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
Dassault Touts Military Ties, Bizav MRO in Dubai
The Rafale C fighter flexes Dassault’s defense platform muscles, complementing its civilian maintenance capabilities in the UAE.
Avionics
BAE Showcases Latest Rockets, Displays and Receivers
The UK-based defense technology group is displaying its diverse capability in the U.S. Pavilion at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Aircraft
Russia Shifting Priorities to New Fighter Designs
The Russian defense industry looks to move beyond upgrades and derivatives of the Su-27 and MiG-29.
Aircraft
Spain Signs for A330MRTT Conversions
The Spanish air force has acquired three Airbus A330s from Iberia and has now formally ordered their conversion to the MRTT tanker-transport standard.
Teledyne FLIR Shows Imagers, Underlines UAE Commitment
FLIR Systems—now Teledyne FLIR and one of the world’s largest electro-optic imaging system suppliers—has a growing footprint in the UAE.
Ground Master Radar Notches a Century
The 100th example of the Ground Master AESA air defense radar recently entered service with Morocco, which first selected the Thales radar in 2013.
Elettronica and Leonardo Strengthen Sovereign Skills
Italian defense companies Elettronica and Leonardo have agreed to jointly work on new nationally important projects.
Aircraft
Hensoldt Shows Sensor-based Airborne Solutions
Hensoldt’s broad range of sensor technologies include radars, aerial threat protection, and air traffic management systems.
Avionics
Diverse Israeli Technology Now Available to New Gulf Allies
For the first time, Israeli defense and aerospace firms can exhibit at the Dubai Airshow, following the 2020 Abraham Accords agreement with the UAE
Aircraft
Typhoon Radar Development Follows Parallel Tracks
With the first production AESA radars for the Eurofighter Typhoon now being delivered, further development is being conducted in two separate efforts.
Aircraft
Gulf Sales Spur the Rebirth of the F-15 Eagle Fighter
Orders from two Gulf nations—Saudi Arabia and Qatar—paved the way for the U.S. Air Force itself to begin buying the F-15 Eagle again after 20 years.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gremlins UAV Demonstrates First Mid-Air Recovery
After a series of unsuccessful attempts, DARPA’s Gremlins recoverable UAV program has launched and snagged an X-61A air vehicle in flight.
Aircraft
Storm Warning Comes from UK in Form of Project Tempest
The Tempest fighter is just part of a Future Combat Air System being designed by an international team led by BAE Systems.
Avionics
GPMS and Metro Partner on HUMS STC for Airbus H135
GPMS and Metro Aviation aim to STC the Foresight MX health and usage monitoring system in the Airbus H135.
Rotorcraft
Bell Completes First AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter for Bahrain
The Gulf island kingdom is buying a dozen of the U.S.-made Vipers to modernize its attack helicopter fleet.
Aircraft
Kuwait’s Typhoon Multirole Fighter is Now Flying
The first two of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered by the Kuwait Air Force are now in pre-handover flight test.
Aircraft
KC-46 Tanker Cleared to Refuel F-15s and F-16s on Operations
The latest Interim Capability Release for the troubled tanker opens up a large number of potential receivers.
Charter & Fractional
GrandView Enrolls in P&WC's Engine Mx Program
Charter operator GrandView Aviation uses a fleet of 13 Embraer Phenom 300 jets powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW535E turbofans.
Engines
Safran Adds Second Helo Engine Assembly Line In Texas
Safran's new Texas assembly line will produce the Arriel 2E engine for the U.S. Army’s UH-72B Lakota.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Hit with Federal Fraud Verdict
A jury has faulted the company for conduct related to foreign military sales.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Army Unveils New Black Hawk Helicopter
The UH-60V is an upgraded version of the UH-60L utility transport helicopter with a state-of-the-art integrated cockpit system.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Lakota Fleet Tops One Million Flight Hours
U.S. military flies more than 460 Airbus UH-72A light twins for a variety of missions.
Aircraft
Modified Japanese Vessel Hosts First F-35B Operations
Two U.S. Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35Bs have successfully undertaken the first operations by the aircraft from a Japanese naval vessel.
Aircraft
Boeing Hands Over First Block III Super Hornet
The next major iteration of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has moved a step closer to operational fielding with the delivery of the first production aircraft.
Aircraft
Rolls-Royce Selected for B-52 Re-engining Program
The long-running saga of re-engining the venerable B-52 bomber has now become reality with the award of a major new engine contract to Rolls-Royce.
Aircraft
DSEI Show Revives Physical Displays and In-Person Contacts
The biennial defense show in London was the first major international defense trade show to take place in Europe since the pandemic began.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
SkyGuardian RPAS Undertakes European Trials
Trials have proven the ability of the SkyGuardian to operate in controlled airspace as the UK gears up to begin operations with the Protector RG.Mk 1.
Aircraft
Return of the Nighthawk: Now It’s Official
Two F-117s have deployed to Fresno to train with the California ANG, affording the public its first view of the aircraft since its 2008 "retirement".
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Unveils KC-Y Tanker Contender
The U.S. Air Force is gearing up to buy another fleet of tankers, which could pitch the A330 MRTT into battle again with the Boeing KC-46.
Aircraft
Greece Adds Six More Dassault Rafale Fighters
The additional fighters will allow the Hellenic Air Force to restore the number of aircraft within the Tanagra fighter wing to full level.
