Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

China air force conducts west Pacific drill

08/15/2015

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force conducted a drill involving "multiple types of aircraft" in the western Pacific on Friday, a military spokesperson said. PLA aircraft flew over the western Pacific via the Bashi Channel and returned on the same day, reaching 1,000 km beyond the First Island Chain, spokesperson Shen Jinke said at a news briefing.

Eyeing Russia, the Air Force Sends More A-10 Warthogs to Europe

08/15/2015

The Air Force didn’t help its long-standing argument that the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jet should be retired when the service announced this week it would deploy more of the aircraft to Europe this fall. The 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia announced it will send 12 attack planes and crews to Central and Eastern European to bolster NATO’s “Operation Atlantic Resolve,” an ongoing show of military might meant to deter Russian aggression in the region.

Australian pilots begin missions over Syria, flying American Reaper drones

08/15/2015

RAAF pilots are poised to begin flying deadly American Reaper drones over Syria, taking for the first time Australia's involvement in the fight against the so-called Islamic State from Iraq into the more complex neighbouring country. A Defence spokesman has told Fairfax Media that five RAAF personnel are embedded with the United States Air Force's 432nd Operations Group, which flies armed MQ-9 Reaper drones.

F-35B Declared Combat Ready, but More Development Remains

08/15/2015

The last day of July was momentous for the Marine Corps as it declared that a squadron of F-35B joint strike fighters was ready for combat. It was the first of the joint strike fighter models to reach initial operating capability.

America’s new trillion-dollar fighter jet under fire again

08/15/2015

It’s tough being the world’s most expensive weapon system. Years behind schedule and billions over-budget, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has had to absorb its fair share of critiques. Over the past several years, it’s been described as too complex, too reliant on high-tech sensors and software, and—at $400 billion for development and procurement—far too costly.

Israel And Jordan Stepping Up Military, Defense Cooperation? Israeli And Jordanian Aircraft Fly in Tandem To US

08/15/2015

Have Jordan and Israel finally overcome decades of poor diplomatic relations? Military observers are speculating about a new era of relations between the two countries after Israeli air force fuel tankers escorted Jordanian fighter jets across the Atlantic Ocean earlier this week to participate in military exercises in the western United States, an American website devoted to military aviation news reports.

Nigerian Air Force steps up battle against Boko Haram, deploys more combat aircraft

08/15/2015

In a renewed drive to crush the fighting will of the Boko Haram terrorist group, the Nigerian Air Force says it has deployed additional combat platforms to North East Nigeria in support of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation codenamed ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’. The spokesperson for the Air Force, Dele Alonge, an Air Commodore, said in a statement Thursday that the new deployment came on the heel of the recent visit of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.

Russia's Key Position as India's Weaponry Supplier 'Indisputable'

08/15/2015

Russia remains the primary supplier of arms to India despite reports that the country is no longer the leading weapons supplier, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin told Sputnik on Friday.

At Least Four Countries Interested in Purchase of Russia's Modernized Il-76

08/15/2015

At least four countries - Iran, Algeria, South Africa and Kazakhstan - had shown interest in buying the Il-76MD-90A (also known as Il-476), the general director of aircraft-maker Aviastar-SP said Friday.

General: Islamic State group in Afghanistan targets Taliban

08/14/2015

Self-proclaimed Islamic State militants are gaining a foothold and conducting limited military operations in Afghanistan, for now primarily targeting Taliban insurgents and their territory, a defense official said. The apparent growth of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan is a "great concern" to U.S commanders and could influence plans for ending the 14-year American military mission there next year, the defense official said.

China, Russia to Sell Iran Arms in Defiance of the U.S.: Sina Military

08/14/2015

China and Russia are planning on bolstering Iran’s armed forces with new fighter jets and air defense systems as part of their strategy against the United States, according to a recently published report from the Beijing-based Sina Military Network.

Plans are in place for acquisition of new aircrafts :IAF chief Raha

08/14/2015

Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha today said all the plans are in place and a lot of activity is going on for new acquisitions to replace old aircraft. He said the plans for induction of combat aircraft relates to issues with legacies of some of the fleets which need to be replaced which, for obvious reasons, as they cannot carry on for long and all plans are in place and process was underway to replace old aircraft.

China on a quest to develop VTOL aircraft technology: Sina Military

08/14/2015

China is working hard to develop a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for strategic and economic purposes, reports the Beijing-based Sina Military Network. Citing the Kanwa Defense Review, a Canada-based Chinese-language military magazine, the report said China is believed to have been developing VTOL technology for more than a decade already but appears to be another 15-20 years away from a finished product.

RAAF could hit targets in Syria

08/14/2015

Australian combat aircraft already fly close to the border with Syria and it would be no great stretch for them to extend bombing operations to include Syria. The challenge is finding Daesh targets for them to bomb. Australian rules of engagement set a high bar to minimise risk of civilian casualties and much of the time the required standard won't be met.

Nigerian Air Force Deploys Combat Aircraft To North East

08/14/2015

Dele Alonge, the director, public relations and information NAF, said the combat aircraft is an addition to the aircraft already available in the area for the fight against insurgents. Alonge, an Air Commodore said the deployment of these aircraft is a renewed determination to decimate the insurgents in the area, an effort channelled to support the “operation Lafiya Doyle”.

Taiwan Becomes 20th International Customer for Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

08/14/2015

Taiwan’s Air Force recently selected Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for its F-16 aircraft, becoming the 20th international customer to choose Sniper ATP to fulfill precision attack requirements. In the initial contract, Lockheed Martin will provide two Sniper ATPs and integration support to Taiwan. Lockheed Martin will also provide integration support of LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods on Taiwan’s recently upgraded F-16s.

US Navy Dreams of Stealth Jets, Carrier-Launched Drones, Laser Weapons

08/14/2015

A top US Navy commander unveiled the force's vision for the future of its carrier-based air power, and it involves stealth fighter jets, carrier-launched drones, submarine-detecting helicopters and laser weapons.

Belarus Air Force Boosts Orders of Ultra-Modern Russian Yak-130 Jets

08/14/2015

Major General Oleg Dvigalev said the country has signed two contracts for four Russian Yakolev Yak-130 Mitten trainer/strike aircraft. He also confirmed that an order for 12 Mil Mi-8MTV-5 Hip helicopters had been signed in June, the BelTA news agency reported.

Rockwell Delivers First Gen 3 Helmet for F-35

08/13/2015

Marking a milestone for the joint strike fighter program, Rockwell Collins this week delivered the first Generation 3 helmet for the F-35. The Generation 3 Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS), which was handed over to the Joint Program Office Tuesday in a ceremony at the company's headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is crucial to the F-35's advanced suite of technologies.

Pentagon officials say US F-16 fighters fly first missions from Turkey against IS militants

08/13/2015

The U.S. on Wednesday launched its first airstrikes by Turkey-based F-16 fighter jets against Islamic State targets in Syria, marking a limited escalation of a yearlong air campaign that critics have called excessively cautious. In a brief statement the Pentagon announced the F-16 strikes were launched from Incirlik air base in southern Turkey but provided no details on the number or types of targets struck.

U.S. Jets Meet Limit as Iraqi Ground Fight Against ISIS Plods On

08/13/2015

Navy fighter jets roar off this nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in support of Iraqi troops approaching Ramadi, a city in Anbar Province overrun by Islamic State fighters in one of the worst defeats for the American-led coalition.

Rafale fighter warplane deal runs into problems over sales term

08/13/2015

India's order of 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets has run into trouble with government officials struggling to agree sales terms, sources said, four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened to break a logjam in previous commercial negotiations. Two senior Indian defence officials said that both sides were wrangling over the unit price of the aircraft and a condition that planemaker Dassault Aviation invest a big percentage of the value of the multi-billion dollar contract in India.

Europe plays catch-up with US in drone technology

08/13/2015

Locked away in a large shed in the north of England, surrounded by fields of cows, is one of Britain’s most closely guarded secrets. It is home to Taranis, the unmanned stealth jet built by BAE Systems to test the technology that could drive the next generation of combat aircraft to fly for Britain.

IAF to Opt for Fewer Russian Stealth Fighter Jets

08/13/2015

Notwithstanding the dwindling fighter jet fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to opt for fewer Russia-built advanced stealth fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). IAF is currently looking at only 65 aircraft, with 18 each for three squadrons and the rest for training. FGFA is based on the T-50 aircraft under the Russian PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) programme that will challenge F-22 Raptor of the US.

Lockheed Martin Expands Cruise Missile Production Facility

08/13/2015

Lockheed Martin celebrated the opening of its cruise missile annex with a ribbon cutting ceremony today at its Pike County Operations facility in Troy, Alabama. Customers, state officials and community leaders joined employees in opening the annex, which will support an increase in U.S. and international orders.