Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Counter-Terrorism: Jordan Gets By With A Little Help From Its Friends

09/14/2015

Jordan recently revealed more details of the Israeli assistance it was receiving for the fight against Islamic terrorism. Israel has supplied Jordan with a dozen lightweight Slylark UAVs and the services of one or more larger Heron TP UAVs. Israel has also provided special electronics and software so that Jordan can more effectively track its own troops and possible Islamic terrorist activity.

One of America’s First Female Combat Pilots Recounts her 9/11 Mission to Take Down United Flight 93

09/14/2015

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney readied herself for the ultimate sacrifice. According to MSN, Penney, one of America’s very first female combat pilots, sat on the runway at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland preparing to fly. The day’s fourth airliner had been hijacked and it seemed to be headed straight for Washington, D.C. Penney was one of the first two combat pilots in the air that morning, so the task fell on her and her commanding

Taranis stealth drone may see final test flights later this year

09/14/2015

Britain’s top secret stealth drone will complete its third and possibly final round of test flights later this year, the Ministry of Defence has said. The £200 million Taranis programme, making the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers, will have achieved all its objectives if this year’s trials go well, officials said. No decision has been made on further tests.

Air Force reserves contend with high op tempo, old planes

09/14/2015

The Air Force Reserve components are ready to serve the nation, but need to retain their identity as a part-time force to allow airmen to fulfill their requirements to civilian jobs and family, Reserve leaders said. “A lot of our drill status guardsmen have to balance the life of the Guard versus their civilian employment versus what they do with their families — not counting having any personal time for themselves,” said Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, Air National Guard director.

Putin’s Syria Play

09/14/2015

For 70 years American Presidents from both parties have sought to thwart Russian influence in the Middle East. Harry Truman forced the Red Army to withdraw from northern Iran in 1946. Richard Nixon raised a nuclear alert to deter Moscow from resupplying its Arab clients during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Even Jimmy Carter threatened military force to protect the Persian Gulf after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

India Open to Buy Off-the-shelf Russian Stealth Fighters, Collaboration on Su-30 MKI Upgrade Likely?

09/14/2015

As China inches ahead with the flight testing of its first fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters, India is reportedly mulling over the option of making better of its rock-steady friendship with Russia by buying its off-the-shelf Sukhoi T-50 (also known as PAK FA) stealth fighter.

Lack of Russian-US 'Military-to-Military' Contact in Syria May Prove Lethal

09/14/2015

The absence of strategic and tactical-level military-to-military communication between Russian advisors and US aircraft on bombing missions in Syria poses imminent risks of unintended military incidents and needs to change, according to US-based defense news site Defense One.

New Delhi Nods +$400 Million Israeli Mega Drone Procurement

09/13/2015

The Indian government recently approved a plan to procure ten new missile-armed drones from Israel. “The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP drones from Israel was cleared last week,” The Economic Times reported.

Italy, Kuwait Agree Eurofighter Typhoon Combat Jet Sale

09/13/2015

The Italian and Kuwaiti governments have struck an agreement over the sale of 28 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets, as the Middle East country seeks to follow neighbors in modernizing its air force, the plane maker said Friday. “We are delighted to welcome Kuwait as the newest member of our Eurofighter Typhoon family,” said Alberto Gutierrez, chief executive of the Eurofighter consortium.

Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

09/13/2015

On Sept. 11, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three airstrikes using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Army to boost aerial spy force

09/13/2015

U.S. military commanders around the globe need more eyes in the sky amid a proliferation of global threats, and the Army is moving to help fill that shortage. Although primarily a land force, the Army is planning to stand up new units this fall to expand its aerial exploitation battalions forces, which fly manned intelligence missions around the world.

Russian cargo planes 'carrying aid' arrive in Syria

09/13/2015

It comes amid reports that Russia is stepping up military support to the Syrian government. The planes flew into an air base near the coastal city of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad. Russia has been a key ally of President Assad during Syria's bloody four-year civil war.

Australian military aircraft fly first mission in Syria

09/13/2015

Australian aircraft have completed their first operation in Syria, defense officials said Saturday, just days after Canberra extended the mission from Iraq to better fight Islamic State jihadis. “The Australian Air Task Group completed its first operational mission in Syria overnight, returning to base in the Middle East without incident,” the Defence Department said in a statement. “No weapons were released during the mission.”

Danes scramble fighters to intercept Russian bombers

09/13/2015

Denmark's military command says two Danish fighters jets were scrambled to intercept two Russian military planes flying near the country's airspace over the Baltic Sea. Military spokesman Major Erik Boettger said Saturday it was "normal procedure when foreign aircraft approach Danish airspace", adding the Russian Tupolev TU-22M bombers never entered Danish territorial airspace.

UK exporting drone components worth hundreds of millions in bid to regain ground in global arms race

09/13/2015

Britain is exporting drone components worth hundreds of millions pounds to countries that include Saudi Arabia and South Korea, as it tries to regain lost ground in a global arms race to meet burgeoning demand for lethal remote-controlled military aircraft, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.

Remembering 9/11 During America’s War on ISIS

09/12/2015

For the 14th year in a row, a wartime U.S. military remembered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But this was the first 9/11 anniversary for U.S. military members deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve—the U.S.-led air war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Saab Gripen NG program, technology transfer takes off in Brazil

09/12/2015

The Gripen NG program in Brazil has officially launched. The Brazilian Federal Government’s contract for 36 Gripen NG military aircraft from Saab AB in Sweden has come into effect now that all required conditions have been fulfilled, officials explain.

DUTCH MILITARY INVESTMENT FALLS BY 60 PERCENT; WEAPONS EXPORTS DOWN 22 PCT.

09/12/2015

The Dutch government’s defense expenditure decreased by 191 millions euro to 7.4 billion euros last year. Investments in new military weapons showed a particularly strong decrease. The biggest expenses – wages and social contributions – remained the same.

Analysts Skeptical Over Pakistan-Russia Su-35 Negotiations

09/12/2015

Analysts are generally skeptical at present of reports Pakistan and Russia are engaged in negotiations for the delivery of a number of Su-35 Flanker E fighter aircraft, though there is a potential requirement for such a heavy fighter.

Russia Sending Advanced Anti-aircraft Missiles to Syria

09/12/2015

Moscow is sending an advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Syria, two Western officials and a Russian source said, as part of what the West believes is stepped-up military support for embattled President Bashar Assad. The Western officials said the SA-22 system would be operated by Russian troops, rather than Syrians. It was on its way to Syria but had not yet arrived.

Russia will start delivering Yak-130 aircraft to Bangladesh in a week

09/12/2015

Russia will deliver the first batch of Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft (NATO reporting name Mitten) to Bangladesh on September 17, Rostec Director General Sergei Chemezov said on Friday. "The shipping of the first Yak-130 consignment to Bangladesh will start on September 17, with six aircraft out of the 16 ordered planes to be delivered," Chemezov said.

Islamic State: Australian war planes cross into Syria, start combat mission against Islamic State, PM confirms

09/12/2015

This week the Federal Government announced Australia's air campaign against Islamic State (IS) would be expanded beyond Iraq to include parts of Syria. "Our planes are now striking at terrorist targets inside Syria as well as in Iraq too," Mr Abbott said.

RAF Typhoons intercept Russian Blackjack bombers

09/12/2015

RAF Typhoon fighters have scrambled to intercept Russian long-range bombers flying north of the UK. The incident on Thursday saw jets from RAF Lossiemouth called to the 'Blackjack' bombers flying in international airspace near the UK.

Kuwait Announces Purchase of 28 Typhoon Fighter Jets

09/12/2015

Kuwait has agreed to purchase 28 Typhoon combat jets from the Italian government in a deal worth billions of euro, industry sources in the region said Friday. The deal, which has not yet been finalized calls for Kuwait to buy 22 single seat and six twin-seat Typhoons in a government-to-government agreement, Defense News reported.

China Reveals Fourth-Generation Combat Stealth Helicopter in Development

09/12/2015

Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) has confirmed it has started the development of a fourth-generation attack helicopter with “stealth capability”; it will “feature supreme maneuverability in complicated environments, outstanding survivability and joint operational ability” and is set to enter the service by 2020.