Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Eurofighter consortium invests £133m in BAE Systems’ most advanced fighter pilot helmet

12/16/2024

The consortium behind the Eurofighter Typhoon has awarded BAE Systems a £133m contract to further develop its Striker® II Helmet Mounted-Display (HMD). Under the new contract, awarded by the four-nation Eurofighter consortium – Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, BAE Systems engineers will continue to mature the helmet’s capability alongside a programme of flight testing.

Bangladesh looks to buy J-10 jets from China

12/16/2024

Bangladesh may be exploring the acquisition of 16 J-10C multirole fighter jets from China, according to local media reports citing Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force. The reports emerged after Hannan’s official visit to China from November 15 to 18, at the invitation of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Ukrainian agents burned up Russian Su-27 fighter

12/15/2024

The operation was carried out by GUR operatives and has been described as a calculated act targeting Russian military infrastructure. The Su-27P, bearing the red tail number 16, was set ablaze at the Krymsk operational airbase. Initial reports mistakenly identified the destroyed aircraft as a Su-30, but subsequent verification confirmed the jet as a Su-27. Judging by footage from the scene, the aircraft either suffered critical damage or was completely destroyed by fire.

The Israeli Air Force destroyed dozens of Syrian combat aircraft and helicopters

12/15/2024

In a series of coordinated strikes following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed the destruction of Syrian military assets that could pose a threat, targeting aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems stationed across various locations. Ground footage and videos released by the IAF verified the effectiveness of this aerial offensive.

U.S. Ally Shoots Down American Drone In Northern Syria; Cutting-Edge UAV Falls Prey, Again

12/14/2024

In a costly error, a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone was accidentally shot down in northern Syria on December 9 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-allied group, according to US officials. The MQ-9, valued at approximately $30 million, was conducting a mission under Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Denmark delivers first F-16 to Argentina under fighter jet agreement

12/14/2024

Denmark has dispatched the first of its F-16 aircraft to Argentina as part of a broader agreement to sell 24 jets, along with support equipment and spare parts. The contract, signed in spring 2024 by Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and the Argentine Air Force, marks a significant step in cooperation between the two nations.

Joint Fighter Program Lifting Japan’s Defense Industry

12/14/2024

On Dec. 9, 2022, the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy announced the Global Combat Air Program, a joint development project for a sixth-generation fighter aircraft that would replace the United Kingdom and Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoon and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s Mitsubishi F-2.

Taiwan tracks 23 Chinese ships, 12 military aircraft

12/13/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 12 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and nine official ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. Six of the 12 People’s Liberation Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND.

Kazakhstan Receives First A-400M Transport Aircraft Amid Efforts To ‘Diversify’ Military Purchases

12/13/2024

A former Soviet state and a key member of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Kazakhstan has inducted its first A-400M Atlas military transport aircraft, manufactured by Airbus, as it diversifies its military purchases.

This Middle East Power Has More Attack and Strike Aircraft Than Most NATO Nations

12/13/2024

Air power in the Middle East is tantamount to maintaining regional security. Countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have invested heavily in advanced combat aircraft. These investments enable them to conduct precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, which are essential for gaining a tactical advantage in the region.

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Solutions Aim To Keep Fourth-Generation Aircraft Lethal And Survivable

12/13/2024

Fourth-generation fighter aircraft continue to play critical roles in air forces around the world, even where operators are transitioning to more advanced fifth-generation platforms. The U.S. Air Force, for example, features more F-16s in its total force inventory than any other fighter aircraft type. The Viper’s future roadmap foresees it operating in an increasingly threatening battlespace and being tasked with tackling a multitude of complex mission sets.

Report to Congress on F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter

12/13/2024

The F-35 Lightning II is a strike fighter aircraft and the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) largest procurement program. Lockheed Martin manufactures the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and international partners and customers. Nineteen governments have agreed to purchase F-35s; of those governments, seven are U.S. allies and considered partners that share the cost of development with the United States. DOD, which plans to purchase 2,470 of the aircraf.

Marines reactivate East Coast squadron with Corps’ newest fighter jet

12/13/2024

The Marines have reactivated a fighter squadron with a lineage that traces back to Guadalcanal as the first East Coast squadron to fly the Corps’ newest fighter jet. Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 251, or VMFA-251, received its first F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter in mid-September before the unit officially reactivated in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Dec. 5, according to the service.

“Bodyguards” Of 6th-Gen Fighters: Who Is Winning The Global Race To Develop AI-Enabled Loyal Wingman?

12/12/2024

The “Loyal Wingman” concept refers to an innovative approach in military aviation where autonomous or semi-autonomous drones or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) work in tandem with piloted aircraft to perform various support and combat missions. These drones act as “wingmen” to human pilots, providing increased situational awareness, expanding mission capabilities, and reducing the risk to human pilots by taking on more dangerous or complex tasks.

Over half of Russia’s MiG-29SMT fleet left to rust at Kursk

12/12/2024

In a grim revelation, it’s come to light that over half of Russia’s MiG-29SMT fleet is languishing, rusting away at Kursk Air Base, a stark reminder of how quickly the promises of modernization can fade. The MiG-29SMT once heralded as a groundbreaking step toward rejuvenating Russia’s aging MiG-29 fleet, has become little more than a symbol of missed opportunities and broken promises.

Taiwan detects 53 Chinese military aircraft around island as tensions rise

12/12/2024

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday morning that it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 navy and coast guard vessels operating around the island over the past 24 hours, as the democratic island remained on alert amid speculation that Beijing has launched another round of war games.

Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East

12/11/2024

The collapse of the Assad regime has prompted a punishing military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes at military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops both into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years.

Taiwan says China naval deployment is largest in decades

12/11/2024

China has deployed the largest number of naval ships to regional waters around Taiwan since the mid-1990s, the Defense Ministry in Taipei said Tuesday, amid growing speculation that Beijing has launched another round of war games.

Rafale, Gripen or F-16: What’s the Future of Peru’s Combat Air Fleet?.

12/11/2024

On December 10, 2023, the Peruvian Congress approved an ambitious budget for 2025 aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of its FAP. A project to acquire 24 fighter jets was approved, marking a turning point since the purchase of Mirage 2000 aircraft in the 1980s. The initial $2 billion, financed through long-term debt via Banco de la Nación, represents the first phase of a total investment estimated at $3.5 billion.

French Fighter Jets Leave Chad: French Sources

12/11/2024

French fighter aircraft left Chad for good on Tuesday after N'Djamena decided last month to end military cooperation with the former colonial power, the French military said. One of the sources said that two Mirage 2000D combat jets and a tanker aeroplane took off before 1230 GMT, a French source told AFP. A third took off later. "The French armies are withdrawing today the fighter jet capability present in N'Djamena," said the French army staff on Tuesday in a statement, referring to the aircra

Israel confirms attack on Syrian naval fleet

12/11/2024

Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria's naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its ships struck the ports at Al-Bayda and Latakia on Monday night, where 15 vessels were docked. The BBC has verified videos showing blasts at the port of Latakia, with footage appearing to show extensive damage to ships and parts of the port.

Qatar confirms purchase of 12 additional Eurofighter Typhoon jets

12/10/2024

The Qatari Air Force, Al-Quwwat Al-Jawiyyah Al-Amiriyyah Al-Qatariyyah, has confirmed the acquisition of 12 additional Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft. This purchase is part of Qatar’s broader investment in enhancing its defence capabilities and strengthening ties with the United Kingdom.

Russian Su-24 intercepted by Dutch F-35s in Baltic standoff

12/10/2024

The Royal Netherlands Air Force [RNLAF] reached a significant operational milestone with its fleet of Lockheed F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, conducting what reports indicate as their first operational interceptions over the Baltic Sea.

Taiwan raises alert to ‘high’ amid presence of Chinese warships

12/10/2024

Nearly 90 Chinese navy, coastguard ships reported near Taiwan, southern Japanese islands, East and South China Seas. Taiwan’s military has raised the alert level to “high”, saying China restricted its airspace and deployed dozens of warships and coastguard vessels in waters around the island amid reports of a possible Chinese military drill.

Air Force, Navy should work more closely to develop 6th-gen fighter, senator says

12/10/2024

A key lawmaker on the Senate Armed Services Committee is suggesting that the Air Force and Navy work hand-in-hand to develop their respective sixth-generation fighter jets, rather than take diverging paths. The two services have discussed how to keep their sixth-generation aircraft — the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform and F/A-XX, respectively — complementary, but they’re running two separate programs that feature different airframes and propulsion systems.