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.
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
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
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
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.
Aircraft
Australia to Replace Aging C-130Js with More Super Hercules
The replacement and expansion of the Super Hercules fleet with a greater number of the same type represents a cost-effective, low-risk approach.
Typhoon Fighters To Protect the FIFA World Cup in Qatar
A joint UK/Qatari squadron has deployed from the UK to bolster the air defenses of Qatar during the world’s largest single-sport competition.
Rotorcraft
First AH-64E Apache Guardian for the Netherlands
The Koninjklijke Luchtmacht’s Apache fleet is being overhauled with the delivery of remanufactured AH-64Ds.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Poland To Lease Reapers Ahead of Planned MQ-9B Buy
MQ-9A Reapers are being leased from General Atomics to fill a capability gap ahead of Poland’s planned acquisition of RPAs under the Zefir project.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo AW101 Takes On Leadville
Tri-engine Leonardo AW101 helicopter completes OEI high-altitude testing at famed Colorado airport.
Aircraft
Hensoldt and Rafael Team for Luftwaffe Electronic Warfare Pod
The podded system is aimed at the Luftwaffe’s requirement to outfit Eurofighter Typhoons for the electronic attack role.
Engines
Poland Selects GE Power for AW149 Helicopters
Poland has selected GE's CT7-2E1 engines for its fleet order of Leonardo AW149 helicopters.
Aircraft
Beechcraft Hands Over 1,000th T-6 Texan II Trainer
The primary flight trainer that produces pilots for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps has also passed five million flying hours.
Aircraft
Skunk Works To Display Darkstar from Top Gun: Maverick at Edwards Airshow
Fact and fiction have combined to create a top-draw attraction, as Lockheed Martin’s hypersonic creation for the "Top Gun: Maverick" movie goes public.
Rotorcraft
First Navy Class Begins Training in Leonardo TH-73A
Student naval aviators will now train in the Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher.
