Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia to Deploy S-400 Air Defense Systems Near Western Borders by End 2015

06/26/2015

Russia's Western Military District will receive an unspecified number of advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S air defense systems by the end of 2015, the district's spokesman, Col. Oleg Kochetkov, said Thursday. "Modern S-400 Triumf long-range air defense systems and Pantsir-S gun-missile air defense systems will be put in service with air defense units of the Western Military District by the end of this year," Kochetkov said.

New Lavi trainer better prepares IAF cadets for Hezbollah, Iran

06/24/2015

Dozens of Israel Air Force cadets will receive their officer’s ranks on Tuesday at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in a ceremony that occurs every year – though this year’s new pilots are different. These members of the 170th IAF training course are the first to have trained on the M-346 Master training jet, which is dubbed the Lavi (Hebrew for Lion) in the IAF.

Done-pilots shortage poses problem for Air Force

06/24/2015

The pilots sit in dimly lit, air-conditioned trailers, each staring at glowing video and data screens and toggling a joystick that controls an armed drone flying somewhere in the world. With more than 100 Predator and Reaper drones aloft every day, this sun-scorched desert outpost is the hub of America’s growing drone fleet around the globe.

First Ski Jump For F-35B Lightning II

06/24/2015

The F-35B Lightning II has successfully completed its first ski jump test at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the US state of Maryland. The ramp used was built in England however, at a cost of £2 million, by Stockport-based defence engineering company WFEL - who normally specialise in building rapidly deployable bridging systems.

Pentagon Missing Target on Air Weapon Investments

06/24/2015

U.S. military power often is measured by the number of combat aircraft and ships in the inventory. While the United States has by far the largest air force and navy, that size advantage could eventually be negated by enemy air defenses and electronic warfare technologies that are now available in the open market.

UK defence spending 'an impossible mess'

06/24/2015

Ministry of Defence spending on equipment has become “an impossible mess” because of the involvement of only a few prime contractors and British delusions that it is still a major power, according to a report published on Wednesday. The 207-page document, edited by the Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin and entitled Defence Acquisition for the Twenty-First Century, says that spending is not in line with Britain’s new slimmed down defence budgets.

Bulgarian cabinet could face new fighter jet proposal

06/24/2015

If Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolai Nenchev keeps to his stated intention, the scheduled cabinet meeting on June 24 could see a proposal tabled on the long-standing issue of the country acquiring new military fighter jets.

Boeing Completes Two-Decade Build Out of C-17 Training Network

06/24/2015

Boeing has delivered the 28th C-17 Globemaster III aircrew training simulator to the U.S. Air Force, completing the services’ goal of a national system for C-17 training. Boeing completed the first of these centers in 1992 at Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston, S.C., including one aircrew simulator during the program’s beginnings. Since then, the company and Air Force have established these facilities in 14 U.S. locations and three international locations.

Mid-East, Europe Majorities Support US-Led War Against Islamic State - Poll

06/24/2015

The US-led Coalition of some 60 nations has carried out airstrikes against the Islamic State positions in Iraq since August 2014, and expanded the attacks to include targets in Syria in September 2014, albeit without the approval of the Syrian government.

Anti-ISIL Coalition Carries Out 17 Airstrikes in Iraq, Syria - CENTCOM

06/24/2015

Three airstrikes hit Islamic State positions near the Syrian town of Tal Abyad, where the US-led coalition has been providing support to a coalition of Syrian Kurdish forces of the YPG, Assyrian Christians and the Free Syrian Army group Burkan al-Firat.

Airbus’ A400M Airlifter Rises Again at Paris Air Show

06/23/2015

Airbus’ troubled A400M airlifter, the proposed replacement for a generation of Hercules type military logistics and transport aircraft, made a triumphant return to the world’s skies last week at the Paris Air show, following a deadly crash in May. Airbus-owned MSN006 performed an impressive flying display at Le Bourget last week, and a French Armée de l’Air aircraft on static display was the subject of much interest.

Predator crashes in Iraq

06/23/2015

An MQ-1 Predator crashed Monday morning local time in Southeastern Iraq, according to U.S. Air Forces, Central Command. The drone was flying a combat mission when it went down, AFCENT announced in a brief news release on Monday. There are no reports so far that civilians were injured or property damaged at the crash site.

As Navy Missions Pile Up, So Does Jet Maintenance

06/23/2015

The Navy's fighter jet fleet has been flown hard during nearly 15 years of conflict in the Middle East. And with the next-generation fighter years from being operational, the service's F/A-18 Super Hornets and legacy Hornets must continue flying far longer than originally planned.

Who Is the Biggest Aggressor in the South China Sea?

06/23/2015

Greg Austin recently wrote in The Diplomat that Vietnam occupied 24 features in the South China Sea in 1996 and has “increased [this number] from 30 to 48 in the last six years” as if these figures were facts. I doubt there is any plausibility to his claim. It would be more accurate to point out that Vietnam occupied most of these features in the 1970s after reunification. Whether Vietnam has doubled the number of its features since then is highly unlikely.

Paris Air Show 2015 military aviation roundup

06/23/2015

Here are details of military orders and announcements made during the Paris Air Show last week. Lockheed Martin and Terma signed an agreement on June 15 to collaborate on the F-35 ‘Lightning II’ Joint Strike Fighter as long as the aircraft is selected. The Danish firm received $300mn in related business since joining the programme in 2000.

Indian Fighter Jets to Fire World's Fastest Cruise Missile

06/23/2015

Indian fighter jets will soon be equipped with the world’s fastest cruise missile. According to Indian news outlets, New Delhi India recently developed a modification for its Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter airplane that will allow it to carry the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Sri Lanka first to buy Pakistani fighter JF-17 - report

06/23/2015

Sri Lanka will become the first foreign country to acquire Pakistan's multi-role combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder, and the Pakistan Air Force will begin delivery of the fighter to Sri Lanka from 2017, a report said. A Taiwan based news website, 'Want China Times' quoting a report in Pakistan-based 92NewsHD said Sri Lanka will become the first foreign country to acquire the JF-17 Thunder, otherwise known as the FC-1 Xiaolong or "Fierce Dragon,".

Pentagon: China Aims to Unseat US as King of the Skies

06/23/2015

The United States sees China as a serious threat to its military superiority in air and space, so the Pentagon is seeking new technologies and systems to keep America ahead of its rival, the US deputy defense secretary said.

US Approves $69Mln Sale of Radar-Destroying Missiles to Australia

06/23/2015

The US State Department has approved a $69 million sale to Australia of air-to-ground missiles designed to destroy enemy radar with little input from the pilot, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on Monday.

U.S. military seeking ways to knock drones from the sky

06/22/2015

For years the United States has enjoyed almost exclusive use of armed drones, using them to strike enemies remotely and with impunity. But with adversaries — including ISIS — catching up on the technology, the Pentagon is now playing defense, trying to come up with ways to knock the pilotless aircraft out of the sky.

Quora Question: Why Do Other Countries Allow the U.S. to Have So Many Military Bases Abroad?

06/22/2015

Every base supports either a specific security goal or overall regional stability. Some were acquired after conflict, such as the ones in Germany, Italy and Japan. Some were gained in support of allies in conflict, such as the ones in England and Korea. Most are simply there to reduce that tyranny of distance. But all have been considered important enough to spend significant treasure in securing, building, manning and supporting.

U.S., Japan Join Philippines in South China Sea Military Drills

06/22/2015

The U.S. and Japan are conducting separate military drills with the Philippines near disputed islands in the South China Sea, signaling support for the country as China builds out reclaimed reefs in the waters. The annual CARAT Philippines joint exercise begins Monday off Palawan island and will run until June 26, according to U.S. Navy spokesman Arlo Abrahamson.

India Proposes To Simplify Offset Process

06/22/2015

A policy move being considered by the Indian Ministry of Defence could help overseas defense companies meet their offset obligations and close defense contracts being held up by uncompleted offset documents, an MoD source said. An internal MoD committee has recommend that defense contracts not be delayed merely on grounds of incomplete offset documents if the company is working to fulfill the offset obligations during the execution of the defense project.

Only 40% of French Military Aircraft Deemed Operational

06/22/2015

More than half of French military aircraft, including fighter jets and transport planes, are incapable of fulfilling their missions due to their poor technical state, French media reported, citing data obtained from the Ministry of Defense through a parliamentary inquiry.

UK Extends Air Patrol Missions in Baltic Region Over Tensions With Russia

06/22/2015

Britain will extend its air patrol missions over the Baltic and continue to provide the NATO rapid reaction force with personnel in coming years, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said Sunday.