Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia's Su-35S Fighter Is Trying to Make a Comeback in Ukraine

05/12/2024

Russian authorities have long touted the Sukhoi Su-35S (NATO reporting name Flanker-E”) as being among its most capable combat aircraft in widespread service—and this week, it was announced that the Kremlin received a new batch of the multirole fighters. According to a report by Russian state media, the new aircraft were produced by the Gagarin Aircraft Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and flew to a deployment airfield after passing ground and flight trials.

Ukraine's pilots are flying high-risk 'wild weasel' missions first developed in the Vietnam War by the USAF, says defense analyst

05/12/2024

Pilots in Ukraine's Soviet-era airforce, a fraction of the size of Russia's, are using a tactic first developed by the US Air Force to contest the skies above the 600-mile frontline. Videos in recent months appear to show Ukrainian pilots conducting so-called "wild weasel" missions.

US says Israel may have breached international law with American weapons in Gaza

05/11/2024

The US says Israel may have used American-supplied weapons in breach of international humanitarian law in some instances during the war in Gaza. It is "reasonable to assess" that US-supplied arms have been used in ways "inconsistent" with Israel's obligations, says the state department.

Singapore air force freezes F-16 training after crash

05/11/2024

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has suspended training for its F-16 fleet as a safety measure after one of its Lockheed Martin F-16 combat aircraft crashed at Tengah Air Base in western Singapore on 8 May. According to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the pilot – who has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flight time on the F-16 – had experienced flight control issues shortly after taking off. He responded in accordance with emergency procedures and successfully ejected from the aircraf

US transfers fighter jets, armed drones from UAE to Qatar amid regional tensions

05/11/2024

The United States Department of Defense has initiated a significant transfer of fighter jets, armed drones and other aircraft from its air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Qatar. This decision follows the UAE’s refusal to allow its territory to be utilized as a staging ground for attacks on Iraq and Yemen.

BAF training jet crash kills pilot in Ctg

05/10/2024

The fourth crash of the Russian-made advanced multirole aircraft Yakovlev Yak-130 in less than a decade on Thursday left one Bangladesh Air Force pilot killed and another injured in Chattogram. Instructor pilot Squadron Leader Muhammad Asim Jawwad, 31, died hours after ejection along with another instructor, Wing Commander Md Shohan Hasan Khan, as the two-seat subsonic light combat aircraft caught fire in mid-air during a low-altitude acrobatic.

Will the future of the U.S. military aircraft fleet be uncrewed?

05/09/2024

The U.S. military has been increasing efforts to develop trusted autonomy capabilities for its aircraft fleet. The Department of Defense (DoD) and its services and agencies have been working on several programs to enable the operation of their in-service airplanes by using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software.

F-16C fighter jet crashes in Singapore

05/09/2024

An F-16C fighter jet crashed during takeoff from the Tengah Air Base in Singapore. The MINDEF Singapore reported on this. The accident occurred when the fighter jet took off from the Tengah Air Base at about 12:35 p.m. local time.

A US ally is forging ties with China's air force but probably won't get its J-20 stealth fighter

05/09/2024

The United Arab Emirates is expanding air force ties with China in what may be a scheme to brighten their dim prospects of acquiring F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States. However, this developing cooperation will not likely result in Abu Dhabi ordering alternative fifth-generation fighters from Beijing.

China’s Fighter Goals Soar on the Wings of the Dragon

05/08/2024

By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.

Thai air force to replace 12 fighter jets with new planes

05/08/2024

Thailand's air force chief will fly to Sweden and the U.S. this month to discuss details of a planned procurement of new fighter jets, a deal that could include a technology transfer agreement to foster the Southeast Asian country's nascent arms industry. Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul's sights are set on either the Swedish-made Gripen or the U.S.-made F-16 Block 70/72 to replace a squadron of 12 aging F-16 As and F-16 ADFs.

Polish fighter jets scramble to intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea

05/08/2024

The Polish military reported that on 6 May, a pair of MiG-29 fighter jets on duty from the 22nd Tactical Aviation Base in Malbork intercepted and visually identified a Russian Il-20 aircraft. According to Operational Command, the Russian Il-20 took off from an airfield in Kaliningrad Oblast and flew on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

"Unprofessional & Unacceptable": Chinese J-10 Fighter Jet Drops Flares On Australian Navy Helicopter

05/07/2024

According to a Reuters report, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Chengdu J-10 fighter jet intercepted an Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter over the Yellow Sea before dropping flares in its flight path from above. After launching from the destroyer HMAS Hobart, the helicopter was performing a routine flight over the Yellow Sea as part of Operation Argos, which enforces UN sanctions on North Korea by policing illegal shipping activity.

F-22 Raptor involved in ‘mishap’ during Georgia training exercise

05/07/2024

The Air Force is investigating the cause of a mishap involving an F-22 Raptor during an Air National Guard fighter exercise Monday. The pilot was not injured in the mishap, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, according to the 165th Airlift Wing, which hosts Savannah Sentry, a counterair exercise for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets from across the Air National Guard.

U.S. Air Force F-16C aggressor fighters intercepted two Russian Tu-95MS bombers in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone

05/07/2024

In a recent incident within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), U.S. Air Force F-16C fighters were deployed to intercept and escort two Russian Tu-95MS bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces. This information was confirmed both by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Russian Ministry of Defense earlier this month.

Türkiye’s indigenous fighter jet completes 2nd flight

05/07/2024

Türkiye's homegrown fighter jet has completed its second flight, authorities said on Monday, marking another milestone in the country's endeavor to upgrade its air force and curb external dependency. KAAN took off early on Monday and managed to stay in the air for 14 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, according to a statement by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).

Sweden goes back to the drawing board for a next-gen warplane

05/07/2024

Amid a rush within NATO to rally around next-generation combat aircraft, new alliance member Sweden is taking a pause to assess what’s next for its lineage as a warplane-producing country. The Nordic state in 2022 suspended its flirtation with one of Europe’s two marquee airpower efforts, the Global Combat Air Programme, an initiative led by the U.K., Italy and Japan that seeks to deliver a sixth-generation fighter capability by 2035.

US Plans 1000+ AI-Controlled Fighters To Fight Enemies; Here Is Why They Pose Big Threat To Manned Jets

05/06/2024

The AI-controlled F-16 went up against another human-piloted aircraft, which marks one of the biggest advancements in military aviation since the introduction of stealth technology. It is a giant leap that could make human pilots redundant. Frank Kendall was very impressed by the demonstration and said that he would trust it with the ability to decide whether to launch weapons.

Russia Just Lost Another Su-25 Fighter Jet: Kyiv

05/06/2024

Ukraine shot down a Russian fighter jet in the east of the country on Saturday, according to Kyiv, as Moscow's aircraft continue attacks with lethal aerial bombs. Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down "another Russian Su-25 in the Donetsk region today," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address on Saturday.

Military aviation law for ADIZ needed, expert says

05/06/2024

Taiwan should create a military aviation law to give legal protection to its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in counteracting Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drones, National Defense University associate professor of law and military officer Lee Yen-chang said on Saturday.

China operates 9 military aircraft, 5 naval ships around Taiwan

05/05/2024

The Ministry of National Defense tracked nine Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (May 3) and the same time Saturday (May 4). The ministry said it monitored the situation with its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, and deployed land-based air defense missile systems. However, at the time of publication, it did not mention whether the Chinese planes had crossed the median line or entered the nation’s ADIZ.

Taiwan detects dozens of Chinese aircraft and five naval ships around island

05/04/2024

Taiwan's defence ministry said Friday it had detected 26 Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels around the self-ruled island in the previous 24 hours. The sorties come weeks before the May 20 inauguration of new Taiwan president Lai Ching-te, who China regards as a dangerous separatist. A statement from the defence ministry said 17 of the aircraft "crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and central ADIZ (air defence identification zone)."

US reportedly moves military aircraft from UAE to Qatar

05/04/2024

The United States is moving military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, from the United Arab Emirates to Qatar, the Wall Street Journal reported. The move is the result of the UAE's decision not to allow the US to carry out air strikes on Yemen and Iraq from the Al Dhafra air base in Abu Dhabi, according to unnamed US officials.

An AI-controlled fighter jet took the Air Force leader for a historic ride. What that means for war

05/04/2024

With the midday sun blazing, an experimental orange and white F-16 fighter jet launched with a familiar roar that is a hallmark of U.S. airpower. But the aerial combat that followed was unlike any other: This F-16 was controlled by artificial intelligence, not a human pilot. And riding in the front seat was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Finland to Join NATO’s Air Shielding Mission in Romania

05/03/2024

A detachment of the Finnish Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets will participate in NATO’s upcoming Air Shielding Mission in Romania from June to July. The first-time contingent will be composed of up to eight planes and 100 airmen from the Karelia Air Command in Siilinjärvi, Finland. The fleet will operate alongside UK Royal Air Force Typhoons, increasing the alliance’s presence on NATO’s eastern flank, joining quick-reaction alert duties, patrol flights, and air exercises.