Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Moscow confused as IAF puts fifth-generation fighter on back burner to buy Rafale

08/28/2015

The ongoing MAKS 2015 air show in Moscow features an impressive flying display by the Sukhoi T-50, the fifth-generation prototype fighter's first public outing in two years. But even the rousing applause fails to mask the disappointment of Russian officials at the Indian Air Force's (IAF's) foot-dragging in co-developing the T-50 into a "fifth generation fighter aircraft" (FGFA) that the IAF will buy.

Japan Launches Newest Izumo-Class Helicopter Carrier

08/28/2015

Japan launched the second and final ship in its new Izumo-class helicopter carrier – the largest Japanese ships since World War II – at the Japan Marine United shipyard in Yokohama on Thursday.

Moscow, Tehran Sign Roadmap For S-300 Deal Implementation

08/28/2015

A memorandum on the implementation of the agreement to supply Russian S-300 missile defense systems to Iran was signed, according to a senior official from the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

Su-30 MKIs to fire BrahMos missiles in 2016

08/27/2015

The missile and the launcher are ready. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has modernized its first multi-role combat aircraft, the Su-30 MKI and integrated the launch system. Recently, we carried out the first flights with the launch system and everything has gone well.

USAF reserve pilots drop JDAMs from upgraded F-22 Raptor

08/27/2015

The US Air Force's reserve pilots from the 302nd fighter squadron have successfully dropped joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs) from the F-22 Raptor tactical fighter aircraft. Conducted during a recent unit training assembly (UTA), the training involved the upgraded F-22 aircraft installed with increment 3.2A, a software upgrade package.

Raytheon air-to-air missile scores direct hit from U.S. Army ground launcher

08/27/2015

The U.S. Army and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully test fired an AIM-9X Block II missile from the Army's ground-based Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-I (IFPC 2-I) Block 1 Multi-Mission Launcher (MML). AIM-9X is traditionally fired from aircraft toward aerial targets and this test demonstrated that the latest AIM-9X can be used in both air-to-air combat and now, without modification, in ground-based air defense.

MAKS: Chinese firm unveils new sensors for J-20, J-31

08/27/2015

A privately-owned Chinese sensor company has unveiled a suite of air-to-air and air-to-ground sensors in development for the latest Chinese and Russian fighters. Wang Yanyong, technical director for Beijing A-Star Science and Technology, confirms that two systems – the EOTS-89 electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) and the EORD-31 infrared search and track (IRST) – are in development for China’s J-20 and J-31 fighters.

Neuron Program Completes Stealth Test Flights

08/27/2015

Alenia Aermacchi reported the successful completion of the flight-test phase in Italy of the pan-European Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator. The company said that “12 highly sensitive sorties to verify the radar cross section (RCS) and infrared signature” had taken place from Decimomannu airbase in Sardinia. The single Neuron air vehicle is now undertaking further RCS flight tests in Sweden, plus the dropping of GPS-guided bombs on the Vidsel range.

NATO Military Buildup on Russia’s Doorstep: Who Is Doing the Saber-Rattling in Eastern Europe?

08/27/2015

Last week, NATO headquarters announced Exercise Swift Response-15, the largest Allied airborne training event on the European continent since the end of the Cold War. About 5,000 soldiers from 11 countries in the alliance will take part in the maneuvers, which will last until Sept. 13.

Pakistan shows interest in Russia's Yak-130 trainer aircraft

08/27/2015

Pakistan could become the fourth country to operate the Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft, the website Defenseworld.net has reported, saying that Islamabad has expressed an interest in the aircraft. The website claims that the parties have already held preliminary talks. Industry sources told defenseworld.net that Pakistan Air Force officials have been talking to executives from Rosoboronexport and Irkut.

Boeing, Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries and Alsalam Aircraft Company to Establish Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center in Saudi Arabia

08/27/2015

Boeing has signed an agreement with Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Alsalam Aircraft Company to create the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will have locations in Riyadh and Jeddah providing comprehensive, in-country maintenance repair and overhaul support for Saudi Arabia’s diverse rotorcraft fleet.

MAKS-2015 Airshow Continues in Moscow Region (VIDEO)

08/27/2015

The MAKS-2015 International Air Show in the Moscow Region city of Zhukovsky enters its second day on Wednesday. Taking part in the event are more than 150 foreign companies from 25 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and France.

Turkey Denies Alerting Abductors of US-Trained 'Moderate' Syrian Fighters

08/27/2015

The Turkish government on Tuesday denied allegations it tipped off an al Qaeda-linked group that went on to capture Syrian rebels trained by the United States to battle the Islamic State. Multiple Syrian rebel groups said the Nusra Front had been alerted by Turkish intelligence, McClatchy reported on Monday.

Amid Pressure To Keep A-10 Alive, USAF Explores Close-Air Support's Future

08/26/2015

As pressure builds on the US Air Force to keep the beloved A-10 alive despite crushing budget cuts, the service is taking another look at the future of close-air support (CAS) and the most effective way to protect soldiers on the ground.

Changing Tides in South China Sea

08/26/2015

China’s rapid effort to build artificial islands in the South China Sea is far more than a diplomatic challenge. For China’s neighbors and the United States, it could soon become a serious military problem as well.

Indian University Students Participate In C-130J Super Hercules Roll-On/Roll-Off Competition

08/26/2015

Teams from five leading Indian universities recently presented design concepts supporting the disaster relief operations here as part of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Roll-On/Roll-Off University Design Challenge.

Boeing Features AH-64 Apache at Poland’s Largest Defence Show

08/26/2015

The Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter will be making its first appearance at the largest defense show in Poland – the MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition – in Kielce, September 1-4.

Russia Developing Fifth Generation Lightweight Fighter Jet

08/26/2015

Russia's nascent fleet of fifth generation fighter jets could welcome a new member of the cutting-edge aircraft family in the years to come: Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG is currently developing a brand new lightweight fighter jet.

PAK FA Fighter Jet Receives Fully Digital Weapon Guidance System

08/26/2015

Russia's fifth generation fighter jet has been outfitted with a unique fully digital weapon guidance system offering the pilot fire-and-forget capabilities that allow the aircraft to lock on a target and hit it when it is no longer in line-of-sight.

Rebels Blame Turkey After US-Trained 'Moderates' Captured Inside Syria

08/26/2015

Turkish intelligence orchestrated last month's capture of a group of Syrian moderate rebels trained by the United States to fight the Islamic State, according to rebel sources who spoke with McClatchy.

The Five Coolest Russian Planes To See at MAKS Air Show

08/25/2015

Russia's biennial International Air and Space Salon — known as MAKS, its Russian acronym — launches on Tuesday and will run through Sunday. Its first three days are considered to be business days for defense industry officials, and the show opens to the general public on Friday.

Russia’s deal with China on Su-35 fighter jets at approval stage

08/25/2015

Russia’s contract for supplying China with Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is at an approval stage, the first deputy director general of Russia’s arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, said on Monday. "We are holding talks with our Chinese partners on agreeing a draft contract for the supplies of fighter jets," Ivan Goncharenko told TASS ahead of the MAKS-2015 air show held near Moscow.

See aerobatics, fly in a biplane at Willow Run air show

08/25/2015

Thunder Over Michigan roars into Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti this weekend. Aerobatics master, Michael Goulian will attack the sky with breathtaking rolls and tumbles in his EXTRA 330SC airplane. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will show off speed and precision as its pilots demonstrate daring maneuvers overhead.

All the US Navy combat jets in history

08/25/2015

To celebrate the ingenuity of flying beast machines, we created this awesome video that catalogs all of the US Navy’s combat jets. You’ll see modern jets like the Harrier and F-18 and F-35 along with old school, bad ass planes with names like Banshee and Phantom and Panther and Skynight.

Amid Tensions With Russia, U.S. to Deploy F-22 Fighter Jets to Europe

08/25/2015

The United States will deploy F-22 fighter jets to Europe very soon as part of a broader effort to support eastern European members of the NATO alliance unnerved by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, Air Force Secretary Deborah James said on Monday.