Defense

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

U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman Near Delivery of Baseline Triton

The Navy's baseline MQ-4C Triton was supposed to come with sense-and-avoid radar, but that capability has been postponed to a 2024 upgrade.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Russia To Ramp-Up Production of Sukhoi Su-34

As the twinjet strike aircraft begins replacing Su-24s, new precision-guided weapons are being added

Airbus Helicopters Signs New Agreement in Indonesia

Local partner PTDI – currently completing Cougars, Fennecs and Panthers – will be helped to develop support and MRO services.

U.S. Navy Pauses T-45 Operations Over Oxygen System Issue

The three-day T-45C grounding comes as the Navy copes with increasing rates of physiological episodes in Hornets, Super Hornets and Growlers.

Boeing Pitches Super Hornet Block III at Navy League Event

The upgraded F/A-18E/F multirole fighter would ably complement the F-35C Lightning II in carrier air wings into the 2030s, Boeing says.

Vietnam's Air Force Shops for New Trainer Jet

The nation reportedly favors the Yak-130, since it can simulate the Su-30 fighters already in service

U.S. Marine Corps' CH-53K King Stallion Nears Production

Program leaders awaited the go-ahead to begin low-rate initial production of the estimated $26 billion acquisition from the Pentagon.

General Atomics, Dynetics Advance 'Gremlins' UAS Concepts

Under the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program, the companies will advance their concepts to preliminary design stage.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

LIMA Show Reveals Malaysian Indecision Over Military Needs

Various requirements for new fighters and helicopters remain unfulfilled, with only A400M airlifters delivered.

Leonardo Names Alabama Site for Assembling T-100 Jets

The Italian manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiary DRS Technologies are competing for the U.S. Air Force's T-X training jet requirement.

Aging Black Hawk Helicopters are Brought Into the Digital Age with All New Avionics

Aging Black Hawk Helicopters are Brought Into the Digital Age with All New Avionics

Trump Taps Navy Admiral To Lead F-35 Joint Program Office

Rear Adm. Mathias Winter, who previously served as chief of naval research, will succeed Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan.

Malaysia Again Says It Will Boost Maritime Surveillance

The country is under-invested in aircraft to patrol its troubled waters.

Myanmar MiG-29 Upgrade Revealed: Will Malaysia Follow?

Low-cost mods retain the fighter’s original radar, but offer airframe lifetime extensions.

Apache Multi-year Contract Saves $330 Million, Boeing Says

The manufacturer will provide 244 remanufactured AH-64Es to the U.S. Army over five years, and 24 new-build E-models to Saudi Arabia.

Malaysian Hawks To Be Upgraded

The single-seat Mk208 light attack version will be renewed by BAE Systems in partnership with Airod.

Singapore Reveals Modifications to IAI Heron Systems

The MALE UAV has achieved full operating capability after local enhancements to communications and training systems.

Modernized Ka-27M Helicopters Join the Russian Navy

New radars, avionics and communication systems are being added to the veteran ASW machines.

Lockheed Martin Says It Can Deliver T-50A Early If Needed

If the U.S. Air Force asks, the manufacturer contends it can begin deliveries in 2022, two years before planned initial operational capability.

Reprieve Likely for U-2 Dragon Lady

The U.S. Air Force will postpone plans to retire the high-flying recce jet in 2019-20.