In Pictures: Top Aerospace & Defense Stories, Mar. 08 2023

Credit: NASA. NASA has selected seven university teams to develop Moon-based metal production concepts for its Lunar Forge challenge.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will build and test a flying missile launcher for DARPA under the LongShot program.. 

Credit: Skip Williams/NASA. The Orion capsule’s heat shield experienced unexpected charring during its 5,000F re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere during the Artemis I flight test. 

Credit: Lockheed Martin. Sikorsky is working with Leonardo Helicopters to evaluate its X2 coaxial rigid-rotor compound helicopter technology for application to an emerging Italian Army requirement for a high-speed rotorcraft to augment the service’s conventional helicopter fleet.

Credit: Contreras Earl Architecture. Australian advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure company Skyportz has partnered with property developer Pelligra to identify suitable locations for a future network of vertiports in Australia.

Credit: Colin Underhill / Alamy Stock Photo. Bolstered by new ownership and fresh investment, Enstrom Helicopter Corp. has resumed production of its turbine and piston rotorcraft and is studying larger products, upgrades and alternative propulsion concepts.

Credit: Terry White/SLS/NASA. Boeing is interested in offering commercial Space Launch System (SLS) flight services to the U.S. Space Force as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program.

Credit: Beta Technologies. U.S. startup Beta Technologies has opened an engineering center in Montreal to support design, certification and production of the structure for its Alia electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Credit: USMC. The Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) is looking to acquire five more Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes to supplement its airborne early warning capabilities, following a release by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency that it has approved the sale. 

Credit: Electron Holding. South Korean advanced air mobility (AAM) startup MintAir has partnered with Dutch startup Electron Aerospace to operate and become an official reseller of the Electron 5 electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft in South Korea.