Defense

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

Fourth and Final Aircraft Joins KC-46A Flight Test Program

The 767-2C baseline tanker will be used for environmental control system and smoke penetration testing, Boeing said.

Japan’s Own Fifth-Gen Fighter Makes First Flight

The Mitsubishi X-2 made a short test hop to reposition at Gifu airbase for further flights.

Boeing Secures More AH-64E Apache Upgrades

The almost completely remanufactured attack helicopter has gained another U.S. Army order, with the UK due to confirm soon.

Thales Sells Fulmar Mini-UAV System To Malaysia

It will fly from six new patrol vessels being built for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

GAO Questions Deployability, Redundancy of F-35 ALIS System

The Autonomic Logistics Information System may not be fully ready as the F-35 reaches key milestones, says the Government Accountability Office.

C-27J Spartan Military Airlifter to Deploy with Royal Australian Air Force

C-27J Spartan Military Airlifter to Deploy with Royal Australian Air Force

Singapore Close To Super Puma Replacement Choice

The island nation is evaluating new medium lift helicopters, and also planning to replace some older CH-47 Chinooks.

Yak-130 Sales Mount as Russia Orders More

The advanced trainer has also been exported to Algeria, Bangladesh and Belarus, and Syria remains a possibility.

U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $1 Billion To Build Jammer Models

Raytheon will build 15 engineering development models and 14 mechanical test pods of the Next Generation Jammer, its new electronic warfare pod.

U.S. Investments in Afghanistan Present a Muddled Picture

The Pentagon and the Drug Enforcement Administration spent $86 million over seven years to modify a counternarcotics plane that hasn't flown.

Regulations and Government

Boeing Faces 'Challenging Road' to Delivering KC-46A Tanker

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have revised the KC-46A program schedule to extend developmental flight testing, compress deliveries.

India Is Out, But Russia Continues Developing Il-214 Transport

The first prototype of the Il-214 medium transport should be completed 'around 2020,' according to the Ilyushin design house.

Veteran Boeing B-52 Bomber Joins the Fight Against ISIS

Veteran Boeing B-52 Bomber Joins the Fight Against ISIS

B-52 Arrives in Qatar; Supports Campaign Against Islamic State

The heavy bomber will be based in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for the first time since 1991.

World Military Spending Inches Up; Top Spenders Trade Places

Saudi Arabia overtook Russia as the third largest spender on military activities and equipment in 2015, following the U.S. and China.

Regulations and Government

See How the Bell V-280 Valor Tilt-rotor Touchscreen Cockpit Works

See How the Bell V-280 Valor Tilt-rotor Touchscreen Cockpit Works

France Settles on Sagem Patroller as its New Tactical Drone

Following a competition that also involved the Thales Watchkeeper system, the Patroller will replace the French army's current Sperwer drone.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Russian Kamov Ka-52 'Alligator' Sees Combat Debut in Syria

Russia started using both the Ka-52 and the Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters in its campaign to bolster the Syrian Arab Army.

Eurofighter Concludes Deal To Supply 28 Typhoons to Kuwait

The estimated €8 billion transaction follows an intergovernmental agreement reached between Italy and Kuwait in September.

U.S. Air Force, UAS Park Sign Joint-Use Agreement for Runway

The Grand Sky unmanned aircraft business park in North Dakota expects tenant General Atomics will begin training UAS pilots this summer.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles