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
Hilton Software Wins New Government Contract
A new $4 million contract with the U.S. government makes Hilton Software a prime contractor for two government agencies.
Aircraft
Canada Refreshes Its Multi-role Challenger Fleet
Having already bought three earlier generations of Challenger aircraft, the RCAF continues to support its domestic business jet manufacturer.
Aircraft
Boeing Flies Block III Super Hornet
The latest iteration of the F/A-18E/F introduces a host of improvements and additional capabilities, including conformal fuel tanks.
Aircraft
New Anti-Radiation Missile Flies in Navy Anti-Radar Revamp
The latest version of the Northrop Grumman anti-radar missile is to be fielded on U.S. Navy Super Hornets and Growlers, and on the F-35C.
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Flies With GKN's Plastic Airframe Parts
The Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor recently began test flights with thermoplastic parts from GKN Aerospace.
Aircraft
Weaponized Airlifters Are Becoming Reality
Dropping munitions from transport aircraft is being tested as part of the “arsenal plane” concept to deliver increased numbers of long-range weapons.
Aircraft
USAF Bombers Demonstrate European Commitments
At a time of political tension with Russia, long-range U.S. bomber missions to Europe send a clear message to Moscow.
Aircraft
A400M Airlifter Certified for Automatic Low-Level Flight
The A400M military airlifter has become the first aircraft in its class to be able to fly automatically at low level.
Russia Intercepts P-8, Sends MiG-29s and Su-24s to Libya
Tension is heightening in the Mediterranean as Moscow seeks to extend its influence in North Africa.
Aircraft
U.S. Navy Launches New Trainer Search
Intended to replace the T-45 Goshawk, the new trainer is not required to launch from, or recover to aircraft carriers.
Aircraft
Boeing Lands Major Missile Contracts
The $3.1 billion award to Boeing covers the Harpoon anti-ship weapon and the SLAM ER long-range cruise missile for air-to-ground use.
Rotorcraft
First Ospreys for Japan Arrive In-country
Japan is the first, and to date only, overseas customer for the Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor.
Aircraft
Sweden Seeks New Air Force Basic Trainer
After several delays, the Swedish government has initiated the process to replace the 57-year old Saab SK 60 in the training role.
Rotorcraft
French Navy Revamps Its Helicopter Fleet
AS 365s and H160s helicopters are being leased to cover a gap between the retirement of the Aérospatiale Alouette III and the arrival of the H160M.
Aircraft
M-346FA Gets Rafael's Advanced Targeting, Recon Systems
The adoption of advanced podded targeting and reconnaissance systems significantly enhances the M-346FA’s combat potential.
Aircraft
First GlobalEye Handed Over to the UAE
Saab has delivered the first of three GlobalEye swing-role surveillance systems to the United Arab Emirates on schedule.
Aircraft
C-390 Joint Venture Scrapped, Millennium Joins the Covid Effort
Despite the ending of the Boeing-Embraer JV to oversee development and marketing of the tanker-transport, the original marketing agreement remains.
Avionics
Saab Flies New GaN Fighter Radar
The new radar is available as an upgrade for Gripen fighters, and can also be tailored to other types and for other missions.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force F-35 Fighters Arrive in Alaska
The 354th Fighter Wing has become the first wing in Pacific Air Forces to receive the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
Aircraft
Germany’s Tornado Fighter Replacement Plans Revealed
The Luftwaffe is set to receive a split buy of Typhoons, Super Hornets, and Growlers to replace its remaining Tornado aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky HH-60W Emerges From Climate Testing
The Air Force tested its rescue helicopter in extreme temperature regimes.
Aircraft
Qatari F-15 Eagle Fighter Takes Wing
The F-15QA is the most advanced version of the long-serving Eagle to date, and paves the way for new aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
Aircraft
First Flight for Luxembourg’s A400M
Luxembourg’s sole A400M is due to be handed over next year for service with a binational unit based in Brussels, Belgium.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Navy Orders More Test Stingrays from Boeing
With three more MQ-25As being ordered, Boeing now has seven of the unmanned carrierborne tankers on contract.
Aircraft
KC-46 Fix Agreed but Production Goes on Hold
While production of the U.S. Air Force’s tanker is on hold due to Covid-19, engineers are working on a fix to refueling vision system issues.
Rotorcraft
Boeing Suspends Philadelphia Rotorcraft Production
Boeing suspends operations at its military rotorcraft assembly plant in Ridley Township, Pa. outside Philadelphia.
UTC, Raytheon Tie-up Gets Conditional DOJ Approval
DOJ approval is contingent upon sales of Raytheon’s military airborne radios business, as well as UTC’s GPS and optical systems businesses.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Looking at Leasing T-50s
The U.S. Air Force aims to trial an experiment with new training processes prior to the entry into service of the T-7A Red Hawk.
Rotorcraft
Bell, Sikorsky Move On To Next Round of Army's FARA Derby
The U.S. Army has selected Bell and Sikorsky to provide prototypes for its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program.
Aircraft
Australia Celebrates Decade of Super Hornet Operations
Acquired as a “capability gap-filler” to provide airpower between the F-111 and F-35, the F/A-18F has become a valuable and long-term asset for the RAAF.
