Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

UAE to order L15 planes from China as it diversifies suppliers

02/24/2022

The United Arab Emirates has said it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft, as it seeks to bolster its defences after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels. The UAE defence ministry said it intended to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to buy 12 of the L15 training and light combat aircraft, with the option for 36 additional jets of the same type, the official Emirati news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

Turkey and Pakistan to Develop National Combat Aircraft Together

02/24/2022

Pakistani retired general AvM Dr Rizwan Riaz and TAI General Manager Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil announced that the MMU (National Combat Aircraft) project was carried out in cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Pakistan's savings within the scope of the AZM project will be used jointly with Turkey's savings within the scope of MMU, and both countries will take part in the design and manufacture of the aircraft.

Here are the competitors for Malaysia’s jet trainer contract

02/24/2022

One of the aircraft competing for a Malaysian trainer contract made its debut at the Singapore Airshow last week, taking part in static and flying displays. While the other competitors opted to maintain a lower profile, three of India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-made Tejas showed off their capabilities, courtesy of the No. 18 “Flying Bullets” Squadron based in Sulur. Two of the aircraft participated in aerial displays during the air show, which took place Feb. 15-18 at the Changi Exhibition

DARPA to outfit F-16D jet fighter with artificial intelligence (AI) to boost trust in AI as a human partner Feb. 23, 2022

02/24/2022

U.S. military researchers are moving forward on a project that relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine autonomy in complex air combat maneuvering that involves manned aircraft and combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

HOW 3D PRINTING-ENHANCED MIG-31S PERMIT RUSSIA TO THREATEN DEPLOYMENT OF HYPERSONIC WEAPONS OVER UKRAINE CONFLICT, AND HOW TO STOP THEM

02/23/2022

With Russian tanks said to be rolling down the streets of the occupied Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, and Russia now in breach of the Minsk accords a full-scale conflict in the region is an increasingly realistic prospect. Thus far, the majority of Western coverage on the Ukraine crisis has focused on the number of Russian troops on the country’s frontiers, with as many as 190,000 said to have been amassed at its borders, whether ready to embark on an all-out invasion or utilized as a

Thailand to Acquire Boeing AH-6 Attack Helicopters for $104 Million

02/23/2022

The US Department of Defense has announced that Thailand is purchasing an undisclosed number of AH-6 light attack and reconnaissance helicopters as part of a $103.8 million contract. Developed by Boeing, the AH-6 reportedly possesses “superior” performance and is equipped with “flexible” equipment ideal for precision attacks, close combat, security and escort, troop insertion and extraction, and combat search and rescue operations.

US sanctions effectively cut Russia off from Western funds

02/23/2022

President Joe Biden has announced heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and business leaders just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed troops into two separatist-held regions in Ukraine. "I'm announcing the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia in response to their actions yesterday,” Biden said Tuesday. "We'll continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates.”

Turkish firm offers combat aircraft co-production in RMAF contract race

02/23/2022

THE Turkish bidders for the hotly contested Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter aircraft said they are offering Malaysia co-production of a new fighter jet as part of their offerings. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc management said it will also provide technology transfer and is willing to cut its bid price by as much as 30%, in order to secure RMAF’s open tender for military aircraft.

US attack helos, F-35s and infantry heading to Baltics amid Ukraine invasion

02/23/2022

Another round of U.S. troops has been mobilized in support of Eastern European countries as Russia further invades Ukraine. Joining 6,000 troops already activated in Germany, Poland and Hungary, the Defense Department announced Tuesday that a spate of combat aircraft and infantry troops will head to the Baltics and Poland.

Learning to ride a Raptor; the 43d FS mission

02/23/2022

The 43d Fighter Squadron was the first unit to receive the F-22 Raptor and remains the only squadron in the U.S. Air Force to train and prepare pilots to operate one of the world’s most advanced 5th-generation aircraft.

A400M is being transformed into a drone-launching mothership

02/23/2022

As a key part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the A400M demonstrated its drone launch capability from its cargo hold. Airbus Defence & Space conducted a successful test flight in which an A400M deployed a drone from its cargo ramp, validating its ability to launch drones from the air.

Ukrainian Crisis: NATO Order Of Battle

02/22/2022

In a situation reminiscent of the Cold War, the last few weeks have seen a continuous stream of military aircraft across Europe in response to the growing tensions around Ukraine and the fear of an imminent Russian invasion. NATO and partner nations quickly deployed additional fighters in support of the ones already performing air policing duties in Eastern Europe.

U.S. B-52 Bomber Has Just Made A Rather Unusual Stopover In The Czech Republic

02/22/2022

While a Russian invasion of Ukraine appears to be a matter of hours, U.S. and NATO combat aircraft continue to operate in the eastern Europe region. In particular, on Feb. 21, 2022, shortly after 15.00LT, one of the four B-52H Stratofortress bombers deployed to RAF Fairford, UK, as part of BTF (Bomber Task Force) 22-2 carried out a quite unusual visit to Leoš Janácek Airport in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

China sanctions US defence firms Raytheon, Lockheed over Taiwan

02/22/2022

China says it will impose new sanctions on United States defence contractors Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin due to their arms sales to Taiwan, stepping up a feud with Washington over security and Beijing’s strategic ambitions.

Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions

02/22/2022

The self-declared people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are home to Russia-backed rebels who have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014. Russia's move is likely to end peace talks in the region, which has been under a tenuous ceasefire for years. Western powers also fear it could pave the way for Russian military forces to enter Ukraine's eastern regions.

Rafale-M To Join Gripens, Eurofighters, F-16s As Europe’s Most Ferocious Fighters ‘Battle It Out’ During Tiger Meet 2022

02/22/2022

The NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) is a multinational exercise attended by air force squadrons with tiger (or feline) emblems. The main difference between NTM and conventional exercises is that most aircraft have Tiger insignia, special tails, or extravagant tiger-themed paint schemes on their airframes.

U.S. says deployment of latest Apache helicopters to S. Korea complete

02/22/2022

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has completed the deployment of the newest Apache attack helicopters to South Korea, its aviation unit said, as the allies have stepped up joint efforts to counter Pyongyang's evolving military threats. In a Facebook post last Friday, the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade said that the process to deploy the latest AH-64E Version 6 helicopters to Camp Humphreys, a main USFK base in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, was completed two days earlier.

Tensions rise as Russia continues to mobilize troops near Ukrainian border

02/22/2022

Russian forces stepped up shelling against portions of Ukraine, but stopped short of an invasion that many experts predicted might come on Sunday. Experts had widely viewed Feb. 20 as a potential day for an invasion of Ukraine, the date official exercises in Belarus between Belarusian and Russian military personnel were slated to end. Belarusian Minister of Defense Viktor Khrenin said in a statement Sunday that the presidents of Belarus and Russia decided to continue assessing their forces.

BAE Systems wins lead-in-fighter contract extension

02/22/2022

The Hawk Lead-In Fighter will continue to train Australia’s frontline fighter pilots through to 2031 following a $1.5 billion commitment by the government. The new contract includes the continuation of the existing in-service support, providing maintenance, engineering and supply chain services to the RAAF and will be the foundation for progressive upgrades of mission systems.

Nigeria air attack kills children in Niger: Official

02/21/2022

The Nigerian military has killed and wounded children in an air attack in neighbouring Niger, according to a local governor in Niger, state television and an aid agency. The attack took place in the village of Nachade in the region of Maradi, Niger, on Friday, a few kilometres from the border with Nigeria, said Chaibou Aboubacar, the governor of Maradi.

Ukraine tensions: France in new bid to defuse crisis

02/21/2022

In a phone call with President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Putin also agreed that foreign ministers from both countries would meet "in the coming days". Western nations believe Russia is ready to invade Ukraine, which Moscow denies. Meanwhile, Ukraine says talk of an imminent invasion is "inappropriate". President Macron's call on Sunday was the latest effort to prevent military action by Russia, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine's borders.

Chinese Guided Missile Destroyer Aims Laser At RAAF P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft

02/20/2022

On Feb. 17, 2022, an RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was illuminated by a laser from a People’s Liberation Army – Navy warship. The lasing was carried out by a Luyang-class guided missile destroyer at 12.35AM LT, Australia’s Defence Department announced.

Two U.S. F-16s From Aviano AB Have Carried Out A Mission Over Eastern Europe Carrying Live Missiles Today

02/20/2022

Two U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon aircraft belonging to the 555th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, took part in a mission over Eastern Europe carrying Live weapons, on Saturday Feb. 19, 2022. The shots in this post, taken by photographer Claudio Tramontin outside Aviano, show the two aircraft, serials #89-2035 and #89-2039, loaded with AIM-120C/D AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles along with external fuel tanks.

Russia‘s S-400 Could Be Permanently Deployed to Belarus

02/20/2022

As the United States and NATO begin to deploy more combat aircraft to Poland—including an undisclosed number of U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle fighters—Russia may be responding by permanently stationing its most advanced air defense system near the Belarusian capital.

Russian Su-35, US F-16 Fighters ‘Fight It Out’ Amid Ukrainian Crisis; Escort Each Other’s Recon Planes As War Looms Large

02/19/2022

Amid tensions on the ground, the aircraft of these cold war adversaries came very close to each other on multiple occasions over the past few weeks. Quoting Pentagon sources, The New York Times reported that US and Russian jets flying in the eastern Mediterranean Sea got perilously close to each other in three different incidents last weekend, including one in which the planes approached within five feet of each other.