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.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Germany Opts for Manned Pegasus Platform
For the second time Germany has canceled plans to use a Global Hawk derivative to answer its Sigint requirements, and is now looking at the Global 6000.
Singapore Airshow: Controp To Unveil New EO Sights
Controp has produced a range of electro-optic turrets of varying sizes as part of the STAMP family, and is introducing a new payload for small UAVs.
Aircraft
Marines Start Building Frontline F-35C Force
The Marine Corps is acquiring 80 carrier-capable F-35Cs that will take their part in the U.S. Navy carrier deployment cycle.
Aircraft
Kremlin Confirms Su-57 Commitment as Foreign Orders Loom
Following the crash of the first production Su-57 in December, Russian politicians have been quick to support the program to keep export hopes on track.
Rotorcraft
Oil & Gas Industry Comes Together for Safer Offshore Helo Ops
New IOGP joint industry effort examines industry safety programs and develop new resources and training initiatives
Aircraft
Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer UAV Makes First Flight - AIN
Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer UAV Makes First Flight - AIN
Rotorcraft
UK Takes Four More Airbus H145 Trainers
Airbus Helicopters is providing four additional H145 twins as part of an expansion of the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS).
Aircraft
First Indian BrahMos Squadron Commissioned
Based in southern India, No. 222 Squadron now operates the Su-30MKI with the BrahMos supersonic surface attack weapon.
Maintenance and Modifications
Clone of Sustaining Military Aircraft in Southeast Asia
Customers in tropical environments require different care to keep their aircraft flying, and Boeing is working to accommodate them.
Aircraft
Navy’s Osprey Enters Flight Test
The CMV-22B is a longer-ranged version of the Osprey tiltrotor for carrier delivery duties.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
First Flight for Leonardo's Falco Xplorer UAV
At around twice the size of earlier Falco platforms, the Xplorer is a high-end tactical ISR system with all its major elements created in-house.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gremlins Air Vehicle Takes Flight
Dynetics performed the first free flight test of its X-61A Gremlins air-launched, air-recoverable UAS in November 2019.
Aircraft
Russia Considers Redundant Jetliners for Anti-Sub Role
Russia’s naval aviation is looking at the cheap-to-acquire Tu-204 and Tu-214 to supplant its elderly Tu-142s and Il-38s on maritime patrol duties.
Aircraft
India's Naval Light Combat Aircraft Goes to Sea
The delayed naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft has undertaken its first carrier trials.
Aircraft
Dassault and Thales Awarded Archange Contract
The French government has ordered the first two Falcon-based platforms to replace aging Transall Gabriels in the Sigint-gathering role.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Wins U.S. Navy Helo Trainer Deal
Leonardo selected to provide up to 130 training helicopters to U.S. Navy in a deal potentially worth $650 million.
Avionics
Collins Wide-area Display Brings Fighter Tech to More Aircraft - AIN
Collins Wide-area Display Brings Fighter Tech to More Aircraft - AIN
Aircraft
Finland’s Multi-role Fighter Challenge Gets Under Way
Over the course of January and February the Finnish air force is evaluating the five contenders for its Hornet replacement program.
Aircraft
State Department Approves F-35B for Singapore
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has selected the STOVL version of the F-35 to answer its new fighter requirement.
Maintenance and Modifications
Marshall Lands Kuwait KC-130 Support Contract
The Cambridge-based MRO specialist continues to deepen its involvement in worldwide C-130 sustainment activities.
First S-350 Vityaz SAM Delivered to Russia
The “poor man’s S-400” offers high capability but at a much-reduced cost compared with its internationally controversial stablemate.
Aircraft
First F-35A Base Achieves Full Warfighting Capability
Hill AFB in Utah is the first operational U.S. Air Force base to receive its full complement of Lockheed Martin F-35As.
Elettronica Offers Next-Gen EW System For Europe, Asia
Four companies have teamed to develop the “Praetorian Evolution" of the Eurofighter.
Aircraft
Cleared for export, Sukhoi’s Fighter Seeks Asian Orders
Russian president Vladimir Putin has taken a personal interest in ensuring export sales of the model.
India Appoints Integrated Defense Chief
India’s three armed forces now come under the purview of a single Chief of the Defence Staff, whose aim is to streamline logistics and operational assets.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Indonesia Launches Domestically-built Armed UAV Program
Indonesia’s first large UAV is due to fly for the first time this year, with production planned to get under way in 2024.
Aircraft
F-35 Deliveries Exceed 2019 Target
2019 saw a considerable ramp in F-35 production compared with 2018 as the program works towards hitting its peak delivery rate in 2023.
Aircraft
Piaggio Wins Avanti Evo+ Order for the Italian Air Force
The nine-aircraft Avanti order from the Italian air force is a major boost for the financially-troubled aircraft manufacturer.
Aircraft
More 'Thunder' in China's Air
The latest Block III variant of the PAC/CAC JF-17 has made its first flight, while the factory in Pakistan has completed a batch of eight two-seaters.
Aircraft
MiG-27 Bows Out of IAF Service
India was almost certainly the last user of the MiG-27 ground-attack derivative of the MiG-23 “Flogger” fighter.
