Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Boeing starts EPAWSS integration on USAF’s first two F-15E aircraft

07/23/2022

Boeing has commenced the integration of new electronic warfare (EW) system onto the US Air Force’s (USAF) first two F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The new system is being upgraded as part of the F-15 fighter aircraft modernisation programme. Under this modernisation effort, a total of 43 F-15E fighter aircraft will be equipped with the Eagle passive active warning and survivability system (EPAWSS).

Poland to buy three Korean FA-50 squadrons. Bye-bye Su-22?

07/23/2022

According to Vice-Prime Minister Blaszczak, negotiations between Poland and South Korea for the purchase of 48 KAI FA-50 light fighters are almost concluded. The Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, announced in an interview to the weekly «Sieci» that Poland will buy South Korean weapons. These will include 48 FA-50 fighter planes, as well as 180 K2 Black Panter heavy tanks and more than 600 K9 155 mm howitzers.

The US military now seems open to gifting Ukraine new fighter jets, but what type?

07/23/2022

Since March, Ukraine has been pleading for Western fighter jets that could eventually replace the aging, worn-down MiG-29s and Su-27s that have been lost in combat. Now, it finally appears that the US Air Force may be willing to transfer some of its unused jets and begin training Ukrainian pilots.

Turkey’s First Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile Gökdogan Successfully Test-Fired

07/22/2022

The Gökdogan beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, developed by TÜBITAK SAGE as a part of the GÖKTUG Project, has successfully completed another test-fire. Turkish Defense Industry President Ismail Demir posted footage of the aforementioned test-fire on his social media account.

Czech Republic Announces Plans to Buy 24 F-35 Fighter Jets

07/22/2022

The government of Czech Republic has authorized its defense ministry to facilitate the procurement of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the U.S. government to support the modernization of the country’s armed forces.

Malaysia to Pick S.Korean FA-50 Fighter Jet Over Indian Tejas: Report

07/22/2022

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will likely pick the South Korean FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter jet over the Indian Tejas for its light combat aircraft program, Global Business Press revealed, citing sources. RMAF chief Gen. Asghar Khan Goriman Khan has “evinced” interest in the “affordable and efficient supersonic advanced light attack platform” over other aircraft in contention, the Singapore-based outlet wrote, quoting an unnamed official.

U.S. and Allies May Give Ukraine Fighter Jets in NATO Challenge to Russia

07/22/2022

Ukraine may be given Western fighter jets and pilot training to help its forces fight Russia, according to a senior American military figure. Moscow has air superiority over the Ukrainian air force's assortment of Soviet-era aircraft like MiG-29s and other Cold War-era planes. But the U.S. Air Force chief of staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., acknowledged that the U.S. and its allies were considering providing Ukraine with new planes.

War In Ukraine Pushes Czechs To Buy F-35s

07/21/2022

The Czech Republic could well become the latest operator of the F-35 stealth jet, with the government in Prague declaring that the Lockheed Martin product is its preferred choice as its future fighter. If the proposed purchase goes through, it will continue the Joint Strike Fighter’s formidable sales record in Europe and spell bad news for Sweden, which reportedly offered the Gripens that the Czechs currently lease “almost free of charge.”

Can Drones Do It All? A New Report Thinks So

07/21/2022

The Congressional Research Service, a non-partisan think tank that prepares reports for the U.S. Congress, recently released a document describing what the future of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) could be and what role they might play in the future.

How Boeing Is Positioning Itself For Advanced Fighter Competitions

07/21/2022

Boeing’s fighter business has a hot production line with a backlog of orders to churn out, but there is a problem approaching: the original fighter designs are old and production will sunset soon.

U.S., allies discuss possible training for Ukrainian air force

07/21/2022

The United States and allies are starting to examine possible training for Ukrainian pilots as part of a long-term effort to potentially help Kyiv build a future Ukrainian air force, Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles "CQ" Brown told Reuters.

127th Wing utilizes Lead-Wing Concepts to project military power anytime, anywhere

07/21/2022

During exercise “Northern Agility 22-1” in Northern Michigan June 27-29, 127th Wing A-Staff planners developed numerous military responses to an imaginary attack, on an imaginary island, countering with not-so-imaginary weaponry, tactics and innovative technologies developed to support long range combat missions.

South Korea records successful maiden flight test of its KF-21 fighter jet

07/20/2022

Korea Aerospace Industries and the country’s Air Force on Tuesday confirmed the first successful test flight of Seoul’s indigenous 4.5th-generation fighter jet, the KF-21 “Boramae.” The test puts South Korea on the map as the world’s eighth country to have developed supersonic fighter jets, 20 years after former president Daejung Kim ordered the development of a Korean fighter.

Swedish Air Force Devising New Combat Aircraft Strategy

07/20/2022

A Swedish Air Force chief has revealed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has motivated Sweden to develop a brand new strategy for their next-generation of combat aircraft. Now a member of NATO, the Swedish government has chosen to boost their 2022 military budget, from 1.5 percent of gross domestic production to 2 percent GDP. This is an increase of about $3 billion krona (the equivalent of $286.6 million). Swedish Air Force Chief Major General Carl-Johan Edstrom comments that the larger b

US-China Aerial Clash, DoD Red Flags ‘Unsafe’ & ‘Unprofessional’ Encounter

07/20/2022

A Chinese fighter plane had an “unsafe” and “unprofessional” encounter with the US-owned special operations aircraft C-130 last June in the South China Sea, a recently revealed intelligence announced.

The Russians Just Shot Down One Of Their Own Best Jets

07/19/2022

Russian air-defense troops just shot down one of the most sophisticated warplanes involved in Russia’s wider war in Ukraine. One problem. It was a Russian warplane. A brand-new Sukhoi Su-34M fighter-bomber. Russian propagandist Yevgeny Poddubny apparently captured on video the Sunday shoot-down over the city of Alchevsk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. “Last night, the air-defense crew of the allied forces destroyed a target in the sky over Alchevsk,” Poddubny wrote Monday.

Report: Air Force Backs Off Pairing B-21 Bomber With Combat Drone

07/19/2022

The U.S. Air Force is backing off a plan to pair the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber with a comparably sized unmanned combat drone, the service’s top official reportedly said, citing the issue of value.

Air Force’s sixth-gen fighter downselect ‘not all that far away,’ says Kendall

07/18/2022

The Air Force has yet to pick a winner among the companies still vying to build the service’s sixth generation jet, but a final downselect is “not all that far away,” the service’s top leader told Breaking Defense this weekend.

F-16 Block 70 for Turkey only if it does not violate Greek airspace

07/17/2022

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that limits Turkey’s F-16 Block 70 program. The bill in question includes a ban on the sale of the F-16 Block 70 unless Turkey guarantees that Greek airspace will not be violated.

As Ukrainian Pilot Training Passes House NDAA, Legislators Work to Overcome Roadblocks

07/16/2022

Members of Congress took a big step toward granting Ukraine’s wish to defend its territory from Russia with American F-16s when the House passed an amendment to train Ukrainian pilots, but hurdles remain to overcome fears of escalation with Russia, Air Force veteran Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) told Air Force Magazine.

China's military is flying more combat aircraft near Taiwan as it tries to extend its reach around the island

07/16/2022

Beijing has steadily increased the number of combat aircraft flying into Taiwan's air defence identification zone and farther south in the Bashi Channel, a move analysts described as part of its efforts to expand its reach around the island.

House passes defense authorization with new arms transfers restrictions

07/15/2022

The House on Thursday passed the $840 billion National Defense Authorization Act 329-101 after attaching hundreds of amendments, including ones restricting new arms transfers. The legislation includes an approximately 7% increase over this year’s spending levels as well as a pair of amendments that curtail U.S. support and weapons transfers to states and militias implicated in human rights atrocities.

CSIS Cruise Missile Defense Plan Would Cost Less Than CBO’s, Reduce Need for Fighters

07/15/2022

U.S. Northern Command’s homeland cruise missile detection and defenses must be upgraded to respond to new threats, experts say, and a major D.C. think tank proposes a multi-layered defense that would require fewer Air Force fighters in the air and use new E-7 Wedgetails, the report’s authors told Air Force Magazine.

China, Russia military activity near Japan up 2.5 times since Ukraine

07/14/2022

Chinese and Russian military activity around Japan increased 2.5 times in the four months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, sparking alarm here over a potential escalation. Releases by Japan's Ministry of Defense show 90 instances of activity by Chinese and Russian military vessels and aircraft near Japan in the four months after the invasion began. There had been 35 in the four months before.

China Warns U.S. Military Aircraft To Stay Away, Radio Intercept Reveals

07/14/2022

As tensions simmer across the Taiwan Strait, China and the United States continue attempts to stamp their authority in the region through a constant military presence, radio exchanges heard by Newsweek suggest.