Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Europe's 4 Deadliest Military Powers

02/10/2015

Throughout modern history, Europe has fielded some of the world’s most capable military forces. While many of those powers are nowhere near their zenith, they still field some of the most technologically advanced forces anywhere on Earth.European nations used to dominate the planet. But after two destructive world wars, most of countries couldn’t keep up with the United States and the Soviet Union, which emerged as superpowers after the Second World War.

What’s the Status of the Indian-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Jet?

02/10/2015

India and Russia agreed in early 2007 to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter program. Ever since then, the Sukhol/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) or as it is called in India, the Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) project, has been plagued by delays, costs overrun, and unsteady technology In 2014, a prototype of the plane even caught fire during a demonstration flight for technical evaluation, causing heated arguments between India and Russia.

India keen to get 'transformative’ military technology from the US

02/10/2015

India on Monday said it wants to acquire "unique and transformative" military technologies from the US under the new bilateral Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), even as the two countries prepare for the next round of talks on the matter later this month.

Iran Unveils Fighter Trainer

02/10/2015

Iran has launched indigenously-built combat fighter, Saeqeh 2 (Thunderbolt 2), on Monday for training purposes. "The double-cockpit supersonic fighter jet which has been designed and built by the defense ministry's aerospace industries organization in cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Air Force will do close-range cover and backup in tactical missions as well as advanced pilot training missions."

Army Awards Lockheed Martin $82 Million Sustainment Contract for Apache Targeting/Night Vision System

02/10/2015

Lockheed Martin received an $82 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract in December from the U.S. Army for AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system sustainment.

New search-and-rescue aircraft on the horizon after a decade-long delay

02/09/2015

After a delay of more than 10 years, the Canadian Armed Forces hope to proceed sometime in the spring with the purchase of a new search-and-rescue aircraft fleet. Treasury Board is scheduled to review on Feb. 19 the request to send the bidding package to aerospace firms for the $3.1-billion program.

Air Force details proposed aircraft cuts state by state

02/09/2015

The Air Force's fiscal 2016 budget proposal, like the previous budget, calls for eliminating A-10 units across the service while giving new missions to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units. The service on Friday released details on how those and other changes would affect bases stateside and overseas.

Air Force General’s Treason Coments Spark Investigation

02/09/2015

A two-star general last month reportedly accused Air Force pilots who tell Congress about successes of the four-decade-old Warthog of committing “treason,” drawing the wrath of senators, defense policy critics and bloggers. The Air Force inspector general’s office has confirmed that an investigation was launched on Jan. 22.

UAE back in the fight against ISIS after Pentagon boosts Iraq capabilities

02/09/2015

In the wake of the brutal execution of a Jordanian pilot who was captured after his plane was forced down over Syria, the resolve of the Arab members of the anti-ISIS coalition seemed to be faltering. The New York Times reported last week that the United Arab Emirates, a resurgent Middle Eastern power and a key regional partner for the United States, suspended strikes against ISIS indefinitely in the wake of the capture of a Jordanian fighter pilot.

Investigators: Human error caused Idaho Guard helo crash

02/09/2015

Military investigators say human error caused an Idaho Army National Guard helicopter to crash during a training mission in November near the Boise airport, leading to the death of two pilots on board. Right before the crash, the pilots were practicing a routine emergency procedure: flying their Apache attack helicopter to safety on a single working engine, Col. Tim Marsano, a Guard spokesman, said in a statement.

India conducts maiden flight of naval prototype 2 of light combat aircraft

02/09/2015

The maiden flight of India's light combat aircraft (LCA) (Navy) Naval Prototype (NP2) was conducted from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore airport yesterday afternoon. The aircraft, part of Indian Naval Aviation Carrier borne aircraft development programme, took off at 1227 hours yesterday and flew for 35 minutes, an official press release said. The flight was piloted by Captain Shivnath Dahiya, an experienced test pilot from the Indian Navy with the National Flight Test Centre (N

DoD: F-22s escorted Jordanian fighters for airstrikes in Syria

02/08/2015

U.S. Air Force F-22s and F-16CJs escorted Jordanian fighters for recent airstrikes in Syria, the Pentagon said Friday. The American stealth jets are now part of the "standard strike package" used by U.S. and coalition aircraft in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said.

Ground Collision Avoidance System ‘Saves’ First F-16 In Syria

02/07/2015

A U.S. Air Force F-16C believed to be taking part in combat operations against Islamic State (ISIS) forces in Syria has become the first to be officially ‘saved’ from certain impact with the ground by the recently fielded Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

US, South Korea Strengthen Bonds at Exercise Buddy Wing

02/07/2015

Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing sharpened combat skills and gained insight from their South Korean air force counterparts during exercise Buddy Wing 15-2 Feb. 3-6, at Daegu Air Base, South Korea. During this iteration of Buddy Wing, 8th FW Airmen deployed to Daegu to train alongside Airmen of the 11th FW, learning how to operate as one force with dissimilar fighter aircraft as they integrated mission planning, briefing, flying and debriefing together.

New search-and-rescue teams moving into Iraq

02/07/2015

The U.S. military is moving additional troops and aircraft into Iraq to prepare for combat search-and-rescue missions, a defense official said Friday. The move comes amid heightened concern about the risks to U.S. and coalition partner pilots flying over Iraq and Syria. Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said some aircraft were recently deployed into northern Iraq as a precaution.

In a first, PM Narendra Modi may fly fighter jet Rafale

02/07/2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be the first Indian Prime Minister to fly in a fighter jet. Hectic talks are under way between the ministry of defence, the Prime Minister’s Office and makers of French Dassault Rafale, which is the major contender for the long awaited Multi Medium Role Combat Aircraft deal worth over Rs 82,000 crore.

Boeing to continue support for US military aircraft

02/07/2015

Boeing has received a contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to continue the provision of support services for US military aircraft. Valued at $223m, the performance-based agreement is the second of two received by the company under a five-year deal agreed in September 2014, and covers support for 11 different aircraft, reducing combat logistics support costs and boosting readiness.

CENTCOM Reports US-Led Coalition Destroys ISIL Positions in Syria, Iraq

02/07/2015

The United States-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) conducted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, resulting in destruction of units, a dozen vehicles and several staging locations, the US Central Command said in a statement on Thursday.

Latvian Army Claims NATO Jets Scrambled to Intercept Russian Plane

02/07/2015

The Latvian Army reported Friday that NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft over the Baltic Sea. NATO Baltic Air Policing QRA ITA Typhoon jets on 6 FEB scrambled to intercept RU Armed Forces Il-38 over the Baltic Sea," the Latvian Army tweeted.

A Field Guide to Jordan's Battle Against ISIS

02/06/2015

There are few nations in the Middle East, perhaps aside from Morocco (a bit of prejudice here), that is as blessed with such decent people and respected leadership as Jordan. It is a vulnerable, but stable desert kingdom constantly defying the forces arrayed against it. Jordan's boundless generosity has provided a safe haven for the human tide of refugees that have been thrust upon it from war-ravaged Syria and Iraq.

Kazakhstan to acquire Su-30SM fighters

02/06/2015

Kazakhstan is to acquire the Sukhoi Su-30SM 'Flanker' as it looks to recapitalise its Soviet-era fighter force, the government announced on 4 February. The disclosure was made by the Commander in Chief of the Kazakhstan Air Defence Forces (KADF), Major General Nurlan Ormanbetov, during a visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant where the Su-30SM is built.

Here’s What You’ll Find on the Fighter Jet of 2030

02/06/2015

On Monday, President Barack Obama’s budget request for the Pentagon featured more than $5 million dollars for an item tagged “Next Generation Fighter.” If you haven’t heard of it, it’s the plane of the future meant to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler aircraft by 2030. Much like the future itself, it’s been a source of much speculation but exists only as an idea.

Greek, US training reaffirms rock-solid friendship

02/06/2015

With the White Mountains of Crete as their backdrop, U.S. and Hellenic air forces F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft soared to great heights and speeds as part of a continuing flying training deployment (FTD) Jan. 16 through Feb. 13 at Souda Bay, Greece.

US moves pilot rescue aircraft closer to Syria battlefield

02/06/2015

The gruesome killing of a Jordanian pilot who had crashed in Islamic State territory laid bare a problem of the U.S.-led coalition: There's no sure way to rescue an airman who's down behind enemy lines. Now, in response, the U.S. has moved search-and-rescue aircraft closer to the battlefield, defense officials said Thursday.

Pilots weigh in on UAE suspending airstrikes against IS

02/05/2015

The fight against the Islamic State group is down one key ally for now: the United Arab Emirates. Officials said Tuesday that the UAE suspended its airstrike efforts in December after Jordanian fighter pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh was captured by IS militants, according to the New York Times.