Category: News

Fraunhofer Develops Acoustic Drone-Detection System

The solution from Fraunhofer IDMT detects and locates drones outside the field of vision using intelligent acoustic sensor technology | Photo: Fraunhofer IDMT/Leona Hofmann

Fraunhofer IDMT has developed an acoustic drone-detection system capable of identifying and locating unmanned aerial vehicles even when they are obscured by terrain or structures. Designed to integrate with radar, optical and lidar sensors, the system provides 360-degree coverage with low energy consumption and autonomous operation.

Saab, Boeing & BAE Systems offer T-7 trainer to UK RAF

Saab-Boeing T-7 Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft | Photo: Saab

Saab, Boeing and BAE Systems have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the UK’s next fast-jet training programme, proposing a system built around the T-7 trainer aircraft. The companies plan a UK-based assembly line, integrated live-synthetic training capabilities and expanded supply-chain opportunities, while also positioning the collaboration for future international pilot-training requirements.

Ukraine’s Defence Builder, Finland’s 17Tech Partner to Accelerate Defence Technology Start-Ups

Sami Luukkonen of 17Tech and Line Rindvig, of Defence Builder | Photo: 17Tech

Defence Builder of Ukraine and Finland’s 17Tech have formed a strategic partnership to link Ukraine’s battlefield-driven innovation with Finland’s defence technology expertise. The collaboration will support startups from NATO countries, provide access to operational validation environments, enable field testing in Ukraine and expand investor and defence-sector networks across both nations.

Boeing Launches E-Commerce Platform for Parts & Services

Boeing Distribution launches unified e-commerce platform | Photo: Boeing

Boeing has introduced a unified e-commerce website that consolidates its distribution products and services into a single platform. The company said the launch is part of a wider modernization effort, including updated support systems, enhanced AOG response capabilities and new data-integration tools designed to streamline customer access and supply-chain operations.

Morocco Orders Ten Airbus H225M Helicopters

Airbus H225M helicopter | Photo: Airbus Helicopters/Anthony Pecchi

Morocco has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for ten H225M aircraft to modernise the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s combat search and rescue capability, replacing its long-serving Puma fleet. The helicopters will be equipped with mission systems including a double hoist, searchlight and Safran Euroflir 410, along with provisions for machine guns and an electronic warfare suite.

Sentinel-6B Satellite Launched for Sea-Level Monitoring

Airbus-built Sentinel-6B satellite before departing to launch site | Photo: Airbus

The Airbus-built Sentinel-6B satellite has launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base to continue long-term monitoring of global sea-surface height. Developed through a partnership involving ESA, NASA, EUMETSAT, NOAA and CNES, the satellite will operate alongside Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich for its first year before taking over as the reference mission for sea-level measurements, supporting climate research, coastal planning and marine forecasting.

Germany to lift arms ban on Israel

The flags of Israel and Germany fly in front of the Berlin House of Representatives on January 26, 2022 | File Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Germany will lift its partial weapons export embargo on Israel on November 24, citing a stabilising ceasefire in Gaza and and renewed diplomatic efforts to increase humanitarian aid. Berlin will return to case-by-case reviews of export requests, a move welcomed by Israel but debated within Germany.

Joby Conducts First Flight of Demo Turbine-Electric VTOL

Joby Aviation's turbine-electric, autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) demonstrator aircraft | Photo: Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation has completed the first flight of its turbine-electric hybrid VTOL aircraft, developed with L3Harris Technologies to expand the range and operational use of its electric air taxi platform for commercial and defence applications. The company said the demonstrator builds on its all-electric aircraft, which has logged over 50,000 miles of flight testing and is in the final phase of Federal Aviation Administration type certification.

Colombia Orders 17 Saab Gripen Fighters for €3.1B

Gripen E fighter aircraft | Photo: Saab

Saab has signed a €3.1 billion contract with Colombia for 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft including two twin-seat Gripen F fighters to be delivered between 2026 and 2032, following orders from Thailand recently, a Ukrainian letter of intent for hundreds of aircraft and strong prospects coming up in Canada.

Germany to buy €150M in U.S. weapons for Ukraine

The Group of Five is represented at a press conference by (l-r) Pawel Zalewski from Poland, Guido Crosetto from Italy, Kaja Kallas for the EU, Boris Pistorius from Germany, Catherine Vautrin from France and John Healey from the UK | Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa

Germany will contribute at least €150 million toward the purchase of US-made military equipment for Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a meeting of the “Group of Five” European defence ministers in Berlin under NATO’s PURL scheme.

Merz Urges Ukraine to Address Expanding Graft Probe

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the participants at the German Retail Congress | Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pressed Ukraine to pursue anti-corruption reforms after President Volodymyr Zelensky briefed him on a widening corruption scandal that has led to two ministerial resignations and sanctions against key business figures.