Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Myanmar Junta Takes Delivery of FTC-2000G Fighter Jets from China

12/06/2022

Myanmar’s military regime has taken delivery of six FTC-2000G fighter jets purchased from China, according to Myanmar-based observers monitoring the regime’s air force. The six fighter jets arrived in November and are currently being checked over at Meiktila airbase in Mandalay Region before their deployment to Namhsan airbase in southern Shan State, according to regime air force sources.

Chinese warplanes cross Taiwan Strait’s median

12/05/2022

Twenty-five Chinese military aircraft and four naval ships were detected around Taiwan from 6am Saturday to 6am yesterday, including eight airplanes that had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and another two that entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft that entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ were a Y-8 anti-submarine plane and a BZK-005 uncrewed aerial vehicle, the Ministry of National Defense said.

French Air Force Rafale deploy in Lithuania

12/05/2022

On 25 November 2022, the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force) 30e escadre de chasse (EC-30, 30th fighter wing) from Base Aérienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan air base started its deployment of four Dassault Rafale F3R fighter aircraft and around one hundred personnel to Šiauliai air base (Lithuania) for a period of four months as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission.

Advanced Tactical Leadership Course UAE

12/05/2022

Recently, from 10 October to 25 November 2022, a large TLP-like exercise (Tactical Leadership Programme) took place at Al Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The so called Advanced Tactical Leadership Course (ATLC) No.32 UAE was hosted by the Air Warfare and Missile Air Defence Centre on the air base. The ATLC exercises are organised in the UAE since 2004, under the framework of a Military Cooperation Programme with international collaborations of the Armed Forces.

Concerns mount about Germany's F-35 jet purchase plan

12/05/2022

Germany's defence ministry has raised serious concerns about the planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, part of the country's military modernisation drive, according to documents seen by AFP. Berlin announced in March it would buy 35 of the warplanes made by Lockheed Martin to replace its aging Tornado fleet, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US-China Conflict: Experts Propose XQ-58 Valkyrie As ‘Best Option’ To Swarm China Before Attacking With F-22, F-35 Jets

12/05/2022

Close on the heels of US Air For (USAF) F-15C/D fighters being withdrawn from Kadena Air Force Base (AFB) in Japan’s Okinawa, the experimental Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie has been suggested as the next credible alternative as a part of an effort to introduce drone swarms to overwhelm China.

Russia uses an airframe from the 80s to build MiG-35 Fulcrum-F

12/04/2022

So the widely advertised Russian MiG-35 fighter is not exactly generation 4++. The Michigan-based writer Mr. Peter Suciu explains why the MiG-35 is primarily a 4th generation fighter and a Kremlin publicity stunt. The MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is a project of the Mikoyan Design Bureau, a subsidiary of the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation [UAC]. The Russians tout it as a capable light highly maneuverable fighter capable of engaging moving and stationary targets, day and night, in all weather condi

New 'Spirit Realm’ B-2 Spirit software factory keeps fleet operational — enabling combat relevancy for years to come

12/04/2022

B-2 Spirit technology consists of more than its unique shape. There are underlying software and hardware advancements that enable long-range low-observable penetrating nuclear capability delivery around the world. The B-2 system continues to improve and modernize as international threats advance.

Türkiye's 1st unmanned fighter jet edges closer to maiden flight

12/04/2022

The Turkish pioneering drone maker has announced Saturday its unmanned fighter jet would soon perform its maiden flight as it edged closer to the landmark with a successful takeoff test where it lifted off the ground for a short duration of time. Named Kizilelma, the National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System (MIUS) had completed its first runway run and autonomous taxiing test last month at an air base in northwestern Tekirdag province.

First New American Bomber Since the Cold War Unveiled: Stealthy B-21 Raider Fixes Issues With Troubled B-2

12/03/2022

On December 2 Northrop Grumman unveiled the first prototype of the B-21 Raider intercontinental range strategic bomber, an aircraft which is expected to replace the U.S. Air Force’s fleets of B-1B and B-2 aircraft and potentially form entirely new bomber units. The bomber is the first to be unveiled in the United States or any Western country since 1988 when the B-2, also developed by Northrop Grumman, was first shown publicly at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.

Hungary transfers Nato’s BAP mission to Poland and France

12/03/2022

The Hungarian Air Force has officially handed over the responsibility of NATO ’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP ) mission to the Polish and French air forces. This was announced by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND ). After the takeover, Poland and France will now carry out the policing mission to safeguard the Lithuanian airspace.

Russian Aircraft Losses Near 300, “Destroyed” Ukraine Air Force Still Deadly

12/03/2022

What Are Russian Aircraft Losses During The Invasion Of Ukraine in 2022? Before the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, most military analysts predicted Russia’s massive fleet of fighter jets and attack helicopters would blast its opponents out of the skies and quickly take control of Ukraine’s air space. Nine months on, and still more of the Kremlin’s war chickens have come home to roost.

Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighters Get Their 1st Operational Division; Enters Service With 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment

12/02/2022

The Su-57 is a multirole fighter developed for taking on land, maritime, and airborne targets. It features stealth technology and is currently one of the few fifth-generation fighter jets operational in the world. According to reports, the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (Istrebitelnyi Aviatsionnyi Polk, IAP) based at Dzyomgi near Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia’s Far East will be the first operational unit within the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) to receive the new fighters.

China allegedly copied Russian plane and made its most advanced fighter jet

12/02/2022

The J-15 is China's first locally made carrier-borne aircraft. Manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the J-15 is nicknamed the "Flying Shark." The fighter jet first entered service in 2014, and per the latest reports, there are about 50 units currently in operation, Business Insider stated.

The king is dead: Why would America want to retire the F-22?

12/01/2022

For months now, the Air Force has been openly discussing plans to retire its most potent air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor, in favor of its next fighter in development. And while the exact timeline remains somewhat murky, the fact of the matter remains: The reign of the Raptor is coming to an end.

Rafale Jets For Indian Navy! Why France Should Be Confident Of Winning Another Fighter Deal From Modi Govt.

12/01/2022

Along with the technological prowess of the Rafale fighter jets, France would like India to take into consideration the factor of it being the most dependable Western ally while choosing the fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers.

Air Force F-35 maintainer shares what it’s like keeping ‘a flying computer’ ready to fight

12/01/2022

Master Sgt. Leah Curtin had four years of experience fixing F-15 fighter jets when she showed up to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 2014 to learn how to fix the much newer F-35 Lightning II. Despite her experience on the older jet, Curtin and her fellow maintainers soon realized that the F-35 is a different sort of beast.

South Korea scrambles jets after Russia, China warplane flyover

12/01/2022

South Korea scrambled its jet fighters on Wednesday after Chinese and Russian strategic bombers flew a joint patrol in its air defense zone in the western Pacific without warning early Wednesday. Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the jets were deployed after two Chinese and six Russian planes breached South Korea’s air defense identification zone (KADIZ), the Yonhap News Agency reported.

Ukraine needs tanks, and the west should supply them. They could finish off Putin and Russia

11/30/2022

In a 1941 speech on a Royal Navy ship, Winston Churchill directed his final comments to the US: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” After a significant victory in Kherson, and standing at the gates of Crimea facing a Russian army desperately trying to shore up its ramshackle defences, Ukraine has the troops and morale to defend what it has.

Russia Rolls Out ‘Most Advanced’ Il-76 MD Aircraft For Its Aerospace Force; Joins Su-30SM2 & Su-35C Fighter Jets

11/30/2022

The latest delivery was completed under a contract made by the Ministry of Defense. Rostec, on November 28, also said in a statement that it is stepping up the production of these aircraft for the Russian defense department. The Director General of the United Aircraft Corporation, Yuri Slyusar, said, “The delivery of new transport planes is our contribution to meeting the requirements for military transport aircraft and strengthening the country’s defense capability.

Mysterious aircraft dropped bombs near a base for Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries fighting in Central African Republic

11/30/2022

A mysterious aircraft that flew from an unknown destination dropped bombs this week near a base housing Russia-linked Wagner Group mercenaries in the Central African Republic, who responded with bursts of weapons fire that scared local residents.

Pentagon: Chinese Navy to Expand to 400 Ships by 2025, Growth Focused on Surface Combatants

11/30/2022

China is building more modern surface combatants and expanding its aircraft carrier and logistics force to grow its naval influence further from shore, according to the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military power. By 2025, the People’s Liberation Army Navy is expected to grow to 400 hulls, up from its fleet of 340, according to the Pentagon’s annual China military report estimates released on Tuesday.

Swedish MP calls for the sale of Gripens to Ukraine

11/30/2022

A member of the Swedish parliament has said the country should agree to sell Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. MP Magnus Jacobsson expressed his position in an interview with Ukrainian news website Guildhall, arguing that the sale should take place despite Sweden’s law banning the sale of armaments to a state involved in a war.

The Menace of a Deepening China-Russia Axis

11/29/2022

As Vladimir Putin’s military’s fortunes wax and wane, China has emerged as Russia’s key supporter. The existence of a Sino-Russian axis was evident as early as the Putin-Xi summit in the lead-up to the 2022 Winter Olympics, after which the leaders issued a joint declaration underscoring their countries’ opposition to further NATO enlargement.

The U.S. Is Considering The Transfer Of GLSDB Munitions To Ukraine

11/29/2022

The Pentagon is considering a Boeing proposal to supply Ukraine with GLSDBs an exclusive Reuters report unveiled on Nov. 28, 2022. The GLSDB could be delivered as early as spring 2023 and would allow Kyiv to strike far behind Russian lines, using Ukrainian MLRS and HIMARS launchers.