Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Turkey Receives Last Upgraded F-16

04/13/2015

The Turkish Air Force received the last of a batch of F-16 fighter jets which underwent a comprehensive upgrade program. Speaking at a ceremony here at the corporate headquarters of Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkey's chief procurement official Ismail Demir said the upgrade program substantially boosted Turkey's air combat power. "We are not dreamers, but we have dreams" Demir said, referring to Turkey's own efforts to design, develop and produce an indigenous fighter jet.

War against ISIS shows limits of drones

04/13/2015

Why not just send in the drones? That seems the easy solution against the Islamic State, which has the capacity to shoot down jet aircraft and is vicious enough to burn captured pilots alive. Yet as of March 31, only a handful of the more than 5,500 airstrikes carried out by the US and allies against ISIS were conducted by remote-control drones. Whatever Hollywood may tell you, the drone revolution is still in its infancy.

Izumo Drives Japanese Naval Buildup

04/13/2015

Last month's commissioning of the Japanese helicopter carrier Izumo spearheads the buildup of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) antisubmarine capabilities, analysts said. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani led the March 25 commissioning of the 248-meter, 24,000-ton helicopter carrier, Japan's largest postwar naval vessel, capable of carrying seven Mitsubishi-built SH-60K antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopters and seven AgustaWestland MCM-101 mine countermeasure helicopters.

Base officials say Aurora crews prepared as anti-ISIL mission extended

04/13/2015

To date approximately 50 people based at 19 Wing Comox have participated in Canada's contribution to the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Middle East, including air crews, maintenance, logistics and support workers.

Sensors and longer range weapons means speed and dogfighting don't matter and the future could be a Thunderbird 2 like modular battleplane

04/13/2015

A 76 page report by the Center for Budgetary and Strategic Assessments Trends in Air-to-air combat : Implications for future air superiority by John Stillion indicates that dogfighting jet capability no longer matters. Trends from the database of air combat since 1965 show the rise of long range missiles and a steep decline in dog-fighting. Of the 33 U.S. kills in the 1991 Persian Gulf war, only four involved any maneuvering at all.

Katie Higgins, first female Blue Angels pilot, takes to the sky in C-130 ‘Fat Albert’

04/13/2015

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Katie Higgins is the first female pilot in the team’s 69-year history. Katie reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in November 2009. She completed primary flight training in the T-6B Texan II at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and completed intermediate and advanced training in the T-44 Pegasus while assigned to Training Squadron 31 (VT-31) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. She received her wings of gold in October 2011.

U.S. military refueling Saudi planes for Yemen airstrikes

04/12/2015

The U.S. military has begun air-refueling operations for the Saudi-led coalition conducting airstrikes in Yemen, the Pentagon said Wednesday, signaling a deepening of American support for the Arab air campaign. The Pentagon also said the United States would expedite delivery of ammunition to the Saudis and other members of the coalition who are bombing targets in Yemen. The expedited ammunition has not been delivered yet but will include bombs and guidance systems.

Israeli Drone Maker Has $6 Billion Backlog and a Red-Hot Stock

04/12/2015

U.S. military spending may be flat, but that’s not proving to be much of a problem for Israeli defense company Elbit Systems Ltd. That’s because the company, while long dependent on the U.S. for much of its sales, has been shifting its focus to faster growing markets in Asia and Latin America. Elbit said last month that demand from those regions helped push up its backlog of orders to $6.3 billion at year-end, an 8 percent jump from 2013.

Russian aces practice advanced aerial combat maneuvers at the sea range of Zolotaya dolina

04/12/2015

Recently Eastern Russian Ministry of Defense fighter and attack aviation pilots of advanced Su-35 fighter aircraft practiced firing “air to air” missiles at special thermal targets meant to simulate the heat signatures of an enemy aircraft. “These are advance dog fighting techniques”, said one Russian pilot who wished not to be identified in this report.

Sitting near a nuclear tripwire, Estonia's president urges Nato to send troops to defend his country

04/12/2015

The most sensitive border in Europe lies 130 miles east of Estonia’s elegant presidential palace. Elsewhere, the threat posed by Russia might seem academic or even alarmist, but for President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the possibility of Estonia becoming the epicentre of the world’s next crisis is very real. As the smallest Baltic state – and the one possessing the longest frontier with Russia – Estonia is arguably the most exposed country in Europe.

Are U.S. Fighter Jets About to Become Obsolete?

04/12/2015

Traditional fighter aircraft like the F-22 are becoming obsolete, according to a forthcoming study by a leading U.S. defense think tank. Next week the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) will publish a new paper entitled “Air-to-Air Combat – Implications for Future Air Superiority.”

From one cockpit, the war to destroy Daesh forces

04/12/2015

The Department of Defense daily releases a list of U.S. and coalition airstrikes conducted in the previous 24 hours against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) forces across war-torn Iraq and Syria. Periodically a news outlet will use the strike data to weigh the effort by the United States and allies in trying to use air power alone, plus training of indigenous forces, to destroy radical Muslims spreading violence and fear.

Airbus to set up final assembly lines for military aircraft, helicopters in India

04/12/2015

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS of Toulouse said it is willing to set-up final assembly lines and establish supply chain and related infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India. The defence and space unit of Airbus has also plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a partner in India, and has advanced discussions to support state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s combat aircraft programmes.

India to Induct French Rafale Fighters to Air Force in Two Years

04/12/2015

India will induct French Rafale fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) within two years, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said Saturday. On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his visit to Paris that India will buy 36 French Rafale jet fighters under “fly-away” condition.

Russian Fighter Jet Nearly Collides with U.S. Spy Jet Over Europe

04/11/2015

A Russia Su-27 jet fighter flew dangerously close and nearly collided with a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft this week in the latest aerial provocation by Moscow, defense officials revealed to the Washington Free Beacon. The Su-27 conducted the close-in intercept of an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, said officials. The incident prompted a diplomatic protest.

India to Buy 36 Rafale Fighter Jets From Dassault Aviation

04/11/2015

India has agreed to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation SA, marking another victory in France’s push to compete with American-made combat planes. The deal, announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Paris on Friday, aims to wrap up more than three years of protracted negotiations between India’s government and Dassault Aviation. French officials said both sides were still negotiating the final details of the acquisition, including the final price.

French Air Force tests terrain-following capability on single-seat Rafale

04/11/2015

The French Air Force and Navy are evaluating a terrain-following capability for single-seat variants of the Rafale multi-role combat aircraft. The new flight control mode has been developed by the air force's military aircraft test center (CEAM) and the navy's naval aviation flight trials detachment (Det CEPA). After integration into the aircraft, the new feature will enable the aircraft to fly at high-speed and low-level over the ground or sea.

AF's unfunded list includes aircraft modernization, more Reapers

04/11/2015

The Air Force has released its full breakdown of unfunded priorities for 2016, with aircraft repairs and modernization making up most of the bill, including even funds for some aircraft the service is attempting to retire. The services on March 27 provided a cost breakdown of programs that didn't make their budget requests, which lawmakers can attempt to include in the defense authorization bill.budget request includes programs deemed more important than those in the unfunded list.

Ospreys Replace Last Marine Squadron of Sea Knight 'Phrogs'

04/11/2015

MV-22 Ospreys replaced the Marines' last squadron of CH-46E helicopters Thursday, officially ending the Sea Knight's 50-year run as the troop and supply transport workhorse of the Corps. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 received the first Sea Knights assigned to the West Coast in early 1965 and introduced the medium-lift helicopter to combat in Vietnam in 1966. Parts of the squadron also flew missions in the evacuation of Saigon, making it the first in and last out of the Southeast Asian co

Beijing, With an Eye on the South China Sea, Adds Patrol Ships

04/11/2015

China is rapidly building coast guard ships, the vessels that China most commonly uses for patrols in the South China Sea, and in the last three years has increased the number of ships in that category 25 percent, a new report by the United States Navy says. China has the world’s largest coast guard fleet, with more such ships than its neighbors Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines combined, the report shows.

Lessons Learned From the Battle of Tikrit

04/11/2015

The retaking of Tikrit from Islamic State elements provided many lessons for Baghdad, especially when it comes to continuing the fight against the militant group. Tikrit was the first battle that brought the full spectrum of anti-Islamic State forces into the same space. In addition to the Sunni tribal elements, Shiite militias and Iranian advisers supporting Iraqi security forces at the behest of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition aircraft carried out precision bombing missions.

Argentine Ambassador Hauled Into Foreign Office To Explain Threats Over Falklands Oil And Gas

04/11/2015

The Argentine ambassador has been hauled into the British Foreign Office to explain a threat by Buenos Aires to prosecute any British company that drills for oil and gas off the Falkland Islands. Bellicose President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner made the threat in a speech to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Falklands conflict, promising legal action against any British company that drilled in the waters surrounding the disputed islands.

Air Force's Secret "Gorgon Stare" Program Leaves Terrorists Nowhere To Hide

04/11/2015

In Greek mythology, Gorgons were creatures whose terrible visages could turn men to stone with a single glance. The Air Force’s Gorgon Stare sensor system can’t do that, but its unrelenting gaze is turning thousands of terrorists into targets who can no longer elude U.S. weapons. The service almost never discloses details about operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere using the drone-mounted system, but insiders say Gorgon Stare has become the number-one reconnaissance asset.

Armchair killers: life as a drone pilot

04/11/2015

Its nickname is Predator Porn, and Paul Rolfe used to watch it 12 hours a day. Sometimes it was horrific, sometimes it was life affirming; mostly it was just dull. But whenever fellow soldiers at his airbase in Nevada wandered past the "live feeds" from his console, he'd notice how their eyes would wander to the screen and have trouble looking away.

US, Russian War Games Rekindle Cold War Tensions

04/10/2015

Russia is so close that the F-16 fighter pilots can see it on the horizon as they swoop down over a training range in Estonia in the biggest ever show of U.S. air power in the Baltic countries. The simulated bombs release smoke on impact, but the M-61 cannon fires live ammunition, rattling the aircraft with a deafening tremor and shattering targets on the ground.