Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Report: U.S. aircraft carriers’ ‘unchallenged primacy may be coming to a close’

02/23/2016

The United States’ aircraft carriers have always been an almost untouchable deterrent, steel behemoths capable of projecting the full weight of the U.S. military wherever they deploy. Yet while many militaries could never hope to match the U.S. carrier fleet in size and strength, countries such as China, Iran and Russia have spent recent years adjusting their forces and fielding equipment designed to counter one of the United States’ greatest military strengths.

As Libya mission intensifies, Italy OKs U.S. to fly armed drone missions

02/23/2016

The Italian government recently cleared the way for expanded U.S. drone operations from an air base in Sicily, giving the American military more options for tracking — and potentially targeting — Islamic State militants and their spread across North Africa.

HAL, BAE Eye Joint Venture for Hawk, Jaguar Work

02/23/2016

BAE Systems and India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) are considering establishing a joint venture to co-produce variants of the Hawk trainer, upgrade the Jaguar aircraft and establish a partnership focused on logistics and producing spares in India.

Iran, Russia Negotiating ‘Next Generation' S-300 Missile Systems' Supplies

02/23/2016

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu paid an official visit to Tehran to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghani. Representatives of both countries discussed, among others, the sale of S-300 missile systems, Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

Daesh Using Civilians as Human Shields Against Advancing Syrian Army

02/23/2016

Daesh terrorists are going door-to-door in Raqqa and in the surrounding villages looking for civilians to be used a human shields against the Syrian army and popular forces moving in from Aleppo and Hama provinces, Iran’s Fars news agency wrote on Sunday.

Military strikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

02/22/2016

On Feb. 20, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Navy Commander: South China Sea Not a US-Versus-China Battle

02/22/2016

The commander of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said Monday that he is wary of the situation in the South China Sea being painted as a battle between the United States and China, but added the presence of a Chinese missile system on a disputed island will not stop the U.S. military from flying over the region.

Cope North Exercise Showcases Top Military Warplanes

02/22/2016

When this base opened its gates to the public Feb. 20 for a chance to see dozens of aircraft and support vehicles displayed near the airfield, cars lined up for several miles waiting to get inside. It's rare that top military aircraft from America, Australia and Japan would be gathered in one spot; rarer still that the public would get an up-close look. But Cope North, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored two-week exercise running through Feb. 26, provided the opportunity for this open house.

Russia’s Air Campaign in Syria Has Changed the Course of History

02/22/2016

When the Russian aircraft first arrived at Hmeimim, the war was going badly for the Syrian government. The terrorists were able to make major advances during the prior months, and were close to threatening Damascus itself. Syrian forces were demoralized by their setbacks and suffering from shortages of equipment and ammunition.

Open house draws hundreds to Andersen

02/22/2016

Hundreds of residents lined up at the gates of Andersen Air Force Base to take part in one of the few events during which the base is open to the public. The Pacific Air Partners Open House event concluded Saturday afternoon but not before providing residents the opportunity to see up close the various aircraft utilized by the U.S. Air Force and its partners in the Pacific.

US commander defends Joint Strike Fighter F-35A ahead of Senate inquiry

02/22/2016

The American head of the global Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program has acknowledged the software in the aircraft is "a big risk" ahead of a Senate inquiry into the Federal Government's acquisition of the jets. Australia is spending $17.8 billion on buying 72 US-made aircraft and associated systems, with the first expected to arrive in Australia in 2018 and enter service in 2020, replacing the F/A-18 Hornet fleet.

KC-135 crew must be ready for anything

02/22/2016

Dwight David Eisenhower was in the White House when the KC-135 Stratotanker rolled off the assembly line. Tensions with Moscow were running high and the island nation of Cuba was a constant source of news. That was 57 years ago. Friday morning, when the same, now-aging aerial refueling jet rolls down the runway at MacDill Air Force Base, Barack Obama is in the White House, tensions with Moscow are once again running high and Cuba is once again a constant source of news.

The Q-1 Predator Became A History-Changing Deadly Missile Slinger 15 Years Ago Today

02/22/2016

The Predator unmanned aircraft system and the Hellfire missile were the right technologies at the right time for an America that had just declared war against terror following the horrific events of September 11. Just over six months before planes slammed into the Twin Towers, Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, the Predator had gone from aerial intelligence collection asset to flying assassin.

Chinese Weapons Exports Increase Over the Past Five Years

02/22/2016

China has almost doubled its weapons exports in the past five years, a military think tank said on Monday, as the world’s third-largest weapons exporter pours capital into developing an advanced arms manufacturing industry. In 2011 to 2015, China’s arms imports fell 25% compared with the previous five year period, signaling a growing confidence in the country’s homegrown weaponry despite key areas of weakness.

The Air Force of the Future: Lasers on Fighter Jets, Planes That Think

02/21/2016

Fighter jets that shoot high-powered lasers. Robots that mine hours of intelligence data in milliseconds. A tactical aircraft that can think for itself. These are just a few of the cutting-edge technology breakthroughs the Air Force hopes will change the game in the future battle space.

Indonesia Chooses Russian Su-35 Over Northrop’s F-5 Fighter Planes

02/21/2016

In the Singapore Airshow 2016 today, Indonesia agreed to buy about one dozen Sukhoi Su-35 fighter planes from Russia, to upgrade its fleet. The transaction will take a month to complete. The Indonesian Air Force wants to replace 12 of its aging Northrop Grumman Corporation (F-5 fighters. The country already has two of Russia’s Su-27SK aircraft, three Su-27SKM, two Su-30MK, and nine Su-30MK2 jet fighters.

China Allows International Sale of PLA's Fighter Jets

02/21/2016

China has allowed the PLA to export its domestically developed J-10 fighter jet as the country looks to attract buyers at the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. booth at the Singapore Airshow 2016, which kicked off on Tuesday, Feb .16, according to a report China Daily.

Canadian Panel To Guide Major Procurements

02/21/2016

The Canadian government has formed a Cabinet committee to shepherd high-profile defense purchases, including those of fighter aircraft, through the country’s notoriously problem-plagued procurement system. The committee will oversee billions of dollars in new purchases and ensure they do not get stalled in a federal bureaucracy that has seen other defense acquisitions derailed or delayed for years.

A Defiant Iran Defies The UN and International Laws Again

02/21/2016

The world powers' view of Iran has significantly shifted. Those days in which Iran was being punished for violating the law seem to have gone. For many, it is baffling that Iran is now capable of getting away with breaking international laws, particularly in the last few months after the nuclear deal was reached between the six world powers (known as P5+1; China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany) and the Islamic Republic.

India to commence captive flight trials of its anti-radiation missile

02/20/2016

India has reportedly unveiled plans to commence captive flight trials of indigenously developed Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM). Developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the air-to-surface tactical missile will also complete its maiden flight test by May this year. With a range of 100 to 125km, the missile is capable of targeting the enemy's air defence capabilities by attacking radars and communication facilities.

Afghan army to fly first unmanned aircraft in March

02/20/2016

The Afghan military is expected to field its first specialised surveillance drones as soon as March, a US commander in Kabul said, as the Asian nation slowly expands its own air force. The boost in military hardware comes as Afghan security forces, fighting largely alone since the withdrawal of most international forces in 2014, have struggled for months to hold back a Taliban insurgency.

Cameroon receiving Mi-24s

02/20/2016

Cameroon has apparently received the first of two refurbished Mi-24 attack helicopters from Russia, as part of an order for six. A Cameroonian military source told IHS Jane's Defence Weekly that the first helicopter was received by Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) in mid-February when it arrived in Douala from Russia, where it is currently being assembled.

BAE profits climb as Typhoon hopes rise

02/20/2016

The company, which employs around 10,000 in Lancashire, said 2015 operating profits rose from £1.3bn to £1.5bn. The solid results come just months after the firm said it was slowing down production of the Eurofighter Typhoon and shedding up to 371 jobs at its sites in Samlesbury and Warton.

Saudi Arabian FM says Syrian rebels should be provided with surface-to-air missiles

02/20/2016

Moderate rebel groups should be supplied with surface-to-air missiles to defend themselves against air strikes from the Assad regime and its allies, Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir told Der Spiegel. n recent months, Syrian government forces have driven back rebel groups, supported by intensive air strikes from the Syrian air force and allies Russia.

Raytheon To Join Race For $10B T-X Trainer Program, Competing Against Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop

02/20/2016

After years of delay, the Air Force is gearing up to replace its 500 T-38 training jets, which are used to teach young pilots how to fly front-line fighters and bombers. The supersonic T-38 has been in service with the Air Force for over 50 years, and despite periodic upgrades cannot mimic the features of the latest “fifth-generation” fighters.