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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra Nevada Demos Mods for Special Mission King Airs
The kit was developed for King Air 350ERs operating at 16,500 and 17,500 pounds and features anti-skid brakes, Li-ion battery and Blackhawk XP67A package.
Aircraft
More Super Tucanos For Afghanistan, and USAF interest Grows
Six more Brazilian turboprops are going east via the U.S., while the USAF's ‘light attack experiment’ may continue.
Indonesia Buys Norwegian SAM System
First sale in Asia for the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) designed by Kongsberg.
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Offers Aftermarket Improvements for C-130
The suite of post-production improvements can be installed by operators, Lockheed Martin or manufacturer-certified service centers.
Rafael Wins Israeli Order For New Version of Spike Missile
The home customer will buy more than 1,000 of a longer-range version of the Spike missile that can also be exported.
Aircraft
Russia Gives MiG-29s To Serbia
Six fighters have been handed over, to restore combat capability on the type
Aircraft
Chinese Fighter Developments Revealed
New information on the J-10, J-20 and FC-31 emerged on the margins of this week’s Communist Party Congress.
Aircraft
U.S. Military Tackles Vexing Issue of Physiological Episodes
The Navy and Air Force are investigating an increase in incidents involving high-performance jets including the T-45, F/A-18 and F-35.
Aircraft
U.S. Green Lights F-16V Foreign Military Sale to Greece
The Hellenic Air Force seeks to upgrade up to 123 of the fourth-generation fighters to the F-16V configuration.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Completes Design Review of HH-60W Training Systems
The training regimen for the U.S. Air Force's new combat search-and-rescue helicopter includes full-motion simulators and other devices.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers two H175s; Tiger Woes Continue
Company also reports progress with flight tests of the H160, but longstanding problems with the H225 and Tiger continue.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Navy Releases Request for Proposals for MQ-25 Refueling Drone
The service expects to award an engineering and manufacturing development contract next fall, the Naval Air Systems Command said.
Aircraft
U.S. Sends New Deterrence Message to North Korea Via Seoul Airshow
The biennial ADEX trade show became a vehicle for another demonstration of U.S. airpower.
Aircraft
Australian Navy Perseveres With S-100 Camcopter Despite Crashes
Two upgraded versions of the VTOL UAV are being acquired. Meanwhile, the service is upgrading its manned MH-60R helicopters.
Aircraft
Scaled Composites Reveals 'Model 401' Experimental Jet
The Northrop Grumman subsidiary said it will make available two jets for research flights by industry partners and the U.S. government.
Aircraft
Good and Bad News for the Eurofighter Program
Qatar is set to become the next customer, but production is slowing, and Austria no longer wants to fly the jet.
Aircraft
Aero Vodochody Reveals New Jet Trainer Plans
The Czech company is producing or offering new versions of the L-39 and L-159 basic and advanced jet trainers, with light attack capability.
Aircraft
Big Indian Navy Requirement for Helicopters Revealed
According to an RFI, 234 twin-engined machines are required for multiple roles.
Engines
GE Achieves Testing Milestones for U.S. Army FATE and ITEP Turboshaft Programs
Prototype powerplants for the Future Affordable Turbine Engine and Improved Turbine Engine Program have been run.
Saudis To Acquire Russian S-400 SAM System
S-400 Triumph is the most advanced long-range surface-to-air system (SAM) available from Russia’s Almaz-Antey Corp.
Avionics
Hensoldt Buys British Sensor Company Kelvin Hughes
The maritime specialist will help Hensoldt’s ambition to become a sensor solutions provider.
Sources for North Korea’s Missile Development Debated
Iran is the key suspect; Ukraine has denied supplying Soviet-era rocket technology
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
New Chinese Company Shows Family of UAVs
One of four drones exhibited recently by Tengoen Technology is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Darpa Seeks Counter-Drone 'Sensing, Neutralization' Systems
Novel technologies would complement or be part of an advanced Mobile Force Protection counter-UAS system, Darpa says.
Aircraft
U.S., Russia Trade Charges Over Open Skies Treaty Compliance
The U.S. State Department said it will take "reasonable and comparable steps" in response to alleged Russian violations of the treaty.
Aircraft
South Korea Fires Taurus as Interest in Standoff Missiles Grows
After China, the Republic of Korea Air Force is the first in the region to exercise fighter-launched standoff missile capability.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Army Confirms Black Hawk, Drone Collided Over New York City
One of two U.S. Army Black Hawks providing security for the United National General Assembly meeting collided with a drone over Staten Island.
Aircraft
Russia Expedition Force Deploys S-350 Vityaz System to Syria
The medium-range surface-to-air missile battery stationed at Masyaf supplements other air defense systems already in theater.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Will Test KC-46 to Assess Boom-Scraping Issue
The service has identified three technical deficiencies with the Boeing 767 tanker derivative, now in developmental testing.
Aircraft
Saab Goes American To Boost Boeing T-X Contender
The Swedish company will build its share of the jet trainer in the US, if the partnership wins the competition.
