Tim Martin

PREMIUM: Waiting game over for British Army as AH-64E Apache deliveries begin

The British Army has received delivery of remanufactured AH-64E V6 Apache helicopters which are due to replace a fleet of legacy AH Mk1 aircraft.

PREMIUM: F-35A drops inert B61-12 nuclear bomb in first of new test series

Sandia National Laboratories has flight-tested a weapons drop of the B61-12 nuclear bomb from an F-35A aircraft.

PREMIUM: RAF Puma helicopter replacement to be ‘considered’ in defence review

The UK MoD will consider replacing the RAF's Puma helicopter fleet as part of Integrated Review plans.

PREMIUM: £16.5 billion defence spending announcement sees RN steal limelight from RAF (updated)

The UK government has announced an extra £16.5 billion for defence spending over the next four years, with Royal Navy modernisation a key focus of new commitments.

Author

Tim Martin is Editor, Air for Shephard Media, based in London.

Tim has experience writing and editing across a range of B2B publications before joining Shephard as rotary reporter in October 2017. He holds a masters degree in Journalism from the University of Wales .

Defence Notes

PREMIUM: UK vows to defend itself against Russian and Chinese space threats

17th November 2020

The UK has warned that the anti-satellite capabilities of China and Russia are threatening safe and peaceful behaviour in space.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: UK Public Accounts Committee savages Crowsnest plans and F-35 costs

13th November 2020

A report from the Public Accounts Committee has raised questions about the UK's carrier strike capabilities.
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: US Army and Sikorsky to test ‘multi-ship’ optionally piloted Black Hawks

12th November 2020

Multiple UH-60 optionally piloted Black Hawk flight tests, under DARPA's ALIAS Phase III, are set to begin next year.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: Experts say Russia and China upping pace and sophistication of cyber threats

11th November 2020

Defence experts claim that Russian and Chinese cyber threats have become more advanced and threaten UK interests.
Unmanned Vehicles

PREMIUM: US mounts pressure on Iran with MQ-9B and F-35 UAE push

6th November 2020

The US government looks increasingly likely to agree new arms sales with the UAE, including deals for the MQ-9B Reaper and F-35 fifth generation fighter jet.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: UK delays Integrated Review update pending spending review discussions

3rd November 2020

Despite political pressure, the UK MoD has declined to share a specific date for publication of the forthcoming Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Greece has eyes for Romeo but F-16V uncertainty sours Lockheed courtship

28th October 2020

The Hellenic Navy is set to receive a new fleet of MH-60R naval helicopters, but reported workforce difficulties for F-16V supplier Hellenic Aviation Industry could cause industrial complications for Lockheed Martin.
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Boeing restarts AH-64E flight operations amid safety investigation (Updated)

22nd October 2020

In the middle of a joint safety review at Boeing's AH-64 production facility in Arizona, the company has restarted flight operations of the attack helicopter.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: Saab faces up to Gripen supply chain fears

21st October 2020

Saab has been forced into partnering with new Gripen supply chain partners as COVID-19 issues continue to damage industry.
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Bell not ruling out 360 Invictus design tweaks

16th October 2020

Bell will determine whether or not to make design changes on a newly developed light scout helicopter once the US Army confirms FARA weapons systems requirements.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: Jury out on Qatari F-35 deal but UK links strengthen

15th October 2020

A reported request to the US government from Qatar for F-35 aircraft has caused pushback from regional actors but the UK has consolidated military ties with Doha.
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: SB>1 Defiant hits new speed with acceleration left to spur

15th October 2020

The SB>1 co-axial helicopter has recorded a new flight test speed of 232kt.
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: Experts expect ‘crawl, walk, run,’ process to make Skyborg a success

9th October 2020

In light of debate surrounding how well-suited loyal wingman aircraft are in competing against IADS and hypersonic missiles, analysts are confident the systems will eventually prove themselves in contested environments.
Unmanned Vehicles

PREMIUM: UMS Skeldar officially axes R-350 UAV

6th October 2020

Having dispensed with the R-350, UMS Skeldar continues to develop its V-150 rotary-wing UAV
Unmanned Vehicles

PREMIUM: AeroVironment raises loitering munition stakes

5th October 2020

UAS manufacturer AeroVironment has released a new extended range variant of the company's Switchblade loitering munition series — designated Switchblade 600.
Air Warfare

PREMIUM: Swiss Air2030 drama builds as US packages tip budget scales

1st October 2020

Two proposed US government packages exceed a CFH6 billion ($6.5 billion) budget limit for Switzerland’s Air2030 fighter acquisition. The US State Department has cleared the ...
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Germany cancels heavy-lift helicopter acquisition

29th September 2020

Germany has announced the cancellation of the long running CH-53G heavy-lift helicopter replacement tender, citing budgetary difficulties and after close examination of industry offers. The ...
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Leonardo secures lucrative AW169M order from Austria

25th September 2020

Leonardo has beaten off stiff competition from Airbus and Bell to win a €300 million ($349 million) contract for 18 AW169M multirole helicopters from Austria. ...
Defence Helicopter

PREMIUM: Industry partners ink T55 deal in hot pursuit of German heavy-lift win

18th September 2020

Boeing, Honeywell and Rolls-Royce have jointly reached an agreement for T55 engine in-service support as part of a wider CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter offer to ...
Defence Notes

PREMIUM: Concerns raised over UK F-35 operational balance

16th September 2020

Defence analysts have questioned whether the UK F-35 programme can be built up to readily support a broad range of air, land and sea-based missions. ...