Defense

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

Indonesian Air Force Review Clears AW101 Helicopter Purchase

In a break from the previous Indonesian policy, the service is looking beyond its traditional supplier, state-owned Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI)

February 24, 2017

Abu Dhabi IDEX Show Highlights Key UAE Developments

Surprise announcement of Russian/UAE fighter project; UAE may also acquire Su-35s, Russians say.

February 23, 2017

China’s FC-31 Fighter May Be Slated for Carrier Ops

A second prototype has flown, showing modifications. Meanwhile, export marketing continues.

February 23, 2017

Airbus Pleads for Relief as A400M Losses Mount

Company wants the European launch nations to reduce the penalties they are extracting for late deliveries and performance shortfalls.

February 22, 2017

Pakistan Orders Additional AW139 Helicopters from Leonardo

An unspecified number of AW139s will join an earlier batch ordered in August 2016.

February 21, 2017

‘Make In India’ Was the Key Focus of Aero India Show

From fighters to helicopters to AEW aircraft to missiles, foreign OEMs competed to meet India’s requirements.

February 20, 2017

Taiwan Confirms Indigenous Jet Trainer Development

The island republic will boost its local defense industry rather than buying M346s from Italy.

February 16, 2017

Austrian Government Files Deception Charges Over Eurofighter Deal

Airbus statement says the allegations over a 2003 sale are unfounded and without warning.

February 16, 2017

F-35 Chief, Boeing CEO Discussed Cost Savings with Trump

Conversations he had with the President influenced a January 26 Pentagon order to review the F-35 program, said Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan.

February 16, 2017

HAL Proposes an Indian Multirole Helicopter

The target is to replace Mil Mi-17s, but a new contract to upgrade those machines is also announced at the Aero India show.

February 16, 2017

BAE and HAL Debut Advanced Hawk at Aero India Show

BAE Systems and Hindustan Aeronautics have jointly funded a dual-role training/combat version of the evergreen jet trainer.

February 15, 2017

Leonardo Stays in the Running for U.S. Air Force T-X Program

Two weeks after ending its partnership with Raytheon, the Italian company will compete for the T-X program through its DRS subsidiary.

February 13, 2017

Bell V-280 Valor Prepping for Flight-test Program

Bell's next tiltrotor design is 93 percent done and conducting ground testing in preparation for first flight around September 2017.

February 10, 2017

Australian F-35s and EA-18 Growler To Appear at Avalon Airshow

The RAAF’s first two Lightning IIs will make a transpacific roundtrip; the air arm’s first Growler will also be there.

February 9, 2017

Ilyushin Unveils Il-38 ASW Upgrade for Russian Navy

The venerable equivalent of the US Navy’s P-3 Orion ASW aircraft is receiving a makeover that will keep it effective.

February 7, 2017

Royal Australian Navy Orders Unmanned Schiebel Camcopter

The service earlier evaluated the 243-pound helicopter for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as forward observer missions.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

February 6, 2017

Pentagon: Latest Contract Drops F-35A Cost Below $100 Million

President Donald Trump's intervention helped expedite negotiations for the latest F-35 production lot, Lockheed Martin acknowledged.

February 3, 2017

Northrop Grumman Drops From U.S. Air Force's T-X Competition

A week after Raytheon and Leonardo-Finmeccanica publicly withdrew, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems said they also will not compete for T-X.

February 1, 2017

Indian Navy Releases RFI for New Carrier-borne Fighter

Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet is the likely front-runner; the Navy is also talking E-2D Hawkeye AEW with the U.S.

January 31, 2017

Russia Introduces UB Version of 'Renewed MiG-35' Fighter

Manufacturing RAC MiG hosted military attaches from 30 countries for the public showing in Lukhovitsy, near Moscow.

January 31, 2017