Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Spanish pilot killed in Eurofighter crash

06/10/2014

The pilot of a Spanish air force Eurofighter was killed when his combat aircraft crashed at Morón air base near Seville on 9 June. Spain’s defence ministry named the deceased pilot as 30 year-old Capt Fernando Lluna Carrascosa, who it said had accumulated more than 600 flight hours’ experience on the Eurofighter. The cause of the accident – which happened as the aircraft was approaching the base to land – has not yet been determined, it says.

The Jaguar Revival

06/10/2014

Since 2001 India has been working on upgrading its Jaguar ground attack aircraft. India originally acquired Jaguars from Britain in the 1980s. The 11 ton Jaguar is a single seat jet armed with two 30mm cannon and up to 4.5 tons of bombs and missiles. While capable of supersonic speed (1,500 kilometers an hour) most of the time it moves at a little over half that speed.

RPA community launches 65th combat air patrol

06/10/2014

The Remotely Piloted Aircraft enterprise reached new heights as the community pulled together to launch the 65th combat air patrol, or CAP, here on May 28. Reaching 65 patrols by fiscal year 2013 was an initiative put in place by then former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Dec. 23, 2009. The constant growth of patrols, from 33 in 2008 to 65 in 2014, is just one example of the untapped capabilities of the RPA platform and provides insight into where the future of the program can go.

Ace Combat Infinity PS3 review

06/10/2014

The free to play market has always been filled with games like Farmville, Candy Crush, and the rest of the annoying games that most people play on Facebook. In the recent years console game makers have realized that some of their titles actually work with this model in mind. That includes the recently released Ace Combat: Infinity for the Playstation 3.

F-35 jets too risky for military, report contends

06/10/2014

A new report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives argues that the controversial F-35 fighter jets, which would replace the air force’s aging CF-18 fleet, are too dangerous to be used by the Canadian military. The report, titled “One Dead Pilot,” was released on Monday. It suggests that the single-engine F-35 poses too many risks, and could fail over the ocean or the remote Arctic.

Eurofighter Studying Missiles To Give Typhoon Maritime Attack Capability

06/10/2014

Eurofighter is looking at giving the Typhoon a maritime attack capability and is investigating at least three missiles to meet potential requirements for export, according to the executive leading Airbus Defence and Space combat aircraft sales effort. At least two of Typhoon’s current export targets are requesting a maritime attack capability.

F-35 JSF fighter flies in formation with Royal Air Force’s Typhoon

06/10/2014

A Lockheed Martin-built F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) aircraft has successfully flown in formation with two UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons over the ranges at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, US. The flight represents the first time that the two multi-role combat aircraft have flown together, and was carried out as part of the F-35's interoperability testing.

Opinion: The A-10 needs to go

06/10/2014

The Air Force is correct in trying to kill the A-10 fleet. It is an archaic vestige reflecting a technology, and a style of warfare, that is outdated by a generation. The aircraft fulfilled the purpose for which it was procured: killing the Army’s AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter program. As a secondary purpose, it has served reasonably well as an interdiction, combat-search-and-rescue, escort and close-air support platform.

Russia’s MiG aircraft maker posts record earnings for 2013

06/10/2014

Russia’s MiG Aircraft Corporation, the producer of MiG fighter jets, said on Monday its sales had jumped by 68% in 2013 year on year to 30.3 billion rubles ($880 million). “its sales had jumped by 68% in 2013 year on year to 30.3 billion rubles ($880 million). Earnings per employee grew by 73% from 2012 to 3.1 million rubles ($90,000),” the MiG press office said, adding the corporation had posted record financial results last year.

Elbit Sytems Chosen Over IAI By Swiss Army To Upgrade Its Drone Fleet

06/09/2014

Israel’s Elbit Systems (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) announced today that it was selected by the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), as the preferred supplier for the UAS 15 new reconnaissance drone program. In doing so it beat out state-run rival Israel Aerospace Industries for the $276 million contract.

Belgium Lets The F-16 Fade Away In Style

06/09/2014

Belgium continues to reduce and upgrade its F-16 fighter force. During the Cold War Belgium assembled (under license) 150 F-16s in Belgium with the last one delivered in 1991. The F-16 fleet began shrinking once the Cold War ended in 1991 and the new plan is to keep 60 of the most recently built F-16s. Only 48 will remain in service, the other 12 will be for spare parts.

France, Indian Air Force chiefs to take part in 'Garuda-5

06/09/2014

French Air Chief General Denis Mercier with his country's Ambassador Francois Richier and French defence attache Group Captain Benedict Smith along with Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha will arrive here on Monday to participate in the ongoing fifth Indo-French air exercise 'Garuda-5'.

Fledgling Afghan air force faces solo mission as US withdraws

06/09/2014

Afghanistan's air force is already woefully short of planes and skilled pilots -- and US plans to scale back supportive air strikes will leave it without crucial back-up as it battles a resilient Taliban. For the past 13 years a vast fleet of US fighter jets, attack helicopters, unmanned drones and transport aircraft have supported ground troops in operations against the insurgency.

The Long Arm that Leads the Fist

06/09/2014

Following my recent experience with the US Air Force I was invited back for the opportunity to fly on the next aircraft that may enter the Israeli Air Force pending Pentagon approval. The aircraft, the venerable KC -135R, is the backbone of the U.S. Air Force’s refueling fleet. The KC-135R is based on the Boeing 707 airliner, the aircraft which was first flown in 1954 and retired from commercial service at least 25 years ago from most respectable airlines.

China’s forces grow more sophisticated

06/08/2014

China is improving its military doctrine, training, weapons and surveillance to be able to conduct more sophisticated attacks against the United States and other adversaries, including Japan, according to the Pentagon. After jamming communications and mounting other forms of electronic and cyberwarfare, stealthy Chinese aircraft, drones and missiles could attack U.S. warships, aircraft and supply craft, the Defense Department said last week in its annual report on China.

This Was The Last Flight Of The First Female US Air Force Fighter Pilot

06/08/2014

A beautiful, crystal clear photo of an F-15E Strike Eagle piloted by Colonel Jeannie Leavitt-the first US Air Force female combat fighter pilot and the first commander of a combat fighter wing. This was her last refueling and her last flight-on May 29, 2014-after flying about 2,600 flying hours in this jet.

Why Is France Building Warships For Russia?

06/08/2014

France has really done it this time — the country is apparently going ahead with a plan to sell Russia two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, a move which is understandably none too popular with NATO and its member states, who understandably wonder if this is the best time for NATO to be arming Russia.

F35 jet engine parts factory opens in Turkey

06/08/2014

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has inaugurated a factory in western Turkey that will produce engine parts for the F35 fighter jet, a highly sophisticated combat aircraft. The inauguration ceremony in Izmir province on Friday hosted President Gul and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, as well as officials from U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney and Turkey’s Kale Group, cofounders of the factory.

SR-71 Blackbird: The Cold War's ultimate spy plane

06/08/2014

After a Soviet surface-to-air missile battery showdown with a USAF U-2 spy plane near the closed city of Sverdlovsk in 1960, the US government realised they needed a reconnaissance plane that could fly even higher – and outrun any missile and fighter launched against it. The answer was the SR-71 Blackbird. It was closer to a spaceship than an aircraft, made of titanium to withstand the enormous temperatures from flying at 2,200mph (3,540kph).

Russian, NATO Arms Race Takes Shape

06/08/2014

The crisis in Ukraine is continuing to spur increased military efforts by both Russia and NATO’s Eastern European member states, with the former recently adding to its procurement list, and countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Latvia unveiling plans to expand their defense budgets.

188th Fighter Wing Becomes 188th Wing; Final Two A-10s Depart

06/08/2014

It was a time to honor the past and look to the future as the 188th Fighter Wing converted to the 188th Wing on Saturday. Regardless of the mission or circumstances, the men and women of the Arkansas Air National Guard unit at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith performed with “unbelievable focus and determination,” 188th Wing Commander Col. Mark Anderson, said in remarks during a conversion ceremony.

J-STARS replacement plan comes with a downside

06/08/2014

A plan to replace decades-old J-STARS planes could mean Tech Sgt. Mike Mclee’s job as a jet engine mechanic will no longer be necessary, but he’s willing to take the chance. “I think it’s great,” he said of the prospect of getting new planes, as he worked on an engine Thursday. “It will make life a lot easier.” he Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System flies Boeing E-8Cs that were built in the 1960s.

IAF chief reviews SU-30 fighter jet production facility

06/08/2014

IAF chief Arup Raha on Saturday reviewed the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Su-30MKI combat aircraft manufacturing facilities in Nashik. The IAF chief visited the facility along with Secretary (Defence Production) GS Pati and HAl chief RK Tyagi where he was briefed about new technologies in the Su-30MKI, level of technology absorption, establishment of facilities for Su-30 repair and overhaul and road map for indigenisation.

BALTOPS Annual Military Exercise Kicks off in Baltic Sea

06/07/2014

The 42nd annual joint military exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) kicked off in the Baltic Sea on Friday, Latvian Ministry of Defense reports. This year’s BALTOPS will include US sailors, in addition to forces from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Germany, France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Georgia.

Self-defence fighters crash air scout over Slavyansk

06/07/2014

Self-defence fighters have shot down an Antonov An-30B reconnaissance aircraft over Slavyansk where combat action is going on between the rebels and the Ukrainian army, the protesters’ headquarters.