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.
Raytheon Unveils Peregrine Air-to-air Missile
The new weapon aims to fill the middle ground between the AIM-9X and the AIM-120, combining good range performance with the AIM-9X’s agility
Aircraft
Assembly for Japan’s First KC-46A Begins; Problems Continue for USAF Program
Japan is the first export customer for the KC-46, and expects to get its first of an initially approved batch of four aircraft in 2021
Aircraft
T-X Becomes T-7A Red Hawk
The winning Boeing T-X design is named in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen and the U.S. Air Force’s first African American fighter squadron
Aircraft
F-35A Sale to Poland Gains Approval
Poland’s desire to replace the last of its Soviet-era fighters with state-of-the-art Western equipment has got the green light from Washington
Aircraft
DSEI 2019: Italy Joins the Tempest Team
The Italian government has followed Sweden in joining the UK-led sixth-generation fighter initiative, while MBDA has unveiled further weapon concepts.
DSEI 2019: Unusual Cargo Delivery Drone Gets Contracts
Designed for tactical resupply, the Silent Arrow has been developed for US Special Forces and foreign customers
Aircraft
UAE Now Has Three ISR Exec Jet Programs
A new company is converting Challenger 650s. Meanwhile, fresh details have emerged of a long-delayed project to convert Global 6000s
Aircraft
B-52H ‘Buffs’ Demonstrate Global Reach
The aging warriors continue to span the globe on “show of force” missions that test the B-52H bomber’s ability to reach any part of the planet.
Rotorcraft
HAL Awaits Contract for LUH
India’s Light Utility Helicopter is virtually ready for production, and a factory is being prepared, but a contract still awaits.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development
Having successfully fielded the Orion, including an operational debut over Syria, KT is now working on a larger vehicle in the HALE class
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
MAKS 2019: Stealthy Chinese Target, and Iranian Cruise Missile
While majoring on Russian hardware, the MAKS show gave a chance for overseas exhibitors to debut new products
Aircraft
MAKS 2019: Refined MiG-35 Gets New Missiles and Avionics
RAC MiG continues to develop the MiG-29 airframe with an eye on further export orders, notably from India for both the air force and navy
Rotorcraft
U.S. Military Helos Mobilize To Help Bahamas
U.S. military helicopters flying medevac, SAR missions in the Bahamas following Hurrican Dorian.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Rafael Moves into the UAV World
The forthcoming acquisition of Aeronautics Ltd brings with it a portfolio of unmanned air platforms, including aerostats
Leonardo Carries Out First Flight of MAIR Missile Warning Sensor
MAIR provides a spherical warning coverage around the carrier platform and also provides an imaging capability.
Aircraft
Typhoon Pulled from Canada Competition
Airbus is no longer progressing with its bid to supply Canada with Typhoon fighters, citing concerns over security issues and ITB commirtments
Rotorcraft
MAKS 2019: KRET Showcases Updated Mi-24
New equipment and new capabilities—including an air-to-air capability—can breathe new life into a combat classic
Rotorcraft
Airbus Offers Tiger Upgrade to Australia
Upgrading the current Tiger fleet could save Australia AUD3 billion compared with buying new attack helicopters
Aircraft
MAKS 2019: Turkish President Erdoğan Inspects Su-57, Considers Alternatives to F-35
Turkey’s president was in Moscow to view Russian fighters that could be acquired in place of the Lockheed Martin F-35.
Training and Workforce
‘Red Air’ Contractors Chalk Up Milestones
ATAC has flown its first Mirage F1 after return-to-flight overhaul, while Top Aces has surpassed 80,000 hours of contracted air services.
Aircraft
Brazil’s First Gripen E Takes Flight
The aircraft is the first production Gripen E and the first to fly with the wide-area display
Rotorcraft
Vipers and Venoms for the Czech Air Force
The Czechs have selected the UH-1Y and AH-1Z in preference to the Sikorsky UH-60M as the country increases its defense spending
Aircraft
Japan Firms Up on F-35B; F-16s Approved for Taiwan
Japan formalizes its intent to buy STOVL F-35Bs, while Taiwan’s long-held desire to receive more F-16s finally gets U.S. approval
Aircraft
Russia Opens Competition for Medium Airlifter
Ilyushin’s Il-276 has long been pitched as a replacement for the An-12 airlifter, but the Russian defense ministry is now also looking at rival designs
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers 200th Lakota Trainer To U.S. Army
The U.S. Army has trained nearly 1,500 student pilots on the Airbus UH-72A.
Aircraft
An-178 Lands First Export Order
Having already gained domestic orders, the twin-jet Antonov transport has now received an order from the Peruvian police
Rotorcraft
Bell 407GXi Gets IFR Approval
U.S. Navy requires new training helicopters to be IFR capable.
Maintenance and Modifications
Boeing Begins JASDF E-767 Upgrade Work
Improving the E-767s is part of an overhaul for Japan’s air surveillance fleet that also includes new-generation Hawkeyes.
Maintenance and Modifications
U.S. Air Force Completes A-10 Re-winging Program
Work to give 173 A-10Cs a new lease on life has been undertaken since 2011 and has now reached its conclusion.
Chinese Airpower on Show during Aviadarts
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force dispatched J-10s, JH-7s, and H-6Ks to take part in the Russian Aviadarts exercise.
