Air Warfare

[VIDEO] From keynotes to key programs: An AUSA Day 1 wrap-up

[VIDEO] From keynotes to key programs: An AUSA Day 1 wrap-up
[VIDEO] From keynotes to key programs: An AUSA Day 1 wrap-up

Catch up on the Day 1 highlights with Breaking Defense.

Aussie defense minister claims $6.5 billion AUD acquisition ‘blow out;’ analysts demur

Aussie defense minister claims $6.5 billion AUD acquisition ‘blow out;’ analysts demur
Aussie defense minister claims $6.5 billion AUD acquisition ‘blow out;’ analysts demur

While the Labor Party accuses the previous government of flushing money “down the toilet,” defense analysts say there’s more politics than substance to the outrage.

After engine fire incidents, ‘above 90 percent’ of all Chinooks are fixed

After engine fire incidents, ‘above 90 percent’ of all Chinooks are fixed
After engine fire incidents, ‘above 90 percent’ of all Chinooks are fixed

The Army’s heavy lift fleet is rebounding after being grounded because a faulty part caused engine fires.

The sights of AUSA 2022 Day 1

The sights of AUSA 2022 Day 1
The sights of AUSA 2022 Day 1

A selection of photographs from the floor of the Association of the United States Army conference 2022, day one.

SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house

SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house
SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house

SNC bought the firm in part to continue competing for the Army’s Future Tactical Unmanned Systems Increment 2 program.

Boeing floats ‘Modernized Apache’ concept for Army’s future attack helicopter

Boeing floats ‘Modernized Apache’ concept for Army’s future attack helicopter
Boeing floats ‘Modernized Apache’ concept for Army’s future attack helicopter

“The Apache is going to be the US Army’s principal attack helicopter for the next 25 to 30 years. There’s nothing right now that is on the books that’s going to replace the Apache,” said Jessie Farrington, Boeing’s director of attack helicopter global sales and marketing.

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Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations

Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations
Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations

Continued operation in RF environments — whether that’s GPS denial or communications disruption — is the number one need for tactical unmanned aerial systems.

How Israel is preparing for potential hostilities with Hezbollah over a gas rig

How Israel is preparing for potential hostilities with Hezbollah over a gas rig
How Israel is preparing for potential hostilities with Hezbollah over a gas rig

Israeli forces in the north are on high alert, but a diplomatic solution could still play out.

Pentagon approves waiver to restart F-35 deliveries

Pentagon approves waiver to restart F-35 deliveries
Pentagon approves waiver to restart F-35 deliveries

F-35 deliveries were suspended on Aug. 31 due to findings of a Chinese alloy in the supply chain.

The replacement for the KC-46’s troubled vision system is delayed by more than a year

The replacement for the KC-46’s troubled vision system is delayed by more than a year
The replacement for the KC-46’s troubled vision system is delayed by more than a year

The KC-46’s new Remote Vision System 2.0 now won’t be available until October 2025.

Poland, UK sign agreements on new weapon developments; SHORAD takes step forward

Poland, UK sign agreements on new weapon developments; SHORAD takes step forward
Poland, UK sign agreements on new weapon developments; SHORAD takes step forward

While the UK and Poland have agreed to develop future systems, one collaboration – the Narew SHORAD system – is arriving in the hands of Polish forces.

F-35 might not ever reach $80M target again, Lockheed exec says

F-35 might not ever reach $80M target again, Lockheed exec says
F-35 might not ever reach $80M target again, Lockheed exec says

“I can’t look at you in the eyes and tell you I’ll get back below 80 million,” said Greg Ulmer, who leads Lockheed’s aeronautics business. “But I do think there’s opportunity space … to keep cost out of the airplane.”

presented by Bell
Bell’s V-280 VALOR is the standalone choice for FLRAA

Bell’s V-280 VALOR is the standalone choice for FLRAA
Bell’s V-280 VALOR is the standalone choice for FLRAA

To deter the threat from near-peer competitors, the Army’s air assault mission demands a revolution in capability that only a tiltrotor can provide — not just a faster helicopter.

As Western defense firms eye expansion in the UAE, local competition awaits

As Western defense firms eye expansion in the UAE, local competition awaits
As Western defense firms eye expansion in the UAE, local competition awaits

To avoid going up directly up against local behemoths like the EDGE Group, partnerships offer a path to Gulf customers.