Tag: aerospace
454 articles
Pakistan Navy's Sea Sultan Program Faces Technical Delays
Meet the Sea Sultan, Pakistan's game-changing maritime patrol aircraft, built on the Embraer Lineage 1000E and designed to revolutionize intelligence, surveillance, and combat capabilities. This cutting-edge plane is set to replace the Pakistan Navy's aging Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion fleet.
US Navy Advances E-2D Hawkeye with Block II Upgrade
The US Navy has achieved a major milestone with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye's Block II upgrade, which brings a cutting-edge cockpit, enhanced computing power, and an Open Mission Systems architecture to keep the aircraft ahead of the curve. This game-changing upgrade slashes pilot workload and boosts situational awareness, ensuring the Hawkeye remains a dominant force in the skies.
Northrop Grumman Accelerates Autonomous Aircraft Tech with Project Talon Portfolio
Northrop Grumman's Project Talon portfolio is revolutionizing autonomous aircraft tech by developing systems that can truly think and act on their own, perceiving, deciding, and acting in pursuit of mission objectives without needing constant human control. This leap forward in autonomy transforms the role of human operators from pilots to mission commanders.
China's PLAAF Exposes Air Combat Training Tech
Air combat training gets a major boost when it's backed by hard data - and that's exactly what Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods provide, turning aerial sparring into measurable, repeatable results. With ACMI, air forces can track every move, missile shot, and gun envelope, making training more credible and effective.
Turkish Drone Kızılelma Successfully Fires Munitions from Internal Bay
The Turkish Drone Kızılelma just made history by successfully firing precision-guided munitions from its internal bay, scoring direct hits in two separate tests on July 25 and 28. This game-changing drone proved its mettle with Roketsan's TEBER-82 and Aselsan's TOLUN, showcasing its versatility in different mission profiles.
China Explores Glide Kit Tech for H-6K Bombers
China is taking a cue from Russia's playbook and exploring glide kit technology to upgrade its H-6K bombers, giving them a potentially game-changing boost in strike capability. This move comes as Russia's use of UMPK glide kits in Ukraine has shown the effectiveness of converting unguided bombs into longer-range, semi-smart munitions.
Pentagon Presses Defense Boards for Briefings
The Pentagon is shaking things up by asking defense company boards to come in for in-person briefings, a highly unusual move that's got industry insiders talking. Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg's request has raised eyebrows, as top executives typically handle these conversations, not entire boards.
Lockheed's ICBM Interceptor Hits Key Testing Milestones
Lockheed Martin's Next Generation Interceptor just hit two major testing milestones, clearing critical technical hurdles with a successful burst test and static test fire of its second-stage motor. These breakthroughs bring the program one step closer to its Critical Design Review and on-track fielding by 2030.
Lazarus Exploits Windows Zero-Day to Deploy Trojan Backdoor
Meet the sneaky Trojan backdoor, Troy, that's been secretly infiltrating defense and aerospace companies worldwide by exploiting a newly discovered Windows zero-day vulnerability. This stealthy attack, part of Operation Dream Job, tricks victims with fake job offers on LinkedIn before deploying the malware.
India, Pakistan Pursue Accessible Next-Gen Fighter Platforms
India and Pakistan are racing to develop next-generation fighter jets that can serve as the backbone of a cutting-edge system of drones, special mission aircraft, and other assets. Both nations are seeking a versatile, large aircraft that can integrate with a range of smaller and larger platforms.
Joby Expands Defense Ambitions with $500 Million Resonant Sciences Buy
Joby Aviation is bolstering its defense ambitions with a $500 million acquisition of Resonant Sciences, a military-technology firm that brings cutting-edge tech and trusted customer relationships to the table. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2027, will make Resonant Sciences Joby's new defense business.
Boeing Divests Drone, Air Traffic Units to Back eVTOL Firm Archer
Boeing is shaking things up with a strategic deal that hands over its drone, air traffic, and electric aircraft subsidiaries to eVTOL firm Archer Aviation, in a move that's a win-win for both companies. This all-stock deal lets the subsidiaries accelerate their development and hit the market faster.
Dassault Targets India with 114-Rafale Bid
Dassault Aviation has thrown down the gauntlet with a bold bid to supply 114 Rafale fighter jets to the Indian Air Force, comprising 20 flyaway aircraft and 94 built in India. This ambitious proposal is now under evaluation by India's Ministry of Defence and the IAF.
China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Exposes Advanced Engine Capabilities
A stunning close-up photo of a WS10C engine installed on a J-20 airframe has been released publicly via the PLAAF's Weibo account, giving a rare glimpse into China's advanced engine capabilities. The image, which has been making waves in defense circles, was shared by the China-Defense blog.
Pakistan Spurned Turkey's KAAN Fighter Jet Partnership in 2016
Pakistan had the chance to partner on Turkey's game-changing KAAN fighter jet back in 2016, but passed - now Turkey's moving forward with deliveries, leaving Pakistan to rethink its fighter jet replacement options. The KAAN program just hit a major milestone with its first taxi test, and is on track to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by the end of the decade.
Damaged KC-135 Tanker Enters Tinker AFB Repair Facility
The damaged KC-135 tanker, serial 63-8017, has arrived at Tinker Air Force Base's Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex for a thorough repair and scheduled maintenance, following a midair collision over Iraq that tragically claimed the lives of the crew on board the other tanker. The aircraft is set to undergo extensive repairs, combining damage patching with its regular 5-year maintenance.
US Space Force Diversifies Aircraft-Tracking Satellite Contracts
The US Space Force is bolstering its aircraft-tracking capabilities with new contracts awarded to three companies, bringing fresh innovation and reducing reliance on a single solution. This $615 million move builds on a previous $4.16 billion deal with SpaceX, further diversifying the Space Force's space-based airborne moving target indicator efforts.
Kratos Advances XQ-58 Valkyrie Drone Production
Kratos is now producing its XQ-58 Valkyrie drones with landing gear, marking a major milestone in the development of the cutting-edge unmanned aircraft. The company has already built several of the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) airframes, with more in various stages of construction.
Kratos Valkyrie Drone Crashes During Test Flight at Utah Proving Ground
A Kratos Valkyrie drone prototype crashed during a test flight at Utah Proving Ground on August 4, 2026, prompting a temporary halt to the flight program while investigators determine the cause of the mishap. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, which was part of Kratos' internally funded research and development efforts.
Space Force Awards $615M for Airborne Target Tracking Satellites
The US Space Force is taking a major leap forward in its tracking capabilities, awarding $615 million to three top firms - including Rocket Lab - to develop cutting-edge satellites that can detect and track fast-moving airborne targets. This move is all about diversifying and strengthening the Space Force's tech arsenal.
Pakistan Unveils Longest-Range Loitering Munitions
Pakistan just took a major leap in its military capabilities with the unveiling of its longest-range loitering munitions, the D-248 and S-369, boasting ranges of up to 3,000 km and 2,000 km respectively. These game-changing drones are set to significantly expand Pakistan's strike architecture.
Pakistan Air Force Eyes C-130H Hercules as Embraer C-390 Orders Surge
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is on a roll, with thirteen countries now on board - and its growing popularity is set to create a ripple effect in the market, as air forces upgrade and older tactical transports are phased out.
US Defense Firms Face Growing ITAR Hurdles in Europe
European countries are pushing for greater autonomy in defense procurement, seeking to buy, sell, and operate military systems without being bound by US export controls, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The ITAR "see-through rule" is a major pain point, allowing US regulators to track and control American-made components even when they're integrated into foreign-built systems.
Iran War Reshapes Regional Arms Sales Dynamics
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Farnborough Airshow as Breaking Defense's Multimedia Director Daniel Woolfolk takes you on a tour of the grounds. In this episode of The Break Out, Daniel gives you a firsthand glimpse of the action on the show floor.