Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Philippines to station fighter planes, frigates at Subic Bay

07/18/2015

The Philippines will station new fighter jets and two frigates at the former US naval facility in Subic Bay from early next year, officials said, the first time the massive installation has functioned as a military base in 23 years. Using Subic Bay would allow the Philippine air force and navy to respond more effectively to Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, security experts said.

SECRET SORTIES: UK AIRCRAFT IN ACTION OVER SYRIA DESPITE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE AGAINST INTERVENTION

07/18/2015

British pilots have been taking part in coalition bombing raids against the Islamic State in Syria, a freedom of information request has revealed. Flight by British pilot officers across war-zone Syria in apparent defiance of a 2013 commons vote to not commit UK forces to the country has caused consternation today, with members of parliament and human rights activists questioning the activity.

How We Know Russia Shot Down MH17

07/18/2015

One year after 298 civilians fell to earth over eastern Ukraine, Putin’s regime is still denying culpability. Here’s definitive evidence to the contrary. It’s been a year since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot out of the sky, killing all 298 civilians onboard.

Squadron re-activated at Hill Air Force Base to fly F-35A

07/18/2015

Five years ago, the 34th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force was taken out of active duty to save money. Friday, it was put back into action at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, getting combat-ready to fly the Air Forces’ newest fighter jet: the F-35A. “It’s like flying the future. The growth potential in this airplane is amazing,” said Col. David Lyons. He handed off command of the 34th at the re-activation ceremony on the base.

Engineers complete ground tests of Storm Shadow on Euroflighter Typhoon military jet

07/18/2015

Engineers at Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi in Turin-Caselle, Italy, and at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, completed a series of ground-based tests of the Eurofighter Typhoon with MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, in preparation for flight trials to take place in the U.K. later this year.

Boeing to Recognize Charge for the KC-46 Tanker Program in Second Quarter

07/18/2015

The Boeing Company announced today it will recognize a charge on the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker program when it announces second-quarter 2015 results on July 22. The after-tax charge of $536 million ($0.77 per share) reflects higher estimated engineering and manufacturing costs to complete development, certification and initial production of the tanker aircraft, while holding to the program schedule for initial production deliveries in 2017.

Eurofighter Completes Flight Trials on New Typhoon Enhancements

07/18/2015

In an effort to keep the 25-year-old Eurofighter Typhoon competitive against the Russian Su-35, Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has finished flight tests of the jet’s improved maneuverability.

Yemen Government Forces Claim to Have Captured Aden

07/18/2015

Members of Yemen’s exiled government say Saudi-backed fighters have recaptured the strategic port city of Aden from Houthi rebels on Friday, marking a significant shift in an intense conflict that has torn the country apart. But Houthi leaders are contesting the claim, saying the fight is still on.

L-3 to deliver Rivet Joint aircraft to UKL-3 to deliver Rivet Joint aircraft to UK

07/17/2015

It was expected that the second aircraft will be available for deployment within eight weeks of delivery, the MoD spokesman said. "We can confirm we are committed to delivering the maximum output in support of UK interests as quickly as is practical," the spokesman said.

Australians provide Soldiers 'danger close' air support

07/17/2015

The Army relies on its partners to win in an increasingly complex world. Such was the case demonstrated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 15 in Australia, which is going on from July 4 -19. Lt. Col. Matt Hardman and his 400 paratroopers, from the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, had just jumped from seven C-17 Globemasters, two of which were Royal Australian Air Force, or RAAF.

Primes Line Up to Compete for JSTARS Recap Program

07/17/2015

The next version of the Air Force’s joint surveillance and attack radar aircraft will have a smaller airframe, along with updated radar, communications and battle management suites. But JSTARS is a recapitalization program, not something new, Col. David Learned, the program’s senior material leader said.

RAF Bombs Diverted to Saudis for Yemen Strikes

07/17/2015

Britain is transferring Paveway IV precision guided bombs originally earmarked for the Royal Air Force to Saudi Arabia to enable the Gulf state to build stocks of the weapon being used against targets in Yemen and Syria, sources here said. The Ministry of Defence has swapped delivery positions on the production line at Raytheon UK to ensure the Saudi Royal Air Force has weapon stocks to continue strike missions with the highly accurate 500-pound bomb.

Russian Air Force Receives New Su-34 Bombers, Su-35S Fighters As Military Expansion Continues

07/17/2015

The Russian Air Force received new orders of upgraded Su-34 bombers and Su-35S fighters on Thursday, state-owned manufacturer Sukhoi confirmed Thursday. The aircraft shipments were a direct result of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to overhaul the Russian military by the end of the decade.

India to build next aircraft carrier with US technology

07/17/2015

India and the US have worked out the terms of reference for building the next Indian aircraft carrier with US technology. This has been pushed through after the visit of US defence secretary Ash Carter. As both countries prepare for a September round of strategic dialogue in Washington DC, India is preparing to send a team to speed up talks on the aircraft carrier and the Light Combat Aircraft jet engine, which is also slated to be built with US assistance.

Software flaws on Marine F-35 won’t bar combat, Pentagon says

07/17/2015

Five years after the first F-35s were supposed to be declared combat-ready, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer says the fighter jet’s operating software is ready to go “with some minor workarounds” that need to be remedied later.

Japanese Fighter Jet Scrambles Down, Amid Tokyo’s Militarization Push

07/17/2015

Scrambles against Russian aircraft fell 76% to 57 times, Reuters reported. The sharp slide in this year’s quarterly decline, however, does not necessarily signal a slowdown in Russian military activities in the region, according to a Defense Ministry official.

Turkey Confirms Greek Jets Chased Turkish Fighters Over Aegean Sea

07/17/2015

Earlier in the day, several news outlets reported that Greece had scrambled fighter jets after Turkish aircraft had trespassed into Greek airspace. Turkey does not recognize a 10-mile zone of Greek airspace surrounding islands in the Aegean Sea that are the reason of numerous such incidents between Turkish and Greek warplanes in the sky over the sea.

Bribery suspected in plane sale to Iraq

07/16/2015

The Czech Defense Ministry is to gain 780 million Kc for the sale of 15 L-159 military aircraft to Iraq, but the deal, which was struck some time ago, seems to be endangered once again over what some Iraqi sources call suspected corruption, daily Lidové noviny (LN) writes today.

Eurofighter: Typhoon To Be More Agile, Deadly

07/16/2015

Flight tests of a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter sporting several aerodynamic modifications have greatly improved the aircraft's agility and weapons-carrying capabilities, Airbus Defence and Space said Wednesday. The addition of fuselage strakes and leading-edge root extensions and other more minor changes to an Airbus test aircraft resulted in improved lift, angle of attack and roll rate capabilities compared with the standard aircraft, the Eurofighter consortium member said in a statement.

Exercise 'Indradhanush': IAF Contingent Leaves for UK

07/16/2015

A 190-member Indian Air Force contingent, backed by Su-30 fighters, IL-78 tankers, C-17 strategic and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft, left for the UK today to take part in the fourth edition of ten-day long bilateral exercise 'Indradhanush'.

Boeing Alliance Wins U.S. Navy Contract for V-22 Ospreys

07/16/2015

This marks the first sale of the V-22 aircraft through the U.S. government's FMS program. Contract work is expected to be completed in Jun 2018. V-22 Osprey will be used in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force. It will help to provide relief efforts during natural disasters. Osprey's capabilities include troop transport, disaster relief, personnel recovery, medical evacuation, logistics support and executive transport.

Philippines reopens Subic Bay as military base to cover South China Sea

07/16/2015

The Philippines will station new fighter jets and two frigates as it reopens the former US naval base in Subic Bay to military use in a further response to Chinese expansionism in the disputed South China Sea.

U.K. Defense Chief Sees Air Force Combat Jet Fleet Stretched

07/16/2015

Britain’s top military officer said Wednesday the country’s fleet of combat jets is stretched to the limit and could struggle to take on additional roles in fighting Islamist extremists in the Middle East without scaling back elsewhere.

Missiles Fall Off RAF Combat Plane As It Lands

07/16/2015

The Brimstone ground attack weapons did not explode and no one was injured in the incident at RAF Akrotiri, a spokesman said. The base has been used in airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq. But the spokesman would not be drawn on whether the aircraft was returning from a combat mission against the terror group, also known as ISIS and ISIL.

Pentagon Trying to Entice Drone Pilots With Cash Bonuses

07/16/2015

In an attempt to address the "critical shortage of remotely piloted aircraft pilots," the United States Air Force has just announced an increase of retention bonuses for drone pilots, one that will likely make flying unmanned aircrafts much more appealing.