Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The Next Generation of Drone Warfare Is Here

10/04/2013

Last week, two F-16s took off, broke the sound barrier, executed several complex maneuvers including barrel rolls and "Split S" rolls, and landed -- all without a pilot. Ostensibly, these aging jets have been retrofitted by Boeing to be used as unmanned planes for target practice and training, but the implications for the future of drone warfare is clear.

Miramar air show falls victim to Washington gridlock

10/04/2013

The partial shutdown of the federal government notched its largest and loudest impact in this military-centric region Thursday: cancellation of this weekend's air show at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

Bell Helicopter tests V-22 Osprey in new role

10/04/2013

The military is closely eyeing the V-22 Osprey for a new role as a refueling tanker after a recent successful Texas demonstration trial, Bell Helicopter officials said. In August, experts from Bell Helicopter’s Xworks facility teamed up with military pilots for an aerial trial to demonstrate that the V-22 is capable of refueling strike aircraft and possibly other military platforms, said Ken Karika, a Bell Helicopter business development specialist and former V-22 pilot.

Indian negotiator for giant Rafale fighter deal dies

10/04/2013

A top Indian defence official negotiating a $12 billion deal to buy France's Rafale fighter jets has died of a heart attack, further complicating talks over the delayed contract, officials said Thursday.

Exclusive: Air Force Grounds Fighter Jets as Shutdown Takes Hold

10/04/2013

Entire fighter squadrons are grounded. The Defense Department's Middle East specialists are barred from the Pentagon. Thousands of the Intelligence Community's top geeks are at home playing Minecraft. The shutdown of the United States government is starting to have very real impacts on the American defense and intelligence infrastructure.

Russia to See 20-Ton Combat Drone ‘by 2018’ – Industry Source

10/04/2013

The prototype of Russia’s first 20-ton combat drone will be unveiled in 2018, a defense industry source said Thursday. The 20-ton unmanned combat aerial vehicle is being developed by the Sukhoi company, and will be based on the fifth-generation T-50 fighter, United Aircraft Corporation president Mikhail Pogosyan said during the MAKS 2013 airshow near Moscow in August.

Chinese junk? Latest fighter plane from People's Army ticketed for export

10/03/2013

A new fighter plane built by China is drawing more snickers than raves from aviation experts, and the People's Army is now saying the jet was really ticketed for export all along.

Turkish Phantom lost in accident

10/03/2013

A McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II combat aircraft operated by the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri - THK) crashed in the country's central Sivas Province, national media reported on 30 September.

Russia: A return to arms

10/03/2013

Held every year in the town of Nizhny Tagil in the Ural region, the Russian Arms Expo is a weapons-makers’ version of Mardi Gras: lots of costumes, noise and tourists. Amid the constant thud of target practice by demonstration tanks, severe-looking military attachés mingle with camouflage-clad dads, children in tow, out for a day of spotting the latest military hardware.

IAF may deploy additional Sukhoi squadron at Chabua base in Assam

10/03/2013

An additional squadron of advanced combat aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI is likely to be stationed at the Indian Air Force’s eastern-most station in view of the strategic importance of the base.

Ace Combat Infinity preview: free-to-play done right

10/03/2013

Perhaps the most impressive of Namco Bandai's upcoming free-to-play efforts is Ace Combat Infinity. It certainly doesn't hurt that Project Aces' PS3 game is absolutely gorgeous. Utilizing the latest version of their engine, it looks absolutely phenomenal.

MiG-21s added to Draken fleet of training aircraft

10/03/2013

Draken International Inc., a provider of commercial and tactical fighter aircraft, has received 25 MiG-21 fighters for U.S. Department of Defense pilot combat training and test pilot schools.

Report on air force ‘contradicts itself’

10/03/2013

THE confusion over the operational readiness of the South African Air Force deepened further on Wednesday following the tabling of the Department of Defence’s annual report, which appears to contradict itself.

Japan and U.S. Agree to Broaden Military Alliance

10/03/2013

Against the backdrop of pressing regional tensions, the United States and Japan agreed Thursday to broaden their military alliance, including by adding a new missile defense radar system in Japan and cooperating to combat cyberthreats.

Shutdown grounds Air Combat Command jets

10/03/2013

Air Combat Command is grounding aircraft that are not immediately training to deploy, officials said Wednesday. The stand down is because of the government shutdown, the command said.

Watchkeeper Versus Reaper

10/02/2013

Britain is supposed to finally get its own locally made large UAVs this year. Back in 2006 the British began developing the Watchkeeper UAV and by 2010 got its Watchkeeper into the air for the first time. There are two models of this UAV; the Watchkeeper 180 and the Watchkeeper 450. Both are based on Israeli designs (the Hermes 180 and 450).

Bell Boeing team tests Osprey's ability to refuel other aircraft

10/02/2013

The medium-lift MV-22 Osprey, proven in combat as a troop and equipment transport, could soon get a new mission — refueling other aircraft. A series of tests in August and September has given aviation officials hope that the Osprey could be used to extend the range of other platforms.

Russia and NATO fly high in the sky to make each other fall

10/02/2013

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee and NATO conducted joint exercises Vigilant Skies. This is a rare example of cooperation in the face of the deteriorating situation on the Syrian issue where the parties stick to the opposite positions.

F-35C Aircraft Rolled Out in Eglin AFB Ceremony

10/02/2013

The F-35C aircraft, affectionately dubbed "Charlie" was rolled out in a special ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Tuesday. The fifth generation jet is the latest in defense machinery and it's what some call "the future" of naval aviation.

IAF plans to replace ageing planes with superior Sukhois

10/02/2013

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will not let its fighter squadron strength drop below the existing 34 till 2017 as the Soviet-era workhorse, Mig-21s, are being gradually replaced with Sukhoi-30 MKIs.

PLA Navy prepares countermeasures against US, Japanese submarines

10/01/2013

Facing the challenge of US and Japanese submarines operating within disputed territorial waters, the People's Liberation Army is preparing for a three-dimensional anti-submarine system consisted of aircraft, surface combat vessels and submarines, according to the Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po.

As Military Fighter Fleet Shrinks, National Guard Eyes Commercial Alternatives

10/01/2013

The U.S. Air Force is moving to retire outdated aircraft from its fighter inventory, including F-16s and A-10s that have for decades been operated by the Air National Guard.Scorpion

China Perfects Its F-18

10/01/2013

The first Chinese combat aircraft built specifically for aircraft carrier use, the J-15, appears to have started mass production. Last November one was seen making touch and go landings on the new carrier Liaoning. Since then several J-15s have been seen at navy air bases painted as combat (gray), not development (yellow), aircraft.

Denmark Prioritizes Jobs in New Fighter Competition

10/01/2013

Job creation will stand as the chief factor when the Danish government convenes to select a replacement type for its aging F-16 fleet in mid-2015.

UK military R&D is aggressive and counter-productive

10/01/2013

UK public spending on military research and development has long been among the highest in the world. Its advocates argue that this spending is focused on defending Britain and keeping our soldiers safe – an argument that has been hard to challenge because of the opaque nature of Ministry of Defence accounting practices.