Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Airbus formalizes sale of 56 C-295 military aircraft to India

09/26/2021

India on Friday formalized the purchase of 56 C-295 military aircraft from Airbus, of which 16 will be manufactured at the European group’s plant in Seville and the remaining 40 in the Asian country in partnership with the local Tata group. The 16 units from Seville assembly lines will be delivered within 48 months, while the remaining 40 will be produced in India over the next 10 years under an industrial partnership with Tata that will involve technology transfer, according to a statement by

Iraq orders 12 JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan

09/26/2021

In recent developments, Iraq has decided to purchase 12 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets from Pakistan. According to reports, the defense deal was approved by both the Iraqi and Pakistani governments, and a formal agreement is expected to be signed in Islamabad next month.

Boeing to assembly aircraft in Australia, first facility outside North America

09/25/2021

Partnering with the government of the Australian state of Queensland, Boeing has selected Toowoomba as the preferred site for the company’s first aircraft assembly facility of its kind outside of North America. Boeing Australia will establish the facility in the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct at Wellcamp Airport. To produce and assemble the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (also known as Loyal Wingman).

First Navy F-5 Aggressor Begins Upgrade That Will Make The Entire Fleet Far More Potent

09/25/2021

As the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps set about overhauling their in-house red air adversary fleets, the first of three F-5N Tiger II aggressor aircraft set to undergo testing as part of a major upgrade program for the type arrived recently at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. The improved F-5Ns will be better suited to replicate more advanced aerial threats and do so more reliably and safely.

US Air Force Confirms It’s Bringing World’s First Stealth Fighter Aircraft ‘Back In Action’

09/25/2021

Lieutenant-General Michael Loh, who heads the Air National Guard, told reporters about this development at the Air Force Association’s Annual Air, Space and Cyberspace Conference recently. The development of the Lockheed Martin F-117 Nighthawk was a closely guarded secret. The fighter jet program received the green light in the 1970s, at the peak of the Cold War. and took its maiden flight in 1981.

China’s Big New Twin-Jet Long-Endurance Armed Combat Drone Emerges

09/25/2021

China's big international airshow in Zhuhai hasn’t even officially kicked off yet, but we are already getting a peek at what is going to be displayed there. One new development is China's J-16D electronic attack jet being seen with jamming pods for the first time. Now we are getting our first lifesize view of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's Cai Hong (Rainbow) 6, better known by its designation CH-6. It is a long-endurance, twin-jet engine, multirole drone.

Taiwan denounced that 24 Chinese regime combat aircraft violated its airspace again

09/25/2021

Taiwan said today that 24 Chinese fighter jets have passed the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) after the island asked to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Progressive and Comprehensive Agreement (CPTPP), which Beijing “categorically” opposes.

After mentioning JF-17, Argentina denies having chosen a new fighter

09/23/2021

Argentina’s Ministry of Defense issued an official statement on Tuesday in which it denies having selected the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter. According to the government, a provision of $664 million was included in the 2022 budget for the acquisition of multifunctional fighter jets, however, the competition is still in the technical and financial evaluation phase of five proposals.

Bangladesh Air Force deserves only the best

09/22/2021

When we floated the idea of the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Bangladesh Air Force, most people were shocked. How dare they suggest? They mocked as if Bangladesh Air Force would never be good enough to operate the Eurofighter or any high calibre combat aircraft. This mockery is deep-seeded in the psychology implanted into their minds by the old generation

Two Russian Tu-160 Bombers Escorted By Flankers Intercepted By Italian Typhoons, Danish F-16s Over The Baltic Sea

09/22/2021

Two Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160 Blackjacks carried out an 8-hour mission that brought the bombers off the Baltic States on Sept. 21, 2021. According to the Russian MOD, the two strategic missile carriers performed a planned flight in airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. The missile-carrier bombers were escorted by two Su-35S aircraft of the Aerospace Force and two Su-27 fighters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation during their mission.

Argentina publishes a note on the acquisition of JF-17 combat aircraft – AEROFLAP

09/22/2021

The Argentine Defense Ministry published a memo on Tuesday (21) outlining the news that the country will acquire JF-17 Thunder, Block 3 fighters of Chinese-Pakistani origin. On September 17, profile Section AEROSINT PSF — moderated by the Pakistan Strategic Forum of Pakistani Defense Experts — tweeted that Argentina was to include $664 million in funding to buy 12 PAC JF-17A/B Block III fighters (10 JF-17A single-seat and two JF-17B two-seater) in the 2022 draft budget submitted to the governmen

144th Fighter Wing Welcomes F-117 Nighthawks for Training

09/21/2021

The 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021 to the Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, to conduct dissimilar air combat training missions.

Air Force Wants to Move Fast on Boat Plane for Special Operators

09/20/2021

The Air Force is moving forward with an amphibious, pontoon-equipped version of the MC-130J Commando II used by its special operators -- and hopes to be able to fly a prototype of the aircraft in less than a year and a half. A U.S. Special Operations Command official said at a conference in May that the military was considering developing an amphibious MC-130, but that concerns about feasibility meant that the Air Force would take a hard look at the idea before proceeding.

Military training jet crashes in Texas, injuring both pilots

09/20/2021

A military training jet crashed Sunday in a neighborhood near Fort Worth, Texas, injuring the two pilots and damaging three homes but not seriously hurting anyone on the ground, authorities said. Both pilots managed to eject from the plane before it crashed in Lake Worth, which is just west of Fort Worth, authorities said at a news conference.

China launches naval and air drills as US warship transits Taiwan Strait

09/19/2021

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on Friday, a statement from the US Navy's Seventh Fleet said. "The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific", it said, adding that the US military "flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows".

Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4: 435th CRS, Polish special forces open airfield ops

09/19/2021

Three U.S. Air Force Airmen make final preparations for a 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to drop 16 Polish special forces members at an abandoned runway near Biala Podlaska, Poland, during Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4, Sept 15, 2021.

Argentine budget includes funds for the purchase of fighter jets from Pakistan

09/19/2021

Argentina intends to purchase 12 JF-17A Block III fighters from Pakistan according to a draft budget presented to the nation's congress. The news was disclosed on several media webs, including ukdefensejournal. ”The Government of Argentina has officially included US$ 664 Million in funding for the purchase of 12 PAC JF-17A Block III fighters from Pakistan in a draft budget for 2022 presented to its Parliament.”

Argentina plans to buy Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter jets

09/18/2021

Argentina plans to purchase 12 JF-17 Thunder aircrafts from Pakistan, it emerged on Friday. The news was revealed by Pakistan Strategic Forum on Twitter, stating that the South American country has officially included $664 million in funding for the purchase of fighter jets in a draft budget for 2022 presented to its Parliament.

Taiwan-made fighter jet drill marks the end of five-day wargames

09/18/2021

A drill to test the counterstrike capabilities of the domestically-built Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) was held in Taichung Friday, marking the end of the five-day live-fire component of the Han Kuang exercises.

Why IAF is opting for 24 second-hand Mirage 2000 fighter jets

09/18/2021

In an attempt to strengthen its fleet of fourth-generation fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to acquire 24 second-hand Mirage 2000 fighters, made by Dassault Aviation. The IAF will also secure parts for its two existing squadrons of the aircraft. According to a Hindustan Times report, people in the know have said that IAF has initiated a contract worth €27 million with the manufacturer to buy the fighters, eight of which are in ready-to-fly condition.

Northrop Grumman Unveils Autonomous ‘Loyal Wingman’ Aircraft

09/18/2021

Northrop Grumman’s Scaled Composites has unveiled a low-cost model of an optionally-crewed aircraft designed to fly alongside manned aircraft in a “loyal wingman” role. Evolving from the aerospace firm’s experimental Model 401 aircraft, the Model 437 technology demonstrator has a reported range of 3,000 miles (4,828 km) and a cruising speed of Mach 0.8. Its payload bay can carry 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of cargo.

China enters Taiwan air defence zone a day after military budget boost

09/18/2021

Taiwan's air force scrambled on Friday to warn away 10 Chinese aircraft that entered its air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said, the day after the island announced a $9 billion boost to military spending to counter the threat from China. Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained for a year or more of repeated missions by China's air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defence zone close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

British, Italian F-35s to get new missile types

09/17/2021

MBDA and BAE Systems have secured additional funding from the British and Italian governments to complete integration of key weapon systems destined to add capability to their F-35 combat jet fleets, the companies announced Sept 17. The cash injection will see MBDA’s SPEAR precision surface attack missile and Meteor air-to-air weapon integrated on the aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force’s Next Tanker Must Be Small, Stealthy And Robotic

09/17/2021

The U.S. Air Force has a tanker problem. Just one thing can solve it. A drone. A small, stealthy drone. It’s increasingly clear service leaders understand this. But they’re in no rush to do anything about it. The problem is obvious. In the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. military flies most of its warplanes from just a handful of big bases. And those bases—namely, Kadena in Okinawa and Andersen in Guam—are many hundreds, or even thousands, of miles from likely combat zones over the China and Phi

Strategic Analysis: Bangladesh Air Force reaches for the skies

09/17/2021

No matter what happens after much drama, tension, and delay -- it is assured that one of the finest multirole combat aircraft in the world; either the Eurofighter Typhoon or Dassault Rafale is arriving to defend the skies of Bangladesh.