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.
Engines
Safran, HAL Partner on Engine for India's New Helicopter
Safran Helicopter Engines is partnering with Hindustan Aeronautics to develop an engine for the 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Considers Case For Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Flight automation specialist Reliable Robotics is conducting a feasibility study into how military transport aircraft could fly without a pilot on board.
Aircraft
Turkey’s Hürjet Trainer Powers up for First Flight
The Turkish Aerospace Hürjet advanced trainer has entered the pre-first flight test phase, including powering up the F404 engine for the first time.
Aircraft
Chinese Balloon Downed in First Kill for the F-22 Fighter
The Chinese surveillance balloon had been tracked across Canada and the U.S. amid worldwide public interest.
Rotorcraft
Pentagon Office Faults Progress on Rotorcraft Programs
DoD's Operational Test and Evaluation office raps Grey Wolf, Chinook, and King Stallion for multiple deficiencies.
Aircraft
U.S. Navy Begins Multi-Engine Trainer Replacement Program
The new T-54A twin turboprop aircraft is based on the King Air 260, and will replace the T-44C, an earlier King Air derivative.
Rotorcraft
King Stallion Helicopter Demonstrates Lifting Power
Repositioning and retrieving aircraft is one of the tasks that the CH-53K military helicopter will perform in its operational life.
Aircraft
Jordan Signs for New-generation F-16 Fighters
The Middle East nation's air force has operated Fighting Falcon fighters for many years, and is now refreshing the fleet with AESA-equipped aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Delivers 5,000th Black Hawk Helicopter
Sikorsky delivered its 5,000th Black Hawk Helicopter to the U.S. Army, which plans to fly the type for at least another 40 years.
Training and Workforce
CAE Wins Follow-on U.S. Army Flight-training Contract
The CAE Army contract is valued at $250 million through 2032, including option years, and encompasses virtual, simulation, and aircraft training.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Challenging FLRAA Award
Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky unit is challenging Bell's win of the Army's award of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract to Bell.
Aircraft
Rafale is Front-runner for Colombia’s Kfir Replacement
The French multi-role fighter has emerged as Colombia’s preferred solution to replace its aging Israeli fighters.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo to Upgrade Canada’s Cormorant SAR Helicopter Fleet
The upgrade has been planned for a decade, but initially delayed on cost grounds, and will now expand the fleet in terms of both capability and numbers.
Aircraft
Bombardier Expresses Concern on Canadian CMMA Tender
Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel voiced concern that the Canadian government was considering a sole-source contract with Boeing.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Delivers First of 36 AW169M Twins To Austria
Austria is replacing its Alouette fleet with Leonardo AW169Ms, the first of 18 of which was delivered this morning.
Engines
Hermeus Selects P&W F100 for Hypersonic Darkhorse
Hermeus plans engine testing in 2024 for its Mach 5 Darkhorse uncrewed aerial system.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers Two 412EPX Helicopters To Guatemala
In a ceremony marking the 101st anniversary of the Guatemalan Air Force, Bell delivered two Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters.
Aircraft
German Team Performs Remote Carrier Air Launch Test
The launch was the first inflight test of remote carrier technology destined for the Future Combat Air System.
Aircraft
Japan Joins Forces with UK and Italy for Future Fighter
Growing industrial cooperation between the two future fighter teams has led to a more formal collaborative approach between the Tempest and F-X programs.
Aircraft
Brunei Expands Airlift Capability With Airbus C295s
The order for new transport aircraft will increase Brunei’s ability to not only conduct airlift missions, but also other roles such as search and rescue.
Aircraft
First Poseidon Patroller Handed Over to New Zealand
The four P-8As on order will replace the long-serving Lockheed Orions of No. 5 Squadron.
Aircraft
U.S. Selects Bell's V-280 Valor Tiltrotor For New Assault Aircraft
Bell's V-280 Valor tiltrotor technology beats Sikorsky and Boeing in battle to replace up to 4,000 Black Hawks for the U.S. Army.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Unveils B-21 Raider Sixth-generation Bomber
Although superficially similar to the B-2, the B-21 bomber benefits from four decades of advances in systems, manufacturing, and low-observable technology.
Rotorcraft
UK Sending Retired Sea Kings to Ukraine
British government to provide trio of retired Westland WS-61 Sea King helicopters to Ukraine.
Aircraft
First F-16 Fighter Rolls Out at New Greenville Assembly Line
Production of the F-16 has moved to Lockheed Martin's new South Carolina location to free up capacity for F-35 assembly line at Fort Worth in Texas.
Regulations and Government
Australian Army Helicopter Ignited Massive Brushfire
Australian coroner's court is investigating a 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, which was started by army helicopter’s search light.
Rotorcraft
March to More Electric Rotorcraft Continues
AVX Aircraft wins Department of Defense contract to develop all-electric flight control system for helicopters.
Aircraft
First Texan II Trainers Delivered to Tunisia and Thailand
Beechcraft has handed over the first examples of its T-6C turboprop trainer to its most recent military customers—Tunisia and Thailand.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers Last Viper Attack Helicopter to Marines
The delivery of the last Bell AH-1Z helicopter to the U.S. Marine Corps marks the end of an era for U.S. forces.
Rotorcraft
Autonomous Black Hawk Flies Resupply, Medevac Missions
An autonomous, uncrewed Sikorsky Black Hawk recently flew a variety of simulated military missions.
