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
Moroccan Air Force Orders Airbus H135s
Moroccan Forces Royales Air has placed an order for a fleet of H135 helicopters for military primary training.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ambitious Schedule Set for Turkey’s Stealth Fighter
Turkey TF-X stealth fighter showed up at the Farnborough Airshow in full-scale mockup form.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Airbus Unveils H175M Industrial Team for UK's New Medium Helicopter Program
Having said that it would build the H175M in the UK if the type is selected for the NMH requirement, Airbus has now announced four industrial partners.
Avionics
Raytheon's New Air Defense Radar Detects in All Directions
Raytheon's new LTAMDS air defense radar can detect air threats at greater distances and higher velocities and in all directions.
Avionics
Nir-Or Eyes Advance Combat Aircraft for Newest Display
Nir-Or is presenting its newest large area display during the Farnborough Airshow, saying it will improve situational awareness and command and control.
Aircraft
Super Hornet Demonstrates Multi-Vehicle Manned-unmanned Teaming Operations
Controlling unmanned adjuncts from manned fighters accounts for one of the main areas of airpower development.
Rafael Unveils Ice Breaker Standoff Missile
The Ice Breaker is an air-launched adaptation of the naval/land-based anti-ship Sea Breaker, which Rafael unveiled a year ago.
Aircraft
Draken and Aero Vodochody Team for RAF Aggressor Service
Draken Europe, formerly Cobham Aviation Services, will shortly begin flying Aero L-159Es on aggressor duties for the RAF.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Israel's Blaze Unveils Spider VTOL UAV
The Blaze UAV's small size and adaptability allow individuals to deploy it for tactical, covert, or extended-range real-time intelligence.
Avionics
CMC Lands Korean Trainer Cockpit Upgrade
South Korea is upgrading its KAI KA-1 jet trainers with a new avionics suite that increases capability and provides room for growth.
Elettronica Applies Electromagnetics to Covid Fight
Italian electronic defense specialist Elettronica unveiled a virus-combatting technology that taps into its electromagnetic expertise.
Rotorcraft
Schweizer Finds Market with Foreign Militaries
New production Schweizer 300C piston engine training helicopters are being sold to militaries in Senegal and El Salvador.
Aircraft
Typhoon’s Electronic Attack Radar On Course for Flight in 2023
The UK-led ECRS Mk2 radar undergoes development for the Typhoon on a separate track from that of the German-Spanish ECRS.Mk 1.
