Asia Aerospace & Defense EN

A recent trip by Moscow’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin to GosMKB Vympel—a visit that marked the state-owned company’s 70th anniversary—served as a prime opportunity to open the doors of its facility and display a number of interesting missiles, including the R-77 (AA-12 Archer), which it manufactures on site.

The KF-X has cleared its critical design review. A radar technology demonstrator has flown.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has assembled the second stage of the first H3 medium-lift space launcher.

The U.S. has approved a possible sale to South Korea of AIM-120D Amraams, foreshadowing introduction into Asia of the latest standard of the Raytheon air-to-air missile.

A cruise missile featured in China’s Oct. 1 National Day parade appears to be designed for high-supersonic flight.

Lockheed Martin expects South Korea to order another batch of PAC-3 MSE surface-to-air missiles within two years, adding to 64 that the country decided to buy in 2018.

Avic is emphasizing the adaptability of the Z-20 utility military helicopter, as the Chinese army presents the type for close inspection for the first time.

A crude plastic mockup of an improbable doughnut-shaped military helicopter was displayed at the China Helicopter Expo, held here Oct. 10-14.

Avic’s project to produce the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter should soon be ready to present to the state group’s head office for launch approval, an industry source said.

Technology acquisition for a future Taiwanese fighter is at a very preliminary stage. Propulsion and electronic systems are seen as main areas of difficulty.

The DF-17 has much the same configuration as the DARPA Falcon HTV-2. Its gliding vehicle should extend range and challenge defenses with maneuvers.