Defense and Space

Conservative test parameters for NASA’s Space Launch System Core Stage hot fire prompted the early but orderly shutdown of the Boeing-built booster’s four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines, NASA said on Jan. 19.

The safety concerns identified by the DOT&E about the Advanced Composite Rotor Blade (ACRB) could impact an ongoing debate between Congress and the Army over the future of CH-47F Block II production.

A new study published by two scientists—Cameron Tracy, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and David Wright, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—seeks to debunk claims that hypersonic weapons are invincible.

Plans for a satellite launch site in the Shetland Islands have been submitted to the local authorities for planning permission.

Slovenia is to purchase a C-27J Spartan airlifter to fill a shortfall in capability left exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leonardo’s Seaspray search radar is to be integrated onto the MQ-9B SkyGuardian as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) pushes the unmanned air system for the maritime surveillance mission.

Leading Tier 1 supplier Spirit AeroSystems and the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) have inaugurated a new kind of federally backed, discounted-rate lending for aerospace suppliers—beginning with a $40 million transaction based on receivables from Spirit’s lower-tier providers.

The unanticipated clumpy nature of the Martian soil at Elysium Planitia, the equatorial landing site, offers little friction for digging meaning a probe cannot be buried.

Thales has teamed up with India’s Bharat Dynamics to offer the Starstreak short-range air defense system for Indian needs.

Reducing aircraft NOx; Automotive radar for eVTOLs; Satellite inspection in space; and NASA picks university projects.

The LauncherOne rocket reached space for the first time on Jan. 17, carrying 10 small satellites to orbit.

NASA did not immediately say why the hot fire was cut off about 67 sec. after ignition.

Thales Alenia Space has been awarded a European contract to prepare for an in-orbit demonstration of spacecraft servicing.

Ask the Editors: Joe Biden’s choice to name recently retired General Lloyd Austin as defense secretary seems both political and personal.

The the acting defense secretary is skeptical about whether the fifth-generation fighter is needed.

Five days before President-elect Joe Biden’s swearing in to become the 46th U.S. president, the House Armed Services Committee chairman introduced legislation for a waiver that would allow Lloyd Austin to become defense secretary.

The EU is looking for synergies between two components of its Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-27: the newly created €8 billion ($9.5 billion) European Defense Fund and the €14.9 billion space budget.

Both companies have received $8.5 million contracts to launch Phase 1 of the a four-step prototyping program worth up to $250 million.

This webinar took place January 15, 2021 and sponsored by Makino. In the final months of President Donald Trump’s presidency, his administration

Advanced air mobility, electric aircraft and hypersonic flight are the focus of the latest academic research projects to be funded under NASA’s University Leadership Initiative.

Russia is to follow the U.S. by withdrawing from the Open Skies treaty, drawing a question mark over the future of the arms control accord.

Japan’s SoftBank has re-invested in OneWeb, the satellite communications company that was sent into Chapter 11 nine months ago after the Tokyo-based holding company withdrew its support.

A British aircraft parts supplier says it has halted supplies of fuel systems to Turkish unmanned aircraft OEM Baykar Makina after discovering the system had been used in Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 combat unmanned air system.

Buoyed by a new production contract, Boeing’s improving KC-46A tanker program gears up for upgrades.

Under Trump, NASA expanded business, international partnerships.