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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Rotorcraft
SB>1 Defiant Breaks Cover
The Sikorsky-Boeing team developing the Defiant tactical/utility transport compound helicopter demonstrator has unveiled the prototype
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
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.
Aircraft
LRASM and Sea Venom/ANL: Anti-ship Missiles Make Progress
Two anti-ship missile programs have achieved significant progress as LRASM enters service and Sea Venom/ANL moves into qualification testing
Aircraft
Japan OKs Extra F-35 Buy in Fighter Re-equipment Plans
Japan's latest defense plan has been published and, as expected, it approves a major purchase of extra F-35s, including STOVL aircraft
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Celebrates First Year Of Flight
The Bell V-280 tiltrotor has achieved a variety of performance milestones over the course of 85 flight test hours.
Aircraft
McConnell Prepares for First Air Force KC-46
McConnell AFB is to be the U.S. Air Force's first operating location for the Boeing KC-46A and also an important training center
Rotorcraft
Airbus Secures H225M Order from Hungary
Hungary has followed up its order for H145s with a sizeable purchase of H225Ms, with which it will complete the transformation of its rotary-wing force
Rotorcraft
Turkey’s T625 Utility Helicopter Is Named Gökbey
Following its first flight in September, Turkey's-six-tonne helicopter now has a name. The type is also due to get an all-Turkish engine in the future.
Grifo-E on Target to Hit Key Development Milestones
Having prduced several m-scan radars in its Grifo range for light fighters and attack aircraft, Leonardo is now developing an e-scan derivative
Meteor Goes ‘Live’ on Typhoon as ‘Blackjacks’ Head for Venezuela
RAF Typhoons are now operational in the air defense mission with the Meteor missile. The first "live" launch intercepted Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers
Aircraft
Indian Navy Embarks on Quest for Fighters for Indigenous Carrier
The Indian Navy has plans to field at least two indigenous aircraft carriers, and would like to populate their decks with home-grown fighters
Aircraft
First F-35s Reach Australia; Tyndall Could Join F-35 Base Roster
The first F-35s for Australia have landed on their future home soil to begin the replacement of the "legacy" Hornet fleet
