Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia Transfer of S-300 Missile System to Iran Continues to Trouble US

08/19/2015

The United States continues to have concerns about Russia’s sale and potential delivery of a defensive weapons system to Iran even though the transaction does not violate any UN resolutions, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.

Syria reportedly receives MiG-31 interceptors from Russia

08/18/2015

The Syrian government has received six MiG-31 'Foxhound' interceptor aircraft from Russia under a deal that was said to have been signed in 2007, a regional media source has reported. The aircraft recently arrived at Mezze Airbase on the outskirts of Damascus, the Turkish BGN News agency reported on 16 August.

These 3 charts show just how enormous the US Air Force really is

08/18/2015

The US has the largest and most powerful Air Force in the world. The US Air Force operates more than 5,000 total aircraft, and the air service flies more than just fighters and bombers. The Air Force also runs missions ranging from surveillance to aerial refuelling to supply airlift, each of which requires a specialised aircraft.

Delay to Tejas Mk 2 could push IAF into accepting modified Mk 1s

08/18/2015

The Pentagon will significantly expand the number of daily drone sorties conducted around the globe during the next several years and will for the first time expand the mission beyond the Air Force, a defense official said. The plan reflects a high-level recognition that the Air Force's remotely piloted vehicle fleet can no longer meet the forcewide demand for combat air patrols flown by drone pilots, mainly due to severe pilot shortages.

New ACC Strategy Underlines Need for A-10 Replacement

08/18/2015

A new strategy document released last week by US Air Combat Command lays out an updated roadmap for modernizing the Air Force's legacy fleet, underlining in particular an effort to develop a future close-air support platform. The ACC's 2015 command strategy, unveiled Aug. 10, calls for "exploring opportunities" for developing a future close-air support platform — presumably a replacement for the Air Force's primary close-in attack aircraft used to protect ground troops, the legacy A-10.

Russia To Unveil Futuristic Fighter, Bomber Aircraft Models At MAKS

08/18/2015

Russia is working on several futuristic fighter and bomber models in addition to the PAK-FA stealth fighters, scale models of some of which will be displayed at the upcoming MAKS 2015 air and defense exhibition in Moscow this month-end.

Formal farewell for Argentine Malvinas Mirage aircraft, after 40 years service

08/18/2015

Last week the Argentine Air Force formally bid farewell to the remaining French built Mirage jet fighters, which saw combat during the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982, since in three months time they will be decommissioned after four decades service. The occasion was the 103 anniversary of the Air Force (10th August but celebrated on the 13th).

Off the Coast of Iran, a High-Stakes Version of Spy Versus Spy

08/18/2015

The commander of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet was in his office on the afternoon of July 25 when he got the phone call: An Iranian Navy frigate in the Gulf of Aden had approached a ship where an American military helicopter had just landed.

US Awards Bell Helicopter $85Mln to Upgrade Navy, Pakistan Weapons Systems

08/18/2015

The Department of Defense awarded a contract worth more than $85 million to Textron’s Bell Helicopter division to develop updates for weapons systems for the US and Pakistani helicopter fleets, the US Navy said in a press release.

Saudi Arabia Needs Mistrals for Power Projection in Middle East

08/18/2015

Saudi Arabia has been on a course to boost its military capabilities focusing lately on its naval forces and the possible purchase of the two Mistrals originally built for Russia by France could be central to these efforts.

Libya Calls for Airstrikes to Save Country from Islamic State

08/18/2015

Amid peace talks in Geneva aimed at stabilizing Libya, the civil war between the official government in the east and its rival group in the west continues to rage in the North African country.

40 militants killed in NWA airstrikes

08/17/2015

Pakistan Army aircraft swung into action and pounded hideouts in North Waziristan, killing 40 terrorists, hours after Punjab home minister was killed in a suicide attack on Sunday. Forty terrorists were killed and several injured in bombardment by fighter jets in Shawal area Sunday afternoon, ISPR said . Several other militants were injured in the aerial operation, it said.

China, Russia set for naval assertion in Sea of Japan

08/17/2015

China and Russia are stepping up their military collaboration by holding another round of naval exercises, this time in the Sea of Japan, following recent measures adopted by Tokyo that could deepen its military ties with Washington. On Saturday, the Chinese navy dispatched seven Chinese warships for the Sea of Japan. They will join the Russian Navy’s 16 surface ships, two submarines, 12 naval aircraft, nine amphibious vehicles and 200 marines.

The most advanced F-16 ever IN Super Viper Could Get Another Shot with the Indian Air Force

08/17/2015

The United States has extended an offer to India to jointly produce a line of fighter jets to both enhance military ties as well as provide for India’s frontline fighter fleet shortage. This comes right after the Indian government announced that the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) deal, originally signed with France’s Dassault Aviation, was, for all intents and purposes, over.

PAF gets 10 new choppers, awaits delivery of more

08/17/2015

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive on Monday 10 new helicopters as part of its modernization program. The eight Bell-412EP and two AW-109E helicopters will be turned over to the PAF in a ceremony led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Pentagon to Add Drone Flights

08/17/2015

The Pentagon plans to sharply expand the number of U.S. drone flights over the next four years, giving military commanders access to more intelligence and greater firepower to keep up with a sprouting number of global hot spots, a senior defense official said.

Experts say Chinese J-10s fighter jet would benefit Iran

08/17/2015

The China-made J-10 multi-role fighter jet is a suitable choice for Iran if the Middle East power decides to upgrade its aging military aircraft fleet, Chinese aviation experts said. "Once the sanctions against Iran are completely lifted, the country will definitely renovate its civilian and military aircraft fleets. The J-10 is a good option for the Iranians because it can fulfil all operations they want to conduct," said Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine.

China's Newest Long-Range Heavy Bomber Should Unnerve US

08/17/2015

The H-6K boasting nuclear strike capabilities made its maiden flight in 2007 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army some two years later. At least two regiments of the Chinese Air Force are believed to be operating the H-6Ks at the moment.

Joint US, Italian Mission to Perform Observation Flight Over Russia

08/17/2015

he representatives of the United States and Italy will perform the observation flights over Russia from August 17 to 22, under the international Treaty on Open Skies, said Sergey Ryzhkov, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Center for Nuclear Risk Reduction.

US F-22 Raptors are providing crucial situational awareness over Syria

08/16/2015

Although they were not conceived to play this kind of role, F-22 Raptors have emerged as some of the U.S.-led Coalition’s most reliable combat assets in supporting coalition planes during air strikes in Syria and Iraq. At the beginning of July, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor jets had flown only 204 sorties out of 44,000 launched by the U.S.-lead coalition against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Boko Haram: Nigerian Air Force commences fresh air strike over Sambisa forest

08/16/2015

The Nigerian Military, in its resolution to incapacitate and further degrade the fighting spirit of Boko Haram Terrorist Group, has carried out several bombings and air strike missions in Sambisa Forest, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Dele Alonge, has said.

US Offers Fighter Jets, Aircraft Carrier Technology to India

08/16/2015

US has offered to help India manufacture fighter jets and aircraft carrier. "I see no reason why the US and India can't produce fighter aircraft together, US ambassador to India, Richard Verma said at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi Friday. “Both countries have established a new aircraft carrier working group to support India’s indigenous program. The first meeting of the group took place this week,” Verma said referring to the recent visit to New Delhi by Defense Minister Ashton C

NATO's Central European Members: A Tale of Shady Deals, Reckless Spending

08/16/2015

NATO might look uniform from the outside but take a closer look at some states in the 28-member bloc and you could see a picture of broken promises, shady arms deals, reckless spending and mismanagement.

Aviation Complex: What Russian Air Force Wants to Fly in XXI Century

08/16/2015

The term ‘Promising Aviation Complex’ has been used to describe the ongoing massive project. In order to get basic information about the project, below is a list of some of the major aviation complexes functioning in Russia currently.

Libya Appeals to World Powers to Unite in Fight against ISIL

08/16/2015

While Libyan troops clash with ISIL militants in attempts to take control of the city of Sirte in the south of Libya, state authorities are urging world powers to unite in the battle against the jihadist group and carry out airstrikes on its positions across the country.