Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Just Got The Engine It Always Needed

12/12/2025

Russia’s Su-57 began life powered by the AL-41F1/117S, a deeply modernized Su-27 engine used as a stopgap while a true 5th-generation powerplant was developed. That engine, now designated AL-51F1 (177S), only flew on a Su-57 testbed in 2017 and has just entered low-rate production.

Aircraft Carriers, Marines And Bombers: What The U.S. Miliary Is Really Signaling To Venezuela

12/12/2025

The U.S. military buildup around Venezuela is no routine counternarcotics mission. Washington is assembling a carrier strike group, amphibious forces, long-range bombers, and dense ISR coverage to coerce Nicolás Maduro into dismantling the foothold China, Russia, and Iran have built inside the Western Hemisphere.

Russia deploys two dozen new combat aircraft in 2025

12/12/2025

Ukrainian sources say Russia’s defense industry delivered roughly 14 Su-34 frontline bombers and about 10 Su-35S fighter jets to its armed forces in 2025, expanding Moscow’s tactical aviation inventory as the war enters its fourth year.

Germany, France, Spain move to end deadlock in fighter jet dispute

12/12/2025

Germany, France and Spain will try this week to break a deadlock over Europe’s next-generation fighter jet programme, a project worth up to 100 billion euros ($117 billion) seen as vital for the region’s defence ambitions as the war in Ukraine grinds on. The push for progress at talks between the countries' defence ministers follows mounting political pressure to salvage the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), launched more than eight years ago but stalled by industrial rivalries.

US bombers join Japanese jets in show of force after China-Russia drills, Tokyo says

12/12/2025

U.S. nuclear-capable bombers flew over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese fighter jets on Wednesday, Tokyo said, in a show of force following Chinese and Russian drills in the skies and seas around U.S. allies Japan and South Korea. Japan and the U.S. "reaffirmed their strong resolve to prevent any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force and confirmed the readiness posture of both the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces," Japan's defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

U.S. Air Force F-35s and KC-135 stage flyover across Baltics to demonstrate agile NATO airpower

12/11/2025

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath flew over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on 4 December, underscoring U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s ability to deliver agile airpower with NATO Allies. The sortie highlighted cooperation across the region as part of ongoing support to Europe’s Eastern Flank.

US Sets Conditions for Turkey’s F-35 Hopes

12/11/2025

The U.S. has reiterated that Turkey must give up the S-400 missile defense system it purchased from Russia to be eligible for the acquisition of advanced F-35 fighter jets. "As laid out in U.S. law, Turkiye must no longer operate nor possess the S-400 system to return to the F-35 program," U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack wrote in a statement on his X account. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been discussing the issue with President Donald Trump for months.

Australian MQ-28 CCA Downs Drone in Milestone Air-to-Air Test

12/11/2025

A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.

SEASHOT expands joint combat training for Shaw and U.S. Navy

12/11/2025

"As weapons technology continues to develop, fighter pilots need to shoot and intercept adversaries from increasingly longer distances," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Vane, 20th Operations Support Squadron commander. "As a result, we are starting to outgrow our primary air combat training airspace off the S.C. coastline. Additionally, Shaw AFB is situated near one of the busiest air traffic corridors in the United States; there is physically no room for our airspace to grow."

Bangladesh signs for Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Italy’s Leonardo

12/10/2025

Bangladesh has committed to operating the Eurofighter Typhoon, signing a letter of intent with Italy’s Leonardo in Dhaka today. The LOI was signed at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). Present at the signing were Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh H.E. Antonio Alessandro, and other representatives from both the Bangladesh armed forces and Italy.

Poland in talks to transfer MiGs to Ukraine in exchange for drone and missile tech

12/10/2025

Poland is in talks over donating further MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine. Warsaw hopes to receive access to drone and missile technologies from Kyiv in return. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the general staff of the Polish armed forces announced that “negotiations are ongoing with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft”, without specifying the number.

South Korea scrambles jets after Chinese and Russian planes enter ADIZ

12/10/2025

Nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and exited South Korea’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on December 9, 2025, prompting the country’s Air Force to scramble fighter jets, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Russian, Chinese Bombers Fly Joint Patrol Near Japan, South Korea

12/10/2025

Russian and Chinese bombers conducted a joint patrol Tuesday, flying over the East China Sea and Western Pacific, prompting Seoul and Tokyo to scramble fighter aircraft to monitor the flights. At approximately 10:00 a.m. local time, seven Russian military aircraft and two Chinese military aircraft entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the same day in a news release. No airspace violation occurred, the release re

F/A-18 Super Hornets Were Just Tracked Flying Deep Inside The Gulf Of Venezuela (Updated)

12/10/2025

The two Super Hornets, callsigns Rhino 11 and Rhino 12, look to have remained in international airspace throughout the duration of their sorties in the Gulf of Venezuela today, though this remains unconfirmed. Spoofing aircraft in open-source flight tracking is possible and does happen, but in this case, considering what we are seeing, and the recent history of certain U.S. platforms making their presence very known off the coast of Venezuela, this seems unlikely.

Ukrainian Air Force confirms loss of Su-27 fighter jet

12/09/2025

A Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet was lost during a combat mission on December 8 in the eastern region of the country, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed in a public statement. “At noon on December 8, 2025, in the eastern direction, during the execution of a combat mission in a Su-27 aircraft, the senior navigator of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Vitaliiovych Ivanov, was killed. The circumstances are being clarified.

Japan rejects China's 'interference' claim amid fighter jet engagement

12/09/2025

Japan on Monday rejected China's claim that interference by Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jets during Chinese naval training prompted radar to be locked on the planes, local media reported. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) jets kept a "safe distance" from Chinese military aircraft off Japan's southernmost province of Okinawa, according to the Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

In Defense Bill, Congress Rejects Bid to Retire A-10s, F-15Es

12/09/2025

Lawmakers resolving differences in the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization bill want to stop cuts to the Air Force’s combat fleet by blocking scores of planned divestments of aging A-10 and F-15E fighters. The bill, unveiled Dec. 7, rejects the Air Force plan to retire all 162 A-10s still flying along with 21 F-15Es in 2026. If passed into law, the measure would limit divestments this fiscal year to just 59 A-10s and no F-15Es.

Should America Be Worried About Venezuela’s F-16 Fleet? Not Really.

12/09/2025

Before it bought the more modern Su-30MK2 Flanker fighter jet from Russia, Venezuela’s most advanced combat aircraft was the F-16A/B Fighting Falcon. Indeed, the F-16 was the most advanced combat aircraft in the entire region. Purchased during a period of close US-Venezuelan cooperation, the F-16s symbolized Venezuela’s efforts to modernize and align with the US. Yet four decades later, the fleet is a shadow of its former self.

For US$118.8 million, the U.S. authorized the sale of hundreds of GBU-39/B glide bombs for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter jets

12/09/2025

The United States government has authorized the possible sale of hundreds of GBU-39/B SDB-I glide bombs intended to equip the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter aircraft. This information comes from one of the most recent notifications submitted by the Department of State to the U.S. Congress in order to approve the operation, which falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program and is valued at US$118.8 million.

Proposed defense bill would fund Golden Dome, next-gen fighters

12/09/2025

Congress’ proposed compromise National Defense Authorization Act would authorize $900.6 billion in discretionary defense spending in fiscal 2026, which would be an $8 billion increase over the Pentagon’s budget request this summer.

For US$ 730 million, the U.S. authorizes the sale of more AIM-120C-8 missiles for Denmark’s F-35A fighters

12/08/2025

The United States government has authorized the sale of new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35A stealth fighters. This was disclosed in one of the most recent notifications issued by the U.S. Department of State to Congress, approving the operation under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and valued at US$ 730 million.

Norwegian F-35 fighters return home as joint NATO Air Policing Mission in Poland concludes

12/08/2025

Norwegian F-35 fighter aircraft returned to Ørland Air Base on December 1, marking the end of their operational deployment in Poland. The mission formed part of a joint Norwegian–Dutch air readiness commitment under NATO command.

Bangladesh Turns To China For Fighter Jets After Rejecting European Options

12/07/2025

After months of speculation and diplomatic manoeuvres, Bangladesh appears to have made its choice in the race to modernise its air force. Despite earlier interest in European aircraft, Dhaka is now leaning towards a deal with Beijing – a decision that could shift the balance of power in South Asia’s skies.

U.S. Marines Conduct F-35B fighter jet Landing Qualification in Pacific Ocean to Keep Combat Readiness

12/07/2025

The U.S. Marine Corps says pilots and deck crews from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) wrapped up a fresh round of F-35B Lightning II fighter jet deck landing qualifications aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility. Unit officials described the evolution as a routine but essential step that keeps shipborne aviation procedures sharp, particularly as the MEU prepares for a busy operational cycle across the Pacific.

Chinese fighters target SDF jets with radar lock-on, Japan says

12/07/2025

Chinese J-15 fighter jets launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier “intermittently directed their radar" at ASDF F-15 fighters, the ministry said early Sunday. The F-15s had been scrambled as a response to a potential airspace intrusion, and came as the Chinese carrier and three missile destroyers were holding exercises.