Defense

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

Russian T-50 Makes Flight Test Progress

The third prototype of the Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter made a first flight on November 22

November 25, 2011

Hawker Beechcraft Protests Exclusion of AT-6 from U.S. Light Air Support Contest

The U.S. Air Force has apparently chosen the Embraer Super Tucano to meet the Light Air Support (LAS)

November 25, 2011

C-295s to Ghana, CN235s to Mexico, as Airbus Military Predicts Steady Demand for Light-Medium Transports

Airbus Military has delivered the first of four CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Mexico,

November 25, 2011

GA-ASI Lynx Radar Adapted for Maritime Surveillance from an Aerostat

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) of California belatedly revealed that its Lynx multimode radar

November 25, 2011

French Offer for Rafale Is Uncompetitive, Says Top UAE Official

UAE official declares French Rafale offer uncompetitive

November 18, 2011

French Air Force Chief: Tankers Soon, but Anglo-French UAV Much Later

The French Air Force will sign a contract for between five and seven A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports in 2013, with quick deliveries foreseen

November 18, 2011

Lockheed Martin Offers Bolt-on Multi-Mission Sensor System

Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems has unveiled a self-contained sensor pod that can be fitted easily to helicopters and airlifters to convert them

November 18, 2011

Alenia Delivers First M346 To Italy; Status of UAE Purchase Remains Unclear

The Italian Air Force accepted the first of six Alenia Aermacchi M346 advanced jet trainers. A second aircraft will follow shortly

November 18, 2011

Boeing Again Pushes P-8 as a JSTARS Replacement

Boeing has expanded on its proposal to replace the U.S. Air Force E-8 Joint STARS air-ground surveillance aircraft (AGS) with a version of the P-8 Poseidon

November 18, 2011

China-Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades

The JF-17 Thunder fighter is to receive improvements that will start being produced with the Block-2 version from next year.

November 14, 2011

Cassidian Fields a Pair of UAVs for ISR Roles

Cassidian is focusing on its unmanned air systems capability, as well as highlighting its security and communications activities in the Gulf region.

November 14, 2011

Fire Scout Proves Its Value in Middle East Warzones

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8 Fire Scout rotary-wing unmanned air vehicle is gearing up for a new at-sea deployment in January.

November 14, 2011

Tests Confirm JSOW Fits F-35 JSF

Raytheon has successfully completed fit-checks for the AGM-154C-1 Joint Standoff Weapon in the internal carriage bay of the Lockheed Martin F-35.

November 14, 2011

Lockheed Martin Extends Apache Helicopter's Capabilities

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is continuing to expand the capabilities of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter.

November 14, 2011

ELBAT Joint Venture Shows Range of Products at Dubai Air Show

At the Dubai Air Show, Elettronica is showing a range of the company’s products, including the ELT/572 directional infrared countermeasures set.

November 14, 2011

Quick-change Surveillance Sensor Fitted to Some U.S. Navy C-130s

A novel means of adding surveillance sensors to the C-130 quickly and with minimum modification is on display here at the Dubai Air Show.

November 14, 2011

Korea F-16 Radar RFP-issue Is Imminent

South Korea is expected to issue a request for proposals for an F-16 radar retrofit this week.

November 14, 2011

A400M Testing on Track, with First Deliveries Set for 2012

The A400M enters a new phase of turbulence, with Germany looking to slash its purchase to 40 from 53 and France looking to renegotiate a maintenance.

November 14, 2011

Eurofighter, Rafale or Neither for UAE?

Has the Eurofighter Typhoon really unseated Dassault’s Rafale as the UAE Air Force’s fighter-of-choice for a 60-plane order?

November 14, 2011

L-3 Spins SPYDR's Web at Dubai Air Show

The SPYDR aircraft here is similar to the MC-12W, but Smith claims that L-3 is unique in being both sensor and platform-agnostic.

November 14, 2011