Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RUSSIA CLAIMS IT ‘NEVER CONCEALED’ SENDING WEAPONS TO SYRIA

09/08/2015

The Russian government is claiming officials never denied or misled anyone about sending weapons and equipment to Syria. The report comes days after terrorist groups in Syria published photos of Russians in Syria, and the U.S. warning the Kremlin about military activity in the war-torn country.

OPINION: What to expect from UK defence review

09/08/2015

It might barely have registered in the minds of the British public ahead of the May general election, but the future direction of the UK’s armed forces is within weeks of again dominating the news agenda.

The Kamov factory, second rotor in the rise of the Russian helicopter

09/08/2015

While the helicopter design bureau of Nikolai Kamov was in some aspects eclipsed by the work of the Mil plant under engineer Mikhail Mil, the brain behind classics like the Mi-8, Kamov was the other driving force in the sector’s massive growth from the 1940s.

Helicopter manufacturers’ financial results

09/08/2015

During July and August, the five main helicopter manufacturers released their financial results for the first six months of 2015. It is time to have a look at the results of each company for the first half of 2015 and to highlight the common trends of the industry. Following Sikorsky’s sale to Lockheed Martin, United Technologies Corporation was the first to present its results to financial analysts on July 21.

U-2 Pioneers Open-mission Systems for U.S. Air Force

09/08/2015

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is planning more test flights of an open-mission system (OMS) that promises true “plug and play” functionality for airborne communications, electronic warfare and sensor systems. The platform for the flights is the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, which has already demonstrated machine-to-machine integration in two series of flights since November last year.

Airstrikes on Terrorists in Syria and Iraq Continue over Labor Day

09/08/2015

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria and Iraq over Labor Day, carrying out 15 airstrikes in the past 24 hours. The forces in the region include the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which will make San Diego its new home port after the current tour of duty. The Roosevelt is taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve, which is targeting the self-declared Islamic state, also known known as ISIL or ISIS.

Russian Fighters Fly High at MAKS 2015

09/08/2015

Facing the pressure of economic sanctions imposed by Western countries, the Russian civilian aviation market has experienced reduced business volume, due to dropping demand from domestic airlines. Against this background the military aviation market took center stage at the MAKS 2015 airshow at Zhukhovsky near Moscow, Russia. Despite the absence of new military aircraft, Russian manufacturers unveiled a number of new systems and capabilities at the airshow.

Putin orders snap military exercise in central Russia

09/08/2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered snap checks on troop combat readiness in Russia's central military district, the defence ministry said. "According to the order, troops in the central district... are being brought into full combat readiness from 09:30 Moscow time (0630 GMT)," defence minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Pakistani military says its drone killed 3 suspected militants

09/08/2015

An unmanned Pakistani aircraft killed three suspected terrorists Monday, marking the first time that the country’s military has used drone technology on the battlefield, officials said. In March, Pakistan’s military declared that it had successfully armed an indigenously produced drone, which it calls the Burraq, with a laser-guided missile. But the weapon had not been used in combat until now, officials said.

Iran Launches Air Drills In Isfahan Province

09/07/2015

Iran has launched a two-day air drill involving a range of military aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers. Iranian state media report that the "massive" war games that kicked off on September 5 in the central province of Isfahan conveys “Iran’s message of security, stability, and lasting peace to regional countries.”

16 photos of China's cutting-edge military assets

09/07/2015

Last Thursday's spectacle involved more than 12,000 troops, 500 pieces of military hardware and 200 aircrafts of various types in celebration of Japan's defeat in World War II seven decades ago. The parade also represented what military officials say is the Chinese military's most cutting-edge technology.

Will New Aircraft Carriers Make Egypt a Regional Superpower?

09/07/2015

Just last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt is in talks with France about buying both Mistrals originally destined for Russia. While other buyers may still poach the ships, French officials described the Egyptian talks as "among the serious options." Such a sale would also fall in line with recent French policy of bolstering the Egyptian military through the sale of two dozen Rafale fighter jets, a deal announced in February .

Indonesia has reiterated its desire to order 16 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters to replace its aging fleet of Northrop F-5Es.

09/07/2015

Defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu says the air force’s familiarty with the Su-27, of which Jakarta has 16, was a key influencer in the air force’s decision for the Su-35. His comments were carried by state news agency Antara. He adds that the acquisition will take place “gradually” and depends on the availability of funds. Jakarta will also require technology transfer as part of the any order, which is still contingent on government approval.

F-22 Raptors make symbolic day trip to Estonia

09/07/2015

The F-22 fighter jets’ visit to Estonia might have been brief, but their presence spoke volumes. As the sun rose over western Germany on Friday morning, two F-22s and a KC-135 tanker took off from Spangdahlem Air Base and headed east. The planes and their crews were back in Germany in time for dinner.

Behind enemy lines, it was a test of IAF combat

09/07/2015

Even at the ripe age of 88 years, it is difficult to miss the spark of daredevilry in Wing Commander JC Sabherwal, VSM, a decorated war veteran of the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. Wing Commander Sabherwal resides in Dehradun and his eyes light up as he begins to talk about the war and the role he played in it.

Iraq has finally started using the F-16 fighter jet in combat operations

09/07/2015

The Iraqi military has used the F-16 fighter jet in combat operations for the first time, more than a year after Iraqi officials began pressing Washington to deliver them to assist in the fight against Islamic State militants. Defense officials in Iraq and Washington on Sunday confirmed the operations, which should significantly upgrade the Iraqi military’s ability to strike Islamic State militants in coming months.

Iraq to take delivery of four Czech fighter jets this month

09/07/2015

Iraq will take delivery this month of four advanced jet fighters bought from the Czech Republic, an Iraqi official said Sunday. “According to a deal struck between the Czech Republic and Iraq, the Czech government will hand over four 159T1 warplanes to Iraq,” said Hakim Zamli, head of the Iraqi parliament’s defense and security committee.

DARPA in drive for ‘gremlin’ swarm drones to overwhelm hostile defences

09/07/2015

A year ago US defence research organisation DARPA made a public call for ideas on how drone carrying aircraft could operate. It appears they got some good answers. In a world of exorbitantly expensive defence projects, such as the controversial F-35 Stealth Fighter, the idea of mass produced, cheap and extendible drones has obvious appeal.

Russian, Indian Firms To Co-Produce Ka-226 Helos

09/06/2015

India's Reliance Defence and Aerospace has partnered with Russian Helicopters and Rosoboronexport to manufacture Ka-226 helicopters in India, said an executive of parent company Reliance Infrastructure. India gave a firm order to Russia, on nomination basis, to manufacture 200 Ka-226 helicopters for the Indian military. The order could increase because India has a need for more than 400 light utility helicopters in the Ka-226 category.

UAE forces bomb Yemen rebels after coalition troop deaths

09/06/2015

The United Arab Emirates has bombarded Yemeni rebels with airstrikes after 50 people, including 45 soldiers, were killed in the deadliest day yet for a Saudi-led coalition fighting the insurgents.

Controversial £5billion fighter jet which took 15 years to build dogged by problems every week, says engineer

09/06/2015

The controversial Joint Strike Fighter stealth jet is being dogged by new technical problems every week, the most senior British engineer working on the aircraft has revealed. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has already cost £5 billion and taken 15 years to develop. It has suffered a series of setbacks including a freak fire which grounded the fleet and the admission earlier this year that it was beaten in a combat exercise by a jet designed 40 years ago.

NATO's 5 Most Lethal Weapons of War

09/06/2015

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed on April 4th, 1949. A political military alliance, it was the result of Cold War tensions between the United States and Western Europe on one side and the Soviet Union on the other. The continued stationing of large amounts Soviet forces in Eastern Europe made a common defense organization necessary.

As Industry Awaits Bomber Contract, New Details Emerge

09/06/2015

For months the defense industry has been held hostage, watching closely as the Pentagon weighs a decision that will shape the aerospace world for decades to come. The Air Force is poised to announce who will build its next-generation bomber, and the competition is steep. The two teams represent three of the five top defense contractors in the country: Northrop Grumman, builder of the B-2 stealth bomber, and a teamed Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Russia's Lethal Yak-130 Fighter: The Tiny Terror NATO Should Fear

09/06/2015

In the world of Russian jet fighters, Moscow’s finest?—?such as the Flanker and the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50?—?tend to grab the most headlines. But the Yakovlev Yak-130, a comparatively non-glamorous twin-seat jet trainer, is quietly turning heads … because it’s obviously more than just a trainer. The twin-engine jet dubbed “Mitten” by Western intelligence is now showing its credentials as a genuine multi-role fighter.

A Canadian Warplane Mistakenly Broadcast Its Location Over Islamic State Controlled Territory

09/05/2015

For what appears to be an entire sortie, a Canadian warplane broadcast its flight location while flying over so-called Islamic State (IS) controlled territory. The revelation regarding a refueling plane flying as part of Operation IMPACT in Iraq, comes from civilian website Flightradar24.com — a collective of thousands of volunteer antenna networks all over the world streamlining location data of planes using something called automatic dependent surveillance-broadcasts (ADS-B).