Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Saudi Arabia Forms Islamic Anti-Terror Military Coalition - Reports

12/15/2015

Saudi Arabia has set up an Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism, local media reported Tuesday, citing a governmental statement. According to Arabiya TV, the coalition consists of 34 countries. The joint operations command center will be based in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the TV channel said.

Trials of Upgraded Sukhoi Su-25SM3s to Start by End of Year

12/15/2015

"The first two Su-25SM3 aircraft must be commissioned in December. Both aircraft will be shipped for trials. One of them will be delivered to the combat operation and pilot retraining center in Lipetsk for performance evaluation," the source said.

Free Syrian Army Ready to Provide Russia with Data on Terrorist Targets

12/15/2015

The Free Syrian Army is ready to provide Russia with data indicating positions of Daesh terrorists in Syria, head of FSA intelligence, Gen. Hossam Awak, told Sputnik on Monday. "We have precise intelligence, documents, maps, and we can share them with the Russians so that their strikes on Daesh are more effective," Awak said.

Russia to Finalize Delivery of S-300 Air Defense Systems to Iran in 2016

12/15/2015

Russia will continue deliveries of S-300 air defense systems to Iran through 2016, Vladimir Kozhin, Russian presidential aide on military-technical cooperation said Monday. "Iran is fulfilling its obligations on advanced payments, while we are fulfilling our obligations on timely deliveries," Kozhin said. The official added that the deliveries would take time and will most likely continue through 2016.

Embraer's KC-390 To Join Canada's Search-and-Rescue Bid

12/14/2015

Embraer is set to shake up the competition to provide Canada with search-and-rescue aircraft as the Brazilian firm seeks export orders for its new KC-390. The CAN $3.1 billion (US $2.3 billion) search-and-rescue aircraft procurement has long been seen as a competition between Airbus’ C-295 and Alenia’s C-27J. But Embraer officials told Defense News the company will submit its bid in January when Canada requests formal proposals from aerospace firms.

Merkel dismisses U.S. request for more military help against Islamic State

12/14/2015

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday brushed off what a Germany magazine said was a request from the United States to provide more military help in the fight against Islamic State. "I believe Germany is fulfilling its part and we don't need to talk about new issues related to this question at the moment," Merkel told the ZDF broadcaster when asked about the Der Spiegel magazine report of the U.S. request.

Russia’s Politics Equal Greater Defense Exports To Asia

12/14/2015

Russia has an established reputation as one of the world’s leading exporters for military aircraft. A significant portion of Moscow’s defense sales comes from Asia, where most countries still prefer trading with Russia as compared to other global military equipment suppliers. It is worth noting that while Russia’s defense-related trade in Asia has been declining gradually as most states look to increase their own R&D capabilities or pursue new bilateral trade agreements.

Israel mulls buying advanced F-35B STOVL squadron

12/14/2015

The Israeli and US air forces have been conducting a dialogue over the past few months on Israel's procurement of a full stealth squadron. The stealth F-35 fighter aircraft can land vertically like a helicopter and take off on a 500 foot runway, sources inform "Walla." The F-35B stealth STOVL (short take-off and vertical-landing) model, manufactured by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, is designed to land and take off from naval aircraft carriers.

Israel has bought 33 F-35A conventional take off fighter aircraft, and has an option to buy 17 more, for two F-35 squadrons.

12/14/2015

Israel is in talks with the US about a possible acquisition of a squadron of F-35B fighter jets. Discussions over a new US decade-long defense package for Israel, starting in 2016, have expanded to include the possible acquisition of F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing jets. The story was first reported by Walla.

India set to develop own stealth combat drones

12/14/2015

India is finally getting set to launch an ambitious project to develop its own stealth combat drones or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), which will be capable of firing missiles and precision-guided munitions at enemy targets and then returning to home bases to re-arm for further missions.

Asia’s Quest For Stealth: Advanced Combat Aircraft Projects

12/14/2015

Japan’s indigenous stealth fighter project is the ATD-X (Advanced Technology Demonstrator eXperimental) ShinShin (Spirit of the Heart), which is being developed with the Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) of Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The ATD-X project developed out of planning in Tokyo for a future fifth-generation aircraft to serve the Japan Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF).

India to Purchase Spare Parts for Su-30 Fleet From Russia

12/14/2015

India intends to sign an agreement with Russia for the purchase of spare parts for Su-30MKI fighter jets for the next five years. “The visit of representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense is expected in the second half of December and we hope to be able to come to a positive solution and conclude an agreement as soon as possible,” representative of the Sukhoi holding told the Economic Times.

Syrian Warplanes Bomb Daesh Strongholds Across Homs, Aleppo, Hama

12/14/2015

The Syrian Air Force intensified its bombing campaign of Daesh positions across the provinces of Homs, Hama and Aleppo, Fars news agency reported on Sunday. “The ISIL [Daesh] positions in Maheen and Quaryatayn in the Central Homs province came under several air attacks by Syrian bombers, inflicting heavy damage on the terrorists' sites,” FARS news agency reported citing sources as saying.

Russian Defense Ministry got nearly 250 aircraft under 2015 state defense order

12/12/2015

The Russian Defense Ministry has got within the 2015 state defense order 243 modern aircraft and 90 air defense missile systems and complexes, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Friday. "We received within the 2015 state defense order 243 modern aircraft, 90 air defense missile systems and complexes and 208 radar systems," he said.

India Seeks US Know-How for New Aircraft Carrier

12/12/2015

The first top Indian official to board a U.S. aircraft carrier checked out flight operations and aircraft engines on the Eisenhower to take back lessons learned for the carrier India is building partly to offset China's rise in the Pacific. Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, an engineer by training.

Afghanistan: US Air Force’s Mission Has Not Changed

12/12/2015

Although NATO ground combat operations in Afghanistan were officially declared over at the end of 2014, for the U.S. Air Force’s sole remaining squadron of F-16 fighter jets in the country the fight is continuing much like before. The 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has been stationed at Bagram Air Field in Parwan Province for the past six weeks providing close air-support for Afghan and NATO ground forces in Afghanistan.

Putin: Russia Provides Air Cover to Syrian Opposition Group

12/12/2015

Russia has provided air cover to a leading Western-backed opposition group in Syria, President Vladimir Putin said Friday, calling for closer coordination with the U.S.-allied coalition — comments that may reflect Moscow's desire to narrow its differences with the West over the Syrian crisis.

Northrop: Beating heat leads sixth-generation fighter challenges

12/12/2015

Thermal management will be a critical factor in a brewing competition to replace hundreds of Lockheed Martin F-22s and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, says a top Northrop Grumman executive. Releasing a new artistic concept of a so-called sixth-generation fighter on 11 December, Northrop Aerospace Systems president Tom Vice singled-out the critical but often overlooked quality of managing all the heat generated by ever-more powerful weapons and sensors anticipated on future combat aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Delivers 2,500th C-130 Hercules

12/12/2015

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered the 2,500th C-130 Hercules from its production line here today. This landmark Hercules is an HC-130J Combat King II personnel recovery aircraft assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s 71st Rescue Squadron, which is part of the 347th Rescue Group. A U.S. Air Force crew ferried the HC-130J to its new home at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia.

Russia to Hold Observation Flight Over US Under Open Skies Treaty

12/12/2015

Russian military experts will fly over the territory of the United States under the Treaty on Open Skies on December 12-17, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov has announced.

Assad Denies Rumors About Russia Intention to Build Second Airbase in Syria

12/12/2015

A number of Western media outlets reported last week that Russia was planning to set up additional airbase in Syria. On December 9, the Russian Defense Ministry denied the reports. "It is not true. If there was [intention to build the base], they would have announced it. And we would have announced it at the same time," Assad said in an interview to Spanish EFE news agency.

British RAF 'Success' in Syria and Iraq Against Daesh Thrown Into Doubt

12/12/2015

Claims by UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon that British Royal Air Force (RAF) sorties and airstrikes against Daesh, also known as ISIL, over Syria have made "a fairly impressive start" have been called into question.

Marrakesh Air Show invites Pakistan to showcase JF-17 Thunder fighter jet,Morocco expresses interest to buy

12/11/2015

Pakistan has been invited by the organizers of the upcoming Marrakesh Air Show being held from 27 April next year to showcase the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet it has jointly developed with China. The JF -17 is a lightweight multi-role combat aircraft manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Pakistan. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jets Practice Air-to-Air Combat Over Kamchatka

12/11/2015

A group of MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor aircraft from Russia's Pacific Fleet Kamchatka-based naval aviation squadron has practiced air combat maneuvering at different speeds and heights, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Stunning Photos Show the F-22 Raptor training with the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale in the U.S.

12/11/2015

The photographs in this post were taken recently in the skies near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. They show a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and a French Air Force Dassault Rafale, flying together during the inaugural Trilateral anti-access/area denial exercise scheduled for Dec. 2 – 18.