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.
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
Training and Workforce
Red 6 Demos Augmented Reality Combat Training
Combat readiness is critical for any air force, and Red 6 aims to improve fighter pilots' skills with augmented reality training.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Elbit Unveils Skylark UAS with Hybrid Power
Elbit’s popular Skylark 3 UAS has been developed with a dual electric/internal combustion propulsion system offering a dramatic increase in endurance.
Aircraft
Turkish Fighter Makes Asia-Pacific Debut
Turkish Aerospace is showing off the TF mock-up in Singapore as part of a wider effort to gain export orders for its indigenous products and technology.
Aircraft
Growing Links Between Japan’s F-X and Anglo-Italian Tempest
Developing two aircraft with common basic requirements and timeline have drawn Japan and the UK closer together in terms of technology development.
Aircraft
Regional Opportunities Grow for Boeing Defense Products
A growth in tension in the Asia-Pacific region is fueling greater defense spending by nations looking to align themselves more closely with the U.S.
Singapore’s Upper-Tier Air Defence Goes on Show
Defending Singapore’s small airspace is a key mission for the RSAF, and relies on a sophisticated air defense system with upper- and lower-tier missiles.
Security
U.S. Air Force Clearance Could Open the Door For BriteCloud
Leonardo has developed the BriteCloud family of expendable active decoys to provide vital radio frequency protection at an affordable cost.
Integrated Air Defense from Israel on Show
IAI has a wide portfolio of solutions, including ground-based air defense systems. The latest product is the Barak MX, with its three types of interceptor.
Engines
Honeywell's Latest-generation Turboshaft to Power Defiant X
A state-of-the-art reworking of the trusted T55 engine will power the Defiant X, which is bidding to win the U.S. Army’s Black Hawk replacement program.
Rotorcraft
Osprey Radar Goes to Sea Aboard the Fire Scout
The versatile radar draws on Leonardo’s experience with developing AESA radars, such as the Typhoon fighter’s ECRS and maritime-optimised Seaspray range.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Sees Steady Regional Demand for Military Helicopters
Replacing aging fleets will be the biggest driver of demand in the Asia-Pacific region over the next decade, reports Airbus Helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Liebherr Systems To Fly on HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter
The LUH is the latest in a line of HAL products to benefit from the systems provided by Liebherr-Aerospace.
Aircraft
F-35 Taking Center Stage in the Asia-Pacific Arena
Australia, South Korea and Japan are operational with their F-35s, while U.S. forces have significant numbers deployed in-theater.
Aircraft
China’s PLAAF: On Multiple Tracks To Become A Modern Force
Russian derivatives form the basis of China’s aspirations to join the world’s top producers of fighter aircraft.
Aircraft
Malaysia and India Eye Sukhoi Fighter Upgrades
The start of shipments of the Su-30SM2 to the Russian Air and Space Force is sparking interest in new variants from Malaysia and India.
Aircraft
Taiwan’s Brave Eagle Leaves the Nest
Based on the design of the F-CK-1 fighter, the T-5 is now in the early days of its service with the Republic of China Air Force.
Aircraft
Indonesia Modernizes Airlifter Fleet
The TNI-AU expects to receive C-130Js and A400Ms to expand and modernize its vital airlift capacity, as well as to upgrade some existing aircraft.
