Plans for the center will be welcomed by the U.S. high-speed systems development community, which for years has highlighted the shortage of adequate centralized hypersonic test facilities.

The FAA is closing in on its first special condition for type certification of an electric propulsion system, and acknowledges that amending requirements developed over decades for piston and turbine engines is proving challenging.

Copa Airlines will retrofit its Boeing 737s with Honeywell’s air separation module (ASM), becoming the first announced customer for the fuel tank safety system component. 

The existence of the new production facility also points to a likely return by the Skunk Works to a series manufacturing role after spending most of the last four decades focused on being a rapid prototyping arm and future concepts developer.

Launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on a long-awaited reflight demonstration to the International Space Station remained on hold while engineers assessed options to address an issue with valves in the spacecraft’s propulsion system.

After 3-D printing dozens of tools since its arrival aboard the International Space Station in 2016, the Made in Space Manufacturing Device will have a new assignment once Northrop Grumman’s 16th NASA-contracted resupply mission reaches the ISS with a new Redwire Regolith Print extruder and other hardware.

Airbus has been largely absent from the new-built freighter market, leaving Boeing with a virtual monopoly for the 767F, 777F and 747-8F.

A tacair subcommittee member has proposed that the Air Force study the “feasibility and advisability” of integrating a Raytheon ALQ-249 mid-band radar jammer on its tactical fighter fleet.