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.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia Prepares To Flight-test the Sukhoi S-70 UCAV
Through photos leaked on Russian internet sites it appears that the Sukhoi S-70 heavyweight UCAV is nearing a first flight
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Reaches 280 Knots
Bell V-280 hit target maximum speed after 13 months of flight testing.
Aircraft
Swift: Looking Back on the Forgotten T-X Contender
Northrop Grumman's Model 400 was developed for the T-X competition, but was withdrawn. Recently more dtails have emerged about the aircraft
Aircraft
France Launches Rafale F4 Upgrade
France has formally launched the next major step in Rafale development, with the accent on improved networking.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Ukraine and Turkey Deepen Defense Cooperation through UAVs and Transports
The recent deal to supply Bayraktar TB2 UAVs to Ukraine brings with it further cooperation with Turkey, which also includes transport aircraft development.
Aircraft
KAI Developing Smarter FA-50 Golden Eagle
KAI's T-50 trainer/FA-50 light fighter has achieved some success in Southeast Asia, and the company hopes to increase that with more capable variants
Aircraft
Laos Receives Yak-130 Combat Jet Trainers
Laos has become the fifth export customer for the Yak-130, but the exact nature of the deal has raised some controversy in Russia.
Aircraft
China Developing Fifth-gen Stealth Fighter-bomber, Says DIA
A report recently published by the Defense Intelligence Agency outlines plans by China to build a stealthy fighter-bomber.
Aircraft
Singapore Selects F-35, but Opts for Cautious Procurement
As expected by many, Singapore has announced its selection of the F-35 as its F-16 replacement, but is initially only buying a small number for evaluation.
Aircraft
Raytheon To Supply AESA Radar for Marine Hornets
Marine Hornets will receive e-scan radar so that they can maintain combat relevance while the Corps transitions to an all-F-35 fleet.
Rotorcraft
New Helicopters for Indonesia’s Army and Air Force
Local contractor PT DI has associations with Airbus and Bell, and will built or outfit the new H225Ms and 412EPIs that have been ordered
Aircraft
UK F-35B and Centurion Typhoon are Combat-Ready
The UK has announced that the RAF's F-35 is ready for operations, along with the latest Typhoon configuration that is replacing the Tornado
Rotorcraft
Indian Army Set To Receive Apaches
While the debate over who will operate India's growing attack helicopter force continues, the Army Aviation Corps is looking forward to receiving Apaches
Aircraft
Boeing Set To Deliver First KC-46 to Air Force
Boeing says it has four KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tanker/transports ready to deliver to McConnell Air Force Base, the first to receive them.
Aircraft
Turkey’s Hürkuş-B Enters Service, Armed Variant Completes Trials
Turkey's indigenous turoprop trainer is now being used or pilot instruction by the Turkish air force, while the Hürkuş-C armed version nears service entry
Aircraft
Central European F-16 Deals Facing Political Hurdles
Three Central European air forces are planning to replace their aging MiG-21/29 fleets with F-16s, but each of the programs faces political issues.
Aircraft
Upgraded Tu-22M3M Enters Flight Test
The latest generation of the Tu-22M "Backfire" bomber has flown for the first time. The Tu-22M3M is a major modernization of the swing-wing design.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Neuron Passes 150-flight Milestone
The Neuron UCAV technology demonstrator has now flown more than 150 times. Recent trials have been undertaken against Spanish Typhoon fighters.
Aircraft
Gunships for Sale as Part of Mass Jordanian Sell-off
Jordan is in the process of rationalizing its air force by reducing the number of types on strength and removing redundant and aging aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Spain Signs Deals To Double NH90 Fleet and Upgrade Chinooks
Spain is expanding its rotary-wing force through deals to buy NH90s in both transport and maritime versions, and to upgrade its Chinooks
Aircraft
Saab Flies Second GlobalEye, Revises Gripen E Production
Saab has achieved a significant milestone in the GlobalEye program for the UAE with the first flight of the second aircraft
Aircraft
U.S. Interest Grows as More J-20 Details Emerge
China's enigmatic J-20 stealthy fighter is now in limited PLAAF service as details regrading weapons and refueling capability are released
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Leonardo To Deliver IRST Systems for Far East UAV Integration
Leonardo has developed considerable expertise in the field of infrared search and track systems for fighters, which is now being extended to UAVs
Rotorcraft
SB>1 Defiant Breaks Cover
The Sikorsky-Boeing team developing the Defiant tactical/utility transport compound helicopter demonstrator has unveiled the prototype
Aircraft
New-customer Typhoons Will Be the Most Advanced Yet
The Eurofighter consortium is closing in on delivering Typhoons to Kuwait, which will be the first to sport E-scan radar and Sniper pods
Aircraft
China Accepts Last Batch of Su-35s, Test Fires S-400
United Aircraft Corp[oration has completed the delivery of the 24 Sukhoi Su-25 "Flanker-E" fighters odered by China
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Textron Readies Hybrid Aerosonde Kit Ahead of At-sea Testing
Textron has developed a kit that rapidly turns its Aerosonde UAV into a vertical take-off and landing vehicle that can operate from small vessels
Aircraft
Leonardo Celebrates First M-345, TH-119 Flights
As the year draws to an end, Leonardo has achieved significant first flight milestones for two of its important defense programs
Rotorcraft
KAI Unveils Light Attack Helicopter
With a first flight set for next spring, the LAH is an attack version of the H155 Dauphin developed jointly by KAI and Airbus
Rotorcraft
Airbus Makes First Unmanned Flight in VSR700 Helicopter
The autonomous, unmanned "tactical vehicle" is based on the Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 and fitted with a diesel engine.
