Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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 It is an archaic vestige reflecting a technology, and a style of warfare, that is outdated by a generation.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.

Russia selects engine supplier for new bomber: report

06/07/2014

Russia has turned to a familiar source – the Kuznetsov Design Bureau – to develop the engines for a next-generation bomber, according to a report dated 6 June in a state-run newspaper. The Volga Commune, the official newspaper of Russia’s Samara region, quotes Nikolai Jakushin, executive director of Kuznetsov, as confirming that his company will develop the engines for the new bomber called the prospective aviation complex for long-range aviation (PAK-DA).

Gen. Mike Hostage On The F-35; No Growlers Needed When War Starts

06/07/2014

For years, the news about the most expensive conventional weapons system in US history, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, has been driven by its soaring costs, technical problems and schedule screw-ups. The government and Congress and the public rarely speak about what the F-35 will do, how effectively it could destroy an enemy’s air defenses, shoot down an enemy plane, or find and strike other high value targets.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley briefed on IAF's operational preparedness

06/07/2014

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley was today briefed by the Air Force on its operational preparedness and its immediate requirements such as 126 Rafale combat aircraft for carrying out its assigned tasks. The presentation was made by the top IAF brass to the Defence Minister at the Air Headquarters and it last for over an hour, IAF officials said. The Defence Minister was also briefed by IAF on the ongoing Indo-French exercise 'Garuda-5' in Jodhpur where France has fielded its frontline Rafale.

Associated Press, 1944: Allies win footholds in France

06/06/2014

Allied troops landed on the Normandy coast of France in tremendous strength by cloudy daylight today and stormed several miles inland with tanks and infantry in the grand assault which Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called a crusade in which "we will accept nothing less than full victory."

Iraqi F-16s to Be Based Out of Balad

06/06/2014

Nearly three years after the last US troops left Iraq, F-16s are returning to Balad — this time, they will be the vanguard of the Iraqi air force. Balad was a major US base during the war and one of the busiest airfields in the world at one point. Now the US government is helping the Iraqis make sure the base will be ready for the first batch of F-16s, which are expected to be delivered in September, said Lukman Faily, Iraqi ambassador to the US.

RAC MiG boss eyes fifth-generation fighter

06/06/2014

RAC MiG is contemplating building a fifth-generation fighter which would use its current MiG-35 platform as a "foundation" for the introduction of new technologies. Sergey Korotkov, general director of the Russian firm, says concepts for a new aircraft have already been worked on by company engineers.

Military Jet Crashes During Landing Attempt On Coronado-Based Carrier

06/06/2014

Two warplanes with San Diego-area connections have crashed within hours of each other—on land and at sea—prompting investigations Thursday into what caused the non-fatality mishaps. The first crash involved a U.S. Marine Corps. AV-8B Harrier and occurred in the city of Imperial shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday; the second, involving a U.S. Navy FA-18E Hornet, happened around 10 p.m. off the coast of Southern California, according to military officials.