Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Exclusive: U.S. budget plan includes over $13 billion for new submarine - sources

02/02/2016

The Pentagon's next five-year budget proposal seeks over $13 billion in funding for a new submarine to carry nuclear ballistic missiles, plus orders for more Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp fighter jets, according to sources familiar with the plans.

US Navy’s Unmanned Jet Could Be a Tanker

02/02/2016

One of the biggest questions facing the future of US Navy carrier-based aviation is what will be the primary mission of its new unmanned jet. Some believe the aircraft — to be produced by the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program — should be a stealthy strike jet able to penetrate an enemy’s defenses without risking a pilot. Others want a spy plane, able to launch from a carrier and produce high-quality, real-time intelligence.

Russia deploys frontline fighter jets to Syria amid Turkish tension

02/02/2016

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Su-35 fighters have been deployed to Hemeimeem air base in Syria. The Su-35 is Russia’s most advanced fighter that is fielded in significant numbers. NATO designates the aircraft as the SU-35S Flanker-E.

Pentagon Report Casts Further Doubts on F-35's Combat Readiness

02/02/2016

Aviation Week has published a 48-page report from Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, which casts serious doubts on whether the Marines' current version of the F-35, the Block 2B, is capable of entering combat on it own.

India looks for unmanned combat aircraft from U.S.

02/02/2016

The Indian armed forces have suffered from time and technology challenges over the last 30 years, but apparently to make up for the lost time, the government has now approved the Indian Air Force's (IAF) requirements for unmanned combat aircraft, technically called Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs).

Russia Comments on NATO's Alleged Evidence of Turkish Airspace Violation

02/02/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry, commenting on the statement of a NATO representative regarding the ‘classified images’ of the so-called violation of the Syrian-Turkish border by a Russian jet, said that such allegations were expected from NATO as they are trying to withhold information from the public and media.

Dutch F16 jets to start bombing in Syria, ministers agree

02/01/2016

Dutch F16 fighter jets will take part in bombing raids over Syria, ministers agreed on Friday. ‘We can only prevent attacks if we remove IS’ safe havens in Iraq and Syria,’ prime minister Mark Rutte said at his weekly press conference. The Netherlands currently has four F16 fighters flying missions over Iraq and their mission will now be extended to eastern Syria, Rutte said. In addition, the Netherlands will ‘intensify’ its support for the Iraqi army and Kurdish forces in Iraq Kurdistan.

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

02/01/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, 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.

Ottawa pushes military deals with Kuwait despite UN concerns

02/01/2016

The Canadian government is busy promoting Canada’s defence industry in Kuwait even as a United Nations report accuses a Saudi-led coalition, which includes Kuwait, of “widespread and systematic” bombing of civilians in Yemen.

MiG-31 Miasma

02/01/2016

In late January a Russian MiG-31 jet fighter was lost due to unspecified equipment failure. The air force grounded all 120 MiG-31s until the exact cause could be determined. The most likely culprit is age which is why in late 2015 the air force received $378 million to upgrade another 50 of the older MiG-31s to the MiG-31BM standard. Unfortunately the recent crash was of a BM model as were some previous crashes. The latest crash was not unexpected.

Beijing Admits Chinese Jet Fighter Technology Inferior to Western Warplanes, Says Report

02/01/2016

Chinese jet fighters are likely to be at a disadvantage in the event of an aerial confrontation with Western combat aircraft - or even fighters from US ally Japan - over the East and South China Seas, foreign and Chinese aviation experts have said. Defense admitted that there is a "definite gap" between Chinese military technology and some developed countries. The statement said Beijing will continue to strengthen China's armed forces.

Japan Shifts Air Force Posture South, Unveils Stealth Demonstrator

02/01/2016

On one level the Japanese Ministry of Defense latest budget request for the financial year starting April appears to be business as usual, as the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) chugs along with its piecemeal procurement of 42 F-35s and decisions on the eventual replacement of its aging F-2 and F-15 fleets shelved.

106 upgraded Tejas jets to replace MiGs

02/01/2016

The Ministry of Defence has decided to locally produce 106 upgraded Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas” jets to replace the ageing fleet of MiG fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The “Tejas Mark 1-A” will have 43 improvements over the existing Tejas currently being test-flown by the IAF for various parameters and slated for final operation clearance in March. The existing project is running years behind schedule.

Japan Deploys Additional F-15s Close to Disputed Islands With China

02/01/2016

The deployment brings the total number of F-15s at Okinawa’s Naha base to 40. Japan and China have had tense relations over the sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea, known as Senkaku in Japan and as Diaoyus in China.

Turkish Air Force Raises Alert Level After Alleged Airspace Violation

02/01/2016

The Turkish Air Force has declared an 'orange alert' at key bases after an alleged violation of the country’s airspace by a Russian fighter jet, Anadolu news agency reported, citing military sources in Ankara.

Syrian civil war: Could Turkey be gambling on an invasion?

01/31/2016

A month before Turkey shot down a Russian bomber which it accused of entering its airspace, Russian military intelligence had warned President Vladimir Putin that this was the Turkish plan. Diplomats familiar with the events say that Putin dismissed the warning, probably because he did not believe that Turkey would risk provoking Russia into deeper military engagement in the Syrian war.

Military Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq

01/31/2016

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, 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.

Turkey Summons Russian Envoy Over Latest Airspace Violation

01/31/2016

Turkey summoned Russia’s ambassador after it said a Russian military aircraft flew into the country’s airspace, two months after a similar incident strained relations between the nations. The Sukhoi Su-34 strike fighter entered Turkish airspace at 11:46 a.m. local time on Friday, even after warnings from Turkish radar units, according to a statement on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Russia’s envoy to Ankara was called to the ministry within hours.

Despite military build-up, China struggles with warplane engine technology

01/31/2016

China has built a potent military machine over the past 30 years but is struggling to develop advanced engines that would allow its warplanes to match Western fighters in combat, foreign and Chinese industry sources said. The country’s engine technology lags that of United Technologies unit Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce, said Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

Top Gun in Iran? Don't be scared of the Islamic Republic's F-14s

01/31/2016

You remember Top Gun, the movie about Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer playing volleyball. There was that sexy airplane too, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat: A twin engine, swing wing, carrier-borne fighter built to chase off the Russkies. What you may not remember is that we sold Tomcats to Iran. As you can see from the video above, they're still flying today. Sort of.

NATO chief urges Russia not to violate NATO airspace again

01/31/2016

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Russia on Saturday to "take all necessary measures" to ensure NATO airspace was not violated again, after Turkey said a Russian warplane had entered its airspace on Friday despite radar warnings.

Turkey says Russian jet violated its airspace again, warns of consequences

01/31/2016

Turkey warned of consequences on Saturday after saying a Russian SU-34 jet had violated its airspace despite warnings, once more stoking tensions between two countries involved in Syria's war, but Russia denied that there had been any incursion. In a similar incident in November, Turkey shot down a Russian warplane flying a sortie over Syria that it said had violated its airspace, triggering a diplomatic rupture in which Russia imposed economic sanctions.

Beijing Accuses US Destroyer of Violating China’s Territorial Waters

01/31/2016

The patrolling near the Paracel Islands archipelago, conducted by a US Navy destroyer, is unlawful as such action can only be allowed with the permission of the Chinese authorities, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

‘Fatal Blow to Daesh’: Iraqi Army Poised to Liberate Mosul

01/31/2016

The Iraqi Army is all set to liberate the city of Mosul, which has been controlled by Daesh terrorists since June 2014, Iraqi Media News agency reported, citing a senior military commander.

Russian Su-27 jet fighter flies within 20 feet of US surveillance aircraft during 'unsafe and unprofessional' interception over the Black Sea

01/30/2016

A Russian fighter jet 'buzzed' a US surveillance aircraft passing within 20 feet when it intercepted its target over the Black Sea. The Su-27 Flanker passed dangerously close to the Boeing RC-135 which was 30 miles from the Russian coast while flying over international waters. According to US officials, the Russian jet drew alongside the surveillance aircraft before turning away violently and hitting it with the jet blast from its engines.