Defense

France is slated to receive new transports, tankers and intelligence-gathering aircraft as part of increased defense spending.

2019 will be a year of rebuilding the strained long-standing relationships between engine-makers and airframers.

Slovakian leaders say Block 70/72 buy shows commitment to NATO partners.

U.S. defense agencies are stepping up development of hypersonic weapons to keep pace with China and Russia.

For commercial aviation in 2019, though each major manufacturer has its own challenges, it’s all about executing on the production side.

The year ahead holds milestones in human space transport, airliner first flights and new launches and more, but it also promises significant uncertainty.

SES Networks is closely monitoring the final stages of assembly of the batch of first-generation O3b satellites that will bring the in-service constellation to its planned size of 20 spacecraft.

Satellite-based Automatic Identification System services startup ExactEarth of Canada has raised $13 million in debt financing.

A next-generation fighter for the USAF could cost $300 million each, more than triple the unit flyaway cost of the F-35A today, the CBO warns in a new report.

The Supreme Court of India on Dec. 14 dismissed requests filed last October to block India’s planned purchase of 36 Rafale fighters from Dassault Aviation.

Poland has exercised options to purchase an additional four M-346 advanced jet trainers from Leonardo, expanding its air force’s training capacity.

Hungary has followed up on its June order for Airbus H145M armed twin-engine light helicopters by ordering 16 H225M heavy helicopters.

The Netherlands has signaled it could purchase more Lockheed Martin F-35s after the country’s government approved further defense funding increases.

Italian defense company Leonardo on Dec. 13 said it was consolidating several electronics business units into a new division.

India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier—the INS Vikrant, or IAC-1—will begin sea trials in 2020.

India is seeking an OK from Russia to have more local content in Kamov Ka-226T helicopters, which are jointly made by both countries in the South Asian nation.

Northrop hopes its “flexible” Firebird UAS will open a new market for surveillance aircraft beyond a defense contractor’s traditional customer base.

Virgin Orbit hopes to attempt the first test flight of the LauncherOne rocket from its modified Boeing 747-400 carrier aircraft as early as March.

The Philippines is considering an offer from Japan to buy a ground-based air defense radar system, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says.

U.S. defense officials have decided on a preferred option for the size and scope of a proposed Space Force, and a legislative proposal will be distributed within the Pentagon for comments starting on Dec. 14.

Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan confirmed on Dec. 13 that the Trump administration is developing fiscal 2020 budget proposals with overall amounts above $733 billion.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane Unity powered its way at Mach 2.9 to an altitude of more than 51 mi. above Southern California on Dec. 13.

France placed a firm order for three Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports (MRTT) Dec. 13, completing a multiyear contract for 12 aircraft.

Slovakian defense officials have signed off on the country’s plans to purchase the Block 70/72-standard F-16 Fighting Falcon.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is growing concerned that American states are pursuing too many spaceports.