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.
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.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Marines F-35C Squadron Declared ‘Safe For Flight’
The award of its SFFOC certificate means that VMFA-314 has completed its type transition phase and can independently work up to operational capability.
Rotorcraft
Russian Navy Inducts Kamov Ka-31R
After a long delay, the Russian navy is now operating the Ka-31, the airborne early warning/surface search version of the Ka-27 shipborne ASW helicopter.
Aircraft
France Deploys A330 MRTTs in Coronavirus Battle
In an ongoing effort to relieve pressure on beleaguered hospitals, the Armée de l’Air has begun transporting patients to less-affected areas.
Aircraft
India's Latest Light Combat Aircraft Standard Gets Airborne
The FOC version of the LCA Mk1 Tejas introduces inflight refueling capability and long-range missiles.
Aircraft
Japan’s Recon Phantoms Bow Out
The retirement of the reconnaissance fleet leaves just one fighter unit flying Phantoms in Japanese service.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Orders Wolverines
At the heart of the AT-6 Wolverine is a mission computer system developed for the A-10C upgrade of the Warthog.
Rotorcraft
Army FLRAA Moves Forward with Valor and Defiant
The process of finding a replacement for the U.S. Army’s large fleet of Black Hawk helicopters continues with the Valor and Defiant going head-to-head.
Aircraft
U.S. Military Exploring eVTOL Solution to Resupplying Troops
The U.S. military is investing in eVTOL aircraft technology that it believes could reduce risks associated with moving cargo in combat zones.
Further Aircraft Lost before Idlib Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire ar Idlib ended a brief period of intense fighting between Assadist and Turkish forces, during which a number of aircraft were downed.
Aircraft
New Production Contracts for UH-60s, HH-60s, and P-8s
Recent Department of Defense contracts have swollen the order books for the Army’s Black Hawk, the Air Force’s Jolly Green II, and Navy Poseidons.
Rotorcraft
Weapon-winged Wildcat Unveiled as Sea Venom Advances
A new weapons wing allows the Wildcat naval helicopter to carry up to 20 Martlet or four Sea Venom missiles, or a combination of both.
Updated 'Bear' Provides First Intercept for the F-35
A long-distance flight by two Russian Navy “Bears” was intercepted and escorted by Norwegian and UK fighters, including F-35s for the first time.
Aircraft
Air USA Buys Former RAAF Hornets
The civilian-contracted adversary fleet in the U.S. will gain a considerable boost with the delivery of highly-capable legacy Hornets from Australia.
Aircraft
Israel Approved for KC-46, but USAF Problems Persist
Israel is now cleared to begin negotiations over the purchase of the still-troubled KC-46A tanker.
Rotorcraft
Boeing’s FARA Contender Finally Emerges
Boeing’s FARA bid is based on a relatively conventional helicopter layout, albeit with a pusher propeller for high-speed performance.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Orders AESA Radar for F-16s
Northrop Grumman’s AESA radar is in full production for export customers looking to upgrade their F-16s or buy new ones.
Aircraft
Fighter-bombers and Anka UAVs Downed as Turkey and Syria Exchange Blows
An escalation in fighting between Turkish and Assadist forces has resulted in a number of air vehicles—both manned and unmanned—being shot down.
Aircraft
Y-20 AEW and Tanker Variants To Appear Soon
The successful introduction into service of the Xian Y-20 heavy transport has freed China from reliance on the Il-76 airframe for fighter support aircraft.
Aircraft
Azerbaijan Buys the M-346 as Caucasus Stand-off Continues
Since Armenia occupied a portion of Azerbaijani territory in the 1990s, the two countries have fought a number of skirmishes along the de facto border.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Innovative UAV Technology Helps Syrian Army Offensive in Idlib
The Russian army is employing small UAVs to find targets and then provide designation for attack by laser-guided shells.
