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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
India Renews Indigenous AWACS Efforts
Having developed an`AWACS system based on an Embraer regional jet, India is now looking to move forward with its A330-based concept
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
Aircraft
Further Improved Su-25SM3 Redeploys to Syria
Following a shootdown in early 2018, the venerable "Frogfoot" was withdrawn from action, but now a better-protected version is back.
Aircraft
Saudi Red Flag Involvement Gives USAF Glimpse of Advanced Eagle
As the USAF requests new F-15s in the FY20 budget, the appearance of F-15SAs at Red Flag provides an idea of the kind of Eagles that the service might get.
Aircraft
Boeing Awarded Multi-Year Super Hornet Deal; Navy Seeks More F-5s
Boeing has secured a multi-year contract for the supply of the latest Block III Super Hornet, and the Navy has requested funds for more.
MBDA Tests Brimstone 3, Achieves Milestones for UK Customer
MBDA is developing the Brimstone missile further, with an eye on deployment on the UK's Apache helicopter and Protector armed UAV
Aircraft
Australia Orders Sigint Gulfstreams
Australia is boosting its electronic support capability through the acquisition of four Gulfstream G550s outfitted for electronic reconnaissance.
Aircraft
Egypt Agrees Deal for Su-35s
Having recently ordered Dassault Rafales and MiG-29Ms, Egypt has now added the Sukhoi Su-35 to its shopping list.
Aircraft
Turkey Receives Global 6000s for Jammer Conversion
The first two Bombardier Global 6000s have arrived in Turkey for outfitting with Aselsan's stand-off jammer suite.
Aircraft
Ghostrider Arrives To Replace Spooky
AFSOC has taken delivery of its first Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, which will replace the last of the first-generation Hercules gunships .
Aircraft
Malaysia: Maritime Surveillance, UAV, Radars, LCA Are Priority
Malaysia's air force is looking to overhaul its fleet, while adding new technology as and when funding allows.
