Defense

Essential news and analysis from the defense aerospace sector. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs in military aircraft, engines, and avionics.

P&W Outlines Three-step F135 Development Pathway

The F135 improvement program would result in a new engine with a third airstream and adaptive-cycle compressor in the mid to late 2020s.

Trials Held with S-100 Camcopter Inside Arctic Circle

Schiebel's S-100 Camcopter scanned for vessels and tracked them in a 1,500-square-mile area at Norway's Andoya Test Center.

‘Augmented Reality’ Could Ease Maintenance Skills Shortage

According to enterprise software specialist IFS, engineers deployed to maintain aircraft could benefit from virtual guidance from afar.

JF-17 for Myanmar Seen Flying in China

The two-seat JF-17B version of the Sino-Pakistan joint venture fighter is also flying from Chengdu.

Russia and Iran Cooperate on UAVs, UCAVs

The relationship is highlighted by recent operations over Syria.

MiG Boss Bids for New Fighter Business

But he would not acknowledge new MiG-29 order from Egypt.

New Multi-mission Sky Guardian UAS Is More Than a Strike Drone

The latest iteration of the Predator B UAS has a longer wingspan with greater endurance and payload capacity

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

U.S. Team Pushes Boundaries of VTOL Flight, Electric Propulsion

An Aurora Flight Sciences-led team plans to fly the XV-24A LightningStrike aircraft in late 2018.

Diamond Debuts New Multi-Purpose Surveillance Platform

The DA62 MPP has more cabin volume for surveillance than the existing DA42 MPP aircraft.

USAF Rethink Means Warthog Lives to Fight Another Day

Pentagon reverses A-10 retirement, but looks for new close air support platform.

Embraer’s KC-390 in Debut Public Demo Flight

Transport/Tanker on track for certification next year, with additional sales announcements planned by year’s end.

'Hypoxia-like' Events Stop F-35A Flights at Luke Air Force Base

The U.S. Air Force cancelled local flying operations of the F-35A variant of the fighter to investigate the root cause of incidents.

U.S. Military Places Order for More of BAE's Guidance Sections

The company announced a $180.5 million follow-on order from the Navy for its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.

Pentagon: China Is 'Closing the Gap' in Air Power with U.S.

New developments slowly erode the technical advantage the U.S. military enjoys, the Pentagon states in annual China report to Congress.

Through Upgrades, Boeing Envisions Longer Utility of the F-15

The U.S. Air Force plans to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle into the 2040s, but the F-15C/D air superiority fighter faces a shorter time horizon.

L-3 Wescam Offers Quick-fit ISR Consoles

Imagery from the company’s sensor and targeting turrets can be actioned onboard.

First Japanese-assembled F-35A Is Rolled Out

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is the key contractor, but is also leading Japan’s own stealth fighter development.

China Shows FTC-2000 Fighter-Trainer for Sudan

The MiG-21 derivative has been heavily modified.

Leonardo Continues Development of 'World-First' Radar Jammer

The UK Royal Air Force is now helping to fund the BriteCloud expendable active decoy for fighter aircraft.

Boeing Prepares To Begin CH-47F Chinook Block 2 Upgrade

The U.S. Army plans to upgrade 542 CH-47F and MH-47G helicopters, with deliveries starting in 2023.