Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The US Army Wants to Figure Out What Comes After Helicopters

11/10/2015

This is a big move, not just for the Army, but for the Pentagon, who haven't always been that successful with recent dives into the deep end of the innovation pool. In the past few decades, "the Pentagon generally has not bought what we call 'clean sheet designs,' or helicopters that are designed from scratch, but instead they keep buying the next improved version of the helicopter already in their fleet," explains Ray Jaworowski, a senior aerospace analyst at Forecast International.

Gulf Countries to Purchase Russian Aircraft and Anti-Air Systems

11/10/2015

The director general of the state corporation Rostec Sergei Chemezov, confirmed today that countries of the Persian Gulf are negotiating with Russia the purchase of S-300 missile air defense systems and Su-35 fighters. According to the executive, not only did Moscow sign a contract with Iran for the supply of anti-aircraft systems, but it is already in force.

French Fighters Target Islamic State Revenue

11/10/2015

“We intervened in Syria… yesterday evening with a strike on an oil supply center near Deir Ezzor on the border between Iraq and Syria,” Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced today. Given the location of the strikes, it’s likely the fighters were launched from their forward location in the Kingdom of Jordan. Satellite imagery has confirmed that the French Air Force deployed its six Mirage 2000 fighters to Prince Hassan AB, Mafraq Governorate.

Saab to provide maintenance support for Sweden's Gripen aircraft

11/10/2015

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded a SEK154m ($17.8m) contract to Saab to provide support and maintenance for Gripen aircraft. Saab signed a contract in 2012 with FMV for performance-based support and maintenance of the Gripen fighter and the new contract is an exercise of an option held under that contract.

2 FA-50 fighter trainer jets to arrive in PH by yearend – PAF

11/10/2015

Two FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets will be arriving by the end of the year as part of the Philippine Air Force’s efforts to modernize its aircraft, according to the PAF. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, the PAF commanding general, personally tested one of the units in a test flight last Friday in South Korea, the PAF spokesman said on Monday. “He co-piloted one of the flights… He was very excited since it flew at the speed of sound, it was a supersonic flight,” said Col. Enrico Canaya.

Israel Held ‘Largest Ever’ Air Combat Drill Nearby, On Same Day as Russian Sinai Crash

11/10/2015

It’s no revelation that the Egyptian resort destination of Sharm El-Sheikh is also a well-known Israeli Mossad ‘intelligence playground’. If indeed Israeli covert operatives were somehow involved in this incident, it wouldn’t be the first time that Israel carried out a false flag attack in order to manipulate another nation into a wider war. The case of Israel’s attack on the USS Libertyis a prime example of this.

Russia’s five most threatening weapons detailed

11/10/2015

For decades the West has mocked Russia’s military as an aged, low-tech throwback to a defunct Cold War. But a new air campaign in Syria and a swath of fresh technology is turning that notion on its head.

Saudi Arabia to Upgrade F-15 Fighter Jets Amid Middle East Instability

11/10/2015

Saudi Arabia will upgrade its US-built F-15 Eagle fighter jets, defense contractor Lockheed Martin with the sensor suite that includes Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP), LANTIRN Extended Range (ER) navigation pods and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems.

Brazil, Indonesia Interested in Russian Su-35 Jet Purchase – Rostec Head

11/10/2015

Russia’s state technologies corporation Rostec head Sergey Chemezov said that the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Brazil are interested in the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 jet fighters.

Saudi Arabia Eyes Russian S-400 Missile Defense Systems - Rostec Head

11/10/2015

According to the head of Russia’s state technologies corporation Rostec, Saudi Arabia is interested in acquiring Russia’s S-400 missile defense systems.

DUBAI: Customer sought for AVIC’s new stealth fighter

11/09/2015

Chinese airframer AVIC has delivered a shock at Dubai by revealing a surprising level of detail about its proposed FC-31 Gyrfalcon fifth-generation multi-role fighter, even though the type has yet to secure a launch customer. The aircraft being promoted appears to be a follow-on development of the company’s J-31, a mysterious black fighter aircraft that appeared in at the flying display at Airshow China in Zhuhai last November.

Dubai Air Show: Security fears 'to boost arms sales'

11/09/2015

Fighter aircraft from the US, UK and France dominated the aerial displays, while on the ground many more multi-million-dollar jets and helicopters were on view. Among the 160 aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow, it is the sleek, shiny passenger aircraft of Boeing and Airbus which Gulf carriers normally order in their hundreds.

China Expands Presence With Fighters on Woody Island

11/09/2015

China’s deployment of the more advanced J-11BH/BHS fighter aircraft to Woody Island, revealed in photographs released via online Chinese-language media websites in late October, underscores how seriously the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is taking its claims to the South China Sea.

Confirmation of Attack on Russian Jet May Strengthen Putin’s Resolve in Syria

11/09/2015

The main bell in St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg tolled 224 times on Sunday, once for each victim of the destruction of a Russian charter flight in Egypt a week ago. Although President Vladimir V. Putin and his aides at first indignantly dismissed suspicions of a terrorist act, the Kremlin has since then clearly come to grips with the idea that a bomb was probably involved in the crash: Late Friday it suspended all travel by Russians to Egypt.

Iran Prepares to Re-equip its Military

11/09/2015

There is probably no air force in modern history that deserves more credit for innovation and adaptive skills than the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). For more than 35 years the Iranian force has struggled to maintain a fleet of aging American-made equipment, acquired under the reign of the former Shah of Iran.

DUBAI: Italy powers up combat jamming system for Tornado

11/09/2015

Italy’s air force appears set to join an elite group of services capable of fighting their way into hostile territory by using combat aircraft carrying active jamming technology. Elettronica chief executive Enzo Benigni welcomed Italian defence minister Roberta Pinotti to the company’s stand on the opening day of the show, before announcing that a teaming agreement has been signed to work on an escort jammer pod.

Report: Argentina to Purchase 14 Kfir Combat Jets from Israel

11/09/2015

After almost two years of negotiations and endless speculations surrounding the question of what fighter jet Argentina would go for, Argentine media report that a decision has been made to purchase the IAI Kfir jets to replace the South American Air Force’s 14 Mirages 3. According to the report, in Interdefensa Militar Argentina, the decision is currently awaiting final approval from the Cabinet.

Syrian Troops Kill Almost 60 Islamists in Failed ISIL Attack on Airbase

11/09/2015

The Syrian armed forces have repelled an attack of Islamic State (ISIL) militants on an airbase near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor, destroying 58 jihadists, local media said early Monday.

Russia, Egypt Discuss Antey-2500, Buk Missile Systems Delivery

11/09/2015

Russia is holding talks with Egypt on the delivery of Antey-2500 anti-ballistic missile system and Buk surface-to-air missile system, Russia’s state technologies corporation Rostec head Sergey Chemezov said Sunday.

Boeing fights decision that gave bomber to Northrop

11/08/2015

Boeing and Lockheed Martin formally challenged the selection of Northrop Grumman to build a heavy bomber valued at up to $80 billion, calling the process “fundamentally flawed.” Boeing believes its “game-changing” innovations were ignored in the Pentagon’s calculations.

As U.S. Escalates Air War on ISIS, Allies Slip Away

11/08/2015

As the United States prepares to intensify airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria, the Arab allies who with great fanfare sent warplanes on the initial missions there a year ago have largely vanished from the campaign.

Ahead of Latest Strategic Defense and Security Review, UK Faces Tough Choices

11/08/2015

Five years after Britain’s dire finances triggered a Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) that axed capabilities, force numbers, readiness and ambition, the government gets to have another go at setting out its military priorities in the next few weeks when it wheels out the new version of the review.

Airbus Scrambles To Compete Against France's Planned Buy of 4 C-130s

11/08/2015

France's planned acquisition of four C-130 Hercules for €330 million (US $361 million) has fueled a debate between the armed forces and procurement officials over buying the US airlifter, while Airbus scrambles to develop a competing offer, defense executive and analyst sources said. Later this month, France expects to receive a US letter of acceptance setting out the price of four Lockheed Martin C-130Js, a defense specialist said.

DUBAI: Combat-tested A330 MRTT to get technology boost

11/08/2015

One of three Airbus Defence & Space-modified widebodies operated by the service, the aircraft is equipped with under-wing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods, which support operations with the Dassault Mirage 2000. It also has an advanced refuelling boom system, cleared to support other MRTTs – and crucially the UAE’s Lockheed Martin F-16E/Fs. These have been used in an offensive role as part of the international campaign to tackle Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

US air-to-air combat aircraft just arrived in Turkey

11/08/2015

The US Air Force has deployed air superiority planes near Syria. Six F-15C Eagle jets, belonging to the 493rd Fighter Squadron of the 48th Fighter Wing, from RAF Lakenheath, UK, have just deployed to Incirlik airbase, in Turkey. According to the US Air Force, the air planes were moved close to Syria “in a demonstration of the United States unwavering support for Turkish sovereignty and the collective security of the region.”