Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Tony Osborne
Kuwait has selected the Eurofighter Typhoon as the country’s next generation fighter, marking the first success of the aircraft in open competition.
Defense and Space

The lack of an official retirement date for the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C is perhaps the strongest indication of a bright future for the platform.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
The U.K. defense ministry has denied that it is close to a deal to purchase a trio of Airbus Zephyr 8 pseudo-satellite UAVs.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
AgustaWestland will soon deliver the first of seven marinized EH101 Merlin transport helicopters to the Royal Navy, the company has confirmed.
Defense and Space

By Bradley Perrett
A program to extensively modernize the radar, command and surface-to-air missile systems of Australia’s Anzac Class frigates is running on schedule and on budget, BAE Systems says.
Defense and Space

INMARSAT and AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA finished safety evaluation of satellite-based oceanic flight-tracking system on commercial flights by Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia. SIERRA NEVADA CORP. launched program to work with spaceports/commercial airports to designate them preferred landing sites for company’s Dream Chaser spacecraft.
Defense and Space

​ Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) is concerned that a new Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS Case 2013-D034) proposed by the Pentagon could hamper participation by cutting-edge commercial firms. The regulation “sends a signal that DOD has little interest in realistic commercial acquisition practices and will continue to operate under its archaic, defense-unique, cost-based oversight system,” McCain wrote Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Defense and Space

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Defense and Space

By Guy Norris
United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Blue Origin have signed a production agreement for the liquid oxygen/liquefied natural gas (LNG) BE-4 rocket engine for the Vulcan launch vehicle.
Defense and Space

Researchers backed by NASA and the U.S. military will have access to some data from Italy’s Cosmo-Skymed constellation of four X-band radar satellites, under an agreement that gives the Italian Space Agency (ASI) use of U.S. ground stations in Alaska and NASA post-doctoral scholarships for Earth-science research in the U.S.
Defense and Space

Norway has been considered one of the most reliable and consistent international partners in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but substantial cuts to its planned 56-aircraft buy are among options in the nation’s current defense planning cycle.
Defense and Space

By Jay Menon
India is preparing to launch a multi-spectral remote sensing satellite for Indonesia later this month.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
The Swedish and Brazilian governments have finalized a development and production deal for the Saab JAS-39 Gripen NG fighter.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
Airbus Defense and Space is urging the U.K. defense ministry to consider a competition for its anticipated requirement for a multi-mission or maritime patrol aircraft (MMA/MPA).
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody says it is calling for an inquiry into the conduct and structure of a French tender for new jet trainers.
Defense and Space

By Jen DiMascio
Airbus Defense and Space is opting out of the Japanese competition for four aerial refueling tankers because the current request for bids appears to favor its rival, Boeing, Airbus confirms.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
Airbus Defense and Space says it is in final negotiations with the U.K. defense ministry for the sale of three of its Zephyr 8 high-altitude pseudo-satellite UAVs.
Defense and Space

The U.S. Air Force should buy around 175 Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRSB) aircraft, according to retired Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, dean of the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute, rather than the 80-100 units in the published Pentagon plan.
Defense and Space

Description: The KC-10A Extender is a U.S. air-refueling tanker that was produced by McDonnell Douglas. It reached initial operational capability (IOC) in March 1981.
Defense and Space

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS has order from ELBIT SYSTEMS for four H125 AStar and two H145 helicopters to support Elbit’s contract to supply helicopters for Israel Police.
Defense and Space

By Guy Norris
Despite the order's relatively small size, Rolls-Royce says the breakthrough contract nevertheless opens the door to the long-awaited international upgrade market.
Defense and Space

By Michael Bruno, Joe Anselmo
What is a company to do if it can’t get rights to a competitor’s coveted product? If you are Aerojet, you could offer to buy that competitor.
Defense and Space

By Tony Osborne
Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service has ordered seven Airbus Helicopters H175 intermediate-heavy helicopters, becoming the launch customer for the public-services version of the aircraft.
Defense and Space

Researchers will be able to piggyback small payloads on World View’s development and planned passenger-balloon flights to “near space” for as little as $20,000 under a cost-sharing price system.
Defense and Space

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s program office director says his chief worry is about the aircraft’s supply base.
Defense and Space