Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russian Defense Ministry got nearly 250 aircraft under 2015 state defense order

12/12/2015

The Russian Defense Ministry has got within the 2015 state defense order 243 modern aircraft and 90 air defense missile systems and complexes, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Friday. "We received within the 2015 state defense order 243 modern aircraft, 90 air defense missile systems and complexes and 208 radar systems," he said.

India Seeks US Know-How for New Aircraft Carrier

12/12/2015

The first top Indian official to board a U.S. aircraft carrier checked out flight operations and aircraft engines on the Eisenhower to take back lessons learned for the carrier India is building partly to offset China's rise in the Pacific. Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, an engineer by training.

Afghanistan: US Air Force’s Mission Has Not Changed

12/12/2015

Although NATO ground combat operations in Afghanistan were officially declared over at the end of 2014, for the U.S. Air Force’s sole remaining squadron of F-16 fighter jets in the country the fight is continuing much like before. The 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has been stationed at Bagram Air Field in Parwan Province for the past six weeks providing close air-support for Afghan and NATO ground forces in Afghanistan.

Putin: Russia Provides Air Cover to Syrian Opposition Group

12/12/2015

Russia has provided air cover to a leading Western-backed opposition group in Syria, President Vladimir Putin said Friday, calling for closer coordination with the U.S.-allied coalition — comments that may reflect Moscow's desire to narrow its differences with the West over the Syrian crisis.

Northrop: Beating heat leads sixth-generation fighter challenges

12/12/2015

Thermal management will be a critical factor in a brewing competition to replace hundreds of Lockheed Martin F-22s and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, says a top Northrop Grumman executive. Releasing a new artistic concept of a so-called sixth-generation fighter on 11 December, Northrop Aerospace Systems president Tom Vice singled-out the critical but often overlooked quality of managing all the heat generated by ever-more powerful weapons and sensors anticipated on future combat aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Delivers 2,500th C-130 Hercules

12/12/2015

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered the 2,500th C-130 Hercules from its production line here today. This landmark Hercules is an HC-130J Combat King II personnel recovery aircraft assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s 71st Rescue Squadron, which is part of the 347th Rescue Group. A U.S. Air Force crew ferried the HC-130J to its new home at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia.

Russia to Hold Observation Flight Over US Under Open Skies Treaty

12/12/2015

Russian military experts will fly over the territory of the United States under the Treaty on Open Skies on December 12-17, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov has announced.

Assad Denies Rumors About Russia Intention to Build Second Airbase in Syria

12/12/2015

A number of Western media outlets reported last week that Russia was planning to set up additional airbase in Syria. On December 9, the Russian Defense Ministry denied the reports. "It is not true. If there was [intention to build the base], they would have announced it. And we would have announced it at the same time," Assad said in an interview to Spanish EFE news agency.

British RAF 'Success' in Syria and Iraq Against Daesh Thrown Into Doubt

12/12/2015

Claims by UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon that British Royal Air Force (RAF) sorties and airstrikes against Daesh, also known as ISIL, over Syria have made "a fairly impressive start" have been called into question.

Marrakesh Air Show invites Pakistan to showcase JF-17 Thunder fighter jet,Morocco expresses interest to buy

12/11/2015

Pakistan has been invited by the organizers of the upcoming Marrakesh Air Show being held from 27 April next year to showcase the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet it has jointly developed with China. The JF -17 is a lightweight multi-role combat aircraft manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Pakistan. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jets Practice Air-to-Air Combat Over Kamchatka

12/11/2015

A group of MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor aircraft from Russia's Pacific Fleet Kamchatka-based naval aviation squadron has practiced air combat maneuvering at different speeds and heights, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Stunning Photos Show the F-22 Raptor training with the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale in the U.S.

12/11/2015

The photographs in this post were taken recently in the skies near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. They show a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and a French Air Force Dassault Rafale, flying together during the inaugural Trilateral anti-access/area denial exercise scheduled for Dec. 2 – 18.

Government refusing to say which planes will stay in anti-ISIS fight despite US call for more help

12/11/2015

Despite a call from the U.S. defense secretary for allies to do more in the fight against ISIS, the Canadian government is refusing to confirm whether it will keep surveillance and refuelling aircraft in Iraq and Syria after the CF-18s are pulled from the mission.

Jet Engine Technology a Top Priority in India-US Talks

12/11/2015

US cooperation in engine technology was a top issue for Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar when he met US Defense Secretary Ash Carter Wednesday and Thursday in Washington, said an Indian Defence Ministry source.

Bombing ISIS: Arabs lag far behind West

12/11/2015

By September of last year, President Barack Obama had had enough of ISIS. The terror group had beheaded two American journalists and was seizing strategic cities and territory in Syria and Iraq. "We will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," Obama vowed, expanding his bombing campaign from Iraq into Syria as well.

UK Confirms Determination to Respect Flight Safety Rules Over Syria

12/11/2015

The UK Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday the intention to respect flight safety rules over Syria signed by Russia and the United States, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Thursday following the talks between Russian and British defense officials.

Russia Delivers 5 Mi-171 Multirole Helicopters to Bangladesh

12/11/2015

All the helicopters supplied to Bangladesh are equipped with modern navigation systems, which enable the aircraft to be operated at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, the company said.

Middle Eastern Countries Interested in Russian Armed Vehicles, Aircraft

12/11/2015

Many Middle Eastern countries have expressed increased interest in Russian military hardware, including armored vehicles and aircraft, at the Gulf Defence & Aerospace exhibition in Kuwait, the deputy head of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Thursday.

Germany Oks military mission against Islamic State group

12/10/2015

Germany stepped up its contribution to the fight against the Islamic State group on Friday, with lawmakers overwhelmingly voting in favor of sending reconnaissance jets, a tanker plane and a frigate to provide broad noncombat support to the U.S.-led coalition flying airstrikes against the militants. The move answers a call for help from France following last month's deadly attacks in Paris. IS militants claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds.

Singapore fighter jets take part in training with Indian Air Force

12/10/2015

Six F-16 fighter aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) are taking part in a Joint Military Training (JMT) with four Su-30 fighter aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Nov 12 to Dec 17. The bilateral exercise conducted at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, India, also involves more than 100 RSAF personnel.

Russian Jet Fighters in Asia: Why Politics Still Matters

12/10/2015

Russia is known for exporting combat aircraft throughout the world. From the beginning of the Cold War onward, Soviet and Russian MiGs, Sukhois and Yaks have formed the backbone of many air forces throughout the world. This was partly due to old Cold War politics, where states were basically obliged to acquire military equipment from whichever bloc they were aligned with.

Why Britain Should Expand Airstrikes To Syria

12/10/2015

British forces have successfully executed air sorties from Cyprus against ISIS targets in Iraq since September 2014 — over the subsequent fourteen months of “Operation Shader,” Britain was just above France and the Netherlands and second only to the United States in total number of airstrikes against enemy targets. British press reports indicate that if Parliament approves the expansion, the Defense Ministry will double its manned combat aircraft numbers (Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets).

Russian aircraft in Syria hit 204 targets over 24 hours — defense ministry

12/10/2015

Russian warplanes have made 82 sorties, including 32 under night cover, in Syria over the past 24 hours, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov told journalists on Wednesday. "Over the past 24 hours, Russian warplanes have made 82 combat sorties to attack 204 terrorist targets located in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama and Homs," the general said adding that 32 sorties had been made at night time.

Yes, Really, Destroy ISIS With Turboprop Light Attack Aircraft

12/10/2015

First, the United States has a problem—there are no bases in Iraq which currently support the coalition’s fast-jet fighters. The existing fighter bases which served us through Operation Iraqi Freedom are generally too close to the enemy or no longer in the hands of the Iraqi government. Fighters operating over Mosul in northern Iraq have to come from Kuwait, a carrier in the Persian Gulf or airfields in the Gulf states—a one-way trip covering 500 to 1,000 nautical miles, depending on the base.

Why the Blue Angels Don't Want the Navy's New Planes

12/10/2015

?The U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, may be getting new planes. According to Flightglobal, the Navy wants to replace the existing F/A-18 Hornet fighters with the newer F/A-18 Super Hornet. However, the Blue Angels may be less than enthusiastic about the switch.