Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

F-15EX missile shots examined to verify combat capability

08/05/2022

Engineers and analysts from the AFOTEC Detachment 6 F-15 division traveled to Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall AFB, both in Florida, to draw results from the AIM-120D and AIM-120C3 missile shots performed as part of the Weapons System Evaluation Program, or WSEP, conducted by Eglin’s 53rd Wing. These missile shots conducted Jan. 25, showed how the F-15 EX can be employed in theater and provided the context needed for Detachment 6 to verify its combat capability.

Fighter pilots will don AR helmets to train with imaginary enemies

08/05/2022

In the near future, “Top Gun” may get a reboot. Roughly one year from now, fighter pilots will begin flying with helmets outfitted with visors that can augment reality and place digital replicas of enemy fighter jets in their field of vision. For the first time, pilots will get to fly in the air and practice maneuvering against imitations of highly advanced aircraft made by countries like China and Russia.

Dueling bids for US-made fighter jets could inflame tensions between 2 of NATO's least friendly members

08/05/2022

Turkey and Greece, two of NATO's most valuable but least friendly allies, are pursuing new US-made fighter jets, but their diverging relationships with Washington mean they might not both get what they want. In June, Greece submitted a request to the US for the purchase of 20 F-35 stealth fighters with the option for 20 more jets in the future. The request comes as Athens's ties with Washington, especially their defense relationship, grow closer.

AFOTEC Detachment 6 participates in first F-15EX live-fire missile shots

08/04/2022

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6 Morale Patch. Detachment 6 team members recently participated in two of the first developmental and operational test missile shots for the F-15EX Eagle II.

China Puts Its J-20 Stealth Fighters In ‘Action Mode’ For The Very 1st Time; PLAAF Sends Dozens Of Warplanes Into Taiwan ADIZ

08/04/2022

As tensions soared with the US over Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China commenced joint military exercises surrounding Taiwan, featuring J-20 stealth fighters for the very first time, Chinese media reported. China released a video released showing J-20 stealth fighter jets participating in the military drills. The stealth jets flew from an airfield on Tuesday, with Beijing deploying rockets and missiles to thwart Pelosi’s visit.

New combat pod system wakes up with software updates during test

08/04/2022

The operational assessment of the Angry Kitten Combat Pod electronic attack system in April demonstrated rapid reprogramming between flights. This combat pod, an updated version of the Georgia Tech Research Institute Angry Kitten pod, simulates enemy electronic attack signals during Air Force test and training missions.

Imposing Additional Costs on Russia for Its Continued War Against Ukraine

08/03/2022

The United States is committed to working alongside our allies and partners to further impose severe consequences on President Putin and his enablers for Russia’s unconscionable war against Ukraine.

Chinese Military Drills Will Surround Taiwan As Punishment For Pelosi Visit

08/03/2022

As had been increasingly expected for days now, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan along with a Congressional delegation as part of a scheduled trip through Asia. Despite earlier concerns, China's People's Liberation Army does not appear to have tried to directly intervene to block Pelosi's flight. However, Chinese authorities have now announced plans for a series of highly provocative "targeted military operations."

Four U.S. Marine Hornets Repositioned From Poland To Italy

08/03/2022

On Aug. 1, 2022, four U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) “Death Rattlers”, from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Miramar, California, landed at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Decision looms on fighter jet funding

08/03/2022

The House committee scrutinising the 2023 budget bill will decide on Wednesday on a request by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a budget to fund its F-35A fighter jet procurement scheme. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, vice chairman of the committee, said on Tuesday the panel is split over the issue after reviewing the RTAF's appeal and documents, in which the air force insists the budget request is valid but has agreed to have it slashed by 50%.

BAE Systems launches recruitment drive for Tempest fighter jet

08/03/2022

The plans, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, come amid an announcement at Farnborough Airshow that a demonstrator aircraft will fly within the next five years. The defence manufacturer wants to hire an extra 1,000 engineers in the next 12 months in its air division. The new staff will work on the sixth generation fighter as well as the Typhoon and other future programmes. Team Tempest comprises the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK.

NATO fortifies Eastern Europe’s defenses under new ‘air shielding’ mission

08/03/2022

NATO is building up its defenses in Eastern Europe to fend off Russian aggression in a new effort it calls “air shielding.” The 30-country transatlantic alliance has long flown “air policing” missions that dispatch fighter jets to keep unfriendly aircraft at bay. Air shielding, however, began in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a neighbor it shares with NATO nations.

UPDATED: Carrier USS Ronald Reagan, F-35B Big Deck Operating Near Taiwan as Pelosi Arrives in Singapore; China Renews Threats

08/02/2022

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and big deck amphibious ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), with Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters embarked, are operating in the vicinity of Taiwan, on the edge of the South China Sea ahead of a Western Pacific visit from U.S. House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to the region, according to the Aug. 1 edition of the USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker. An earlier version of this post indicated USS America (LHA-6) was underway but it is in port

Upgraded L-39 combat training aircraft arrive in Kazakhstan

08/02/2022

L-39 combat training planes arrived in Kazakhstan after being modernized and repaired at the manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic, Kazinform cites the press service of the Kazakh Defense Ministry. The planes boast new digital avionics, ejection, objective control systems, communication means, and more.

US F-35 Jets in Europe Resume Flights After Parts Inspections

08/02/2022

The 26 US F-35 fighter jets based in Europe have resumed flying missions after temporary groundings and inspections of their ejector seat parts, according to an Air Force statement. “All subordinate commands hosting F-35A Lightning II throughout the European theater conducted a review” at the direction of Air Force headquarters, US Air Forces-Europe-Africa said in a statement on Monday. The fighter jets “underwent an immediate review” and “both squadrons will continue normal operations,” it said

India ups the ante with new aircraft carrier amid growing concerns over China

08/02/2022

The Indian Navy has accepted delivery of its first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier — a milestone for the country’s defense industry as New Delhi seeks to not only modernize the force, but also counter increased Chinese presence and influence in the Indian Ocean. The future INS Vikrant, also known as the “Indigenous Aircraft Carrier,” was handed over to the navy on Thursday by local shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard following extensive trials.

Boeing averts strike at three defense plants, for now

08/01/2022

A union representing nearly 2,500 employees at three Boeing defense locations in the St. Louis area said on Saturday they will vote on the company's revised contract offer, canceling a strike that was set to start early Monday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said an overnight bargaining session had led to the new Boeing offer and workers will vote Wednesday on whether to accept it.

China's military is stepping up its work on ship-based warplanes to keep up with its aircraft-carrier advances

08/01/2022

China has stepped up efforts to develop its next generation of ship-based warplanes for its new aircraft carriers, with recent photos revealing Beijing's progress in developing early warning aircraft and stealth fighter jets. A video circulating on Chinese social media this week showed the KJ-600 — China's first fixed-wing early-warning plane capable of operating on the carriers — on a test flight over the northwestern city of Xian, where its manufacturer, Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation, i

NATO conducts air forces exercises over Romania

08/01/2022

According to a press release from NATO, seven Air Forces from across the Alliance joined their aircraft and ground systems for a training event in Romanian airspace to conduct coordinated combined air-to-ground drills demonstrating interoperability and preparedness.

Rafale Pilot ‘Spills The Beans’ On French Fighters; Says ‘One Of The Best’ But Not As Powerful As Eurofighters

08/01/2022

The engines on the Rafale fighter jet are not the best in the world. Although they’re great, the Typhoon fighter jet’s engines are superior, he said. Até noted that “Rafale fighter jet is an excellent aircraft and that if you understand it perfectly and if you understand your opponents as well, you will know exactly how you want to fight the adversary and you will succeed.

Germany, Hungary, Italy take up NATO’s Baltic air policing

07/31/2022

For the coming months, four Hungarian JAS-39 fighter aircraft and some eighty personnel will lead the mission out of Šiauliai air base in Lithuania, while four German Eurofighter aircraft will fly out of Ämari in Estonia. They will be joined by Italian Eurofighters based in Malbork, Poland.

Russian Su-25 Jet Shot Down by Paratroopers, Ukrainian Brigade Says

07/31/2022

Ukrainian brigade has said it shot down a Russian combat aircraft in the Donetsk region. The 25th Separate Sichesal Airborne Brigade said its paratroopers had destroyed the Sukhoi-25 fighter using Igla MANPADS, referring to the short range man-portable air-defense system.

Most US F-35s temporarily grounded as ejection seat issue threatens jets worldwide

07/30/2022

The U.S. military discovered a problem with the ejection seats used across its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet in April, but waited three months to ground those aircraft flown by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to fully investigate the issue, multiple sources told Air Force Times Friday.

Ukraine is Hitting Russian SAMs With HIMARS; US Considers Future Aviation Contribution

07/30/2022

While the air picture has remained static in the Russia-Ukraine war, the introduction of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) has allowed Ukraine to strike surface-to-air missile targets behind enemy lines. Now the U.S. is considering future aviation contributions in Ukraine, defense officials confirmed to Air Force Magazine.

Indian Air Force to retire all squadrons of MiG-21 Bison aircraft by 2025

07/30/2022

The Indian Air Force will retire one more squadron of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft by September 30 and phase out the remaining fleet by 2025, as the recent fatal crashes of the Soviet-era fighter jets intensified safety concerns and force authorities to step up the induction of LCA Tejas aircraft.