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.
Avionics
Hands On: Genesys Avionics Breathe New Life into Black Hawk
Genesys Aerosystems demonstrated safety and efficiency enhancements of its HeliSAS autopilot and UH-60 avionics modernization program.
Aircraft
Egypt Approved for C-130J Super Hercules Purchase
If the sale of C-130J military transport aircraft goes ahead as planned, Egypt will become the 25th customer for the second-generation Hercules.
Aircraft
Bell Upgrading USAF Osprey Tiltrotor Nacelles
Eyeing long-term maintainability of the USAF Osprey fleet, Bell is swapping out nacelles with ones that are more maintainable, robust.
Aircraft
First Upgraded Top Aces F-16 Aggressor Fighter Flies
The military training provider is upgrading former Israeli F-16 fighters for contracted U.S. Air Force aggressor training duties.
Aircraft
South Korea To Sell Missiles to UAE in $3.5 Billion Deal
Korea Aerospace will convert four Dassault aircraft to improve air force reconnaissance.
Aircraft
First Rafale Fighters Land in Greece
The first Dassault Rafales for the Hellenic Air Force have arrived in Greece, just six days short of a year since contract signature.
Aircraft
New Tu-160M Missile Carrier Makes First Flight
Russia is building up its strategic missile-carrying force by placing Tupolev's mighty Tu-160M “Blackjack” back into production.
Aircraft
Hungary to Upgrade Saab Gripen Fighters
Modifications to Hungary’s Gripens will allow them to fire new weapons, such as the IRIS-T and Meteor air-to-air missiles.
Rotorcraft
Austria To Replace Alouette IIIs with Leonardo AW169s
Having announced the AW169's selection in 2020, Austria has now committed to the purchase with a government-to-government order from Italy.
Rotorcraft
Navy Orders 36 More Leonardo TH-73A Trainers
The latest order takes the Navy's TH-73A fleet to 104 aircraft, but the total should reach 130 by 2024.
Rotorcraft
France Places First Order for the H160M Guépard Helicopter
Ultimately France intends to buy 169 H160Ms for the HIL (light joint helicopter) requirement to serve with the air force, army and navy.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Northrop Grumman To Repurpose EQ-4Bs as Range Hawks
The former BACN-carrying high-altitude UAVs will be outfitted to support hypersonic missile tests as part of the SkyRange initiative.
Aircraft
First Typhoon Fighters Delivered to Kuwait
Kuwait’s new Typhoons are the first of the breed to feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Aircraft
Romania Looks To Norway For More F-16 Fighters
Romania wishes to increase its F-16 fighter fleet by taking up aircraft being rendered surplus by deliveries of F-35s to fellow NATO nations.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Unveils Latest Predator Family Member
The Mojave unmanned aircraft system draws on the Reaper and Gray Eagle-ER, but focuses on greater payload and short/rough-field operations.
Aircraft
Finland Selects F-35 Fighter As Hornet Replacement
After an exhaustive and well-publicized evaluation, Finland has followed Switzerland in choosing Lockheed Martin's F-35 to replace its F/A-18s fighters.
Rotorcraft
Australian Army Looks to UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters
Problems with the MRH90 Taipan military helicopter fleet have spurred the search for a successor, with the UH-60M leading the field.
Aircraft
France Lands Large Emirati Rafale and Caracal Order
While the UAE awaits the outcome of its intended purchase of F-35s from the U.S., the air force has ordered 80 Rafales.
Aircraft
Super Hornet Eliminated from Canadian Fighter Competition
The announcement leaves the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Saab Gripen as the last remaining contenders for Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project.
Aircraft
Australia Bids Farewell to the Classic Hornet Fighter
After over 35 years the Boeing F/A-18A/B fighter has bowed out of RAAF service, leaving the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A to provide Australia’s airpower.
Aircraft
Gripen E Fighter Moves into Serial Delivery Phase
Deliveries of the second-generation of the Swedish multi-role fighter will begin shortly to the Brazilian and Swedish air forces.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers First Naval Combat H225M to Brazil
The Exocet-armed AH-15B version of the H225M helicopter provides the Brazilian navy with a powerful anti-ship capability.
Aircraft
Indonesia Signs Up for A400M Airlifters
Having discussed the issue for some time, the Indonesian air force has ordered the A400M, and holds an option to come back for more.
Rotorcraft
Here Comes the King
Sikorsky’s mighty CH-53K King Stallion is gearing up for operational service as the replacement for the U.S. Marine Corps’ long-serving Super Stallions.
Rotorcraft
Desert Cat on the Loose in Dubai
Kuwait is the first operator in the region of the Airbus H225M Caracal, the most recent development of the evergreen Puma/Super Puma/Cougar family.
Avionics
Honeywell Adds Layers to GPS Anti-jam Prevention
In partnership with InfiniDome, Honeywell is further developing more comprehensive layers of GPS anti-jamming protection.
Israel's Elbit Launches UAE Company
Elbit's Emirati subidiary will promote the company's products and services in the region and work with local partners.
Aircraft
Calidus Unveils Giant Attack Aircraft
Four years ago Calidus surprised showgoers with the B-250, but now the company has unveiled a much larger attack aircraft.
Aircraft
BACN Sizzles on the Dubai Ramp
The E-11A BACN—inevitably known as the “bacon”—is a rarely seen U.S. Air Force asset, and recently the service has signed for six more.
Aircraft
Two More Tanker Transports Slated for UAE Air Force
Buying two more A330 MRTTs from Airbus will bring the UAE Air Force and Air Defence fleet up to five tanker transports.
