Aircraft & Propulsion

France will spend an extra €1.7 billion ($2 billion) this year, but uncertainties lie ahead, linked to the pending sale of used Rafales.

The specter of a renewed threat from Russia prompts Eastern European countries to raise their defense game.

The UK is adding billions to its defense budget, but spending plans are in flux until the Integrated Review reports.

Initial phases of FCAS may cost €8 billion but could bring combat cloud technology to the frontline by 2030.

Ten years after the X-51 first flew under scramjet power, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has completed ground tests of air-breathing hypersonic engines that could accelerate a vehicle 10 times the X-51’s size to speeds in excess of Mach 5.

The Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Relief on Dec. 12 received a new Mil Mi-8AMT heavy transport helicopter—the first airframe in the Mi-8/17 family assembled outside Russia.

The U.S. State Department has approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Italy of two special-mission versions of the Gulfstream G550 business jet configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Sweden’s parliament has approved plans to boost the capabilities of the country’s armed forces in the face of a growing regional threat from Russia.

Pinched by COVID-related economic woes, New Delhi is still prepared to buy what it needs to counter border threats in Ladakh.

The defense budget is likely to reach 2.4% of GDP within two years. Slow naval programs will consume much of the money.

The U.S. Air Force says it has delivered the last of 84 F-15SA Advanced Eagles to the Royal Saudi Air Force.

Japan has chosen Lockheed Martin as the technology support partner for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in developing the F-X fighter, Japanese media said.

German air rescue service ADAC Luftrettung has reserved two VoloCity electric air taxis from Volocopter to prepare for operational emergency medical service tests of the piloted multicopters in 2023.

As the U.S. Air Force prepares for a mysterious and “historic” demonstration on Dec. 15 involving the Lockheed Martin U-2S, the company’s Skunk Works division has revealed details of a “complementary” technology experiment held in secret a month ago with the same aircraft.

All four RQ-4s have been delivered and all 40 F-35As will be in 2021. So the 2021 acquisition budget is not rising much.

Although the ministry has requested a 3.3% rise, something closer to the 1.5% average of the past eight years is more likely to happen.

Saab will establish two aerospace centers in Quebec if the company’s Gripen is selected as Canada’s future fighter aircraft.

The UK is looking to use alternative, sustainable fuels for its combat aircraft and helicopters in a bid to lower carbon emissions.

A four-year-old strategy to boost spending levels for defense faces its greatest test in the wake of Canada’s COVID-19 response.

A crop of developmental projects are set to come to fruition over the next 12 months as new projects enter the design phase.

Airbus is continuing to target a 2021 certification for an automated aerial refueling capability on its A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

Turkey’s Navy has finally begun taking delivery of its Meltem-III maritime patrol aircraft based on the ATR 72 turboprop airliner.

The U.S. Air Force continues exploring nontraditional means to expand air-launched munitions capacity.

Skyborg protoype awards; MQ-25 flies with refueling store; Northrop sheds IT division; and new council for commercial space.

Modernization and rotary-wing fleet renewal is a priority for defense’s new spending spree.