Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RAAF conducts first Iraq combat mission

10/07/2014

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Super Hornets have returned safely to the Australian support base in the United Arab Emirates after missions on Sunday. They joined aircraft from the US, UK, France, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, which have all conducted attacks against Islamic State forces inside Iraq.

IAF Needs to Be Made Fit to Fight

10/07/2014

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha cannot be faulted when he expresses concern over the slow acquisition of aircraft to replace the ageing fleet. While addressing the media a few days before the 82nd anniversary of the IAF, he admitted that the acquisition process was behind schedule. The IAF has already reached a precarious position. It has just enough aircraft to carry on, depriving the IAF personnel scope for better deployment to protect the borders.

DO DRONES HAVE A FUTURE?

10/07/2014

Thirteen years ago today the Predator drone saw its first armed reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. Since then, the U.S. military drone fleet has grown by leaps and bounds. The U.S. Air Force has scores of Predators and Reapers stationed around the globe 24/7, high-altitude drones like Global Hawk patrol the stratosphere, and the U.S. Army and Marine Corps have thousands of small hand-launched unmanned aircraft to support ground troops.

Entire Russian Air Force Participates in Civil Defense Drills: Emergencies Ministry

10/07/2014

October 7 (RIA Novosti) - The entire Russian Air Force is taking part in the All-Russian Civil Defense Drill, Emergencies Ministry spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said Tuesday. "The air forces from Sakhalin to Kaliningrad are practicing emergency response," Drobyshevsky said, specifying that the drill includes aerial engineer, nuclear, chemical and biological reconnaissance.

Where do you stand on autonomous weapons systems?

10/06/2014

The use of remotely operated drones as intelligence assets is a key part of U.S. military strategy in the Middle East, where information is proving to be as important as artillery in deterring the Islamic State. As a combat devise, the drone has been a key feature of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy since he was sworn in.

Five ways the British military has been devastated by spending cuts

10/06/2014

The Government's decision to launch air strikes against Isil in Iraq has prompted a number of senior officers to vent their frustration that the Coalition is happy to commit our Armed Forces to action while at the same time reducing their ability to do so as a result of its dramatic cuts to the defence budget. General Sir David Richards, the recently retired head of our Armed Forces, spoke for many officers who are still serving when he demanded that the Government should urgently review its ap

Civilians may be sent on Canada’s mission against Islamic State

10/06/2014

One of the military planes that will be dispatched on the mission is a Polaris CC-150T refuelling tanker. Its job will be to keep the six CF-18 fighter jets supplied with fuel as they strike targets. The government says the CC-150T is maintained by private contractors. L-3 MAS Communications and partner firm Avianor Inc. are responsible for providing complete in-service support for the refuelling plane and the rest of the Department of National Defence’s fleet of CC-150 Polaris Airbuses.

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.