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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Comeback for Russia’s Unguided Rockets
For years the 57-mm unguided rocket was a staple weapon of Soviet-bloc air arms. A new and upgraded version is signaling a renaissance of this caliber
EuroDASS Unveils Plans for Enhanced Typhoon Protection
The new Praetorian Evolution concept will evolve the in-service system to include an all-digital architecture and enhanced multi-platform EW capabilities.
Training and Workforce
U.S. Air Force Awards $6.4 Billion of Adversary Contracts
The USAF has announced its long-awaited adversary and JTAC training contracts that will significantly expand the size of the civilian-operated fleet
Aircraft
Iran Flies New Military Trainer
The Kowsar-88/Yasin is a new trainer design that draws to a considerable extent on components raided or reverse-engineered from the Northrop F-5
ADEX 2019: New Korean Projects Revealed
The 2019 ADEX show revealed new Korean defense programs while the nation looks to acquire further high-end systems from overseas.
Aircraft
T-6C Texan II Sale Possible for Tunisia
Buying the Texan II would significantly enhance Tunisia’s training capabilities, as well as further strengthen Tunisia’s relations with Washington.
Rotorcraft
USAF Slashes Helo Training Time With Virtual Reality
The first USAF helicopter pilot class using virtual reality graduated six weeks early.
Aircraft
ADEX 2019: Raytheon and Korean Air Partner for ISTAR
Korean Air and Raytheon are proposing to modify the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet to meet a RoKAF requirement.
Rotorcraft
Mil To Absorb Kamov Following High-speed Rotorcraft Win
The selection of Mil’s design to form the basis of a new high-speed combat helicopter was the catalyst for a merger of the two rotary-wing design bureaus.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Enters Raider X in Army FARA Derby
Sikorsky is proposing the "Raider X" compound helicopter for the Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.
