Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

It’s Time to Talk About J-15, China’s First Carrierborne Fighter

04/28/2021

As the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)’s first ever carrierborne fighter, the J-15 Fei Sha (Flying Shark) has been the focus of substantial English language and foreign media coverage since its maiden flight in August 2009. On cursory review of various Chinese fighter types, perhaps only the J-20 and FC-31 stealth fighters have received more foreign interest (and prompted a greater word count) than the J-15.

Taiwan reports lowest altitude incursion by Chinese military plane

04/28/2021

Taiwanese military intercepted a Chinese spy plane apparently trying to test Taiwan's radar capabilities by flying at an extremely low altitude of only 30 meters. On Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that a Y-8 electronic warfare plane (Y-8 EW) and a Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft (Y-8 RECCE) intruded into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan News reported.

How Israel's Special F-35 Stealth Fighters Could Bomb Iran

04/28/2021

The Israeli military continues to engineer new external fuel tanks for its specially configured “Adir” variant of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. The Adir, or F-35I, is an aircraft tailored by Israel for unique mission sets particular to address the kinds of enemy threats Israeli forces are likely to encounter. Simply put, extra fuel tanks can massively extend strike range and multiply combat options for Israel, should it be confronted with an operational need to attack enemies at greater distance

More US Firepower Ready as Afghanistan Withdrawal Gets Under Way

04/27/2021

U.S. military planners have a growing number of options should the Taliban, or any other group, decide to target American and NATO troops as they prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan. Two U.S. B-52 bombers arrived at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, charged with providing air cover for the approximately 10,000 U.S. and NATO forces set to depart Afghanistan over the coming months.

Iran-China fighter deal deadlock: an opportunity for Russia?

04/27/2021

Since the end of the 1970s, Iran has been the target of international sanctions that have limited its ability to acquire new aircraft. The restrictive measures have been used as a way for the United States to strongarm the policies of the Islamic republic, particularly on its nuclear program. While Iran previously seemed to have found an alternative supplier in China, things appear more complicated.

THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL: APPROVAL OF THE MILITARY PROTOCOL BETWEEN BULGARIA AND ROMANIA FOR FOREIGN AIRCRAFT

04/26/2021

The Atlantic Council called for the speedy approval of the military protocol between Bulgaria and Romania. The document was signed nearly a month ago. The aircraft of the third NATO countries will be allowed to conduct airspace protection operations on both sides. According to lawmakers in the new parliament, the document has not been submitted for ratification.

Russia-China union casts dark cloud over West

04/26/2021

In the past couple of weeks, Russia has deployed a large, battle-ready military force on the borders of Ukraine. Elements of that force have now been returned to barracks, but the threat of a Russian attack on Ukraine can no longer be dismissed. Neither can the possibility of military co-ordination between China’s President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate their rising military power compared with the relative decline of America.

Israel Continues Development Of New External Fuel Tanks For Its F-35I Adir Jets

04/26/2021

It is no secret that the Israeli Air Force considers the combat range as one of the most important factors when adopting a new fighter aircraft and that, because of this, it was the first operator to ask for external fuel tanks for the F-35 Lightning II or, more specifically, for the customized F-35I Adir. The first studies for new fuel tanks started at least during the system design and development phase (SDD) of the 5th gen aircraft, but after 2019 nothing new surfaced, at least online.

South Korea, Thailand reach agreement on additional T-50TH trainer jets

04/25/2021

The T-50TH is a special version of the T-50 Golden Eagle developed for Thailand. The T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers.

Italian Typhoons Deploy To Kuwait To Carry Out ISR Missions In Support Of Operation Inherent Resolve

04/24/2021

Four F-2000A Typhoon jets, belonging to the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) have deployed to Kuwait, to support Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, as part of “Prima Parthica”, as the Italian Armed Forces operation is dubbed at national level.

Make-or-Break Time for the F-35

04/24/2021

Despite solid combat performance, the F-35’s high maintenance costs and ongoing parts supply problems continue to be a drag on the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, giving critics ammunition as Congress readies to receive the Biden administration’s first budget.

And then there were two: Second F-15EX arrives at Eglin Air Force Base for testing

04/24/2021

Just five weeks after the first F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet touched down at Eglin Air Force Base — and less than two weeks after that F-15EX was officially unveiled to the public — the second of the new fighter aircraft arrived at the base. F-15EX "002" was flown to Eglin on Tuesday by Maj. Aaron Eshkenazi, F-15EX operational test pilot with the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron (85th TES), part of the Eglin-headquartered 53rd Wing.

Syrian missile exploding in Israel not intentional: US general

04/23/2021

A senior US general said on Thursday that he believed a Syrian missile exploding in Israel was not intentional, but rather showed a lack of Syrian air defense capability. “I think it reflects actually incompetence in Syrian air defense ... I do not believe it was an intentional attack,” Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command, said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing

What is Russia doing in Myanmar?

04/23/2021

Myanmar seems to be on the verge of a full-blown civil war. The energy-rich country has long been prey for various regional and global actors, including Russia. What are Moscow’s ambitions in the Southeast Asian nation? On February 1, Myanmar’s generals seized power in a coup, triggering nationwide protests. It is believed that around 700 protesters and civilians have been killed over the past two and a half months.

US Air Force upgrading Reapers for near-peer threat

04/23/2021

The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) said in a press release: “The MQ-9 is an unmanned aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capability, traditionally used for Counter-Violent Extremist Organisation (C-VEO) combat operations. That mission is now shifting.”

Indian Air Force’s Hawk-i Trainer Jet Is Now Equipped With Deadly ASRAAM Missile

04/23/2021

Imagine an aircraft that can be used as an advanced trainer for Air Force recruits, which also can carry bombs and ammunition to counter hostile targets both in the air and land and is cheaper than conventional fighter jets. Well, the Indian Air Force’s Hawk trainer could offer you a package deal after the latest modification.

Sentry Savannah fighter jet training underway in Hostess City

04/23/2021

Over the last two weeks you may have heard a rumble in the sky, that’s because the Air National Guard has started its fighter jet training exercises. Off the Savannah coast, airmen from across the country are getting fighter jet training at Savannah’s Air Dominance Center. In 20 second intervals, 40 fighter jets took to the sky to hone their skills for whenever they’re called on.

RSAF's Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft now fully operational

04/21/2021

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) next-generation A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is now fully operational, able to carry out missions such as transporting personnel across large distances and extending the range of fighter jets. Other than refuelling RSAF's F-16 and F-15SG fighters in mid-air, it can also refuel another MRTT, enabling the refuelled A330 to travel further or stay in the air longer on a single flight.

9 Chinese military planes intrude into Taiwan’s ADIZ

04/21/2021

Nine Chinese military planes entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday (April 20), marking the 17th intrusion this month. Five People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, two Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare planes, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane, and one Shaanxi Y-8 reconnaissance plane flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan’s ADIZ.

USAF Deploys Major Fighter Component to Poland

04/21/2021

Twenty F-15s and four F-16s belonging to the U.S. Air Force deployed to Poland on Apr. 19, 2021. The two dozen USAF fighters arrived at Lask (EPLK) and Krzesiny (EPKS) airbases from where they will operate within the framework of an Agile Combat Employment exercise during Aviation Detachment Rotation (AvRot) 21-2. The F-15s, both E and C models, come from RAF Lakenheath, UK, and belong to the 48th Fighter Wing, whilst the F-16s are assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron.

South Korea muscles in on global arms trade

04/21/2021

South Korea celebrated its entry into the “elite group of fighter jet producers” this month, unveiling its domestically-developed KF-21 Boramae in a blaze of lights and pop music and a glowing endorsement from President Moon Jae-in. Moon lauded the technology, economic benefits, military capabilities, and national prestige the development of the plane represented, a perspective largely shared in most reporting of the multibillion-dollar project to develop a multi-role fighter jet.

Germany, France set deadline to seal deal on new combat jet

04/21/2021

The defense ministers of France and Germany on Tuesday set a deadline for the end of April to reach a deal on the future of a next-generation stealth fighter. During a visit to Paris, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said there were still some final points, involving engine development and legal issues, that needed clarification.

Italian Aircraft Carrier ITS Cavour Departs Norfolk, Completing F-35B Certification

04/20/2021

The Italian Navy flagship, the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), departed Naval Station Norfolk Apr. 16 after Joint Force operations with U.S. military forces in the Atlantic Ocean. ITS Cavour participated in a sequence of operations with U.S. assets and the F-35 Joint Program Office has delivered a flight clearance recommendation to the Italian Navy for the safe operation of fifth generation F-35B fighter aircraft.

Japan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air Missiles

04/20/2021

The four U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets that recently flew a mission over the highly contested South China Sea were photographed landing at their home base, Yokota Air Base in Japan, at the end of their return flight. The images confirm that these jets were armed for counter-air operations with a heavy load of live air-to-air missiles.

Israel, Greece Sign Record Defense Deal

04/19/2021

Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defense procurement deal, which Israel said Sunday would strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries as their air forces launched a joint exercise. The agreement includes a $1.65 billion contract for the establishment and operation of a training center for the Hellenic Air Force by Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems over 22 years, Israel's defense ministry said.