The Defense Post

In an era dominated by stealth jets and high-end airpower, a propeller-driven aircraft might seem out of place. Yet across conflict zones, from dense jungles to arid deserts, the A-29 Super Tucano continues to prove its worth. Built for persistence rather than speed, it fills a critical gap between helicopters and fighter jets. Read on to learn how the Super Tucano became one of the most widely adopted light attack and training aircraft.

Asylon has secured a contract from the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex to further develop and demonstrate an autonomous aircraft inspection system designed to support US Air Force maintenance operations. Known as Multi-modal Autonomous Robotics for Inspection of Aircraft (MARIA), the system combines aerial and ground robots to perform general visual inspections of military aircraft with limited human intervention.

RTX’s Raytheon has brought the Stinger’s successor one step closer to reality, successfully demonstrating its Next Generation Short Range Interceptor (NGSRI) in a milestone test against simulated aerial threats. During the trial, multiple NGSRI missiles detected, tracked, and intercepted their targets, validating the system’s integrated guidance and engagement capabilities.

Syria has established a new National University for Defense Sciences, a centralized institution for higher military education, state-run news agency SANA reported. The university, announced by Syrian officials during a press conference, will bring together military education under a single structure comprising four colleges and a higher institute focused on defense technology and military leadership.

An Israeli startup is taking a clean-sheet approach to countering drone swarms, designing a next-gen air defense system purpose-built to defeat large-scale attacks. Skapion said its technology is designed to engage entire drone swarms as a whole rather than one drone at a time, reducing the cost per intercept while addressing the growing scale of aerial threats.

York Space Systems has completed a second batch of 21 satellites for the US Space Development Agency (SDA), with the spacecraft scheduled for launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Built at York’s US production facilities, the satellites are designed to expand the SDA’s low Earth orbit communications network and provide secure tactical data links for US and allied forces.

PAL Aerospace has reached an agreement with SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, to provide aircraft modification, training, and sustainment services under the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. Valued at 750 million Canadian dollars ($534 million), the agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming months.

The German Air Force’s (Luftwaffe) first Tranche 4 Eurofighter EF-2000 aircraft under Project Quadriga has completed its maiden flight at Airbus’ Military Aircraft Centre in Manching, Germany. Berlin ordered a total of 38 Tranche 4 Eurofighters in November 2020. The fleet comprises 30 single-seat fighters and eight two-seat trainers, intended to replace the Luftwaffe’s retiring Tranche 1 Eurofighters, Janes reported.

The US Department of Defense has awarded approximately $400 million to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to support hypersonic and other national security programs. The company said the recent funding reflects growing demand for its portfolio of high-speed technologies, which includes hypersonic flight vehicles, solid rocket motors, ballistic missile targets, and tactical systems. Work will be carried out at secure Kratos facilities and government locations.

Sigma Advanced Systems has acquired UK-based Bromford Precision Solutions in a move to expand its subsidiary Nasmyth’s manufacturing capabilities. The deal is valued at approximately 11.89 million pounds ($16 million) and is expected to close by the end of July. Through the acquisition, Bromford will operate alongside Nasmyth within Sigma Advanced Systems’ UK manufacturing network.