Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US fighter jets strike storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen

03/26/2024

U.S. fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late Friday, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.

NATO fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft five times last week

03/26/2024

NATO fighter jets were deployed five times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft, as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania. From March 18th to 24th, NATO fighter jets performing air policing duties in the Baltic States took off five times to identify and escort Russian Federation (RF) aircraft violating flight rules.

USAF to certify F-117 Nighthawk for KC-46 tanker aerial refueling

03/26/2024

The US Air Force (USAF) is on track to certify the iconic Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk for aerial refueling on its latest tanker, the Boeing KC-46, by the end of March 2024. Despite the F-117 fleet’s retirement from active service, the USAF is moving forward with plans to integrate it into the KC-46’s refueling capabilities.

Japan relaxes defence export rules to allow sales of new fighter jet

03/26/2024

Japan has eased rules on weapons exports to allow sales of a fighter jet it will develop with the UK and Italy to other countries, marking a new milestone in Tokyo’s more proactive defence policy. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet on Tuesday approved the revision to export controls, clearing a hurdle for the Global Combat Air Programme to achieve an ambitious timeline of delivering a highly advanced combat aircraft by 2035.

Poland scrambles fighter jets amid drone, missile attacks on Ukraine

03/25/2024

Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect Polish airspace during Russia's drone and missile attack against Ukraine on March 24, the Polish Air Force's Operational Command reported on X. "All necessary procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of Polish airspace have been activated, and the Operational Command of the Polish Air Force is monitoring the situation continuously," the Polish Air Force wrote on X.

US Air Force B-1B bombers on Barents Sea mission met by Russian fighter jet

03/25/2024

A pair of US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers supported by tanker planes flew over Norway and international airspace in the Norwegian- and Barents Seas in the direction of Russia's Kola Peninsula on Sunday. A MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled from an airbase in the Murmansk region to meet the US bombers, Russia’s Defense Ministry informs in the afternoon on Sunday. According to the ministry, the US bombers approached but turned away from Russian airspace.

South Korea Guts KF-21 Fighter Order By Half

03/24/2024

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced plans to produce 20 KF-21 Boramae fighters this year, a reduction from the initially planned 40 units. This decision, part of a 7.92 trillion won ($5.92 billion) production plan, aims to address concerns from a feasibility study last year. The first batch of KF-21s, intended to become the backbone of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), is expected in the second half of 2026, with aspirations to deploy over 120 by

Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships

03/24/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked 13 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (March 22) and the same time Saturday (March 23). Of the 13 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four entered the southwest sector of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). In response, the MND said it "monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond" by sending aircraft, naval vessels, and deploying missile systems.

Turkish military aircraft conduct training flight in int’l airspace of Mediterranean

03/24/2024

A training flight comprising Turkish combat and support aircraft was conducted in the international airspace of the Mediterranean, Türkiye's National Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "On March 21, 2024, a training flight was carried out in the international airspace of the Mediterranean, in the south of Cyprus Island, with the participation of our combat and support aircraft taking off from various bases affiliated with our Air Forces Command,” the ministry said on X.

Swiss F-5 Fighters Get Second Life with U.S. Marine Corps

03/23/2024

The venerable Northrop F-5, a supersonic light fighter developed during the Cold War, continues to find a place in modern military operations, particularly within the U.S. Marine Corps. Despite the end of its production in 1989, the U.S. military has found the F-5 to be invaluable for training and adversary squadron roles, simulating enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

MiG-31: The Mach 3.2 Fighter Russia Can't Get Rid Of

03/23/2024

The Russians have relied on the MiG-31 during the invasion of Ukraine. Reportedly, MiG-31s shot down several Ukrainian aircraft, mostly with the long-range R-37 air-to-air missile. The Ukrainians do not have an aircraft that can match the MiG-31’s speed or altitude, meaning the MiG-31s have been able to operate in Ukrainian airspace virtually unopposed.

Saab receives order for Swedish future fighter concept studies

03/23/2024

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighters for both crewed and uncrewed systems, with the contract running through to 2025. According to a 22 March release Saab will “collaborate closely” with the FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Research Agency, GKN Aerospace, and other industry partners.

Asia Emerging as Hot Market for Advanced Fighter Jets

03/23/2024

The Indo-Pacific is becoming a global hotspot, and as a result the aerospace industry and countries across the region are investing heavily to upgrade their military aircraft, particularly fighter fleets. In the days leading up to the Singapore Airshow in February, Singapore’s Chief of Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong — who as of press time was set to transition out of the role on March 22 — released a written interview providing an update on the state of the country’s air force.

Congress offers procurement boost for F-35 jets in FY24 spending bill

03/23/2024

The U.S. Air Force would receive enough money to buy 51 F-35A fighter jets in fiscal 2024 under the compromise Pentagon spending bill lawmakers released Thursday — three more than the service originally requested. If enacted, the allotment would mark the most Joint Strike Fighters the Air Force has bought in a single year since 2021, when it procured 60. The service had included 48 F-35As in its fiscal 2024 budget request.

36 Chinese Military Aircraft Detected Around Taiwan

03/22/2024

Taiwan's defence ministry said Friday that 36 Chinese military aircraft were detected around the self-ruled island in a 24-hour window - the highest number this year. Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under China's control. Since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen - who does not recognise China's claim on Taiwan - Beijing has stepped up military pressures.

Argentina Advances Toward Modernizing Its Air Force with F-16 Acquisition

03/22/2024

Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, backed by the Executive Power, is on the cusp of initiating the formal procurement of F-16 MLU fighters to modernize the Argentine Air Force’s capabilities. Local media have confirmed the upcoming visit of Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who is set to meet with Argentine official Luis Petri to discuss defense cooperation, with the F-16 acquisition taking center stage.

Boeing to build 17 new F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighter-bombers, sensors, and avionics in $1.4 billion deal

03/22/2024

Aircraft designers at the Boeing Co. will build 17 new single- and tandem-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighter bombers under terms of a nearly $1.4 billion order announced on Tuesday. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. are asking the Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis to build 10 F/A-18F Lot 46 aircraft; two F/A-18F; and five F/A-18E Lot 47 aircraft.

ANALYSIS: New Spike in NATO Spy Planes Operating Over Black Sea: French, British Fighters Provide Escort

03/22/2024

The skies over the western Black Sea saw another spike in NATO surveillance aircraft activity on Wednesday, with at least three large intelligence collection aircraft operating opposite Russia-controlled airspace, and British and French fighter jets flying protective cover. With one exception, all planes in the all-day operation flew elliptical orbiting routes over Romania’s Danube Delta region or the western reaches of the Black Sea nearby.

Netherlands Pledges $164M in F-16 Ammo for Ukraine

03/22/2024

Ukraine's F-16 fighter jet program is getting another boost from its NATO allies, with the Netherlands pledging to deliver Kyiv with $164 million in ammunition for the aircraft. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday that the funds will go toward producing air-to-ground missiles that can be fired from F-16s.

RD-33: Engines That Power Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder To Be Manufactured In India; HAL Gets MOD Contract

03/21/2024

India has found developing engines to power indigenous fighter jets challenging. However, following an agreement with Russia, it will soon be manufacturing RD-33 engines. The engines will power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-29 fleet, increasing their residual life.

KF-21 Takes Lead Over India’s AMCA, Turkey’s KAAN; S.Korea Conducts 1st Aerial Refueling Test For ‘Boramae’

03/21/2024

Conducted on March 19, this milestone underscores the aircraft’s potential for extended-range operations, as confirmed by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The test, which took place over the southern coastal waters, saw the Air Force’s KC-330 tanker aircraft seamlessly refueling the KF-21 prototype. Departing from an airbase in Sacheon, located 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the fighter engaged in the refueling operation under the careful watch of defense authorities.

The F-15EX Is the U.S. Air Force's 'Stopgap' Fighter Plane

03/21/2024

In response to operational demands and evolving threats, a strike variant emerged, leading to the development of the F-15EX. This modernization effort, bolstered by lessons from export models and advancements in technology, aims to address the shortfall in fighter numbers caused by the limited procurement of the F-22 and delays in the F-35 program.

NGAD 6th Generation Fighter Will Replace F-22 Raptor. It Won't Come Cheap

03/21/2024

The U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, set to usher in sixth-generation air capabilities, is slated to cost approximately $28.5 billion between fiscal years 2025-2029. This ambitious initiative aims to replace the F-22 Raptors, incorporating a new airframe and over 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) to enhance combat efficacy.

Greek fighter jet crashes into sea, pilot rescued

03/21/2024

A Greek Air Force F-16 (Block 52+ variant) fighter jet crashed into a sea off the small island of Psathoura, in the northern Aegean. The pilot managed to escape from the single seater aircraft using the ejection system. He was located and collected by a Super Puma helicopter and is being transferred to hospital.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter to take to the skies over Santiago de Chile during FIDAE 2024

03/19/2024

As the start of the 2024 International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE 2024) in Santiago, Chile draws closer, new details about participants and air displays are emerging. Undoubtedly, one of the main attractions of the fair will be the presence of the F-22 Raptor demonstration team from the United States Air Force (USAF).