Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

US F-22 to get stealth boost amid reports of Chinese radar spotting ‘foreign jets’

07/05/2025

Amid heightened regional tensions and a steady increase in claimed aerial interceptions by the Chinese Air Force, the US Air Force has initiated a major modernization effort for its F-22 Raptor fleet. The effort is to preserve the aircraft’s tactical edge against emerging threats, including those posed by advanced peer platforms such as China’s J-20 stealth fighter.

US fighter pilots fly F-16, F-15 jets while controlling drones in sky-combat test

07/05/2025

In a significant milestone for next-generation air combat, the US Air Force has successfully demonstrated real-time manned-unmanned teaming in a combat-representative environment. During a high-fidelity training event over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, pilots flying an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones, marking one of the most advanced operational evaluations of semi-autonomous collaborative platforms to date.

World’s most advanced fighter jet’s fuselages now delivered every 30 hours with new tech

07/04/2025

An American defense company has revealed that the world’s most advanced fighter jet’s manufacturing could be easily sped up. Northrop Grumman has employed advanced manufacturing technologies to develop the F-35’s center fuselages. The company manufactures center fuselages for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter at its Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) in Palmdale, California.

Terma Signs Key Support Agreement with Argentinian MoD and AF for F-16 Modernization

07/04/2025

Terma has signed a support agreement with the Argentinian Ministry of Defense and the Argentinian Air Force, formalizing its role in the modernization and operational preparation of 24 former Royal Danish Air Force F-16 aircraft. The agreement marks a strategic milestone in Argentina’s acquisition program and confirms Terma’s continued role as a trusted supplier of advanced defense technology.

Myanmar Military Fighter Jet Disappears as Resistance Group Claims to Have Downed It

07/04/2025

A Myanmar military fighter jet crashed in a combat zone in the country’s east, according to an anti-military resistance organization that claimed to have shot it down. State-run media reported about the disappearance of an aircraft.

Naval Aviation: Preparing for the Next 50 Years

07/04/2025

Naval aviation is in high demand around the globe today, and I predict it will be for decades to come. With advances in technology across all domains, U.S. carrier strike groups will continue to operate where and when needed. In fact, the aircraft carriers being built today (future USS John F. Kennedy [CVN-79], Enterprise [CVN-80], and Doris Miller [CVN-81]) are designed to serve beyond 2075.

What’s in a name? Fighters, bombers and modern aerial combat

07/04/2025

Aerial combat has evolved from dogfights between high-speed, maneuverable fighters to duels among missile-armed aircraft at long range. In 2015, John Stillion presciently analyzed this transformation. His research demonstrated that victory no longer results from the fastest, most maneuverable fighter destroying an enemy in a dogfight. Instead, air combat today favors larger, less detectable aircraft using networked information to defeat adversaries with long-range missiles.

Türkiye Gains UK Backing for Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Jets Acquisition Deal

07/01/2025

According to information published by the Hürriyet Daily News on June 30, 2025, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the United Kingdom’s full support for Türkiye’s effort to join the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet program. In an interview ahead of his visit to Ankara, Lammy underscored the strategic value of Türkiye acquiring the fourth-generation-plus Eurofighter Typhoon.

Airbus develops new A400M variant to coordinate drone strikes with Europe’s future sixth-generation fighter jet

07/01/2025

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space confirmed the development of a new variant of the A400M military transport aircraft to support an expanded range of missions aligned with the operational goals of the Future Combat Air System and the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud. The aircraft is being adapted to serve as a broadband communications node capable of linking manned and unmanned platforms across all domains, air, land, sea, space, and cyber.

China modernizes naval electronic warfare tactics with new J-15DT fighter jet to match US EA-18G Growler

07/01/2025

As reported by Rupprecht Deino on June 18, 2025, the J-15DT, a carrier-based electronic warfare variant of the Shenyang J-15 multirole fighter, seems to participate in China’s upcoming 80th Victory Day Parade. This will be the first public appearance of the catapult-capable variant, and it indicates that the aircraft has reached a sufficiently advanced stage of testing or initial integration to be presented as part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s future carrier air wing.

Poland buys AIM-9L missiles for FA-50 jets

07/01/2025

Poland’s Ministry of National Defense has signed a contract for the delivery of 24 AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles to enhance the operational capabilities of its FA-50 light combat aircraft. The agreement was concluded on June 30, 2025, in Warsaw in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Secretary of State Pawel Bejda.

U.S. Marine VMFA 224 replaces F/A-18D fighter jets with F-35B gaining stealth power

07/01/2025

According to information published by the U.S. Marine Corps on June 27, 2025, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 has officially been redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224. It has begun its transition from operating the legacy F/A-18D Hornet to the advanced F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This transition marks the end of an era for VMFA-224, which has flown the Hornet for over 32 years in support of U.S. Marine Corps aviation missions worldwide.

S.Korea Orders 80 Hanwha Engines for Boramae Jets

07/01/2025

Hanwha Aerospace has received a contract to supply propulsion systems for South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fifth-generation combat aircraft. Costing 623.2 billion won ($460.7 million), the deal includes 80 General Electric F414s manufactured domestically under license by the Changwon-based company.

NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Russia's Largest Air Assault on Ukraine

06/30/2025

NATO countries scrambled fighter jets early on Sunday, according to the Polish military, after a Ukrainian official said Moscow had launched its largest-scale air attack on the country in more than three years. Poland's Operational Command said its fighter jets, along with other NATO aircraft, were scrambled with ground-based air defenses and reconnaissance systems put on the "highest state of readiness" after Russia launched overnight attacks on Ukrainian soil.

‘He Died Like a Hero’: Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Killed in One of Russia’s Largest Airstrikes So Far

06/30/2025

A Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed overnight while defending the country from one of the largest Russian air attacks to date, officials said Sunday. Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, 31, died after his fighter jet was damaged during an operation to intercept Russian missiles and drones, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

Iran Seeks to Acquire Chinese J-10C Fighter Jets to Counter Israeli F-35I Superiority

06/30/2025

According to information published by several Arabic media outlets on June 27, 2025, the Iranian Defense Minister recently visited China and initiated high-level discussions to procure Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets and advanced AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) equipment. These negotiations signal a strategic shift in Tehran’s defense procurement policy following prolonged delays in the delivery of Russian Su-35 fighters.

“UK Invites Canada Into Fighter Jet Program”: New Military Alliance Could Reshape Global Airpower for Decades to Come

06/29/2025

In an unprecedented move that could reshape global defense strategies, the United Kingdom has expressed openness to Canadian involvement in the groundbreaking Global Combat Air Programme, aiming to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.

U.S. dedicates $3.1 billion to Boeing F-15EX fighter jet procurement in FY2026 budget

06/29/2025

The U.S. Department of Defense has proposed $3.1 billion in its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget to continue procurement of the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft. Announced on 26 June 2025 at the Pentagon, the funding highlights a sustained push to modernise the U.S. Air Force’s tactical air fleet and support domestic aircraft production.

Danish fighter jets conduct arctic training in Greenland at Pituffik Space Base

06/28/2025

Two Danish F-16 fighter jets and a Challenger transport aircraft landed yesterday at the American Pituffik Space Base in Northwest Greenland. The deployment marks part of the Danish Armed Forces’ increased presence in the Arctic region.

The last A-10 in the Air Force will make its final flight next year

06/28/2025

The last A-10 in the Air Force will be retired in 2026, two years earlier than previously planned. In priorities for its 2026 budget released this week, the Air Force asked Congress for permission and funding to move up the planned retirement of the beloved close support fighter to the 2026 fiscal year, which runs until October 1, 2026.

Will Iran Choose China over Russia to Upgrade Its Air Force?

06/28/2025

Iranian authorities recognize the Iranian Air Forces no longer can rely on antiquated aircraft, such as F-4D/E Phantoms, F-5E Tiger IIs, and F-14s that highlight its need for modernization, and appear ready to purchase cutting-edge Chinese combat aircraft, including the Chengdu J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon.”

Erdogan Claims Progress in Bid to Secure F-35 Fighter Jet From United States

06/28/2025

After meeting with President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in The Hague, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism over discussions to enable Turkey to receive fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States. “We discussed the F-35 issue. We made payments of $1.3 to $1.4 billion for the jets, and we saw that Mr. Trump was well-intentioned about delivering them,” Erdogan said.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly strike 4 fighter jets in Russia

06/28/2025

Ukrainian drones struck four Su-34 fighter jets at the Marinovka airfield in Russia's Volgograd Oblast overnight on June 27, Ukraine's General Staff said. The operation was carried out by the Special Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in cooperation with other military units, according to the General Staff. Volgograd Oblast is located some 900 kilometers (560 miles) southeast of Moscow.

Philippine Air Force considers Japanese F-2 as candidate for future multi-role fighter acquisition

06/27/2025

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on June 24, 2025, that Japanese-made Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters are under consideration for future acquisition programs. This statement was made by Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura during a media briefing held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Cordura noted that the FA-50 light attack aircraft, specifically the Block 70 variant from Korea Aerospace Industries, are already part of an approved procurement plan.

Swiss, US in Spat Over Cost of F-35 Fighter Jets

06/27/2025

Switzerland and the United States are quibbling over the final price of 36 new Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets bought to replace the ageing Swiss fleet, Bern said Wednesday. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) wants Switzerland to assume additional costs, but Bern says it is sticking to the agreed price of just over six billion Swiss francs ($7.5 billion at current exchange rates).