Julien Mercier, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

Singapore’s G550 Airborne Early Warning Squadron Now Operational

Singapore just raised its air-watch bar one more notch. The Republic of Singapore Air Force states its G550 Airborne Early Warning squadron has hit full ops after a tough decade of tweaks, test hops and long simulator nights. The slim jets shove

October 14, 2023

AI & Autonomy

Industry Needs A Fundamental Decision on the Eurofighter by 2025

Airbus Defence & Space chief executive Michael Schöllhorn told reporters in Berlin that Germany must decide within this legislative period whether it still wants a fighter-aircraft industry. He warned that without a fifth Eurofighter tranche the Manching line will fall silent after

October 13, 2023

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Raytheon Wins $321 Million Order for More Silent Knight Radars

The contract keeps Raytheon busy well into 2028. The firm will push out more Silent Knight units, spares, an updated software pack, plus support gear. U.S. Special Operations Command wants these radars so aircrews can hug the rough ground at night and

October 7, 2023

Helicopters

Canada Queries Effectiveness of Sikorsky CH-148 Helicopter

Federal Defense chiefs ordered a deep look at Sikorsky’s CH-148 Cyclone fleet. Crews trust these birds for day-to-day patrols over grey water, yet lawmakers now ask plain shut questions about hard mission value. They wonder if the helo keeps pace with rough

September 15, 2023

AI & Autonomy

Training for the Mission – Ukrainians Learn to Operate the Leopard 1 A5

Every tank feels different. Controls on a T-72 ask for muscle memory, while the Leopard’s clutch and gearbox demand a softer touch. “The Leo turns quicker and keeps speed on hills,” one Ukrainian trainee explains through a volunteer interpreter. “That helps when

August 17, 2023

AI & Autonomy

Exclusive: Retired RAAF Fighter Jets Could Be Sent to Ukraine (excerpt)

The Royal Australian Air Force keeps 41 de-commissioned F/A-18A/B Hornets in climate-controlled hangars at RAAF Base Williamtown. Canberra, Washington, and Kyiv are now in formal talks that could move a portion of that fleet to Ukraine instead of a scrapyard.

June 6, 2023

Naval Systems

Italian Navy Landing Helicopter Dock Trieste Nears Full Service

Trieste — The Italian Navy’s new landing helicopter dock Trieste is finishing fit-out work in its namesake port. Crews install last cables, test pumps, and seal bulkhead gaps that slipped first reviews. Yard teams say hand-over stays on the late-2024 window, with

January 15, 2023

Contracts & Deals

Contract Award for the Next Phase of the NGWS/FCAS Project

MADRID - France, Germany, and Spain signed a trilateral contract on December 15 that launches Phase 1B of the New-Generation Weapon System/Future Combat Air System (NGWS/FCAS). The deal names Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defence and Space (Germany and Spain), Indra Sistemas, and Eumet

December 15, 2022

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Ahead of Modi Visit, US Approves Sale of 22 Guardian Drones to India

The United States has cleared the sale of twenty-two MQ-9B Guardian unmanned aircraft to India, opening a path for New Delhi to field its first long-endurance maritime surveillance fleet just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump. U.S. officials

June 23, 2017

Digital Systems & Software

US Software Stranglehold Threatens F-35 Foreign Operations

The F-35 is entirely dependent on the ALIS system for its maintenance, and on US-based software laboratories for its mission data loads, so that its operation requires secure and high-speed Internet links between its operating bases and the US. (USAF photo)

November 4, 2015

Julien Mercier

Singapore’s G550 Airborne Early Warning Squadron Now Operational

Industry Needs A Fundamental Decision on the Eurofighter by 2025

Raytheon Wins $321 Million Order for More Silent Knight Radars

Canada Queries Effectiveness of Sikorsky CH-148 Helicopter

Training for the Mission – Ukrainians Learn to Operate the Leopard 1 A5

Exclusive: Retired RAAF Fighter Jets Could Be Sent to Ukraine (excerpt)

Italian Navy Landing Helicopter Dock Trieste Nears Full Service

Contract Award for the Next Phase of the NGWS/FCAS Project

Ahead of Modi Visit, US Approves Sale of 22 Guardian Drones to India

US Software Stranglehold Threatens F-35 Foreign Operations

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer