Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Republican Power Gain Could Save The A-10 Warthog's Bacon

11/09/2014

As pundits, analysts and the blogosophere attempt to predict all the ways in which the midterm elections have changed the political landscape in Washington, it doesn't take a political scientist to realize that the A-10 Warthog's future now looks much brighter than it did on November 3rd.

Argentina Buying Gripens? Brits Say 'No Way'

11/09/2014

Argentina’s Defense Minister Agustin Rossi surprised just about everybody when he announced on Oct. 21 that his government intended to buy 24 Saab Gripen E fighters to re-equip his nation’s ancient Air Force. But Rossi’s request appeared to ignore a likely insurmountable hurdle to the sale: Britain, its longtime foe, has a near veto on the export of the combat jet as a result of the substantial number of UK systems in the jet.

In the UAE, the United States has a quiet, potent ally nicknamed ‘Little Sparta’

11/09/2014

Night after night for the past six weeks, U.S. fighter jets have streaked into the muggy sky from this vast desert airfield, their afterburners spewing orange flames as they head north on bombing runs over Iraq and Syria. The American presence at Al-Dhafra, which the Pentagon has not publicly acknowledged, is a vital part of the U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State militants: The base’s twin runways have launched more strike aircraft — including the Air Force’s most-sophisticated warplane.

Crisis-hit MiG aircraft ejects 3 fuel tanks on Gwalior farm

11/09/2014

An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter plane dropped three fuel tanks on outskirts of Gwalior city on Saturday during an in-flight emergency. MiG-21 fleet's upgraded Bison variant was on a training mission at Gwalior airbase when the pilot was forced to jettison the tanks. They were dropped 5 km from the base runway and landed on a field 500m away from a residential locality, said sources.

10Best: Military museums that bring battles to life

11/09/2014

Despite their dramatic topic, military museums used to be dry stuffy collections, mainly appealing to soldiers and scholars. But the galleries have grown up, capturing the interest of young visitors with theme-park thrills and dynamic displays, says Dr. Charles H. Cureton, chief of the museums division at the Center of Military History in Fort McNair in Washington.

Final version of Tejas PV6, 2-seater trainer takes to sky in maiden flight

11/09/2014

The final version of the two-seater (trainer) version of Tejas (PV-6) made its maiden flight today, in a milestone for India's overall indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Programme. The aircraft took to the skies at 13.36 PM and was piloted by Group Captain Vivart Singh along with Group Captain Anoop Kabadwal. This is the 16th Tejas variant to have flown as part of the project that has been in the pipeline for over two decades.

Airstrikes Target Islamic State Leaders, Trucks: Reports

11/09/2014

The US-led airstrikes have targeted a group of Islamic State (IS) leaders, smashing a convoy of 10 trucks, Sky News reported Saturday. According to the broadcaster, the airstrikes targeted the IS leaders when the latter were having a meeting in a house in al-Qaim, which is on the Iraqi-Syrian border. The broadcaster did not, however, specify whether the number one IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was among the targeted leaders or not.

Republican Victory And John McCain Is Good News For The A-10 Thunderbolt, Bad News For The F-35

11/08/2014

One of the consequences of the Republican win in this week's midterm elections is that the A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft, a warplane that had been on the chopping block due to budget cuts but is popular with U.S. troops, will probably survive for a few more years. That's because the plane has powerful friends among the Senate's new Republican majority. But that creates a battle for resources with the Air Force's newest, and most expensive project, the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Pentagon briefing suggests Canada about to buy at least four F-35 jets

11/08/2014

In back-channel dealings, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government has been secretly seeking early delivery of four F-35 deep-strike warplanes as part of a firm commitment to buy more while officially maintaining it is abiding by an open and transparent evaluation of Canada’s combat aircraft needs.

Indonesia receives helicopters from Airbus

11/08/2014

Different model helicopters for combat search-and-rescue and light attack missions have been handed over to Indonesia's military by Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft are the EC725 Caracal and Fennec family of helicopters. The EC725 is a long-range tactical transport with a cruise speed of 177 miles per hour and a range of 533 miles.

‘A devastating loss’: No word on what caused fatal Guard helicopter crash

11/08/2014

Two West Ada County neighborhoods, the Idaho National Guard and officials throughout the state were rocked by the deaths of two Guard pilots whose Apache helicopter crashed south of Gowen Field Thursday night. Stien P. Gearhart, 50, of Meridian and Jon L. Hartway, 43, of Kuna, both chief warrant officers with the Idaho Army National Guard, crashed during a night training mission. But no information was available Friday about the details of that mission or what caused the Apache to go down.

Russia Expands Ukraine Military Presence as Rebels Killed

11/08/2014

Ukraine said Russia is expanding its military presence in rebel-held areas as pro-Russian fighters attacked Ukrainian forces with artillery after as many as 200 separatists were killed. “The war is not over yet,” Igor Plotniskiy, the newly-elected head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic said in video statement televised and posted on the LPR website. The LPR wants “maximal integration with Russia,” he said.

Japanese Self-Defense Forces, US Begin Major Military Drills in Japan: Defense Ministry

11/08/2014

All three service branches of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the United States military forces have begun major joint exercises Keen Sword in Japan, the country's Defense Ministry said Saturday. According to the Ministry, the drills with more than 40,000 participants – 30,700 Japanese and 10,000 US - 25 warships and 260 aircraft, will last until November 19th.

US to Deploy 1,500 Troops to Iraq, Create Training Centers: Pentagon

11/08/2014

The United States is going to deploy 1,500 additional troops to Iraq as part of the country’s mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) militant group, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby announced in a statement on Friday. “The commander in chief has authorized Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to deploy to Iraq up to 1,500 additional US personnel over the coming months, in a non-combat role, to expand our advise and assist mission and initiate a comprehensive training effort.

Egypt Plans Purchase of Modern Russian-Made Military Equipment: Former Foreign Minister

11/08/2014

Egypt is interested in enhancing its cooperation with Russia and plans to purchase modern Russian-made military equipment, the country's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nabil Fahmy told Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Friday. "We deeply respect Russia and value our cooperation. Yes, we have agreed on developing our military cooperation as well and it is already developing.

NATO F-16 Jets Intercept Russian Spy Plane, Latvia Says

11/07/2014

NATO fighter jets intercepted a Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the latest in a spate of similar incidents that have grown in frequency during the conflict in Ukraine. F-16s based in the Baltic region intercepted a Russian IL-20 surveillance plane, Latvia’s army said today on its Twitter account. The encounter took place near Latvia’s territorial waters, it said. Ukraine’s military said Russia’s airforce had put some of its units on high alert.

Korea offers to buy defence hardware

11/07/2014

Korea has urged Bangladesh to purchase training and combat aircraft and high-tech defence hardware from the country. Korean First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Cho Taeyong made the call at the second Bangladesh-South Korea Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Seoul on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque led the Bangladesh delegation at the FOC.

Ministers may look to shoot down F-35 jet deal

11/07/2014

Israeli ministers are lining up against the purchase of a second squadron of advanced F-35 stealth fighters from the United States, saying the $3 billion needed for the deal could be put to better use. Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz told a government meeting Wednesday that the money for the highly-touted deal should instead be spent developing Israel’s drone force and buying more relatively inexpensive rockets that can be launched from the air, sea, or land, Israeli daily Haaretz repo

General to ISIS: We can hear you

11/07/2014

The top U.S. military commander in the fight against ISIS said airstrikes are working to erode the terror group's capabilities and warned militants that the U.S. military is listening to them. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who heads the U.S. Central Command, made those remarks at an event Thursday with the Atlantic Council, which was moderated by CNN anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper.

Raytheon begins DARPA CAS programme tests, plans live fire

11/07/2014

Raytheon has begun flight tests of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA's) Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) programme, the company announced on 5 November. Raytheon plans to conduct live-fire test flights "early next year", company spokesman John Patterson told IHS Jane's on 6 November. Raytheon is the systems integrator for PCAS and is working under a USD25.5 million contract for the programme's third phase, according to a company statement.

UK Voyager refuels US Navy fighters for first time

11/07/2014

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) recently refuelled US Navy (USN) combat aircraft for the first time using its Airbus Defence and Space (DS) Voyager KC.3 tanker-transport aircraft, it was announced on 6 November. The tanking, which was carried out under the terms of a special operational clearance, saw the Voyager pass fuel to USN Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler combat aircraft on 18 October in support of operations over Iraq.

Air Force F-16 fighter jet missing off Florida Gulf Coast

11/07/2014

The Coast Guard and Air Force were searching the Gulf of Mexico off Panama City, Fla., on Thursday afternoon for an F-16 Falcon fighter jet that presumably crashed. The jet was assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluations Group at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, the Air Force said. The Air Force said it lost contact with the pilot about 9:15 a.m. Only one person was on board, the Coast Guard said.

U.S. opens channels with Iran over ISIS

11/07/2014

President Barack Obama's administration is trying to open channels of communication with Iran regarding the war on ISIS. Amid revelations that Obama sent a letter to Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month pointing out the countries' shared interest in beating ISIS, a senior U.S. official and a Western diplomat tell CNN that Washington has gone through the Iraqis to communicate with Iran.

US Strikes in Syria Directed Against Khorasan Extremists, Not Al-Nusra: Central Command

11/07/2014

The recent US airstrikes launched in northwestern Syria were not targeted against the al-Qaeda affiliated Jabhat Al-Nusra terrorist group, Gen. Lloyd Austin from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said. "We [CENTCOM] did conduct a number of strikes and the strikes were focused on the Khorasan [extremist] group," Gen. Austin said Thursday at an Atlantic Council event.

US Pilot: Thanks To Espionage, Chinese Stealth Fighters Could Match The F-35

11/06/2014

China is set to debut its new Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter at the Zhuihai international airshow next week. Although the fighter's exact specifications are unknown, it could be a match for the F-22 and the F-35, Dave Majumdar writes for USNI News citing several US military officials and pilots. This sense of the capabilities of the J-31 are largely based on the successes China has had in industrial espionage against US targets.