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
‘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.
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.
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
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
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.
Aircraft
Saab Sees First Gripen E Stores Releases, and Develops GaN Radar
The Gripen E has taken a significant step forward with its first missile firing, while Saab is to supply a GaN fighter radar to the U.S. for testing
Aircraft
Belgium Selects F-35 over Typhoon
Depite strong competition from the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Belgian government has selected the F-35 to replace its F-16s.
Aircraft
Taiwan Receives First F-16V Upgrade
The Republic of China Air Force has started to receive AESA radar-equipped F-16s that have been modernized by AIDC
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Navy Commissions Dedicated UAS Test Squadron
The U.S. Navy has raised its unamnned air system developmental test unit to full squadron status, underlining the growing importance of the unit's work
Aircraft
Russia Discontinues An-148 Production in Favor of Il-112
In light of the deep divide between Russia and Ukraine, UAC's Voronezh plant has ceased the the licensed production of the Ukrainian An-148 design
Aircraft
France and Spain Team for Caracal Refueling Tests
As the French air force awaits its KC-130J tankers, the service has proved the ability of the Caracal helicopter to refuel from Spain's KC-130Hs
Aircraft
Japan Considering More F-35s; First SRVL for Royal Navy
Japan's desire for further F-35s could result in an order for 20 more to begin the replacement of the F-15 Eagle
Miysis on Target in UK DIRCM Trials
Leonardo and Thales UK have joined forces to demonstrate a UK-soveriegn DIRCM capability based on the Miysis jammer and Elix-IR warning system
Aircraft
Aero Vodochody Rolls Out First L-39NG
The original Czech L-39 became the stalwart of the Soviet-era training machine. Now Aero is back in production with a thoroughly updated aircraft
