Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

IAF fighters makes first staging visit to Kingdom

08/03/2015

A flying contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are on a maiden visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They are in the Kingdom from Aug. 1-4. Indian Embassy Charge d’Affaires Hemant Kotalwar, while addressing a press conference, called the visit significant, and yet another feature that is set to give the Indo-Saudi relations a boost.

What’s the story with the Top Gun sequel?

08/03/2015

It is one of the most famous lines in 1980s movies. “I feel the need...” bellows an impossibly young Tom Cruise as he marches across the runway to a waiting F14-A Tomcat fighter jet, “...the need for speed!” And there have been plenty of Top Gun fans who’ve felt a similar desire to experience the heady rush of combat aircraft roaring across cinema screens one more time.

John Kerry Urges Egypt to Move Forward With Political Reform

08/03/2015

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed Egypt’s leadership to move forward with political reform as part of a strategy to combat religious extremism, citing parliamentary elections this fall as an important test for the Arab country. The Obama administration’s top diplomat stressed in weekend meetings with senior Egyptian officials that the U.S. is committed to supporting President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s fight against extremist groups who have launched attacks across their country.

'Make in India' for 90 medium combat jets

08/03/2015

In another major step towards self reliance in the defence sector, a plan is being finalised to produce 90 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) in India, informed sources said. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be drafted soon after the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) comes in place.

Mi-28 Helicopter Crashes at Air Show, One Pilot Escapes (VIDEO)

08/03/2015

A video reveals a Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopter crash at a competition in central Russia. The commander of the crew was killed in the crash as the second pilot narrowly escaped from the burning fuselage.

First squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters cleared for active combat

08/02/2015

After nearly 15 years of development and a half-dozen years of testing, the first squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters is officially operational. The decision was formally announced by Marine Commandant General Joseph Dunford on Friday, making the Marines the first military branch to declare its version of the aircraft combat-ready.

Military plane crashes in Colombia - 11 dead

08/02/2015

Airbus confirmed the news that a CN235 military transport aircraft crashed in Colombia today claiming the lives of 11 Colombian military personnel. Their transport plane suffered motor failure and crashed in the northern province of Cesar, killing all on board, according to a statement from the Air Force.

North Korea military aircraft may have crashed, says Seoul

08/02/2015

South Korea authorities confirmed a North Korea military aircraft crashed at an airfield in the port city of Wonsan around July 15 and the casualties may have included members of Kim Jong Un's entourage. The site of the accident is most likely the same place where Kim Jong Un attended an air force tournament held in commemoration of North Korea's July 27 "Victory Day," South Korean television network SBS reported.

China's Super Weapons: Beware the J-20 and J-31 Stealth Fighters

08/02/2015

Throughout its history, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has lagged behind the aerial programs of other world powers such as the United States. Now, the PRC has set its sights on producing indigenously designed “fifth generation” fighter jets comparable to the US F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Argentina buying 18 Israeli Kfir Fighter Planes

08/02/2015

The Block 60 is the latest upgraded version of the Kfir, which was used by the Israeli air force between 1975 and 1994. Some aircraft are being offered with General Electric J79 engines with zero hours following a complete overhaul, while other examples would need to have this work performed after their powerplant reaches 1,600 flight hours.

Iraq authorities plead with Kurdish PKK to retreat from ISIS fight amid Turkish air strikes

08/02/2015

TURKEY has killed 260 Kurdish militants in a week-long air offensive on targets in northern Iraq as regional Iraqi authorities said it was time the Kurds withdraw from the front line with ISIS as concerns grow over civilian casualties.

Russian MiG-31s Perform Unique Non-Stop Flight With Three Aerial Refuelings

08/02/2015

Russian MiG-31 interceptor jet pilots performed a unique six-hour non-stop flight with three air refueling operations, head of the press service of the Russian Central Military District, Col. Yaroslav Roshchupkin, said Saturday. "The pilots from the Central Military District devoted the unique flight of MiG-31BM interceptor jets to today's opening of the International Army Games," Roshchupkin said in a statement.

New generation gunship arrives at Hurlburt

07/31/2015

The first Air Force Special Operations Command AC-130J gunship made a historic entrance aboard Hurlburt Field on Wednesday — complete with a flyover and taxi underneath a fire truck water arch. The gunship, a heavily-armed, ground-attack aircraft, is one of the Air Force’s most advanced weapons. It’s known for its ability to shoot a large amount of cannon fire at night, as it’s equipped with smart bombs.

Iraqi helicopter pilots training in Czech Republic

07/31/2015

Thirty-one Iraqi helicopter pilots are being trained in the Czech Republic, the Defense Ministry's spokesman Petr Medek told the Czech News Agency today. Medek said the training of the helicopter pilots is organized by the LOM Praha state firm. The Defense Ministry corrected its original information after Aero Vodochody that will resell 15 L-159 aircraft from the Czech military stock to Iraq dismissed the information about 31 pilots of L-159 planes.

Former Langley Fighter Squadron Reactivated as F-22 Training Partner

07/31/2015

The "Ironmen" will be back flying at Langley Air Force Base next month. The 71st Fighter Squadron will be re-activated under a slightly different name -- the 71st Fighter Training Squadron -- during a ceremony Aug. 21, according to a statement from the base.

Nato fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft

07/31/2015

Fighter jets from Nato’s Baltic air policing mission have scrambled to intercept 22 Russian aircraft in multiple formations over the past week, including two of the largest interceptions over eastern Europe since tensions with Moscow began to rise 18 months ago.

Lockheed Martin Delivers 29th C-5M Super Galaxy

07/31/2015

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered the 29th C-5M Super Galaxy to the U. S. Air Force on July 28. A Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) aircrew ferried the aircraft from the Lockheed Martin facility here to Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, where it will undergo internal paint restoration. Once paint restoration is completed, the aircraft will then be flown to Travis Air Force Base, California, where it will be permanently based. It will be the eleventh Super Galaxy assigned to

Well That’s Embarrassing: Israel May Be Indirectly Giving Weapons to Iran

07/31/2015

Israel has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, citing fears of an attack. But Tel Aviv may be inadvertently supplying Tehran with its own military technology, thanks to a deal between Tehran and the Chinese government.

Serbia to Buy Military Helicopters From Russia, Germany

07/31/2015

Serbia will buy four military helicopters from Russia and Germany in the near future, the country’s Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic said Thursday. "We are approaching the final stage of the purchase of two Russian and two German military helicopters. The first delivery [of the helicopters] is expected soon," Gasic said in an interview with Tanjug news agency.

US to Deliver Eight F-16 Fighter Jets to Egypt as Part of Military Support

07/31/2015

The United States will deliver eight F-16 Block 52 aircraft to Cairo, as a part of its commitment to upgrade Egypt’s military might in light of current terrorist threats, the US Embassy in Cairo said Thursday.

Indian Officer Says India Will Keep Buying Russian Weapons

07/31/2015

India has no intention to stop purchasing Russian arms, an Officer of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army, Lt. Col. Vivek Suryakant Badve, said Thursday. "I would rather disagree," Badve told RIA Novosti, commenting on an opinion voiced by some experts that India will gradually stop buying Russian armament, replacing it with weapons of domestic production and purchasing with other countries.

Marines’ New Stealth Fighter Jets to Be Operational in Days

07/30/2015

The Marines’ long-awaited F-35B Lightning II fighters, stealthy jets that can take off vertically from assault ships, are days away from being operational. The respected magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology said Marine Corps Commandant Joseph Dunford is expected to declare “initial operational capability” by the end of this month. The first operational squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, is based in Yuma.

Nigerian Air Force Closes Boko Haram Fuel Routes

07/30/2015

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that its fighter pilots have blocked and seized fuel route of the deadly Boko Haram sect along the nation’s borderline with Cameroon. Dele Alonge, the spokesperson of NAF, in a statement issued on July 29, Wednesday, said patrols along the Nigeria-Cameroon boundaries “have greatly strained the supply efforts of the BHT (Boko Haram terrorists)”.

RAAF receives new Boeing fighter jet

07/30/2015

The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its first EA-18G Growler, one of twelve it it will acquire under an agreement with the U.S. Navy. Australia is the first country outside the U.S to obtain the fighter jets, which are a derivative of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Boeing, the maker of the EA-18Gs, says they're the only aircraft in production which provide tactical jamming and electronic protection.

Russia To Hold International Air Force Competition 'Aviadarts' Featuring Military Scenarios

07/30/2015

Russia, China and two other nations will participate in an air force competition next month that will include more than 50 aviation crews, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The competition, which will occur as part of a larger Russian-operated international military competition, will unfold amid growing Western concern about Russia’s military activity.