Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Lockheed Martin Wins $914Mln Contract to Upgrade Singapore’s F-16s

12/02/2015

The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $914 million contract to upgrade F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter jets for the government of Singapore, the US Department of Defense said in an announcement. "Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2023," the announcement on stated on Tuesday.

Korea steps up drone development

12/01/2015

In May 2014, many South Koreans were struck by the discovery of three crashed drones in frontline areas that had been flown in from North Korea. Albeit crude, the small devices had taken photos of major military installations on border islands, potential infiltration routes and the presidential palace in downtown Seoul, kindling concerns over a potential security breach and lax air defense.

SDF to appoint female fighter pilots by 2020

12/01/2015

The Defense Ministry will allow females to be Air Self-Defense Force jet fighter pilots for the first time in its history, according to sources. So far, the ministry has barred women from becoming jet fighter pilots because of the physical and mental burdens. Behind the decision is a plan to demonstrate acrobatic flying by ASDF pilots —including women — at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Essay: How Offering Tomahawks for Foreign Military Sales Will Strengthen Allies and Deter Adversaries

12/01/2015

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile has long been a mainstay of the U.S. strike weapon inventory. Launching from ranges out to 1,000 miles and armed with a 1,000-pound warhead, it is the Navy’s “Kick Down the Door” weapon, attacking well-defended high-value land targets. The BLK IV missile is the latest variant in a steady progression of capability, incorporating mission planning, navigation and guidance, and command and control upgrades designed to improve responsiveness and target flexibility.

Russian Su-34 planes in Syria for the first time make sorties with air-to-air missiles

12/01/2015

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers (NATO reporting name: Fullback) have for the first time taken, in addition to bombs, short-and medium-range air-to-air missiles on combat mission in Syria for their protection, spokesman for the Russian Aerospace Forces Colonel Igor Klimov reported on Monday.

Commando Raids Backed as Obama Strategy to Fight Islamic State

12/01/2015

The U.S. should conduct far more commando raids against Islamic State, say lawmakers and former defense officials who are pushing President Barack Obama to deploy special-operations forces more aggressively against the extremists. With the attacks in Paris putting new pressure on Obama to show progress in the stalemated war against terrorists, defense analysts are calling for an intensified campaign of raids to disrupt the group’s leadership, gather intelligence and build momentum.

What Are Boeing’s Prospects for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in Asia?

12/01/2015

As the Diplomat has noted recently, the Asia-Pacific has become an important market for modern military aircraft. Companies from countries such as France, Sweden, Russia, and China have been attempting to sell their platforms to a range of states in the region (see here and here for Beijing’s Asian aircraft bids). Several states, including Indonesia, Malaysia and India, are either planning to or are in the process of acquiring modern fighter jets.

New Russian surface-to-air missiles in Syria, DoD confirms

12/01/2015

Tension in the skies over Syria intensified Monday as the Pentagon confirmed that Russia is moving advanced surface-to-air missile systems onto its military base near the Turkish border. U.S. intelligence shows that Russia is following through on plans to send S-400 missile systems into its primary airfield near Latakia, a Pentagon spokesman said. With a reported range of up to 248 miles, the missile system could put at risk most U.S. combat aircraft flying over Syria.

Philippines To Set Up Working Group For Multi Role Fighter Aircraft Acquisition

12/01/2015

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) plans to set up a working group to determine the appropriate choice of a Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). The PAF is looking for a specific model of multirole fighters that would best suit its needs, PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya was quoted as saying by Philippines Star newspaper after a ceremony to welcome FA-50 jets acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Philippines Scores First New Fighter Jets in a Decade

12/01/2015

The Philippines on Monday received two Korean-made fighter jets as it strengthens its underfunded military in the midst of an escalating territorial dispute with China. The Philippines bought 12 FA-50s from Korea Aerospace Industries for 18.9 billion pesos ($402 million), Reuters reported. The 10 other jets will be delivered in batches through 2017. Weapons for the aircraft will be purchased later.

Upgraded Tu-160M2 Bomber to Get Brand New Weapons Control Systems

12/01/2015

Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2, a modernized variant of the legendary Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber, is expected to become "an entirely new aircraft," with all-new components more than doubling its effectiveness. Now, developers involved in the plane's modernization have announced that they will be installing brand new weapons control systems.

Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

11/30/2015

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Djibouti Base Could Be Start of U.S.-China Military Rivalry in EA

11/30/2015

Chinese leaders plan to build a military base in Djibouti to "extend their reach," the head of the United States Africa Command said last week. The reported comments by Gen David Rodriguez serve to confirm speculation that China intends to buttress its growing economic involvement in Africa with a military presence, which US officials have however been downplayed.

End of an Era: Last Boeing C-17 Military Transport Plane Departs from Long Beach

11/30/2015

Marking the end of an era, the final Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military airlifter will fly one last time over the Long Beach facility where the aircrafts were made. According to a Boeing spokeswoman, the final C-17 prepared to depart from the Long Beach airport Sunday around noon.

Israel: Russian Aircraft Breached Our Airspace

11/30/2015

Israeli defense minister Moshe “Bogey” Ya’alon confirmed Sunday that Russian military aircraft, on at least one occasion, have breached Israeli airspace–without confrontation.

U.S. B-52 Bombers To Sport Long-Range Missiles

11/30/2015

In early November, Lockheed Martin and the United States Armed Forces declared that they had signed a defence contract worth $9.1 million. As part of the deal, Lockheed Martin- the U.S. government’s go-to defence equipment provider- will outfit the B-52 ‘Stratofortress’ bombers with new long-range missiles.

Russia makes airspace violations a regular tactic

11/30/2015

Russia has a long history of violating airspace and territorial waters as a means of applying pressure to achieve political aims. On Tuesday, the Turkish Armed Forces shot down an unidentified bomber, which Russian authorities claimed was a Russian Su-24 fighter jet. The jet had violated Turkey's airspace, according to a radar tracking diagram provided by the Turkish Chief of General Staff.

Russia-Turkey conflict another reason for Justin Trudeau to pull out of Syria: Walkom

11/30/2015

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals say they will carry through on their campaign pledge to “end Canada’s combat mission” in Iraq and Syria. They are defining the word “combat” very carefully. As my colleague Bruce Campion-Smith reported Thursday, the defence department now says that even after Canada pulls back its six fighter jets from the battlefield, it could leave five other military aircraft there.

Indian Air Force Rafale Jets Will Be Made In India, To Give Boost To Tejas Technology

11/30/2015

India's largest-ever military deal is likely to bring in big business for the private sector with the French side looking to set up a production centre for the Rafale fighter aircraft as well as a low-cost executive jet in India, besides sharing vital aircraft technology for the indigenous Tejas project.

Asian arms race: Russia sells its Su-35 ‘Flanker’ to China, Indonesia

11/30/2015

Indonesia, long a regional power, has been seeking a replacement for its antique US F-5 Tiger II fighters. General Agus Supriatnahas told Indonesian media he has signed a deal to buy 12 of the new Russian air superiority fighters instead of US F-16 Fighting Falcons because “the aircraft have more modern technology”.

Forgotten Russian MiG Resurrected as New Chinese 5th Generation Jet?

11/30/2015

The first Russian fifth generation fighter is not the much advertised T-50, which according to plan should begin to arrive into the Russian Military and Space Forces in early 2016, but the almost forgotten project MiG 1.44, which was abandoned in the early 2000s.

President Xi Jinping's overhaul of China's military all part of ruling party's divide-and-rule plan

11/29/2015

Why President Xi Jinping should want a divided military command when he presently has all the benefits of a unified one seems a puzzle at first. The experience of the United States military would certainly not suggest such an initiative. Take the US Navy, which has long absorbed the largest share of US military spending.

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

11/29/2015

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

India on the lookout for fighters apart from Rafales

11/29/2015

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is hunting for fighter aircraft apart from the Rafale medium multi-role combat ones and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to meet the existing shortage, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said after the handing over of Presidential Standards to two Mig-27ML squadrons by President Pranab Mukherjee at Air Force Station Hasimara on Saturday. The IAF would be forming several more squadrons in the next few years, the air chief said.

Japanese Military Scrambles F-15 Jets After Chinese Planes Fly Near Okinawa

11/29/2015

“Six of the Chinese aircrafts flew over open seas between the southern Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako, about 1,700 kilometers south-west of Tokyo, on Friday morning, Jiji Press cited Defense Ministry officials as saying,” DPA agency reported. A Chinese air force spokesman told media that several types of planes, including H-6K bombers, a TU-154 information-gathering plane and a Y-8 observation plane were involved in Friday's drill.