Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

F-35 Beats Every Other Fighter Jet In Scandinavian Air Force Evaluations

05/14/2016

After evaluating the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-35 as Denmark’s next primary fighter jet, the country’s government is recommending the F-35 “unequivocally” as superior in “strategic, military, economic, and industrial aspects.” Is this a needed win for this troubled jet?

'Wiped Out': Air Force losing pilots and planes to cuts, scrounging for spare parts

05/14/2016

It was just a few years ago, in March 2011, when a pair of U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers – during a harsh winter storm – took off from their base in South Dakota to fly across the world to launch the air campaign in Libya, only 16 hours after given the order. Today, many in the Air Force are questioning whether a similar mission could still be accomplished, after years of budget cuts that have taken an undeniable toll.

UK jets intercepted 3 Russian military aircraft en route to the Baltics

05/13/2016

British Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted three Russian military transport aircraft approaching the Baltic States, the defense ministry said on Thursday. The British fighters, scrambled from Amari Air Base in Estonia, intercepted the Russian aircraft, which were not transmitting a recognized identification code and were unresponsive, the ministry said.

Differences ironed out, India and Russia could soon ink stealth fighter jet deal: Report

05/13/2016

India could soon ink a pending contract with Russia on stealth jet fighters, as both countries have "ironed out" their differences regarding the co-development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), the Tribune reported, citing sources. The research and development (R&D) contract was pending since 2013 following the completion of the preliminary design contract (PDC) that cost $295 million (Rs. 1,483 crore) for both countries.

Thailand mulls buying more Swedish jet fighters

05/13/2016

Thailand might buying four more Swedish jet fighters to add to a current squadron of 12 of the same type, Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong said on Thursday. Rajin, a former air force chief, said that he viewed the Saab JAS 39 Gripen multi-role combat aircraft as "technologically advanced" and suggested that his successor buy an additional four jets, Xinhua news agency reported.

Russian Fighter Jets Close Technology Gap With US

05/13/2016

The Kremlin’s air war over Syria demonstrated that Russia’s once dilapidated military has recovered from its low-point in 1990s in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse. But while the Russian Air Force showed off new precision-guided weapons and new high-performance aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker-H, Su-34 Fullback and the Su-35S Flanker-E, it was evident that Moscow still lacked certain capabilities.

China Puts Guam Within Missile Range

05/13/2016

Guam is within China’s military strike reach with new missiles and bomber aircraft capabilities that demonstrate China’s continued efforts to neutralize America’s ability to come to the aid of its allies and friends in the region, according to a May 10 report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC).

Bell Helicopter awarded a nearly half-billion dollar attack & utility helicopter contract

05/13/2016

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, was awarded a $461.1 million contract in March 2016 from the United States Pentagon to supply the U.S. Marine Corps with more than two dozen new utility and attack helicopters. The contract includes 12 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters and 16 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and the associated auxiliary fuel kits.

This Is America's Lethal AC-130 Gunship on Steroids

05/13/2016

The historic, lethal and combat-tested AC-130 gunship - known for attacking ISIS and Taliban fighters during close-air support high-risk combat missions - is getting a massive technological upgrade with newer weapons and avionics to increase the effectiveness of the attack platform and extend its service life into future decades, service officials said.

Denmark picks F-35 for 27-aircraft deal

05/13/2016

Denmark’s government and defence ministry have recommended the selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 as the nation’s future combat aircraft, following an evaluation involving the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon.

C-130Js Delivered to U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force

05/13/2016

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently delivered two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft: one HC-130J long range surveillance/search and rescue aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard and an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations tanker to the U.S. Air Force. The Coast Guard’s HC-130J was originally delivered in 2015 and received post-production modifications at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina, facility. It was ferried from Greenville on May 10 by a Coast Guard crew.

The Russian Air Force Was Always Behind the West in One Key Area (Until Now)

05/12/2016

The Kremlin’s air war over Syria demonstrated that Russia’s once dilapidated military has recovered from its low-point in 1990s in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse. But while the Russian Air Force showed off new precision-guided weapons and new high-performance aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker-H, Su-34 Fullback and the Su-35S Flanker-E, it was evident that Moscow still lacked certain capabilities.

REACHING FOR THE SKY: A potential Army deal could bring $100B payday for Bell

05/12/2016

How the U.S. Army will transport many of its troops into battle situations for the next few decades is playing out in a plain, white hangar on the sidelines of Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. Employees at Bell Helicopter have been assembling a portion of the latest technology in tiltrotor aircraft for the last few weeks, known as the V-280.

C-130J co-pilot's unauthorized maneuver didn't cause crash in Afghanistan

05/12/2016

Although the co-pilot of a C-130J in Afghanistan was performing an unneeded and unauthorized high-power, rapid ascent takeoff when the aircraft crashed Oct. 2, that was not the cause of the accident. The official investigation by the Air Force determined that a forgotten night vision goggle case had jammed the control yoke, directly leading to the crash that killed 14 people, and that neither the co-pilot flying the aircraft nor the takeoff maneuver itself were responsible.

US, PH hold joint patrols in South China Sea

05/12/2016

The United States yesterday revealed for the first time that American ships have started conducting joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, a somewhat rare move not done with many other partners in the region.

USAF's F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft take part in training missions

05/12/2016

The US Air Force (USAF) has completed four-ship combat training missions with F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft at the Utah Test and Training Range. The four F-35s, based out of Hill Air Force Base (AFB), helped active-duty and reserve pilots from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings (FW) to detect and jam enemy radar and identify and destroy targets from roughly 40,000ft.

China Trains To Win In The End

05/11/2016

In May 2016 Chinese warships in the South China Sea were seen practicing detailed exercises for halting merchant ships and boarding them. China claims to control all of the South China Sea but the rest of the world does not agree with that. The May exercises are another sign that China does not care what the world thinks. In one part of the exercise the intercepting destroyer fired its guns, as it would to force a ship that refused orders to halt and be boarded.

Sweden to customise offer to push Gripen-NG fighter aircraft deal with India

05/11/2016

The Swedish government will soon place a structured offer to India to push through the Gripen-NG fighter aircraft deal, a product of Swedish defence major Saab, which is also keen to develop production processes in India. Sweden offered the Gripen-NG deal to India when a high-powered Swedish trade delegation visited the country in February this year.

A Day in the Life of an F-35 Test Pilot

05/11/2016

Here at the F-35 integrated test force, pilots spend their days simulating real missions to prepare the jets to one day operate on the battlefield. Defense News got a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an F-35 test pilot during a May 4 visit to Edwards Air Force Base. We followed Maj. Raven LeClair, assistant director of operations for the 461st flight test squadron, as he zipped up his flight suit, climbed into the cockpit, taxied to the runway and finally took off into the clear, desert sky.

Is the F-22 Raptor Ready for a Big Comeback?

05/11/2016

The US Congress’ House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has requested that the USAF begin a study on the possibilities of restarting production of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fifth generation fighter in the FY2017 defense authorization bill. Production of the F-22 was halted in 2009 at 187 aircraft, well short of the USAF Air Combat Command’s (ACC) stated requirement of 381 aircraft—let alone the original 749 aircraft originally planned.

Why Only Israel Can Customize America’s F-35 (At Least for Now)

05/11/2016

ANY BIG-TICKET MILITARY technology purchased from the US comes with rules. Big stacks of strict guidelines outline exactly what allies can do to the hardware and the systems that run it. Generally, it comes down to: nothing. No modifications, no additions, no deletions. You can’t even make repairs without written consent from the Pentagon.

Revealed: Flying America’s Stealthy New F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

05/11/2016

The Air Force’s new F-35A multi-role, stealth Joint Strike Fighter brings an unprecedented ability to destroy targets in the air, attack moving enemies on the ground and beam battlefield images across the force in real time, an Air Force pilot told Scout Warrior in a special interview.

Pilot errors caused on-ground F-16 collision at Nellis

05/11/2016

Pilot error led to two F-16s colliding on the runway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in 2015, which left one pilot with life-threatening injuries, according to an accident investigation report released Monday. After completing an orientation flight during the Red Flag training exercise at Nellis Aug. 15, the two aircraft attempted to land. The first F-16 landed without incident but did not clear the runway quickly , according to the report released by the Air Combat Command Accident Investigat

Naval Tejas successfully tested in Goa, will fly off aircraft carrier next year

05/11/2016

The naval version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which will operate from India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, after it is commissioned in 2018, has completed a successful flight-test campaign in Goa. Commodore (Retired) CD Balaji, chief of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which oversees the Tejas development programme, told Business Standard that taking off and landing from a 200-metre deck has been fully established.

US Navy Continues Provocative 'Freedom of Navigation' Drills in S China Sea

05/11/2016

On Tuesday, the Pentagon conducted its latest maritime reconnaissance in the South China Sea, performing a freedom of navigation patrol within the 12-mile territorial limit of Beijing’s recently-constructed artificial island. This time, China responded in kind.