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
Covid Dents F-35 Production as Development Continues
The global pandemic has inevitably hit production rates for the F-35, but Lockheed Martin hopes to begin clawing back lost time in the fall.
Rotorcraft
UK Mulls Puma Replacement Plans
The UK operates an aging fleet of Puma support helicopters rapidly approaching the end of their service lives.
Women In Defense Panel Aims To Bolster Inclusiveness
Women continue to face disadvantages in the workplace, despite efforts to raise awareness of preconceptions about gender roles.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force To Take Over Turkey’s F-35s
The Pentagon has issued a contract to Lockheed Martin to deliver new-production F-35As to the U.S. Air Force instead of Turkey.
Aircraft
Europe On Course for Two Future Combat Programs
While many see a single European FCAS program being the best way forward, national ambitions are suggesting that this will not happen any time soon.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Pitches Special-mission Conversions for its Bizjets
From Learjet 75s to Global 7500s, Bombardier's range of business jets stand as candidates for special mission conversion.
Aircraft
Tempest On Course To Be an Air Combat Game-changer
While the Tempest has become a trinational program, the UK’s industrial team is already making good progress with technology demonstrations.
Aircraft
Typhoon’s E-scan Radar Introduction Months Away
Deliveries of Typhoons with electronically-scanned array radars are approaching, but new development paths are emerging among the original partners.
Aircraft
Indonesia Interested in Austria’s Typhoons
In its ongoing search for an F-5 replacement the Indonesian air force has shown interest in the Austrian Typhoons, whose future is far from certain.
UK Defense Demonstrates Resilience During Covid Crisis
The UK’s defense industry has adopted new practices to tackle Covid challenges, while also continuing to deliver on key programs.
Stratasys to Ship Fourth 3D Printer for BAE's Samlesbury Plant
BAE Systems is one of a number of companies embracing additive manufacturing as a means of streamlining production and reducing costs and lead times.
Aircraft
All Systems ‘Go’ for Boeing's Red Hawk Trainer
Boeing is making considerable strides in flight-testing of the T-7A advanced trainer and is on track to meet the program schedule.
Training and Workforce
Qatari Typhoon Simulator to Use CAE's Medallion MR Visuals
Qatar’s Typhoon pilots will train in simulators equipped with CAE’s highly realistic vision system under a contract managed by BAE Systems.
Aircraft
New Members Announced for Team Tempest
More UK companies have joined the industrial effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter, while Saab is growing its participation in the project.
Aircraft
UK Launches Digital Skills Resource
With a rapidly-growing demand for a digitally competent workforce, the UK is launching a digital learning and information portal.
Aircraft
UK Carrier On Course for First Deployment
HMS Queen Elizabeth has begun operational training of both the ship’s company and aircrew in the build-up to the first operational cruise.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Project Mosquito: UK’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ Program Moves Ahead
The UK’s defense laboratory is overseeing a project to develop unmanned vehicles to partner with manned combat aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Ministry of Defence Signs First Protector Order
The RAF plans to operate 16 Protector remotely piloted aircraft, which are based on the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
Aircraft
USAF Places First Order for Boeing F-15EX Eagle Fighter
After a gap of 19 years the U.S. Air Force is buying new Eagles again to increase the operational capabilities of its existing F-15 units.
Aircraft
Brazil Begins Manufacturing of Saab Gripen Fighter
Saab’s Brazilian subsidiary will supply airframe components to both Swedish and Brazilian assembly lines.
Aircraft
U.S. Approves Hawkeyes for France and Ospreys for Indonesia
The latest round of U.S. State Department approvals of Foreign Military Sales includes a prospective deal to supply MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors to Indonesia.
Australia to buy LRASM; Unveils Strategic Plan
The long-range anti-ship missile extends Australia’s maritime reach as strategic competition rises in the Indo-Pacific region.
Aircraft
Airbus Hands Over First A330 for NATO Force
NATO’s MMF is acquiring the A330 MRTTs for tanker, transport, and medical evacuation duties on behalf of its member nations.
Rotorcraft
CH-53K King Stallion Goes to Sea
The next-generation heavy-lifter for the Marine Corps has successfully undertaken its first sea trials.
Rotorcraft
Morocco Signs Up For Latest Apache Attack Helicopters
The addition of AH-64 gunships to the Moroccan inventory is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen and modernize the kingdom’s military forces.
F-35A Primed for Nuclear Mission with New-generation Bomb
The F-35As of the U.S. Air Force will be nuclear-capable, armed with a guided version of the B61 variable-yield weapon.
Aircraft
Canada Cleared for Upgrade of 36 Boeing CF-18 Fighters
The Royal Canadian Air Force is upgrading nearly half of its Hornet fleet while it waits for a new fighter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
StormBreaker Set For Super Hornet
The GBU-53 is currently the only weapon in the U.S. inventory that can hit moving targets at night and in visually-obscured conditions.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant Busts 200 Knots
The compound Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant helicopter broke the 200-knot speed barrier earlier this month.
Aircraft
Taiwan Flies Indigenous Advanced Trainer
The AT-5 is a derivative of the F-CK-1 Ching-kuo and will replace aging AT-3s and F-5s in the Republic of China Air Force.
