Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

NATO Scrambles a Dozen Aircraft as Russian Warplanes Approach Alaska

03/06/2026

NORAD scrambled a half-dozen American and Canadian fighters, along with six support aircraft, to intercept two Russian military aircraft that entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska and Canada on March 4. The response, which included fifth-generation F-35s and F-22s and Canadian CF-18s, is among the largest NORAD has mounted in the past decade and comes as hundreds of U.S. combat aircraft are massed in the Middle East for operations against Iran.

Somalia explores buying up to 24 JF-17 Block III fighters to rebuild air force

03/05/2026

More than three decades after its air force effectively disappeared with the collapse of the Somali state, Mogadishu is now exploring what could become the most ambitious defence procurement in its modern history.

Kuwaiti F/A-18 Suspected in Downing of Three U.S. F-15Es

03/05/2026

New reporting indicates a Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 Hornet may have been responsible for the downing of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait on March 2. People familiar with the incident told Air & Space Forces Magazine that at least one Kuwaiti fighter aircraft is believed to have fired the missiles that struck the jets. The aircraft had previously been reported shot down in what officials described as “an apparent friendly fire incident,”.

Saab sees role for Canada in sixth-generation fighter development

03/05/2026

Saab has said Canada could play a role in the development of future sixth-generation combat aircraft technologies, as Ottawa continues to review the scope of its planned acquisition of F-35A fighter jets. According to a CBC News report on March 4, 2026, the Swedish defense company believes Canada could become a partner in shaping next-generation air combat capabilities while positioning its Gripen fighter as a potential alternative in Canada’s fighter replacement program.

U.S. could hold a 'red card' over Canada's Gripen fighter jet option

03/05/2026

There is a way the U.S. could play hardball with Canada, if the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney decides it wants to limit its purchase of F-35s in favour of the Gripen. Critics who favour the Lockheed-Martin stealth fighter have long argued that the Swedish-built Gripen would not be interoperable with American aircraft and the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

Israeli F-35I shoots down Iranian Yak-130 jet

03/04/2026

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that an Israeli F-35I fighter jet shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft, marking what officials described as the first fighter-to-fighter aerial engagement of the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.

Downing of U.S. F-15s and the Role of Joint All-Domain Command and Control

03/04/2026

For years, U.S. and allied nation military planners have been seeking to improve planning, technology development and deployment of advanced systems for command, control and communications across all domains of a potential conflict space. This has been an acutely imperative concern for disparate nations conducting operations within each other’s airspace. Recent events in the start of U.S./Israeli military strikes on Iran, have profoundly illustrated the importance of this effort.

British Royal Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jets just scored their first-ever combat kill

03/04/2026

British F-35s shot down drones over Jordan within the past 24 hours, the UK government said. It marks the first time a Royal Air Force F-35 has destroyed a hostile target during operations. The Middle East has been locked in an air defense frenzy as Iran fires waves of missiles and drones.

What Is Known About the Military Forces of Arab States in the Persian Gulf Amid Iranian Strikes

03/04/2026

If Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, currently targeted by Iranian strikes, were to take direct military action, it could significantly accelerate the process, effectively doubling the forces already deployed by the U.S. and Israel

Malaysia Scraps Kuwaiti Hornet Purchase Plans

03/04/2026

The government of Malaysia has officially abandoned its plans to acquire F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait, due to continued uncertainty on when the aircraft would be available and their long-term logistical support. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari told lawmakers on February 26, that the cabinet had decided to cancel the planned purchase during a February 6 meeting, following a technical assessment by a Royal Malaysian Air Force delegation that inspected the Kuwaiti aircraft in November 2025.

Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion system matters for Korea -U.S. pact

03/04/2026

In recent talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby recently praised South Korea as a "model ally" for committing to increase defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic produce. And Seoul is truly stepping up. Defense spending increased 7.5% to $44.8 billion in fiscal 2026, the KF-21 Boramae fighter begins deliveries this year and the F-15K fleet is receiving major upgrades to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.

France deploys fighter jets over UAE to protect its military bases

03/04/2026

France has deployed Rafale jets over the United Arab Emirates to protect its bases after a drone hit a French facility, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. The announcement comes as regional tensions continue to escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Friendly-Fire Incidents Are Nothing New In Modern Air Warfare

03/04/2026

The loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles to apparent friendly fire over Kuwait earlier today underscores an enduring reality of conflict: despite advances in technology, high levels of training, and the most carefully prepared plans, casualties inflicted by the same side are always a hazard. Indeed, these are not the first blue-on-blue incidents involving U.S. and allied combat aircraft in the various campaigns since the end of the Cold War.

Blasted out at 20 times the force of gravity: what ejection from a fighter jet does to the body

03/04/2026

Three US F-15E fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in the early hours of Monday (March 2) in an apparent friendly fire incident during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran. All six crew members ejected safely and are in a stable condition – but “safely” is a relative term when you’re being blasted out of a stricken aircraft travelling at combat speed.

America’s F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet Now Comes with AI Integration

03/04/2026

As part of “Project Overwatch,” Lockheed Martin has tested AI model integration into the F-35 mission system. This is the first instance of AI suggesting combat targeting in-flight, marking a significant milestone for human-AI collaboration in the cockpit. Of course, the AI involvement remains limited; there are no autonomous weapons, and the AI has no authority to pull the trigger.

Rolls-Royce boss ‘open’ to Germany joining UK’s fighter jet project

03/03/2026

The boss of Rolls-Royce has said he would welcome Germany helping to build Britain’s next-generation fighter jet, arguing it would bring in more business for the project. The aircraft, designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is a joint effort between the UK, Italy and Japan. Rolls-Royce is building the engine for the jet, which has attracted fresh attention as plans for a rival Franco-German warplane edge towards collapse.

The US Badly Wants Portugal to Reconsider Buying the F-35

03/03/2026

Portugal quit the F-35 program last year amid political disagreements with the Trump administration, and has shown few signs of wanting to return. The United States ambassador to Portugal is reportedly attempting to woo Lisbon back to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, months after the NATO member withdrew from a deal to obtain the multirole fighter.

U.S. Deploys Broad Mix Of Military Aircraft In Iran Strikes

03/03/2026

U.S. Central Command said American forces have used more than 20 types of aircraft, ships, missiles and other systems in strikes on Iranian targets as part of Operation Epic Fury. According to Stars and Stripes, CENTCOM said the operation involved “the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.” The campaign began Feb. 28 in coordination with Israeli forces. U.S. officials said more than 1,000 targets were struck in the opening phase.

Iran deploys Yak-130 jets for drone patrols over Tehran

03/02/2026

Iran has deployed Yak-130 advanced jet trainer aircraft in air patrol missions over Tehran, where the aircraft have been observed armed with air-to-air missiles and tasked with countering unmanned aerial threats. Reports citing aviation observers indicate that Yak-130 aircraft of the Iranian Air Force were seen conducting patrol flights alongside MiG-29 fighter interceptors over Tehran.

U.S. Forces destroy Iranian Su-22 combat aircraft

03/02/2026

United States Central Command released new video footage showing precision airstrikes against Iranian military targets, including the destruction of at least two Su-22 fighter jets positioned at a military airfield in Iran. In a statement accompanying the video, U.S. Central Command said: “U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue.”

Qatar says its air force shot down 2 Iranian warplanes

03/02/2026

The Gulf state of Qatar says its air forces shot down two Iranian warplanes. The Qatari Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that its forces downed two Sukhoi Su-24s, Soviet-era bombers.

Kuwait: Several U.S. military planes crash; all crew members survived

03/02/2026

Several U.S. military aircraft crashed in Kuwait on Monday, as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East. The number of aircraft downed was not mentioned in the Kuwaiti Defense Ministry statement, reported by the official state Kuwait News Agency, nor was the cause of the crashes.

Retired U.S. General slams U.S. delay in fighter transfers to Ukraine

03/02/2026

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula criticized U.S. policy on military assistance to Ukraine during a Substack Live podcast hosted by military historian Phillips P. O’Brien, arguing that Washington delayed providing key combat capabilities early in the war because American leaders were deterred by Russian rhetoric.

Israeli Air Force deploys F-35I Adir fighter fleet in Operation Roaring Lion amid pngoing strikes on targets in Iran

03/02/2026

The Israeli Air Force is using its most advanced combat aircraft, the F-35I Adir, in strikes on targets in Iran. These aircraft are adapted to Israeli requirements and represent a customized version of the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

A, B, C: What’s the difference between the different Lockheed Martin F-35 variants?

03/02/2026

To maintain combat dominance across air, land, and sea, the multirole F-35 strike fighter is available in three major variants: a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, a short/vertical takeoff and landing (SVTOL) variant, and a carrier-based variant.