Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Ukraine Wants a Fleet of 130 F-16 Fighters to Battle Russia

05/21/2024

Ukraine's war effort is set to receive a boost with the imminent addition of F-16 Fighting Falcons to its fleet. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for 120 to 130 F-16s to achieve parity with Russia, but only around 85 have been pledged so far by countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.

KF-21 Boromae fighter fires IRIS-T missile for first time

05/21/2024

South Korea’s latest fighter jet, the KF-21 Boromae, which is still under development, has deployed the short-range German IRIS-T missile for the first time this month. IRIS-T (infra-red imaging system – tail/thrust vector controlled) is an air-to-air guided missile manufactured by Diehl Defence as part of a German-led multinational programme.

Russian Fighter Deal Reflects Indonesia’s Goal of a ‘Sanctions-Proof’ Economy

05/21/2024

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares confirmed last week that a $1.14 billion contract signed for the acquisition of 11 Su-35S fighter aircraft from Russia remains in force, in spite of widespread unconfirmed reports and speculation since early 2019 that it had been terminated due to threats of sanctions by the United States Treasury Department.

A NATO Warbird: Belgium is Now Operating the F-35 Fighter

05/20/2024

Belgium's third F-35A, designated AY-03, has completed its first flight, advancing the country's transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for its air force. The aircraft, featuring subdued Belgian national markings, will join Belgium's fleet of F-35s, replacing the aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Pakistan Eyes More J-10C Fighters; Continues To “Lead” Indian Air Force In Combat Jet Acquisition Since 1954

05/18/2024

After JF-17 and J-10C fighters, cash-strapped Pakistan turns to China for the Light Combat Aircraft JL-15 and has been eyeing to have the Chinese J-31 stealth fifth-generation aircraft by 2029. Pakistan earlier ordered 36 Chengdu J-10CE ‘Vigorous Dragon’ multi-role fighters (20 delivered, 16 to come). There are reports that they will order 14 more to make it 50.

Egypt goes shopping for pick and mix...

05/18/2024

Egypt is in the market for new fighters, but budgetary constraints mean that they may have to settle for a mixture of new and second-hand aircraft. Before 1979, when then President Anwar Sadat signed a historic peace agreement with Israel, the Egyptian Air Force was primarily equipped with aircraft of Soviet design, some of them supplied by China after the loosening of ties with Russia in 1976.

Another Dead End for Airborne Lasers: Air Force Scraps Effort to Mount Directed-Energy Weapon on Fighter Jet

05/18/2024

After years in development, the U.S. military's latest attempt at an airborne laser weapon to protect troops on the ground from incoming ballistic missiles appears to be headed for the scrapyard.

F-22s Practice Dogfights over the Korean Peninsula with ROK F-35s

05/17/2024

A pair of U.S. F-22s practiced dogfighting with South Korean F-35As on May 16, making a rare appearance over the peninsula’s inland airspace. The training saw the four stealthy fighters engaging in close-range air combat maneuver, taking turns in offensive and defensive posture in simulated confrontation scenarios, the Republic of Korea Air Force said in a release.

Belbek Airfield Attack Destroyed Fighter Aircraft, Missile Systems and Fuel Dump

05/17/2024

Further to a Kyiv Post report posted on Wednesday, the Russian Telegram channel Astra said that on the night of May 14 / 15, Ukrainian missile attacks against a Russian air base and nearby military locations in occupied Crimea destroyed an S-400 “Triumf” air defense system, two MiG-31 fighters, and a fuel and lubricant depot. The ASTRA account said that two Russian soldiers were killed, and 14 others were injured.

Due to successive delays, Congress is considering reducing the number of F-35s destined for the U.S. Armed Forces for Fiscal Year 2025

05/16/2024

The U.S. Congress’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 originally included the purchase of 68 stealth fighter jets F-35, but this acquisition could be reduced to as few as 48 aircraft. Problems with upgrades and failure to meet promised deadlines by Lockheed Martin would significantly reduce the number of aircraft intended to equip the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. Air Force deploys F-22 fighters to South Korea

05/16/2024

The U.S. Air Force has deployed several F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea, according to an announcement on the Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website on Tuesday. The arrival of these advanced jets at Kunsan Air Base, located 178 kilometers south of Seoul, underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

45 Chinese Aircraft Detected Around Taiwan

05/16/2024

Taipei said Wednesday it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year and coming less than a week before the self-ruled island inaugurates its new president, whom China regards as a “dangerous separatist.” China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing’s control.

Kunsan welcomes F-22 Raptors for integration training

05/16/2024

The 8th Fighter Wing welcomed four F-22 Raptors assigned to 19th and 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, May 13. The F-22s, currently operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, arrived to Kunsan AB, to provide the opportunity for dissimilar training and test agile combat employment (ACE) capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region.

Russia's Su-57 Fighter Isn't Making a Comeback Just Yet

05/16/2024

The Russian Armed Forces have increased the deployment of their Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name: Felon) multirole fighters in the Ukraine conflict, launching over six Kh-69 cruise missiles in recent sorties. But don't be fooled: this fighter jet still has many issues to be worked out.

Norway Aims to Use Biofuel for Its F-35 Multirole Fighters

05/15/2024

The Norwegian Armed Forces have announced an ambitious initiative to have their F-35 fighters fly with biofuel by the end of the year, as indicated on the Norwegian Ministry of Defense's X account on May 14, 2024. This initiative is a historic first for Norway, as none of its F-35s have yet used biofuel. This project aims to demonstrate the viability of biofuels in high-tech military operations.

Poland plans to acquire two squadrons of Boeing F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Jets

05/15/2024

Since the MSPO 2023 Defense Exhibition, Poland has been in discussions with the American company Boeing regarding the potential acquisition of 32 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. This news comes shortly after Lockheed Martin announced that the first F-35A "Husarz" jets destined for Poland are expected to be assembled by next summer in Fort Worth, Texas, before being moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for pilot training.

Japan to take on servicing of F-15 and F-16 U.S. fighter jets

05/15/2024

The Japanese government is to expand its capacity to service U.S. fighter jets based in Japan to enhance bilateral defense cooperation in East Asia. F-18 and the latest F-35 fighter jet models stationed at U.S. bases are serviced and repaired in Japan. Tokyo plans to add the F-15 and F-16 capability in 2025 at the earliest, and to tap Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI as service providers. Both companies service Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft.

TAI exec claims 20 Turkish KAAN fighters to be delivered in 2028

05/15/2024

Only one week after the second test flight of Turkey’s domestically-produced KAAN fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries’ general manager has announced that the firm expects to deliver 20 aircraft by 2028 — and is making some big claims about its capabilities.

Greece plans to acquire 10 additional French Rafale F4 Fighters.

05/14/2024

On May 10, 2024, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff announced its intention to acquire up to ten new Rafale F4 fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Greek air force, which involves phasing out older models such as the F-4 Phantom and Mirage 2000-5 in favor of a more compact and technologically advanced fleet.

The F-35 Fighter Just Hit Another Major Milestone: 469,000 Sorties

05/14/2024

The F-35 Lightning II program achieved a significant milestone at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, with the 56th Fighter Wing completing its 100,000th sortie on May 9, 2024. This sortie, flown by Captain Garrett Ellis of the 308th Fighter Squadron, underscores the program's growing maturity and operational success. Luke AFB, home to the world's largest F-35 wing, plays a crucial role in training pilots, with each receiving extensive academic and flight training.

US aims to stay ahead of China in using AI to fly fighter jets

05/13/2024

Two Air Force fighter jets recently squared off in a dogfight in California. One was flown by a pilot. The other wasn’t. That second jet was piloted by artificial intelligence, with the Air Force’s highest-ranking civilian riding along in the front seat. It was the ultimate display of how far the Air Force has come in developing a technology with its roots in the 1950s. But it’s only a hint of the technology yet to come.

NGAD: The U.S. Air Force's $300 Million Fighter Could Be a Real Game Changer

05/13/2024

While few nations even can develop and field a fifth-generation fighter, the United States is already working on a sixth-generation fighter. Known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the sixth-generation fighter is expected to be technologically advanced – and fiscally prohibitive, leading some to question whether the advanced airframe is worth the sticker price.

How an Air Force F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Flew Under Iran's F-4 Undetected

05/12/2024

The F-22’s pilot, operating undetected, had sidled right in. “He flew under their aircraft to check out their weapons load without them knowing that he was there,” then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said. Having determined the F-4’s payloads, the Raptor pilot finally alerted the Iranians to his presence.

Mini F-35? Turkey’s TAI TF Kaan Fighter Has Arrived

05/12/2024

The first prototype of Turkey’s TAI TF Kaan fighter made its second test flight on May 6. According to the secretary of Turkish Defense Industries, the test flight went well. “Our National Combat Aircraft, which successfully made its first flight on February 21, took off from the runway at 08:46 this morning, stayed in the air for 14 minutes and reached an altitude of 10,000 feet,” Secretary Haluk Gorgun said.

Ukraine forces shoot down Russian Su-25 attack aircraft near Avdiivka

05/12/2024

The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after General Marko Bezruchko, has successfully downed a Russian SU-25 attack aircraft in the Avdiivka direction, marking another significant achievement in aerial defense by Ukrainian forces. According to the General Staff, Russia has already lost 348 aircraft and 325 helicopters in its war against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intelligence, at the outset of the full-scale invasion, Russia had approximately 1500 combat aircraft.