Military Aviation News Archive

UK Bolsters Combat Jet Force Attacking Islamic State Group

12/04/2015

Reinforcements to the British combat jet force fighting the Islamic State group departed bases in the UK on Thursday just hours after a parliamentary vote approved a government move to extend strike operations to Syria.

US shoulders Isis burden despite allies’ input

12/04/2015

Even as it welcomed Britain’s decision to expand air strikes from Iraq into Syria, the Obama administration still finds itself responsible for the vast bulk of the international air campaign against Isis. In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, the US has been able to count on important support from first France, and now the UK, where parliament voted on Wednesday night to authorise air strikes in Syria after a dramatic 10-hour debate.

German Parliament to Vote on Anti-Daesh Mission in Syria on Friday

12/04/2015

The move was already backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet on Tuesday. In addition to the mandate to dispatch German servicemen, the Bundestag is also expected to approve the sending of six Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate and refuelling aircraft. German involvement is expected to be limited to support and reconnaissance.

Russian Primorye Air Regiment to Get 3 MiG-31BM Interceptors By Year-End

12/04/2015

A Russian Aerospace Forces' air regiment located in the Far Eastern Primorye Territory will receive three advanced MiG-31BM (NATO reporting name Foxhound) interceptor aircraft by the end of 2015, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. At the moment the Eastern Military District's acceptance commission is completing the inspection of the jets at Nizhny Novgorod-based Sokol aircraft manufacturing plant.

Lockheed Martin Conducts Collaborative Unmanned Systems Demonstration

12/03/2015

Lockheed Martin demonstrated its ability to integrate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) using its prototype UAS Traffic Management capabilities. During the demonstration on Nov. 18, the Stalker XE UAS provided data and a precise geolocation to the unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter, which conducted water drops to extinguish a fire, while the UTM tracked the UAS operations and communicated with Air Traffic Control in real time.

Russian, French Military Chiefs Discuss Cooperation in Fight Against Daesh

12/03/2015

Chief of Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov has discussed cooperation in the fight against Islamic State (ISIL, also known as Daesh) with his French counterpart General Pierre de Villiers, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

British Parliament Votes to Authorize Airstrikes in Syria

12/03/2015

Members of Parliament voted 397 to 223 in favor of launching an air campaign in Syria. Following the approval, two Tornado warplanes and six Typhoon attack jets are set to take to the skies from British bases and begin their five-hour journey to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Daily Mail reported.

US Shares Russian Flight Information With Anti-Daesh Coalition

12/03/2015

The United States shares the information on Russian flights in Syria with members of the anti-Daesh (ISIL) coalition under the US-Russian memorandum of understanding, US Air Force Chief Deborah Lee James said at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Russia Conducts 32 Airstrikes on Daesh Oil Refineries in Syria in 2 Months

12/03/2015

During the last two months the aircraft of Russian Aerospace Forces launched strikes against 32 oil complexes and 11 oil refineries controlled by Daesh (also known as ISIL), Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told the press.

Russia adds a second airbase in Syria as part of military expansion against Isis

12/02/2015

Russia is setting up a second airbase at Sharyat in Syria expanding the sphere of its military operations in the region to contain and destroy Isis. Russia is also putting efforts into creating strong military posts that have both offensive and defensive capabilities, according to intelligence reports emanating from the US.

Essay: Building a Mediterranean Arc of Stability for America’s Long War

12/02/2015

The United States is truly involved in a Long War. While the Army and Marine Corps have enjoyed long periods between combat operations, the Air Force and naval aviation have been continuously deployed for combat since the just after the Iraqis invaded Kuwait in August of 1990. Continuous combat operations have now stretched for twenty-five years, making our commitment to the Middle East the longest war involving a major Western power since the Thirty Years’ War, which ended in 1648.

Ten fighter jets back in Belarusian army after overhaul

12/02/2015

Ten newly repaired MiG-29 aircraft were delivered to the 61st fighter airbase in Baranovichi on 1 December, BelTA has learned. The number includes eight combat aircraft and two training ones. The aircraft were sent for scheduled overhaul to 558 Aircraft Repair Plant in April 2014. The aircraft were fixed, the service life period was restored, and video registration of flight parameters for more objective control was enabled.

The Air Force Is Taking Way Too Long To Buy A New 'T-X' Trainer For Its Young Pilots

12/02/2015

The U.S. Air Force operates an aged fleet of 500 Cold War training aircraft that are used to instruct young pilots in how to fly fighters and bombers. The planes average 44 years of age, and should have been replaced by something more modern, not to mention safer, a long time ago. But the Air Force’s plan for developing a next-generation “T-X” trainer doesn’t envision a replacement becoming operational until 2023, and most of the needed aircraft won’t be built until years after that.

Who Will Win Asia's Fifth-Generation Fighter Race?

12/02/2015

Tensions are rising high throughout the Asia-Pacific. From the Indo-Pakistani border, through Australia’s controversial border policies to China’s disputes with its neighbors in the South and East China Seas, Asian states have been increasing investments in their military capabilities. In all these cases, having forceful and credible aerial assets is a crucial part of deterrence. This is reflected in regional defense spending.

U.S. Air Force Pilots Train for F-35 Operations with New Virtual Technologies

12/02/2015

As the U.S. Air Force prepares for initial F-35 Lightning II operations, pilots at Hill AFB are rehearsing missions with new simulators delivered by Lockheed Martin. Pilots are now training with four Full Mission Simulators linked together to hone their tactical employment of the F-35 against ground and airborne threats.

Boeing, U.S. Navy Enhance EA-18 Targeting, Situational Awareness Capabilities

12/02/2015

The U.S. Navy and Boeing recently demonstrated new targeting technologies that greatly enhance aircrew safety and effectiveness through the rapid integration and distribution of target information across multiple aircraft.

Greece Scrambles Jets After 6 Turkish Fighters Violate Greek Airspace

12/02/2015

Greece scrambled its fighter aircraft on Tuesday to intercept a group of Turkish F-16 fighter jets that violated its airspace in the eastern Aegean Sea, the General Staff of the Hellenic National Defense said in statement.

Lockheed Martin Wins $914Mln Contract to Upgrade Singapore’s F-16s

12/02/2015

The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $914 million contract to upgrade F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter jets for the government of Singapore, the US Department of Defense said in an announcement. "Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2023," the announcement on stated on Tuesday.

Korea steps up drone development

12/01/2015

In May 2014, many South Koreans were struck by the discovery of three crashed drones in frontline areas that had been flown in from North Korea. Albeit crude, the small devices had taken photos of major military installations on border islands, potential infiltration routes and the presidential palace in downtown Seoul, kindling concerns over a potential security breach and lax air defense.

SDF to appoint female fighter pilots by 2020

12/01/2015

The Defense Ministry will allow females to be Air Self-Defense Force jet fighter pilots for the first time in its history, according to sources. So far, the ministry has barred women from becoming jet fighter pilots because of the physical and mental burdens. Behind the decision is a plan to demonstrate acrobatic flying by ASDF pilots —including women — at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Essay: How Offering Tomahawks for Foreign Military Sales Will Strengthen Allies and Deter Adversaries

12/01/2015

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile has long been a mainstay of the U.S. strike weapon inventory. Launching from ranges out to 1,000 miles and armed with a 1,000-pound warhead, it is the Navy’s “Kick Down the Door” weapon, attacking well-defended high-value land targets. The BLK IV missile is the latest variant in a steady progression of capability, incorporating mission planning, navigation and guidance, and command and control upgrades designed to improve responsiveness and target flexibility.

Russian Su-34 planes in Syria for the first time make sorties with air-to-air missiles

12/01/2015

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers (NATO reporting name: Fullback) have for the first time taken, in addition to bombs, short-and medium-range air-to-air missiles on combat mission in Syria for their protection, spokesman for the Russian Aerospace Forces Colonel Igor Klimov reported on Monday.

Commando Raids Backed as Obama Strategy to Fight Islamic State

12/01/2015

The U.S. should conduct far more commando raids against Islamic State, say lawmakers and former defense officials who are pushing President Barack Obama to deploy special-operations forces more aggressively against the extremists. With the attacks in Paris putting new pressure on Obama to show progress in the stalemated war against terrorists, defense analysts are calling for an intensified campaign of raids to disrupt the group’s leadership, gather intelligence and build momentum.

What Are Boeing’s Prospects for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in Asia?

12/01/2015

As the Diplomat has noted recently, the Asia-Pacific has become an important market for modern military aircraft. Companies from countries such as France, Sweden, Russia, and China have been attempting to sell their platforms to a range of states in the region (see here and here for Beijing’s Asian aircraft bids). Several states, including Indonesia, Malaysia and India, are either planning to or are in the process of acquiring modern fighter jets.

New Russian surface-to-air missiles in Syria, DoD confirms

12/01/2015

Tension in the skies over Syria intensified Monday as the Pentagon confirmed that Russia is moving advanced surface-to-air missile systems onto its military base near the Turkish border. U.S. intelligence shows that Russia is following through on plans to send S-400 missile systems into its primary airfield near Latakia, a Pentagon spokesman said. With a reported range of up to 248 miles, the missile system could put at risk most U.S. combat aircraft flying over Syria.