5/9/2024

Will the future of the U.S. military aircraft fleet be uncrewed?

The U.S. military has been increasing efforts to develop trusted autonomy capabilities for its aircraft fleet. The Department of Defense (DoD) and its services and agencies have been working on several programs to enable the operation of their in-service airplanes by using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software.

5/9/2024

F-16C fighter jet crashes in Singapore

An F-16C fighter jet crashed during takeoff from the Tengah Air Base in Singapore. The MINDEF Singapore reported on this. The accident occurred when the fighter jet took off from the Tengah Air Base at about 12:35 p.m. local time.

5/9/2024

A US ally is forging ties with China's air force but probably won't get its J-20 stealth fighter

The United Arab Emirates is expanding air force ties with China in what may be a scheme to brighten their dim prospects of acquiring F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States. However, this developing cooperation will not likely result in Abu Dhabi ordering alternative fifth-generation fighters from Beijing.

5/8/2024

China’s Fighter Goals Soar on the Wings of the Dragon

By 2011, China's fighter design bureau and defense industrial firms earned a reputation for turning out two types of aircraft: either adaptations of foreign designs subsequently modified by a Chinese design team or models that nearly mirrored the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30MK series. Though based on 1980s innovations, the aircraft and technology transfer that came with them nonetheless helped move the Chinese air power into the 21st century.

5/8/2024

Thai air force to replace 12 fighter jets with new planes

Thailand's air force chief will fly to Sweden and the U.S. this month to discuss details of a planned procurement of new fighter jets, a deal that could include a technology transfer agreement to foster the Southeast Asian country's nascent arms industry. Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul's sights are set on either the Swedish-made Gripen or the U.S.-made F-16 Block 70/72 to replace a squadron of 12 aging F-16 As and F-16 ADFs.

5/8/2024

Polish fighter jets scramble to intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea

The Polish military reported that on 6 May, a pair of MiG-29 fighter jets on duty from the 22nd Tactical Aviation Base in Malbork intercepted and visually identified a Russian Il-20 aircraft. According to Operational Command, the Russian Il-20 took off from an airfield in Kaliningrad Oblast and flew on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

5/7/2024

"Unprofessional & Unacceptable": Chinese J-10 Fighter Jet Drops Flares On Australian Navy Helicopter

According to a Reuters report, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Chengdu J-10 fighter jet intercepted an Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter over the Yellow Sea before dropping flares in its flight path from above. After launching from the destroyer HMAS Hobart, the helicopter was performing a routine flight over the Yellow Sea as part of Operation Argos, which enforces UN sanctions on North Korea by policing illegal shipping activity.

5/7/2024

F-22 Raptor involved in ‘mishap’ during Georgia training exercise

The Air Force is investigating the cause of a mishap involving an F-22 Raptor during an Air National Guard fighter exercise Monday. The pilot was not injured in the mishap, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, according to the 165th Airlift Wing, which hosts Savannah Sentry, a counterair exercise for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets from across the Air National Guard.

5/7/2024

U.S. Air Force F-16C aggressor fighters intercepted two Russian Tu-95MS bombers in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone

In a recent incident within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), U.S. Air Force F-16C fighters were deployed to intercept and escort two Russian Tu-95MS bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces. This information was confirmed both by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Russian Ministry of Defense earlier this month.

5/7/2024

Türkiye’s indigenous fighter jet completes 2nd flight

Türkiye's homegrown fighter jet has completed its second flight, authorities said on Monday, marking another milestone in the country's endeavor to upgrade its air force and curb external dependency. KAAN took off early on Monday and managed to stay in the air for 14 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, according to a statement by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).