Defense
Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.
KAI Secures Thai T-50 Upgrades
The Royal Thai Air Force is upgrading its T-50TH fleet to an enhanced standard to take over the role carried out by the aging L-39 Albatros
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
S-70 Makes Debut Flight as NAPO Offers Reassurances on Su-34
Sukhoi’s S-70 UCAV flew for the first time recently and should the government order the type, production of it could replace that of the Su-34 fighter.
Sixth-gen Fighters Make Conceptual Debut
'Air Superiority 2030' study leads to artists' impressions of the next generation of fighters
Poland’s Defense Procurement May End Up Only Half Complete
As the first line of defense against Russian aggression, Poland's military forces play a pivotal role
Aircraft
Poland Seeks F-35As
Fifth-generation fighters are due to replace Poland's Soviet-era survivors
Aircraft
Saab Advances with Gripen E Test Program
The program for a new-generation Gripen program is accelerating with a third aircraft shortly to fly and production ramping up.
Aircraft
RAF F-35s Deploy for Lightning Dawn
The first deployment by UK F-35s to Cyprus will not involve combat operations, says the RAF.
Aircraft
Philippines Considering Surplus P-3C Orions
An acquisition of just one Orion would significantly boost maritime patrol capability in a region of growing tension.
Aircraft
U.S. Defense Contractors See Hypersonic Ramp-up
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin share in more than $3 billion in U.S. contracts for hypersonic weapons development.
Aircraft
First D-Day Squadron DC-3 Lands in UK
The DC-3s will participate in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Flies HH-60W as CH-53K Gets Production Award
The HH-60W is to replace the Air Force's aging HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet.
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Completes Agility Tests
Bell said its V-280 tiltrotor has completed the Army's low-speed agility tests.
Rotorcraft
Russian Helicopters Keeps Low Profile at HeliRussia’2019
The Russian manufacturer has experienced a downturn in sales, but now has an order for 100 Mi-28NMs.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
MILEX 2019: Belarus Introduces New UAS and EW Jammers
Belarus is expanding its defense industry capabilities, introducing a new drone and a counter-UAS jammer.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone Flights Prohibited Near U.S. Navy Vessels
The FAA has issued new special security instructions regarding UAS operations near U.S. Navy assets.
Aircraft
Putin Calls for Additional Su-57s and Mi-28NMs
While it has been acknowledged that the Sukhoi Su-57 has some way to go before fully entering service, the order for the VKS is being increased
BriteCloud Expendable Decoy Selected for ANG Testing
Leonardo's active jamming decoy is to be tested on U.S. F-16s and, if successful, could be adopted fleetwide to improve the aircraft's defenses.
King Aerospace Preps Kirtland AFB Facility for NNSA Contract
King Aerospace will launch aircraft maintenance and support operations May 17 for the nuclear watchdog’s fleet of 737 and DC-9 “Combi” aircraft.
Aircraft
New Missiles for the ‘Bear’ and ‘Blackjack’
Russia's missile industry is developing new air-launched weapons to equip the recently upgraded Tu-95MSM and Tu-160M strategic bombers.
Training and Workforce
USAF to Activate ‘Stealth’ Aggressor Unit
Early F-35s are to be assigned to an aggressor squadron to permit the replication of potential fifth-generation threat types.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Qinetiq-led Team Selected for Canadian UAV Requirement
Qinetiq will provide and operate UMS Skeldar V-200 UAVs aboard Royal Canadian Navy ships, as well as support land special operations forces
Aircraft
Saab Names U.S. Site for T-X Production
Saab will undertake its share of T-X manufacture at a new facility to be built at West Lafayette, Indiana
Training and Workforce
ATAC Lands U.S. Navy Controller Training Contract
The U.S. Navy has let four training contracts, including one to an ATAC-led team that will provide aircraft for training close-support air controllers.
Aircraft
IDEF’19: Su-57 May Provide Turkey with an F-35 Alternative
Russia has announced that it will soon be ready to export the Su-57, and Turkey is keen to find out more because of the ongoing spat with Washington
Rotorcraft
Marines Reactivating Unmanned Kaman K-Max Helicopters
Kaman says it is working on optionally piloted vehicles for commercial use
Aircraft
IDEF’19: Turkish Hürjet Approaches PDR Despite Program Delays
Turkish Aerospace's Hürjet advanced trainer program is back on track following delays caused by supplier selection issues.
Accidents
S-97 Crash Damage More Severe Than First Reported
NTSB factual report enumerates extensive damage in 2017 crash of Sikorsky S-97 Raider compound helicopter.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force F-35A Sees First Combat Action
F-35As have been flying operational missions as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Now the aircraft have released weapons for the first time.
Avionics
Ukraine Develops New Targeting Systems
Ukraine has two major programs running as part of a plan to maintain and develop advanced capabilities for its attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
IDEF’19: Anka Aksungur to Fly with Turkish Engine by Year-end
TAI's large twin-engine Anka Aksungur UAV is making its first public appearance at IDEF as the program gears up to fly with indigenous powerplants.
