Military Aviation News Archive

At the Pentagon, push to send F-16s to Ukraine picks up steam

01/29/2023

A contingent of military officials is quietly pushing the Pentagon to approve sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help the country defend itself from Russian missile and drone attacks, according to three people with knowledge of the discussions.

Ukraine: 'Fast-Track' Talks Underway for Missiles, Planes

01/29/2023

Ukraine and its Western allies are engaged in “fast-track” talks on the possibility of equipping the invaded country with long-range missiles and military aircraft, a top Ukrainian presidential aide said Saturday. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukraine’s supporters in the West “understand how the war is developing” and the need to supply planes capable of providing cover for the armored fighting vehicles that the United States and Germany pledged.

India, Japan conclude 16-day air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’

01/29/2023

The inaugural edition of the 16-day bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force has concluded in Japan. The exercise, ‘Veer Guardian 2023’, involved precise planning and skilful execution by both the air forces, the Indian Air Force said on Friday. The exercise concluded on Thursday.

IAF's Sukhoi, Mirage aircraft crash in MP; 1 pilot killed

01/29/2023

In a rare and tragic accident, two frontline combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed during a training mission in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district on Saturday, resulting in the death of a wing commander while two other pilots ejected safely. Defence experts said it is probable that the Russian-designed Sukhoi-30MKI jet and the French Mirage-2000 had a mid-air collision, but there was no official comment on it from the IAF.

FRENCH RAFALE JOINS GERMAN EUROFIGHTERS FOR SHORT-TERM DEPLOYMENT

01/28/2023

The French Air and Space force conducted a temporary deployment of one Rafale fighter aircraft from Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, to join the German fighter detachment at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, to practice dispersed operation drills and aircraft cross-servicing.

Poland reportedly delivered MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine as ‘spare parts’

01/28/2023

Poland has already delivered operational MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in secret, local media has reported. Since the initial invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Ukrainian authorities have been asking their allies for the delivery of combat aircraft, both Soviet and Western. In March 2022, shortly after the beginning of the war, a plan to transfer the whole Polish fleet of MiG-29 fighters officially fell through, after Poland and the United States failed to reach an agreement.

It’s Official! Italian Defense Industry Signs Contract For 6th-Gen, UK-Japan-Italy GCAP Fighter Jet Program

01/28/2023

The Global Combat Air Program is a multilateral initiative by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet akin to American Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programs. It was announced in December 2022 after merging existing next-gen fighter programs.

Ukraine Requests Two Squadrons Of F-16s But Giving ‘Vipers’ to Kyiv Is Easier Said Than Done

01/28/2023

After being able to obtain large numbers of Western tanks (potentially up to 175 so far, including M1 Abrams, Challenger 2 and Leopard 2 tanks), Ukrainians negotiations are now focusing on the supply of Western fighter aircraft and something might already be in motion. In fact, on Jan. 24, Colonel Yuriy Ignat, the speaker of the Ukrainian Air Force, said that a cooperation in this area is being actively discussed.

Ukraine says pilots would need six months for F-16 combat training

01/28/2023

Ukraine said on Friday it would take its pilots about half a year to train for combat in Western fighter jets such as U.S. F-16s, as Kyiv steps up its campaign to secure fourth-generation warplanes in the wake of Russia's invasion last February. Ukraine got a huge boost this week when Germany and the United States announced plans to provide heavy tanks to Kyiv, which is now hoping the West will also provide long-range missiles and fighter jets.

Unwise divestments are crippling US Marine Corps aviation

01/27/2023

U.S. Marine Corps aviation is being significantly and needlessly decimated, another unforced error of Force Design 2030. Newly procured aircraft have been tossed aside; identical blows to state-of-the-art helicopters and strike/fighter jets are on the way. The losses in aircraft are significant. The reductions are not the result of insufficient funding or mandated cuts in personnel; the wounds have been self-inflicted.

Ukraine Army aircraft launch 16 strikes on enemy positions

01/27/2023

The aircraft of the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched 14 strikes on Russian military personnel concentration areas and two strikes on the positions of the enemy's anti-aircraft missile systems on January 25.

Air Force Aggressors More Relevant Than Ever At 50

01/27/2023

I would say we are more valid now than ever before. With the Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of Defense saying their focus is China, China, China, that’s what we are here for. We are here to embody and replicate our enemies to the best of our ability,” says Lt. Col. Christopher “Vön” Finkenstadt, F-16 pilot, and commander of the U.S. Air Force’s 64th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS), at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

India Navy's MiG-29K to start trials on aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

01/27/2023

The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a fourth-generation, twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan design bureau. It is the naval variant of the MiG-29, and is designed for aircraft carrier operations. The aircraft was first introduced in the late 1980s and has been in service with the Russian Navy since the 1990s.

Air Force to upgrade Sukhoi jets for 4 billion dollar to increase its capacity

01/26/2023

The Indian Air Force needs 4 billion dollar to upgrade its fighter aircraft Sukhoi fleet. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already proposed the upgrade program, which is expected to be approved by the government soon. As a HAL nodal agency, about 150 fighter aircraft will upgrade fifth generation fighter jet as ‘Super Sukhoi’, after which the Indian Air Force’s fighter capacity will increase manifold, reported HS.

US military orders 3 new F-35 test aircraft to replace current force – Pentagon

01/26/2023

Lockheed Martin has won a $320 million US Navy modification contract to construct three new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to be used as flight science test aircraft to replace the current aging testing force, the Defense Department announced in a press release.

Rwanda fires on Congo military aircraft accused of violation

01/26/2023

Rwanda has fired on a Congolese military aircraft it alleges violated its airspace in a new escalation of tensions between the neighbors that has set off alarm across central Africa. A Rwandan government statement said “defensive measures” were taken against a Sukhoi-25 from Congo on Tuesday evening, and it urged Congo to “stop this aggression.” Rwanda’s state broadcaster shared unverified video of what appeared to be a projectile fired at an aircraft.

Ukraine eyes fighter jets after tanks: ‘This is what we want’

01/26/2023

Ukraine says it will now push for Western fourth-generation fighter jets such as the American F-16 after securing dozens of high-end battle tanks from NATO allies. Ukraine won a huge boost for its troops as the United States and Germany announced plans to provide heavy tanks for Kyiv on Wednesday.

DoD delays key F-35 tests, lowering chance of 2023 production decision

01/25/2023

The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester fears a crucial test for the F-35 program is in danger of slipping further, perhaps into fiscal 2024. And even the best-case scenario for carrying out the series of tests in the Joint Simulation Environment means the chances of an F-35 full-rate production decision happening in fiscal 2023 are rapidly dwindling.

Ukrainians claim they shot down 3 'deadliest' Russian helicopters in half an hour

01/25/2023

The Ukrainian Air force on Tuesday claimed via a tweet that they downed three Russian helicopters in just half an hour. Reportedly, the three Ka-52 choppers, also known as The Black Shark, a single-seat aircraft costing £12 million, arguably the best combat helicopters in the world, were brought down on Monday night.

Leaders Detail Future of National Guard

01/25/2023

The National Guard remains an integral part of U.S. military might, and it's changing to remain effective for the future, Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said today. Hokanson and Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, held a wide-ranging news conference on the challenges facing the National Guard and its 430,000 service members.

Marines Buy 2 XQ-58A Valkyrie Drones for ‘Collaborative Killer’ Concept Testing

01/25/2023

The Marine Corps used a new Pentagon program designed to quickly prototype systems for conflict in the Pacific to buy two unmanned aerial vehicles last month for $15.5 million, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.

First F-16 Block 70 Jet Makes Maiden Flight

01/25/2023

On Jan. 24, 2023, at 09.17AM ET, the first F-16 Block 70 jet carried out its inaugural flight from the Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina site. Piloted Lockheed Martin test pilots Dwayne “Pro” Opella and Monessa “Siren” Balzhiser, the aircraft remained airborne for about 50 minutes conducting various airworthiness checks, including engine, flight control and fuel system checks, as well as basic aircraft handling.

Turkish 'Bayraktar Kizilelma' UAV carries out second flight successfully (PHOTO/VIDEO)

01/24/2023

The Turkish ‘Bayraktar Kizilelma’ (Red Apple Fighter) UAV has successfully completed the second flight, the Baykar Technology company told Trend. According to the company, the identification of unmanned combat aircraft systems was tested during the second flight. The ‘Bayraktar Kizilelma’ project was launched in 2021 and in less than a year, in record time, after one month of testing, the first flight took place.

The Air Force is swapping out Eielson’s aging fighter jets

01/24/2023

The Air Force has begun replacing Eielson Air Force Base’s aging fleet of F-16’s with upgraded models of the fighter jet. The first two of the newer jets arrived last week. The two newer F-16 Fighting Falcons are both about 35 years old, a couple of years younger than the jets they’ll replace. More importantly, the incoming F-16s have avionics that were updated five years ago, nearly a decade after then the old jets got their last upgrade.

Norway to continue Nato’s Air Policing mission in Iceland

01/24/2023

The Nato Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) has announced that Norwegian F-35 aircraft have been certified to continue their Air Policing mission in High North region. Provided by Nato’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, the certification will allow the Norwegian forces to continue the Air Policing task until February.