Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Last Vulcan bomber tours UK with series of flypasts

06/29/2015

The last airworthy Vulcan bomber is touring the UK with a series of flypasts to mark its final year of flight. Vulcans were designed and built at Woodford Aerodrome, in Chester Road, Stockport, for the Royal Air Force. Over the weekend, the XH558 flew over areas where the aircraft are displayed, such as Barton and Woodford. Making its maiden flight in 1952, the Vulcan acted as a deterrent during the Cold War.

Nearly 6,000 military personnel participate in Northern Edge exercise

06/29/2015

FAIRBANKS — A light haze of forest fire smoke hung over the airstrip at Eielson Air Force Base, but visibility was good as Tech. Sgt. Erica Knight and her crew drove past fighter jets to a neat line of KC-135 Stratotankers.

3 IAF Squadrons to be Phased Out This Year

06/29/2015

The Indian Air Force is focusing on ‘cannibalisation’ to keep the serviceability rates of its dwindling number of jets at a high level. ‘Cannibalisation’ or ‘Christmas tree’ are terms used by the Air Force in which parts of one aircraft are used as spare parts to keep the another running.

Russia to Complete Construction of Airship ‘Atlant’ for Army by 2018

06/29/2015

'Augur RosAeroSystems' is a leading Russian lighter-than-air manufacturer. The company builds big airships and aerostats equipped with high-precision computer equipment and technology. The recent announcement by the company tells of airship 'Atlant' to be ready for the Russian Army by 2018.

Unease at China’s rise in South China Sea

06/28/2015

The U.S. and China are jockeying for power in the South China Sea, deploying sharp words and an expanding fleet of warships, spy planes and fighter jets to protect their interests in a vital maritime domain. Is this regional arms race and increasingly tense diplomatic showdown between the world’s two largest military forces a new Cold War?

Russian military transport aircraft suspected of violating Finnish airspace

06/28/2015

Air Force F-18 Hornet fighters were scrambled Friday afternoon when it is believed that a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft violated Finnish airspace south of the coast town of Porvoo.

Securing democratic transition a secondary task of Air Defence Forces: Commander

06/28/2015

On 30 June each year, the air defence forces celebrate their annual anniversary. This date coincides with the establishment of the missile shield which countered the Israeli air attacks on Egyptian cities in 1970. 30 June also marks the establishment of the Egyptian air defence system, which is now the shield that protects the country.

Light Combat Helicopter clears flight trials

06/28/2015

The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)–3, a versatile combat chopper developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has successfully completed the hot weather flight trials in Jodhpur. The chopper, currently under testing phase, cleared the test yesterday, paving way for the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC), expected by the end of this year and is likely to enter production from 2017-18.

Hunt on to pick top brain to head India’s Tejas programme

06/28/2015

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has begun the hunt for identifying a new man to head Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). This follows the impending retirement of PS Subramanyam, one of the longest serving bosses of ADA, on June 30. A Distinguished Scientist, Subramanyam is currently the Programme Director (Combat Aircraft) & Director ADA. He was made the head of ADA in 2005.

Pilots slow and fast arrive in Battle Creek next week

06/28/2015

Battle Creek will host some of the slowest and some of the fastest aircraft pilots in the world this week. The 2015 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival begins Wednesday and continues through Sunday at W.K. Kellogg Airport with some of the best pilots in balloons and airplanes.

Human Rights or Cash? Swedish Arms Exports Shows Differences With US, UK

06/28/2015

Sweden's parliament has recommended cutting arms exports to countries that it considers to be undemocratic as part of plans to emphasize the importance of human rights issues in relation to trade. The moves have highlighted the differences between Sweden and other western countries on the issue.

Russian Military Deny Violation of Estonian Airspace by An-26 Plane

06/28/2015

A Russian Antonov An-26 military transport plane did not violate Estonian airspace while carrying out a planned flight from Russia's exclave of Kalinigrad to St. Petersburg on June 22, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

Prominent ISIL Commander Killed in Iraq by US-Led Coalition Airstrike

06/28/2015

One of the most famous commanders of the Islamic State jihadist group in Mosul Abdullah Hourani was killed Saturday by an airstrike by US-led international coalition, Iraqi TV Channel al-Samaria reported.

China angered at Senate bill on Taiwan military cooperation

06/26/2015

Under the Taiwan Relations Act, enacted in 1979 when Washington severed formal ties with the island in favor of recognizing the People's Republic of China in Beijing, the United States is obligated to help Taiwan defend itself. The Senate bill, passed last week, says that Taiwan "should be encouraged to participate in exercises that include realistic air-to-air combat training", as well as advanced training for its ground forces, attack helicopters and surveillance aircraft.

NATO: Risk of return to heavy fighting in Ukraine

06/26/2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin isn't finished using his military in eastern Ukraine, the top U.S. military commander for NATO said Thursday as the U.S. and its allies outlined additional support for Kiev, including aid in defusing roadside bombs. U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO's supreme allied commander, said there continues to be a constant flow of ammunition and other military supplies from Russia across the border to Ukraine, and a well-trained and ready Russian force.

Boeing's new CEO has some tough decisions to make

06/26/2015

One week after logging new aircraft orders worth $50.2 billion at the Paris Air Show, Boeing—the world’s largest airplane manufacturer—is tapping new leadership to help the company keep pace with spiking demand.

GAO report blasts Air Force justification for A-10 retirement

06/26/2015

The Air Force based its plan to retire the A-10 on an inaccurate projection of cost savings, and will run into a capability gap associated with providing close air support, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Thursday. The GAO's report punches holes in the Air Force's justification for its controversial decision to retire the attack jet, saying planners did not "fully assess" the cost savings associated with the A-10 divestment.

Japan to the South China Sea

06/26/2015

China has notched another gain in its inadvertent campaign to expand defense cooperation among its nervous neighbors. In a Journal interview published Thursday, Japan’s top military commander said Japanese forces may join U.S. troops in patrolling the South China Sea, where China has been aggressively staking territorial claims around crucial international waterways.

Marine KC-130J Hercules Provide Power for Northern Edge 2015

06/26/2015

High above the Gulf of Alaska and Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC), dozens of fighter jets engage in lengthy and complex joint combat missions for Northern Edge 2015. At one precise moment, two Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets break engagement toward the welcoming sight of a KC-130J Hercules, operated by Marine Air Fueling Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, based in Iwakuni, Japan.

5-month RAAF fighter combat course wraps up with dawn strike

06/26/2015

Exercise Aces North was the final four weeks of the five-month fighter combat instructor course, and was conducted out of bases in Tindal and Darwin. As part of the dawn strike exercise the aircraft will be simulating the fight off the coast and landing at Williamtown.

Iraqi pilot flew military plane that crashed in Arizona

06/26/2015

An Iraqi pilot who has been training in the United States for four years crashed in southern Arizona while flying an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, a spokesman for the Iraqi defense minister said Thursday. "We have no word yet on his fate or the reason behind the crash," Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim told The Associated Press. "We are in contact with the Americans to get more details."

Russia to Deploy S-400 Air Defense Systems Near Western Borders by End 2015

06/26/2015

Russia's Western Military District will receive an unspecified number of advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S air defense systems by the end of 2015, the district's spokesman, Col. Oleg Kochetkov, said Thursday. "Modern S-400 Triumf long-range air defense systems and Pantsir-S gun-missile air defense systems will be put in service with air defense units of the Western Military District by the end of this year," Kochetkov said.

New Lavi trainer better prepares IAF cadets for Hezbollah, Iran

06/24/2015

Dozens of Israel Air Force cadets will receive their officer’s ranks on Tuesday at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in a ceremony that occurs every year – though this year’s new pilots are different. These members of the 170th IAF training course are the first to have trained on the M-346 Master training jet, which is dubbed the Lavi (Hebrew for Lion) in the IAF.

Done-pilots shortage poses problem for Air Force

06/24/2015

The pilots sit in dimly lit, air-conditioned trailers, each staring at glowing video and data screens and toggling a joystick that controls an armed drone flying somewhere in the world. With more than 100 Predator and Reaper drones aloft every day, this sun-scorched desert outpost is the hub of America’s growing drone fleet around the globe.

First Ski Jump For F-35B Lightning II

06/24/2015

The F-35B Lightning II has successfully completed its first ski jump test at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the US state of Maryland. The ramp used was built in England however, at a cost of £2 million, by Stockport-based defence engineering company WFEL - who normally specialise in building rapidly deployable bridging systems.