Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

UTC’S PRATT & WHITNEY won two major contracts worth a combined $453.5 million for work to support the F-35.

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A startup with ties to a former NATO allied supreme commander and a retired National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency director who is aiming to launch “the world’s first commercial constellation of high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites” just raised an initial $85 million investment.

The U.S. Air Force and Navy have informally established a joint team to combat physiological episodes to better align with the National Defense Strategy.

To meet an increased demand for canceling radio frequency (RF) signal interference, L3 has built a system that can do just that and is planning to expand it into a software capability.

Details of the SpaceX passenger flight will be announced on Sept. 17, CEO Elon Musk said Sept. 13.

ASTROCAST has an agreement to use 12 LEAF SPACE antennas for its 64-unit nanosatellite communication constellation.

MD Helicopters delivered the first five MD 530F Cayuse Warrior attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force on Sept. 10.

The Pentagon’s operational test arm has decided the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter must have updated software before the program can enter formal initial operational test and evaluation.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has named Jody Singer, a 33-year NASA veteran, as director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Long-running efforts to bring the Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft into the U.S. for firefighting have taken a step forward.

The Israeli Defense Ministry denied on Sept. 13 an Arabic media report that Israel sold one battery of Iron Dome rocket defense systems to Saudi Arabia.

New-build Bell AH-1Z attack helos built for Pakistan are being kept in storage due to the U.S. government’s decision to suspend military aid to the country.

Israel Aerospace Industries has signed an agreement with a startup company to make satellites that can service other satellites in space.

NASA plans to brief industry Nov. 1-2 on the first of its planned “Grand Challenges” to promote public confidence in the safety of urban air mobility (UAM).

The FAA has issued updated guidance advising U.S. aircraft operators to exercise caution when flying in or near the Tehran Flight Information Region.

Lockheed Martin is looking to invest in Australian startups working in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space and satellite imaging.

LEOSAT ENTERPRISES says it has signed commercial prelaunch agreements worth more than $1 billion.

Sikorsky-owned PZL Mielec has delivered an M28 utility transport to the Ecuadorian army, the company announced Sept. 10.

Spanish ministers have approved the purchase of up to 23 more NH90 utility helicopters and may soon OK a program to buy new Chinook transport helicopters.

NASA’s Orion Crew Parachute Assembly System executed an 11-parachute deployment sequence over the U.S. Army Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona, early Sept. 12.

The Swiss government has begun gearing up for a referendum that will allow the public to decide whether Switzerland should modernize its air defenses.

The imminent restart of manned spaceflights from U.S. soil raises questions for Europe, Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel said.

The multiple-launch accord that satellite operator Eutelsat has signed with launch service provider Arianespace marks the first commercial contract for Ariane 6.

Coalition air forces backing the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are likely to remain committed for several years, a commander says.