Opinion: A Denel for the future.
Sikorsky mourns passing of Sergei I. Sikorsky, 1925 - 2025
Two EMAS systems successfully stop aircraft in separate incidents.
AAD 2026 Conference issues call for sponsors and advisory participants with one year to go.
Sikorsky and CAL FIRE join forces to enhance autonomous aerial firefighting technologies.
Six SADC air forces bolster Ex Blue Lugwasho with aircraft contributions.
Category-leading turboprop manufacturer achieves milestone within five years of certification.
Lockheed Martin Vectis™: Best in CCA class survivability.
This Week in History - 15 September 1978 - Willy Messerschmitt, German aircraft designer, dies
World Wide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus Video - Defiant Twin Ex Cessna 310
Opinion: A Denel for the Future
Phillip Dexter www.defenceweb.co.za
The current state of the state-owned enterprise, Denel, is well known. It has shrunk from over 10 000 employees to around 1 000. It has lost key skills and manufacturing capacity. It has many bad news stories around corruption and maladministration, and it also has a bad name in many quarters where it failed to deliver on orders. It is undercapitalised and many of its assets have been allowed to fall into disrepair.
Denel does, however, have a good pipeline and order book, but delivering on these is a real challenge because it has limited capacity (human resources, equipment and capital).
The analysis of how Denel got to be where it has often been rather simplistic. State capture, as bad as it was, was not the cause of Denel's near destruction. The decline of the SANDF budget (it is more than 50% underfunded), repeated leadership failures over a period of two decades (failed to focus on growing Denel's export potential) and then the corruption, maladministration and attempted state capture of the company all contributed to its near terminal decline.
A sustained effort by the board and executives of Denel and the board and executives of Armscor, with support from the government, between 2020 and 2024 ensured that Denel was saved from bankruptcy. It also laid the foundation for a new Denel to be built. Despite this, there has been limited progress since then.
The current board of Denel, who have been in place for long after their term, and the current executive, seem to have been focused on mobilising government to support the company, rather than imagining and promoting a new Denel that is fit for purpose for today's market.
Denel should be utilising the many private companies in the local defence industry to help it deliver its orders, instead of trying to manufacture everything itself. The reluctance of the SOE to find partners seems to be a consequence of the botched partnerships with entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
Quite who is to blame for these failures is not very clear, but it is not as one-sided as many people seem to suggest. But if Denel is to raise capital, retool its plant and machinery, modernise its intellectual property (IP) and attract skills, it has no choice but to find partners. This does not mean the privatisation of Denel but rather partnering to survive and to grow. For Denel to grow as an enterprise it must therefore identify strategic partners that can contribute to the enterprise capital, expertise, technology, IP and/or markets.
The sale of a majority stakes in both Denel Optronics and Denel Munitions, with hindsight, was a mistake. Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) is one of the few income generating subsidiaries, yet the sale ceded control of this lucrative sovereign capability to a foreign state. Funding is available to enable Denel to buy back the shares sold in RDM and Hensoldt as they are now known. This would bring these back under Denel's control.
Proposals have been made by many companies to partner with all the divisions of Denel. These include PMP (Pretoria Metal Pressings), DLS (Denel Land Systems), Dynamics, Avionics, Gear Ratio and ISS (Integrated Systems Solutions). There are key projects that if efficiently executed, in good time, will ensure that the entity will not only be stabilised but can grow, given the increase in defence expenditure across the globe.
A process of issuing requests for proposal (RFPs) for potential partners to respond to for each division should be undertaken. There should also be an RFP for a funder(s) to partner with Denel Group Holdings. There are many South African and international companies interested in partnering with Denal and its subsidiaries.
Apart from the obvious joint ventures with the divisions, Denel should look at other opportunities such as manufacturing vehicles, including electric vehicles, building a data centre for the country and setting up an industrial park for the defence industry.
On the disputed IP with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, these countries would be willing to settle on this issue in such a manner that it benefits Denel and keeps the partnerships intact. Such a process should be undertaken post haste. Now that Denel is under the supervision of the Department of Defence, the working relationship between the department, Armscor and Denel should improve. Given the growth in the defence market globally there is no reason Denel should not become a successful player in the industry once again.
Phillip Dexter (PhD) is former Chairperson of Armscor.
Sikorsky Mourns Passing of Sergei I. Sikorsky, 1925 - 2025
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), is saddened to learn of the passing of Sergei I. Sikorsky on Sept. 18 at the age of 100. Our deepest condolences go to his wife, Elena. A proud military veteran, Sergei served our country during World War II, in the United States Coast Guard, assigned to the Helicopter Development Unit.
“The entire team - past and present - at Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin mourn the passing of a remarkable man, a link to the golden age of aviation who meant so much to the success of our business,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “Sergei will be greatly missed.”
This video tribute commemorates the amazing life and times of Sergei I. Sikorsky, a remarkable man who meant so much to aviation history, the Sikorsky business, its employees and the greater Stratford, Connecticut, community. The remarkable impact of the Sikorsky family spans generations, touching every current and former employee, engineer and technician, the places we live and work and the countless lives saved by the helicopter.
During his distinguished 41-year career with Sikorsky, Sergei played a significant role in the company's growth into one of the world's leading helicopter manufacturers and the expansion of rotary aircraft around the world.
The son of aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, the company's founder and inventor of the first practical helicopter, Sergei began his career with the company in 1951 in international marketing and sales.
He returned to the United States in 1976 at the dawn of the Black Hawk era to become division vice president in Stratford, overseeing the company's co-production programs. Sergei would later take on marketing and special project roles until retiring in 1992. Even in retirement, Sergei remained active with the company, serving as a goodwill ambassador at major trade shows and other events where he would sign autographs, speak about his family's legacy and highlight an immeasurable passion for the helicopter and its promise to save lives around the world.
The aircraft hangar at Sikorsky's Stratford facility was dedicated as the Sergei I. Sikorsky Flight Centre in 2019. Sergei called it his life's “single greatest honour.”
Two EMAS Systems Successfully Stop Aircraft in Separate Incidents
Two Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) played a crucial role in safely stopping aircraft during runway overruns at two different locations yesterday. EMAS is a bed of lightweight, crushable material installed at the end of a runway to slow down aircraft that overshoot, undershoot, or veer off the runway.
Chicago, Illinois: A Gulfstream G150 overran the runway at Chicago Executive Airport and was safely brought to a stop by the EMAS system installed beyond the runway's end. Two people were on board, and no serious injuries were reported.
Boca Raton, Florida: A similar incident occurred at Boca Raton Airport, where a Bombardier Challenger 300 went beyond the runway during landing and was safely halted by the EMAS bed. Four people were on board, and no serious injuries were reported.
“Yesterday's incidents in Chicago and Boca Raton clearly demonstrate the lifesaving value of EMAS technology,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These two systems did exactly what they're designed to do-stop aircraft safely when they go off the runway. This technology is making a real difference in preventing serious accidents.”
These incidents underscore the vital importance of EMAS technology in enhancing aviation safety by preventing potentially catastrophic runway overruns.
AAD 2026 Conference issues call for sponsors and advisory participants with one year to go
The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition has officially appointed defenceWeb to once again manage the conference programme alongside the main expo. With the conferences scheduled for 16-18 September 2026, the countdown has begun. This milestone kicks off a year of building towards the most important gathering for aerospace and defence professionals on the continent, focused on fostering African security, innovation, and collaboration. www.defencewb.co.za
The AAD conference programme stands as a leading platform for advancing the aerospace, maritime, defence and security industries across Africa and globally. It goes beyond traditional exhibitions to facilitate informed conversations on technological innovation, strategic developments, market opportunities, and industry trends. Delegates gain access to high-level presentations, panel discussions, and exclusive networking opportunities designed to forge powerful partnerships and unlock new opportunities across the defence, aviation, and maritime sectors.
The 2026 conference programme is designed to provide focused, relevant, and impactful content over three days:
Day 1: The Future of Warfare - This topic remains highly relevant and engaging in the ever-evolving security sector. According to feedback from our attendee survey, it was also the most popular day of the previous conference, attracting top military strategists and technology innovators.
Day 2: South African Defence Industry Showcase - Case studies will form the core of the presentations on this day, allowing for a deeper dive into the capabilities and cutting-edge solutions from the local industry.
Day 3: Focus on the Aviation Industry - With the next event under the CAASA umbrella, a day dedicated to aviation will provide valuable insights into the future of both commercial and defence aviation.
AAD is where industry leaders converge. We invite forward-thinking companies and organisations to actively shape the conversation and maximise their exposure.
Sponsorship - move beyond visibility: Our tailored conference sponsorship packages are designed to do more than just brand; they are engineered to position your organisation at the heart of the action. Gain direct access to key government officials, military decision-makers, and industry partners through exclusive branding, targeted networking sessions, and facilitated introductions that deliver a tangible return on investment.
Shape the agenda - join our advisory initiative: The development of our 2026 content is underway. We are currently engaging with key industry leaders to form an advisory panel that will guide our topics and ensure the conference programme addresses the most critical issues. Senior experts interested in contributing to this strategic shaping of the conference are invited to express their interest.
Future speaking opportunities: A formal Call for Papers will be issued in early 2026, inviting subject-matter experts to submit proposals to present. This will be the official channel for speaker applications once the core thematic tracks are finalized by our advisory panel.
“AAD is more than an event; it's where the African defence and aerospace ecosystem converges to set the agenda for the coming years,” said Nakedi Phasha, exhibition director at AAD. “Our first step is to consult with industry leaders to build a powerful framework for the conference. We are calling on visionary sponsors and senior experts to join us in this foundational phase and help us build a truly impactful 2026 programme.”
Be a part of the AAD 2026 Conference:
Companies interested in powerful sponsorship opportunities should contact Robert Mace at robert@defenceWeb.co.za.
Senior industry experts interested in contributing to the advisory panel to shape the conference agenda are also encouraged to reach out to Ros Hinchcliffe, the conference producer, at ros@defenceWeb.co.za .
Sikorsky and CAL FIRE Join Forces to Enhance Autonomous Aerial Firefighting Technologies
In a significant step forward in the fight against wildfires, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) have announced a new initiative to expand the research, innovation, and operational capabilities of aviation resources.
This effort aims to strengthen the response to the growing threat of wildfires, reducing the dangerous impacts on communities, residents, infrastructure, natural resources, and the economy. The five-year collaboration will focus on developing and integrating cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing the safety and efficacy of CAL FIRE operations to create a more efficient and effective approach to all-hazard emergency response. Autonomy-enabled aircraft will reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness, and give first responders the flexibility to perform complex missions in dangerous and deteriorating conditions, day or night.
“The CAL FIRE Aviation Program prioritizes safety of air operations and ensures our flight crews have the proper training, equipment, and advanced technologies for maximum effectiveness on all-risk missions,” said Steve Robinson, Assistant Deputy Director, Aviation and Mobile Equipment, CAL FIRE. “CAL FIRE is excited to collaborate with Sikorsky and determine how their advanced technologies could benefit our Helicopter and Uncrewed Aerial System Programs.”
By virtue of this collaboration, CAL FIRE and Sikorsky will be positioned to explore the development of an autonomous Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWK helicopter, a proven and versatile aerial firefighting aircraft that has become a central component of CAL FIRE's wildfire response. CAL FIRE operates a fleet of 16 FIREHAWK helicopters as its primary rotary wing firefighting asset, including two aircraft that were recently delivered in the summer of 2025. The aircraft's unique capabilities, including its ability to fly at speeds up to 155 knots, operate in high winds, and navigate altitudes up to 10,000 feet, make it an invaluable asset in the fight against wildfires.
"The development of autonomous wildfire suppression capabilities will be a game-changer in our efforts to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and enhancing the safety and efficacy of operations, this collaboration has the potential to revolutionize the way we respond to wildfires, protecting citizens for generations to come.”
In April 2025, the company conducted exercises in Southern California, showcasing the potential of autonomy to help crewed and uncrewed firefighting helicopters find and suppress early-stage wildfires. These efforts, which utilized Sikorsky's autonomous Black Hawk helicopter, familiarized firefighters with the capabilities of autonomous systems in aerial firefighting. Pilots from CAL FIRE, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Orange County Fire Authority also experienced the optionally piloted aircraft at Sikorsky's facility in Stratford, Conn., and provided feedback to tailor these new capabilities for firefighting operations.
The collaboration marks a continuation of Sikorsky's decades-long support for California's firefighting efforts, which began in the 1990s when leaders from the state's firefighting community approached the company to develop a specialized aerial firefighting helicopter. The resulting FIREHAWK helicopter -- with its 1,000-gallon water tank, retractable snorkel, twin turbine engine, and night vision capability -- was designed to fit California's rigorous firefighting needs and has been proven by firefighters there for 25 years.
Sikorsky's initiative is part of Lockheed Martin's broader focus on accelerating the development and integration of digital technology to support faster decision-making capabilities for wildfire management, known as 21st Century Firefighting. This includes a range of solutions, such as firefighting fixed-wing aircraft, including the C-130 Hercules, and firefighting intelligence, which leverages AI-enabled technology to provide near real-time intelligence to first responders. Lockheed Martin has also funded a two-year pilot program with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to demonstrate the effectiveness of these solutions.
Six SADC air forces bolster Ex Blue Lugwasho with aircraft contributions
Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa are among the Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations contributing aircraft to Exercise Blue Lugwasho currently underway in Zambia. Guy Martin www.defenceweb.co.za
The exercise takes its name from the Tonga verb meaning to help, and is, according to Zambia's Acting Defence Minister Brenda Tambatamba, “a practical demonstration of regional solidarity and preparedness in responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and modern security threats”.
Zambia, particularly the southern part, is currently being gripped by drought - its worst in 40 years, and so a key element of Blue Lugwasho is hunger relief. To this effect, participating aircraft are delivering maize to communities in need. The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) on 11 September said since exercise activities began on 9 September, over 1 100 bags of maize each weighing 50 kg have been airlifted from the Exercise's Strategic Operating Base (SOB) at Lusaka Air Force Base to the Main Operating Base (MOB) at Livingstone Air Force Base using the Botswana Defence Force's C-130 aircraft and the Zambia Air Force's C-27J aircraft.
The relief maize is being airlifted in preparation for distribution through the Forward Operating Bases (FOB) at Maamba and Namwala to the earmarked districts in the exercise area. A total of 450 tons of maize will be delivered to the Livingstone, Sinazongwe, Maamba, Namwala, Itezhi-Tezhi, Gwembe, Mulobezi and Mwandi districts.
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the host Zambia are participating in Exercise Blue Lugwasho, which runs up to 26 September. All told, according to the Zambia Air Force, nearly a thousand military personnel are taking part, along with aircraft. These assets will move personnel and supplies in and around Zambia's southern corridor.
The Botswana Defence Force has supplied a C-130 (OM4) to Zambia - this was delivered from the United States in May last year after being donated by the US government. At the time of the handover, the United States said it would enhance Botswana's ability to support military, humanitarian, and emergency response missions locally and within the Southern African Development Community region.
Zambia Air Force Chief of Operations, Brigadier General Lloyd Chonya, said the Zambia Air Force remains indebted to Botswana for contributing its personnel and the C-130 aircraft to Blue Lugwasho. Commandant of the Botswana Senior Command and Staff College, Brigadier General Dumisani Ndzinge, said the Zambia Air Force has been instrumental in the development of Botswana's air wing, citing that some of its fighter pilots trained from the Zambia Air Force Mumbwa Base.
The South African Air Force has contributed an A109 and a BK 117 helicopter, while Namibia has sent two K-8 jet trainers. Tanzania has sent two C235 and H215M Cougar helicopters (JW9805 and JW9807), with the helicopters arriving in Lusaka on 15 September. Zimbabwe's contribution is C212 and Bell 412 aircraft, while host Zambia has allocated C-27J Spartan, Y-12, C208 Caravan, Bell 212, and K-8 aircraft to Blue Lugwasho.
Held under the coordination of the SADC Standing Aviation Committee, Blue Lugwasho marks the first major post-COVID-19 blue exercise, following a pandemic induced hiatus since 2019. Blue Lugwasho 2025 was officially kicked off on 8 September in Lusaka.
Zimbabwe aims to host the next SADC blue air exercise in 2027. “We are also learning and sharing experiences with others such that by the time we shall host, we will be completely ready,” said the Air Force of Zimbabwe's Air Commodore Maxwell Sakupwanya.
Category-leading turboprop manufacturer achieves milestone within five years of certification
Epic Aircraft, designer and manufacturer of the leading single-engine turboprop, today announced the delivery of its 100th certified aircraft. The milestone coincides with the company's 11th Annual Odyssey Fly-In, a gathering of Epic Aircraft owners, pilots, and partners in Bend, Oregon.
“Achieving this delivery milestone underscores the strength of demand for our aircraft,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King. “We reached our 100th certified aircraft faster than anyone imagined.”
The company delivered its first certified airplane, the E1000, in 2020. In just five years, the company has introduced and certified two next-generation models, the E1000 GX and the E1000 AX. Collectively, the fleet has accrued over 41,000 flight hours.
The 100th airplane, an E1000 AX, features a special commemorative logo on its exterior as well as its interior seats. The aircraft will be based in Texas.
“From our first to our 100th aircraft, each certified Epic reflects the innovation, passion, and commitment of our employees-and the belief of our owner community,” added King. “Each delivery is more than an aircraft. It's the beginning of a new adventure.”
Lockheed Martin Vectis™: Best in CCA Class Survivability
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT) introduces Vectis, a Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to advance unparalleled air dominance for American and allied militaries. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' Vectis: highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework.
This system embodies the company's pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems and open mission architectures. As the future of air power takes shape, Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.
"Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development and autonomy," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "We're not simply building a new platform - we're creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework."
VECTUS advance the Family of Systems vision for next-gen air dominance. Proven Lockheed Martin performance on common control systems like the MDCX™ ensure compatibility across the command and control spectrum.
Capable of executing precision strike, ISR targeting, electronic warfare and offensive and defensive counter air missions. Provides multi-domain connectivity, whether standalone or as part of integrated teaming missions with crewed aircraft like the F-35.Extended Range: Endurance ranges compatible with Indo-Pacific, European and Central Command theaters.
Stealth: Leverages decades of experience in stealth advancement to deliver best in CCA class survivability. Affordable: Applies advanced manufacturing and digital engineering techniques learned from next-gen aircraft development to drive affordability and speed. Vectis will be offered at a CCA price point. Open Systems: Built to avoid vendor lock by aligning to Government Reference Architectures.
Vectis' development is underway. Parts are ordered and a team is executing. Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers' evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined.
Skunk Works has decades of experience leveraging speed, altitude, shape, advanced materials and more to keep crewed and uncrewed platforms safe in the most challenging environments to solve the warfighter's hardest problems. All of this pioneering work is reflected in Vectis, which delivers class-leading survivability in an agile, multi-role package.
With Vectis, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is acting on a bold vision to deliver high-end survivability and mission systems capability at aggressive cost targets and design, build and fly within two years.
15 September 1978
Willy Messerschmitt, German aircraft designer, dies
Born Wilhelm Emil Messerschmitt on 26 June 1898 was raised in Bamberg where his parents ran a large wine shop and wine bar. Messerschmitt had an interest in aviation from a young age, building his own model airplanes and his own gliders which he would test with his friends.
Messerschmitt designed a number of successful motor gliders and airliners in the early 1920s. He designed the Messerschmitt Bf 109 in collaboration with Walter Rethel, which became the most important fighter aircraft in the Luftwaffe and remains the second most-produced warplane in history, with some 34,000 built. Messerschmitt's Bf 109R, later redesignated Messerschmitt Me 209, broke the absolute world airspeed record and held the world speed record for propeller-driven aircraft until 1969. Messerschmitt's firm also produced the first jet-powered fighter to enter service - the Messerschmitt Me 262.
After the war he was accused of using forced labour for aircraft production and convicted of collaborating with the Nazi regime in 1948. He was released after two years in prison, resuming his position as head of his company. Since Germany was forbidden to manufacture aircraft until 1955, he turned his company to manufacturing prefabricated buildings, sewing machines, and small cars - most notably the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller. Exporting his talents to Francoist Spain, he designed the Hispano HA-200 jet trainer for Hispano Aviación in 1952 before eventually being allowed to return to aircraft manufacturing in Germany to licence-produce the Fiat G.91 and then Lockheed F-104 Starfighter for the West German Air Force. He designed the later Helwan HA-300, a light supersonic interceptor, for the Egyptian Air Force. This was his last aircraft design.
He served as director of Messerschmitt AG until his retirement in 1970 and passed away on 15 September 1978.
China, Lyuyuan District, Changchun, Jilin Province: During the 2025 Changchun Air Show, two Xpeng Aeroht eVTOL vehicles were involved in a mid-air collision. One aircraft crashed and caught alight, while the other reportedly landed safely. At least one person aboard was injured.
USA,near Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, NC: A Cirrus SR22T GTS G5 carbon, N218VB, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during an attempted go-around from runway 7 at Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, North Carolina. The three occupants onboard sustained fatal injuries. Brett James, the writer for "Jesus Take the Wheel", was killed. ADS-B data suggests the airplane conducted a go-around before coming in for a second attempt. The airplane came to rest upright in an open field about 500 ft north of the runway. There was no post-crash fire. The wreckage consisted of the entire airplane, and there was no debris field leading to the main wreckage.
UK, near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, West Sussex: A man climbed out of a hot air balloon basket mid-flight in what is believed to be a tragic act of suicide. His body was found about 4.5 hours later in a field near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, West Sussex.
France, Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE/LFMN): EasyJet UK flight U24706, an Airbus A320-214 (OE-IJZ), and NouvelAir flight BJ586, an Airbus A320-214 (TS-INP) were involved in a runway incursion incident at Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE). ADS-B data indicates that at 21:32 UTC, flight U24706 lined up on runway 04R at NCE for a night-time departure. At the same time, BJ586 was on final approach to the same runway. ADS-B data indicates BJ586 performed a go-around while close to the runway threshold. A passenger on U24706 reported hearing a loud noise and strong vibrations as Nouvelair 586 overflew their aircraft. The easyJet captain reportedly stated to the passengers that the Nouvelair A320 had overflown them with a separation of 3 meters. EasyJet 4706 decided not to take off and taxied back to the terminal. Nouvelair 586 landed on runway 04L, 12 minutes later.
