Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

RAF personnel arrive in US to participate in Exercise Red Flag

01/25/2022

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) has sent more than 300 personnel to the US for Exercise Red Flag. During the exercise, the RAF detachment will participate in ‘complex’ combat air operations, including operating against simulated ground-based air defence systems and cyber and space-based threats.

NATO Allies send more ships, jets to enhance deterrence and defence in eastern Europe

01/25/2022

NATO Allies are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in eastern Europe, reinforcing Allied deterrence and defence as Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine.

German Air Force stocking up on additional Rafael Litening Pods

01/24/2022

The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the German Army (BAAINBw) has agreed with the Israeli company Rafael on the supplementary procurement of Litening systems, target designation tools used by attack aircraft for identifying targets and guiding Precision-guided munition (PGM).

The Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot of the 299 Tactical Aviation Brigade

01/24/2022

At the end of 2021 we went to Ukraine to have a close look at the Kiev military aviation Su-25 Frogfoot, combat aircraft that in the event of a conflict with Russia would be called to attack the Moscow armored formations. The Ukrainian Air Force (Povitryani Syly) operates a range charismatics jets such as Su 24, Su 25, Su 27 and MiG 29. All Ukrainian Su 25 are now based in Kulbakino air base, close to Mykolaiv city, in the southern of Ukraine, under the 299 Tactical Aviation Brigade.

Taiwan reports new large-scale Chinese air force incursion

01/24/2022

Taiwan on Sunday reported the largest incursion since October by China's air force in its air defence zone, with the island's defence ministry saying Taiwanese fighters scrambled to warn away 39 aircraft in the latest uptick in tensions. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for more than a year of repeated missions by China's air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ.

Alarming sign Russia is ready to start fighting war

01/23/2022

It’s a sight that immediately has the hallmarks of war: Ballistic missiles being hauled across continental Russia in open-top railcars as forces gather on the Russia-Ukraine border. But what is making military experts really sit up and take notice isn’t the missiles. It’s the little things. Mobile weather stations, latrine units, bakeries. It seems Russian President Vladimir Putin means business.

JF-17 Thunder: Argentine Ambassador Visits Chinese Aerospace Firm In Beijing, Discusses Acquisition Of Sino-Pak Jets — Reports

01/23/2022

Argentina’s ambassador to China reportedly discussed the possible acquisition of JF-17 fighter jets with officials of the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) recently, an Argentinian news portal claimed.

2022 Will Be a Big Year for USAF

01/22/2022

Strategy and posture reviews coming in 2022 could significantly shape the Air Force, even as the service is slated to make major strides on programs and conduct critical tests. How the Air Force manages to pay for all that as the bills come due for major modernization efforts, particularly in the nuclear arena, will be a challenging balancing act.

Crisis in the Fighter Force

01/22/2022

Three decades of canceled, curtailed, and delayed investment in aircraft modernization has left the nation with far too few advanced fighters to meet demand. The Fiscal 2023 budget will be submitted to Congress in February 2022, and all indications are that the fighter crisis will only deepen.

At long last, the F-22 jet fighter could get the infrared search and track air-search sensor it was promised

01/21/2022

The F-22 originally was to have an infrared sensor, which is passive and immune to electronic warfare (EW) jamming, to detect and track other aircraft at long ranges. This plan ultimately was dropped on cost grounds. Now, the service is at least looking at ways to insert the capability back into the jet.

Rafale, F-15EX, BrahMos – Indonesia Looks To Withstand Chinese Military Aggression With Support Of Indo-Pacific Democracies

01/21/2022

Indonesia needs the support and goodwill of the US and other important democracies in the Indo-Pacific like never before in its recent history. As The EurAsian Times had reported earlier, on December 22, Chief of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, had revealed that his government abandoned its plans to acquire the Russian combat aircraft Su-35, “primarily because of its budget”.

Opinion: Biden must show that the U.S. stands ready to support Ukraine, militarily if necessary

01/21/2022

Deterrence and escalation dominance — two core ideas in strategic theory — explain why Vladimir Putin will likely soon launch a large-scale invasion of Ukraine aimed at toppling the democratic government in Kyiv. Deterrence — convincing an adversary that he cannot achieve his objectives through military action — works through two processes: denial and punishment. The likelihood that an adversary will be denied his objectives can prevent an attack.

U.S. seeks way to speed delivery of new fighter jets to Taiwan

01/21/2022

The United States is looking for ways to potentially accelerate delivery of Taiwan's next generation of new-build F-16 fighter jets, U.S. officials said, bolstering the Taiwanese air force's ability to respond to what Washington and Taipei see as increasing intimidation by China's military.

BAE Systems Australia to support RAAF’s F-35A Lightning II operations

01/20/2022

BAE Systems Australia has signed a contract to support the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II operations. Signed with the Australian Department of Defence (DoD), the five-year F-35A air vehicle support services (AVSS) contract is valued at over $57.5m (A$80m). It includes the provision of essential supplementation for the maintenance and logistics crew.

Ukraine pleads with Berlin to send warships and missiles to deter Russian invasion as Germany is accused of taking a 'soft stance' with Putin

01/20/2022

Ukraine has begged Germany for weapons to deter an attack by Russia, stepping up pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz who has so-far resisted calls to provide military assistance despite warnings Putin is about to invade. Andriy Melnyk, Kiev's ambassador to Berlin, said on Wednesday that Ukraine wants German warships to help defend against Russian attacks on its coasts in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and anti-aircraft systems to prevent attacks from the air.

Greece receives six French fighter jets as part of €11.5bn military overhaul

01/20/2022

Greece has showcased its newly acquired defence capabilities by flying six Rafale fighter jets over the Acropolis hours after they arrived from France. The jets roared over the symbolic monument en route to the Tanagra airbase, highlighting the Greek government’s decision to press ahead with a major military overhaul amid tensions with Turkey.

Philippines Set to Order 32 S-70i Black Hawk Combat Utility Helicopters

01/19/2022

The Philippines is preparing to order 32 additional S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky’s Polish subsidiary, PZL Mielec. A Notice of Award (NOA) was issued to PZL Mielec on December 28, 2021, for the PHIP32 billion ($624 million) procurement. A Contract Agreement is now being drafted, which will be followed by a Notice to Proceed officially launching the acquisition.

Su-75 Checkmate Designers Explain Features of New Stealth Fighter

01/19/2022

Russian state-backed news outlet TASS has published an in-depth infographic on the new Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate fighter. Mikhail Strelets, the Checkmate’s chief designer, told TASS that the Su-75 project had its roots in the Russian military’s experience over the course of Moscow’s intervention into the Syrian Civil War. Russian leadership concluded that the strike role played by the Su-35 in Syria could have been filled by a cheaper fighter with a smaller footprint.

Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier Vikrant completes third sea trials

01/19/2022

The Indian Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), Vikrant, has concluded its third round of sea trials in high seas. The vessel sailed back to Kochi harbour on 16 January. On 9 January, the aircraft carrier set sail to start the trials that included ‘complex manoeuvres’. PRO Defence Kochi tweeted: “IACVikrant returned after completing third sea trials, wherein large number of ship systems were operated and tested with training on various equipment fitted onboard.”

Air Force Activates Two New Fighter Generation Squadrons at Moody

01/19/2022

The Air Force inactivated one squadron and activated two new ones at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., on Jan. 14, as Air Combat Command works to better align fighter operations and maintenance. The 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is making way for the 74th and 75th Fighter Generation Squadrons. The shift is part of ACC’s Combat Oriented Maintenance Organization, a new structure whereby aircraft maintenance squadrons will be transitioned to fighter generation squadrons.

KC-46 Cleared For Refueling 70% Of Joint Air Fleet As Next Round Of Tanker Competition Looms

01/19/2022

With 53 aircraft in service, Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus tanker is now approved for supporting over two-thirds of the aircraft in the joint air fleet that are capable of receiving fuel in flight. The tanker has passed 60 million pounds of fuel in testing and operational missions, including refueling fighters escorting Air Force One, the president’s plane, during the holidays.

Report to Congress on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

01/18/2022

The largest procurement program in the Department of Defense (DOD), the F-35 Lightning II is a strike fighter aircraft being procured in different versions for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. Current DOD plans call for acquiring a total of 2,456 F-35s. Allies are expected to purchase hundreds of additional F-35s, and eight nations are cost-sharing partners in the program with the United States.

Indonesia to Help Nigeria Produce Military Weapons, Aircraft

01/18/2022

The Indonesian government has announced its intention to assist Nigeria in producing indigenous military weapons and aircraft to bolster its air defense capabilities amid evolving threats in the region. Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria Usra Harahap made the announcement during a recent meeting with executive vice-chairman Mohammed Sani Haruna of Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

VR to aid Russian aircraft technician training

01/18/2022

Specialists at Sukhoi, part of Rostec company United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), are developing a VR simulator to train aircraft technicians working on Su-35 and Su-57 combat aircraft. ‘The system tests are scheduled to be completed in 2022,’ Rostec first deputy CEO Vladimir Artyakov noted on 12 January.

The Rise of A.I. Fighter Pilots

01/18/2022

On a cloudless morning last May, a pilot took off from the Niagara Falls International Airport, heading for restricted military airspace over Lake Ontario. The plane, which bore the insignia of the United States Air Force, was a repurposed Czechoslovak jet, an L-39 Albatros, purchased by a private defense contractor. The bay in front of the cockpit was filled with sensors and computer processors that recorded the aircraft’s performance.