Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US, Russian War Games Rekindle Cold War Tensions

04/10/2015

Russia is so close that the F-16 fighter pilots can see it on the horizon as they swoop down over a training range in Estonia in the biggest ever show of U.S. air power in the Baltic countries. The simulated bombs release smoke on impact, but the M-61 cannon fires live ammunition, rattling the aircraft with a deafening tremor and shattering targets on the ground.

S. Korea, U.S. kick off large-scale air defense drill

04/10/2015

The South Korean and U.S. Air Forces launched a large-scale, regular aerial exercise on Friday to boost combined defense capabilities. The biannual Max Thunder joint maneuver, set to take place in South Korean airspace through April 24, will "involve around 100 aircraft and 1,400 service personnel from the allies to display and hone our best combined air defense capabilities," the Air Force headquarters said in a release.

Spain Blows Off Billions on Unjustified Military Purchases – Think Tank

04/10/2015

Since 2008, when the economic crisis in Spain began, the Spanish government has spent 130 billion euros ($139.76 billion) on military purposes, according to the Center’s estimates. "There is no danger to Spain's security that require such investments, no attacks from other countries," Ortega said.

Typhoons execute precision bombing

04/10/2015

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is using its new Typhoon jets for the first time in the bombing campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. “The Typhoon aircraft is an amazing plane,” said Monther M. Tayeb, spokesman for BAE Systems, one of the manufacturers. Tayeb said the aircraft “combines a proven, agile airframe built from excellent materials with the latest sensor, control and weapons systems, thus delivering the optimum combat capability.”

Lockheed risks losing $40 million over F-35 software that’s late

04/10/2015

Lockheed Martin could lose up to $40 million because it’s late delivering fully functioning software for the first F-35 fighters due to be declared combat-ready, according to the Pentagon. The money is part of $100 million that the Pentagon’s program office has held out as incentives for Lockheed, the contractor on the $391.1 billion F-35 program, to complete three successive versions of software needed to give the jet increasingly advanced combat capabilities.

In the crosshairs of this A-10 pilot: the Islamic State

04/10/2015

The Department of Defense daily releases a list of U.S. and coalition airstrikes conducted in the previous 24 hours against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) forces across war-torn Iraq and Syria. Periodically, a news outlet will use the strike data to weigh the effort by the United States and allies in trying to use air power alone, plus training of indigenous forces, to destroy radical Muslims spreading violence and fear.

Croatia to keep combat aircraft, confirms Kiowa acquisition

04/10/2015

Croatia has confirmed that it will retain a combat fixed-wing fleet, which will include restarting a programme for the replacement of its aging Mikoyan MiG-21 bisD/UMD aircraft. The Croatian state defence council - chaired by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic - confirmed the decision, and the ministry of defence is believed to be “already evaluating three possible options” to replace its MiG-21 fleet.

Russia to Conduct All-Encompassing Combat Readiness Checks - Putin

04/10/2015

This year’s snap combat readiness checks will involve all types of troops from all Russian military districts, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday. Over 3,500 military drills were held in Russia in 2015, with many large-scale drills yet to be conducted, Putin added.

Russian Military Relocates Su-35s to Primorsky Territory for Drill

04/10/2015

Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E) supermaneuverable multirole fighters have been relocated from the Khabarovsk Territory to the Primorsky Territory to take part in the tactical flight training, involving fighter jets and assault aviation, Russia's Ministry of Defense said.

NORAD: Jets need upgrades now to protect against cruise missiles

04/09/2015

The commander in charge of homeland defense signed an order to upgrade his F-16s with a specific threat in mind: cruise missiles headed into the U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command earlier this year issued an urgent operational need request for new active electronically scanned array radar for F-16s tasked with protecting the homeland. The service is moving quickly on the request, with the goal of installing the systems first on F-16s tasked with protecting the National Capital Region.

Navy Outfitting More Seahawks with Digital Rocket Launchers

04/09/2015

After integrating “smart” rocket launchers on MH-60S helicopters last year, the U.S. Navy now is equipping the MH-60R with the same modernized capability, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced in an April 7 release.

Navy Prepares Amphibs for F-35B’s First Deployment in 2018

04/09/2015

The Navy and Marine Corps are preparing their amphibious assault ships for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter’s first ever deployment slated for 2018. The Marine Corps short-take-off-and-landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35B, will be the first ever fifth-generation aircraft to deploy. The Navy is working to prepare the flight decks, sensors and weapons systems on board several amphibs are ready in 2018, service leaders told reporters April 7.

Forget F-16s for Taiwan: It's All About A2/AD

04/09/2015

The time has come for the United States to consider ending the sale of upgrades for F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan and instead shift military sales and cooperation to emphasize anti-access capabilities and concepts of operation.

U.S. Marines vow tough review of F-35 combat readiness

04/09/2015

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to carry out a tough, separate "inspection" before declaring the first squadron of 10 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets ready for initial combat use, the Marine Corps' top aviator said on Wednesday. Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Jon Davis told Reuters he was keeping close tabs on 13 items required to approve combat use of the jets, now ready after years of delays and cost overruns.

Should Future Fighter Be Like A Bomber? Groundbreaking CSBA Study

04/09/2015

America’s next war plane may look much more like a stealthy long-range bomber than a sleek, fast and maneuverable fighter. That’s the conclusion of a wide-ranging study by the respected Center for Budgetary and Strategic Assessments. Breaking Defense obtained a copy of the report from a source not affiliated with CSBA.

US Air Force Desperately Needs Modernization – Air Force Secretary

04/09/2015

The US Air Force desperately needs modernization: the American military air fleet is the smallest the United States has ever had since 1947, while its aircraft are the oldest that they have ever been, the US Air Force Secretary revealed.

US Admiral: Russian Bombers Send a Message, We Do the Same

04/09/2015

A United States military commander said Russia has increased the number of flights by its long-range bomber fleet to demonstrate its status as a world power – a tactic American forces also use for precisely the same reason.

Canada Conducts First Airstrike on ISIL Militants in Syria - Minister

04/09/2015

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has conducted its first airstrike on the positions of the Islamic State militant group in Syria, Canadian Defense Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday.

Pakistan seeks Viper attack helos, Hellfire missiles

04/08/2015

The U.S. State Department has given the nod to Pakistan's possible acquisition of attack helicopters and missiles from the United States. The possible sale through the Foreign Military Sales program would be for 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II missiles in containers for an estimated $952 million.

Canada Floats Tender To Purchase New Search and Rescue Aircraft To Replace Ageing Buffalo: Airbus Says It Is “Excited”

04/08/2015

The Canadian government has floated tenders to purchase new search and rescue planes for the forces. The new aircraft will be replace the ageing fleet of "Buffalo" search planes. Besides Buffalo, the air force also uses the older H-model variant of the C-130 Hercules cargo planes. The new tender will bring aircraft that will replace both.

Turkey looks to speed up trainer aircraft initiatives

04/08/2015

The crash of three military aircraft in late February and early March have prompted Turkey’s defense procurement officials to accelerate their efforts to choose a conceptual trainer aircraft, a program that should progress in tandem with a plan to build an indigenous Turkish fighter jet. Turkish officials said the twin crashes were a forceful reminder of a pressing need “to go faster” in selecting a fighter aircraft model based on which Turkey would also build a trainer.

Saudis to foot the bill for refueling in Yemen fight

04/08/2015

Air Force tankers are standing by to provide fuel for Saudi Arabian pilots as they combat extremists in Yemen, but the U.S. won't foot the bill. The Saudi government requested U.S. tanker support for their fighter pilots, and the U.S. agreed as long as the Saudis reimburse the gas bill, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said Tuesday. The tankers are standing by, but have not launched for a refueling sortie yet.

Largest Kadena flying exercise successfully completed

04/08/2015

Kadena Air Base pulled off their most aggressive exercise to date with Forceful Tiger off the coast of Okinawa, April 1. Forceful Tiger was a large force exercise (LFE) designed to demonstrate the 18th Wing's combat capabilities to defend Okinawa and had more participation from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron than ever before.

GE seeks to supply engines for KF-X program

04/08/2015

General Electric (GE) wants to supply state-of-the-art aircraft engines for Korea's next-generation indigenous fighter jet program. The world's leading infrastructure and technology firm plans to offer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a preferred bidder for the Korean Fighter experimental (KF-X) program, to use its F414-GE-400 engine.

Russia, Indonesia begin talks on Sukhoi Su-35 deliveries

04/08/2015

Indonesia has taken an interest in buying Russia's brand new multirole fighter jet Sukhoi Su-35, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) head Yuri Slyusar told Interfax in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday. "Indonesian colleagues are interested in buying this plane. The negotiations are at their beginning," Slyusar said.