Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Airbus has performed the first wet contacts as it works to prove an air-to-air refueling capability for its C295 turboprop airlifter.

Aircraft deliveries at Textron Aviation will be reduced in the first half of 2020 by the impact on composites manufacturing caused by the Dec. 27 explosion at the company’s Plant 3 facility in Wichita.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt has formally ordered the “temporary cessation” of nonemergency drone operations.

UPS on Jan. 29 said it will expand its drone delivery program to the University of California Health complex in San Diego.

Last year turned out to be the ugliest for Boeing’s finances in a generation, with the Chicago-based manufacturer of the 737 MAX and other aerospace and defense products reporting a net loss of $636 million.

Russian Helicopters’ new VRT500 co-axial single-engine light helicopter will use Thales FlytX avionics suite.

Sikorsky is moving ahead with plans to offer a radically revamped version of its S-92 heavylift helicopter.

Robinson Helicopter says development of alternate, more fuel-efficient propulsion systems, including potentially electric power, remains a primary goal for the company.

Heavylift helicopter OEM Erickson has revealed plans to develop a new version of its S-64 Aircrane.

U.S. National Laboratory facilities aboard the International Space Station set records for crew time and new payloads devoted to scientific research and technology advances in fiscal 2019.

The market for Airbus Helicopters has been stable, Airbus officials say. But rather than growth, the market is for replacement helicopters.

Ankara-based Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) president & CEO Temel Kotil said producing the nation’s first passenger narrowbody aircraft is still on the company’s master plan but is currently on hold.

NASA has ordered three Airbus H135 Signature helicopters to replace its current fleet of three Huey 2 aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force is conducting a review of the Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Rapid Capabilities Office and the Space Development Agency to identify roles and responsibilities of these existing organizations.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 29, sending a fourth batch of 60 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

Japan Air Lines is to conduct a drone delivery demonstration with Yabu City, in Hyogo Province, and service provider Terra Drone. The trial will

“We have to figure out a way to mitigate the delayed fielding of the KC-46,” the head of U.S. Transportation Command says.

Lockheed Martin is hoping this year to make progress figuring out a long-term F-35 sustainment deal with the Pentagon.

The U.S. Air Force has notified industry to expect sole-source contracts for Boeing F-15EX fighters and accompanying GE Aviation F110 engines.

Aerospace suppliers are taking different approaches on whether to cut employees as they wrestle with the fallout of the Boeing 737 MAX production halt, with some already doing so while others announce they will not.

The U.S. Space Development Agency is looking for feedback on in-space mesh networking capabilities and interoperability to inform future solicitations.

After almost 20 years of development, Russia’s new Mil Mi-38 heavy transport helicopter has started gaining orders.

Leonardo Helicopters will take over fledgling Swiss rotorcraft manufacturer Kopter Group in a $185 million deal.

Airbus is giving its best-selling H125 single-engine light helicopter an uptick in performance that the company expects will appeal to aerial work operators.