nothing new to the military. But to put it on the Ferrari of aircraft, the F-22, the most advanced aircraft we have, it gives the pilots more manoeuvrability, larger range.

Turnbull plays down US bombers in NT

03/10/2016

The government has played down reports that US supersonic long-range B-1B bombers could soon conduct training exercises from an RAAF base in Australia's north. Neither Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull nor Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denied this would happen or commented on a possible reaction from China. Mr Turnbull said US forces rotated through Australia all the time under the close defence relationship.

Report: Navy Aircraft Involved in Iraq Search-and-Rescue Mission

03/10/2016

A mission to recover a U.S. Army reconnaissance plane that went down March 5 in northern Iraq included Navy helicopters and Air Force personnel, according to a news article. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said Air Force pararescuemen and Navy choppers from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 out of Norfolk, Virginia, participated in the mission, which was launched from the nearby city of Erbil, according to an article in The Washington Post.

Why Is America Using These Antique Planes to Fight ISIS?

03/10/2016

War was just an experiment for two of the U.S. military’s oldest and most unusual warplanes. A pair of OV-10 Broncos—small, Vietnam War-vintage, propeller-driven attack planes—recently spent three months flying top cover for ground troops battling ISIS militants in the Middle East.

French Air Force Plans Hires, Orders New Bombs

03/10/2016

The French Air Force is looking to recruit more mechanics to maintain fighter jets and also urgently acquiring bombs and equipment to support a high rate of operational use, air chief Gen. André Lanata said Tuesday. Urgent operating requirements have been posted for new munitions and satellite communications, he told defense journalists on March 8, daily Le Monde reported.

USAF to get more F-35s, maybe more F-22s

03/10/2016

Congress and American defense officials are realizing that over the last few decades they committed the classic sin of militaries over the centuries. America trained and equipped to fight the last war, a special operations, low intensity conflict, incorrectly defining future threats to the United States. The realization is causing the U.S. government to rethink its procurement of the latest-generation combat aircraft, specifically the F-35 and F-22.

The new Dambusters: Famous 617 squadron is being reformed at US airbase where RAF pilots are training to use F-35 stealth fighter before flying them back to the UK in glory

03/10/2016

British military pilots have been flown to South Carolina to undertake intensive combat aircraft training as the two countries reform the famous 617 Dambusters squadron. Personnel from the Royal Navy and RAF have been embedded with the US Marine Corps as they undertake a unique F-35B Lightning II operational training programme in Beaufort.

Northrop technology on nEUROn UCAV

03/09/2016

Northrop Grumman, together with Saab Aerosystems, has supplied the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) for the nEUROn unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, it was announced on 7 March. The nEUROn has now completed over 100 test flights in Sweden, Italy and France.

Mohana, Bhawana & Avani: Meet IAF's first women trainee fighter pilots

03/09/2016

ndian Air Force (IAF) will soon get its first women fighter pilot. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that the force's fighter stream will no longer be a male domain from June 18, 2016 when the first batch of women fighter pilot trainees is commissioned into the force.

Weapons online: F-35A training syllabus advances ahead of IOC

03/09/2016

Two F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing here successfully employed two laser-guided bombs Thursday morning at a nearby range, advancing the Air Force’s F-35A training syllabus ahead of F-35A Initial Operational Capability.

B-52 bombers to take on ISIS

03/09/2016

American B-52 bombers are “ready and able” to strike ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, a top Air Force official confirmed Monday. The air campaign against ISIS is “taking a toll on our aircraft, our readiness and our airmen” but the “venerable B-52 … remains ready and able to meet combatant commander requirements,” Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said during a Pentagon press briefing.

Albania Is Auctioning Off Soviet-Era Fighter Jets Starting at $9,000

03/09/2016

It’s tough to find a good deal on a fighter jet these days. But if you’re willing to put a little time and money into a restoration project, the formerly communist republic of Albania has a deal for you.

Italians, Turks fly the competitive skies of Las Vegas

03/09/2016

Flying in Eurofighter Typhoons and F-16 jets, pilots from the Italian and Turkish air forces joined their U.S. partners in a Red Flag air combat training exercise Tuesday, roaring into partially cloudy skies north of Nellis Air Force Base. For the Italian Air Force, it’s the first time its fighter pilots and aircraft have flown in Red Flag’s 41-year history, officials said. It also marks the longest overseas deployment for the Typhoon detachment commanded by Col. Marco Bertoli.

Lockheed Seeks to Save Troubled F-35 With Exaggerated Job Claims

03/09/2016

It's a time-tested ploy. When a weapons system can't be justified based on cost, capabilities, and need, the manufacturer touts how many jobs the program will create. So it is with Lockheed Martin and its troubled F-35 combat aircraft.

Russia Threatens Invasion If North Korea Nuclear Rhetoric Continues

03/09/2016

North Korea’s provocative nuclear rhetoric has gotten so bad even the Kremlin has come out against the hermit kingdom, warning continued nuclear threats could justify an invasion. The warning was issued in the form of a written statement from the Russian foreign ministry. It follows North Korea’s threat it would engage in a “preemptive and offensive nuclear strike” in reaction to the start of joint U.S.-South Korean war games Monday.

Boeing and Paramount to Collaborate on Light Multi-role Aircraft

03/09/2016

Boeing and the Paramount Group, the South Africa-based global defense and aerospace business, have expanded their 2014 agreement to cooperate on an advanced mission system for a variant of the Advanced, High Performance, Reconnaissance, Light Aircraft (AHRLAC).

US-French Mission to Hold Observation Flight Over Russia

03/09/2016

Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center acting chief Ruslan Shishin said that the US and French experts will conduct an observational flight over Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies on March 9-13.

The most lethal combat aircraft in the world just got more capable

03/08/2016

On Mar. 1, 2016 the 90th Fighter Squadron (FS) belonging to the 3rd Wing stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska officially became the first combat-operational Raptor unit to equip an F-22 with the AIM-9X Sidewinder.

As T-X Competition Looms, Air Force Expects Requirements To Hold Steady

03/08/2016

Despite speculation that parameters for the Air Force's T-X trainer are still up in the air, top officials say there will be no more changes to the program requirements. The Air Force’s requirements for 350 T-X jets to replace the service’s aging T-38 trainer fleet are pretty much set, according to Brig. Gen. Andrew Croft, director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments for Air Education and Training Command. Although a formal request for proposals will not be released until later this

Afghan Air Force receives light attack aircraft in Mazar-e-Sharif

03/08/2016

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) in northern Balkh province of Afghanistan has received two A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft as part of NATO’s efforts to bolster the capabilities of the Afghan forces in fight against terrorism. The light attack aircraft have been deployed in Mazar-e-Sharif city, the provincial capital of northern Balkh province, amid deteriorating security situation in northern parts of the country.