Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Air Force: Lost Predator was shot down in Syria

06/30/2015

The Air Force has acknowledged that an MQ-1B Predator, lost March 17 during an intelligence flight over Syria, was shot down. While Syria's official news agency at the time claimed the remotely piloted aircraft was shot down, U.S. Defense Department officials only would say the drone was lost, and didn't provide additional information because the incident was under investigation.

Coastguards find debris of Bangladesh Air Force’s F-7 fighter jet, pilot still missing

06/30/2015

The fighter’s pilot Flight Lieutenant Rumman Tahmid Chowdhury is still missing since the crash that occurred during a training run around noon. The joint search and rescue operation, that includes Air Force, Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard personnel, did not find him until 7:30pm. Rumman Chowdhury is the son of Abdul Qader Chowdhury of Chittagong’s Anwara Upazila. The family lives in Dhaka.

Carpet bombing: Tejas to demonstrate fire power ahead of FOC

06/30/2015

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is all set undertake critical test flights carrying an array of missiles and bombs to complete its scheduled weapon trials. Top sources with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed to this Correspondent that the integration of Russian-made Close Combat Missile (CCM) R-73 has been completed.

Dassault's Deal With India Was Important

06/30/2015

Amid some controversy, India took to the news with a June announcement of the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. It was an important move for the nation, which counts China and Pakistan as border ‘mates’. India, which plans to spend about $100 million on modernizing its defense resources in the next 10 years, has suffered a spate of air fatalities in the past months as a result of an ailing air force.

Georgia to Buy Advanced Air Defense Missiles From France

06/30/2015

On June 15 Georgian Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli signed an agreement with ThalesRaytheonSystems President Gerome Bedel for the purchase of “advanced” air defense systems that will “guarantee the country’s air defense,” Khidasheli said.

Brazil to Buy Russian Pantsir Air Defense Systems in First Half of 2016

06/30/2015

Brazil is apt to purchase Russian Pantsir air defense systems as early as in the first half of 2016, Brazilian Ambassador to Russia Jose Vallim Guerreiro said. “A general decision on the purchase has been made…As far as I know, the deal is expected in the first half of 2016,” Guerreiro told RIA Novosti.

Seoul to decide on aerial tanker bid Tuesday

06/29/2015

South Korea is expected to pick the winner of its 1.4 trillion won ($1.25 billion) project to procure four in-flight refueling tankers at a session of the National Defense Acquisition Program Committee on Tuesday, a procurement official said Sunday.

Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

06/29/2015

Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq June 27. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

Go big to destroy the Islamic State group

06/29/2015

The announcement this month that 450 additional U.S. trainers and support troops will deploy to Iraq represents a modest step forward in the fight against the Islamic State group. But the move by itself will not turn the tide in a faltering effort. To succeed in the president’s ambition of ultimately destroying the Islamic State — or even to contain its gains or roll them back — a broader and more intensive effort is needed.

Better Defenses Change Nature of Precision Strike Warfare

06/29/2015

Over the past quarter century, precision guided munitions (PGMs) such as laser-guided bombs and cruise missiles have become the weapons of choice for the US military, providing a high degree of accuracy while avoiding widespread collateral damage.

Mini submarine captured on satellite photo of Chinese dockyard

06/29/2015

A SECRET Chinese midget submarine has been spotted in a review of commercial satellite photos, drawing new attention to that nation’s rapidly expanding underwater might. Defence analyst organisation Janes and the Bellingcat open intelligence website have highlighted a 2014 photograph of the Wuchang shipyard in Wuhan, central China.

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.