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.
Regulations and Government
"Edge" Consolidates 25 UAE Defense Companies
New combined defense and security entity to be led by one of the UAE's leading technology entrepreneurs.
Leonardo’s ULISSES Sub-hunting Technology Passes Trials
Leonardo's compact anti-submarine acoustic system, which has applications for maritime aircraft and UAVs, has been trialed at sea.
Maintenance and Modifications
Alsalam Seeks New Business Opportunities
Adept in airline, military, and corporate and VIP sectors, Alsalam Aerospace is advancing Saudi aerospace efforts.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Leonardo and Diamond Offer TS-80 Radar for DA62 MSA
Customers for the DA62 maritime patroller now have the option of incorporating the long-range version of Leonardo's Gabbiano ultra-light radar.
Maintenance and Modifications
Honeywell and S&K Launch FMS Support Service
Honeywell and S&K Logsitics Services have joined forces to provide worldwide support for defense equipment bought through FMS channels.
Avionics
Collins Aerospace Launches Wide-area Display
The Collins Aerospace MFD-4820 is an 8- by 20-inch touchscreen display that is aimed at both new aircraft types and the retrofit market.
Training and Workforce
Upset Training Flies at CAE’s Dothan Center
CAE's Dothan Training Center in Alabama specializes in fixed-wing pilot training for military customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
First Challenger Ready for UAE ISR Modification
Aquila Aerospace is modifying two Challenger 650s to answer a UAE Air Force requirement for reconnaissance platforms.
Maintenance and Modifications
AMMROC Unveils Model of Al Ain MRO Facility
A new military maintenance center in Al Ain will feature a dedicated Black Hawk nose-to-tail depot.
Rotorcraft
Airbus H160M on Course for 2026 Service Entry
France intends to acquire 169 H160Ms for the HIL program, comprising 80 for the army, 49 for the navy, and 40 for the air force.
Aircraft
A330 MRTT Automatic Refueling To Go Live in 2021
Some 41 of 60 Airbus A330 MRTTs ordered by 13 nations are now in service. Automatic refueling tests were carried out using an Australian MRTT.
Aircraft
GlobalEye Goes Public with Dubai Debut
The UAE’s new Saab GlobalEye multi-role surveillance platform is due to enter service some time next year.
Rotorcraft
Airbus's VSR700 Rotary-wing UAV Takes Flight
The VSR700 unmanned helicopter is intended to serve onboard vessels of the French navy to extend their surveillance horizon
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Lockheed Laser Lances Drones
Lockheed Martin's Athena anti-drone laser successfully defeated multiple targets during a recent USAF demonstration.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Force Receives First HH-60W Helicopters
The initial two aircraft are at the Eglin complex to perform developmental and operational tests ahead of the main production run
Aircraft
Airbus Airs Proposals for German Eurofighter Typhoon Development
E-scan radars and new versions for the nuclear and escort jammer roles are part of the roadmap for the Luftwaffe’s Typhoon fleet.
Engines
EASA Approves Safran Ardiden 1U For India's LUH
Safran Helicopter Engines has received EASA type certification approval for its new Ardiden 1U engine in India's Light Utility Helicopter.
Aircraft
Su-35 Goes to Russian Knights, On Offer to Turkey
Russia’s foremost display team is adding the latest advanced “Flanker” derivative to its line-up, and Turkey may be doing the same in the near future
Saab Flies New Electronic Attack Pod
The EAJP is part of a new family of electronic warfare systems being developed under the Arexis banner
Aircraft
Airbus Unveils LOUT Stealth Drone Testbed
Airbus has been working in secrecy for more than a decade on a very low observable stealth testbed intended to inform programs such as FCAS.
Aircraft
Hawk Assembly a Major Step Forward for Saudi Arabia
Assembing its BAE Systems Hawks in-country has worked well for Saudi Arabia with seven flying by October.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Studying Obscurant Defense for H145M
The rapid-action “fog” screen has been successfully implemented for military vehicles and is now being proposed for helicopters
Regulations and Government
U.S. Security Concerns Mount Over Chinese Drones
House and Senate bills would ban use of Chinese drones.
Aircraft
First RAF P-8A Handed Over
When P-8 operations begin next year next year, the United Kingdom will have an anti-submarine/maritime patrol capability after a gap of a decade.
Aircraft
Green Light for F-15 Japanese Super Interceptor Upgrades
Japan’s fighter roadmap includes the purchase of 147 F-35A/Bs, development of a new fighter, and the upgrade of around half of its F-15 Eagle fleet.
Rotorcraft
Erickson in $996 Million DoD Support Contract
Erickson continuing to expand its defense-related business.
Aircraft
Indonesia Wants Two Squadrons of F-16 Block 72s
While the long-running attempt to acquire Su-35s has yet to result in hardware, the TNI-AU is looking to AESA-equipped F-16s.
Rotorcraft
African Countries Seek Additional ‘Hinds’
The Mi-24/35 family has been operated for many years by many nations in Africa and continues to be of considerable interest to operators in the continent.
Rotorcraft
Germany Receives First Sea Lion, but Awaits Sea Tiger Contract
Germany has taken delivery of its first naval NH90 to replace the Sea King, but has still not signed for the Lynx replacement
Aircraft
LM Receives $7B F-35 Order, F-35A Price Dips Below $80M
The Lockheed Martin-led F-35 consortium was supposed to hit the $80m unit cost figure in 2020, but has achieved it a year early
