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.
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.
Rotorcraft
KAI Maintains Hopes for Surion Sales
KAI has hopes that Indonesia will be the first export customer for the KUH-1 utility transport helicopter
Rotorcraft
Poland Signs for AW101s
Poland is buying four AW101s from Leonardo to dramatically improve the capabilities of the Polish navy's air brigade
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Inaugurates New F-16 Production Facility
F-16 production has moved out of Fort Worth to make room for expanded F-35 production capacity
Aircraft
Upgraded F-5 Flies with Garmin G3000
Tactical Air Support is modifying its recently acquired ex-Jordanian adversary F-5E/Fs with new equipment, including a Garmin G3000 flight deck.
Rotorcraft
Army Selects First Round FARA Competitors
The U.S. Army has selected the first round of competitors for its proposed Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft
Rotorcraft
Bell Vows To Build 407GXis for U.S. Navy in Alabama
Bell has submitted its 407GXi single as a proposed new U.S. Navy training helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Bell Banking On FVL For Future Military Sales
Textron CEO credits Bell V-280 with persuading Pentagon to propose more Future Vertical Lift funding.
Aircraft
Be-200 Indigenous Engine Delays Drive Be-12 Life Extension
The desire for an entirely "Made-in-Russia" powerplant is delaying attempts to field new Be-200 amphibians, and prolonging the life of the elderly Be-12
Rotorcraft
Bell To Enter Smaller 525 Variant in Army FARA Competition
Textron CEO said this week that Bell would enter a scaled down Model 525 for new Army program
Rotorcraft
Lockheed's PDAS Sensor Suite Flown Aboard Bell V-280
The Lockheed Martin PDAS sensor system has been successfully flown in the Bell V-280
Maintenance and Modifications
Development Nearly Done On New Honeywell T55 Engine
Revised Honeywell T55 turboshaft will have 25 percent more power, burn less fuel.
Aircraft
USAF Sends F-35s for First Combat Ops; RAF Set To Follow
Nearly three years after achieving IOC, the USAF's F-35As have been dispatched to the Middle East for the first operational deployment
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Displays New Common Launcher at Army Confab
MD says Systima common launch tube will give new 969 helicopter more bite
Aircraft
Japanese F-35 Crash: Undersea Search Begins
Following the loss of a Japanese F-35, the task of locating and retrieving the missing aircraft from a depth of nearly 5,000 feet is under way
Aircraft
Switzerland Starts New Round of Fighter Trials
In the coming weeks Switzerland will evaluate the five contenders for its new fighter program against a common set of mission scenarios
Japan Approved For Standard Missile Purchase
A large batch of SM-3 missiles has been requested and approved as part of Japan’s efforts to improve its anti-ballistic missile defenses
Aircraft
Advanced Hawkeye Marches On
A new multi-year procurement contract completes the U.S. Navy’s purchase of 75 Advanced Hawkeyes, all of which will be capable of inflight refueling.
Aircraft
Su-33 To Begin 2nd Phase of Upgrade While Russia Mulls Carrier Options
Russia's aging Su-33 carrier-borne fighters are being modernized, but the path for the navy's carrier capability is far from clear.
Aircraft
Search Underway for Missing Japanese Pilot Following F-35 Crash
Some debris has been retrieved following the loss of a Japanese F-35 over the Pacific, but the pilot has yet to be located.
Rotorcraft
Royal Navy’s New Crowsnest Completes First Flight
The Royal Navy's successor to the Sea King in the airborne early warning role has begun flight tests, with a view to entering service in 2020.
Rotorcraft
Russian Mi-26T2V Completes Preliminary Flight Tests
Upgraded variant of Mi-26 features improved avionics, communications, and defensive systems.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Two VTOL Platforms To Compete for Shadow Replacement
The U.S. Army wants to replace its Shadow tactical unmanned air systems, and has narrowed the search to two runway-independent proposals.
Aircraft
First Flight for the Ilyushin Il-112V
After a long development and several delays, the Il-112V—intended successor to the Antonov An-26—takes to the air at Voronezh.
Regulations and Government
U.S. Customs Border Patrol Displaying, Hiring at SNF
The U.S. Customs Border Patrol air and marine operations (AMO) will be showcasing aircraft and marine vessels at the 45th annual Sun ‘n’ Fun International.
Rotorcraft
Speedy Defiant Joins Slow Army Program
Sikorsky's SB-1 makes first flight as $790 million more is proposed for the Army's Future Vertical Lift program
Aircraft
LIMA 2019: Malaysia Evaluates MPAs
With Chinese influence growing and piracy becoming a major threat, the Royal Malaysian Air Force is on the hunt for maritime patrol aircraft
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Announces B-21 Basing Plan
Unsurprisingly, the Air Force plans to base to operate its B-21 Raiders at the bases that hcurrently host the types that the B-21 is replacing
Aircraft
LIMA 2019: International OEMs React To Malaysia’s LCA Program
One of the main talking points during the LIMA show being held in Langkawi is the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Light Combat Aircraft requirement
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
France Arms Its Reapers: Netherlands Signs for Four
GA-ASI's MQ-9 and its derivatives have proved a hit in Europe, where France is now adding weapons capability and where the Netherlands has ordered the type
