Defense

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

Russia’s Carrier Operations Start with Mishaps

MiG-29K and Su-33 jets are lost, and Su-33s flew the initial strikes on Syria, contrary to expectations.

December 5, 2016

FLIR Acquires Maker of 'Black Hornet' Mini Surveillance Drone

The sensor manufacturer plans to improve the range, performance and cost of the pocket-sized surveillance system the British military uses.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

December 5, 2016

Darpa, Northrop Grumman Advance 'Tern' Naval Drone

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently instructed Northrop Grumman to build a second test vehicle.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

December 2, 2016

Saab Postpones Gripen E First Flight—for Good Reason

The company claims that pre-qualifying software to a very high standard will save time and money later on.

November 30, 2016

General Atomics Completes First Flight of 'Certifiable' Predator B

The manufacturer plans to begin delivering the MQ-9 Reaper variant to the UK Royal Air Force in late 2018.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

November 30, 2016

India’s Light Combat Aircraft Advances with New Order

A Mk 1A version will feature improvements, but the extent of indigenous versus foreign radar content remains unclear.

November 30, 2016

Lockheed Martin Lands Upgrade Contract for South Korea F-16s

The manufacturer will upgrade 134 Republic of Korea Air Force F-16s to the F-16V configuration.

November 29, 2016

Raytheon Pushes Tri-missile A2/AD Concept

Company modeling says that fourth-gen strike aircraft can survive formidable air defenses

November 29, 2016

China Carefully Controls the Zhuhai Show Displays

The J-20 stealth fighter made only a fleeting appearance, while a new airlifter, attack helicopter and AWACS were fully shown.

November 23, 2016

UK Will Pay $1 Billion To Bolster Reaper UAV Fleet

The Royal Air Force is planning to increase its MALE UAV capability, by acquiring Certifiable Predator Bs.

November 22, 2016

New Zealand Outlines Airlift, Maritime Patrol Aircraft Needs

The country’s C-130, B757 and P-3 fleets will need to replaced in the next decade.

November 22, 2016

Gulf Fighter Deals Will Be Worth $30 Billion-plus to U.S. Industry

A bonanza for Boeing and subcontractors as the sale of 72 F-15s to Qatar and 40 F-18s to Kuwait is notified.

November 21, 2016

Trump Will Take a Tougher Line With Adversaries, Senator Says

U.S. senator and war veteran Cotton is among names the president-elect was considering to head the Pentagon.

Regulations and Government

November 18, 2016

Maintainers Fix F-22 Weapons System Issue, Air Force Says

The unspecified 'in-flight weapons system maintenance issue' on one F-22 affected its radar cross section.

November 17, 2016

China’s Fighter Export Prospects Remain Uncertain

The FC-31 was a no-show at Zhuhai, and Pakistani officials dampened speculation about a buy.

November 16, 2016

Details Emerge on UK’s Tornado-Typhoon Capability Transition

But the vital RAPTOR reconnaissance pod cannot be transferred from the retiring jets.

November 14, 2016

Singapore Chooses H225M and Chinook for Air Force

The aircraft will replace the service's fleet of aging Super Pumas.

November 14, 2016

General Atomics Predator C Avenger ER Makes First Flight

The extended-wing variant of the jet-powered Avenger increases endurance to 20 hours, the manufacturer says.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

November 11, 2016

Pentagon Assigns First F-35 Component Repair Facilities

The initial assignments cover 8 percent of the repairable work the Department of Defense plans to make available outside of the U.S.

Maintenance and Modifications

November 8, 2016

Russian Amphibious Jet Gets Update and Chinese Order

Production of the Beriev Be-200 has been resumed with improvements, leading to new interest, says maker.

November 7, 2016