Defense and Space

India has approved the final technical configuration of Russian Helicopters’ Ka-226T light utility helicopter.

The milestone comes as Boeing works with the U.S. government to further expand the customer base for the maritime patroller, which is slowly edging the long-serving Lockheed P-3 Orion out of front-line use.

The Russian military is ready to buy additional Ilyushin Il-112V light transport aircraft, despite delays with its development.

South Korea has provisionally chosen LIG Nex1 to build five reconnaissance satellites due for launch between 2020 and 2023.

The midaltitude UAV is reportedly designed to operate at altitudes of 10-12 km on missions lasting up to 24 hr.

China seeks military base in South Pacific, U.S. plays catchup on AI, the Coast Guard’s new UAS, and F-35 flies to South America.

Commercial off-the-shelf drones are already challenging the traditional military balance betwen aggressor and defender.

The emergence of Boeing and Rolls-Royce as new backers represents a significant endorsement for Reaction, which is designing and testing an air-breathing, combined-cycle rocket engine concept dubbed Sabre.

The DOD is examining the entire F-35 supply chain for opportunities to compete components and repair work, a top Defense Department official says.

The U.S. Navy expects to have five Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft modified with aerial refueling capability by year’s end,

Two Indian companies have teamed up with separate Israel-based firms to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles for the Indian military.

Boeing has captured another $25 million to continue preliminary design work on the new Air Force One aircraft, VC-25B, the U.S. Air Force announced April 10.

Australia has become the first country apart from the U.S. to receive Lockheed Martin F-35s with software of the fully operational, Block 3F standard.

A decline in long-term maintenance planning is a big reason for a spike in military aviation accidents in the last few years, an ex-Pentagon official says.

If the U.S. Air Force ditches J-Stars, the U.S. Navy could step in with a customized version of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Honeywell’s BendixKing business unit unveiled a new touchscreen primary flight display (PFD) for experimental aircraft.

Sikorsky has lifted the veil on a series of technological enhancements that could help keep its Black Hawk utility helicopter potentially relevant until the 2070s.

Discussions have been only preliminary but could result in a full military base being established, Australian media report.

Though deals for weapons remain sluggish, China is actively courting South American military officials with lavish trips and low-cost loans for military gear.

New main rotor blade tips and an improved gearbox are in development for Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawk.

A new breathing sensor might one day be able to use predictive algorithms and possibly even artificial intelligence to warn of hypoxia-like cockpit events before they occur.

A company official says the modification is now undergoing certification using a company-owned aircraft at L3’s facilities in Texas.

The F-35 has made its Latin American debut by appearing on static display at the FIDAE Airshow.

France and Germany will sign an accord to develop a new maritime patrol aircraft and try to make progress on discussions for a new European combat aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works says there are no technical reasons why its proposed MQ-25A Stingray UAV refueling aircraft could not also drop bombs.