Military Aviation News Archive

USMC’s CH-53K In First Ever Over-The-Horizon Heavy Lift Test

12/06/2021

In a first for the Marine Corps, Marines from Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron One conducted over-the-horizon heavy lift and troop transport ship-to-shore operations aboard CH-53K King Stallions over the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 19-21.

‘Turkey, UAE have potential in defense industry cooperation’

12/06/2021

Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have the potential to work together in the defense sector, Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Chairperson Ismail Demir said, indicating that Abu Dhabi has shown interest in the Turkish sector.

Russian fighter jets escort American spy plane away from its borders over tense Black Sea amid new US intelligence claims that Putin plans to invade Ukraine in early 2022 with 175,000 troops

12/05/2021

Russia has claimed to have escorted a US spy plane away from its airspace amid a new US warning that Vladimir Putin intends to deploy 175,000 troops to invade Ukraine in early 2022. Footage apparently taken in the cockpit of a Russian military aircraft appears to show them tailing an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea.

China threatening Taiwan is more beneficial than invading

12/05/2021

Intimidation gets results. And that’s why China may be less willing than feared when it comes to invading Taiwan. For now. The drums of war have been beating loudly throughout 2021. Defence Minister Peter Dutton told an Australian Press Club luncheon late last month that “If Taiwan is taken, then surely the Senkakus are next. Please don’t rely on your imagination. The Chinese Communist Party could not be any clearer — not always with their words, but certainly with their actions.”

Why Europe Wants a Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet

12/05/2021

Today, fifth-generation fighters rule the roost. Because of their enormous design, production, and operating costs, they tend to be developed by the countries with the most significant militaries—most prominently the United States, Russia, and China, each of which have devoted significant resources to operate them. The American F-22 Raptor jets and F-35 stealth fighter jets are probably the two best fighter aircraft in the world, although other modern planes, could credibly threaten them in the

China Deepens Informal Alliance With Russia

12/04/2021

China and Russia have strengthened their political, economic and military relations this year, despite their uneasy history in the past, as both countries say they resent what they call growing pressure from the West.

UAE signs for 80 Rafale F4 combat aircraft

12/04/2021

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed for 80 Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France, the manufacturer announced on 3 December. Signed in the presence of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice-Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, the contract covers the F4 aircraft, representing the first export order for the latest standard Rafale.

Israel OKs CH-53K helicopter buy from Lockheed Martin

12/03/2021

The Israeli government has approved the planned procurement of a fleet of a dozen CH-53K helicopters, clearing a final regulatory hurdle for the buy and clearing the path for a final agreement to be signed by the end of the year. The approval from the Israeli government ministers committee for defense acquisition headed by prime minster Naftali Bennet was given on Nov. 28.

Norway To Sell Its F-16 Fighter Jets To A Private Military Contractor As It Upgrades To Stealth F-35s- Government

12/03/2021

The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency has signed a contract to sell up to 12 F-16 combat aircraft to US military provider Draken International to be used as part of training services, the Norwegian government announced on Thursday on its website.

More Hercules for RAAF?

12/02/2021

Speaking at the Dubai Air Show in mid-November, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Executive Vice President Greg Ulmer said that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has requested details for the supply of 30 C-130J Hercules. “They are talking to us about potential for 24 C-130J-30s and six KC-130Js,” Ulmer told overseas journalists.

NGC to Increase Inventory of AARGM for US Navy and German AF

12/02/2021

Northrop Grumman has received a $153 million dollar contract award from the U.S. Navy for full-rate production of lots 10 and 11 of the AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), the company said Dec. 1. The contract includes production of missiles for the U.S. Navy and German air force.

LETTER | RMAF purchase of Light Combat Aircraft to bolster defence industry

12/02/2021

The Malaysian government has mandated a requirement for prospective suppliers of the 18 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), currently being evaluated, to source or procure at least 30 percent of products/services from domestic companies.

With T-7 on the way, why is ACC eyeing a new trainer?

12/02/2021

The Air Force is considering a new trainer aircraft — one intended to emulate 4th and 5th generation fighter jets and be able to better train the service’s newest fighter pilots how to fly in combat. Nope, not the T-7A Red Hawk. Another one. Maybe.

Kazakhstan Orders Two Airbus A400M Airlifters

12/01/2021

Airbus Defence and Space announced on September 1 that it has received an order from the Republic of Kazakhstan for two A400M airlifters. The order brings the number of A400M customers to nine. The first aircraft is scheduled to be handed over in 2024. To support the aircraft, Airbus will deliver a complete training and maintenance support package.

Russia to Test Upgraded Tu-160 Bomber in December

12/01/2021

The Russian military will commence ground tests of its upgraded Tupolev Tu-160 bomber in December, TASS revealed, citing sources. The ground tests will begin with a maiden trial run on the Kazan Aviation Enterprise runway, the outlet added.

More Eurofighters ‘the right choice’ for Spain’s Halcon need, Airbus claims

12/01/2021

A repeat Eurofighter buy represents Spain’s best option for replacing an aged fleet of Canary Islands-based Boeing F-18 fighters, Airbus has claimed, after Lockheed Martin recently cited interest in its F-35 from Madrid. “The F-35 is an available aircraft, but for Spanish industry and for the Spanish customer, the Eurofighter is the right choice,” claims Kurt Rossner, Airbus Defence & Space’s head of combat aircraft systems.

Canada Rejects Boeing’s Proposal For CF-188 Hornet Replacement Program

11/30/2021

Boeing might be out from the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) that aims to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of legacy CF-188 Hornets (local designation of the F/A-18), as Canada’s federal government reportedly said that the replacement proposal based on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet did not meet the federal government’s requirements. The Canadian Press first reported the news saying that, according to three sources from industry and government who spoke on condition of anonymity

Australia Says Farewell To The F/A-18 Legacy Hornet As Its Final Flight Looms

11/30/2021

After more than three decades, the Royal Australian Air Force has formally bid farewell to its F/A-18A/B fighter jet, often referred to as the Classic Hornet, as it gets ready to withdraw its last examples of the type. The F/A-18A/B was Australia’s premier fighter and its first line of air defense for most of that time, but it has since been complemented by the F/A-18F Super Hornet and will be superseded by the F-35A stealth fighter.

Taiwan sends jets after 27 Chinese planes enter buffer zone

11/29/2021

Taiwan said 27 Chinese aircraft entered its air defense buffer zone on Sunday, the latest in a long series of incursions as part of Beijing's pressure on the self-ruled island. The Defense Ministry said Taiwan scrambled combat aircraft to "warn" the Chinese planes to leave. It also deployed missile systems to monitor them.

China sends 8 aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ amid visit of US lawmakers

11/28/2021

As US lawmakers' visit to Taipei irked China, as Beijing sent eight military aircraft into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), local media reported on Friday. The five US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to meet with government officials. The five-representative delegation is the second US congressional delegation visit to Taiwan this month. The recent visit is following a three-day visit to Taiwan by Senator John Cornyn-led group in November this year, reported Taiwan News.

Rocketeer F-15E Strike Eagle Looks Like a Deadly Predator Lurking in the Dark

11/28/2021

Of all the F-15 photos we’ve featured so far, this one has to be the most exciting. It was captured by a Senior Airman on the tarmac of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, at a time when the aircraft was preparing for a deployment overseas.

Inflation swells cost of replacing Swiss fighter jet fleet

11/27/2021

In September 2020, Swiss voters agreed to CHF6 billion ($6.4 billion) being spent on replacing Switzerland's ageing fleet of F-5 Tigers and F/A-18 Hornet jets by 2030. In June of this year, Switzerland appeared to have struck a bargain deal with United States manufacturer Lockheed Martin to provide 36 F-35A aircraft for just over CHF5 billion.

Gripen E Fighter Moves into Serial Delivery Phase

11/27/2021

Saab this week announced that the Gripen E—a major enhancement of the original Gripen fighter design—has now entered the delivery phase. Six serial production aircraft have left the factory and are now being prepared and tested prior to delivery to the aircraft’s two customers. Four of the aircraft are destined for the Força Aérea Brasileira, and two for Sweden’s Flygvapnet.

Russia’s upgraded MiG-31 fighters to provide security for Northern Sea Route

11/27/2021

The upgrade of MiG-31 high-altitude fighter-interceptors will boost the efficiency of their missions, in particular to protect Russia’s northern frontiers amid other states’ growing interest in the Northern Sea Route, Merited Military Pilot of Russia, Major-General Vladimir Popov told TASS on Friday.

Germany Approves Nuclear-Capable F/A 18 Super Hornets, EW Aircraft EA-18G Growlers To Modernize Fleet – Media

11/25/2021

Michael Hostetter, vice-president of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security Germany, told Janes that a letter of intent to proceed with the planned sale is expected to be released in January, immediately after the German government is seated in early December. In 2020, Germany’s Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer stated that Berlin plans to buy 30 American-made F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.