Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Italian Jet Trainer Finds New Cost-Saving Roles

02/13/2016

Alenia Aermacchi (Finmeccanica, Stand G55) is promoting two new roles for the M346–companion training, and dissimilar air combat training (DACT). “Our existing customers told us it would make an excellent aggressor,” company test pilot Giacomo Ianelli told The International Fighter Conference in London last November. Singapore was the first export customer for the Italian jet, and operates 12 of them for advanced pilot training at Cazaux airbase in France.

F-35s in test deployment

02/13/2016

Six test and evaluation F-35 fighters are on a simulated deployment to conduct key initial operational capability mission sets, the Air Force said. The sets are suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction. The achievements of the F-35A squadron's ability to deploy, employ and sustain operations will set the benchmark capability for the Air Force to declare F-35A initial operational capability, which is scheduled for this fall.

All of These Countries Now Have Armed Drones

02/13/2016

Last week Nigeria joined a dubious international clique when it bombed a logistics base used by the militant group Boko Haram in the country’s northeast. Though the airstrike itself was unremarkable—the Nigerian Air Force has conducted hundreds of strikes against Boko Haram in recent months—it was the first Nigeria has delivered via an unmanned drone.

Post-Nuke Deal Iran Wants To Build Russian Su-30 Fighters And A New Advanced Tank

02/13/2016

Now that Iran is sitting on a pile of cash and the import ban on conventional military hardware has been partially lifted following the nuclear deal, the Islamic Republic is looking to replace its hodgepodge of vintage military hardware. This may soon include producing Russian Su-30 multi-role fighters and T-90 tanks within their own borders.

Boeing, U.S. Air Force Complete KC-46 Tanker Refueling Flight with F/A-18

02/13/2016

A combined Boeing/U.S. Air Force aircrew aboard the KC-46 tanker successfully refueled an F/A-18 aircraft in flight February 10th. The air refueling was the program’s first using the KC-46’s hose and drogue system. During the 4+ hour flight, the tanker’s air refueling operator smoothly transferred fuel to the F/A-18 flying at 20,000 feet.

Unmanned CBARS Tanker Air Segment Draft RFP Expected Later This Year

02/12/2016

Naval Air Systems Command is set to release a new draft request for proposal for its unmanned aerial refueling tanker to industry later this year, USNI News has learned. Built from the work of its Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, the draft RfP for the air segment for the follow-on Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS) will come out ahead of the a final RfP in FY 2017 and a contract award in FY 2018.

Confirmed: Indonesia Will Buy 10 Russian S-35 Fighter Jets

02/12/2016

Indonesia has agreed to purchase 10 Russian Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighter jets, according to Indonesian media reports. Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, General Ryamizard Ryacudu, will visit Moscow in March to sign the final agreement.

Air Force tanker saves pilot from ejecting over ISIS territory

02/12/2016

A fuel malfunction almost caused an F-16 pilot to eject over Islamic State group-held territory last year — but a savvy KC-135 tanker crew saved him from abandoning his aircraft over enemy territory. Being careful to not disclose too much information, the Air Force said a Stratotanker deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas was refueling some A-10s in the area when the F-16 flew up in need of a helping hand.

Photo Report: Refueling some thirsty GAF Tornado ECR combat planes with an Airbus A310 MRTT

02/12/2016

Last year, Foto Poork‘s photographer Filip Modrzejewski had the opportunity to take part in an aerial refueling mission in support of some of the aircraft involved in the exercise. He flew aboard a German Air Force Airbus A310 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport), a tanker-variant of the civilian A310, that operated at 20,000 feet supporting some GAF Panavia Tornados, which can be refueled mid-air using the so-called hose-and-drogue system.

Budget Request Trims Modernization; Procurement Funds Buy Capability

02/12/2016

Modernization took the biggest hit in the Defense Department's fiscal year 2017 budget request, but the $102.5 billion in the procurement account can purchase a lot of capabilities, Mike McCord, DoD’s chief financial officer, told reporters at a Feb. 9 Pentagon news conference. As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act signed in November, the Defense Department had to make up $22 billion in its budget. Modernization took the biggest hit, McCord said.

Russia accuses U.S. of bombing Aleppo; U.S. officials deny it

02/12/2016

As battles continue to rage around the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo, so too does the war of words among two far-away countries involved in the fight -- Russia and the United States. The defense ministry for Russia, which has been lambasted for its own airstrikes in support of a Syrian government ground offensive around Aleppo, turned the tables Thursday with an accusation against the United States.

HAL set to roll out Combat Hawk aircraft by February 2017

02/12/2016

India is set to soon offer a locally made combat version of the Hawk aircraft for export to the world with license producer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) set to roll out the first of the highly weaponised light attack planes by February 2017.

Lockheed Martin Selects Greenville as Preferred T-50A FACO Site

02/12/2016

Lockheed Martin selected its Greenville Operations facility in Greenville, South Carolina as the preferred Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) site to manufacture its T-50A aircraft offering in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training (APT) competition.

Lockheed Martin Unveils Advanced Pilot Training Solution

02/12/2016

Lockheed Martin announced today that it will offer the T-50A in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training (APT) competition. The T-50A was developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to replace the T-38 and train the next generation of pilots to fly 5th Generation aircraft.

Special: Inside the Stealthy B-2 Bomber

02/11/2016

Air Force pilots of the 1980s-era stealthy B-2 Spirit bomber plan to upgrade and fly the aircraft on attack missions against enemy air defenses well into the 2050s, service officials said. “It is a dream to fly. It is so smooth,” Maj. Kent Mickelson, director of operations for 394th combat training squadron, told Scout Warrior in an interview.

Belarus To Acquire Su-30SM Fighters, Increase Strike Range

02/11/2016

Belarus has signed a preliminary deal with Russian state-owned aircraft maker Irkut to purchase new Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets for the country’s Air Force, reports local pro-government daily Sovetskaya Belorussiya — Belarus Segodnya. The new aircraft will replace the outdated Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters.

With fewer U.S. troops in Afghanistan, pressure grows for more air strikes

02/11/2016

Pressure is growing on the U.S. military to do more to help Afghan forces repel the threat posed by Taliban militants, and commanders in Washington and Kabul agree that enhanced air power may be where it can make the most difference. With fewer American soldiers on the ground and their rules of engagement limited, the outgoing commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Campbell, believes broader authorization of force is the best way of supporting stretched local troops.

DEMANDS ON THE MARINE CORPS ARE SLOWLY BREAKING MARINE AVIATION

02/11/2016

Last month’s release of the 2016 Marine Corps Aviation Plan highlighted the service’s struggles to keep its planes flying and its pilots trained. Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the deputy commandant for aviation, stated in the report’s introduction that the Corps has seen “a decrease in flight hours per month per aircrew and an uptick in [its] mishap rates,” leading to concerns about the readiness of Marine squadrons.

New Fighter Aircraft to Expand Russian Air Campaign in Syria

02/11/2016

Russia’s air power assets operating in Syria are about to be given a significant boost. The most modern fighter aircraft in service today with the Russian Aerospace Forces will deploy to Kheimim aerodrome near Latakia, Syria. The Russian contingent in Syria announced Feb. 5 that the aircraft, the Su-35S will be place in operation for the first time outside the borders of the Russia.

2/10/2016 Navy Halts Funding for Northrop Grumman’s Carrier-Based Combat Drone

02/11/2016

As it reconsiders its unmanned aviation strategy, the Navy has decided to cease funding the X-47B bat-winged drone that made aviation history in recent years. The first-ever autonomous unmanned aircraft to be launched from and recovered on a carrier deck, the X-47B, is likely to run out of funding by the end of fiscal year 2016. The Navy has not requested money for the program in its fiscal year 2017 budget.

Sri Lanka shows interest in Indian combat aircraft

02/11/2016

Sri Lanka has reportedly shown interest in purchasing Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas from India. Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas is the multi-role light fighter that is in development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and recently showcased its acrobatic skills successfully at Bahrain International Airshow 2016, a first such display outside India.

PM witnesses aerial display by Pakistani combat aircraft

02/11/2016

An impressive airshow put up by PAF at the old Doha International Airport yesterday was witnessed by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role light combat aircraft indigenously produced in Pakistan in co-operation with China, and a Super Mushshak trainer jet presented aerial stunts at the show where pilots demonstrated the two aircraft’s advanced capabilities.

Russia, India Resume Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft Talks

02/11/2016

Russia and India have resumed talks on the joint Sukhoi/HAL Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project after nearly a year of stagnation, The Times of India reports. "We have got the clearance to restart the talks. Accordingly, a Russian team is here and cost negotiations began yesterday," a high-level defense source told the newspaper on Wednesday.

Su-35's 'Splendid Performance' in Syria Stirs Appetite Among Buyers

02/11/2016

The remarkable performance of Russia’s advanced, super-maneuverable Su-35S multirole fighters in Syria has gained the attention of military buyers throughout the world, according to journalist, military expert and Director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko.

Pentagon curtails aircraft procurement in 2017 budget plan

02/10/2016

This lower funding level buys eight fewer fixed-wing aircraft including five Lockheed Martin F-35As and three C-130Js for the US Air Force and 35 fewer rotorcraft for the Army and Navy than are afforded in the current budget, according to US Defense Department (DOD) officials. The budget does protects other high-priority air force procurements including the Boeing KC-46A and Northrop Grumman Long-Range Strike Bomber.