Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Reaper drone mystery arises from speculative news stories

07/16/2013

One angry newspaper headline read: “Yes to Israel; No to Turkey!” The story claimed that the United States would deliver the armed Reaper MQ-9 drones to Israel while effectively putting a “hold” on Turkey’s request to buy the same aircraft. Another headline claimed that the U.S. would sell the Reaper to Germany but not to Turkey. And another headline read: “Yes to Italy; No to Turkey!” Again, the Reapers.

First F-35B modifications underway at Cherry Point

07/16/2013

Sometimes, big things come in small packages. That was the case Monday at Cherry Point when the first F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter was officially inducted for modifications at Fleet Readiness Center East. At slightly longer than 51 feet and with a wingspan of 35 feet, the sleek, gray jet sat securely behind a rope line in the corner of Hangar I surrounded by an arc of dignitaries and employees.

The Future of U.S. Bases in Europe: A View from America

07/16/2013

Reductions in the U.S. military capability in Europe are often carried out without considering either their possible effect or how they will be viewed by both friends and foes. Reductions in U.S. troop numbers in Europe send the wrong signal about America’s commitment to transatlantic security and will embolden U.S. adversaries.

Mircea Dusa: Air guard until 2017, to be provided with MIG Lancer aircraft

07/16/2013

Air guard until 2017 will be provided with MIG Lancer aircraft, these are operational, National Defence Minister Mircea Dusa said on Friday, at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Communications and Information Museum within Centre 48 of Strategic Communications and Information.

IAF’s MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft crashes, pilot killed

07/16/2013

A MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Monday while landing at Uttarlai airbase in Rajasthan's Barmer district, killing the pilot. "One MiG 21 Bison crashed at the Uttarlai airbase at about 0930 hours. The pilot sustained fatal injuries," the IAF said in a statement.

U.S. Air Force combat aircraft no longer grounded

07/16/2013

Grounded since April because of budget cuts, many of the Air Force's combat aircraft started flying again Monday as the military reshuffled its spending priorities to get its pilots additional training. The grounding affected about one-third of active-duty combat craft, including squadrons of fighters, bombers, and airborne warning and control craft. Officials at Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia said the order affects planes in the U.S., Europe and the Pacific.

Air Force Thunderbirds, combat aircraft no longer grounded after budget cuts

07/16/2013

Grounded since April because of budget cuts, many of the Air Force's combat aircraft started flying again Monday as the military reshuffled its spending priorities to get its pilots additional training. The grounding affected about one-third of active-duty combat craft, including squadrons of fighters, bombers, and airborne warning and control craft. Officials at Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia said the order affects planes in the U.S., Europe and the Pacific.

Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets to Track Russian Bombers

07/16/2013

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force had to scramble fighter jets in response to flights by Russian military aircraft near Japanese airspace and over the disputed Kuril Islands on Monday, local media reported. Two Tu-95 Bear bombers flew over the Sea of Japan moving from the Korean Peninsula, and proceeded along the Japanese archipelago to the north of Hokkaido. Another plane, the IL-20, flew over the Kuril Islands, NHK television said late Monday citing the Defense Ministry.

Combat Aircraft Remain Key Russian Arms Exports – Official

07/16/2013

Combat aircraft took a 40-percent share in overall Russian arms exports in 2012, keeping a trend that has become prominent in the past few years, a senior defense official said. “The structure of [Russian arms] exports remains the same,” Alexander Fomin, head of the Russian the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) said in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio on Monday.

Michael Richardson: Sequester inflicts pain, and risk, on Air Force

07/15/2013

I was confused and frustrated by the juxtaposition of two articles in the July 1 Herald-Tribune. The first -- "Sequestration pain fails to live up to billing" - asserted that implementation of sequestration (automatic, across-the-board spending cuts in federal spending) has not produced the dire consequences predicted by the Obama administration.

New aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is taking shape, will carry on his legacy

07/15/2013

As the nation marks the 100th birthday of former President Gerald R. Ford this weekend, another legacy that will carry on his name for the next 50 years or more is being created. In a dry dock at Newport News, Va., more than 3,500 workers are building the USS Gerald R. Ford, a new class of aircraft carrier destined to become the standard bearer for the U.S. Navy well into the 21st Century.

The Unreported Revolution In Air Combat

07/15/2013

One of the major, and little mentioned, revolutions in air combat is the availability of more powerful and reliable helmet mounted displays and sights. This enables a pilot to “look and shoot” as well as keep their heads up more of the time and more quickly make decisions in air-to-air combat. This dramatic change has not gotten much publicity because there has been such little air-to-air combat in the last few decades. But in realistic training exercises the difference has been noted.

French jet fighter firm inks deal with timber board

07/15/2013

The MoU was signed in Johor Baru and entailed the joint exploration of opportunities in Malaysia's natural fibre and bio-composite industry. "The MoU paves the way for future agreement upon identification and completion of feasibility studies of the determined fields.

Combat off the mark

07/15/2013

Already facing a huge delay, the ambitious indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)–Tejas project came up for review at a high-level meeting which was chaired by Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony recently in the Capital. Mr. Antony stressed upon the necessity to adhere to schedule and asked all stake holders for avoiding further slippage on the programme. He also directed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to make the LCA as its number one thrust area.

Russia close to completing its F-22 aircraft rival

07/15/2013

Completion of the development of an engine for the Sukhoi PAK FA - aka the T-50 fighter - was announced at the Paris Air Show. According to the Russian military, which has finished stage one of its flight tests, their results suggest the Russian fighter turned out to be on a par with - and even better in certain areas - than its main American rival, the F-22 Raptor.

Romanian, US Military Inspectors to Fly Over Russia, Belarus

07/15/2013

Romanian and US military inspectors will make surveillance flights over the territories of Russia and Belarus under the international Open Skies Treaty starting on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. Experts from Romania and the United States will conduct the inspection flights on board an Antonov An-30B (Clank) aircraft between July 15 and 19, the statement said.

Russia Readies Strategic Bombers in Snap Far East Military Drills

07/15/2013

Russia’s air base of Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers in the Amur Region is switching to full combat readiness as part of massive snap drills in the Eastern Military District, the Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Sunday. The exercise, which involves over 160,000 servicemen, some 1,000 armored vehicles, 130 aircraft and 70 warships from the Pacific Fleet, was ordered by President Vladimir Putin on Friday evening.

Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Estonia, Finland

07/15/2013

Russian military inspectors will make surveillance flights over the territories of Estonia and Finland under the international Open Skies Treaty starting from Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. “As part of implementing the international Open Skies Treaty, a group of Russian inspectors on board an An-30B aircraft are planned to conduct surveillance flights over Estonia and Finland from July 14 to 20,” the statement reads.

Netanyahu Addresses Reported Airstrike on Russian Missiles in Syria

07/15/2013

Speaking on American television on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evaded a direct response when asked whether his country was involved in a recent airstrike in Syria that reportedly targeted Russian missiles sold to the Syrian government, an ally of longtime Israeli enemy Hezbollah. However, Netanyahu said, Israel's policy "is to prevent the transfer of dangerous weapons to Hezbollah and other terror groups," according to a transcript of the CBS-TV show.

Russian Military Aircraft To Conduct Aerial Observation Flights Over Canada

07/14/2013

A Russian Federation aircraft will conduct aerial observation flights over Canada under the Treaty on Open Skies during the period July 17 to 19, 2013. The unarmed Tupolev TU-154M aircraft, which arrived at 8 Wing Trenton today, will be accorded Russia’s legal right of unimpeded observation overflight of Canadian territory, in fulfilment of Canada’s obligations as a State Party to the Treaty on Open Skies.

Why Russia won’t throw Syria under the bus

07/14/2013

Not since December 1971 has Russia jumped into the combat zone to defend an ally as it is doing in Syria now. That wintry fortnight more than 40 years ago, while the Indian military was fighting a two-front war against Pakistan, the Russians dispatched a formidable armada of nuclear attack submarines and warships to prevent a joint American-British attack on India.

Budding leaders get a glimpse into aero industry

07/14/2013

The Maylaysian students are sponsored by the company on the Chevening Scholarship and were treated to a tour of the Warton plant. The scholars, all post-graduates, were in Lancashire to get a first hand glimpse of the company’s products, and capabilities, especially the Typhoon, which is currently been promoted to Malaysia as the best option for a new multi-role combat aircraft.

Israeli fighter jets and Saudi missiles

07/14/2013

Earlier this month, a report by Reuters on the state of Israeli air defenses flew under the radar. The story noted that an F-16 on a training mission crashed into the Mediterranean due to apparent engine failure. The jet is made by Lockheed Martin and the engines by Pratt and Whitney, a division of United Technologies. Both Reuters and Agence France-Presse said the head of Israel's air force then grounded all F-15s and F-16s pending further review.

Russia’s Snap Military Drills Expand – Defense Minister

07/14/2013

Russia’s defense minister on Saturday said that up to 160,000 servicemen are involved in the large-scale exercises in the Eastern Military District, double the number initially reported. “The total number of servicemen involved in the snap drills was up to 81,000 last night, the figure this morning was up to 160,000 servicemen,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Freeze possible on military promotions, recruiting

07/13/2013

Failure by Congress to end budget sequestration could force the services in fiscal 2014 to freeze military promotions, suspend recruiting and halt all change-of-station moves, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned in letter Wednesday to leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee.