Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Japan's Lethal 'Helicopter-Destroyer': An Aircraft Carrier in Disguise?

04/12/2016

The Land of the Rising Sun has been quietly strengthening its military capabilities and procuring advanced equipment amid the ongoing debate over whether to amend Article 9 of the country’s constitution. Though officially called the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF), the Japanese Navy boasts an impressive array of hardware and if the country’s ruling party has its way with the constitution, its capability will only get stronger.

Watch this cool video of a Bulgarian Su-25 Frogfoot during a head-on low passage

04/12/2016

Shot by photographer Anton Balakchiev during the recent Thracian Thunder 2016 exercise, this short but rather interesting video shows a Bulgarian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot performing a low passage over a hill where photographers had gathered to shot the aircraft flying low level missions.

At commanders’ meet, IAF looks to enhance ops

04/12/2016

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is currently battling its lowest strength of fighter jets in a decade, today started its bi-annual “commanders conference” to enhance its operational capability. The five-day conference will be discussing various means and methods to improve operational capability, including the induction of new fighter jets. Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurated the conference this morning.

Turkey Is An Indispensable U.S. Ally

04/12/2016

As the global fight against ISIS continues, no relationship has become more important to our country than the strong and critical relationship forged between the United States and Turkey. With the future of the Middle East evolving on a daily basis, Turkish-U.S. relations are critical to regional security and the management of regional crises.

Will India and the United States Coproduce Fighter Aircraft?

04/12/2016

India and the United States may sign an agreement for the coproduction of Lockheed Martin F-16V and Boeing F/A-18 fighter aircraft, according to Indian and U.S. defense officials. The deal is likely to involve technological transfers and the local production of U.S. fighter jets in India to meet Indian Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s so-called Make in India Initiative.

Air Force approves RPA initiatives

04/12/2016

The Air Force recently approved two initiatives for the remotely piloted aircraft career field. First, eight RPA reconnaissance squadrons will be redesignated as attack squadrons. Second, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III authorized RPA aircrews to log combat time when flying an aircraft within designated hostile airspace, regardless of the aircrew's physical location.

Air power in the South China Sea: Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines

04/12/2016

Much of the recent strategic analysis on the South China Sea has largely focused on the naval sphere, with the acquisition of new submarines by Vietnam and Malaysia and the US Navy conducting freedom of navigation missions in the contested waters. In contrast, the aerial domain has either been forgotten or only mentioned in passing. The absence of analysis on air power means that several questions have been left unanswered.

China and Pakistan Air Forces Launch Joint Training Exercise

04/12/2016

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) kicked off a joint training exercise this weekend, Xinhua news agency reports. The military drill, code-named “Shaheen (Eagle)-5” began on April 9 in Pakistan and is scheduled to run for three weeks until April 30.

Russia Confirms Delivery of First S-300 Air Defense Systems to Iran

04/12/2016

Russia has delivered the first batch of the S-300 air defense systems to Iran, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Monday. The delivery of the first batch of Russian S-300 systems has been earlier announced by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

In Libya you can buy machine guns rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns on Facebook

04/11/2016

An online black market for for weapons sales is now flourishing in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a new study that found sales of machine guns, rocket and grenade launchers, and anti-aircraft guns for sale on Facebook in Libya.

The US is dropping bombs quicker than it can make them

04/11/2016

Ongoing air wars in Middle East have caused an unexpected dip in the Pentagon’s stockpile of air-to-ground munitions — and Washington has been slow to address the supply problem. The Pentagon has had months to deal with it. “We're expending munitions faster than we can replenish them,” USA Today quoted Air Force chief of staff Gen. Mark Welsh as saying in December.

PM Borisov: Bulgaria Is Capable of Guarding Its Borders on Its Own

04/11/2016

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov stated that the Bulgarian army and border police are capable of guarding the country's borders on their own without the need for assistance from NATO. Borisov said this after he attended the joint training of the navy and border police held in the bay of Burgas on Sunday.

Russian army to get sixth S-400 missile system by year end - Defense Ministry

04/11/2016

Russia’s Aerospace Forces will receive by the end of this year the sixth set of the S-400 Triumph air defense missile system, says a release by the Russian Defense Ministry press service received by TASS on Sunday. "Within the framework of the rearmament with new samples of weapons and military equipment in 2016.

MILITARY 3D PRINTING APPLICATIONS TO TRANSFORM THE INDUSTRY

04/11/2016

It is no secret that all branches of the United States military have been keeping a close eye on 3D printing technology. With the variety of uses across all industries, 3D printing has proven its versatility. Besides the ongoing research in a number of directions, such as 3D printing of replacement bones, battle armor, and vehicle parts, the Navy has already successfully tested ballistic missiles containing 3D printed components.

Sporadic clashes hit Yemen ahead of midnight ceasefire

04/11/2016

Sporadic fighting gripped parts of Yemen on Sunday, hours before a UN-brokered ceasefire aimed at laying the groundwork for upcoming peace talks was due to take effect. The new ceasefire, which was timed to start at midnight (1am UAE), is supposed to be the cornerstone of a long-lasting peace deal negotiated between Yemen’s warring parties from April 18 in Kuwait.

BAE Systems still keen on Malaysia’s fighter jet replacement programme

04/11/2016

BAE Systems (International) Ltd, a UK multinational defence, security and aerospace company that has been vying for the contract to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jet fleet since 2011, remains keen on the deal. And in the current challenging economic environment when governments all around the world are tightening their expenditure, it believes it has the better offer on the table.

Tensions Rising Between US, Turkey Over Possible Closure of Incirlik Base

04/11/2016

Washington's unwillingness to take actions toward the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, may result in Ankara closing the Incirlik airbase to the US, an adviser to the Turkish president said.

Obama's 'Red Line' on Russian Su-30 Sale to Iran Unlikely to Hold

04/11/2016

The Obama administration plans to prevent Russia from selling its Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighters to Iran by vetoing the approval for the possible deal at the UN Security Council, but the US president could well cross his latest self-imposed "red line" like he's done in the past, Washington Times columnist L. Todd Wood asserted.

What's Behind Russian-Belarusian Joint Air Defense System

04/11/2016

Russia and Belarus have completed the formation of their joint air defense system in the Eastern European region of collective security, the deputy commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces said earlier this week.

China threatens key US base in Djibouti

04/10/2016

For a base on the strategic Horn of Africa, the Obama administration will evidently overlook a lot. It has tolerated the leader of Djibouti deploying lethal force against political foes and extending his autocratic rule while allowing the Chinese Navy to open its first overseas base in Africa. The Chinese base will thus be in proximity to a more than 4,000-strong ((HOW MANY??)) American military presence that includes the largest United States drone installation outside Afghanistan.

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

04/10/2016

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.

B-52s arrive in Qatar to join bombing campaign against ISIS

04/10/2016

U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, on Saturday joining Operation Inherent Resolve, the American-led campaign against the Islamic State group. The deployment marks the first time the Air Force will use the Cold War-era warplanes — from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana — in the counter-ISIS fight in Iraq and Syria. The service did not disclose the exact number of bombers it deployed.

Defense Ministry: No Azerbaijani drone downed over Khankendi

04/10/2016

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry has dismissed the recent Armenian media reports, which said that allegedly an Azerbaijani unmanned aerial vehicle was downed over the city of Khankendi, located in the Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia.

RAF MARHAM GETS READY FOR THE F-35: A STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THE RAF AND THE USAF TO SHAPE COMMON SUPPORT CAPABILITIES FOR THE F-35 FLEET

04/10/2016

According to an article on the UK Ministry of Defence website, the Ministry of Defence has announced contracts worth 167 million pounds to upgrade and build new facilities at RAF Marham, the future home of the UK F-35B Lightning II squadrons.

Recapitalizing Joint STARS: Small is Beautiful

04/10/2016

Recall the movie “Jaws,” when Police Chief Martin Brody warns shark-hunter Quint that “We’re gonna need a bigger boat”? That, essentially, is the argument that some defense industry analysts are making regarding the selection of an aircraft to house the next Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).