Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

U.S. Now Using Apache Helicopters to Attack ISIS in Iraq

10/06/2014

The U.S. has begun using Apache AH-64 attack helicopters to strike at ISIS targets inside Iraq, the first time the aircraft have been used for offensive strikes since arriving in Baghdad in early July. Their use opens up a new capability in the airstrike campaign against ISIS in Iraq, but one that also comes with risks, as they could be vulnerable to ground fire.

China flexing muscle more after launching first aircraft carrier: US Pacific Air Forces head

10/06/2014

Since commissioning its first aircraft carrier, China's navy has conducted more exercises farther away from its shores and flexing its muscle by closely patrolling areas in disputed waters where Chinese companies are drilling for oil, a top US Air Force commander has said. Air Force General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, the head of US Pacific Air Forces, said China's naval and air forces in particular are "very much continuing to push" and becoming more active in international waters and airspace in

Syria-Iraq mission can benefit from the lessons of Afghanistan

10/05/2014

AUSTRALIANS go to war this week, almost 13 years to the day since the war in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001. If those years teach us anything, it’s that war is chaotic, its consequences profoundly destabilising and its outcomes impossible to predict.

Chinese incursions during President Xi Jinping's visits were mysterious, says IAF chief Arup Raha

10/05/2014

The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on Saturday it was "mysterious" how incursions by Chinese troops into Indian territory took place during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. "It is always mysterious... the way incursions get timed with visits," Air Chief Marshal Raha said, responding to a question in the recent incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh area of jammu and Kashmir.

China Touts Anti-stealth Radar

10/05/2014

America’s most advanced stealth fighter poses a great risk to China’s air defense network — and the military is going to great lengths to learn how to shoot one down. China claims it has a new passive detection “radar” capable of identifying stealth aircraft, including the more advanced F-22 Raptor fighter based at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.

China, Russia flex muscles in increasing number of close calls with U.S. aircraft

10/05/2014

A recent spate of dangerous midair encounters between American military aircraft and Chinese and Russian planes in the Pacific is the result of increasingly assertive strategies by both U.S. adversaries to project power far beyond their borders, according to the top U.S. Air Force commander in the region. Air Force Gen. Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, the head of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, said China’s naval and air forces in particular are “very much continuing to push” and becoming more active.

India Offers To Spend $12B To Break Monopoly

10/05/2014

The Indian government, acting on Air Force demands, has offered to spend $12 billion to encourage private firms to establish an aircraft manufacturing facility — a move that would break Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s monopoly on aircraft manufacturing after years of delays on several projects. Specifically, the Indian government has offered an advance order for the homemade light combat aircraft (LCA) Mark-2, a Defence Ministry source said.

Miramar Air Show gives public a look at military aircraft capabilities

10/05/2014

Keith Barton, who came from Ventura County to attend the opening ceremony of the Miramar Air Show, looked at the fighter jets and other military gear and was pleased. "The world can be a very nasty place," said Barton, 47, who runs a medical supply outfit. "It's good to know we have this kind of capability."

Russian Inspectors to Conduct Observation Flight Over Spain

10/05/2014

Russian team of inspectors is planning to conduct an observation flight with Russian An-30B observation aircraft over the territory of Spain, said the head of the Russian National Center for Reducing Nuclear Threat, Sergei Ryzhkov. This will be the 31st Russian observation flight over the territories of the states, parties to the Treaty on Open Skies, in 2014.

Sikorsky S-97 helicopter shoots for speed with unusual design

10/04/2014

First came the superfast X2 helicopter. Now Sikorsky Aircraft has put that experimental technology into a more mature package, the S-97 Raider. Sikorsky hopes that the sleek, speedy design of the S-97, unveiled Thursday, will win the favor of the US Army as a potential replacement for OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter, an airframe whose history dates back to the Vietnam War era, and as an aerial platform for special operations units.

Air Force Rebuts Report Due to Outdated Data

10/04/2014

The Air Force believes a recent Department of Defense Inspector General report that critiqued Air Force MQ-9 procurement plans to buy 401 Reaper aircraft, stating that 46 aircraft may not be needed, is based on data that is out of date. "The data in the report is a year old," said Lt Gen Robert Otto, Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. "The Air Force is only buying 346 aircraft, 55 fewer than the 401 figure contained in the report.

Want to beat Islamic State? Try the Afghan model, circa 2001

10/04/2014

Pesident Obama, who swept to power in 2008 in part on his promise to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq, is clearly a reluctant warrior. His concern about getting involved in "mission creep" in the deserts of Iraq, where nearly 4,500 troops have died, recently led him to make this promise to U.S. soldiers: "I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq."

Nations rally to support U.S. efforts attacking Islamic State

10/04/2014

The U.S.-led coalition attacking Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now boasts dozens of nations although President Barack Obama has yet to secure UN Security Council authorization and the legality of the entire campaign remains murky. In Iraq, the attacks have the legitimacy conferred by being formally at the request of the Baghdad government. In Syria, where a civil war is raging, there’s no request from Bashar al-Assad’s regime – which Mr. Obama still wants toppled – or the UNSC.

A guide to Canada's proposed combat mission in Iraq

10/04/2014

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday announced a combat mission for Canada in Iraq. Here’s what you need to know.

IS Fighters Try to Hide From US Warplanes: Pentagon

10/04/2014

Islamic State (IS) fighters in Iraq and Syria have switched tactics and started concealing their forces in response to a campaign of US-led airstrikes, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said Friday. "Not surprisingly, they have gotten better at concealment. Before the airstrikes ... they pretty much had free reign. They don't have that free rein anymore, because they know we're watching from the air," Rear Adm. Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon.

Any Turkish Action on Syrian Territory to Be Interpreted As Aggression: Foreign Ministry

10/04/2014

Any Turkish action on the territory of Syria will be interpreted as aggression by Damascus, the country's foreign ministry said Friday as quoted by SANA news agency. "Damascus will interpret any action on the part of Turkey on its [Syria's] territory as aggression," the ministry said in a statement.

MANUFACTURING FAULT HALTS PRODUCTION ON COSTLY EUROFIGHTER TYPHOONS

10/03/2014

Britain’s Royal Air Force has detected a defect within the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, causing production in Germany to be put on hold whilst the fault is investigated. Both Germany and Britain have halved the recommended annual flight time for the jets from 3,000 to 1,500 hours annually as a precaution, and Germany is refusing to take possession of any new jets until the problem is solved.

First series production Tejas aircraft completes maiden flight

10/03/2014

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully conducted the maiden test flight of the first series production standard Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) from its facility in Bangalore, India. Piloted by HAL Test Flying Chief Air Commandore (Retd) KA Muthana, the aircraft took off without any telemetry support and landed safely in less than 30 minutes, as reported by Flightglobal. The flight test takes the indigenously built aircraft closer to final clearance and induction into the IAF.

Islamic State steps up attack on Syrian town of Kobane

10/03/2014

A BBC correspondent across the border in Turkey saw explosions and smoke rising from buildings hit by shells. IS has moved to within a few kilometres of the town despite US-led air strikes seeking to halt its two-week offensive. On Thursday, Turkey's prime minister promised it would do whatever it could to prevent the fall of Kobane.

Harper to outline details of combat mission Friday

10/03/2014

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will provide details on Friday of an expanded military contribution to battle militants in northern Iraq. A spokesman for Harper says the prime minister will also talk about ongoing humanitarian support.

The Bleeding Edge Of Combat Software

10/03/2014

The U.S. Air Force and Navy agree on one thing; AI (artificial intelligence) is going to be a major element in future combat aircraft avionics (aircraft electronics). This is in large part due to the fact that AI has been a growing factor in avionics for decades in the form of software controlled landingsystems for commercial aircraft, system monitoring and a growing number of other uses. All this began with the software developed for instrument landings (where the pilot relied on instruments, w

RAF Tornado aircraft in 60 seconds

10/03/2014

David Cameron has announced that II Squadron, comprising 16 Tornados, will no longer be disbanded in March as it will help with air strikes in Iraq. The squadron was due to be broken down in March as Britain withdraws from operations in Afghanistan and replaced by a new squadron of advanced Typhoon fighters.

U.S. Sending A-10 Plane to Combat While Trying to Kill It

10/03/2014

Another batch of Cold War-vintage A-10 “Warthogs” is on its way to Afghanistan, even though the Pentagon says it no longer needs the plane. About a dozen of the snout-nosed “flying guns” will arrive in Afghanistan early this month as part of a six-month deployment for the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard, according to U.S. Central Command.

Russian Mi-17 Helicopter ‘Game Changer’ for Afghan Forces: US General

10/03/2014

Russian Mi-17 helicopter has been a "game changer" in the movement of Afghan forces and supplies in the fight against Taliban insurgents, the United States Army general in charge of American operations and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said.

Islamic State: Turkey MPs back Iraq-Syria deployment

10/02/2014

The resolution - passed with a three-quarters majority - will also permit foreign troops to use Turkish territory for the operation. Turkey has been under pressure to play a more active role in the US-led fight. The government dropped its reluctance to combat IS militants directly after the release of 46 hostages last month. The Turkish citizens had been held by IS in northern Iraq.