Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Steve Trimble
Tupolev has completed its first flight of an upgraded version of Russia’s 41-year-old Tu-22M3 bomber and missile carrier.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin will upgrade future F-35s with a third generation of computing and electronic systems under a $712 million contract awarded by the U.S. Navy.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
A Russian Soyuz-2 rocket lifted off from here in the Russian Far East on Dec. 27, marking the country’s 17th launch of the year.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
President Trump says the fiscal 2020 budget request will exceed the $716 billion amount appropriated for overall national security this year.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
A prospective Japanese requirement for 30-50 attack helicopters is unlikely to become a firm program before 2024.
Defense

By Irene Klotz
A Russian Soyuz-2 rocket, outfitted with a Fregat upper stage, was being prepared for launch from Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East on Dec. 27.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
DOD officials are scrambling to quickly develop a new supply chain to rapidly produce a new arsenal of offensive and defensive hypersonic weapons.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
AVX Aircraft, a company founded by ex-Bell engineers, has secured backing from L3 Technologies as it bids to develop the U.S. Army’s future armed scout helo.
Defense

By Graham Warwick
Sikorsky and Boeing have rolled out the SB-1 Defiant high-speed helicopter, built for the U.S. Army’s Joint Multi Role technology demonstration.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Subaru flight tested the UH-X helicopter for the first time on Dec. 25.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
In a new barrage of Christmas Eve tweets, President Trump widened his critique of U.S. national security policies championed by fired Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Japan is negotiating a sale of surplus Boeing F-15 Eagles to the U.S. for subsequent sale to Southeast Asian countries, the Nikkei newspaper reports.
Defense

By Marhalim Abas
The Philippines Air Force said it will take delivery of a variety of equipment in the new year.
Defense

India’s premier defense agency is working to build a Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) for the coast guard.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody completed the long-awaited first flight of its prototype L-39NG military jet trainer on Dec. 22.
Defense

BOEING has contract worth up to $1.1b for U.S. Special Operations MH-6, MH-47, MH-60 support.

One week after asking industry for proposals, the U.S. Air Force has suspended an effort to buy a ground-based laser weapon by up to 3.5 months without explanation.

In observance of the year-end holidays, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report will not publish again until the issue dated Jan. 3.

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin received a $997 million contract on Dec. 21 to complete a major upgrade for 84 F-16s operated by the Hellenic Air Force in Greece.
Defense

By Maxim Pyadushkin
The launch customer, Russia’s defense ministry, ordered two of the type in 2017 and wanted to have the first one in 2018 and the next a year later.
Defense

By Tony Osborne
London’s Gatwick Airport shut down flight operations again Dec. 21 after yet another drone sighting, then reopened 1 1/2 hr. later.
Defense

By Steve Trimble
One week after asking industry for proposals, the U.S.
Defense

By Marhalim Abas
An Indonesian order for 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters supposedly placed 10 months ago remains unsigned, Russia’s ambassador to the country said.
Defense

Tony Osborne
Leonardo has flown the first prototype of its M345 High Efficiency Trainer (HET).
Defense

By Steve Trimble
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has seen interest in the jet-powered Predator C Avenger tick higher.
Defense