All Defence articles
-
Analysis
USAF awards Sierra Nevada contract for replacement ‘Doomsday’ aircraft
Officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the new aircraft will replace the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch jet capable of commanding the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
-
Analysis
US Army still sees need for long-range airborne troop carrier in future conflict
Although battlefield observations from the Ukraine War led the army to cancel its next-generation armed scout helicopter, the service’s senior aviation leaders say they still see a need for Bell’s V-280 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in future conflicts.
-
News
Sikorsky VH-92As still not carrying the US president, 21 years after replacement effort began
Last June during a business event in Connecticut, Sikorsky president Paul Lemmo said the company’s VH-92A Patriot helicopter would take over presidential transport missions flown by VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters “completely” by this spring. That still has not happened.
-
Analysis
Revelations provide more questions than answers about Chinese bombers
The Xian H-6 and H-20 bombers have made headlines of late, but China’s efforts to build its long-range strike capabilities remain shrouded in mystery.
-
News
Griffon and Textron advance to flight stage in competition to replace RQ-7B Shadow
The US Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System programme aims to deliver a vertical take-off and landing-capable aircraft that will replace the Textron RQ-7B Shadow and improve the ability of ground troops to collect and report intelligence.
-
Analysis
Sikorsky powers up Raider X prototype but has no plans to fly
The Raider X prototype, built for the US Army’s now-cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft programme, features the new GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engine that will eventually be fitted into the army’s UH-60 Black Hawk fleet.
-
Analysis
Boeing eyes secondary market for older CH-47s
Following the US Army’s decision to modernise its fleet of heavy-lift rotorcraft with Boeing’s latest Block II Chinook, the company sees an opportunity to develop a secondary market for older Block I CH-47Fs, particularly among international operators.
-
News
AW101 gains more take-off power after upgrade is approved
Leonardo Helicopters has obtained regulatory clearance for an upgrade to its AW101 that gives more power at take-off.
-
News
Mothballed UK H135s arrive in Australia under five-year lease deal
A batch of five Airbus Helicopters H135s acquired by the UK and then immediately mothballed have arrived at their new home in Australia.
-
News
Anduril and General Atomics advance in USAF autonomous fighter programme
Two manufacturers have been selected by the US Air Force to advance in the competition to develop an autonomous fighter aircraft.
-
News
Electra and US Navy to explore cargo missions with eSTOL aircraft
Electra has been contracted by the US Navy (USN) to explore the use of its hybrid-electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft for logistics missions in contested environments.
-
News
General Atomics testing gun pod for uncrewed aircraft
The manufacturer of uncrewed aerial vehicles is partnering with armaments producer Dillon Aero to adapt the DAP-6 gun pod for use on several General Atomics platforms.
-
News
NASA prepares to retire DC-8 airborne laboratory
Described by the American space agency as the “largest flying science laboratory in the world”, the modified DC-8 airliner was in service with NASA for 37 years, supporting a wide range of scientific missions with a configurable sensor package.
-
News
Textron Aviation Defense and Leonardo tout M-346 as ‘low-drama’ solution for US Navy UJTS bid
Textron Aviation Defense and partner Leonardo believe their offer of the latter’s M-346 Master and integrated training system will offer the US Navy a proven, low-risk solution as the service gears up to replace its aged fleet of Boeing T-45 Goshawk jet trainers.
-
News
Japan searches for missing crew after two SH-60Ks lost in night ASW exercise
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force rotorcraft were carrying eight personnel when the collision happened near the Izu Islands, located to the southeast of Japan in in the Pacific Ocean, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
-
News
USAF launches show of force with 12 B-2 sortie
The flight, which incorporated nearly two-thirds of the stealth bomber fleet, was part of annual drills meant to test the US Air Force’s ability to generate sorties with Washington’s only nuclear-capable bomber capable of penetrating modern air defences.
-
News
US Navy considering adding Sierra Nevada to Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS
The US Navy (USN) has been in discussions with Sierra Nevada about adding the company to the service’s Blue Water Maritime Logistics Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) programme.
-
News
Hanwha breaks ground on F414 engine production facility
Hanwha Aerospace has broken ground on a new facility to licence-build the GE Aerospace F414 engine for the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter.
-
News
Australian F/A-18Fs to operate out to 2040, receive hypersonic weapons
Australia will extend the service life of its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers to 2040, observing that the two types complement the country’s Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters and other assets.
-
News
US Army entertains short take-off and landing capabilities of Electra’s aircraft
The US Army is exploring potential use of Electra’s hybrid-electric short take-off and landing aircraft (eSTOL) aircraft for logistics in contested environments.