Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

By Bill Carey
President Joe Biden on Sept. 7 nominated Michael Whitaker to lead the FAA, which has functioned for the past year and a half under acting administrators.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Helen Chachaty
France’s Defense Innovation Lab and the French Navy have recently been evaluating flight tests of a UAS prototype launched from a submarine.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Tony Osborne
Slovakia's first Lockheed Martin Block 70 F-16—a single-seater painted in an all-over gray scheme—is due to make its maiden flight in November 2023.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The UK has rejoined the EU’s Horizon research and development initiative, much to the delight of the nation’s aerospace industry.
Space

By Chen Chuanren
After three delays, Japan has placed its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon lunar lander into space, with the aim of validating its landing capabilities.
Space

By Tony Osborne
The Collins Elbit Vision Systems joint venture has unveiled the Zero-G helmet-mounted display system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Guy Norris
Rolls-Royce is poised to begin a third phase of ground tests with a pair of dual-podded F130 turbofans for the U.S. Air Force’s B-52J re-engining program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Anduril Industries has acquired North Carolina-based Blue Force Technologies (BFT) and the small firm’s large uncrewed aircraft system development program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The families of those killed when a Leonardo AW169 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff in 2018, say they are considering legal action against the OEM.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Graham Warwick
Walmart expects to add Wing to its growing drone delivery network, with plans to launch service at two stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Tony Osborne
Poland and the UK are advancing a joint effort to develop a longer-range version of MBDA’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missile.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Brian Everstine
The new acting head of the U.S. Marine Corps will elevate the head of safety role to a general officer by next summer amid a review of operations.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Irene Klotz
NASA says a $1.2 billion mission to learn more about the metal-rich asteroid Psyche is on track for launch on Oct. 5 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Space

By Graham Warwick
The FAA has authorized UPS Flight Forward to operate drones beyond visual light of sight for small package delivery.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed has further delayed delivery of the first F-35 upgraded with new avionics, to the second quarter of 2024, adding to a backlog of deferred shipments.
Supply Chain

By Thierry Dubois
The Vulcain 2.1, the main-stage engine on the Ariane 6 launcher under development, was run Sept. 5.
Space

By Tony Osborne
A notice to industry released by the UK Defense Ministry says it wants to focus on developing laser weapons for both maritime and ground-based air defense.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
The recommendations follow an investigation into the crash of a Leonardo AW169 helicopter that killed five people, including the owner of Leicester City FC.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Poland has signed contracts with European and U.S. companies to further strengthen the country’s air defenses.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Ben Goldstein
Bristow Group has secured early delivery slots for five of U.S. startup Elroy Air’s Chaparral hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
The proposed Skunk Works tool—an F-35-mounted autonomous processing node—connect to the less-intelligent CCAs during a mission.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Matthew Fulco
Net income reached $1.5 million in the April to June period, or $0.15 earnings per share (EPS), compared to a loss of $0.01 EPS in the second quarter of 2022.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
Spire Global has won a $4.6 million, 12-month NASA contract to develop a microwave sounder device for the NOAA Near-Earth Orbit Network satellite constellation.
Commercial Space

By Chen Chuanren
The adoption of the Dominator XP, made by Israeli company Aeronautics, marks the Royal Thai Air Force's first medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The UK Royal Air Force says personnel are now undertaking the first instructor operating course on Protector simulators at General Atomics’ facility in the U.S.
Aircraft & Propulsion