Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Grounded for six years, the Philippines National Police (PNP) air wing has returned to the skies after the delivery of three light helicopters.

The Trump administration’s proposal to reorganize military space would increase the cost to the government by up to $4.7 billion in one-time expenses and an additional $1.9 billion every year, the CBO says.

Startup XTI Aircraft has completed the first series of test flights of a 65% scale proof-of-concept prototype of its TriFan 600 ducted-fan VTOL business aircraft.

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks and Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to the Czech Republic.

Indiana Saab’s on May 8 announced selection of an Indiana site to produce structures and systems for the Boeing T-X trainer.

A planned acquisition of three A-29 Super Tucanos and three AT-6 Wolverines has entered the presolicitation notification phase required for all sole source contracts.

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm three nominees to the Export-Import Bank’s board of directors.

With two major aerostructures businesses—Triumph Group’s and Bombardier’s—being shopped out for new owners, is there suddenly too much of the same “product” in the marketplace?

India’s much-anticipated second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, is preparing for launch in mid-July, with the lander expected to touch down in early September.

The FAA “cannot confirm the legality” of using tech designed to detect small UAS, the agency says in updated guidance sent to U.S. airports.

A group of more than 40 retired national security space officials has stepped up to defend the Pentagon’s proposed Space Force.

Collins Aerospace Systems has unveiled an upgraded, open-architecture autopilot system for unmanned aircraft systems.

BlueBird Aero Systems has received a contract from an undisclosed navy to supply its WanderB vertical takeoff and landing UAS for deployment on patrol vessels.

Israeli intelligence was the basis of Washington’s decision to send an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf.

HISDESAT picked consortium led by AIRBUS and THALES ALENIA SPACE to build two SpainSAT NG satellites. First launch in 2023.

SpaceX plans to launch dozens of demonstration Starlink satellites as early as May 15 and follow up with at least two more flights of operational spacecraft later this year.

A shortage of pilots and mechanics is a “serious and immediate problem” affecting business aircraft, commercial airlines and the military, the head of the Aviation Workforce Alliance warns. Without action, the situation will grow much worse, keynote speaker AWA Executive Director David Olive told attendees at a Wichita Aero Club luncheon last week. Pilots are retiring faster than the airlines can hire, Olive said.

Space plans to launch dozens of demonstration Starlink satellites as early as May 15 and follow up with at least two more flights of operational spacecraft later this year.

The U.S. Marine Corps has formalized recent plans to add an anti-ship weapon to its mainly land-attack arsenal.

The U.S. Marine Corps is kicking off the first phase of its MUX development strategy and conducting a prize challenge for industry.

For AeroVironment, the partnership offers a chance to widen the market for its short-range, loitering munitions, such as the Switchblade and Black Wing.

India’s Smart Anti Airfield Weapon is expected to be completed by 2020 for induction into the country’s air force.

“I’m not really sure I would call it a policy reversal. We are in a budget process and they call it a budget process for a reason,” Navy undersecretary Thomas Modly told reporters here May 7.

Airbus Helicopter’s CityAirbus urban air mobility demonstrator has made its milestone first hops into the air in Germany.

UK ROYAL AIR FORCE Typhoon fighters began four-month NATO Air Policing mission in the Baltic region May 3, from Amari Airbase in Estonia, taking over from German air force.