Military Aviation News Archive

Terrorists May Use Commercial Drones for Chemical, Biological Attacks

06/11/2015

Commercial drones and drones used for hobby could increasingly be weaponized to carry out chemical, biological or kamikaze-style attacks, according to a Center for a New American Security report published on Wednesday.

Australian Intel: ISIL on Its Way to Building Large 'Dirty Bomb'

06/11/2015

The self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terror group has seized enough radioactive material to build a large "dirty bomb" capable of inflicting devastating damage, according to Australian intelligence reports.

Russian Fighter Jets Fly over US Ships During NATO Baltic Exercise

06/10/2015

Russian ships and fighter jets made their presence known during the opening days of a 17-nation strong NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea by shadowing alliance ship movements and buzzing aircraft over ship formations. "During our formations shortly after we left port, we had some company from Russian ships shadowing us, and about mid-afternoon we were overflown by two Russian jets.

RAF Typhoons intercept two Russian military aircraft

06/10/2015

RAF Typhoons have intercepted and shadowed two Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, it has been disclosed. The jets were scrambled from Amari Air base in Estonia yesterday after the planes approached Baltic airspace without sharing a flight plan. They initially identified and shadowed an Il-20M "Coot" A surveillance aircraft, before checking out a an An-26 "Curl" transport plane flying north from Kaliningrad.

One year after shocking capture of Mosul, Islamic State remains formidable

06/10/2015

One year after the Islamic State stormed out of eastern Syria to take control of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, last June 10, it remains a formidable force, with few signs that a U.S.-led bombing campaign has significantly blunted its abilities or ambitions. U.S. officials say the bombing campaign has killed more than 10,000 Islamic State fighters and insist that the group controls 25 percent less territory in Iraq than it did when the U.S. began bombing Islamic State positions there 10 mont

Everything you need to know about the South China Sea conflict

06/10/2015

China’s claim to the South China Sea is based in history, dating back to records from the Xia and Han dynasties. China delineates its claims via the nine-dash line, which Chiang Kai Shek advanced in 1947. During China’s republican era, China surveyed, mapped and named 291 islands and reefs in the region.

Japan Is Running out of Fighter Jets

06/10/2015

Japan could be facing a fighter jet shortage over the coming decade plus as it phases out some of its older aircraft. Last week Defense News reported that Japan will face a fighter jet shortage as it starts phasing out its fleetes of F-2s and F-15s starting in the 2020s.

Interview: Dassault's Eric Trappier

06/10/2015

Dassault Aviation is poised to enter a new era with renewed strength in the order book for the Rafale fighter and preparing for the future with studies on combat and surveillance drones, said Eric Trappier, chairman and chief executive. New versions of the Falcon business jet also usher in a bright outlook.

Navy Air Boss: F-35C Advanced Sensors, Situational Awareness a ‘Game-Changer’

06/10/2015

The Navy’s top aviator checked out a simulator for its next-generation fighter jet, the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), on Monday and lauded its advanced capabilities that will give it a leg up compared to legacy strike aircraft.

US Intelligence Seizes Data on Islamic State Leadership Structure

06/10/2015

Data from electronic devices of Islamic State members gathered during a US raid has allowed American intelligence to better understand how the radicals’ leaders operate in Syria, The New York Times reports citing US officials.

Israel Enraged With US Over Advanced Arms Supplies to Arab States

06/10/2015

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon raised concerns that the United States' move to supply various Gulf Arab states with arms as a counterweight to Iran could weaken Israel's own US-backed regional military dominance.

Russia grounds Tu-95 bombers after engine fire

06/09/2015

At least five Russian servicemen were injured on Monday during a failed takeoff of a Tu-95 bomber in the Amur region, some 9,000 kilometers (about 5,600 miles) east of Moscow. "According to information from the scene, several crew members received injuries of varying degree while leaving the plane and were hospitalized," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Indo-Israel defense ties: What Modi should pitch for the country

06/09/2015

Amidst strong protests from the opposition, Narendra Modi is all geared up to visit Israel later this year. He will become the first prime minister of India to visit the country. Prior to Modi's visit, External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj will visit Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

US ups pressure with overflights

06/09/2015

The dispute over the strategic waterways of the South China Sea has intensified, pitting a rising China against its smaller and militarily weaker neighbors who all lay claim to a string of isles, coral reefs and lagoons known as the Spratly and the Paracel islands. Only about 45 of them are occupied. The area is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, rich in fish and potentially gas and oil reserves, but it has now emerged as a possible flashpoint involving world powers and regional claiman

Pakistani Thunders over Paris

06/09/2015

Three Pakistani Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft will be taking part in the Paris Air Show opening at the Paris Le Bourget airport next week. This Chinese-Pakistani fighter jet will participate in the daily flight demonstration. It will also be on display in the ground exhibit.

Kuwait set to buy Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets from Italy

06/09/2015

The Kuwaiti Government has began talks with Italy to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets, in a bid to upgrade the country's air force capabilities. According to a source, this possible deal would see the purchase of two squadrons of fighter planes and around 24 to 28 of the twin-engine jets, The Wall Street Journal reported. The deal, which is expected to worth more than €4bn, could also cover pilot training and other related items.

Is Japan Facing a Shortage of Fighter Aircraft?

06/09/2015

Japan’s Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) might face a shortage of fighter jets in the 2020, unless Tokyo accelerates upgrading its fleet of legacy aircraft and expands the scope of current modernization efforts, Defense News reports.

Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist coming with Gripen NG fighter aircraft offer

06/09/2015

Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist will arrive here tomorrow on a four-day visit during which he is expected to offer Gripen NG fighter aircraft or a possible joint collaboration in manufacturing single engine light combat planes. Hultqvist, who will arrive tomorrow night, will also visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited units in Bengaluru.

US, South Korean Navies Hold Joint Anti-Submarine Exercise – US Navy

06/09/2015

The United States and South Korea launched a five day joint anti-submarine exercise near Guam, the US Navy said in a release on Monday. “The exercise integrates US and Republic of Korean anti-submarine warfare assets to bolster relations and interoperability,” the US Navy said.

US-Led Saber Strike Military Drills to Kick Off in Baltics, Poland

06/09/2015

Large-scale US-led military exercises, codenamed Saber Strike 2015, will start in three Baltic states and Poland on Monday. The drills, running through June 19, are hosted by Lithuania this year. Joint tactical maneuvers will also take place in Estonia and Latvia. Poland will join the annual event for the first time.

B-2, B-52 bombers deploy to Europe for military exercises

06/08/2015

Two U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers on Sunday joined B-52s in Europe for additional exercises. The Spirits and airmen from the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings traveled from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to RAF Fairford, England, and conducted hot-pit refueling and engine-running crew change skills tests, according to an Air Force news release.

In a first, U.S.-led raids in Syria target Islamic State fighters as they fight al-Qaida rebels

06/08/2015

U.S.-led aircraft bombed Islamic State group fighters as they battled rival Syrian rebels, including al-Qaida loyalists, in a first such intervention, a monitoring group said on Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the overnight raids in northern Aleppo as an intervention on the side of the rival rebels, which include forces who have been targeted previously by U.S.-led strikes.

Stakes Are High for BAE Systems in Upcoming Army Contract Award

06/08/2015

The Army is expected to select a contractor next month to design and produce a new antimissile system for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The estimated billion-dollar competition pits BAE Systems against archrival Northrop Grumman.

Trust pilots, ramp up airstrikes to defeat Islamic State

06/08/2015

Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s recent remarks on the efficacy of Iraq’s army reflect the fact that, despite years of training by thousands of U.S. and coalition forces, the army has not been able to halt the Islamic State group’s aggression. What makes anyone think that a few more months of similar training will yield success?

Britain's defence chiefs face tough choices ahead

06/08/2015

America is anxious about Britain's defence expenditure. Perhaps the problem is the escalating cost of overly complex equipment. Prior to the 1992 British election, discussing the case for cancelling the increasingly expensive Anglo-European Eurofighter aircraft with Labour's defence spokesman, I suggested the defence requirement for this aircraft to be out-dated with the fall of the Berlin Wall; and the shifting Russian political and military landscape.