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
Aero Vodochody Receives L-39NG Certification
The all-new L-39NG has been certified to military standards, with Aero Vodochody preparing to deliver the first example to the launch customer next year.
Accidents
Lockheed Martin Offering Defiant, Raider Technology to NATO Countries
The Sikorsky SB>1 Defiant and S-97 Raider helicopters would bring new rotorcraft technology to NATO member countries.
Aircraft
Bell's V-280 Valor Awaits U.S. Army FLRAA Decision
The U.S. Army expects to choose its FLRAA UH-60 Black Hawk replacement in October.
Inzpire Offers Multi-Domain Operations Training Out of a Box
Inzpire delivers tactical multi-domain operational training from a ruggedized case containing all the necessary materials.
Regulations and Government
Saudi Defense Sector Out in Force at Farnborough
GAMI aims to localize more than 50 percent of national expenditure on defense equipment by 2030.
Raytheon To Establish Laser Integration Center in UK
The technology giant is creating a European hub to satisfy the growing demand for laser weapons, especially in the fields of C-UAS and C-RAM defense.
Ascent Flight Training
Ascent Flight Training
Aircraft
Airbus Tanker Cleared for Automatic Air-to-air Refueling
Airbus achieved its first automated air-to-air refueling in 2018, and now the capability has been approved for daytime use with the boom.
Ambitious Schedule Set for Turkey’s Stealth Fighter
Turkey TF-X stealth fighter showed up at the Farnborough Airshow in full-scale mockup form.
Aircraft
Embraer, BAE MoUs Strengthen Ties on C-390, eVTOL
Embraer and BAE have agreed to pursue possibiities for the C-390 in Saudi Arabia and are furthering their collaboration on eVTOL defense applications.
RAF Wedgetail Program Taking Off
The conversion of three Boeing 737 airframes for the AEW&C role is proceeding at the UK facility of STS Aviation Services.
British Partners Outline Details of Hypersonic Research Effort
Reaction Engines is leading a hypersonic technology partnership between the Royal Air Force, two UK government agencies, and Rolls-Royce.
Aircraft
South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae Takes To the Air
When the KF-21 is cleared for service, South Korea will become the eighth country to have successfully developed an advanced jet fighter.
Aircraft
Moroccan Air Force Orders Airbus H135s
Moroccan Forces Royales Air has placed an order for a fleet of H135 helicopters for military primary training.
Avionics
Sixth-gen Radar Slated for Tempest Fighter Program
The new radar for the Tempest fighter will incorporate higher power, smaller circuits, and gallium arsenide processors.
Aircraft
UK’s Tempest Demonstrator Set To Take Wing
The UK government has confirmed that Team Tempest will build a demonstrator for the aircraft at the center of the Future Combat Air System.
Aircraft
RAF Will Offer New Contracts For Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
The service has terminated Project Mosquito in favor of alternative approaches that could advance uncrewed aircraft more quickly.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Aims for UK Black Hawk Success
The S-70i Black Hawk is being offered to the UK for its NMH requirement, with aircraft to be built in Poland if the type is selected.
Engines
GE Aviation Forges Ahead with Engine Programs
The XA100 fighter engine and T901 rotary-wing powerplant programs are making strides, while GE’s existing portfolio continues to show strong sales.
Aircraft
Bird Aerosystems Expands Use of Missile-protection Technology
Bird Aerosystems provides airborne missile protection and verification solutions to UN Air Operations Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Marine Corps Begins Major MQ-9A UAS Procurement
The remotely piloted aircraft will be used to stand up an MQ-9A(ER) squadron in Hawaii to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Avionics
Collins Aerospace Radios Picked for Export Super Hercules
The HF-9500 high-frequency set replaces the legacy ARC-190 system in previously supplied C-130Js.
Aircraft
Cost Reductions Make F-35 a Winner in Europe
The acquisition cost now matches fourth-generation fighters, and operations plus sustainment costs are following, according to Lockheed Martin.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Prepares for AW149 Production
Leonardo will install production infrastructure at Yeovil in advance of the UK NMH selection due in answer to the program’s aggressive timeline.
Training and Workforce
U.S. Air Force Chooses Collins for Next-Gen Training System
The TCTS II training system allows large numbers of aircraft—with varying levels of security clearance—to exercise together in virtual environments.
Avionics
AESA Radar Confirmed for UK Typhoons
The UK government has confirmed that the ECRS Mk2 E-scan radar will be installed in some of the Typhoon fleet.
Rotorcraft
AW149 Demonstrates Weapons Firing Capability
Weapon capability is one element of a four-pronged approach to making the AW149 a highly survivable rotorcraft platform over the battlefield.
Aircraft
Sentinel Makes Surprise Appearance at RIAT
Raytheon Intelligence & Space has purchases a fleet of Sentinel R.1 reconnaissance aircraft and is offering them for sale or lease.
Air Chiefs Commit to Climate Change Challenge
Leaders from international air forces declared plans to collaborate on the mitigation of climate change at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference
Elettronica Applies Electromagnetics to Covid Fight
Italian electronic defense specialist Elettronica unveiled a virus-combatting technology that taps into its electromagnetic expertise.
