Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The US Military Is Retiring The A-10 Warthog: Here's Why

11/05/2025

The legendary A-10 Warthog has been granted retirement in 2026 for several reasons, including the changing landscape of modern combat and military budget limitations. Due to the aircraft's effective but simplistic design, it lacks some features necessary to compete against other modern forces. For instance, the A-10 Warthog is anything but stealthy or quick, which is a problem when sending this aircraft against an adversary utilizing state-of-the-art air defenses.

Navy pursues uncrewed combat aircraft with artificial intelligence (AI) for carrier operations

11/05/2025

U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are pursuing carrier-based semi-autonomous uncrewed combat aircraft that operate together with crewed combat aircraft in a new project called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The CCA project seeks to enhance the carrier air wing's combat capabilities; sensing and situational awareness; and ability to blend crewed and uncrewed aircraft to enhance safety and extend the read of carrier-based aircraft.

New GA-ASI Gambit 6 UCAV Adds Air-To-Ground Operations for International CCA

11/05/2025

The latest iteration of the innovative Gambit Series of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is Gambit 6, a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) that adds air-to-ground operations to its already proven air-to-air capability. The multi-role platform is optimized for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and deep precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving defense needs.

China’s Banner Year in Combat Aircraft

11/05/2025

“Updating priors” means revising an existing belief system in the face of new evidence. Much has been written of about the modernization of China’s military in recent years, particularly People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aviation (both the PLA Air Force and PLA Naval Air Force). However, the niche trade of tracking PLA news still causes significant lags in disseminating information among the wider defense journalism, think tank, and defense commentariat crowd.

Netherlands formally transfers 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania for use at European training centre

11/04/2025

The Netherlands has formally transferred ownership of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania, finalising the agreement in Bucharest. The documents were signed by Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu and Linda Ruseler, Director of Movable Property at the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

Saab and Bombardier consider Gripen E assembly in Canada to support Ukraine deal

11/04/2025

Sweden’s Saab is considering Canada as a potential assembly site for its Gripen E fighter jets as it looks to expand production capacity amid rising international demand, including from Ukraine. On October 22, 2025, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a letter of intent in Linköping covering a potential sale of more than 100 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters.

The first flight of the new carrier-based training aircraft for the Chinese Navy has been recorded

11/04/2025

While China continues to make steady progress in the development of sixth-generation aircraft, as well as in the production of the new stealth fighters J-35 intended to equip the Navy’s aircraft carrier Fujian, the country has now recorded the first flight of its new advanced carrier-based training aircraft, which will be used to train its future pilots.

Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 moves out of final assembly

11/04/2025

As the photos in this post show, the Finnish Air Force‘s first F-35 has moved out of final assembly. The service said on its Facebook page; ‘Excitement is building! The Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 has moved out of final assembly, and we couldn’t resist sharing this behind-the-scenes sneak peek.’

Russian military aircraft trigger three NATO scrambles over Baltic in single week

11/04/2025

NATO fighter jets conducting air policing missions in the Baltic states scrambled three times last week to identify and escort Russian military aircraft, Lithuania's Ministry of Defence announced, according to LRT. On 27 October, NATO aircraft took off to identify a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad Oblast. The aircraft was operating without an activated radar transponder and without a flight plan.

U.S. contractor working to speed up F-16V delivery to Taiwan: Ministry

11/03/2025

United States personnel tasked with the production of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan are working 20 hours a day to expedite the delivery of the aircraft, but will still miss the deadline, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. The ministry made the statement in a report submitted to lawmakers on Sunday, outlining the status of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and noting delays in the delivery of several weapons systems.

Drones spotted above Belgian airbase were ‘spying’ on military planes, defense minister says

11/03/2025

Several drones spotted above a Belgian airbase over the weekend were there “to spy” on military fighter jets, the country’s defense minister said Sunday, at a time when European nations are on high alert for airspace intrusions. “They come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic things,” Theo Francken told CNN affiliate RTBF.

Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to be flight-ready by the first quarter of 2027: Report

11/03/2025

Security sources have ended ongoing disputes over the pricing of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, confirming that Türkiye acquired the aircraft at prices comparable to what manufacturing nations pay, with the jets expected to be flight-ready by the first quarter of 2027. According to security sources cited in a report by Akif Bulbul from Türkiye daily, the Eurofighter jets were not purchased at inflated prices above their actual value.

Armenia to Buy Indian-Made Su-30 Fighter Jets

11/03/2025

Armenia is finalizing negotiations with India to purchase Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to Indian Defence News, the deal is in the final stage of approval and is viewed as a strategic response to Azerbaijan’s recent purchase of 40 Pakistani-made JF-17C Block III fighters.

How Exporting F-35 Fighter Jets Strengthens the United States

11/03/2025

By selling F-35s to allied nations, America provides them with one of the world’s most effective fighter jets—and an ironclad economic connection to the US defense industry. No modern aircraft has been as politically or industrially successful as the F-35 Lightning II. Conceived in the 1990s as a cost-sharing platform capable of performing as a jack of all trades, the F-35 has since become a cornerstone of Western defense integration, a platform that binds the US, Europe, and pacific allies.

Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese military aircraft and 8 naval vessels

11/02/2025

The defense ministry detected five Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Three of the aircraft were reported to have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone, or ADIZ. In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.

Russian cargo plane lands in Venezuela as Maduro turns to Moscow for military support

11/02/2025

A Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft has landed in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, signaling Moscow's growing interest in the country, Defense News reports. The Il-76, registered as RA-78765, arrived in Caracas on Sunday after a two-day flight from Russia. The route reportedly passed through Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania before reaching Latin America.

These are the U.S. ships and aircraft massing off Venezuela

11/02/2025

The large-scale buildup of U.S. military forces and assets in the Caribbean suggests that the Trump administration is preparing to expand operations. The large-scale buildup of U.S. military forces and assets in the Caribbean suggests that the Trump administration may be preparing to expand operations in the region, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas and raising the possibility of the first U.S. strikes on Venezuela.

China's 6th-Gen J-36 Aircraft Joins 5th-Gen J-20 Stealth Jet Marking New Era in Air Superiority

11/02/2025

Footage dated Oct. 31 shows China’s experimental J-36 stealth aircraft flying in formation with a J-20 near Chengdu, indicating paired testing with an operational fifth-generation fighter. If sustained, this points to mixed-generation strike packages and manned teaming concepts that matter for U.S. planning in the Indo-Pacific.

The Great U.S. Air Force Reboot Is Coming

11/02/2025

At first glance, the U.S. Air Force looks overstretched: old fleets, tight budgets, sliding deliveries. Look closer and it’s a deliberate pivot from industrial-age mass to sixth-generation, networked power. NGAD as the manned “quarterback,” B-21 for penetrating strike, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft to scout, jam, and shoot turn airpower from counting jets to syncing ecosystems.

KAI KF-21 to gain ground-attack capability ahead of schedule

11/01/2025

The Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 BORAMAE 4.5 generation combat fighter will gain ground-attack capability ahead of schedule. Durign ADEX 2025, a company official told FW MAG that KAI remains “on track to complete all flight-test activities for the KF-21 by June 2026.” The first aircraft to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force will be Block 1 variants capable of Air-to-Air engagements only.

The U.S. Air Force Could Soon Flex A Massive Amount Of New Fighter Jets

11/01/2025

An unclassified Air Force plan says the service needs 1,558 combat-coded fighters by 2035—about a 22% jump from the projected 1,271 in FY26—to meet the administration’s defense guidance. The roadmap leans on accelerating F-35A and F-15EX buys (while retiring A-10s and older F-15/16s), but flags funding and supply-chain risks.

Anduril’s drone wingman begins flight tests

11/01/2025

The second of the U.S. Air Force’s two prototype drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft, began flight testing Friday, the service said. Anduril’s YFQ-44A drone carried out its first flight at an unidentified California test location Friday, the Air Force said. It follows the first flight of its General Atomics-made counterpart, the YFQ-42A, which took place in August.

Maduro asks Putin for aid as U.S. military buildup continues

11/01/2025

Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to supply missiles, radars, and modern combat aircraft, citing the ongoing U.S. naval asset buildup in the Caribbean, The Washington Post reported on Oct. 31.

South Korea in Talks to Supply KF-21 fighter jets to the Philippines

10/31/2025

South Korea is in active negotiations to sell KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter to the Philippines, according to reports from the Seoul International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition that was held at Seoul Air Base on October 19. Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) efforts aims to expand its regional market presence. The Philippine Air Force currently operates the FA-50 light fighter and has recently requested more units.

Former US fighter pilot warns America's airpower edge is slipping as China builds a bigger, more capable, and readier force

10/31/2025

America's air dominance is slipping, a former US Air Force pilot and airpower expert said recently, echoing some concerns raised by senior officers. US military officials have long been concerned about the US Air Force's aging and shrinking fleet, especially as China's air force not only grows in size but also in combat capability and readiness.