Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Indian, Russian negotiators agree on FGFA development

01/25/2016

The Indian Air Force (IAF), once an ardent backer of the proposed Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), has for the last two years sharply attacked the project. Critics say the FGFA is on the back burner to clear the way for the French Rafale fighter.

What's on François Hollande's Agenda in India?

01/25/2016

On Sunday, French President Hollande began a three-day state visit to India. Hollande’s visit will address a broad bilateral agenda, covering collaboration on defense, counter-terrorism, clean energy, and economic ties. Notably, Hollande will be the guest of honor at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26. India hosts an annual military parade in New Delhi for Republic Day and has in recent years featured foreign heads of state and government to emphasize growing strategic ties.

Despite Decades of Stealth, Sticking Points Bedevil F-35 Jet

01/25/2016

One of the earliest stealth weapons on record was a stone used by the young Israelite David to kill the Philistine giant Goliath. In the biblical account, David shunned the conventional armaments of his time: sword, helmet, armor. Instead, he went forth with a slingshot and a few stones, kept undetected in a pouch. As any schoolchild knows, one well-aimed fling was all it took to put Goliath down for good. The big guy never saw it coming.

Kurds Repel Massive Daesh Attack Near Mosul, Terrorists Take Severe Losses

01/25/2016

While awaiting as the Iraqi army gets prepared for the liberation of Mosul, the Kurdish armed militia Peshmerga spent their time in recurrent skirmishes with Daesh fighters who dared to come too close to their outposts. Pilots from the US-led coalition provided air support or, to omit the vague military slang, attacked terrorists from above.

Russia’s Strategic Bomber PAK DA May Take off Earlier than Expected

01/25/2016

The prototype PAK DA may hit the skies before 2021, the chief added. “Work on the PAK DA is coming along and the pace is suiting us. The challenge remains to raise the prototype into air by 2021, but if all continues at the current pace, it will take off even earlier,” Bondarev said.

China Moving Toward Reaching Deal With Djibouti on Building Military Base

01/25/2016

China and Djibouti have “reached consensus” regarding the construction of logistical facilities in the African state. The deal that has been hinted at for months has finally been confirmed.

China's Progress in Developing Hypersonic Weapons Unsettles Pentagon

01/25/2016

Although Beijing has repeatedly stated that its efforts to modernize its military are aimed strictly at boosting China's defense capabilities, US military officials never miss an opportunity to present these developments as an alarming trend.

Report: Russia Seeks Airbase in Northeast Syria

01/24/2016

While Russia already has military facilities in northwestern Syria, in the Latakia Province, the Russian military is believed to be doing some preliminary scouting in northeastern Syria’s Hasakeh Province, with an eye toward setting up a separate airfield in that area. US officials are saying Russia has dispatched personnel to an airfield in Qamishli and are believed to be trying to figure out if they want that site.

Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

01/24/2016

On Jan. 22, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using fighter and attack aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

UAE Eyes Moving Mirage Fighters to Iraq's Kurdish Areas, Procuring Rafales

01/24/2016

The United Arab Emirates is awaiting final assurances from France and the Iraqi government to sell its fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000-9s before completing their deal for 60 Rafale fighters, Defense News has learned.

Organic But Unpredictable Anti-Aircraft Systems

01/24/2016

An increasingly common problem for commercial and military aircraft is bird strikes. This is especially true of Africa where there are larger populations of birds and small land animals. Military air bases, which tend to be in remote areas, are even more exposed to the possibility of bird strikes or animals unexpectedly moving onto air strips. There have been some clever solutions to this problem.

RAF fighter jets not fitted with safety systems to prevent civilian collisions despite Government pledge

01/24/2016

The majority of Britain’s fighter jets have not been fitted with safety systems that would help prevent a catastrophic mid-air collision with a passenger plane, despite the Government pledging to install them almost 20 years ago, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.

Canada’s ISIS mission has cost close to $300 million

01/24/2016

Canada’s military mission against Islamic State extremists has cost close to $300 million so far, the Star has learned. The first six months of the mission, which began in October 2014, actually came in under original estimates at $70 million — some $52 million less than defence planners had originally projected, defence department spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier told the Star.

Russia to Sell Egypt 46 Alligator Helicopters

01/24/2016

To equip the French-made Mistral-class ships, Egypt is buying 46 Russian Ka-52 Alligator reconnaissance and combat helicopters, Austrian online newspaper Die Presse reported.

Russian PAK FA Dazzles at Bahrain International Airshow

01/24/2016

The King of Bahrain visited the hangars of various foreign companies during the Bahrain International Airshow-2016, including hangars of ‘Sukhoi’, ‘Rosoboronexport’ and holding ‘Helicopters of Russia’.

PAF commissions 3rd C-295 transport aircraft

01/23/2016

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) formally commissioned its third and last Airbus Military C-295 medium transport aircraft during ceremonies at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga last Jan. 20. PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said on Friday the ceremony was led by Air Logistic Command head Major Gen. Isagani Silva. Canaya said the third C-295 transport aircraft arrived at Clark Air Base last Dec. 11.

US general says B-52 overflight caught North Korea’s attention

01/23/2016

North Korea did not shrug off the recent overflight of a 55-year-old B-52H bomber near Seoul that was escorted by US and South Korean combat jets, according to vice chairmen of the US joint chiefs of staff Gen Paul Selva.

Are U.S. Special Forces Facing a Syrian 'Black Hawk Down'?

01/23/2016

According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)—which is affiliated with the opposition—the U.S. advisors arrived at the Rmelian base several weeks ago. The base’s infrastructure is being expanded so that it can support U.S. military operations in the area. U.S. helicopters are already using the base according to the SOHR. The group expects that fixed-wing aircraft will soon operate from the runways, which are currently being expanded.

DoD Weapons Tester Concerned about F-35 Software Development

01/23/2016

Although the Joint Program Office maintains the F-35 program remains on track, the Pentagon’s top weapons tester recently raised concerns that the fifth-generation fighter jet’s software development could fall behind.

Why would Russia want to build an air base near Turkey?

01/23/2016

Russia may possibly be exploring a base near the Syrian border with Turkey to build another air base to support Russian offensive air operations against anti-Assad forces and the Islamic State. Russia has been steadily expanding its presence in the Middle East in concert with Syrian forces and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

American Gripen: The Solution To The F-35 Nightmare

01/23/2016

One thing that has helped keep the F-35 program going is a perception that there is no ‘Plane B.’ As Margaret Thatcher famously said,“There is no alternative.” No matter how bad the F-35 is, it is going to be built because the U.S. Air Force needs something to replace its worn-out fighters. That appears to be the fallback position in Lockheed Martin’s marketing plan for the F-35.

India is about to seriously upgrade its air force

01/23/2016

Indian and French negotiators haggled Friday over the price of 36 combat aircraft for the aging Indian air force, officials of the two nations said, just days before President Francois Hollande visits New Delhi to cement commercial ties, according to Reuters.

In Pics: India's light combat aircraft Tejas fighter at Bahrain International Airshow

01/23/2016

Indigenously developed India's light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter participated in its first air show on foreign soil in Bahrain. Tejas is a single engine, light weight aircraft with supersonic capability at all altitudes. Here's a look at how the aircraft enthralled the audience at the Bahrain International Airshow, being held from January 21 to January 23.

Hungary Intends to Buy Up to 30 Russian Choppers for $490 Mln

01/23/2016

Hungary plans to buy about 30 Russian helicopters with the value of the contract expected to reach $490 million, a spokesperson for Russia’s Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) said Friday.

Russian Nuclear Forces Receive 10 Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22 Strategic Bombers

01/23/2016

Russia’s nuclear strategic forces have received 10 modernized Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22 strategic bombers, head of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov said Friday. “We have received new means of weaponry, new missiles…We have received for the Russian Navy two new strategic missile cruisers, the Alexander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monamakh, and from the industry, we have received for the aviation strategic nuclear forces 10 modernized strategic bombers.