All articles by Craig Hoyle – Page 38
-
News2Excel to disband The Blades aerobatic display team
The UK’s 2Excel Aviation has called time on its aerobatic display team The Blades, citing factors such as global economic pressures and the reduced number of domestic air shows for creating “an unsustainable business model”.
-
NewsNew signals intelligence role planned for Dutch Reapers
The Netherlands could acquire three signals intelligence-gathering pods for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted air vehicles.
-
NewsAirbus nears C295 maritime patrol deal with Spain
Airbus Defence & Space expects Spain to sign a contract this year to acquire C295 twin-turboprops adapted for maritime patrol duties, after the nation’s air force recently retired its last long-serving Lockheed P-3 Orion.
-
NewsUkrainian interior ministry leadership killed in H225 crash
At least 16 people were killed when a Ukrainian interior ministry-operated Airbus Helicopters H225 transport crashed near Kyiv on 18 January.
-
NewsFrench air force to take 13 Rafales this year, as next order nears
The French air force should receive 13 new Dassault Rafales during 2023, with Paris also expected to this year sign a production contract for its final tranche of the multirole combat aircraft.
-
NewsAvionics upgrade to keep French air force CN235s flying until 2040
Paris is to fund a cockpit modernisation programme for the French air force’s Airbus Defence & Space CN235 medium transport fleet, with the activity to enable the twin-turboprops to remain in operational use until 2040.
-
NewsBritish Army units to field Elbit’s Magni-X micro air vehicle by mid-year
The UK Ministry of Defence has contracted Elbit Systems UK to equip the British Army with Magni-X micro-uncrewed aerial systems from later this year.
-
NewsDassault resumes Rafale deliveries to French air force
Dassault has delivered the first new Rafale to its domestic customer since 2018, with the transfer of a B-model fighter to the French air force.
-
NewsAirbus readies high-flying Zephyr for 2024 service launch
Airbus will begin taking customer commitments for its Zephyr high-altitude platform station this year, with the production aircraft’s entry into service being targeted by the end of 2024.
-
AnalysisRomania picks Watchkeeper X for tactical UAV need
Romania is to acquire Watchkeeper X tactical unmanned air systems for its army via Elbit Systems, under a deal worth around $410 million.
-
NewsNew technology additions will keep A330 MRTT ahead of the competition: Airbus
Airbus Defence & Space is furthering its pursuit of new technologies for use with the A330 multi-role tanker transport, as it eyes major additional sales opportunities for the type.
-
NewsBrazil puts Gripen E into operational service
Saab’s new-generation Gripen E has entered frontline service with launch operator the Brazilian air force.
-
NewsEurope’s FCAS momentum takes off with Phase 1B contract award
The French, German and Spanish governments have launched the €3.2 billion ($3.4 billion) next phase of their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme.
-
NewsSpain picks MBDA’s Brimstone missile for Eurofighter fleet
Spain has picked MBDA’s Brimstone air-to-surface missile to bolster the ground-attack capabilities of its Eurofighter fleet, with a contract yet to be finalised for the weapon’s purchase and integration.
-
NewsIndonesia finalises order for A400M airlifters
Airbus Defence & Space’s A400M export deal with Indonesia – first disclosed in November 2021 – has been finalised, according to the company’s head of military aircraft, Jean-Brice Dumont. “I am pleased to announce that this contract has entered into force, which means that in programme terms T0 has been ...
-
NewsItaly, Japan and UK confirm joint GCAP fighter development pact
Italy, Japan and the UK have agreed to jointly develop a future fighter, with the nations to advance the effort via a trilateral Global Combat Air Programme activity.
-
NewsMilitary certification approval clears Gripen E for operational debut
Saab has secured a Military Restricted Type Certificate for its Gripen E from the Swedish and Brazilian authorities, clearing the way for the type to enter operational use.
-
NewsUK Royal Navy reviewing specifications for struggling Crowsnest AEW system
The UK Royal Navy is reviewing its required capabilities for the Crowsnest airborne early warning and control system, after experiencing early shortcomings with the technology.
-
NewsA400M on track to assume UK special forces support role, Airbus says
Airbus Defence & Space is making good progress against an accelerated capability development plan for the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) A400M Atlas fleet, a senior company official says.
-
NewsUK Wedgetail AEW delivery schedule slips to 2024
The UK will face a longer than expected operational gap until the reintroduction of a dedicated fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft capability, with prime contractor Boeing Defence UK confirming a slip to the delivery schedule for its E-7A Wedgetail programme.



















