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
Su-57 and MiG-35 Land Russian Orders During Army 2018
At the major Russian arms gathering the defense ministry announced the first orders for production examples of the Su-57 and MiG-35
Rotorcraft
Boeing Assembling First Block II Chinook
The Block II upgrade will keep the helicopter flying for the U.S. Army into the 2060s.
Drone Dome Secures First Customer
Rafael's counter-UAS system is being bought by the British Army to protect forces and facilities against the drone menace
Aircraft
Japan Receives New 'Air Force One'
Japan's Boeing 747s have flown the country's prime ministers around the world for 27 years. Now they are being replaced by Boeing 777s
Aircraft
Ukraine Upgrades MiG-29 Fleet
Ukriane has instigated a program to upgrade its tactical aircraft fleet, drawing on its defense induatry with assistance from outside avionics suppliers
Aircraft
Upgraded 'Backfire' Rolled Out at Kazan
Tupolev has engineered a major modernization of the Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, the first trials example of which has been unviled at the KAPO works
Aircraft
New Wings for the Blue Angels
Having flown the "legacy" Hornet since 1986, the U.S. Navy's elite Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron is going to convert to the Super Hornet
Aircraft
Indian P-8 Controversy Threatens Follow-on Buy
India has acquired the P-8 Poseidon as a replacement for its Tupolev Tu-142 "bears'. Desires for a follow-on purchase are now under threat
Aircraft
President Trump Signs Off on Blocking Turkey’s F-35s
The latest U.S. defense acquisition bill is now law, and temporarily bars the delivery of F-35s to Turkey as part of a deepening row with Ankara
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
L3's MUMT System Improves Situational Awareness on the Battlefield
L3's MUMT System Improves Situational Awareness on the Battlefield
Aircraft
Aero Flies Advanced L-159 Two-seater
Aero has flown the first of three two-seat L-159T2s it is building for the Czech Air Force, which is also upgrading five more to the same standard
Sweden Joins the Patriot Club
In the light of increased tensions in the Baltic over Russia's stance, Sweden is bolstering its defenses, becoming the 16th Patriot customer in the process
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Wins $594M Support Contract from U.S. Govt.
Contract covers C-20 (GIII) and C-37 (GV/G550) fleets operated by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Defiant Moves Closer To First Flight
Sikorsky's compound SB-1 helicopter prototype gains FAA registration numbers
Aircraft
Kuznetsov Undergoes MiG-29K Refit
Russia's only carrier is back in the yard for a major refit that will align its capabilities with that of its primary fighter, the MiG-29K
Aircraft
Boeing Now Building Qatar's F-15s as Part of the Eagle's Renaissance
Boeing has started building the most advanced version of the F-15 Eagle yet as it commences production of the F-15QA for Qatar
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Concludes Super Galaxy Update Program
For the last decade Lockheed Martin has been upgrading C-5 Galaxies to the re-engined C-5M Super Galaxy configuration
Aircraft
New Malaysian Government Reveals Su-30MKM Readiness Woes
The Royal Malaysian Air Force is facing a fighter shortage as its Su-30MKM 'Flankers' require a 10-year check
Rotorcraft
Mi-8 Collides With Mi-26 Sling Load: 18 Dead
The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) and Rosaviatsiya have collected the flight recorders and are analyzing the data.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
GA-ASI Progresses with MQ-25 Program
General Atomics is preparing its design for the EMD phase of the U.S. Navy's MQ-25 unmanned tanker requirement
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Marines Bring Shadow Operations to an End
After a decade of often intensive operations with the Marines the RQ-7B Shadow has been retired in favor of the RQ-21A Blackjack
Thales Begins Laser-guided Munition Tests
Thales has adapted an older weapon with laser guidance to create a low-collateral damage munition ideal for the urban environment.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Preps for Naval Trainer RFP
Airbus Helicopters has outlined its plans to build the H135 in the U.S. if it is selected to answer the Navy's training helicopter requirement
Aircraft
Rafale Encounters Political Headwinds in India
The contract to buy 36 Rafales has become an election issue in India, where its pricing and offset deal have come under scrutiny
Aircraft
L3 Shows Multi-mission Conversion of Bombardier Q400
The Texas-based systems integrator is promoting the twin-turboprop as a cost-effective solution.
Aircraft
Controversy Develops over RAF AEW&C Fleet
British air arm must choose between upgrading the E-3D Sentry or buying a new aircraft—possibly the Boeing Wedgetail.
Aircraft
Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Aircraft
Airbus A400M Atlas Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Airbus A400M Atlas Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin LM-100J Does a Loop in its Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Lockheed Martin LM-100J Does a Loop in its Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow
Aircraft
Plenty of Life Left in the F-16
With its latest AESA radar-equipped F-16, Lockheed Martin has reminded the fighter world that the "Viper" remains a highly competitive fighter.
