Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Dangerous Skies: Why China's ADIZ Moves Matter

10/14/2015

While China’s unilateral declaration of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over disputed waters in the East China Sea (ECS) caught many by surprise, today’s debate circles around the likelihood that Beijing might take the same action over the South China Sea (SCS). In its pursuit of maritime primacy in Northeast Asia, China has strayed far from the international norms that dictate the implementation and use of an ADIZ.

Passengers' panic as fighter jet called to intercept holiday flight from Birmingham to Madeira

10/14/2015

A fighter jet was called to intercept a holiday flight into the UK after the plane lost contact with air traffic control. Stunned passengers on the Monarch Airlines flight ZB983 from Madeira to Birmingham said the military plane was so close they could see the pilot in the other cockpit. Grandma Caroline Regan, who was on board with her husband Tony, said passengers were offered no firm explanation of why the jet was so close to their plane.

Confirmed: A Russian-Made Warhead Downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

10/14/2015

The Danish Safety Board has determined that a Buk surface-to-air missile was used to take down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in July 2014. All 298 passengers were killed. At the time of the crash, analysts suggested that this particular missile system was likely used, but both Ukrainian and Russian officials accused the other of responsibility.

The U.S. Military's 'Top Guns' in the Air Have a Big Weakness

10/14/2015

In the 25 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Pentagon has more or less taken air superiority for granted; but that complacency is coming back to haunt the Department of Defense. Neither Donald Rumsfeld nor Robert Gates took air power seriously, and as such, the U.S. Air Force is left with a tiny fleet of 186 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors instead of the minimum 381 it needs.

Does the U.S. Navy Need a 21st Century F-14 Tomcat?

10/14/2015

While the requirement for a carrier-based long-range strike capability is a frequent subject of discussion around Washington, the U.S. Navy’s need for improved air superiority capabilities is often neglected. The service has not had a dedicated air-to-air combat aircraft since it retired the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006. But even the Tomcat was adapted into a strike aircraft during its last years in service after the Soviet threat evaporated.

1000s of Iranian Troops Enter Syria for Offensive Backed by Russian Strikes

10/14/2015

With Russian airstrikes dealing heavy losses to the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group, reports have surfaced that Iranian troops will soon launch a ground offensive alongside the Syrian army to retake Aleppo.

US, Russia Deal on Deconfliction in Syria Can Be Reached Shortly – Carter

10/14/2015

The United States and Russia have made progress in discussing deconfliction mechanisms in Syria and the issue is expected to be settled soon, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Tuesday.

Military aircraft crashes in Afghanistan rise by two

10/13/2015

In Monday’s crashes, two pilots were killed and five passengers were injured when a small Afghan military transport plane struck a mountain ridge while delivering the body of a deceased soldier in central Bamian province, officials said. And in the eastern province of Logar, a transport helicopter carrying Afghan troops between districts made an emergency landing that left two crew members injured.

French PM Valls in Saudi Arabia to sign ‘significant’ armaments deal

10/13/2015

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls is due in Saudi Arabia Monday on the third leg of a Middle East tour, hoping to secure large sales of French military equipment despite the kingdom’s questionable human rights record.

U.S. Military cargo planes drop 50 tons of ammunition to Syrian rebel groups

10/13/2015

America has dropped more than 50 tons of ammunition on Syria to arm rebel groups. Military cargo planes released batches of small arms and hand grenades over Ras Al-Ayn, near the Turkish border, over Sunday night. They all successfully reached a group of fighters vetted by the U.S. government, sources told CNN.

Italy’s Air Force Chief On The F-35, Eurofighter And Predator

10/13/2015

Italy’s Air Force, like that of Britain, is undergoing a double transition as they bring together the F-35 and the Eurofighter. I met with Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Pasquale Preziosa and discussed Italy’s way ahead. For Preziosa, the close relationship with the British is important in learning how to accomplish both Eurofighter modernization and working with the F-35.

Tejas, once combat-ready, will be able to outgun the Pakistan JF-17 fighters

10/13/2015

The indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft will be able to thrash the Pakistani JF-17 'Thunder' fighters in "reach, punch and ability to kill and survive in an engagement", top Indian defence officials asserted. But that will be possible only when the Tejas is ready with an AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, mid-air refuelling, long-range BVR (beyond visual range) missiles and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Russian Interceptor Jets to Practice Destruction of Targets With Missiles

10/13/2015

A group of Russian MiG-31BM (NATO reporting name Foxhound) interceptor aircraft will practice take off, convergence with targets and destruction of said targets with air-to-air missiles on Monday, a Central Military District spokesman said.

Su-30 Flankers Provide Cover for Russian Bombers in Syria

10/13/2015

A number of Su-30 fighter jets have been deployed in Syria as part of Russia’s ongoing aerial campaign against the Islamic State terrorist group, Russian media reported on Monday. The Su-30 Flankers provide air cover for Russian bombers pounding ISIL positions across Syrian territory, Gazeta.Ru quoted Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying in Moscow.

New Air-to-Surface Missiles to Arm Russian PAK FA Fighter Jet

10/13/2015

Images of several types of new air-to-surface missiles designed to arm Russian jets have emerged recently. The missiles are planned to equip Russian aircraft, including the PAK FA. The missiles are known as X-59MK2 and X-58USHKE.

Stratfor: Russia Can Build Air Bases in Iraq, but Probably Won’t Do It

10/13/2015

The recent events in Syria have snown that Russia is capable of building an air base in about a month; this is what the Kremlin may decide to do to strike ISIL targets in Iraq more effectively. However, in the end Moscow probably won’t do it, according to US military magazine and global intelligence company Stratfor.

The cost of Russian military involvement in Syria still uncertain

10/12/2015

While it’s difficult to estimate the financial cost of the Syria military campaign for Russia’s treasury, it might not be more expensive than the large-scale military exercises that Russia has already been conducting.

Competition is fierce to build the airplane of the future

10/12/2015

Within weeks, the Department of Defense will grant one of four competitors a $95 million contract to build an exotic new aircraft — of the sort 20th century inventors went broke and nearly mad trying to create.

RAF helicopter crash: Five Nato staff die in Afghanistan

10/12/2015

The Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed as it was landing at Nato's Resolute Support mission headquarters, Kabul. Nato has not released the nationalities of the other victims or the five left injured. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the crash was "an accident and not the result of insurgent activity".

US, Romania to Hold Joint Anti-Submarine Black Sea Drills

10/12/2015

The United States will hold joint anti-submarine exercises with Romania in the Black Sea, the US Navy’s Europe and Africa operational fleet announced. “Constantly improving and exercising our anti-submarine warfare capabilities with NATO allies such as Romania is a priority for our fleet and the Alliance,” commander of the 6th Fleet Task Force 67, Capt. Bryan Durkee, said late Sunday.

Russian Inspectors to Fly Over Turkey Under Open Skies Treaty

10/12/2015

The head of the Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said that Russian military experts will conduct an observation flight over Turkey this week to facilitate transparency of mutual military activity.

Iraq Joint Operation Center Confirms ISIL Leader Injured in Airstrike

10/12/2015

he leader of the Islamic State (ISIL) jihadist group has been injured in an airstrike in Iraq, the Baghdad Information Center confirmed. “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was injured in the bombing that targeted his motorcade,” the center said in a statement on Sunday.

India May Buy 12 Russian Next Generation S-400 Air Defense Systems - Media

10/12/2015

The purchase of 12 S-400 systems was initiated by the Indian Air Forces and would be discussed at the next summit of the Indian Defense Acquisition Council chaired by Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, the source said, as quoted by Times of India.

Turkey Says Its Jets Harassed by Syrian Warplanes, Missile Systems

10/12/2015

Syrian fighter jets and missile systems harassed Turkish F-16 warplanes near the Turkish-Syrian border on Saturday, the Turkish military said on Sunday, once again bringing the conflict to NATO's southeastern flank.

Threats Arising on NATO's Southern Flank

10/11/2015

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s visit to Europe last week inevitably focused on Russian bombing in Syria, but he also stressed the growing danger of instability in North Africa after making stops in Spain and Italy. Speaking at the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Carter described "the challenges facing NATO's southern flank, including the ripple effects of [the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant] and state instability in North Africa and the Middle East.”