Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Iraqi officials: Rockets strike north air base, one injured

02/21/2021

At least four rockets struck an Iraqi airbase Saturday night, the Iraqi military said in a statement, while other officials said one person was wounded at the base where an American defense company services combat aircraft. Four security officials said that the individual wounded at Balad airbase in Salahaddin province worked for the company, and one of them said his nationality was South African. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Nine Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ on day of Cabinet reshuffle

02/20/2021

A total of nine Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on the day the country reshuffled its top military, intelligence and China policy officials, reports said Friday (Feb. 19). The government changes included the announcement in the early evening of new heads for the Ministry of National Defense, the Mainland Affairs Council and the top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau (NSB).

Top Aces Brings 1st Israeli F-16s Back to the US

02/20/2021

Top Aces Corp., the first company to operate the F-16 commercially, imported its first four of 29 jets from Israel late last month, President Russ Quinn told Air Force Magazine. The jets were broken down and flown via cargo jet to the company’s F-16 Center of Excellence in Mesa, Ariz. After nearly six years of locking down the deal and working with the State Department, Quinn said Top Aces has received approval to bring all 29 aircraft to the U.S.

The Eurofighter Typhoon Just Went Full 'Beast-Mode'

02/20/2021

The image shows what may be yet another upgrade to the fighter jet, as it is shows a “Beast Mode” configuration with fourteen Meteor Beyond Visual Range weapons and two Infrared Imaging System Tail-Thrust Vector Controlled short-range air-to-air missiles, along with an external fuel tank for extended missions.

F-16s from ‘Triple Nickel’ and 510th train with first European air unit to acquire F-35s

02/20/2021

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the “Triple Nickel” and 510th fighter squadrons participated in a training exercise this week with the first air unit in Europe to acquire F-35 Lightning II jets. The U.S. jets and personnel, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base in Italy, participated in the exercise alongside Italian air force partners taking place on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, according to an Air Force media release.

Afghan air force won’t be combat effective 'within months' if advisers leave, IG report says

02/20/2021

The Afghan air force, a key factor in the government’s ability to keep Taliban insurgents at bay, won’t be able to fly effective combat missions within months if the few remaining allied advisers leave, a new report said. Almost 94% of NATO’s Train Advise Assist Command-Air personnel, tasked with helping build Afghanistan’s air force, have already left the country over the last nine months, a report to Congress by the Lead Inspector General for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel said.

U.S. Air Force looks to radically overhaul its fighter plans

02/20/2021

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is progressively overturning its long-held ambition to operate a fighter fleet comprised solely of fifth-generation stealth aircraft. The commander-in-chief has announced that he is launching a new study of the Air Force’s tactical fighter fleets that could result in expanded plans to blend “legacy” fourth- and fifth-generation fighters to meet a range of mission sets.

The FC-31, China’s ‘Other’ Stealth Fighter

02/19/2021

China’s FC-31 is a twin-engine stealth fighter demonstrator, which includes two iteratively different flying airframes that have been under active flight test since late 2012 and late 2016, respectively. This aircraft has often incorrectly been dubbed the “J-31” and been given various other names over the years, such as “J-21.” None of these J-designations remain true to the aircraft’s current state.

AFGSC begins retirement of B-1 aircraft, paving way for B-21

02/19/2021

In support of its efforts to modernize America’s bomber fleet, the Air Force will begin divesting 17 B-1B Lancers from its current fleet as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act. This action will not affect the service’s lethality or any associated maintenance manpower. It will allow officials to focus maintenance and depot-level manpower on the remaining aircraft, increasing readiness and paving the way for the bomber fleet modernization ready to meet future challenges.

Indonesia to boost air force with F-15EX, Rafale jets

02/19/2021

Indonesia will purchase F-15EX jets from Boeing and Rafale fighter aircraft from France between 2021 and 2024, the head of its air force said on Thursday. The country will also buy C-130J transport planes and medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles, Marshal Fajar Prasetyo, chief of staff of the Indonesian Air Force, said at the annual Air Force Leadership Meeting.

Satellite images suggest China’s new tanker aircraft is under production

02/19/2021

Satellite imagery appears to indicate China has begun serial production of a tanker aircraft based on its indigenous Xi’an Y-20 airlifter, filling a notable gap in the power projection capabilities of its air force. The overhead imagery of the airfield at Xi’an-Yanliang — taken Dec. 30, 2020, and provided to Defense News by Planet Labs — shows four Y-20s with the shadows of refueling pods on their outer wings clearly visible, indicating that these are Y-20U tankers.

Italy Set To Become Third Country To Fly F-35 Fighter Jets From Aircraft Carrier

02/18/2021

After the US and the UK, Italy will soon become the third country to fly the ‘world’s most-advanced’ F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters from an aircraft carrier. The country’s ‘Cavour’ carrier is set to undergo the first trials with the fifth-generation fighter jets.

Berlin and Paris in crisis talks to bring fighter jet project back on track

02/18/2021

Germany and France have launched a new effort to resolve an impasse over the development of a joint fighter jet, Europe’s biggest defence project that has sparked tensions between Berlin and Paris, security and industry sources said on Wednesday.

Beijing boosts ability to train top fighter pilots: think tank

02/18/2021

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has made significant progress in updating its initial fighter pilot training regime. A new report from the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) has outlined a number of initiatives the PLAAF has taken to improve how it prepares young pilots for joining operational squadrons. Authored by CASI analyst Derek Solen, the report also lists several previous shortcomings in initial fighter pilot training.

USAF rethinks future fleet, ponders clean-sheet 4.5 generation fighter

02/18/2021

The US Air Force is studying a future fighter fleet that might include new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters or possibly a clean-sheet 4.5 generation fighter. The service has for years advocated for recapitalizing its fleet with stealth aircraft, in particular the Lockheed Martin F-35. However, in 2020 it deviated from that stealth aircraft buying plan and began purchasing the Boeing F-15EX to replace ageing F-15C aircraft.

Japan and UK move towards partnership to develop combat-aircraft systems

02/18/2021

A surprising defence-technology partnership is emerging between Japan and the UK. The cooperation is mostly preliminary but not at all basic: the two countries are working together on some of the most challenging systems used in combat aircraft. And there’s good reason to think they’ll pool resources on more such programs.

Israel moves to buy F-35 jets, KC-46 refueling planes, munitions: official

02/17/2021

An Israeli ministerial committee approved the purchase of new jets, aircraft and munitions from U.S. companies, an Israeli official said on Tuesday, in a deal that would be worth billions of dollars. “A ministerial procurement committee has approved the purchase of a new F-35 squadron, four new refueling planes, and a large quantity of munitions,” the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss matters still under negotiation.

Air Force's First Overseas F-35 Fighter Squadron Gets Crowdsourced New Name

02/17/2021

The U.S. Air Force will call its first U.K.-based F-35 Lightning II fighter squadron the Valkyries. The 495th Fighter Squadron, part of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, will take on the title, according to a release. The service announced the nickname for its first overseas Joint Strike Fighter squadron Monday; the name beat other crowdsourced choices, including Archangels, Sabres, Sentinels and Swordsmen, the release states.

Czech aircraft maker boosts Asian presence with Vietnam jet trainer deal

02/17/2021

Securing the first Asian customer for its latest product, Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody has signed a contract to sell 12 L-39NG jet trainers to Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence. Deliveries are scheduled for the years 2023 to 2024, and Czech arms exporter Omnipol is acting as an intermediary for the deal.

Navy to Fully Integrate Laser into Aegis Combat System (Updated)

02/17/2021

The Navy this year will be firing a high-energy laser weapon that is fully integrated with one of its destroyers, which proponents say is a major step toward fielding directed energy technology. Joe Ottaviano, Lockheed Martin business development director for advanced product solutions, said he has heard the adage that battlefield lasers always seem to be “one year away” from fielding, but asserted that this time is different.

India developing 160 km-range Astra missile to get an edge over China, Pakistan

02/16/2021

Seeking to score a long edge over its adversaries - China and Pakistan, India is developing the Astra Mark 2 missile which will allow its fighter aircraft to destroy enemy planes from 160 kms in aerial combat, senior defence official said. Astra is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), which flies over four times the speed of sound at Mach 4.5, and efforts are now on to integrate the over 100 km strike range missile on the indigenous fighter aircraft LCA Tejas, sources said.

Brazil conducts extreme cold weather trials for KC/C-390 in Alaska

02/16/2021

The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira: FAB) announced on 12 February that it had despatched one of its recently acquired airlifters to Fairbanks to be exposed to temperatures as low as -37.8°C (-47.8°C including wind chill).

All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US

02/16/2021

Following its Atlantic crossing, the aircraft carrier Cavour, the flagship of the Italian Navy, will conduct its first trials with the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter. Italy will become the third nation to begin flying the fifth-generation aircraft from an aircraft carrier.

Taking a closer look at Israel’s weapons wish list

02/15/2021

Eyeing Iran and its terrorist proxies in Syria and Lebanon, Israel’s Cabinet approved on Feb. 7 an Israeli Air Force request to use U.S. foreign military financing and loans to fund approximately $9 billion worth of U.S. military aircraft and weapons. Jerusalem’s decision initiates a process intended to culminate in the Air Force’s acquisition of new American fighter aircraft, air refuelers and helicopters.

RSAF fighter aircraft scramble in response to 'potential air threat'

02/14/2021

Fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to a "potential air threat" on Saturday (Feb 13) morning, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) said. "Some of you might have heard us flying this morning. Our fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to a potential air threat," said RSAF in a Facebook post. The RSAF said it responds to and investigates more than 350 suspicious air threats on any given year in order to protect Singapore’s skies.