Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US Deploys F-15 Fighters To Launch Retaliatory Strike In Syria After Iranian Drone Hits US Military Base

03/26/2023

Hours after a military base housing US troops was struck allegedly by an Iranian drone, the US Central Military Command (CENTCOM) dispatched its most trusted and combat-hardened fighter, the F-15E, to launch retaliatory strikes. Tensions have significantly ratcheted between the two adversaries after intelligence officials announced that an Iranian kamikaze drone struck the military base and killed a US contractor.

China’s J-20 Fighters ‘Fail’ To Break Through Air Defense Bubble; Gets Caught In The Web In Late-Night Simulation Drills

03/26/2023

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army practiced air defense with the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). The Air Force sent a J-20 stealth fighter jet as a mock enemy in a move experts said could simulate attacks by a US F-35, a stealth aircraft that poses threats to the country’s national defense.

Furthering agility and lethality: McChord C-17s refuel, re-arm F-35s

03/25/2023

Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs hailing from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, forward deployed to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to participate in Exercise Monster Jam, March 6-9, 2023. The intent for the exercise was to verify the 7th Airlift Squadron’s ability to employ and perform in a high intensity environment while supporting wartime operations against a peer adversary.

US Air Force wants money to speed E-7 purchases in FY24 wish list

03/25/2023

The U.S. Air Force wants to speed up its procurement of Boeing E-7A battlefield management and command-and-control aircraft, as part of the service’s so-called wish list for the fiscal 2024 budget. The nearly $2.5 billion unfunded priorities list, obtained by Defense News, includes more than $633 million for accelerating the delivery of the E-7, which the Air Force plans to eventually replace the E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control, or AWACS, aircraft.

Congress’ Research Arm Weighs In On Transferring Fighters To Ukraine

03/25/2023

Earlier this month, the Congressional Research Service issued a report on the possibilities and implications of handing over fighter aircraft to Ukraine. In providing Congress with options to consider, the CRS illustrates evolving institutional support for the idea. Whether it comes to pass and how remains in question.

Ukraine's air force is now allowing foreigners to sign up as pilots as it pushes for Western fighter jets

03/25/2023

Ukraine's Air Force said it will now allow foreigners to serve as pilots and engineering specialists, with a spokesperson stressing the fact that Ukraine will likely need international recruits if and when it starts to receive Western combat aircraft. Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the commander of Ukraine's air force, said in a statement Thursday that foreign citizens will be able to join if they have suitable military training.

Korea to start mass production of KF-21 in 2024

03/24/2023

Korea's state-run arms procurement agency said, Thursday, it seeks to achieve "tentative" combat suitability of the KF-21 Boramae by May ? six months earlier than planned ? in order to kick off mass production of the domestically developed fighter jet next year. The 4.5-generation combat aircraft is expected to enter service in 2026, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration added.

F-16 training and support for international fleets

03/24/2023

American aerospace prime, Lockheed Martin, has been keen to bring the fourth-generation legacy F-16 into use for contemporary aerial combat. The manufacturer has recently declared its ambition to enable the F-16 to operate well into the 2060s. To this end, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 upgrade campaign seeks to keep the aircraft in play as a continuously standard jet in many of the world’s increasingly dynamic fleets.

Turkey’s National Fighter Jet Takes the Runway

03/24/2023

Planned to fly in 2023, the first images of the National Combat Aircraft were shared by Ismail Demir, President of Defense Industries. Turkey continues to make its name known to the world with its domestic and national productions. Turkey continues to make its mark in defense production in 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Republic.

US moving advanced aircraft to Asia, Europe from Middle East

03/24/2023

The United States plans to deploy ageing A-10 attack planes to the Middle East as a replacement for more advanced combat aircraft that will be shifted to the Pacific and Europe as tensions with China and Russia intensify, a news report says. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday the move, scheduled for April, is part of a broader plan that also calls for retaining modest naval and ground forces in the Middle East region, according to American officials.

B-52 Bomber’s ‘MALD Tech’ Or Miniature Air-Launched Decoy A Game-Changer For Aerial Battles – Ex MiG-29 Pilot

03/24/2023

The near-sighted, myopic military strategists and experts believed the days of crewed fighter aircraft were over. The United Kingdom was then in the process of developing a multi-role combat jet code-named TSR-2. They had come up with two prototypes of the TSR-2. Yet, the then British Member of Parliament Duncan Sandys initiated a vitriolic against manned fighters and bombers and prophesied that the heat-seeking air-to-air missiles would shoot down every fighter/bomber.

Four Slovakian MiG-29s Flown Directly To Ukraine To Join Its Air Force

03/24/2023

In a move bound to raise hackles in Moscow, four Ukrainian pilots climbed into MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets in Slovakia and flew them home to join their own air force, the Slovakian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced Thursday. The Fulcrums were the first tranche from a total of 13 promised last week by Slovakia to Ukraine, which has had dire need of combat aircraft since the full-scale Russian invasion began.

What difference will Polish, Slovakian fighter jets make to Ukraine?

03/24/2023

The news that Poland and Slovakia are to deliver MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine — some of which have reportedly arrived — signals their departure from the long-standing stance of the international community, which had hitherto resisted Kyiv’s calls for more combat aircraft to help fight off Russia’s invasion. While this donation will be welcomed in Ukraine, it could raise political and practical issues the West must address to maximize the benefits.

India reportedly approved purchase of 26 French Rafale M fighter jets

03/23/2023

According to information published by the New Indian Express on March 22, 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to clear the multi-billion dollar acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighters.

Türkiye reveals its 1st flying-wing unmanned fighter Anka-3

03/23/2023

For the first time, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has revealed the technical futures of Türkiye’s first flying-wing, deep-strike stealth unmanned fighter jet, Anka-3. The state-of-the-art platform is expected to make its maiden flight this year. The features of the unmanned fighter jet and a photo of the aircraft were revealed as part of the two-day Military Radar and Border Security (MRBS) Summit held in Ankara.

Milestone for US Navy as F-35C continues progress with Lot 17 contract

03/22/2023

The United States Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $32,446,000 contract for the production of nine Lot 17 F-35C aircraft. The contract will cover the long-lead materials, parts, components, and associated support for the aircraft production, which the US Navy will use.

China Pitches Its JF-17, J-10 Fighter Jets To Congo; Looks To Further Boost Its Economic & Security Ties With Africa

03/22/2023

China is reportedly offering to export the JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a sign of the rising sale of Chinese weapons in sub-Saharan Africa. A high-ranking group from the Chinese aerospace firm CATIC (China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation) and members of the People’s Liberation Army recently flew to Kinshasa.

Russia’s Su-30 Fighters ‘Team Up’ To Strike Enemy Targets In Baltic Drills; Su-35s Scrambled To Challenge US Bombers

03/22/2023

The Baltic Fleet’s press office said on March 20 that more than ten crew of sophisticated Su-30SM and Su-30SM2 fighter planes began tactical flight rehearsals with bombing and missile strikes in Russia’s westernmost exclave of the Kaliningrad Region, TASS News Agency reported.

Report to Congress on Transferring Fighter Aircraft to Ukraine

03/22/2023

Since Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some defense analysts, U.S. defense officials, and Members of Congress have debated whether or not to enable the transfer of U.S. or NATO military aircraft, including fighter jets and unmanned aircraft, to Ukraine. In general, the debate has centered around two broad questions: (1) Is providing advanced military fighter jets to the Ukrainian air force necessary to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots could take less than six months, US evaluation found – Ukraine Air Force commander

03/21/2023

An American assessment of Ukrainian fighter pilots has revealed they would be ready to fly F-16 jets after fewer than six months of training, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Gen. Serhii Holubtsov told The Times. He says two Ukrainian fighter jet pilots returned to Ukraine last week after an assessment by the US military:

US Pentagon provides support for Kuwait’s KC-130 fleet

03/21/2023

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has extended its KC-130J services contract to support the tanker aircraft fleet of the Kuwait Air Force. The contract was awarded to the Oklahoma-based Aviation Training Consulting LLC for $28m on 16 March. Work will be performed in Altus, Oklahoma (13%); and Kuwait (87%), and is expected to be completed in March 2025.

PACAF Commander: Air Superiority Is the Focus in Indo-Pacific

03/21/2023

Speaking at an Aerospace Nation event hosted by AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Wilsbach said March 20 that air superiority is a joint endeavor of the U.S. and its allies in the region, and includes everything from combat jets to tankers, airlifters, and intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and command and control assets like the E-7 Wedgetail.

Turkey Unveils Stealth Fighter and Combat UAV

03/21/2023

Turkey’s Victory Day (March 18), which commemorates the battle of Çanakkale (Gallipoli), coincided this year with the 100th anniversary of the founding of modern Turkey by Kemal Atatürk. Given the date's significance, Turkish Aerospace (TAI) chose it to unveil its Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU, National Combat Aircraft) fifth-generation fighter, formerly known as the TF-X. The aircraft taxied under its own power on March 16 before a low-key rollout ceremony two days later.

Japan Self-Defense Forces, US military hold joint air, sea drills

03/20/2023

Japan's Defense Ministry says the Air Self-Defense Force and the US Air Force conducted a joint drill on Sunday. The ministry says a total of ten aircraft - F-15 fighter jets from Japan and US B-1 bombers and F-16 fighters - took part in the exercise over the Sea of Japan. It says Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the US Navy also carried out a joint exercise with ships equipped with the Aegis missile-tracking system on Saturday and Sunday.

North Korea launches missile into sea amid US-SKorea drills

03/20/2023

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.