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
Cobham Gains New NATO Contract For EW Training
The company’s Falcon 20 jets will continue to simulate electronic threats against fighter interceptors.
Aircraft
Turkey and Indonesia Join Forces on a ‘New’ UAV
The state-owned aircraft companies in each country are teaming—presumably—to further develop TAI’s existing Anka drone.
Aircraft
Thai Army Boosts Air Defense Missile Capability
The Chinese KS-1C system is in service, and the MBDA MICA is on its way
Aircraft
Leonardo Delivers More Falco UAVs To The Middle East
The EVO version has a larger payload and extended range.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UVision Demonstrates Another Loitering Attack Drone
The Israeli company is continuing to develop the Hero series of quad-winged flying machines.
Aircraft
Turkey Buys from Russia; also Mulls European Missile Systems
The S-400 deal is going ahead, but a joint study with Eurosam is also now under contract.
Aircraft
China Introduces New Transport Helicopter
The Z-8G is a troop and cargo carrier derived from the Z-8 naval helicopter.
Aircraft
Adversary Air Contractors Still Expanding—and Expecting
Draken bought more fighter jets, Elbit and Babcock are chasing UK business, and Discovery Air won a new Canadian contract.
GBAD 3.5 - Quest for System of Systems
Singapore's air defense protection needs are somewhat unique
Aircraft
Qatar and Kuwait Eurofighter Sales—More Details Revealed
The UK will host a training squadron for Qatar. The Kuwaiti jets will have new AESA radars and targeting pods.
Aircraft
North Korean Threat Prompts New Japan, Korean Buys
Japan will acquire new air defense systems, while Korea wants more F-35s.
Aircraft
F-35 Gets Bad Report Card from UK Legislators
A parliamentary watchdog’s report listed cost and technical concerns that were not allayed by LM or UK government officials.
Aircraft
Boeing Steps Ahead Towards MQ-25 Contract
The company has already completed a prototype to meet the U.S. Navy’s requirement for an unmanned aerial tanker.
Aircraft
UAE Dassault Mirage 2000-9 Fighter Jet Flies at Dubai Airshow
UAE Dassault Mirage 2000-9 Fighter Jet Flies at Dubai Airshow
Aircraft
Indonesia Receives Its Last Upgraded F-16; Considers Buying Chinooks
After much rework, the Block 25 Fighting Falcons are now Block 52 IDs. CH-47s could follow the AH-64Es now being delivered.
Aircraft
Russia’s New Aerial Tanker Emerges
The Il-78M-90A was rolled out at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk.
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Tiltrotor Makes First Flight
The tiltrotor provides twice the speed and range of conventional helicopters.
Aircraft
Canada Scraps Plan To Buy Super Hornets from Boeing
Will buy second-hand Hornets from Australia instead, to boost its own fleet, pending competition for a long-term replacement
Rotorcraft
Aurora Proves An Autonomous Huey Can Work; U.S. Marines Testing Next
The Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) employs a UH-1H testbed fitted with special sensors and software
Aircraft
Singapore Practices Precision Air Targeting Via UAVs
The Republic of Singapore Air Force used Heron drones to identify targets for F-15 fighters, and designate them for AH-64 attack helicopters.
Aircraft
Powerful New Engines Take Flight on the Sukhoi Su-57
A prototype of Russia’s stealthy PAKFA jet has been fitted with ‘Item 30’ powerplants.
Aircraft
Qatar Boosts Its Order for Rafales, And Confirms Typhoons
The Gulf state will now buy 36 French combat jets, not 24. It also confirmed its order for 24 Eurofighter Typhoons.
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Delivers Panthers to Mexico; Continues HForce Testing
The company handed over the last pair of ten AS565MBe helos to the Mexican Navy, and fired weapons from an H145M
Aircraft
Poland To Get ‘Next-generation’ Patriot System
The latest U.S. offer seems to conclude a lengthy evaluation process. Meanwhile, Romania has made a quick choice.
Maintenance and Modifications
GAT Wins $32M Contract To Upgrade USAF Learjets
The C-21A jets, which are the military version of Learjet 35As, will receive ADS-B Out, FANS 1/A, and electronic flight information systems from GAT.
Aircraft
Russia To Revive Tu-160 Bomber Production
An upgraded prototype has been rolled out, and is expected to carry precision-guided weapons and hypersonic missiles.
Aircraft
Qatar Seeks New Friends, and Maybe Denel
As tension between the Gulf state and its neighbours continues, Qatar says it has discussed buying into the South African arms company.
Aircraft
Philippines Chooses the Super Tucano
The Embraer turboprop will replace ageing OV-10 Broncos in the close air support role.
Aircraft
Could the Textron Scorpion Jet be the Light Attack and ISR Platform of the Future?
Could the Textron Scorpion Jet be the Light Attack and ISR Platform of the Future?
Aircraft
Indian Navy Purchase of Sikorsky Seahawks On Again?
Up to 24 S-70B helicopters may now be procured via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system.
