Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Airbus Stares At ‘Death’ Of Eurofighter Typhoons While Lockheed Martin Walks Away With Monstrous European Deals

02/22/2023

European defense consortium Airbus is staring at a shortage of orders, including for the Eurofighter Typhoon, when European countries are making new military purchases to combat potential Russian threats. Airbus SE’s defense unit revealed recently that the company has been planning to increase production of its Eurofighter jet and other important weapons systems but has been held back due to the inability of governments to commit to orders, Bloomberg reported.

Belarus to make Su-25 attack aircraft as Russia eyes industry takeover

02/22/2023

In another sign of tightening defense ties between Belarus and Russia, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced his country’s defense industry is ready to kick off the manufacturing of Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack aircraft. Some analysts suggest the move could be related to Moscow’s plan to streamline Minsk’s defense industry capacities towards its war against Ukraine.

S. Korea's first two-seater fighter jet KF-21 succeeds 34-minute maiden flight

02/21/2023

The fourth prototype of South Korea's homemade fighter jet KF-21 successfully conducted its flight about seven months after the first prototype made its 33-minute maiden flight in July 2022. The first two-seater fighter jet will be used for various missions such as testing the performance of a computer-controlled array antenna system that determines the survival of fighter jets in a combat situation.

Italy Ready To Provide Ukraine With Modern Aircraft, But Only On Its Own Terms - Media

02/21/2023

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni may raise the issue of providing Ukraine with modern combat aircraft during her upcoming visit to Kyiv, which is due to take place before February 24. The Italian publication Repubblica reported this with reference to its own sources writes.

US conducts combat drills with Japan and South Korea

02/21/2023

The US has carried out separate air exercises with both the Japanese and South Korean air forces to build quick response capability to any regional threat. According to a US Forces Japan’s media statement, the bilateral exercise between Japan and US was conducted on 19 February to demonstrate the combined rapid capabilities of both nations in countering a wide range of regional adversaries.

Hindustan Aeronautics Unveils Lead-in Fighter Trainer Project

02/21/2023

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) displayed a model of its company-funded HLFT-42 (Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer) concept at the recent Aero India show, despite the apparent lack of a formal Indian Air Force requirement for the jet. The project is being positioned as a lead-in fighter training aircraft that will have performance and systems representative of frontline types, allowing it to download training from operational aircraft while exposing pilots to modern sensors, weapons and roles at low

War update: Ukrainian forces shoot down enemy Su-25 aircraft, three drones

02/20/2023

Ukraine’s Defense Forces have shot down another Russian Su-25 aircraft, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and one Lancet-3 loitering munition. The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The United States announced progress on the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine

02/20/2023

The likelihood of US transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is gradually increasing. Such an opinion on Sunday, February 19, on the air of the TV channel CNN expressed the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Michael McCall (R-Texas).

Under Cover Of Su-35, Su-30SM Fighters, Russia Deploys ‘Highly Modified’ Su-25 Attack Aircraft To Strike Ukraine

02/20/2023

On February 16, the Russian Ministry of Defense (RuMoD) highlighted the capabilities of the Su-25 attack aircraft upgraded by the country in a Telegram post titled ‘Upgraded Su-25SM3: Superpower Over The Battlefield’.

The story of the F-15E Strike Eagle that shot down an Iraqi Mi-24 with a 2000lb laser-guided bomb during Operation Desert Storm

02/19/2023

During Operation Desert Storm F-15E Strike Eagle #89-0487, or “487” for short, from 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS, today 335th Fighter Squadron, FS) “Chiefs” was credited with one of the most unique air-to-air kills in aviation history.

Russia to propose Gulf States partnership to produce Su-75 Checkmate fighter aircraft

02/19/2023

Russia is to propose a partnership with the Gulf States to produce its cutting-edge fighter jet Su-75, also referred to as Checkmate, Russian media reported on Thursday. "Rosoboronexport is considering options for joint design and manufacture of cutting-edge high-tech products, including a fifth-generation fighter based on the Checkmate light tactical aircraft," shared Rosoboronexport's Director General Alexander Mikheev.

Chinese Shandong, USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier ‘Encounter’ In SCS After First Meet Of Stealth Fighters – Reports

02/19/2023

China has released a video featuring its second aircraft carrier Shandong conducting a training exercise and making announcements in English, which according to a Chinese military expert, could mean that the aircraft carrier had “a close encounter with a US aircraft carrier in the South China Sea.”

Ukrainian Air Force launches five strikes on invaders, hits anti-aircraft missile system

02/18/2023

During the day, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched five strikes on the personnel and military equipment clusters of the Russian invaders and hit the location of an anti-aircraft missile system. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00, February 17, published on Facebook.

RAAF EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft to get Jammer Upgrades

02/18/2023

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)’s EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft will be upgraded to the most current US capabilities by Australian Defence Force’s standout radar-systems developer CEA Technologies as part of the $6 billion Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 project.

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around country

02/18/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 12 Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 16) and 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 17). Of the 12 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during this time.

China helps military junta with fighter aircraft to strengthen its control over Myanmar population: Report

02/18/2023

China is helping Myanmar’s military to strengthen its control over the helpless civilians by providing them with “fighter aircraft”, and this clearly shows that Beijing doesn’t value human rights when it comes to furthering its own interests, Mekong News, Myanmar-based news agency reported. Earlier, in October, Irrawaddy, a newspaper in Myanmar run by the opposition had claimed that the country had ordered several FTC-2000G midrange fighter jets from China.

Russian combat aircraft production sustained despite sanctions

02/18/2023

The invasion of Ukraine on 24 February provoked ‘swift and severe’ retaliatory sanctions against Russia – as President Biden had warned. Russia’s defence industry was a target sector for santcions. In the last year the maritime and land domains have been significantly debilitated by sanctions. In Russia there is debate over how naval ship-building can recover under sanctions.

Democrats, Republicans join up to urge Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine

02/18/2023

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pressing President Joe Biden directly to send F-16 warplanes to Ukraine as the fight against Russia’s invasion enters its second year. Five House members argued modern jets — which Kyiv has sought, but the administration has so far not agreed to — “could prove decisive for control of Ukrainian airspace this year” in a Thursday letter to Biden obtained by POLITICO.

In Satellite Images and Video, Hidden Clues About an Iranian Air Force Upgrade

02/18/2023

On Feb. 7, Iran unveiled a new underground Air Force base called “Eagle 44” in a slick propaganda video. On the wall was a clue hiding in plain sight: a poster with silhouettes of fighter jets. One in particular stands out. It’s situated front and center, and is in the shape of a state-of-the-art military jet that Iran currently doesn’t possess, but which officials claim Russia is in the process of selling to them.

Air Force Grounds Hundreds of Utility Aircraft as it Investigates Faulty Tail Part

02/17/2023

Hundreds of the Air Force's workhorse aircraft are being grounded as the service investigates a faulty part which, if not fixed, could potentially cause part of a plane's tail to fall off leading to a crash.

The Incredible Capabilities Of The Legendary A-10 Warthog Attack Plane Read More: https://www.slashgear.com/1202290/the-incredible-capabilities-of-the-legendary-a-10-warthog-attack-plane/

02/17/2023

High-tech stealth fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor have taken over the news cycle in recent weeks and are being used as the primary weapons to deal with potential threats in American and Canadian airspace. The Raptor and jets like it showcase the best the United States and its military has to offer when dealing with airborne targets both inside the borders of the States and abroad.

US F-35 jets intercept 4 Russian fighter aircraft near Alaska, second action in 2 days

02/17/2023

Two U.S. F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian fighter aircraft Tuesday as they approached Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone, officials announced Thursday. The Russian military aircraft included a TU-95 BEAR-H bomber, as well as SU-30 and SU-35 fighter jets.

How India-built Tejas Can Transform Air Capabilities Of Argentina, Egypt

02/16/2023

India’s indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has garnered much attention worldwide with Argentina and Egypt joining the bid for the procurement of the multirole fighter. Developed by the pioneering India-based aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), LCA Tejas is a lightweight, multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft. HAL Chairman CB Ananthakrishnan said Argentina and Egypt are in talks with India regarding the procurement of the aircraft.

Indian Navy shows interest in acquiring Boeing Super Hornets fighter aircraft

02/16/2023

Boeing has submitted details to the Indian Navy for assessment about the Super Hornets fighter aircraft produced by the company, a senior official of the firm has said. Boeing Defense, Space and Security, India business development head, Alain Garcia told PTI the company has handed over the details and the Indian Navy is also interested in acquiring six more P-8 patrol aircraft.

Boeing-Saab Red Hawk Aircraft On Way To Emerge As A Critical Platform For USAF To Battle China’s J-20, Russia’s Su-57 Fighters

02/16/2023

In December 2022, media reports indicated that the production of the new T-7A Red Hawk training jet for the Air Force had been delayed until 2024 due to design and testing issues. Pre-production flight testing is planned this year.