Testing
KAI plots KF-21’s first live-fire Meteor launch for 2024
Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI’s) KF-21 Boramae fighter is the first non-West European platform to be integrated with MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), and a first live-fire test launch has been planned for early 2024
South Africa eyes C-390 to replace ageing C-130BZ fleet?
At the request of the South African Air Force (SAAF), Embraer Defense & Security will deploy a multi-mission C-390 Millennium to AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria on November 24, where the medium-lift strategic airlifter will demonstrate its capabilities to the air arm, which has long been searching for a successor to its ageing C-130BZ Hercules fleet
Indian Navy uses Sea King to progress NASM-SR missile trials
In partnership with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Navy carried out guided flight trials of its indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) on November 21, when the weapon was fired from a Sea King Mk 42B ASW/ASuW helicopter for the second time
US Navy clears Super Hornet fleet to wield StormBreaker
In what is a major development milestone, the US Navy has now cleared its frontline F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet to carry and deliver the Raytheon GBU-53/B StormBreaker – formally known as the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) – operationally
ADEX 2023: Korean Air readies MALE UAV for production
The Aerospace Business Division of Korean Air showed its new MALE UAV – known variously as the MUAV and later the KUS-FS – at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 in South Korea from October 17-22
UK's first Protector RG1 now ready for testing at RAF Waddington
The first of 16 MQ-9B Protector RG1 unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) for the RAF has now been assembled at RAF Waddington, following its arrival at the Lincolnshire base in September
HMS Prince of Wales embarks on F-35B sea trials in the US
On October 11, a specially instrumented US Navy-operated F-35B Lightning II (168314/‘68’) landed aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) – the second of the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers – thereby kicking off Developmental Test Phase 3 sea trials with the type on the warship
USAF completes first phase of F-15EX integrated testing
The F-15EX Eagle II has completed the first phase of its hybrid developmental/initial operational test and evaluation programme, otherwise known as F-15EX Integrated Test and Evaluation, with the milestone being announced shortly after the fighter concluded its participation in the USAF’s Exercise Combat Hammer
USAF releases new B-21 stealth bomber images as engine tests begin
The USAF announced on September 12 that the first B-21 Raider stealth bomber prototype had commenced engine runs at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California, as part of its ground test programme
Made-in-India ASTRA missile fired from Tejas for the first time
The Indian Ministry of Defence has announced that one of its limited series production Tejas Mk 1 light combat aircraft successfully launched an ASTRA all-weather BVRAAM for the first time during a test off the coast of Goa in southwest India on August 23