Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Pak-Russia talks on delivery of Su-35, Mi-35s underway: Russian Deputy FM

09/11/2015

Pakistan and Russia are in talks about the delivery of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and previously agreed upon delivery of Mi-35M helicopters, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister (FM) Sergei Ryabkov said, Sputnik reported. Earlier this year, a draft contract for the delivery of four Mi-35M 'Hind E' combat helicopters was sent to Pakistan from Russia, a source in the Russian military and technical cooperation was quoted by the Russian news agency TASS.

The Limits Of Tactical Aviation Technology – Analysis

09/11/2015

For generations, the American military—and the US Air Force in particular— has relied on the technological superiority of its systems to dominate any battlefield. Against conventional enemies, this paradigm has been so successful for so long that it is often taken for granted. Unfortunately, the question of how much longer we can expect that to be the case is very much open to debate. Many people observe that, in terms of technology, we have fallen into something of a lull.

Brazilian contract for Gripen fighters now in effect

09/11/2015

A multibillion dollar contract between Saab and Brazil for the procurement of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft is now in effect, the company announced. The status was achieved following the fulfillment of all required conditions of the $4.6 billion agreement signed last year. "This important milestone marks the formal start to the Brazilian Gripen NG program," said Hakan Buskhe, president and chief executive officer of Saab.

Pakistan Joins Exclusive Drone-Warfare Club, With Nod to China

09/11/2015

Pakistan this week became the world’s fifth known country to use an armed drone in combat, and it can probably thank China. Laser-guided missiles fired from the Burraq armed drone killed three "terrorists" in a mountainous region near the Afghan border on Sunday, according to Pakistan’s military.

Future Of Air Combat: Top Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets Of World

09/11/2015

After developing one of the best fighter jets across the globe, now the top countries have started working on the next generation aircrafts that is known as ‘Fifth Generation Fighter’ (FGF) in aviation’s dictionary. The introductions of high-end technologies like stealth, multiple combat efficiencies and best-in-class avionics for dog-fights (air-to-air combat) will be USP of the gen-next fighter machines.

Iraq receives 4 Russian combat aircraft

09/11/2015

Four new Russian-made aircraft in the framework of a contract that had been previously signed with Moscow arrived in Iraq, the country’s Air Force commander General Hamid Al-Maliki announced yesterday. Al-Maliki said in a press release: “Today we have received four Russian-made combat aircraft, in accordance with an earlier contract signed by Iraq with Moscow.”

Lockheed Martin Offers Advanced Electro-Optical Targeting System for the F-35 Lightning II

09/11/2015

Today, Lockheed Martin introduced Advanced EOTS, an evolutionary electro-optical targeting system, which is available for the F-35’s Block 4 development. Designed to replace EOTS, the F-35’s current electro-optical targeting system, Advanced EOTS incorporates a wide range of enhancements and upgrades, including short-wave infrared, high-definition television, an infrared marker and improved image detector resolution.

Russia Sends Firearms, Grenade Launchers to Syrian Army to Counter ISIL

09/11/2015

Russia supplies Syrian government forces with firearms, grenade launchers and armored personnel carriers as the country is struggling with radical ISIL militants, the Russian Kommersant daily reports citing military-technical sources.

First operational F-35As arrive at Hill Air Force Base

09/10/2015

The Air Force ushered in a new era of combat air power today as Hill Air Force Base received the service's first two operational F-35As. Hill's active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing will be the first combat-coded units to fly and maintain the Air Force's newest fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

The Italian Air Force just showed off its most advanced aircraft and capabilities

09/10/2015

Last weekend, the Italian Air Force celebrated the Frecce Tricolori‘s 55th anniversary with an airshow at Rivolto airbase, in northeastern Italy, attended by 450,000 spectators and featuring more than 100 planes, helicopters and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and 11 national display teams.

RAAF strikes on Syria within a week

09/10/2015

Australian combat aircraft could make their first strike on Islamic State forces in Syria within a week now the federal government has given the go-ahead. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said after careful consideration of the request from US President Barack Obama the government decided to extend current air strikes against IS forces in Iraq to IS targets inside Syria.

Delivery of CH-47F supports modernization of cargo helicopter fleet

09/10/2015

Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the seventh CH-47F Chinook to the Australian Army on budget August 10th, three weeks ahead of schedule, supporting modernization of Australia’s cargo helicopter fleet and eventually replacing the Commonwealth’s six older CH-47D Chinooks. The seven advanced Chinooks were ordered as part of a U.S. Government Foreign Military Sales agreement with Australia in 2012.

British Military to Buy Solar-Powered Drones Flying on Edge of Space

09/10/2015

Britain's Ministry of Defense (MoD) will acquire three solar-powered drones that can fly on the edge of space for up to three months, the drone's manufacturer said on Wednesday. The Zephyr 8 drones being supplied by Airbus Defence and Space will be capable of flying at a height of about 70,000 feet.

Russia-Pakistan Military Cooperation Not Threatening Relations With India

09/10/2015

Moscow and Islamabad are currently in talks on the delivery of Russian multirole Mi-35M attack helicopters and the latest Su-35 fighter jets. "I do not think that the contacts under discussion will cause jealousy on the part of any of the two sides," Ryabkov told journalists.

Dozens of Emirati Soldiers Beheaded by ISIL in Yemen

09/10/2015

ISIL terrorists have cut off the heads of several dozen Emirati soldiers who fled the war in Yemen's Maarib after a Houthi missile attack killed at least 65 of their comrades along with 240 others from the Saudi-led coalition, Iranian media reports said.

Russian Fighter Pilots Polishing Low Altitude Skills on Su-25s

09/10/2015

Russian pilots in the Southern Military District are currently increasing their skills in extremely low altitude flights on Su-25SM Frogfoot close air support jets, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Southern Military District’s press service said Wednesday.

The F-35 Program Gets a Major Boost in Italy

09/09/2015

The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter assembled outside the U.S. made its inaugural flight on Monday. taly’s conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, dubbed the AL-1, is the first such jet built overseas. All previous F-35 aircraft have been built at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth production hub in Texas. The Italian F-35A/AL-1 successfully completed an 88-minute flight out of Cameri Air Base, about 60 miles north of Turin.

RAF doubles drone attacks against Isis

09/09/2015

Royal Air Force drone strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have more than doubled in recent weeks, according to an FT analysis of defence data, putting them at the forefront of the UK’s campaign against the insurgency.

100,000,000 Reasons Why America's New Stealth Bomber Matters

09/09/2015

The U.S. Air Force is expected to award a contract for its secretive Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program later this month. The LRS-B award could determine the fate of the U.S. defense-aerospace industry as Northrop Grumman and a combined Boeing/Lockheed Martin team vie to secure a program that could be worth more than $100 billion.

Russia's Airborne Units Put On Full Alert Amid NATO Tensions, Combat Readiness Inspections

09/09/2015

Russian air force units were put on full alert as a part of an inspection of combat readiness in the Central Military District, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday, according to the official news agency Tass. The planned inspection includes testing a number of aircraft and their abilities.

Giant Russian transport aircraft in Syria raise concerns

09/09/2015

Three giant Russian Condor transport aircraft have flown into the Assad International Airport near Latakia, Syria, over the past few days. They have unloaded large containers but it's not known yet what's in the containers, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin.

Small but Deadly: China Presents Z-19E Attack Helicopter

09/09/2015

The helicopter can provide offensive air support and destroy the armored vehicles of any potential enemy with its “air-to-surface” armament including anti-tank missiles, a 23mm cannon and other weapons. It also has gun pods and can carry air-to-air missiles, and its tandem-seated cockpit is armored.

French Rafale Jets Conduct First Reconnaissance Flights Over Syria

09/09/2015

On Monday, President Francois Hollande announced that France would start inspection flights over Syria before initiating targeted airstrikes against the Islamic State jihadist group. Two Rafale jets conducted France's first intelligence flights over the Syrian territory on Tuesday, French media reported.

Ukraine, Saudi Arabia to Jointly Produce New Antonov Transport Aircraft

09/09/2015

Ukraine’s Antonov aircraft manufacturing company, part of the Ukroboronprom Conglomerate, and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on the joint production of the new An-132 light multirole transport aircraft.

Sky is Safe: Brazil to Buy Russian Pantsir-S1 Missile Systems in 2016

09/09/2015

Brazil will acquire a shipment of Russian Pantsir-S1 missile systems in 2016, a highly-ranked official in the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Tuesday. The two countries commenced negotiations on Pantsir deliveries in 2012, but the talks were delayed due to Brazilian state budgetary restrictions.