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.
NATO Airpower Steps Up Response to Ukraine Crisis
Since the beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine NATO has taken measures to shield its member states along the eastern flank from potential aggression.
Aircraft
AESA Radar for ‘Classic’ Hornet Fighter Makes First Flight
The APG-79(V)4 radar is being procured in an upgrade effort to ensure that the U.S. Marine Corps Hornet fighters can meet the planned "sundown" date.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Unveils Carrier-capable MQ-9B UAV
Equipped with a STOL wing kit, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian will be capable of operating from assault carriers and regular aircraft carriers.
Rotorcraft
Army Selects Icarus For Black Hawk IFR Training
The U.S. Army will use Icarus's smart view limiting device for helicopter IFR training.
Aircraft
Marine Corps Plan Second Adversary Squadron
The Marines are planning to double the organic adversary force while extending Red Air training coverage to the East Coast.
Training and Workforce
Red 6 Augmented Reality Platform Picked by Saudi’s Advanced Electronics
Augmented-reality platform developer Red 6 has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia-based Advanced Electronics.
Aircraft
Airbus Adds Angola to C295 Customer List
The Republic of Angola has placed an order with Airbus for three C295s, two of which will be outfitted for maritime surveillance operations.
Aircraft
Romania Grounds MiG-21 LanceR Fighter Fleet
The upgraded MiGs were due to serve until 2024, but it is now considered unlikely that they will be returned to service.
Aircraft
Autonomous Aircraft Could Carry Vital Supplies to War and Disaster Zones
Autonomous Aircraft Could Carry Vital Supplies to War and Disaster Zones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
First Surveillance Reapers Handed Over to the Netherlands
Following delivery, the unmanned aerial vehicles will be tested in the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Details Progress On Army Programs
Sikorsky Raider and Defiant prototype rotorcraft programs mark milestones.
Rotorcraft
Super Puma Operator Lands Navy Contract
Texas-based Air Center Helicopters has landed a vertical replenishment contract with the U.S. Navy to provide services.
Aircraft
NATO Awards Contracts for AWACS Replacement Studies
In the mid-2030s NATO’s current fleet of aging E-3 AWACS will be retired, to be replaced by a system-of-systems combining aircraft with other assets.
Aircraft
Malaysia’s Defense Show Highlights New Procurements
The first Defence Services Asia (DSA) show for four years was a well-attended event to display and discuss regional requirements.
Aircraft
First-Generation Hawk Trainer Bows Out of UK Military Service
One of the most successful trainer designs, the original Hawk has been retired from UK military duties, and now only flies with the “Red Arrows” team.
Aircraft
Canada Selects F-35A for its Future Fighter Requirement
The selection of the F-35 by Canada is the latest in a flurry of high-profile successes for the Lockheed Martin-led fighter program.
Rotorcraft
Airbus's Optionally-Piloted Helicopter Goes to Sea
The VSR700 demonstrator has undertaken the first at-sea trials of its autonomous take-off and landing capabilities as part of a French navy/DGA program.
Aircraft
Germany to Buy F-35 Fighters for Nuclear Sharing Role
Having earlier discarded the U.S. F-35 fighter, Germany is once again looking to the aircraft to carry out its nuclear commitment to the NATO alliance.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Saudi Arabia’s Intra Pushes Ahead with Drone Programs
Intra is leading the drive for greater Saudi self-sufficiency in the unmanned air vehicle sector through two major programs.
Aircraft
First Batch of Chinese J-10 Fighters Delivered to Pakistan
China has delivered six J-10 multirole fighters to Pakistan just eight months after contract signature.
Training and Workforce
Blue Force Contracted for Unmanned Adversary Development
The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps are looking for cheaper ways of providing adversary training, with autonomous air vehicles to the fore.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Phenix Flight Testing Coaxial eVTOL Drone
Phenix Solutions is flight testing a single-engine coaxial remotely piloted aircraft under the U.S. Air Force Agility Prime program.
Avionics
Guatemalan Air Force Fields Upgraded Bell 212
Central American Aviation Services (CAAS) has upgraded the Guatemalan Air Force’s first Bell 212 with Archangel Systems heading sensors.
Aircraft
USAF Unveils $6.3bn F-16 Fighter Upgrade Program
A number of Air Force F-16 upgrade efforts have been launched and shelved, but now the PoBIT program is being implemented to extend the fleet’s life.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Launches Tiger MkIII Update Program
The Tiger MkIII program will update a batch of 60 attack helicopters for the French and Spanish armies, with Germany able to join later if it so chooses.
Avionics
Hands On: Genesys HeliSAS: the Digital Safety Pilot
During a demo flight of the Genesys Aerosystems HeliSAS, AIN writer Kipp Lau experienced the systems' many safety benefits.
Rotorcraft
Thailand to Get AH-6i Attack/Reconnaissance Helicopters
The Royal Thai Army has placed an order for the AH-6 helicopter with Boeing, while MD Helicopters has delivered MD 530Gs to neighboring Malaysia.
Aircraft
UAE Looks to China for Advanced Trainers
The United Arab Emirates appears set to buy the Chinese Hongdu L-15 to answer its advanced and fighter lead-in training requirements.
Aircraft
ARTEMIS Challenger Joins Ukraine Surveillance Effort
The converted Challenger 650 bizjet is flying regular missions along the Poland-Belarus border to monitor Russian ground force activities.
Aircraft
HAL LCA Tejas Mark 1 Fighter Flypast at Singapore Airshow
HAL LCA Tejas Mark 1 Fighter Flypast at Singapore Airshow
