Defense

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

Aurora Submits Orion Drone for World Endurance Record

Aurora Flight Sciences said its Orion unmanned aircraft system flew for 80 hours during a flight in December.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

January 23, 2015

NH-90 Maker Reports Good Feedback; Describes Support Efforts

NH Industries hopes to improve availability and encourage joint customer funding of future upgrades.

January 22, 2015

Big Air Effort for Small Reward Over Iraq, Syria

Strict rules of engagement and scarce targets, result in most combat aircraft sorties returning with weapons unexpended

January 22, 2015

U.S. Military: F-35 Makes Progress Toward Initial Capability

Senior U.S. military officers said the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program remains on track to meet upcoming initial operational capability dates.

January 21, 2015

Japan Plans To Acquire Global Hawks, Adding to Asia's Fleet

Japan will join South Korea as an operator of the RQ-4 Global Hawk in the Asia Pacific region.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

January 20, 2015

Korea Awaits New F-16 Upgrade Offer

BAE Systems may not bid on other international F-16 upgrade programs after set-back over South Korean fighter choice

January 19, 2015

Peru’s Re-Order Takes C-27J Sales Total to 80

Sales of Alenia’s Twin-Turboprop Airlifter Continue at a Moderate Pace

January 16, 2015

Textron AirLand Reports Scorpion Progress, Changes

Flight testing of the private-venture combat jet continues, and a second prototype is planned

January 15, 2015

U.S. Air Force Takes Steps To Relieve, Retain UAV Pilots

The U.S. Air Force is taking steps to relieve “strain” on its remotely piloted aircraft pilots

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

January 15, 2015

Military UAV Manufacturers Announce Flight-time Milestones

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and variants of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk recently achieved flight-time milestones.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

January 14, 2015

Pentagon Consolidates European Facilities, Names UK Base for F-35

Lakenheath will be the first permanent European base for the F-35, but the Air Force will leave nearby Mildenhall

January 12, 2015

Growler, A-10, U-2 Win Reprieves in U.S. Legislation for 2015

The Fiscal Year 2015 defense appropriations bill provides funding for 15 more Boeing EA-18G Growlers.

January 8, 2015

Discovery Air Expands Fast Jet Training Offer

Canadian company is flying Alpha Jets and A-4Ns, with F-16s to come, on cost-saving contracts for the Canadian and German armed forces.

January 8, 2015

Scotty Describes Latest low-cost Airborne Satcom Systems

Austrian company is tapping L-band satellites for flexible transmission of high-definition surveillance video

January 7, 2015

Boeing Develops EC135 Training for Australia

The $500 million deal covers helicopters, sims and a sea-going training vessel.

Training and Workforce

January 6, 2015

Venerable C-1s and A-4s Being Upgraded for Brazilian Carrier

Elbit Systems’ U.S. subsidiary and Embraer are doing the work.

January 5, 2015

U.S. Military Aircraft Sales Flat in 2014, Missile Sales Down

U.S. sales of military aircraft remained flat in 2014, according to the Aerospace Industries Association.

December 31, 2014

Only Three Nations are Takers for Joint European Tanker Fleet

The Netherlands, Norway and Poland will collectively acquire and operate A330MRTTs

December 30, 2014

Boeing Completes First Flight of 767-2C Tanker Prototype

Boeing announced the first flight of a 767-2C "provisioned freighter" that will become one of the first U.S. Air Force KC-46A refueling tankers.

December 29, 2014

Singapore, Malaysia are Buying Aerostats for Surveillance

Aerostat manufacturer TCOM suggests the market is growing at the expense of other airborne solutions.

December 26, 2014