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
Engine Partnership Announced as SCAF/FCAS Receives First Contract
The Franco-German SCAF/FCAS has received its first funding, while the nations' two propulsion powerhouses are joining forces to develop a new engine
Aircraft
RAF Tornados Bring Operations to a Close
The return of Tornado aircraft from the Mediterranean theater brings the operational career of the type with the RAF to a close.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Germany Begins Training on Heron TP
German personnel are now in Israel learning how to operate the Heron TP, which will give the Luftwaffe far greater capabilities than the current Heron 1
Aircraft
Collins Aerospace to Supply T-X's Seats and Landing Gear
Collins Aerospace has been selected to provide two major systems for the Boeing/Saab T-X, including the latest ACES 5 ejection seat
Aircraft
An-124 Ruslan Replacement Takes Shape
Russia's TsAGI has revealed more details of the Slon, a program to provide a potential successor to the An-124 heavy airlifter.
Aircraft
End of the Line for the Fleet’s Legacy Hornets
After 35 years of service, the "Legacy" Hornet is bowing out of the U.S. Navy's active-duty fleet as VFA-34 begns its conversion to the Super Hornet
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Encouraged by Navair Helicopter Trainer RFP
Leonardo thinks its TH-119 single is a more cost effective training helicopter for the U.S. Navy.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
GA-ASI Contracts British Industry for RAF Protector Program
General Atomics has awarded weaponization contracts to MBDA and Raytheon for the RAF's Protector, as well as engaging other UK industry players.
Aircraft
What it’s like to fly a Boeing B-29 Superfortress
What it’s like to fly a Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia Prepares To Flight-test the Sukhoi S-70 UCAV
Through photos leaked on Russian internet sites it appears that the Sukhoi S-70 heavyweight UCAV is nearing a first flight
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Reaches 280 Knots
Bell V-280 hit target maximum speed after 13 months of flight testing.
Aircraft
Swift: Looking Back on the Forgotten T-X Contender
Northrop Grumman's Model 400 was developed for the T-X competition, but was withdrawn. Recently more dtails have emerged about the aircraft
Aircraft
France Launches Rafale F4 Upgrade
France has formally launched the next major step in Rafale development, with the accent on improved networking.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Ukraine and Turkey Deepen Defense Cooperation through UAVs and Transports
The recent deal to supply Bayraktar TB2 UAVs to Ukraine brings with it further cooperation with Turkey, which also includes transport aircraft development.
Aircraft
KAI Developing Smarter FA-50 Golden Eagle
KAI's T-50 trainer/FA-50 light fighter has achieved some success in Southeast Asia, and the company hopes to increase that with more capable variants
Aircraft
Laos Receives Yak-130 Combat Jet Trainers
Laos has become the fifth export customer for the Yak-130, but the exact nature of the deal has raised some controversy in Russia.
Aircraft
China Developing Fifth-gen Stealth Fighter-bomber, Says DIA
A report recently published by the Defense Intelligence Agency outlines plans by China to build a stealthy fighter-bomber.
Aircraft
Singapore Selects F-35, but Opts for Cautious Procurement
As expected by many, Singapore has announced its selection of the F-35 as its F-16 replacement, but is initially only buying a small number for evaluation.
Aircraft
Raytheon To Supply AESA Radar for Marine Hornets
Marine Hornets will receive e-scan radar so that they can maintain combat relevance while the Corps transitions to an all-F-35 fleet.
Rotorcraft
New Helicopters for Indonesia’s Army and Air Force
Local contractor PT DI has associations with Airbus and Bell, and will built or outfit the new H225Ms and 412EPIs that have been ordered
Aircraft
UK F-35B and Centurion Typhoon are Combat-Ready
The UK has announced that the RAF's F-35 is ready for operations, along with the latest Typhoon configuration that is replacing the Tornado
Rotorcraft
Indian Army Set To Receive Apaches
While the debate over who will operate India's growing attack helicopter force continues, the Army Aviation Corps is looking forward to receiving Apaches
Aircraft
Boeing Set To Deliver First KC-46 to Air Force
Boeing says it has four KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tanker/transports ready to deliver to McConnell Air Force Base, the first to receive them.
Aircraft
Turkey’s Hürkuş-B Enters Service, Armed Variant Completes Trials
Turkey's indigenous turoprop trainer is now being used or pilot instruction by the Turkish air force, while the Hürkuş-C armed version nears service entry
Aircraft
Central European F-16 Deals Facing Political Hurdles
Three Central European air forces are planning to replace their aging MiG-21/29 fleets with F-16s, but each of the programs faces political issues.
Aircraft
Upgraded Tu-22M3M Enters Flight Test
The latest generation of the Tu-22M "Backfire" bomber has flown for the first time. The Tu-22M3M is a major modernization of the swing-wing design.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Neuron Passes 150-flight Milestone
The Neuron UCAV technology demonstrator has now flown more than 150 times. Recent trials have been undertaken against Spanish Typhoon fighters.
Aircraft
Gunships for Sale as Part of Mass Jordanian Sell-off
Jordan is in the process of rationalizing its air force by reducing the number of types on strength and removing redundant and aging aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Spain Signs Deals To Double NH90 Fleet and Upgrade Chinooks
Spain is expanding its rotary-wing force through deals to buy NH90s in both transport and maritime versions, and to upgrade its Chinooks
Aircraft
Saab Flies Second GlobalEye, Revises Gripen E Production
Saab has achieved a significant milestone in the GlobalEye program for the UAE with the first flight of the second aircraft
