Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

The Russian Aerospace Forces cover their combat aircraft with tires to confuse Ukrainian missiles

09/20/2024

Based on various images published over the past year that caught the attention of specialists in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and analysts, it was noted that the Russian Aerospace Forces were covering their combat aircraft with tires while stationed at their airbases. This sparked a wide range of theories aimed at explaining this unusual practice. Recently, U.S. officials have stated that this is intended to confuse Ukrainian missile sensors.

USAF's first autonomous combat jets could act as ‘missile trucks’ for crewed fighters

09/20/2024

The US Air Force (USAF) is closing in on selecting its first pilotless fighter jet, and now the service has revealed how it intends to use them. Pentagon leaders envision fielding hundreds or thousands of so-called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) to bolster a conventional fighter fleet comprised of ageing aircraft and size-limited due to the staggering cost of developing and producing piloted fighters.

Air Force asks Northrop Grumman for AESA radar systems in F-16 jet fighter aircraft in $16.7 million deal

09/20/2024

U.S. Air Force aerial warfare experts are ordering additional modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for F-16 jet fighter aircraft under terms of an $16.7 million order announced on Tuesday. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter Bomber Directorate, F-16 Division, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the Northrop Grumman Corp. Mission Systems segment in Linthicum Heights, Md., for production radars and spare parts.

Chinese J-16’s ‘Clash’ With P-8 Poseidon: Beijing Releases Video Of 2022 Interception Of RAAF Aircraft

09/20/2024

On September 12, Chinese state media released footage of — what it claims is an interception of a foreign military aircraft by Chinese fighter jets near its territorial waters. The video, reportedly from a 2022 incident, shows a Chinese J-16 fighter jet intercepting an aircraft believed to be an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane in international airspace over the South China Sea.

The F-16 and K-8 of the Bolivarian Military Aviation carried out missions to neutralize illegal runways and aircraft

09/18/2024

According to information shared on its social media, K-8 attack aircraft and F-16 fighters from the Bolivarian Military Aviation (AMB) of Venezuela carried out an interception and neutralization operation of a suspicious aircraft linked to drug smuggling during a border reconnaissance mission.

Why are Bulgarian F-16s more expensive than Romanian F-35s

09/18/2024

According to the latest confirmed data, Bulgaria will receive its first F-16 fighter jets by mid-next year. This will undoubtedly be big news when it happens. However, some experts in Bulgaria have begun to evaluate the costs of Romanian F-35s and Bulgarian F-16s on a price-per-unit basis. Currently, Bulgarian military experts estimate that one Romanian F-35 will cost Bucharest approximately $203 million. In comparison, a single Bulgarian F-16 will cost Sofia about $208.7 million.

Italy to buy 25 extra F-35 fighter jets under new budget

09/18/2024

Italy is to purchase 25 extra F-35 jets as well as new Eurofighters as its defense procurement spending rises 16.8% this year to €9.3 billion, or $10.3 billion, a new budget document revealed on Tuesday. Rome will also invest half a billion euros in 2024 on development of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter, the document stated.

Ukraine, New to F-16s, Takes a Cautious Approach, Says US General

09/18/2024

Ukraine is taking a cautious approach toward employing its new F-16s, the top U.S. Air Force officer in Europe said Sept. 17. “The pilots are new to it, so they’re not going to put them at the riskiest missions,” Gen. James B. Hecker, the head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command, told reporters Sept. 17 at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. “Ultimately, that’s a Ukrainian decision. But I think that’s the approach that they’re taking.”

Türkiye Seeks US Approval to Purchase GE Aerospace Engines for Hürjet Fighter Development.

09/17/2024

Türkiye has formally requested permission from the United States to purchase engines from GE Aerospace for use in its domestically produced military aircraft, according to Turkish officials cited by BNN Bloomberg. This move is considered crucial for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to modernize Türkiye's air force and strengthen the country's defense industry, a member of NATO.

The F-15 Fighter Did The Unthinkable: It Could Land with Just 1 Wing

09/17/2024

On May 1, 1983, an Israeli Air Force F-15D Eagle survived a mid-air collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during a training exercise over southern Israel. The F-15's right wing was almost completely sheared off. Despite this, pilot Zivi Nedivi managed to regain control of the aircraft by engaging the afterburner and made an emergency landing at Ramon Air Base. The incident highlighted the F-15's robust design, with engineers later noting its wide lifting body.

Kendall: New, Re-Imagined NGAD Could Cost Less Than an F-35

09/17/2024

The Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter—once envisioned as a hyper-expensive, exquisite platform—could be restructured to slash its price to less than an F-35, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber conference. Kendall and other senior service officials also said decisions about the future of NGAD, begun just two months ago, must happen fast in order to inform the Air Force’s fiscal 2026 budget request.

‘Hotspot’ Alaska! Russian Military Aircraft Storms Into Alaska ADIZ 4th Time; US Army Stages Unexpected Show Of Force

09/17/2024

Even as tensions between the US and Russia continue to boil, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported, on September 15, the detection of Russian military aircraft near the coast of Alaska, marking the fourth such incident in the past week. NORAD revealed that two Russian IL-38 military aircraft were detected and tracked while operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

US Approves Possible Sale of Nine KC-46A Pegasus Tankers for Japan

09/16/2024

The US State Department on Sep. 13, 2024 approved a possible sale of nine KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers, worth $4.1 billion, to Japan under a FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program, according to the U.S. DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency)Cooperation Agency). This adds to six refuellers already on contract with Tokyo, four of which have been delivered to the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) in Nov. 2021.

Russian military aircraft detected off Alaskan coast for third time in past week, NORAD says

09/16/2024

The North American Aerospace Defense command intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska three times over the last week in what appears to be an uptick in activity amid tensions between the US and Russia. On all three occasions the aircraft remained in international airspace in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and were “not seen as a threat” according to NORAD.

Armenia Seeks Procurement of Indian Astra Missiles and Su-30 Fighter Jet Upgrades.

09/16/2024

The Armenian government is reportedly exploring the purchase of Indian-made missiles, including the highly acclaimed indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile. Armenia is keen to bolster its air defense systems amid regional security concerns, and the Astra missile—designed for engaging enemy aircraft at long distances—has emerged as a key component of its modernization efforts.

German Eurofighter jets intercepted a Russian Navy Tu-142MK anti-submarine warfare aircraft and a Su-30SM fighter jet over the Baltic Sea

09/16/2024

In a new incident in the Baltic region, German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Eurofighter jets once again intercepted aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces, specifically a Tu-142MK anti-submarine warfare and patrol aircraft and Su-30SM fighter jets from the Russian Navy’s Naval Aviation. The involvement of these aircraft is significant, as Russia recently launched the large-scale Ocean 2024 exercise across various parts of Europe and the Pacific.

5 Reasons the Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III Looks 'Unstoppable'

09/15/2024

The F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III is the latest upgrade to the U.S. Navy's premier multirole strike fighter. Enhancements include a longer lifespan of 10,000 hours, improved survivability with reduced radar cross-section, and advanced networking capabilities with the Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked system.

U.S. approves sale of F-35 fifth-generation fighters to Romania

09/15/2024

The U.S. State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Romanian Government for fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment, for an estimated cost of 7.2 billion dollars. According to the release by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Romanian Government requested the purchase of 32 F-35A Lightning II.

J-35: China’s next-gen stealth fighter jet enters aircraft carrier trials

09/15/2024

The People’s Liberation Army Navy has begun testing a navalized variant of its advanced J-35 fighter jet, according to Chinese state media. China Central Television reported that the new fighter has already started trials on a Chinese carrier, CNS Liaoning. Revealed through a video clip released on Friday (Sept 13), Zhang Naigang, a senior non-commissioned officer aboard the Liaoning, expressed his pride at the development.

UAE does not plan to re-open F-35 fighter jet talks with US

09/15/2024

The United Arab Emirates does not expect to resume talks with the U.S. about a multi-billion dollar deal for F-35 warplanes, irrespective of who is elected to the White House in November, a senior UAE government official said on Saturday. Reuters reported on Friday that the UAE was planning to resume negotiations to purchase F-35s and armed drones if Donald Trump wins a second presidential term, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Two killed in military plane crash in Bulgaria

09/14/2024

The L-39ZA jet - which had been modernised to NATO standards in 2022 - burst into flames after crashing into a wooded area near the military base. "Two pilots were killed during training for a demonstration flight," interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists at the southern Graf Ignatievo air base.

First C-390 Millennium Delivered To The Hungarian Air Force

09/14/2024

On Sept. 5, 2024, at 10:01 AM LT the first C-390 Millennium for the Hungarian Air Force arrived at its new home, Kecskemét Air Base, Hungary. The aircraft, escorted by two HUAF Gripen fighters, touched down to mark the delivery of the first of two C-390s ordered by Hungary. This significant arrival underscores the expansion of Hungary’s aerial capabilities with the advanced C-390 Millennium.

US Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Russian Aircraft Near Alaska

09/14/2024

The United States scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected near Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Wednesday that it detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Japan scrambles fighter jets after Russia aircraft circled country

09/13/2024

Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time in five years, Tokyo said on Sept 13. From the morning of Sept 12 until afternoon, the Russian Tu-142 aircraft flew from the sea between Japan and South Korea towards the southern Okinawa region, a Defence Ministry statement said.

Japan’s largest warship will test F-35B fighter jets off San Diego

09/13/2024

The Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga will spend about six weeks off the coast of San Diego this fall testing F-35B fighter jets with operational support from the U.S. Navy, according to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The testing will occur from Oct. 5 to Nov. 18, during which time Japan’s largest warship might pull into San Diego Bay. It’s not uncommon for foreign warships to make such visits.