Military Aviation News Archive

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Is a Victim Of Its Own Success

01/03/2024

The F-35 Lighting II is the most popular fifth-generation fighter jet in the skies today. Its technological edge and capabilities are mainly why the aircraft is so highly sought after by many countries. And, in some respects, that creates a problem.

Tavria sector: Enemy intensifies aircraft activity, 35 strikes per day

01/03/2024

Tavria sector: Enemy intensifies aircraft activity, 35 strikes per day 02.01.2024 12:50 In the area of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, the Russian occupation forces reduced the number of combat engagements and intensified tactical aircraft activity. At the same time, the Defense Forces eliminated 357 invaders and 50 pieces of enemy military equipment over the day.

New F-15EX Fighters—Nos. 3 and 4—Arrive at Eglin for Testing

01/03/2024

The third and fourth airframes of the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II have arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., for testing, the Air Force said Dec. 30. To hold the program schedule, six more need to be delivered before July. The new aircraft, dubbed EX3 and EX4, arrived at Eglin on Dec. 20, the Air Force said. EX1, EX2, and EX4 belong to the 53rd Wing, while EX3 belongs to the 96th Test Wing.

Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese naval vessels, 4 military aircraft on first day of 2024

01/02/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked four Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 31) and the same time on New Year's Day. Of the three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane entered the southwest sector of the country’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

U.S. helicopters sink 3 Houthi boats in Red Sea, Pentagon says

01/01/2024

A clash between Iranian-backed Houthi fighters who were attacking a commercial freighter and U.S. Navy helicopters responding to the ship’s distress call ended on Sunday morning with the killing of all the crew members on three Houthi boats, the Pentagon said, a sharp escalation of violence at a moment when the White House is considering direct strikes on Iran’s proxies in the Middle East.

Operation Bolo: how Robin Olds F-4s disguised as F-105s shot down 7 North Vietnamese MiG-21s in 12 minutes

01/01/2024

Robin Olds, the first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in Southeast Asia was Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace. Thanks to its boldness, courage and leadership he gained widespread fame and respect as the aggressive commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) during the Southeast Asia War.

Air Force spox on F-16 pilot training: Partners may not say much, but process underway

01/01/2024

The training of Ukrainian pilots and personnel to fly the F-16 fighter aircraft continues as agreed within the air coalition. The relevant statement was made Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat during a nationwide telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Taiwan tracks 1 satellite launch, 7 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships

12/31/2023

On the penultimate day of 2023 the Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked one satellite launch, seven Chinese military aircraft, and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (Dec. 29) and the same time the next day.

F-35 Missile For Ukraine! Kyiv ‘Bets Big’ On F-16-Launched AGM-158 JASSM To Bust Russia’s Heavily Fortified Bases

12/31/2023

In recent military engagements, the Ukrainian armed forces have reported significant successes against Russian aircraft, raising speculation about the potential involvement of F-16 fighter jets or a new NATO weapon to counter the Russian military.

New in 2024: Air Force plans autonomous flight tests for drone wingmen

12/31/2023

The U.S.A.F’s plan to create a fleet of drone wingmen to fly alongside piloted fighter jets will accelerate in 2024, as the service ramps up its experimentation with autonomous flight. These drones, which the Air Force calls collaborative combat aircraft, are intended to fly alongside F-35s and the future Next Generation Air Dominance platform. The service wants them to be able to perform a variety of missions, including striking enemy targets, conducting surveillance, jamming enemy signals.

Taiwan tracks 22 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around nation

12/30/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 22 Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Dec. 28) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Dec. 29). Of the 22 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six Chengdu J-10 combat jets, two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, and two Shenyang J-11 jet fighters crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND.

“Poorest” Air Force With ‘Most Powerful’ Fighters: Troubled IAF Plans To Fly F-15EX, Rafale, F-16, Su-30MK2, F-16 & KF-21

12/30/2023

In a push to enhance its Air Force, Indonesia has embarked on a significant modernization journey in recent years. The nation has committed to procuring diverse fighter jets, signaling a strategic move to bolster its defense capabilities. However, as the ambitious modernization drive gains momentum, financial constraints will likely emerge as a potential stumbling block for the Southeast Asian nation.

NATO forced to scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian military aircraft over 300 times in 2023

12/30/2023

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was forced to scramble its air forces more than 300 times in response to Russian military aircraft over the course of 2023, the international organization said Friday. "NATO has standing air-policing missions that calls for Allied jets to scramble when there are signs of Russian military planes approaching Allied airspace in unpredictable ways," NATO said in a statement.

Biden administration again bypasses Congress for weapons sale to Israel

12/30/2023

For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism. The state department said on Friday that the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5m sale for equipment, including fuses, chargers and primers.

Ready To Operate F-35B Stealth Fighters, Japan’s Makeshift Aircraft Carrier ‘Kaga’ Gets Ready To Roar

12/29/2023

Long after Japan announced its plans to convert its Izumo-class helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers, the second vessel, JS Kaga, has been put to sea trials as per photos published on social media. The Escort Flotilla Four of Japan Marine United (JMU) has released new photos to the social networking platform X, formerly Twitter. The images show JS Kaga leaving its dock at the shipyard in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, to conduct sea testing.

Turkey seeks F-16 engines from US to use in domestic fighter plane

12/29/2023

Turkey has asked the US for permission to co-produce GE Aerospace engines used in F-16 jets, with an aim to deploy them for its own domestically produced fighter plane. The NATO member is looking to manufacture GE’s F110 engines in Turkey to ensure supplies for the initial phase of TAI Kaan, an all-weather fighter plane scheduled to make its maiden flight in January 2024, according to people familiar with the matter. The fifth-generation aircraft is under development by Turkish Aerospace Industr

Chinese J-35 Jet Spotted On Fujian Aircraft Carrier

12/29/2023

On December 8, 2023, the Bing Jiang Tang YouTube channel shared a video showing footage of PLA Navy J-35 fighter jets, which are the Chinese counterpart of the F-35, on the deck of the Fujian aircraft carrier. The video also covered the various speculations in Chinese circles about the plane and the way it will be deployed.

JAS 39 Gripen: What Makes This Fighter Jet from Sweden Truly Incredible

12/29/2023

The JAS 39 Gripen is not made in the United States but is a powerful fighter jet built by Saab in Sweden. While the fighter plane has no household name recognition, she is a force to be reckoned with and is among the very best fourth-generation fighters on the planet today:

Türkiye's unmanned combat aircraft ANKA III makes its maiden flight

12/29/2023

Türkiye's new generation air combat fighter ANKA III made its maiden flight, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced. ANKA III is a system that is faster thanks to its jet engine, has a high payload carrying capacity, and is less visible on radar with its tailless structure, according to the producer Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Burst tyre sends MiG 29K fighter jet skidding off runway at Goa Airport

12/28/2023

A Mikoyan MiG-29K fighter jet skidded off a runway at Dabolim Goa International Airport (GOI) after suffering a bust tyre just before it was about to perform a routine sortie on December 26, 2023. An Indian navy spokesperson told local media that the airport’s fire brigade arrived immediately after the incident. No injuries were reported.

South Korea expands F-35A fighter fleet

12/28/2023

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA, has officially signed a deal to acquire 20 additional F-35A stealth jets. This procurement, executed under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, builds upon South Korea’s previous acquisition of 40 F-35As in the program’s inaugural phase between 2019 and 2022, underscoring the nation’s commitment to enhancing its aerial combat capabilities.

Su-57 Stealth Fighter: Difficult To Manufacture, Russia Says State Order For 5th-Gen Jets Doubled In 2023

12/28/2023

The head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Yuri Slyusar, revealed that the state defense order (SDO) for the advanced Su-57 fighter witnessed a twofold increase in 2023, with projections indicating further growth for 2024.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation

12/27/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 25) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 26). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane, one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance plane, and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.

ISW: Russia reducing aviation activity in Ukraine after losing several Su-34 jets

12/27/2023

Russian forces are decreasing aviation activity and use of glide bombs after Ukraine’s military shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber jets on Dec. 21-22, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Dec. 24. The ISW cited Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat and military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets saying that Russian troops have limited their use of glide bombs and air strikes in southern Ukraine as well as manned aviation near occupied Crimea.

Stop Saying An F-16 Can Defeat the F-35 Stealth Fighter

12/27/2023

few years back, there was talk of an F-16 fighter killing an F-35 in a mock fight. The details were lost in the headlines - In 2015, the aviation world and the U.S. defense industry were shocked when an old F-16 fighter shot down in mock combat a brand new F-35. At a time when the F-35 was bringing up problem after problem, the results of the dogfight alarmed the Pentagon.