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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Rotorcraft
Philippines Leans Towards Black Hawk and T129
Recent statements from the Philippines defense minister have revealed that the nation is looking to buy new helicopters, and possibly Gripens too.
Aircraft
MiG-35 Deliveries Draw Close
RAC MiG will soon deliver the first production Mi-35s to the VKS after a long and protracted development of an advanced MiG-29 derivative
Saab Finds Footing in Japan with Its EW Products
Historically Jzapan has been a difficult market for non-U.S. suppliers, but appears to hve opened up. Saab is pitching its electronic warfare solutions
Aircraft
Airbus and Lockheed Martin Team To Pursue U.S. Tanker Opportunities
Seven years after losing the re-competed KC-X program to Boeing, Airbus has returned to the U.S. tanker marketplace in a partnership with Lockheed Martin.
Aircraft
KC-46 Completes Phase II Receiver Trials as First Delivery Looms
Despite the first delivery being delayed again, the Boeing KC-46 maintained its approval momentum with the completion of more receiver tests.
Aircraft
Italy's F-35s First To Achieve IOC in Europe
On the last day of November the Italian air force chief announced that the service's first squadron of F-35As had attained IOC
Aircraft
Super Tucano Ordered for Nigeria
Three years after Nigeria first expressed an interest in buying Super Tucanos for its fight against Boko Haram, an order for 12 has now been given to SNC
Aircraft
Advanced IRST Programs on the March
Lockheed Martin has received EMD and LRIP contracts for the Legion Pod for the F-15, as well for a new phase of development for the Super Hormet's IRST
Aircraft
Russian Activity Remains High on NATO's Eastern Border
NATO's Baltic Air Policing operation was augmented following Russia's occupation of Crimea and remains highly active.
Aircraft
China Seeking To Offload Surplus Military Aircraft
At Airshow China, the country put up for sale a number of surplus military aircraft, including the relatively new JH-7 attacker and KJ-200 AEW aircraft.
Aircraft
‘Wrong-way’ Landing Caps Successful RN Deck Trials
The Royal Navy's first deck trials campaigns with the F-35B aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth have come to a successful comclusion
Aircraft
UK Officers Highlight Shortfall in Maritime Patrol Capacity
The RAF is regaining a maritime patrol capability through the acquisition of P-8s, but senior officers are concerned that there are not enough for the task
Rotorcraft
Russia Working On 378-knot Compound Helicopter
Proposed Russian helicopter's top speed would best Western rotorcraft by 100 knots.
Aircraft
Latest Standard Rafale Gains Clearance; First Indian Aircraft Flies
The latest F3-R standard of the Dassault Rafale with Meteor missile, Talios pod, and other enhancements has received clearance from the DGA.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Australia Selects Reaper for Armed RPAS Requirement
Following a competition with the IAI Heron TP, GA-ASI's Reaper has been chosen by Australia to answer its armed RPAS needs.
Rotorcraft
AVIC Provides First Glimpse of Sino-Russian Heavy-lifter
At the recent Airshow China held at Zhuhai, AVIC shoewd off a model of the Advanced Heavy Lift helicopter it is developing, based on the mighty Mi-26
Aircraft
Air Force Board Issues Findings into WC-130H Crash
The board concludes that the fatal crash of a Puerto Rican ANG WC-130H was the result of a failure to sufficiently respond to an engine failure.
Aircraft
Republic of Korea's First MRTT Arrives in Country
South Korea has received the first of four A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports, which will now undergo acceptance testing in country.
Aircraft
FTC-2000G Multirole Fighter Debuts at Airshow China 2018
China’s developmental FTC-2000G fighter made its show debut in Zhuhai in October, appearing in PLAAF colors.
Rotorcraft
China’s Z-10ME Showcased with Increased Capabilities
The enhanced Z-10ME with anti-submarine and special forces capabilities was showcased at Airshow China in Zhuhai in October.
