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.
Engines
Russia Relaunches Production of Engine Cores for the MiG-31
The Perm Motor Works is building new hot-section components to allow the overhaul of engines to keep the MiG-31 fleet flying until 2035.
Aircraft
Air National Guard Receives First KC-46
The delivery of two Pegasus tankers to Pease ANGB in New Hampshire marks the start of the type’s career with the Air National Guard.
RAF Typhoons Intercept Russian Aircraft over the Baltic
Scramble missions have been launched from the base at Amari in Estonia to intercept Russian aircraft flying close to the airspace of the Baltic republics
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia Releases S-70 Okhotnik Flight Video
The short video provides the first official glimpse of Sukhoi’s stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle prototype.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ukraine Launches Su-24 and Il-76 MRO/Update Program
Ukraine has instigated a program to modernize Il-76s while increasing the fleet of operational “Fencers.” The nation is also looking to buy Super Tucanos.
Aircraft
India Expected To Sign for More MiG-29s and Su-30MKIs in October
New fighter aircraft and air-to-air missiles are at the heart of a procurement effort based on re-engineered arms purchasing processes with Moscow
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Korean MD500 Flies for the First Time
Korean Air’s Aerospace Division has modified a former armed forces helicopter to an unmanned configuration with the aim of creating an armed platform
Aircraft
Leonardo Logs First Order for the M-346FA
An undisclosed “major international customer” has ordered six of the fighter/attack derivative of the M-346 Master advanced jet trainer
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Light UAV Family Launched in Hungary
The Ku-ME Invest MP-H family uses a similar central body matched to various wing sizes to cater for a wide range of payload options
Aircraft
F-16s Ordered for Slovakia; Bulgarian Buy Reinstated
Lockheed Martin has received the go-ahead to begin the construction of 14 F-16Vs for Slovakia, while the “on-off” Bulgaria deal is back on again
Rotorcraft
Helicopters, Defense Push Leonardo Higher
Leonardo's orders increase by 34 percent in the first half of 2019.
Rotorcraft
First Apaches Arrive in India
The Indian Air Force is receiving an initial batch of eight AH-64E(I)s to form the first unit
Rotorcraft
Russia Resurrects Stored Ka-29s
The growth in Russia’s assault ship capability has created a renewed demand for the shipborne assault support Ka-29 helicopter.
NPKB Unveils Alternative Carrier Design for Russian Navy
The Lamantin project draws heavily on the work performed by NPKB to adapt the Vikramaditya for STOBAR operations by the Indian Navy
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Northrop Grumman Adding Sigint Capabilities to Triton
Fielding expanded mission capabilities for the unmanned Trito patroller is timed to coincide with the expected out-of-service date for the EP-3E Orion.
Korean Fighters Fire Warning Shots at Russian A-50
The airspace incursion by the AEW aircraft led Korean aircraft to fire their first shots while engaged on air defense interception duties.
Aircraft
Britain and Sweden To Partner on Future Combat Air Requirements
The much-anticipated announcement that Sweden would partner with the UK on a future fighter fell short of Swedish industry joining the Team Tempest effort
Aircraft
UK Reveals High-Tech Programs in Air, Space, and Propulsion
Hypersonics, small satellites, flying wingmen and swarming drones are all being investigated.
Aircraft
Turkey Removed from F-35 Program
Washington has responded to the delivery of S-400 air defense missiles to Turkey, upholding its threat to remove the nation from the F-35 program
Rotorcraft
Leonardo TH-119 Gets IFR Approval
Leonardo's candidate for a replacement U.S. Navy training helicopter gets IFR approval from the FAA
Aircraft
Firebird Deliveries Imminent as the OPV Makes European Debut
Northrop Grumman says that both government and commercial customers are in line to get the Firebird optionally-piloted vehicle
Rotorcraft
Serbia Outlines Helicopter Plans, Buys Mistral
A mixture of helicopters from East and West will continue to equip the Serbian forces, along with the indigenous maintenance of the existing Gazelle fleet
Turkish, Russian Defense Ministries Confirm S-400 Delivery
As the first S-400 shipments arrive in Turkey, Washington has yet to respond to what it sees as a threat to the F-35’s operational security
Aircraft
Embraer Lands First Export Order for KC-390
Portugal—already a major industrial partner in the program—is buying five KC-390s for a range of military and civilian missions
Aircraft
Russia Could Be Developing a Gunship
Media reports suggest that the An-12 tactical transport is being weaponized to create an aircraft similar to the U.S. Air Force’s AC-130
France, India Complete Garuda VI Bilateral Exercise
French and Indian pilots had the chance to fly in the Sukhoi Su-30 and Dassault Rafale.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
MQ-8C Cleared for Operations
The Bell 407-based unmanned air system is now ready to begin training crews for fleet operations
Aircraft
First C295 for Canada Takes to the Air
The first CC-295 for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s search and rescue fleet is due to be handed over later in 2019.
Army 2019: Showcase for Russia Export and Joint Development
Organized by the Russian ministry of defense, the Army exhibition showcases the latest Russian technology for potential overseas buyers.
Aircraft
Dassault and Airbus’s New Generation Fighter Program Gets a Boost
Dassault and Airbus’s New Generation Fighter Program Gets a Boost
