Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

KF-21: Is This South Korea's Plan for a Cheap F-35 Style Fighter?

12/27/2023

The KF-21, which KAI is developing as part of a $6.6 billion project to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force's (RoKAR's) aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighters, is also being touted as a "cheaper" alternative to the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

New F-15EX Eagles arrive at Eglin AFB

12/27/2023

The Eagles have landed. The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4 touched down at Eglin Air Force Base, Dec. 20, just minutes from each other. The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin AFB. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.

Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese naval ships, 2 military aircraft around nation

12/25/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked four Chinese naval vessels and two military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 24) and 6 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 25). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to track the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that ti

Eight Chinese jets crossed median line border

12/25/2023

Taiwanese Defense Minister revealed on Sunday information that showed that four Shenyang J-16 strike fighters, two Chengdu J-10 multirole combat aircraft and two Shenyang J-11 jet fighters from China crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during the last 24 hours.

Final countdown: Türkiye's 5th-gen fighter set to make maiden flight

12/25/2023

Türkiye's defense and aviation sector is expected to experience a historic moment in the upcoming week as the first flight of the domestically developed fifth-generation national combat aircraft, KAAN, is anticipated to take place on Dec. 27. Together with KAAN's debut in the sky, Türkiye will join the ranks of countries possessing a fifth-generation fighter jet.

Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 2 naval ships around nation

12/24/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and two naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (Dec. 22) and the same time the next day. Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three (one Shaanxi Y-8, two Xi'an H-6s) crossed into the nation’s southwest and southeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the MND said.

Philippines Seeks Fighting Falcons To Fight China; Negotiates With US To Acquire ‘Combat Proven’ F-16 Jets

12/24/2023

The Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, has disclosed ongoing discussions regarding Manila’s possible acquisition of F-16 fighter jets from Washington. Romualdez emphasized the long-standing desire of the Philippine Air Force for F-16 fighter jets, acknowledging their effectiveness in air defense during an interview with CNN Philippines.

New in 2024: Who will win Air Force’s next-gen fighter contract?

12/24/2023

The U.S. Air Force plans to take its most significant step yet in creating a futuristic fighter aircraft when it awards a contract in 2024 for the Next Generation Air Dominance platform. The service sent a classified solicitation to industry for NGAD’s engineering and manufacturing development contract in May, officially kicking off the process to select the company that will build its next advanced fighter system.

The Reason Why the F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Is So Expensive

12/23/2023

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was the world’s first operational fifth-generation fighter. And the F-22 is still relatively futuristic today; when the F-22 first flew, in the 1990s, the jet was a game changer – and unsurprisingly, the most expensive-per-unit fighter jet ever built. While the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program would eventually surpass the F-22 program in total costs, the F-22 still reigns as the most expensive-per-unit fighter. So, how did the F-22 come to be so uniquely

Netherlands to deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

12/23/2023

The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help its battle against Russia’s invasion, the Dutch government said on Friday. “Today I informed President Zelenskyy of our government’s decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine,” caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on social media platform X.

Royal Air Force Typhoon T1 fighters to be cannibalized for parts

12/23/2023

Some time ago now, the decision to retire the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 fighter jets from the inventory of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was confirmed, despite criticisms and speculations about the fate of these aircraft. Now, the UK Minister for Defense Procurement, James Cartlidge, has revealed the fate in store for the Typhoon T1s.

Ukrainian forces shoot down three Russian Su-34 fighter jets on southern front

12/23/2023

Ukrainian defenders shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers in the south of Ukraine on Dec. 22, the commander of the Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk has reported on Telegram The aircraft were destroyed at around noon. Oleshchuk called it a response to a nighttime "message" from the Russian military written on one of its downed kamikaze drones.

The U.S. Navy Might Be Done with the F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter

12/21/2023

Around the holidays, money can be tight, a fact that the United States Navy has also learned as its negotiations to buy the last batch of Super Hornets are reportedly stalled over the growing price tag. USNI News reported on Tuesday that the contract for the U.S. Navy to purchase the final twenty F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets from aerospace giant Boeing appears to be at a standstill.

Trying to Compare The F-22 and F-35 Is a Waste of Your Time

12/21/2023

The U.S. military is the most technologically advanced force in the world and most likely the most fearsome fighting machine of all time. The Department of Defense’s cutting-edge platforms have been in part responsible for the U.S. global preponderance since the end of the Second World War.

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around nation

12/20/2023

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 20) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 21). Of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control plane entered the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.

US F-35 Loses ‘Stealth Panel’ Flying Over The Pacific; Second Incident Reported From Kadena Air Base

12/20/2023

On the morning of December 18, an F-35A Lightning II belonging to the US Air Force’s 356th Fighter Squadron touched down at the Japanese Kadena Air Base. In an unusual incident, it was discovered that a vital component of the stealth aircraft was missing when it landed. After the incident came to light, a spokesperson of the Air Force said that the advanced stealth fighter that returned to its Okinawa base without a panel might have lost the part over the Pacific Ocean.

F-15EX Is No Stealth Fighter: Is That Really So Bad?

12/20/2023

F-15EX - It isn't stealthy, but is it needed? Perhaps surprisingly, the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is not the costliest jet currently being produced in America today. The Lockheed Martin-produced powerhouse may be considered the most capable of flying the skies by military experts and analysts. However, an older airframe has it beat regarding the price tag.

Mind Blowing Combo: F-35 Fighters and B-2 Bombers Are Training Together

12/19/2023

Together, the F-35 and B-2 would be a nearly unstoppable force – one that could penetrate an enemy's air defenses, hit targets, and make a return home practically before anyone was the wiser.

China curtails ‘dangerous’ fighter jet manoeuvres after Xi-Biden summit

12/19/2023

China has cut back on “dangerous” fighter jet intercepts against US aircraft since last month’s summit meeting between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, according to the top US military commander in the Indo-Pacific region.

US To ‘Re-Deploy’ F-15EX Heavy Fighters In Japan After Replacing Them With F-22 Raptors – Reports

12/19/2023

The United States is reportedly contemplating the resumption of the permanent deployment of fighter jets at an American base in Okinawa, a year after announcing the commencement of the phased withdrawal of aging F-15 fighter jets from Japan.

Russia Loses Two Fighter Jets in Single Day: Reports

12/19/2023

Russia has lost two jets in under 24 hours, according to new reports, in the latest show of damage to Moscow's air force sustained in the nearly two years of war in Ukraine. Russia lost an Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft after Ukraine attacked a Russian air base on Saturday night into Sunday morning, Ukrainian media reported. Separately, Ukraine's air force said Moscow had shot down one of its own Su-25 tactical bomber jets on Sunday.

Türkiye urges US, Germany to act swiftly on F-16, Eurofighter deals

12/18/2023

Türkiye on Saturday said it expects prompt and tangible steps from the United States on the F-16 fighter jet deal while also urging Germany to show a stance aligning with the NATO spirit regarding its request to buy Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes. Ankara has been frustrated by the prolonged process of its request to acquire F-16 jets from the U.S. it seeks to refresh its air force. This prompted it to begin discussing buying Eurofighters, produced by a consortium involving Germany, Spain, Italy a

U.S. weighs returning smaller permanent fighter force to Okinawa

12/18/2023

The U.S. military plans to resume the permanent deployment of fighter jets at an American base in Okinawa but with fewer planes than before, Nikkei Asia has learned, drawing mixed reactions from lawmakers and experts as the threat posed by China grows.

Su-22 fighter jet crashes in Iran

12/17/2023

The incident unfolded with the aircraft plummeting near Lake Persian in the Kazerun district, as disclosed by Iranian state television. The pilot managed a safe ejection from the Su-22 military aircraft, deploying the ejection seat system and escaping unscathed. No casualties were reported.

China's risky maneuvers around the US military are part of a long-running plan to use 'the enemy to train the troops'

12/16/2023

US officials are sounding the alarm about close calls with Chinese jets and warships, which they say are crowding and harassing US forces in the Western Pacific. The US says those encounters are meant to force it and its allies to operate farther from China. For the Chinese pilots carrying them out, they are also part of a years-long effort to increase the complexity and value of their training through real-world interactions with a more experienced rival.