Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Egypt looks elsewhere to get the stealth fighters the US reneged on

08/26/2024

Egypt's military still desperately wants a world-class fighter jet. With the deal it sought to acquire 20 F-35 stealth fighters from the US on ice, Egyptian officials reportedly discussed buying fourth- and even fifth-generation fighter jets from China. It could be a sign that Cairo, a top recipient of American military aid, is either seriously pursuing advanced aircraft from a US rival or trying to ratchet up pressure on the US to cave and sell it F-35 Lightning IIs.

U.S. Pulls Out Last F-15C Eagle From Japan’s Kadena AB In Ceremonial Flight; Now F-15EX Jets To Hold Fort

08/25/2024

The US Air Force marked “the end of an era” with a ceremonial final flight for the F-15C Eagle, tail number A5095, on August 15, 2024, at Kadena Air Base in Japan. This flight, organized by the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 67th Fighter Squadron, celebrated the aircraft’s departure from the unit and signified the last time A5095 would take to the skies.

After NGAD, the US Navy's F/A-XX program is also threatened in 2025

08/25/2024

Launched in conjunction with the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program, the US Navy's F/A-XX program has been pursued much more quietly than its counterpart in recent years. At best, we knew, at the start of the year, that the US Navy had a comfortable budget of $1,53 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, to complete the conceptual study phase, and begin the phase of maturation, with the objective of designing a system of onboard air combat systems by 2040, to take over from the F/A-1

China’s jet fires flares 49 feet away from Philippines’ plane over disputed territory

08/25/2024

Aerial clashes near South China Sea flashpoints occur ahead of talks between a top Chinese diplomat and US national security adviser. Manila’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that on Monday, a Chinese fighter jet performed “irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers” as a Philippine fisheries plane conducted a flight near Scarborough Shoal.

Russia To Boost Su-57 Stealth Fighter’s Production With New Facilities At KnAAZ Aviation Plant

08/24/2024

Moscow has announced a major development in its efforts to bolster the production of its beleaguered Su-57 stealth fighter fleet. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ), a key facility within the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has commissioned new facilities aimed at scaling up the production of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighters.

F-22 Raptors To Hold ‘Simulated Combat’ Over South China Sea; USAF Stealth Fighters Arrive In Singapore

08/24/2024

The Raptors, from the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), will participate in a series of exercises over the next few days alongside Singapore’s F-15SG and F-16 fighter aircraft. According to the RSAF statement on Facebook, the training will take place in the southern reaches of the contentious South China Sea, specifically within international airspace.

Old MacJohan Had a Fighter Jet

08/24/2024

These days, NATO worries that Russia might attack its airbases. Almost uniquely within the alliance, Sweden is prepared for such contingencies: It has an extensive network of roads that double as military runways. It also has aircraft capable of landing and taking off on such roads—and officers and soldiers able to service and move the aircraft within minutes. With Western air dominance no longer guaranteed, other NATO members can learn from Sweden’s dual-use roads.

Airpower on a budget: US to revive light fighter concept

08/23/2024

The US is considering reviving its light fighter concept in response to difficulties with its next-generation fighter program, a move that has sparked heated debate and challenged conventional airpower strategies. This month, The War Zone reported that US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin unveiled a notional light fighter concept at a recent presentation at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London, sparking discussions about the future of the US fighter fleet.

Russia Loses MiG-31 Jet, Two Other Aircraft After Strike on Air Base—Report

08/23/2024

Ukraine destroyed a Russian MiG-31 jet and two cargo planes in an attack on a military airfield deep inside Russia earlier this month, according to Ukrainian media. A further five Russian aircraft were damaged in Ukrainian drone attacks on the Savasleyka military airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow, several Ukrainian outlets reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources in Kyiv's GUR military spy agency.

US and South Korean Fighters Will Fly 2,000 Sorties in Five Days for Latest Exercise

08/22/2024

U.S. and South Korean fighters are flying sorties at a breakneck pace this week in their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise meant to prepare for potential missile attacks by North Korea. Over 200 aircraft, including F-16s and A-10s from the 8th Fighter Wing and 51st Fighter Wing and F-15K, FA-50, and KF-16 jets from the Republic of Korea Air Force, are conducting 2,000 sorties together from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23, according to the ROKAF.

U.S. Adding ‘NGAD Tech’ On F-22 Raptors As USAF Tries To Keep Its Stealth Fighters Ahead Of Rivals

08/22/2024

The US Air Force (USAF) is testing new, upgraded sensor systems on the F-22 stealth aircraft. The aim is to extend the service life of the F-22 Raptors, which were originally slated to be replaced by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Marine Corps Lays Out Plan for Harrier Crews as Stalwart Aircraft Flies into Sunset

08/21/2024

Earlier this year, Harriers were flying around the eastern Mediterranean on a deterrence mission amid the Israel war. The aircraft was proving its worth once again, as it has for more than 40 years.

BAE Systems to fit upgrades on F-15EX and F/A-18E/F

08/21/2024

BAE Systems‘ latest project with Boeing involves upgrading the flight control computers of the F-15EX Eagle II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The fusion of cybersecurity measures and future-oriented processing power will enhance combat readiness. BAE Systems has been tasked with upgrading the flight control computers (FCC) of two fighter aircraft, the F-15EX Eagle II and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

The J-10C and JH-7A of the Chinese Air Force face off in simulated air combat against Thai Gripen fighters

08/21/2024

As the Bilateral Exercise Falcon Strike 2024 continues, various images of the J-10C fighters of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) have surfaced on social media, showing the exercises being conducted with Gripen combat aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force. Although this is not the first edition of this combined activity, the interaction between Chinese and Western-origin combat aircraft always attracts the attention of specialists.

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese naval ships, 8 military aircraft

08/20/2024

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked nine Chinese naval vessels and eight military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Aug. 18) and 6 a.m. on Monday. Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.

Algeria Outpaces Egypt in Combat-Ready MiG Fighters

08/20/2024

Algeria has emerged as a dominant air power in North Africa, passing up Egypt in the number of combat-ready MiG fighter jets. Although Egypt has the largest air force on the continent, Algeria comes in second with a fairly formidable force as well. Algeria’s investment in modernizing its air force fleet, particularly the MiG-29, is paying off.

China dispatched planes during Games

08/19/2024

Drills involving 304 Chinese military aircraft and 162 ships had been detected around Taiwan during the Paris Olympics, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday, condemning China for undermining regional peace.

China's J-10 Fighter: A Copy of the F-16 Fighter? Well, Not Exactly.

08/19/2024

China's Chengdu J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" fighter bears a striking resemblance to the American F-16, but it is more closely related to Israel's IAI Lavi, a canceled fighter project. Reports suggest that the J-10 may have incorporated Israeli technology through alleged collaboration, though China claims the design is rooted in its own Chengdu J-9 project.

First Look at the P-8A Poseidon’s New Multi-Mission Pod

08/18/2024

We might have got the first ever look at the new Multi-Mission Pod (MMP) for the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The photo, sent to us by aviation photographer Connor Ochs at Airplane Fotos, shows a Poseidon assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 with the new MMP installed under its centerline attachment point.

Russia's Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter Headed to India?

08/18/2024

India is considering expanding its fleet of Russian-designed MiG-29s, with plans to upgrade its existing aircraft and acquire additional MiG-29 UPG variants. Meanwhile, Russia is reportedly pushing India to consider adopting the Su-75 "Checkmate," a fifth-generation stealth fighter that remains unproven and has struggled to find international buyers.

Pilot killed in Russia military plane crash

08/17/2024

One pilot was killed and three injured when a Russian fighter plane crashed during a training flight over Siberia, the regional governor said on Friday. The Tu-22M3 plane went down late Thursday in a deserted area over the Irkutsk region, Igor Kobzev said.

Paramount tests South Korea’s KF-21 stealth fighter radar

08/17/2024

South African defense company Paramount is at the forefront of testing the radar system for South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae stealth fighter jet. The radar in question is the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), a critical component of the indigenous KF-21 program. Let’s delve into the details.

Ukraine 'lost' MiG-29 fighter jet as Russia claims attack on airbase

08/17/2024

Ukraine lost a MiG-29 fighter jet on Aug. 16, according to former Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat. "Unfortunately, today we lost a MiG-29. Luckily, everyone is alive. War," Ihnat said, without elaborating where and how the aircraft was destroyed.

“Killer” Of China’s JF-17, Philippines Mulls Deploying Its Only Combat Fighters In Arsenal To Deter PLAAF

08/16/2024

As it braces for more dangerous maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets, the Philippines is mulling the deployment of the FA-50 fighters, a cutting—edge aircraft, to escort its patrol aircraft over the South China Sea.

Iconic Panavia Tornado combat aircraft turns 50

08/16/2024

August 14, 2024, marked the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Panavia Tornado combat aircraft. Nearly 1,000 units of this iconic supersonic aircraft were produced in its several versions (IDS, for ground attack and interdiction, ADS for air defense and ECR for electronic warfare and reconnaissance) during the course of the last five decades.