Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Belarusian Yak-130 aircraft to test air-to-air rockets

02/06/2016

Belarusian Yak-130 aircraft will test air-to-air rockets for the first time in the former air force exercise area Polessky in Gomel Oblast on 5 February, representatives of the Belarusian Defense Ministry told BelTA. According to the source, Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense units continue mastering the combat and training aircraft Yak-130. “Today Belarusian pilots will launch guided air-to-air missiles using Yak-130 aircraft for the first time ever in the former exercise area Polessky.

Can Air Force F-35 Pass Deployment Test To Be Ready For Combat?

02/06/2016

The F-35 needs to pass new tests at a base in Idaho later this month for it to stay on track toward being combat ready for the Air Force by August. The Air Force is sending its version of the Lockheed Martin (LMT) F-35 to Mountain Home Air Force Base in southwestern Idaho from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, according to Maj. Gen. Jay Silveria in a Reuters report.

More Bombs, More Boots: The US War on ISIS Is Heating Up

02/06/2016

For months, members of Congress and former Pentagon officials have been criticizing the Obama administration's approach to defeating ISIS, arguing that airstrikes and occasional special-forces operations are not enough to destroy the Islamist insurgency. In November, Michael Morell, the former deputy director of the CIA, told CBS's Face the Nation, "I think it's now crystal clear to us that our strategy, our policy vis-à-vis ISIS, is not working."

This New Ad Reveals More Of Northrop Grumman's Vision For A Sixth-Generation Fighter

02/06/2016

Most ads aren’t designed to break big news, but Northrop Grumman has been in the habit of using dramatic commercials to bring us surprise details on its vision for America’s air combat future. The company’s latest one gives us one of the best looks yet at their evolving sixth-generation fighter concept.

The Air Force Is Finally Getting The Flying Arsenal Ship It Badly Needs

02/06/2016

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has been busy highlighting key pieces of the Pentagon’s upcoming budget that will be published on February 9th. One of the primary items identified in it is the development of an aerial arsenal ship. The arsenal ship concept is something we talk about regularly here on Foxtrot Alpha, both those that fly and float.

How America's New Invisible Flying Gas Stations Could Keep Russia in Check

02/06/2016

Ashton Carter, the US secretary of defense, is currently on a promo tour for the Pentagon's 2017 budget — and as he's been attempting to sell the proposed $582.7 billion in funding, he has been spilling the beans about a number of previously classified weapons and technology programs.

Helmet Could Let Pilots 'Look Through' Aircraft

02/06/2016

The Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world and BAE Systems has created a helmet that could make its pilots more effective. Striker II has an integrated night vision camera and a high definition digital display that projects flight information onto the visor. BAE claims the helmet has the ability to virtually see through a Typhoon by linking up to different systems on the aircraft.

Russian MiG to Sign MiG-35 Fighter Contract With Defense Ministry This Year

02/06/2016

JSC Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG plans to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry on the delivery of MiG-35 fighters before the end of this year, MiG Deputy Director General Alexey Beskibalov told journalists.

Russian Southern Military District Receives 4 Su-30SM Fighters

02/06/2016

The fighter aviation division of the Russian Southern Military District received four Su-30SM (NATO reporting name Flanker-C) fighter aircraft on Friday, the district’s press service said.

USAF to continue A-10 ‘Warthog’ wing production

02/05/2016

The US Air Force has not only ditched long-standing plans to retire the hardy Fairchild Republic A-10 attack airplane but is launching a follow-on wing replacement programme to keep the combat veteran flying well into the next decade.

This Nation Wants America's Most Lethal Stealth Warplane Ever

02/05/2016

Retired Royal Australian Air Force wing commander Chris Mills doesn’t like the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that Canberra is buying from the United States. Noting the new plane’s sluggishness and poor results in simulated air combat against the latest Russian fighters, Mills has called for Australia to lobby the United States for F-22 Raptors.

Two C295s going to Equatorial Guinea

02/05/2016

Equatorial Guinea has acquired two C295s from Airbus Defence and Space. One will be used for troop transport and the other for maritime surveillance. A government announcement late last month said Equatorial Guinea representatives visited the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain to sign the deal. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in September.

In pics: The aerial combat platforms of Indian Navy

02/05/2016

Indian Navy Aviation today stands poised on a springboard that would propel the Fleet Air Arm to greater heights with a quantum leap in the forces' offensive capabilities. Indian Navy has been building its fleet air arm with an aim to acquire a formidable and sturdy defence capability. The exponential growth of a fledgling Fleet Requirement Unit with ten amphibian Sealand aircraft in 1953 into a modern force is testimony to the Navy’s aspirations and resolve in developing this arm.

Pentagon seeks to boost defense in Europe to counter Russia

02/05/2016

The Obama administration wants to enlarge the U.S. military presence in eastern and central Europe next year by stockpiling heavy weapons, armored vehicles and other military equipment across the region, a substantial expansion of U.S. efforts to counter a resurgent Russia.

A-10 to fly until 2022 as DOD test chief warns against F-35 “block buy”

02/05/2016

In the Department of Defense's budget request for 2017, the Air Force has conceded what to many has been obvious—that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will not be ready to take the place of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (also known as the "Warthog") in close air support missions any time soon. In its budget request, the Air Force is seeking funds to keep the A-10 flying, and DOD officials say the aircraft will remain in service until at least the 2022 fiscal year.

Are F-35s fit for combat? Pentagon doesn't know

02/05/2016

The military risks committing itself to buying billions of dollars of F-35 fighter jets before they have demonstrated they are fit for combat, a new Pentagon report warns. The development of the Joint Strike Fighter F-35, a fifth-generation stealth jet, has been beset by spiraling costs and schedule delays. The program's price tag is nearly $400 billion for 2,457 planes -- almost twice the initial estimate.

Saudi Arabia May Deploy Thousands of Troops to Syria

02/05/2016

On Thursday, the Saudi embassy in Washington, DC said in a Twitter message that the Saudi Ministry of Defense stands ready to deploy ground troops to Syria to aid in the international anti-Daesh coalition efforts. The Guardian said on Thursday citing unnamed Saudi sources that Saudi Arabia could deploy "thousands of special forces," "probably in coordination with Turkey."

Belarus Concludes Preliminary Purchase Agreement for Russian Su-30 Fighters

02/05/2016

Belarus has reached a preliminary agreement with the Russian Irkut Corporation to acquire Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighters for its Air Force, the country’s deputy defense minister said Thursday. According to Igor Lotenkov, as quoted by the SB – Belarus Segodnya newspaper, these aircraft will replace its outdated Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters.

Russian-Indian Missile to BeTest Fired From Su-30MKI Jet Before End 2016

02/05/2016

A supersonic BrahMos cruise missile will be tested from a Su-30MKI (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) fighter jet for the first time in the second half of 2016, the head of Russian-Indian BrahMos Aerospace enterprise, Sudhir Mishra, said Thursday.

Boeing CEO pitches F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet to India

02/04/2016

U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co is in a "conversation" on manufacturing its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet in India, Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg was quoted on Wednesday as saying on his first visit to the country. "We see the Super Hornet as an opportunity ... to tie directly into the 'Make in India' strategy," Muilenburg told the Hindustan Times in an interview whose authenticity was confirmed by the company.

Defense secretary: A-10 retirement plans on hold until 2022

02/04/2016

An annual Washington budgeting dance in recent years, where Pentagon officials seek to retire their legacy A-10 fleet and members of Congress take pains to preserve it, appears on hold for awhile after Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he expects the aircraft to fly through 2022.

DoD Weapons Tester Raises Red Flags Over Possible F-35 Block Buy

02/04/2016

The Pentagon has long discussed the possibility of a bulk order of F-35 joint strike fighters that would span several years and multiple international partners. But now the Department of Defense’s top weapons tester is raising concerns about committing to the so-called “block buy” before testing of the aircraft is complete.

Pentagon chief unveils plan to buy more ships, aircraft and munitions

02/04/2016

Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday announced plans for the Pentagon to buy more Navy ships, aircraft, munitions and capabilities over the next five years. He said the administration's fiscal 2017 defense budget will include money to buy nine Virginia-class attack submarines and 10 Aegis destroyers. The purchase of the submarines had been planned, but Carter said one of them would have a Virginia payload module to triple its firepower.

NATO report: A 2013 Russian aerial exercise was actually a 'simulated nuclear attack' on Sweden

02/04/2016

On the night of March 29, 2013, a contingent of Russian combat aircraft flew across the Gulf of Finland and came within 18 to 24 miles of Swedish territory near Gotland Island, which is only 100 miles from Stockholm. The aircraft followed a flight path that deviated from typical Russian air force routes in the region.

Turkey bans Russian observation flight near Syria border

02/04/2016

The Russian military says Turkey has violated an international treaty by barring a planned Russian surveillance flight. Defense Ministry official Sergei Ryzhkov says the Turkish military has refused to allow the mission intended to monitor the areas near Turkey's border with Syria and air bases used by NATO warplanes.