All Defence articles
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News
Sierra 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.
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US 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.
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Sikorsky 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.
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In depth
Australia 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.
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Start-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.
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Airbus 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.
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China’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.
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BAE 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.
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Autonomous 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.
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US 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.
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NATO 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.
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Poland 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.
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Rear-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.
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Indonesia 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.
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Lockheed Martin expands industrial incentives for Philippines F-16 offer
The US fighter aircraft manufacturer is sweetening its offer to the Philippines, in an attempt to secure a contract covering dozens of new tactical jets.
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USMC Osprey performs first anti-submarine warfare mission
A US Marine Corps Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey has conducted anti-submarine warfare operations for the first time, deploying sonobuoys in cooperation with US Navy Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Piasecki plans new variant of Kargo logistics drone with expanded capacity
The new Kargo II represents a larger-capacity derivative of the original Kargo quadcopter that offers significantly expanded payload capacity and improved range in the same form factor.
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In depth
Airbus challenges claims that UH-72s are ill-suited for pilot training
Citing available features unused by the US Army and internal service policies, Airbus rejects that H145-derived UH-72 Lakotas cannot effectively or affordably serve as trainer helicopters.
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Kratos closing in on firm order for XQ-58 autonomous fighter with US Marine Corps
Defence manufacturer Kratos has revealed the US Marine Corps is closing in on a full acquisition programme for the company’s uncrewed XQ-58 jet aircraft.
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US Navy names new E-130J TACAMO aircraft ‘Phoenix II’
Based on the C-130J transport, the Phoenix II will replace the jet-powered E-6B Mercury fleet that allows for remote command of the US Navy’s submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles.