All Defence articles
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NewsDassault’s Trappier pours cold water on prospects of FCAS and GCAP merger
Hopes that Europe’s two future fighter programmes could move closer together appear unlikely to be realised, with Dassault Aviation’s chief executive distancing his firm from any such proposal.
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NewsLeonardo and Baykar target development of armed UAVs for Europe
Leonardo and Baykar Technologies are to establish a joint venture focussed on the development of unmanned air vehicles integrated with the Italian company’s defence electronics payloads, with the latter’s 6t-class Akinci platform likely to be the first product offered to the market.
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In depthUncrewed fighter makers shift to reusable aircraft from disposable concept
Rather than the ultra-cheap, single-use weapon systems at one time envisioned for the US Air Force’s new generation of uncrewed fighters, developers of the new aircraft now say the jets will be intended for reuse, but with far shorter lifespans than traditional military platforms.
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NewsDassault chief Trappier outlines roadmap for F5-standard Rafale
Dassault Aviation’s planned F5-standard Rafale fighter will have more powerful engines, improved survivability and data links, and will be accompanied by an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) weighing more than 10t, according to the French airframer’s chief executive.
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NewsNATO next-generation rotorcraft project entering ‘crucial phase’
A NATO project to develop and field a future military rotorcraft by the late 2030s is now entering a “crucial phase” as the nations driving the effort attempt to firm up the requirements for the platform.
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NewsNHI upbeat on 2025 order prospects for NH90 military helicopter
NH Industries (NHI) is eyeing the potential for several sizeable new orders this year from both new and existing operators.
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NewsPratt & Whitney doubles down on rotating detonation engine
Pratt & Whitney will accelerate its work on rotating detonation engine (RDE) technology, as its programme to develop the advanced propulsion capability yields results.
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In depthChina’s new sixth-generation aircraft likely for air superiority role: USAF
The general in charge of the US Air Force’s fighter fleet says the Pentagon believes the sixth-generation aircraft seen over China late last year are intended to provide air superiority, as Beijing continues to expand its military readiness.
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NewsF-35B makes debut flight carrying Lockheed Martin anti-ship missiles
Lockheed Martin’s F-35B has conducted a first test-flight carrying the airframer’s AGM-158B Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).
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NewsUSAF designates first uncrewed fighter prototypes YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A
The experimental designs from General Atomics and Anduril, which are set to fly this summer, are the first aircraft in the US inventory to bear the FQ designation representing an uncrewed fighter.
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NewsUSAF pauses KC-46 deliveries over structural cracks
The US Air Force, which operates 89 of the 767-derived tankers, has paused delivery of new aircraft after the discovery of structural cracks in two recently assembled jets that Boeing was preparing to turn over.
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NewsCollins advances bid to supply new F-35 power and cooling system
Although the Pentagon has not decided how to address long-term power and cooling needs of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter, aviation systems supplier Collins Aerospace is hoping to oust current provider Honeywell Aerospace on the lucrative programme.
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NewsPentagon deploys additional aviation assets to US-Mexico border
Some 650 military aviation personnel from the US Army are being sent to the USA’s frontier with Mexico, including Sikorsky UH-60 and Boeing CH-47 helicopter crews, as part of Trump administration’s ongoing border security push.
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NewsPoland signs lease agreement with US Army covering eight Apache attack helicopters
The eight older Boeing AH-64Ds will serve as an advance force for 96 new AH-64Es Poland plans to buy from the US airframer.
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NewsArgentina unveils first of used F-16s being acquired from Denmark
Buenos Aires is only now rebuilding its fighter fleet more 40 years after diplomatic fallout over the Falklands War left the country barred from accessing modern combat aircraft.
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In depthUS Air Force dubs new OA-1K armed crop duster ‘Skyraider II’ ahead of first delivery
The US Air Force and Special Operations Command are preparing to field the new low-cost close air support platform developed under the Armed Overwatch programme, which uses an Air Tractor turboprop modified for combat service by L3Harris.
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In depthTrump to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in March
US President Donald Trump on 27 February affirmed his intention to raise import duties on the two key trade partners starting on 4 March, after previously delaying the punitive measures.
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NewsUK Chinooks to take Cyprus firefighting role in place of retiring Pumas
The UK will deploy Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters to Cyprus this summer to backfill for the service’s Puma HC2s, which will be retired next month.
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NewsHigher-power engines and new weapons proposed for future NH90 helicopter as Block 2 upgrade takes shape
NH Industries (NHI) will later in 2025 begin a two-year study analysing options for a future Block 2 upgrade for its NH90 helicopter, making it “more multirole, with teaming and strike capability,” and providing increased survivability.
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NewsSouth Korea rolls out UCAV technology demonstrator
South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and Korean Air have rolled out a technology demonstrator for a new unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) at an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) show in Busan.