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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Good and Bad News for Franco-German Fighter
The next generation Franco-German fighter development has received a boost following a commitment of funding from Belgium.
Aircraft
Thrust-vectoring J-10 Stars at Zhuhai
Among the new systems that were unveiled at the Zhuhai show is a J-10B demonstrator equipped with a thrust-vectoring nozzle
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
China Shows Off UAV Capabilities at Zhuhai
A number of new and eye-catching UAV designs from China's burgeoning UAV industry were unveiled at the Zhuhai show
Maintenance and Modifications
Serbia Benefiting from Russian Interference in Regional MRO Activities
Russia is maintaining influence in eastern Europe by hampeing efforts by some nations to gain MRO business, while promoting Serbia's credentials
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Short-term U.S. DoD UAS Spending Could Top $6 Billion
Interest Surges In Small, Tactical Vehicles
Rotorcraft
U.S. Army Flight Tests Optionally Piloted Helicopter
U.S. Army pilots have flown Sikorsky's SARA testbed, which incorporates autonomous systems that provide optionally and optimalley piloted control
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAVs for the Dutch Navy; Belgium Likely To Acquire SkyGuardian
Neighbors Belgium and the Netherlands are looking for UAVS, the latter seeking a shipborne rotary-wing UAS while Belgium is in the markwt for a MALE UAV
Aircraft
More Power for the Mighty 'Bear'
THe Tu-95 "Bear-H" is getting more power through the latest incarnation of the Kuznretsov NK -12 turboprop
Aircraft
UK Startup Seeking Funding for Innovative Trainer
Aeralis has devised a modular trainer concept built around a common fuselage that can be adapted to answer basic and advanced training needs.
