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

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.

Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor airccraft in flight

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.