Defense and Space

By Bill Carey
The FAA has authorized a 12th commercial space launch site and continues to evaluate another site that was nearing a decision by the agency late last year.
Space

By Steve Trimble
Sierra Nevada said on May 11 that it will deliver a third Embraer A-29 to U.S. Special Operations Command to support the Combat Aviation Advisor mission.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Australian firm CEA Technologies will compete for a long-awaited, ground-based surveillance radar to replace the aging TPS-75, the U.S. Air Force announced on May 11.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Lee Hudson
Gen. Charles Brown, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, says he would continue many of the same modernization efforts as his predecessor, but recognizes the service must adjust its strategy and priorities because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Carreau
When Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken splash down in the Atlantic Ocean following their SpaceX Demo-2 flight to the International Space Station, it will mark the first time NASA astronauts have landed in the ocean in nearly 45 years.
Space

By Mark Carreau
Northrop Grumman’s 13th NASA-contracted Cygnus resupply mission departed the International Space Station (ISS) May 11 for an extended free flight.
Space

By Bradley Perrett
Japan will on May 18 stand up an air force unit charged with tracking space debris and meteorites, Defense Minister Kono Taro said.
Space

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE has 5-year, $46.4m contract from an unidentified customer to supply complex machined rotating engine components for military
Defense and Space

GKN AEROSPACE has Boeing contract to continue to supply structural components and assemblies for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-15E Strike Eagle and C-17
Defense and Space

By Bradley Perrett
The re-entry capsule of a new manned Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth successfully on May 8, three days after it was launched in an unmanned test, government agencies said.
Space

By Steve Trimble
Congress should tighten restrictions on support by U.S. government and private entities for China’s space program as Beijing’s military capabilities continue expanding, a new report by a congressionally-chartered group recommends.
Space

By Bradley Perrett, Kim Minseok
South Korea has test flown a new type of short-range ballistic missile, Hyunmoo 4, making one successful and one unsuccessful shot in March, according to widespread media reports in the country.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Mark Carreau
Government watchdog warns of record-high budget overruns and schedule delays with Moon rocket and other big-ticket projects.
Space

By Irene Klotz
Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX win NASA contracts to develop systems to land astronauts on the Moon.
Space

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.
Defense and Space

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.
Defense and Space

By Michael Bruno
Along with other measures, such as 30-50% cuts to cash wages, the reduction in force should still mean the company at a minimum remains at cash breakeven.
Supply Chain

By Steve Trimble
Hungary has been approved by the U.S. government to become the second export customer for the Raytheon AMRAAM-ER surface-to-air missile, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on May 8.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Lee Hudson
Lockheed Martin has achieved its pledged goal of delivering $450 million in accelerated progress payments from the Pentagon to support the supply chain during the global novel coronavirus pandemic.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
Elbit Systems has introduced a long-range maritime rescue system for the Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft system ordered by an undisclosed customer in Southeast Asia, the company announced on May 7.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lee Hudson
After four years, the U.S. Navy has overcome an arresting hook availability shortfall impacting readiness of both the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Boeing on May 7 rolled out of its St. Louis final assembly plant the first of two test aircraft to support the F/A-18E/F Block III program, the company said.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lee Hudson
Twenty-two members of the House Armed Services Committee have issued a bipartisan letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warning the agency that its approval of Ligado Networks’ deployment of a 5G network could harm the Pentagon’s Global Positioning System.
Space

By Tony Osborne
A former Royal Air Force chief has been selected to become the future chairman of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Sir Stephen Hillier, who served as Air Chief Marshall of the Royal Air Force between 2016 and 2019, is set to become a nonexecutive chair of the regulator on Aug. 1, taking over from Dame Deirdre Hutton, the current chairman who has been in the role for the past 11 years.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Tony Osborne
Leonardo has declared its new M-345 light jet trainer ready for the market after securing certification from Italian military airworthiness authorities.
Aircraft & Propulsion