Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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).

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft and personnel conduct first U.S. F-35 landing in Sweden during Exercise Nordic Response 24

03/19/2024

Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), and a KC 130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd MAW, conducted distributed aviation operations (DAO) during Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Kallax Air Base in Lulea, Sweden on March 13.

UK Boosts Air Power with Additional F-35 Lightning II Fighters

03/19/2024

Originally committed to acquiring 138 F-35Bs, the UK has adjusted its procurement strategy to balance between immediate next-generation air capabilities and future investments, such as the Global Air Combat Programme (GACP) aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter. Despite scaling back, the intention to acquire more F-35s remains firm, highlighting the aircraft's integral role in the UK's defense strategy.

Japan set to lift export restrictions on F-X fighter jet

03/19/2024

The Japanese government is taking steps to allow the export of a stealth fighter jet currently under development with the United Kingdom and Italy. The move comes amid a shift in Japan’s security strategy and as the country loosens stringent post-war export regulations targeting weaponry. Under revised rules, Japan had approved the transfer of radars to the Philippines and the delivery of Patriot missiles to the U.S. last year.

The J-35 stealth fighter soon on board all Chinese aircraft carriers?

03/18/2024

New photos from the aircraft carrier Liaoning seem to show a completely different reality. As it ends a long period of technical unavailability, the first Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which entered service in 2017 and lacks catapults, welcomed on board, for a few days, a life-size model of the J- 35, to perform numerous mobility exercises on the flight deck.

Swedish Gripen conduct first visual identifications over Baltic Sea as NATO member, together with Belgian and German allies

03/17/2024

Following Sweden’s recent NATO membership, its air force engaged in multiple encounters with Russian planes over the Baltic Sea. The incidents involved Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighters working in coordination with NATO allies, intercepting Russian military aircraft.

Boeing's F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Fighter Is Almost Unstoppable

03/17/2024

Since its introduction in 1984, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet has been a cornerstone of U.S. naval aviation. In 2001, Boeing unveiled the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in this fourth-generation strike fighter's capabilities. The Super Hornet, approximately 20% larger than its predecessor, boasts enhanced ordnance capacity, range, and stealth qualities. The Navy is now transitioning to the even more advanced Block III Super Hornets, which.

USAF Plans $28.48 Billion over 5 Years to Develop New Advanced Fighters, Drone Escorts

03/17/2024

The Air Force plans to dramatically ramp up spending on the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter program in the coming years, to the tune of $28.48 billion fiscal 2025-29, according to newly released budget documents. That figure includes the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which will produce uncrewed, semi-autonomous “escort” aircraft to fly alongside NGAD.

Su-34: Russia's 'Fullback' Fighter-Bomber Nightmare Has Just Begun

03/16/2024

Russia's inability to secure air superiority over Ukraine has significantly hindered its military operations, with the airspace remaining contested. The Ukrainian anti-air forces have notably targeted the Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers, claiming to have downed 13 Russian aircraft in February alone, including ten Su-34s.

After Months of Talks, Japan’s Ruling Coalition Agrees to Allow the Sale of Its Next-Gen Fighter Jets

03/16/2024

On March 15, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, Komeito, agreed to relax the country’s strict defense export rules, paving the way for Tokyo to allow the international sale of the next-generation fighter jets being co-developed with the United Kingdom and Italy.

Sweden Scrambles to Intercept Russian Aircraft Within Hours of NATO Flag Raising

03/15/2024

Swedish JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft were scrambled alongside Belgian and German aircraft to investigate an unidentified track over the Baltic Sea emanating from Kaliningrad.

Uncertainty looms over delivery of Danish F-35 fighter jets

03/15/2024

The timeline for the delivery of the next batch of Danish Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets remains unclear, prompting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen to urge the Armed Forces to explore contingency plans in case of potential delays. “Today, I informed the conciliation circle that there is still uncertainty about the delivery of the next F-35 fighter jets,” Poulsen said in a statement.

Taiwan detects 26 Chinese military aircraft flying around Taiwan Strait?

03/15/2024

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense reported on March 14, 2024, that it had detected 26 aircraft belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operating around Taiwan. Out of these sorties, 18 crossed the central line of the Taiwan Strait and extended into the island country’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).

Taiwan tracks 26 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships around nation

03/14/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 26 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 13) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (March 14). Of the 26 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. Meanwhile, 10 were tracked in the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), three in the northeast ADIZ, and one along the southern ADIZ.

‘Dangerously Close’ – Chinese Warplanes Flying Near US Airspace Worries NORAD Boss; Says Could Breach US ADIZ

03/14/2024

Highlighting a significant concern for US national security, Air Force General Gregory M. Guillot, the newly-appointed head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command, has issued a stark warning to lawmakers: Chinese military aircraft could operate dangerously close to US airspace as early as this year.

HUR Confirms Massive Drone Attack Damaged A-50U Aircraft at Taganrog Aviation Plant

03/14/2024

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) sources have confirmed to Kyiv Post that Ukrainian drones that attacked a Russian aviation plant in Taganrog, Russia, on the night of March 9 succeeded in damaging at least one Beriev A-50U AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft. At the time, Russia claimed it had prevented a massive drone attack on the city of Taganrog, in the Rostov region.

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships around nation

03/14/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 10 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (March 12) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 13). Of the 10 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Meanwhile, one Chinese drone flew along the southern ADIZ.

US Ally Fighter Planes Intercept Chinese Nuclear Bombers

03/14/2024

Two Chinese strategic bombers and a maritime surveillance plane were intercepted by Japanese fighter aircraft above contested waters on Tuesday during a long-range patrol, Japan's Defense Ministry said. The pair of nuclear-capable H-6 bombers were without fighter escorts as they flew a return sortie from the East China Sea into the Western Pacific via the Miyako Strait, according a map released by the Joint Staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

India approves full development of fifth-generation fighter

03/14/2024

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has given a green light to continue development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. are leading this development effort. The committee early this month granted the project 150 trillion rupees (U.S. $1.8 billion) to fund the twin-engine AMCA’s full-scale design and development, flight testing and certification.

What It Takes to Fly the F-16: Challenges for Ukraine

03/13/2024

Ukraine is set to receive U.S.-made F-16 fighter aircraft within months, an upgrade that Kyiv and its Western allies hope will help level the playing field with Russia’s formidable air force. But the F-16s will only have a meaningful impact on the war in Ukraine if Kyiv and its partners can build and maintain the extensive support and logistics infrastructure necessary to keep these world-class warplanes in the air.

US says F-35 fighter jet program achieves full-rate production

03/13/2024

The F-35 fighter jet program achieved full-rate production after the successful completion of a crucial series of tests last year, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) said on Tuesday. Full-rate production, known as Milestone C, in the advanced fighter jet program signifies the completion of operational testing, allowing the Pentagon's acquisition chief to approve "full rate" production.

KAI to develop single-seat version of FA-50

03/13/2024

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) plans to capture over 50% of the global single-seat light fighter market by developing a single-seat version of its FA-50 light combat aircraft. The recent sales of FA-50s to Poland and Malaysia have prompted the revival of earlier plans for a single-seat version. These plans were initially abandoned in favor of the KF-21 development.

Suspect list grows in KF-21 fighter jet technology leak

03/12/2024

Police are expanding their investigation into the potential leak of Korean fighter jet technology by an Indonesian engineer as the list of suspects grows. During the police’s investigation into the Indonesian engineer first referred to the police in February, authorities found evidence that another suspect was involved in the alleged theft of technology regarding the KF-21 fighter jet, according to an exclusive report by the JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Desert fighters: Gulf air forces consolidate their combat capability

03/12/2024

While some Gulf states – effectively Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – have made significant moves in recent years to indigenise defence production, in the aerospace sector these efforts have largely focused on the development of home-grown unmanned aerial vehicles and air-launched weapons.