Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Chinese military aircraft trespass into Japan, Korea airspace

02/03/2016

Two Chinese military aircraft flew into South Korean and Japanese airspace, and Japan's Self-Defense Force fighter jets scrambled to intercept the planes. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff stated the two combat planes entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone, or KADIZ, on Sunday, Yonhap reported. Kyodo News reported the aircraft were the Shaanxi Y-9 – a medium-size plane capable of transporting 25 tons of cargo.

The IAF’s Fleet Strength Is Depleting Fast, But Su-30MKI Is Flying To The Rescue

02/03/2016

The Indian Air Force’s quick fix solution for its fighter crunch is to crank up production of the Su-30 MKI – the backbone of its combat fleet. India had initially contracted with Russia for 272 Sukhois, but that number will in all probability cross 300 by 2019. With multiple squadrons of older MiG-21 interceptors and MiG-27 ground attack jets being retired in quick succession, the IAF fighter fleet is set to decline to a low of 32 squadrons – or around 576 aircraft.

Super Bowl air cover brought to you by... the U.S. Air Force

02/03/2016

One plane has two powerful jet engines with afterburners, flies at almost 2,000 mph, can soar more than 12 miles above the earth, and has 34 air combat victories in Operation Desert Storm. The other hums along at 150 mph, powered by a six-piston engine and a two-bladed propeller. It can't get much higher than 3 miles above the ground. It's more suited to carry your grandma than a gun.

DOD reveals ‘arsenal plane’ and microdrones in budget speech

02/03/2016

The Pentagon is developiong a repurposed “arsenal plane” that would carry large volumes of bombs and missiles into battle alongside modern combat aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35. The Department of Defense (DOD) is also investing in “fast, resilient mircodrones” that can launch from fighter jets travelling at Mach 0.9 and fly through strong crosswinds.

Langley crews give teeth to the Raptor

02/03/2016

Michael Dickens and Julian Lopez can't fly the Air Force's most advanced fighter jet, but the F-22 Raptor wouldn't have much of a bite without them. Airman 1st Class Lopez and Tech Sgt. Dickens are among the crews at Langley Air Force Base that keep the stealth fighter supplied with a lethal mix of bombs and missiles, plus a 20-millimeter multi-barrel cannon for close encounters.

Will Turkey risk a military confrontation with Russia?

02/03/2016

Tensions between Russia and Turkey continue to escalate following the downing in November of a Russian Su-24 fighter jet that strayed into Turkish airspace. Questions are being raised now whether the two countries are heading for a military confrontation. A leading Turkish military expert told Al-Monitor that such a Russian move could spell disaster for Turkey.

Su-35S at Its Finest: Advanced Fighter Which Started Its Mission in Syria

02/03/2016

Russia has sent its advanced, super-maneuverable Su-35S multirole fighters to Syria to test the brand-new aircraft in a combat environment for the first time ever; aviation experts explain what makes the warplanes so unique.

Astonishing rescue of 'blinded' RAF pilot who was guided down by colleague

02/02/2016

AN RAF fighter jet pilot who suddenly lost his sight while on a training flight was guided down to safety by a colleague who raced to his aid, it has emerged. Leading airmen described the rescue at RAF Leeming as "amazing" - saying the 622mph maximum speed Hawk T Mk 1 combat planes would still have been travelling at 115mph when they landed at the North Yorkshire station.

Israeli satellite photos show Russian Air Force deployment in Syria

02/02/2016

The Aros satellite took photos of the Lattakia air base used by the Russian Air Force, showing the vast array of fighter jets on hand, the operations of the new S-400 batteries, and the intensive amount of sorties in the area.

Pentagon to Navy: Convert UCLASS Program Into Unmanned Aerial Tanker, Accelerate F-35 Development, Buy More Super Hornets

02/02/2016

The Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) effort is being retooled as primarily a carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling platform as part of several Pentagon naval aviation mandates as part if the the service’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget submission, USNI News has learned.

France Places C-130 Order

02/02/2016

France has placed an order for four Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft – two standard C-130J transports and two KC-130Js equipped for in-flight refueling of helicopters, the defense procurement office said. “Direction Générale de l’Armement ordered on Jan. 29, 2016 from the US Air Force four new Hercules C-130Js,” the DGA said in a Feb. 1 statement. The first two aircraft will be delivered between the end of 2017 and early2018, with the two refueling versions due in 2019.

Exclusive: U.S. budget plan includes over $13 billion for new submarine - sources

02/02/2016

The Pentagon's next five-year budget proposal seeks over $13 billion in funding for a new submarine to carry nuclear ballistic missiles, plus orders for more Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp fighter jets, according to sources familiar with the plans.

US Navy’s Unmanned Jet Could Be a Tanker

02/02/2016

One of the biggest questions facing the future of US Navy carrier-based aviation is what will be the primary mission of its new unmanned jet. Some believe the aircraft — to be produced by the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program — should be a stealthy strike jet able to penetrate an enemy’s defenses without risking a pilot. Others want a spy plane, able to launch from a carrier and produce high-quality, real-time intelligence.

Russia deploys frontline fighter jets to Syria amid Turkish tension

02/02/2016

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Su-35 fighters have been deployed to Hemeimeem air base in Syria. The Su-35 is Russia’s most advanced fighter that is fielded in significant numbers. NATO designates the aircraft as the SU-35S Flanker-E.

Pentagon Report Casts Further Doubts on F-35's Combat Readiness

02/02/2016

Aviation Week has published a 48-page report from Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, which casts serious doubts on whether the Marines' current version of the F-35, the Block 2B, is capable of entering combat on it own.

India looks for unmanned combat aircraft from U.S.

02/02/2016

The Indian armed forces have suffered from time and technology challenges over the last 30 years, but apparently to make up for the lost time, the government has now approved the Indian Air Force's (IAF) requirements for unmanned combat aircraft, technically called Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs).

Russia Comments on NATO's Alleged Evidence of Turkish Airspace Violation

02/02/2016

The Russian Defense Ministry, commenting on the statement of a NATO representative regarding the ‘classified images’ of the so-called violation of the Syrian-Turkish border by a Russian jet, said that such allegations were expected from NATO as they are trying to withhold information from the public and media.

Dutch F16 jets to start bombing in Syria, ministers agree

02/01/2016

Dutch F16 fighter jets will take part in bombing raids over Syria, ministers agreed on Friday. ‘We can only prevent attacks if we remove IS’ safe havens in Iraq and Syria,’ prime minister Mark Rutte said at his weekly press conference. The Netherlands currently has four F16 fighters flying missions over Iraq and their mission will now be extended to eastern Syria, Rutte said. In addition, the Netherlands will ‘intensify’ its support for the Iraqi army and Kurdish forces in Iraq Kurdistan.

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

02/01/2016

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.

Ottawa pushes military deals with Kuwait despite UN concerns

02/01/2016

The Canadian government is busy promoting Canada’s defence industry in Kuwait even as a United Nations report accuses a Saudi-led coalition, which includes Kuwait, of “widespread and systematic” bombing of civilians in Yemen.

MiG-31 Miasma

02/01/2016

In late January a Russian MiG-31 jet fighter was lost due to unspecified equipment failure. The air force grounded all 120 MiG-31s until the exact cause could be determined. The most likely culprit is age which is why in late 2015 the air force received $378 million to upgrade another 50 of the older MiG-31s to the MiG-31BM standard. Unfortunately the recent crash was of a BM model as were some previous crashes. The latest crash was not unexpected.

Beijing Admits Chinese Jet Fighter Technology Inferior to Western Warplanes, Says Report

02/01/2016

Chinese jet fighters are likely to be at a disadvantage in the event of an aerial confrontation with Western combat aircraft - or even fighters from US ally Japan - over the East and South China Seas, foreign and Chinese aviation experts have said. Defense admitted that there is a "definite gap" between Chinese military technology and some developed countries. The statement said Beijing will continue to strengthen China's armed forces.

Japan Shifts Air Force Posture South, Unveils Stealth Demonstrator

02/01/2016

On one level the Japanese Ministry of Defense latest budget request for the financial year starting April appears to be business as usual, as the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) chugs along with its piecemeal procurement of 42 F-35s and decisions on the eventual replacement of its aging F-2 and F-15 fleets shelved.

106 upgraded Tejas jets to replace MiGs

02/01/2016

The Ministry of Defence has decided to locally produce 106 upgraded Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas” jets to replace the ageing fleet of MiG fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The “Tejas Mark 1-A” will have 43 improvements over the existing Tejas currently being test-flown by the IAF for various parameters and slated for final operation clearance in March. The existing project is running years behind schedule.

Japan Deploys Additional F-15s Close to Disputed Islands With China

02/01/2016

The deployment brings the total number of F-15s at Okinawa’s Naha base to 40. Japan and China have had tense relations over the sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea, known as Senkaku in Japan and as Diaoyus in China.