Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Raytheon, US Navy talk EA-18G’s AESA radar providing jamming boost

01/05/2022

Raytheon and the US Navy (USN) are looking to increase the jamming capability of the Boeing EA-18G Growler by also using the electronic attack aircraft’s APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. They have discussed updates that would give the Raytheon-made radar the ability to jam enemy transmissions. Such a capability would be in addition to the Growler’s payload of current and future jamming pods, including the USN’s trio of next-generation jammers.

South Korean F-35A Performs Belly Landing Due To ‘Avionic System Issues’

01/05/2022

According to the report, the 5th generation aircraft was involved in a training mission when an avionic system issues forced the pilot to carry out a gear up landing at Seosan airbase, 151 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The emergency apparently marked the type’s first ever belly landing.

What does the future hold for Eurofighter Typhoon?

01/05/2022

The Eurofighter Typhoon has served the Royal Air Force for nearly two decades. Developments around the UK Tempest concept and recent defence reviews have set the blueprint for the future of the air force and the spotlight falls once again on the Eurofighter Typhoon. Norbert Neumann explores the role and potential future of the aircraft.

A tale of two fighter jets — and what it means for Canada's defence and place in the world

01/04/2022

Canadians will get a better idea this year of which fighter jet the Liberal government intends to buy for the country's air force. The decision amounts to more than a simple choice between two expensive new aircraft: the American F-35 and the Swedish Gripen-E. It's expected to say a lot about how the federal government sees Canada's place in the world — whether it remains tied to a politically shaky United States or to a Europe that is determined to step out of Washington's defence shadow.

French Rafale Naval Fighters Are Headed To India For Ski Jump Carrier Launch Tests

01/04/2022

This week the Rafale M fighter jet is due to begin tests at India’s naval flight test facility as it goes head-to-head with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the competition to provide the Indian Navy with its new carrier-based combat aircraft. The Rafale, which has already been ordered by the Indian Air Force, comes to India on the back of notable export success, including a huge order for the land-based version from the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Purchases Chinese Jets Based on Scrapped Israeli Lavi Fighter

01/04/2022

More than three decades after Jerusalem scrapped plans to field its own domestically produced combat aircraft, Pakistan announced last week that it was purchasing a squadron of 25 Chinese J-10 jets widely believed to be based on the canceled Israeli Lavi fighter. Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad announced the purchase of the jets, which he said will serve as a counterweight to new French Dassault Rafale fighters soon to be fielded by rival India.

Israel signs $3 billion deal to buy US military aircraft

01/03/2022

Israel has signed a deal with the United States to buy 12 Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 refueling planes, the Israeli Defence Ministry said on Friday. The ministry said the deal is worth around $3.1 billion (€2.73 billion), adding that the procurement is "part of a wider program to strengthen the capabilities of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] and preparedness to face current and developing threats."

Israel's ‘Rampage’ Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Is Even Better Than Advertised

01/03/2022

Here's What to Remember: Rampage first broke cover in the summer of 2018, and it seems "Rampage" works as advertised. Israel reportedly used in combat for the first time a new kind of fast, long-range missile. According to aviation journalist Babak Taghvaee, on April 13, 2019 Israeli air force warplanes fired, for the first time, at least one Rampage air-launched ballistic missile at a missile factory and weapons warehouses in Masyaf, Syria.

Digital Twining and the Loyal Wingman Program

01/03/2022

Boeing Australia has revealed that, in conjunction with the Royal Australian Air Force, it has advanced the operational readiness of its Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the RAAF’s Loyal Wingman program in a digital environment.

Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant

01/02/2022

With countdown already begun to commission indigenous aircraft carrier 1 as INS Vikrant in August 2022, the Indian Navy will conduct flight trials of Rafale-Maritime fighter at Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa on January 6 onwards as part of its exercise to identify the best warplane to suit the 40,000 tonne carrier. The IAC 1 is based at Cochin shipyard and is currently undergoing intensive sea trials in Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

‘Not Out Of Reach’: F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets Most Lucrative Option For Royal Thai Air Force – Commander

01/01/2022

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is searching for a new fighter to replace its aging F-5 and F-16 aircraft, which is nearing the end of its service life. Many countries are looking to buy stealth fighters to help bolster their defenses as contemporary warfare evolves. After Switzerland, Finland recently announced the purchase of 64 F-35A fighter jets at $9.5 billion to replace its aging combat planes.

5 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ

12/31/2021

Five Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday (Dec. 29), marking the 22nd intrusion this month. Four People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-11 fighter jets and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the PLAAF planes.

UAE nixes deal with US to buy F-35 fighter planes

12/31/2021

The US faced a major blow as UAE suspended talks to buy the 50 Lockheed F-35 US fighter jets worth USD 23 billion. This is a major setback for the US both economically and diplomatically. China seems to be an emerging winner in the ongoing tussle between US-UAE. UAE suspended the purchase deal of F-35 fighter jets with the US and has chosen Huawei's, a Chinese company, 5G technology.

The F-22 Raptor Was the Best Fighter Jet—Until America Stopped Producing It

12/31/2021

Here's What You Need To Remember: The F-22 also collided with current events, as the economic demands of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the lack of a peer adversary made a $300 million fighter plane, in the view of government officials at the time, an unsustainable cost.

The US Navy has a new vision for its carrier air wing. Here's how SEALs will help put those aircraft on target

12/30/2021

Recently the Navy released a new vision for its aircraft carrier air wing that describes how it plans to keep its fighter jets relevant in the future. In a potential conflict with a near-peer adversary, such as Russia or China, the Navy's aircraft carriers could make the difference, especially against China, because of its proximity to the sea.

Despite defense buildup, Japan’s arms industry struggles

12/30/2021

The dozens of Type 90, or “Kyumaru,” tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defenses against strategic threats.

Pakistan buys Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China

12/30/2021

The rumor that has been going around for a couple of years has just been confirmed. Pakistan is acquiring more than 25 Chengdu J-10 «Vigorous Dragon» multirole fighters, to face India’s purchase of the Dassault Rafale. The news was made public by Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, during a public event.

India’s LCA Tejas Mark 2 achieves CDR acceptance

12/30/2021

India’s home grown light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 2 has achieved a milestone with the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) accepting its comprehensive design review (CDR). DCAS air marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari accepted the CDR for Tejas Mark 2 last month, reported Business Standard.

NATO jets scrambled hundreds of times in 2021 to guard Allied airspace

12/29/2021

NATO fighter jets scrambled around 370 times across Europe in 2021, mostly to check aircraft flying unannounced near Allied air space. Around 80 percent of the missions, 290 in total, were in response to flights by Russian military aircraft.

Austria To Replace Alouette IIIs with Leonardo AW169s

12/29/2021

The government of Austria signed a deal with Italy on December 20 to procure 18 Leonardo AW169/169M helicopters, plus spares, training, and support, with an option for a further 18. The decision to buy the militarized version of the AW169 was announced in September 2020 by Austrian defense minister Klaudia Tanner.

Russian and British naval forces raced to find a downed jet with top secret tech

12/29/2021

The crash of a Royal Navy F-35B Lighting II sparked a race to find the jet’s remnants in November 2021. In the aftermath of the crash, the United Kingdom’s Navy scrambled to get to the site before the Russians could reach it and the potentially billions of dollars worth of top secret technology that went down with it.

Turkey Needs To Follow UAE’s Lead And Acquire A 4.5-Generation Stopgap Fighter

12/29/2021

The United Arab Emirates' landmark deal to procure 80 cutting-edge Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets from France gives the Emirati Air Force a highly formidable interim solution until it finally takes delivery of F-35 Lightning IIs or another fifth-generation fighter. Turkey, on the other hand, still needs a similar stopgap solution and may find itself in a bind if the U.S. refuses to sell the advanced F-16s and modernization kits Ankara recently requested.

Royal Netherlands Air Force achieves IOC for its F-35A fleet

12/29/2021

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) F-35A fleet. The latest announcement makes the Netherlands the eighth nation and RNLAF the 12th military service to acheive IOC for their F-35 fleet of aircraft. Lockheed Martin F-35 Program vice-president and general manager Bridget Lauderdale said: “The declaration of IOC ushers in a new era of air power that gives the RNLAF transformational capabilities.

The United States Navy’s Unmanned Aerial Refueler is Wrapping Up Trials

12/28/2021

The Navy is further developing their MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone, an odd-looking unmanned vehicle with a unique set of capabilities. The Navy explains that the “MQ-25 will be the world’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft and is integral to the future carrier air wing (CVW),” and that the MQ-25 “will provide an aerial refueling capability that extends the range, operational capability, and lethality of the CVW (carrier air wing) and carrier strike group (CSG).”

Robins’ 4 JSTARS Aircraft Set for Fiscal 2022 Retirement

12/28/2021

The U.S. Air Force has approved the divestment of four E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia throughout the fiscal year 2022. Airmen attached to the E-8 JSTARS fleet will be repurposed for new missions aligned with the future Air Force force design at Robins and other military bases as part of the changes, the Air Combat Command said Tuesday.