Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Baku and Ankara Deny Turkish Military Bases Being Established in Azerbaijan

02/04/2021

The Azerbaijani government has denied accounts, first published on January 8 in Haqqin.az but subsequently deleted, of three Turkish military bases allegedly being established in Azerbaijan as a consequence of Turkish military assistance to Baku during last year’s 44-day Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. The reports, if accurate, would represent a significant development in the geostrategic balance of power in the post-Soviet Caucasus.

Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter Finally Enters Serial Production

02/03/2021

Over two decades since the inception of Russia’s hotly-anticipated fifth-generation fighter, the first serial Su-57 model has entered service. Russia’s United Air Corporation has released video footage of the first Su-57 (North Atlantic Treaty Organization reporting name “Felon”) being built and, literally, rolled out of the factory prior to being transferred to Russia’s Air Force.

US Navy flight tests TCTS II air combat training system on F/A-18F

02/03/2021

The US Naval Aviation Training System and Ranges programme office (PMA-205) has flight tested the Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II) on an F/A-18F Super Hornet. Developed and built by Collins Aerospace Systems, TCTS II is the US Navy’s next-generation air combat training system.

Eurofighter receives BAFO request from Finland for HX fighter programme

02/02/2021

The Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command has submitted its Best and Final Offer (BAFO) to Eurofighter for the HX Fighter Programme. The HX Fighter programme is aimed at replacing the airforce’s Hornet fleet. In February last year, the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command received responses from five fighter manufacturers to the revised request for HX Fighter jet replacement programme quotation.

Turkish military to modernize F-16s for prolonged use

02/02/2021

Turkey will retrofit F-16 fighter jets to extend their life cycle significantly, the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Ismail Demir, said Sunday. “Structural upgrades of the F-16 Block 30 aircraft continue. In the project, 1,200-1,500 pieces of structural parts per aircraft are being renovated, and repair and replacement work are being carried out if necessary with body reinforcement,” Demir said on Twitter.

The Italian Aircraft Carrier Cavour in Route to the United States: Adding F-35 Capabilities to the Fleet

02/02/2021

Our colleagues at the Italian defense journal RID have highlighted the departure of the Cavour for the United States: “The aircraft carrier CAVOUR has left for the United States where it will embark the F-35Bs of the Navy stationed Beaufort and will acquire the certification to operate the aircraft.

French Air and Space Force to receive 12 new Rafales from Dassault

02/02/2021

Dassault Aviation has signed a contract for the sale of 12 Rafale fighter jets to the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The contract was signed on 29 January by Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier and French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly. Parly was on a visit to the Argonay plant in Haute-Savoie, which has been producing flight control systems for all Dassault aircraft since 1963.

Lockheed Martin makes progress integrating Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on F-35 combat aircraft

02/02/2021

The LRASM already is integrated with the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B jet bomber and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter-bomber aircraft, and soon will be integrated with the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. It appears that the F-35 Lightning II will become the fourth aircraft able to launch this next-generation anti-ship missile. LRASM is designed to detect and destroy high-priority targets within groups of ships from extended ranges in electronic warfare jamming environments.

India, US start discussions on F-15EX multi-role combat aircraft: Boeing

02/02/2021

The US and India have held discussions on F-15EX fighter jets and the two respective air forces have exchanged information about it, a top Boeing official has said after the aerospace major received approval from the American government to offer its latest multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The F-15EX is the latest and most advanced version of the multi-role, all-weather, and day and night versions of the F-15 aircraft family.

Chinese military air sorties directed at Biden: analyst

02/01/2021

Beijing’s two largest air sorties into Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) last month were more directed at the new administration of US President Joe Biden than Taiwan, an analyst said. Institute for National Defense and Security Research assistant research fellow Jeremy Hung made the comments in a research paper published on the institute’s Web site on Wednesday.

Chinese, U.S. military aircraft fly near Taiwan's airspace

02/01/2021

Five Chinese military aircraft flew into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Sunday, the same day the Ministry of National Defense (MND) revealed a United States military reconnaissance aircraft was monitored flying close to Taiwan's airspace. Although the American aircraft's flight route was not indicated, this is the first time the ministry has revealed the movement of a U.S. military aircraft since September 2020.

Why the Age of the Aircraft Carrier Isn't Over Just Yet

02/01/2021

Large-deck nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be a key part of the Navy’s force structure for the next half-century, at a minimum. The primary reason for this is the remarkable adaptability and flexibility of the carrier air wing. When the current, evolving air wing is married to the functional improvements embodied in the new Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN),?the result will be an advanced military capability of unparalleled flexibility, mobility, effectiveness, efficiency,

IAF to focus on acquiring 114 combat aircraft in Rs 1.3 lakh crore deal; US, Russia, others respond to RFI

02/01/2021

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which has been undertaking one fighter aircraft project at a time, is now looking to acquire 114 combat aircraft in a deal expected to cost over Rs 1.3 lakh crore. The IAF has already issued the Request for Information for the tender. Very soon, a proposal would be made to get the Acceptance of Necessity before the Rajnath Singh-led Ministry Defence for the project.

ISIS cells destroyed as RAF fighter jets carry out bombing raid on caves in Iraq

01/31/2021

British fighter jets have eliminated two cells of Islamic State fighters with a bombing raid on caves in northern Iraq. RAF Typhoons launched laser-guided missiles on a network of extremist hideouts near the city of Bayji, 130 miles north of Baghdad. Defence chiefs say they carried out the strike to stamp out an ISIS uprising in the region.

S. Korea in final stage of assembling first prototype of indigenous fighter jet

01/31/2021

South Korea is in the final stage of assembling a prototype of what would be the country's first indigenously developed fighter jet, which is expected to be unveiled in April, officials said Sunday. South Korea has been working on the KF-X project since 2015 to develop a homegrown cutting-edge fighter aircraft to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.

China military’s landmark J-20 stealth fighter started a decade of modernisation

01/31/2021

China’s “Mighty Dragon” – the J-20 stealth fighter – changed the regional balance of power when it was unveiled 10 years ago and represents a decade of modernisation for the country’s military. Its maiden flight, on January 11, 2011, shocked the world, which had no warning that China was about to become the second country – after the US – to develop an advanced fifth-generation fighter with stealth and supersonic cruise capabilities, as well as super manoeuvrability and super avionics.

Why the F/A-18 Super Hornet program must continue

01/30/2021

Maintaining the capability of deployed forces is key to the joint force commanders as they support U.S. foreign policy. When the Navy deploys a carrier battle group, the joint commander expects the air wing to have its maximum capability. In the battle group, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is now the key strike element and also a critical part of any air defense operation. As the Navy F-35C enters the fleet, the F/A-18 will continue to be the majority aircraft in the air wing now and into the planne

Top Aces makes a bold move bringing F-16s into contract ‘Red Air’

01/30/2021

Canadian-headquartered contract air service provider Top Aces took delivery of the first of its long-planned fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons this week. Four former-Israeli Air Force F-16A/Bs, known as Netz (Hawk), were loaded aboard a giant Antonov An-124 transport aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport on Jan. 27, 2021, bound for Top Aces’ new F-16 Center of Excellence at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Arizona, where they arrived the following day.

Navy Considers Axing Conformal Fuel Tanks From Its Block III Super Hornet Upgrade Plan

01/30/2021

The U.S. Navy is considering removing conformal fuel tanks, from the Block III upgrade package for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets after discovering various issues with them during testing. Deciding not to pursue these tanks, which are designed to extend the Super Hornet's range even without it having to carry drop tanks in place of other underwing stores, could have significant ramifications for the service's future tactical aviation plans. It could also impact the export prospects for these jets,

Air Force: Don’t Buy Old Combat Aircraft

01/30/2021

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is facing turbulent skies. Threats from China and Russia are on the rise. The Air Force aircraft inventory is the smallest and oldest in its history and the service's purchasing power is set to further decline amid the economic ravages wrought by COVID-19. Compounding the situation is the simple fact that perceived weakness risks opportunistic aggression by competitors around the world.

Boeing-Sikorsky unveil Defiant X, their pitch to replace the Army’s aging Black Hawk fleet

01/29/2021

Boeing Co. and Sikorsky unveiled their plan Monday to replace the aging fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as the Army’s long-range assault aircraft of the future. The joint team’s Defiant X helicopter is capable of flying low and fast to bring troops where needed while evading adversaries over complex terrain, according to the Boeing website.

China’s new KJ-600 surveillance aircraft completes latest test flight

01/29/2021

China put its new carrier-based early warning aircraft through its paces again on Wednesday, a military source said, after images of the plane were shared online. “The [test] flight took place early on Wednesday morning in Xian,” said the People’s Liberation Army insider. “It was another regular test before the plane enters service.”

These three Pacific military flashpoints could shape Biden's entire China strategy

01/29/2021

Any suggestion that the departure of former US President Donald Trump from Washington would provide a temporary pause in US-China tensions has been swiftly dispelled. In the short time since President Joe Biden was sworn into office, China has flown more than two dozen combat aircraft near to the self-ruled island of Taiwan and passed a law allowing its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels. Meanwhile, the US Navy has sent an aircraft carrier strike group into the South China Sea.

Six Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan's ADIZ

01/29/2021

Six Chinese fighter jets entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, the fifth day Beijing has sent at least four aircraft into the airspace since U.S. President Joe Biden took office. Four J-10 multirole fighter aircraft, a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and a Y-8 electronic signals intelligence plane entered the airspace between Taiwan and the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands in the South China Sea.

Boeing gets US govt approval to offer F-15EX fighter jet to India

01/29/2021

The Boeing Company revealed on Thursday that Washington had granted it a licence to market its newest heavy fighter, the F-15EX, in India. Seven of the world’s premier fighter manufacturers have already indicated interest in competing for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) ongoing acquisition of 114 medium fighters - a contract worth an estimated $20-30 billion.