Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

How Do Pilots Actually Eject From A Fighter Jet?

10/19/2025

A civilian-owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet, acting as a “red air” adversary for the U.S. Navy, crashed into the Pacific off Big Sur, California, this week. The pilot, working for the contractor ATAC, safely ejected after a suspected engine failure and was rescued uninjured. The incident highlights the role of private companies in military training and the inherent dangers of aviation.

General Atomics Selected To Support U.S. Navy CCA Design Effort

10/19/2025

GA-ASI was selected to work on Navy CCA designs emphasizing a modular approach to platform selection, capable of being rapidly reconfigured and upgraded to meet changing mission requirements, including operations on and from aircraft carriers. GA-ASI’s approach supports the Navy’s revolutionary acquisition strategy of smaller, frequent purchases that enable rapid technology insertion rather than traditional long-lifecycle programs.

Qatar coming to Idaho for military aircraft trainings. Here’s what we know

10/18/2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement took many by surprise, including Idaho’s governor and federal lawmakers who weren’t informed ahead of time. And it was criticized across the political spectrum, with a number of prominent right-wing Republicans questioning what came off as the U.S. permitting the Middle East nation to establish an air base in Idaho.

Rare photo reveals Su-57’s hidden weapon bay

10/18/2025

A previously unseen image of Russia’s Su-57 multirole fighter has surfaced on pro-Kremlin social media channels, showing the aircraft’s internal tail-mounted weapons bay in detail. The release appears to be part of a broader effort by Moscow to promote the export potential of the fifth-generation jet as it seeks foreign funding to complete development.

NATO conducts exercises for fighter-based nuclear roles

10/18/2025

NATO has begun its annual nuclear deterrence training exercise, Steadfast Noon 25, involving 70 aircraft and approximately 2,000 personnel from 14 Allied nations, the alliance confirmed this week. The long-scheduled drill, which runs from October 13 to 24, is part of NATO’s recurring efforts to validate its nuclear posture and joint force readiness. The exercise does not involve live nuclear weapons, and NATO officials emphasized that it is unrelated to current geopolitical developments.

U.S. Marine F-35Bs return after combat missions in Middle East

10/18/2025

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 has returned from a five-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Operating under CENTCOM’s Ninth Air Force, VMFA-542 flew over 1,099 combat sorties and logged 4,736 mishap-free flight hours, according to the Marine Corps. During the deployment, the unit conducted Close Air Support, Defensive Counter-Air, and Armed Overwatch missions in support of U.S. and partner forces across the region.

Russian Forces Shoot Down Own Fighter-Bomber Amid Overnight UAV Assault on Crimea

10/18/2025

Russian forces accidentally shot down one of their own military aircraft overnight while attempting to intercept Ukrainian drones over Crimea, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Ukrainian authorities say they are still gathering information about the incident. Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, said the plane was shot down by Russian air defense missiles while defending against incoming Ukrainian drones.

Indonesia buys Chinese J-10 fighter jets

10/17/2025

Indonesia will acquire 42 Chinese-built Chengdu J-10C fighter jets in a deal valued at over $9 billion, marking the country’s first major non-Western aircraft procurement, according to top defense officials in Jakarta. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating that the aircraft, produced by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, would soon be flying over Jakarta.

RAF fighter pilots to be trained by Indian ‘Top Guns’

10/17/2025

Royal Air Force fighter pilots will be trained by Indian flying instructors for the first time under a new defence deal with Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has agreed to send some of its “Top Guns” to teach British cadets how to fly Hawk T2 fast jets from October next year, The Times has learnt.

Army asks General Atomics for additional uncrewed aircraft for reconnaissance and attack

10/17/2025

General Atomics will build MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft for the U.S. Army under an $86.4 million contract. The MQ-9B, derived from the Reaper, offers 40-hour endurance, SATCOM-only control, and full all-weather capability with advanced radar and infrared sensors. Operators including Canada, the U.K., Belgium, and Japan employ the MQ-9B for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine missions, and precision strike operations.

US-China Rivalry Intensifies Over Next-Generation Combat Weapons

10/17/2025

The United States and China are locked in an intense race to develop unmanned aerial vehicles — a new class of weapon poised to transform the future of aerial warfare. In late August, the US military conducted the first flight test of its YFQ-42A unmanned aircraft. Just a week later, China unveiled a drone closely resembling it during a military parade marking what they call the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance Against Japan.

Netherlands joins CCA programme to develop unmanned aircraft supporting F-35 combat missions

10/17/2025

The Netherlands has officially joined the United States Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, an initiative focused on developing autonomous unmanned air systems designed to fly in coordination with manned fighter jets such as the F-35. The agreement was confirmed on 16 October with a letter of intent signed by State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman in Washington, just ahead of the annual Defence Industry Days held at the Dutch embassy.

Sweden plans to first provide reconnaissance aircraft to Ukraine, then focus on Gripen jets

10/16/2025

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said his country is ready to strengthen military support for Ukraine, including through the PURL initiative and the aviation coalition, speaking ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Ukrinform reported on Oct. 15.

Indonesia to Buy China’s Chengdu J-10 Fighter Jets, Minister Says

10/16/2025

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin revealed Wednesday that Indonesia would soon buy China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jets as the country sought to upgrade its military fleet. Sjafrie, however, did not give a time frame for when the purchase would take place, including the number of fighter jets. The J-10s will soon fly in Jakarta,” Sjafrie said, as reported by the state news agency Antara.

Belgium reaffirms full F-16 delivery to Ukraine as F-35 rollout begins

10/16/2025

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has confirmed that all the F-16 fighter jets pledged by Belgium to Ukraine will indeed be delivered, reiterating his government’s commitment during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Francken emphasized that the aircraft transfer would take place once Ukrainian pilots have completed their training and all necessary technical procedures are finalized.

A Russian Pilot Defected With A Mach 2.3 MiG-29 Fulcrum Fighter Jet

10/16/2025

In a dramatic 1989 defection, Soviet Air Force Captain Aleksandr Zuyev escaped to the West in his advanced MiG-29 fighter. His daring plan involved baking a cake laced with sleeping pills to incapacitate his airbase comrades. After cutting phone lines and getting wounded in a shootout with a guard, Zuyev successfully took off and flew across the Black Sea to Turkey.

Germany orders 20 new Eurofighters to strengthen air superiority

10/16/2025

Germany is strengthening its defence capabilities with the purchase of 20 new Eurofighters. Under the contract, Airbus will produce the multi-role combat aircraft at its final assembly line in Manching, near Munich in Germany. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the German Air Force in 2031, the last in 2034.

Industry minister pushing F-35 maker for economic benefits in Canada

10/15/2025

The federal industry minister is putting pressure on U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to provide more economic benefits in Canada if the government is to proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. Otherwise, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in a French-language interview on Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir, Ottawa could move forward with a smaller fleet of F-35s and the acquisition of a second fleet of Gripen-E fighter jets manufactured by Sweden’s Saab.

Russia is reportedly planning the sale of up to six new Su-35S fighter jets to the Ethiopian Air Force

10/15/2025

According to the same leaked document that outlined Russia’s plans to supply Iran with 48 Su-35S fighters, Moscow also reportedly planned the sale of up to six new aircraft of the same model to the Ethiopian Air Force — a deal that has not yet been officially confirmed. If finalized, the acquisition would represent a major step forward in the modernization of Ethiopia’s combat fleet and stands out as part of a broader set of sales that have recently come to light.

Saab expands work on Sweden’s Future Combat Aviation Concept under new FMV order

10/15/2025

Saab has received an order worth approximately SEK 2.6 billion ($238 million) from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for continued conceptual studies on future fighter systems. The new contract, covering the 2025–2027 period, builds upon the original agreement signed in March 2024 and expands the scope of work under Sweden’s Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS) – or Future Combat Aviation Concept study.

Will Saudi Arabia accept F-16s instead of F-35s?

10/15/2025

Among the topics apparently addressed during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in May was a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighters. However, despite boasting of having signed “the largest defense sales agreement in history”, Washington may still prove reluctant to sell Riyadh the fighter, raising questions over whether the Kingdom might accept less advanced warplanes.

Wilsbach Pledges Tight Coordination with Navy on AMRAAM and JATM Missile Buys

10/15/2025

Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said he will give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on how the services jointly buy air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and the new, secret AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.

France Turns Mirage 2000D Fighters Into Shahed Hunters After Lessons From Ukraine

10/14/2025

France is preparing to modify its fleet of Mirage 2000D fighter jets to intercept long-range suicide drones such as Iran’s Shahed-136, according to Opex360 on October 12. The move is part of a broader effort to develop a cost-effective aerial platform for countering UAV threats, taking cues from Ukraine’s experience defending against Russian drone attacks.

America’s F-22 Edge: The USAF Outpaces NATO in Both Stealth and Scale

10/14/2025

The F-22 Raptor began a new era of aircraft in 2005–the fifth generation. As the first of this new generation, the Raptor featured a combination of stealth and speed that had never been seen before. While there have been new additions to the fifth generation, the F-22 is the poster child of this class. This aircraft alone sets the United States light years ahead of its NATO allies.

Swedish Armed Forces to receive first JAS 39 Gripen E fighters

10/14/2025

The Swedish Armed Forces is set to receive their first Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets on October 20, 2025, during a formal handover ceremony at Skaraborg Air Wing (F 7) in Såtenäs, marking a major milestone in Sweden’s long-term defense modernization. During the ceremony, a pilot from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) will land one of the new aircraft and hand the logbook to Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman, symbolically transferring the jet into Swedish Air Force service.