Defense

Japan is investigating why its Hayabusa 2 sample return mission autonomously aborted its descent to the surface of the asteroid Ryugu late May 15 U.S. time.

The first MH-139 helicopter for the U.S. Air Force has completed initial test flights at Leonardo Helicopter’s assembly plant in Philadelphia.

After spending two years assessing light attack procurement needs, USAF Sec. Heather Wilson is defending the DOD's approach to not make a buying decision this year.

NASA’s scheduled return to the lunar surface by 2024 promises to expand the Earth’s economic sphere, according to a small but diverse panel of experts.

Assembly of the first production AW609 civil tiltrotor has begun at Leonardo Helicopters’ plant here, but certification could slip into 2020.

More Tu-160M2 bombers for Russia, Swedes to keep Gripen C/Ds through the 2030s, India tests target drone, and the Pentagon considers options for AEHF replacement.

For the first time, Boeing provided details about the method it used to shock the market and impress the Air Force with its winning proposal for the T-X program.

European missile manufacturer MBDA soon will have a new face at the top with the appointment of Eric Beranger as CEO.

Boeing has completed initial wind-tunnel tests of a compound-helicopter version of the AH-64E Apache, showing potential for increased speed and range.

TransDigm Group may voluntarily pay back the U.S. government up to $16.1 million after the A&D supplier’s top two execs were pummeled by a House panel.

EU officials have rebuffed U.S. threats of potential sanctions over European rules restricting U.S. defense contractors access to joint European defense programs.

Russian industrial giant Rostec has taken another step to swallow United Aircraft Corp., appointing ex-Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as the new chairman of UAC’s board.

The U.S. Air Force has selected six locations as candidate bases to host U.S. Space Command (Spacecom) headquarters.

The U.S. Air Force is deploying software applications to assist with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II operational testing.

Turkish Aerospace is leading development of a 10-ton attack helicopter for the Turkish Army.

The House Appropriations defense subcommittee’s draft fiscal 2020 defense spending bill puts a hold on the proposed Space Development Agency.

Over the next few weeks, the U.S. Army expects to find out whether the DOD will allow it to accelerate efforts to develop an advanced medium utility rotorcraft to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk.

Sweden is proposing strengthening its air force by retaining older model Gripen C/D fighters well into the 2030s.

Boeing has started early manufacturing activity on the F-15EX for the U.S. Air Force.

The Russian military plans to increase purchases of Tu-160M2 strategic bombers, the latest variant of the Cold War-era Tu-160 Blackjack.

The USAF is taking the biggest hit of all the services as the DOD shifts $1.5 billion as a second installment for building a wall along the U.S. southern border.

The U.S. Army is sticking to plans to power prototypes with the Improved Turbine Engine despite a protest that has stopped work on the new 3,000-shp-class turboshaft.

British engineering firm Marshall Aerospace and Defense has outlined plans to move from its current base in Cambridge by 2030.

Administrator Jim Bridenstine says NASA's 2024 lunar landing is likely to include a female and male astronaut who touch down at the Moon’s south pole.

India’s official defense agency has successfully flight-tested Abhyas, a high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT).