Defense

Washington has given the green light to a potential sale to Japan of a test support package for its Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) program.

Taiwan is targeting a 2027 introduction for an upgraded version of its Tien Chien II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, following several years of testing.

Four bidders remain in the Flight School Next program as the U.S. Army weighs a shift to single-engine aircraft and contractor-led training.

Israel accelerates domestic weapons development and $3B procurement to ensure munitions independence and battlefield readiness amid ongoing conflict with Iran.

The character of Iranian drone and missile barrages on Middle East countries since Feb. 28 may reflect lessons from Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Brazil celebrates first locally assembled F-39E Gripen—Latin America's debut supersonic fighter—amid delays and potential regional export opportunities with Colombia and Peru.

Army’s FARA cancellation freed $4.4B, but GAO reports $2.3B shifted to non-aviation projects like barracks upgrades and OSD priorities.

The Pentagon on March 25 rolled out another series of agreements with major contractors to increase production of key munitions as the department looks to increase industrial capacity by outlining a clear demand signal for weapons.

Saudi Arabia will establish a national aerial firefighting service using Thrush agricultural aircraft.

UK and Turkey seal £8B Typhoon deal including pilot training and defense industry support, with first jets due by 2030.

The EU has earmarked $133 million in funding to speed efforts to move defense technology initiatives into the field more quickly.

Korea Aerospace Industries rolled out the first KF-21 Blk. 1 production aircraft at its Sacheon facility, in a ceremony attended by President Lee Jae-myung.

The UK Ministry of Defense has signed the £1 billion ($1.3 billion) contract to acquire Leonardo’s AW149 battlefield utility helicopter.

Shield AI has demonstrated the rapid integration of its Hivemind autonomy software by installing it into the Hornet uncrewed aircraft system.

AeroVironment has unveiled the Locust X3 system as a 20-35-kW higher energy laser.

Each of Ecuador’s armed services operates a similarly sized aviation component, while pursuing slightly different modernization priorities.

The U.S. Air Force will soon launch the next “giant leap” in testing for a cruise missile program.

The U.S. Navy is expanding the installation of low-cost counter drone systems on its destroyers.

The U.S. Army is refining its approach for the next increment of its short-range air defense system.

GKN Aerospace has delivered the first of a new upgraded version of the RM12 engine to power the Swedish Air Force’s Saab Gripen C/D fighters.

At least 66 military personnel have been killed in the crash of a Colombian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

China is looking to use directed energy to target multiple satellites simultaneously.

Space42 is looking to get the go-ahead for a new generation of Earth-observation systems, while finalizing with Viasat an expansion of Equatys.

Aviation Week editors discuss the increase in projected Golden Dome costs and what the fiscal 2027 Pentagon budget request may tell us about the umbrella program.

Anduril has started assembling more prototypes of the autonomous YFQ-44 fighter at the newly opened Arsenal-1 weapons production complex near Columbus, Ohio.