All Defence articles – Page 12
-
AnalysisUS Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter
Although its future remains a subject of budgetary debate in Washington, the US Navy’s top aviator says the service still plans to field a purpose-built carrier-based sixth-generation jet to replace its fourth-generation strike fighters.
-
NewsUS Navy to fly MQ-25 from aircraft carrier in 2026
Deployment of the autonomous tanker will free up Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from acting as ad hoc refuellers, increasing the combat power of the navy’s carrier air wings.
-
NewsTrump Administration suggests partial government ownership of key defence companies
One day after the Trump Administration announced it was taking a 10% stake in struggling chip manufacturer Intel, the US commerce secretary opened the door to similar action in the defence industry, describing Lockheed Martin as already being ”basically an arm of the US government”.
-
NewsContaminated hydraulic fluid caused Alaska F-35A crash
A US Air Force investigation has determined that water-contaminated hydraulic fluid froze in extreme cold conditions, causing an F-35A to become uncontrollable before crashing in Alaska.
-
NewsPentagon seeks small UAS to replicate Iran’s Shahed kamikaze drone
The US military is seeking options from industry for a small, radio-controlled uncrewed aircraft that replicates characteristics of the Iranian-made Shahed-136 one-way UAS.
-
NewsThailand finalises deal for four Gripen E/F fighters
Swedish manufacturer Saab has secured a SKr 5.3 billion contract with Thailand for four next-generation Gripen fighters, marking Bangkok’s commitment to expand its fleet of the Swedish-built combat aircraft.
-
NewsSierra Nevada jumps into US Navy trainer replacement effort
Best known as a military systems integrator, Sierra Nevada has unveiled what it calls a purpose-built, clean-sheet design aircraft to compete for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System.
-
NewsUS Air Force seeking ideas for its next-generation tanker
The US Air Force has issued a fresh request for information to industry partners regarding its Next Generation Air-refueling System, specifically addressing airframe concepts for the future tanker fleet.
-
NewsSikorsky to upgrade US Army Black Hawks for UAS integration
Rotorcraft manufacturer receives funding to enhance UH-60M airframes with capabilities supporting unmanned aerial systems integration by 2026.
-
In depthAustralia nears completion of MQ-4C maritime patrol fleet
After delivering the second and third examples, Northrop Grumman is working on a fourth MQ-4C Triton for Australia, which will complete Canberra’s fleet of the long-range, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft.
-
NewsStart-up Grid Aero unveils plans for unmanned cargo aircraft
The US-based company has emerged from secrecy to announce plans for developing an autonomous air cargo network, with an initial aircraft design called the Lifter Lite intended to be a long-range, high-payload, ultra-low-cost transport drone.
-
NewsAirbus completes first autonomous H145 flight using Shield AI’s Hivemind
The test flight was supporting the airframer’s effort to convert the H145-based UH-72B crewed helicopter into an unmanned, autonomous logistics rotorcraft for the US Marine Corps.
-
NewsChina’s AVIC testing new tiltrotor aircraft
Images have emerged of a new Chinese tiltrotor aircraft undergoing flight testing, featuring a fixed-engine design similar to the US Army’s FLRAA programme.
-
NewsBAE Systems and partners ready RJ100 regional jet for Typhoon ECRS Mk2 flight tests
BAE Systems and partner Qinetiq are gearing up to begin transformation of an Avro RJ100 regional jet into a flight-test asset for trials of the ECRS Mk2 radar under development by Leonardo UK for Royal Air Force-operated Eurofighter Typhoons.
-
NewsAutonomous aviation developer Merlin to go public via SPAC offering
Amid surging interest in autonomous aviation for military applications, Merlin will become a publicly traded company using the unconventional method known as a special purpose acquisition company listing.
-
NewsUS Air Force to add Red 6 augmented reality tech into F-16 cockpits
The helmet-mounted projection technology could allow pilots to practise skills like within-visual-range combat, without the need for costly aggressor aircraft.
-
NewsNATO re-evaluating E-7 acquisition amid uncertain US plans
With the Pentagon publicly seeking to end the US Air Force’s nascent E-7 procurement programme, NATO headquarters is now reconsidering its plans the field the Boeing airborne early warning and control platform.
-
NewsPoland reaches $3.8 billion agreement to modernise F-16 fleet
The deal with Lockheed Martin will see Poland’s 48 F-16Cs from the Block 52+ standard to the latest F-16V Block configuration, which is equivalent to the new-build Block 70/72 aircraft.
-
NewsRear-seat passenger accidentally ejects from US F-15D during taxi
The passenger was reportedly a non-pilot member of the US Air National Guard who accidentally engaged the ejection sequence of the two-seat F-15 variant while the jet was taxiing.
-
NewsIndonesia reveals first Rafale fighter as crews train in France
The Indonesian air force has released the first images of its new Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter, showing a two-seat Rafale B in light grey camouflage, as crews undergo training in France.