Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Editors’ picks for 2025: ‘More F-35s, more tankers: a reliable way to strengthen Australian deterrence’

12/23/2025

If the Chinese navy’s task group sailing around Australia a few weeks ago showed us anything, it’s that Australia has a deterrence gap so large you can drive a ship through it. Waiting for AUKUS or hoping Australia’s troubled shipbuilding program will deliver—in the 2030s—is a recipe for annual panic about grey zone coercion as Chinese deployments become routine.

Lockheed?Martin?and?MANTECH?Partner To Advance AI Based Sustainment For U.S. Combat Aircraft Fleet

12/23/2025

Lockheed Martin and MANTECH today announced a strategic teaming agreement to integrate advanced AI driven sustainment solutions into the U.S. combat aircraft fleet. Through this effort, we will deliver real-time aircraft performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, optimized logistics support and improved mission availability across legacy and next-generation platforms, while adhering to the highest standards of security.

Air Force designates Northrop Grumman’s Talon prototype as YFQ-48A

12/23/2025

The U.S. Air Force announces the designation of YFQ-48A as the Mission Design Series for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, a semi-autonomous prototype aircraft. This designation marks a key step forward in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, underscoring the Air Force’s commitment to rapidly delivering next-generation capabilities that meet the urgent and evolving needs of the warfighter.

Russia begins flight tests of Su-57 fighter with new fifth-generation engine

12/23/2025

Russia has begun flight testing a new engine on its Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter as part of an effort to introduce a more powerful and efficient powerplant on future versions of the aircraft.

Ukraine said it sneaked into a guarded Russian airbase and destroyed 2 jets worth up to $100 million combined

12/23/2025

Ukraine said it destroyed two more Russian fighter jets by sneaking into an airfield hangar over the weekend, estimating the destroyed aircrafts' combined worth at up to $100 million. The hits add to the large haul of Russian jets Ukraine says it has been able to strike even at bases hundreds of miles from the front lines. Business Insider was not able to independently verify Ukraine's claim.

Saab submits proposal for Canadian Gripen and GlobalEye production with over 12,000 jobs

12/22/2025

Saab has submitted proposals to the Canadian government to build Gripen fighter jets and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, with the potential to create 12,600 jobs. Local media reported that the plan includes domestic production for export markets, including Ukraine, following recent U.S. tariffs that have affected Canadian industry.

Pakistan to strike multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal with Haftar

12/22/2025

The Times of Islamabad newspaper has revealed that Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense memorandum of understanding that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a deal estimated to be worth several billion dollars.

Switzerland needs more fighter jets: Could Saab’s Gripen be a viable option?

12/21/2025

Switzerland’s decision to cap spending on its F-35A fighter programme has raised an obvious follow-on question: could Bern look beyond Lockheed Martin to fill a growing gap in its future fighter force? While the country remains contractually committed to the F-35, rising costs and a reassessment of Switzerland’s long-term air defence needs have created tension at the heart of its procurement strategy.

Japan’s Fleet of F-35 Fighter Jets Is Growing. So Are Its Military Bases

12/21/2025

Japan is the largest operator of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter. There are currently 105 F-35As, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variants, and 42 F-35Bs, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) models now in service. Three squadrons operate the F-35A at Misawa and Komatsu air bases, and as additional aircraft are received, each base will host two squadrons.

SBU Successfully Destroys Two Russian Su-27 Jets in Crimea Attack, Damages Control Tower

12/21/2025

Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) successfully struck two Russian Su-27 fighter jets at the Belbek military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea, SBU wrote in Telegram on December 20. One of the jets, fully equipped with munitions and ready for combat, was destroyed in the attack. The estimated value of the two aircraft is around $70 million.

South Korean firm to supply advanced displays for Air Force’s new F-15EX fighters

12/20/2025

A South Korean defense technology firm will supply advanced cockpit displays for the U.S. Air Force’s new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet and South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle under a new deal with Boeing. Hanwha Systems announced Thursday that it had signed a contract with the U.S. aircraft manufacturer to provide Eagle Large-Area Displays for both jets.

F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Resumes Production Post Delays

12/20/2025

Following temporary production delays earlier this year, the US Air Force has resumed its deliveries of the new F-15EX Eagle II iteration to the Portland Air National Guard Base. Beginning in August, a strike affecting workers employed at Boeing’s St. Louis facility halted progress on the Eagle II’s production. However, following rounds of negotiations, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 returned to work in November.

Radar, other upgrades planned for experimental US Air Force AI fighter

12/20/2025

The Air Force is upgrading its experimental, autonomous X-62 VISTA aircraft with new radar and other mission systems to expand its ability to conduct complicated tests of artificial intelligence technology. The X-62 VISTA, which stands for Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, is now undergoing a comprehensive mission systems upgrade, according to a Thursday statement from Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Israel Worries as Qatar Eyes F-35 Jets

12/19/2025

For more than half a century, the United States has worked to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East. That could change if Qatar gets the F-35 Lightning II. Israeli officials are growing more concerned regarding Qatar’s renewed interest in a potential F-35 Lightning II acquisition deal with the United States. According to a Channel 12 news report, Washington appears to be weighing the possible arms deal.

Bulgaria holds official ceremony for completion of delivery of first eight F-16s

12/19/2025

Bulgarian government ministers and representatives of the US as well as of F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin attended an official ceremony on December 18 at Graf Ignatievo air base for the completion of deliveries of the fighter jets under the 2019 initial contract.

Ukrainian Drone Hits Fully Armed MiG-31 Fighter Jet

12/19/2025

Ukrainian drones carried out strikes on the Belbek military airfield in Crimea, hitting a MiG-31 interceptor fighter jet and components of air defense systems. Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) reported that the successful operation was conducted on December 18 by Alpha Special Operations Center forces. Local residents recorded the strikes, sharing videos on social media showing explosions and attempts by Russian troops to shoot down the drones.

E-3 Sentry Joins U.S. Combat Aircraft Tracked Off Venezuelan Coast

12/19/2025

As military and economic pressure builds on Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro, an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was tracked on FlightRadar24 flying close to the Venezuelan coast. To our knowledge, at least in recent days, these aircraft have not been present on flight tracking software in this increasingly high-activity area. And if they have popped-up, their presence has been impersistent at best. At the same time, E-3s are no stranger to this region.

What really happened: How Turkish F-16s tracked and shot down unidentified drone

12/18/2025

New details have emerged about how Turkish Air Force Command's F-16s intercepted and shot down an unidentified drone that entered Turkish airspace from the Black Sea on the evening of Dec. 15, with defense sources speaking to Turkish media outlets revealing the step-by-step sequence from initial radar detection to the AIM-9X missile strike near Cankiri, a district in central Anatolia.

Europe’s Mighty Eurofighter May Soon Fly for Bangladesh

12/18/2025

Bangladesh is the latest nation to take steps to procure the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet series. Last week, officials representing the Bangladesh Air Force penned a letter of intent to purchase these famous jets from Italian manufacturer Leonardo. As part of a Multi-Role Combat Aircraft requirement, Dhaka is expected to receive roughly a dozen Eurofighters.

Finland Debuts First F-35A Fighter Jet at Lockheed Martin

12/18/2025

Government and military leaders from the United States and Finland gathered today at Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) F-35 production facility to mark the rollout of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Finnish Air Force, a milestone signaling a new generation of Finnish air power and reinforcing transatlantic ties amid saber-rattling by the Russian Bear.

KAI to Equip KF-21 Boramae Fighter Jet With IFF From BAE Systems

12/18/2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has contracted BAE Systems to integrate its latest Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems into the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Under the $11-million contract, BAE will supply its AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) to enhance the 4.5-generation combat aircraft’s capabilities to distinguish between allied forces and potential threats.

Senate Passes National Defense Bill with Provisions Secured by Peters to Strengthen Michigan’s Defense Footprint

12/18/2025

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee, helped the Senate pass the annual national defense bill. The bipartisan legislation includes numerous provisions authored and secured by Peters to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and defense sector, clean up PFAS contamination, and give servicemembers a pay raise.

India Will Receive Decommissioned Jaguars from Oman to Maintain its Own Aircraft Fleet

12/16/2025

India has agreed with Oman to transfer decommissioned SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers as part of efforts to support the current fleet of this type of aircraft in the country’s Air Force. This was reported by the aviation publication Scramble. Omani Jaguars were decommissioned back in 2014. In total, the country received 27 aircraft of various modifications, which began to be delivered in the late 1970s.

Diehl Aerospace develops tablet-based control interface to link Eurofighter pilots with UAVs

12/16/2025

Diehl Aerospace is developing a new technology that will allow fighter pilots, including those flying the Eurofighter, to interact directly with unmanned aerial systems and other mission-related platforms. The initiative aims to expand the operational capabilities of existing fighter aircraft and prepare them for future, network-centric combat scenarios.

Unknown Source Fires Laser at US Fighter Jets Landing at NATO Ally Base

12/16/2025

Authorities in Germany have launched a criminal probe into apparent laser attacks on U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16 pilots approaching a NATO base in the west of the country earlier this month. On three occasions, fighter jet pilots were approaching Spangdahlem Air Base "when unknown persons targeted the aircraft with a blue laser beam," German police said in a statement.

⇤
⇠
⇢
⇥