Military Aviation News Archive

Russian MiG-35 Fighter Jets to Be Equipped With Brand New Navigation System

12/05/2015

Russian multirole MiG-35 fighter jets will receive the latest platform-less inertial navigation system, the CEO of the Moscow Institute of Electro Mechanics and Automation, Alexei Kuznetsov, said Friday.

German Parliament Approves Military Operation Against Daesh in Syria

12/05/2015

The German parliament (Bundestag) has approved launching a military campaign against Daesh terrorist organization, also known as ISIL or Islamic State, in Syria. The move was supported by 445 German lawmakers, while 146 voted against the anti-Daesh campaign, seven lawmakers abstained.

Former Daesh Captive: West is 'Fueling the Misery and Disaster'

12/05/2015

A former captive of Daesh, also known as ISIL/The Islamic State, French journalist Nicolas Henin has spoken out on the ways in which Western policies are not only ineffectual in fighting the terrorist group, but actually fueling its growth.

Pentagon burning through Hellfire, bomb stockpiles striking ISIL

12/04/2015

The Air Force has fired more than 20,000 missiles and bombs in the air war against the Islamic State, depleting its stocks of munitions and prompting the service to scour depots around the world for more weapons and to find money to buy them, according to records obtained by USA Today. The Air Force efforts come as the Pentagon has stepped up airstrikes on Islamic State, or ISIL, targets in Iraq and Syria.

Russia warns Turkey it 'will regret' downing jet near Syria border

12/04/2015

Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as the war of words between the two leaders continues to escalate. The Russian president said Turkey "will regret" the downing of one of its fighter jets near the Syrian border last week, the BBC reports. Moscow has already imposed a range of sanctions against Ankara, including banning the import of certain Turkish goods and restricting Russian travel to the country.

US Lawmakers Criticize China on Disputed Islands

12/04/2015

Some U.S. congressmen have criticized China for what they say is a lack of sincerity in its pledge of non-militarization of the disputed reefs and islands in the South China Sea.

U.S. Air Force rescue team flies two HC-130J aircraft for the first time

12/04/2015

The U.S. Air Force's 71st Rescue Squadron deployed two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft in support of Operation Inherent Resolve for the first time. The fixed-wing, personnel recovery aircraft deployed with over 60 aircrew, support, and maintenance personnel. Flight missions for the HC-130J Combat King II aim to ensure U.S. personnel can be recovered quickly and effectively, avoiding isolation in hostile environments.

In battle with IS, Marines bolster Jordanian military

12/04/2015

While military operations against the Islamic State group intensified this last summer, the U.S. Marine Corps quietly worked to bolster a key ally in the fight. During their six-month deployment to the region, troops from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines worked side-by-side with Jordanian troops to train the kingdom's elite 77th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion and help stand up a brand-new, quick-reaction force.

UK Bolsters Combat Jet Force Attacking Islamic State Group

12/04/2015

Reinforcements to the British combat jet force fighting the Islamic State group departed bases in the UK on Thursday just hours after a parliamentary vote approved a government move to extend strike operations to Syria.

US shoulders Isis burden despite allies’ input

12/04/2015

Even as it welcomed Britain’s decision to expand air strikes from Iraq into Syria, the Obama administration still finds itself responsible for the vast bulk of the international air campaign against Isis. In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, the US has been able to count on important support from first France, and now the UK, where parliament voted on Wednesday night to authorise air strikes in Syria after a dramatic 10-hour debate.

German Parliament to Vote on Anti-Daesh Mission in Syria on Friday

12/04/2015

The move was already backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet on Tuesday. In addition to the mandate to dispatch German servicemen, the Bundestag is also expected to approve the sending of six Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate and refuelling aircraft. German involvement is expected to be limited to support and reconnaissance.

Russian Primorye Air Regiment to Get 3 MiG-31BM Interceptors By Year-End

12/04/2015

A Russian Aerospace Forces' air regiment located in the Far Eastern Primorye Territory will receive three advanced MiG-31BM (NATO reporting name Foxhound) interceptor aircraft by the end of 2015, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. At the moment the Eastern Military District's acceptance commission is completing the inspection of the jets at Nizhny Novgorod-based Sokol aircraft manufacturing plant.

Lockheed Martin Conducts Collaborative Unmanned Systems Demonstration

12/03/2015

Lockheed Martin demonstrated its ability to integrate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) using its prototype UAS Traffic Management capabilities. During the demonstration on Nov. 18, the Stalker XE UAS provided data and a precise geolocation to the unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter, which conducted water drops to extinguish a fire, while the UTM tracked the UAS operations and communicated with Air Traffic Control in real time.

Russian, French Military Chiefs Discuss Cooperation in Fight Against Daesh

12/03/2015

Chief of Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov has discussed cooperation in the fight against Islamic State (ISIL, also known as Daesh) with his French counterpart General Pierre de Villiers, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

British Parliament Votes to Authorize Airstrikes in Syria

12/03/2015

Members of Parliament voted 397 to 223 in favor of launching an air campaign in Syria. Following the approval, two Tornado warplanes and six Typhoon attack jets are set to take to the skies from British bases and begin their five-hour journey to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Daily Mail reported.

US Shares Russian Flight Information With Anti-Daesh Coalition

12/03/2015

The United States shares the information on Russian flights in Syria with members of the anti-Daesh (ISIL) coalition under the US-Russian memorandum of understanding, US Air Force Chief Deborah Lee James said at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Russia Conducts 32 Airstrikes on Daesh Oil Refineries in Syria in 2 Months

12/03/2015

During the last two months the aircraft of Russian Aerospace Forces launched strikes against 32 oil complexes and 11 oil refineries controlled by Daesh (also known as ISIL), Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told the press.

Russia adds a second airbase in Syria as part of military expansion against Isis

12/02/2015

Russia is setting up a second airbase at Sharyat in Syria expanding the sphere of its military operations in the region to contain and destroy Isis. Russia is also putting efforts into creating strong military posts that have both offensive and defensive capabilities, according to intelligence reports emanating from the US.

Essay: Building a Mediterranean Arc of Stability for America’s Long War

12/02/2015

The United States is truly involved in a Long War. While the Army and Marine Corps have enjoyed long periods between combat operations, the Air Force and naval aviation have been continuously deployed for combat since the just after the Iraqis invaded Kuwait in August of 1990. Continuous combat operations have now stretched for twenty-five years, making our commitment to the Middle East the longest war involving a major Western power since the Thirty Years’ War, which ended in 1648.

Ten fighter jets back in Belarusian army after overhaul

12/02/2015

Ten newly repaired MiG-29 aircraft were delivered to the 61st fighter airbase in Baranovichi on 1 December, BelTA has learned. The number includes eight combat aircraft and two training ones. The aircraft were sent for scheduled overhaul to 558 Aircraft Repair Plant in April 2014. The aircraft were fixed, the service life period was restored, and video registration of flight parameters for more objective control was enabled.

The Air Force Is Taking Way Too Long To Buy A New 'T-X' Trainer For Its Young Pilots

12/02/2015

The U.S. Air Force operates an aged fleet of 500 Cold War training aircraft that are used to instruct young pilots in how to fly fighters and bombers. The planes average 44 years of age, and should have been replaced by something more modern, not to mention safer, a long time ago. But the Air Force’s plan for developing a next-generation “T-X” trainer doesn’t envision a replacement becoming operational until 2023, and most of the needed aircraft won’t be built until years after that.

Who Will Win Asia's Fifth-Generation Fighter Race?

12/02/2015

Tensions are rising high throughout the Asia-Pacific. From the Indo-Pakistani border, through Australia’s controversial border policies to China’s disputes with its neighbors in the South and East China Seas, Asian states have been increasing investments in their military capabilities. In all these cases, having forceful and credible aerial assets is a crucial part of deterrence. This is reflected in regional defense spending.

U.S. Air Force Pilots Train for F-35 Operations with New Virtual Technologies

12/02/2015

As the U.S. Air Force prepares for initial F-35 Lightning II operations, pilots at Hill AFB are rehearsing missions with new simulators delivered by Lockheed Martin. Pilots are now training with four Full Mission Simulators linked together to hone their tactical employment of the F-35 against ground and airborne threats.

Boeing, U.S. Navy Enhance EA-18 Targeting, Situational Awareness Capabilities

12/02/2015

The U.S. Navy and Boeing recently demonstrated new targeting technologies that greatly enhance aircrew safety and effectiveness through the rapid integration and distribution of target information across multiple aircraft.

Greece Scrambles Jets After 6 Turkish Fighters Violate Greek Airspace

12/02/2015

Greece scrambled its fighter aircraft on Tuesday to intercept a group of Turkish F-16 fighter jets that violated its airspace in the eastern Aegean Sea, the General Staff of the Hellenic National Defense said in statement.