All Defence articles
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NewsUS government admits fault in deadly mid-air collision between airliner and army helicopter
The US government has formally admitted liability for the January 2025 collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ700 near Ronald Reagan Washington National airport that killed 67 people, citing multiple failures by military and civilian authorities.
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NewsSpain formalises 100-unit order with Airbus Helicopters, becomes H175M launch customer
Spain has formalised a huge order for 100 new military rotorcraft, contracting Airbus Helicopters for a previously approved deal which comprises 50 H145Ms, 31 NH Industries NH90s, 13 H135s, and 6 H175Ms.
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NewsRAAF C-130J fleet achieves FOC with Block 8.1 upgrade
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has achieved Final Operational Capability for its upgraded C-130J tactical transport fleet, with 12 aircraft brought to the Block 8.1 configuration under the AIR 5440 programme. The improvements enhance reliability and readiness ahead of new aircraft deliveries later this decade.
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NewsNew four-engined Chinese tactical transport spotted in flight
A new four-engined military transport aircraft, believed to be the AVIC Y-30, has been photographed in flight over China, revealing design characteristics that appear partially influenced by the Airbus A400M.
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NewsRolls-Royce begins testing AE 1107F engine for US Army’s new MV-75 tiltrotor
The engine manufacturer has initiated testing of the new turboshaft in Indianapolis, with the new AE 1107F variant sharing 80% commonality with the existing AE 1107C that powers the V-22 Osprey.
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NewsLockheed unveils first F-35A stealth fighter bound for Finland
Lockheed Martin has displayed the first F-35A Lightning II destined for Finland at its Fort Worth facility, marking a milestone for the Nordic nation’s 64-aircraft programme to replace its Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
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NewseVTOL developer Archer sets up UK subsidiary to target defence market
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) developer Archer Aviation is setting up a UK subsidiary and engineering hub in southwest England to target the country’s defence market.
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AnalysisChina reveals first flight of stealthy CH-7 UAV for long-range targeting mission
The tailless uncrewed jet contains several features associated with low-observable aircraft and is believed to play a role in the development of kill chains for the Chinese military.
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NewsGermany speeds NH90 Sea Tiger deliveries as first ASW helicopter arrives at Nordholz home
Having received its first example, Germany is accelerating the delivery of its navy’s new NH Industries NH90 Sea Tiger fleet, to ensure it can field helicopters equipped with Software Release 3-standard upgrades by 2029.
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In depthMaterial failure involved in more than half of serious Osprey safety incidents since 2021
A multi-year review conducted the US military’s airworthiness authority for the V-22 tiltrotor found that out of 12 Class A mishaps in recent years, seven featured material failure as a causal or contributing factor.
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NewsCanada picks Global 6500 for six-unit RCAF buy
Bombardier is to supply six Global 6500 business jets to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under a C$753 million ($546 million) contract.
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NewsUK takes latest Jupiter HC2 pair ahead of Brunei and Cyprus deployments
Airbus Helicopters has handed over another pair of H145-based Jupiter HC2 utility rotorcraft to the UK armed forces ahead of their deployment ‘in-theatre’ early next year.
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NewsChina completes first flight of Jetank ‘swarm carrier’ drone
China’s state-owned AVIC has completed the first flight of its Jetank drone swarm carrier, designed to deploy dozens of smaller uncrewed aircraft from an internal hive module.
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NewsSwitzerland to trim F-35A purchase, with cost rises leaving 36-unit buy ‘not financially feasible’
Switzerland’s acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters will fall short of its contracted 36 examples due to budget limitations, the nation’s Federal Council has announced.
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NewsGermany firms 20 H145M LKH options, taking total commitment to 82 helicopters
Germany has exercised options for 20 Airbus Helicopters H145Ms, adding to the 62 examples of the light-twin it ordered in December 2023.
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NewsJetBlue A320 crew startled by encounter with ‘unseen’ military tanker north of Venezuela
A JetBlue Airbus A320 crew reported a close encounter with a US Air Force tanker aircraft operating without an active transponder during climb-out from Curacao on 12 December, forcing the commercial flight to halt its ascent.
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In depthT-38C phase out begins as USAF flight school receives first T-7A trainer
The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
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NewsUS Air Force begins testing new radar for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force has begun evaluating a new active electronically scanned array radar system for its B-52H bomber fleet, with testing now underway at Edwards AFB following delivery of the first modified aircraft from Boeing’s San Antonio facility.
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NewsBeehive Industries planning flight trials for Frenzy turbojet in early 2026
US propulsion start-up Beehive Industries has completed high-altitude testing of its developmental Frenzy turbojet and plans to begin flight trials in the first quarter of 2026.
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NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.