Defense

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

Israeli Company Touts Surveillance Solutions

Bird Aerosystems has installed various sensors and displays on Cessna Citation jets and Bell 407 helicopters for Mexico

Hongdu Aviation Rolls Out L-15B Attack Variant of Jet Trainer

The AVIC company rolled out the J-15B during a televised Labor Day celebration program in China.

Boeing P-8 Poseidon in the Mix for New Zealand Requirement

The U.S. State Department has approved the possible foreign military sale of four P-8As to replace New Zealand's P-3 Orions.

U.S. Air Force, Navy Approve Latest F-35 Logistics Software

The Autonomic Logistics Information System Version 2.0.2 software update was originally planned for completion last summer.

Maintenance and Modifications

MBDA Gears Up Production of New Air Defense Missile

The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) will defend British warships and troops

China Launches New Aircraft Carrier

New versions of the country’s carrier-capable J-15 fighter could equip the new vessel.

Russia and India Test Hypersonic and Supersonic Missiles

New developments such as the Zircon and Brahmos pose new threats to large warships.

GAO, F-35 Program Differ on Completing Development Phase

The Government Accountability Office estimates that F-35 baseline software testing will continue to May 2018 for an additional $1.7 billion.

U.S. Navy Orders 30-Day Review of T-45, F/A-18 Incidents

The action follows the temporary grounding earlier this month of T-45C Goshawk jets the service uses for pilot training.

Iran Shows ‘Stealth’ Fighter, Jet Trainer and Missiles

The Qahar fighter was taxied, but has not yet flown. The Kowsar trainer was on static display. The missiles have been fired.

Northrop Grumman Officially Opens North Dakota UAS Facility

The Global Hawk manufacturer is one of two anchor tenants at the Grand Sky unmanned aircraft systems business park with General Atomics.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Iran Shows Off Home-Grown ‘Stealth’ Fighter Developed Despite Sanctions

Iran Shows Off Home-Grown ‘Stealth’ Fighter Developed Despite Sanctions

U.S. Navy Awards Contracts to Refine MQ-25 Stingray Designs

Manufacturers vying to provide the Navy's new carrier-launched unmanned refueling aircraft expect a request for proposals this summer.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

U.S. Air Force Certifies Structural Modifications of F-16 Fighter

The Air Force authorized F-16 Block 40-52 flight operations to 12,000 hours, potentially extending the fighter's service life into the 2040s.

Russia Drops Plans for a Strategic Air Tanker

Rather than convert some Il-96 freighters, the air force will rely on smaller new and existing Il-78s.

Israel Secures Huge Missile Contracts in India

After a joint development, IAI will supply new surface-to-air missile systems to the Indian Army and Navy worth $2 billion.

U.S. Drops 'Mother of All Bombs' on ISIS Tunnel Complex

The Air Force Research Laboratory developed the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast conventional bomb in 2003 but it was never used.

Saudi Arabia Buying and Building Chinese Armed Drones

Big new deals follow previous imports by the Kingdom; other countries also buying Chinese UCAVs to avoid Western export restrictions.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

FAA, Pentagon Prohibit Drone Flights Over U.S. Military Sites

The FAA action to prevent drone flights over 133 military facilities is the first time it has instituded drone-specific airspace restrictions.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Flat LAAD Show Reflects Brazil's Economic and Political Woes

The Latin American Aerospace and Defense (LAAD) event was affected by the region’s economic problems.