Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Raytheon to build 571 infrared-guided AIM-9X air-to-air missiles for combat aircraft in $263.7 million order

06/29/2023

U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are asking Raytheon Technologies Corp. to build 571 AIM-9X precision short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles for jet fighters and other combat aircraft under terms of a $263.7 million order announced earlier this month. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Raytheon Missiles & Defense segment in Tucson, Ariz., to build lot 23 AIM-9X block II air-to-air missiles.

Time Flies: Marking 100 Years of Aerial Refueling

06/29/2023

The Air Force marked the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling with flyovers across all 50 states, honoring the aviators who pulled off the seemingly impossible in 1923 and celebrating the promise of current and future airmen.

Wagner revolt: How many planes and people did Russia lose?

06/28/2023

President Putin referred to "fallen hero pilots" in a statement on 26 June. However, he didn't go into detail about the number of casualties or aircraft lost. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, said his forces had hit Russian aircraft which "were dropping bombs and launching rocket attacks" in a bid to stop their advance towards Moscow. He voiced regret for having had to shoot down Russian planes.

Large-Scale Tanker Flyovers Celebrate 100th Anniversary of First Air Refueling

06/28/2023

While U.S. Air Force’s jets and bombers are the nation’s fight-tonight force, aerial refueling before and after those forces go into the fight is often the key to those missions. On the 100th anniversary of the first aerial refueling mission, the Air Force sought to highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts of some of its most essential planes with Operation Centennial Contact. More than 150 tankers from 26 installations were involved in large-scale flyovers across the country.

Russian fighter aircraft hold combat drills over Baltic Sea

06/28/2023

Russia has started tactical fighter jet exercises over the Baltic Sea with the goal of testing readiness to perform combat and other special operations, the country’s defence ministry has said, a day after Moscow said its jets had scrambled to intercept United Kingdom military planes over the Black Sea.

KONGSBERG to establish new depot for F-35 maintenance in Norway

06/27/2023

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has together with the Norwegian Armed Forces decided to build a new depot in Rygge, Norway for the maintenance of airframes on the Norwegian F-35 combat aircraft. KONGSBERG is investing about NOK 500 million in the new depot, which will be part of the global maintenance solution and contribute to strengthened national capabilities and increased operational availability of the Norwegian F-35 fleet, when the depot is completed in the second half of 2025.

Polish pilots finish air combat training in South Korea

06/27/2023

Polish pilots have completed air combat training in South Korea, Mariusz Blaszczak, the Polish Defense Minister, reported on Monday, adding that “the pilots will soon return to the country, take over the FA-50 aircraft entering the air force’s equipment and begin flying in our airspace.”

Lockheed Delivers Two New F-35B Fighter Jets to Royal Air Force

06/27/2023

Lockheed Martin has delivered two new F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole combat aircraft to the UK Royal Air Force in Marham, Norfolk. The fighters were received from Lockheed’s F-35 manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and were assisted by a Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker from RAF Brize Norton. The handover is part of a contract order for 48 F-35Bs for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

Senate Panel to Allow the retirement of 42 A-10 CAS aircraft, but not that of the 33 not combat-coded F-22 fighter jets

06/27/2023

On Jun. 23, 2023 the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced that it will allow the Air Force to retire 42 A-10s as part of its 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, approved last week. As reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine, the Senate panel’s decision follows on a similar one by the House Armed Services Committee, indicating that lawmakers are prepared to let the A-10 go after years of defending the venerable close air support aircraft from divestment.

South Korea Seeking Laser Designators for Combat Aircraft

06/27/2023

outh Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed an agreement with a local defense firm to supply laser designators for the country’s fighter aircraft. Valued at 86.7-billion won ($66.5 million), the contract requires Gyeonggi-based Hancom Lifecare Inc. to design a device that can designate a hostile target to aid precision strike missions.

Ukraine War: Denmark Prepones Retirement Of F-16 Fighters; Starts Training Ukrainian Pilots On Fighting Falcons

06/27/2023

Denmark’s acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the retirement of the F-16 fighters will now take place in 2025 instead of the previously planned 2027. This adjustment is attributed to the fact that the replacement fighters, F-35s, can be phased in and made operational earlier than anticipated.

Russian mercenaries shot down military plane

06/25/2023

Russia’s Wagner mercenary group reportedly shot down military transport aircraft in the Voronezh region. Video emerging on social media showed a burning Russian plane crashing down. Based on the plane’s silhouette in the video, it could have been a special mission aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Taiwan tracks 27 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships around country

06/25/2023

In addition to eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels tracked around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (June 23) and Saturday (June 24) at 6 a.m., a further 19 aircraft were detected after 8 a.m., eight of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and approached the 24-nautical-mile line. One of the aircraft, a Z-9 anti-submarine warfare helicopter, entered Taiwan's ADIZ from the east, the military said.

Germany to send more Gepard anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine

06/25/2023

The plan was announced by the head of the Ukraine Situation Center of the German Defense Ministry, Brigadier General Christian Freuding, in the June 25 edition of the newspaper Die Welt in comments seen in advance by dpa. According to the report, Germany intends to provide Ukraine with 45 more Gepard systems by the end of the year in its defensive struggle against Russia.

A US Aircraft Carrier Will Make a Rare Vietnam Port Call as Countries Compete for Favor in SE Asia

06/24/2023

An American aircraft carrier was due to make a port call in Vietnam on Sunday — a rare visit by one of the U.S. Navy's biggest ships that comes as Washington and Beijing both step up efforts to bolster ties with Southeast Asian nations.

S.Korea's military aircraft exports to NATO get major boost

06/24/2023

South Korea has concluded a deal with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on mutual recognition of certification of military aircraft airworthiness for flight safety. The country is the first in Asia pushing for such recognition with NATO.

Air Mobility Command celebrates 100th year of air refueling with community flyovers across the U.S.

06/24/2023

The United States Air Force will be conducting flyovers across 50 states on June 27 to honor 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. More than 150 tankers from 26 Total Force installations are scheduled to participate with KC-135 Stratotankers, KC-10 Extenders, and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft.

Michigan Flyovers Honor 100 Years of Aerial Refueling

06/23/2023

The Michigan Air National Guard will conduct flyovers of nine Michigan communities on June 27, as part of the United States Air Force’s commemoration of 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. Tuesday’s flyovers will allow Michigan residents to witness this key aspect of the Air Force mission as KC-135 Stratotankers fly in formation with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

GE to jointly produce fighter jet engines in India

06/23/2023

General Electric's aerospace unit said on Thursday it has signed an agreement with India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HIAE.NS) to make fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. The development comes at a time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official state visit to the United States.

Michigan Airmen Practice Combat Turns in Latvia

06/22/2023

Over four days, approximately 30 Michigan Air National Guard Airmen traveled from Michigan to Germany and then Latvia, practicing deploying for future fights. Simulating a deployment to a contingency location, the 127th Wing’s Agile Combat Employment team practiced receiving, turning and launching A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in ways similar to being close to the front line of combat.

British fighter jets intercept 3 Russian military aircraft near NATO airspace

06/22/2023

Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) scrambled its fighter jets in Estonia to intercept Russian military aircraft flying close to NATO airspace, the RAF said on Wednesday. “RAF Typhoons from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2 Su-27 ‘Flanker’ Bs flying close to NATO airspace,” the British air force said on Twitter.

Polish pilots on transition from flying Soviet jets to S. Korea's FA-50

06/22/2023

A team of Polish pilots is bidding farewell to its Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets. They are instead transitioning to South Korea's FA-50 light combat aircraft, with training support and guidance from the South Korean Air Force. Two groups, each comprising four Polish pilots, have undergone monthslong training in Korea. The primary aim of this training is to provide them with the essential skills and knowledge required to operate the FA-50 light combat aircraft, which will be delivered to Poland

Airbus, Leonardo Team On Offering M-346 Training Tony Osborne June 21, 2023

06/22/2023

Airbus and Leonardo are teaming up to offer pilot training using Leonardo’s M-346 jet trainer. The unlikely partnership, agreed to through a memorandum of understanding signed at the Paris Air Show here on June 21, will see the two companies deepen ties and further cooperate around training.

Need for Speed: F-16 Pilot Calls the Fighter Jets Sought by Ukraine 'Easy to Fly'

06/22/2023

F-16 fighter jets hurtle pilots through the sky at up to 2,000 kilometers per hour (1,243 miles per hour). In tight turns or sudden climbs, gravity is pressing so hard on their bodies that some of them might even pass out. Even so, it’s an experience Ukraine is seeking for its own pilots after getting U.S. approval to train and eventually receive the American-made jets to bolster its more than year-old fight against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long pressed Western allies

PARIS AIR SHOW NEWS: Europe’s Next-Gen Jet Fighter Makes Little Progress in Four Years

06/21/2023

High above La Bourget Airport north of Paris, a Dassault Aviation Rafale jet fighter on day one of the Paris Air Show carried out a series of maneuvers to the delight of the crowds on the tarmac, who captured every moment with their camera phones as it roared by. It was only four years ago on day one of the last Paris Air Show when the leaders and captains of industry from three nations with great fanfare announced that they would be working together on a sixth-generation aircraft.