Defense and Space

Two squadrons of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters will be based at RAF Lakenheath during the early 2020s. Infrastructure work has begun on new hangars, maintenance and logistic support facilities and operations buildings that will look after the 54 F-35s.

The Made In Space mission will focus on the 3D manufacture of two opposing 10-m beams aboard a small, solar-powered satellite.

The Raytheon Advanced Airborne Sensor integrates a radar with ground moving target indication and synthetic aperture radar modes to the P-8A’s passel of onboard sensors, serving a function similar to the APY-7 radar on the Air Force’s E-8C J-Stars.

The aircraft flew on July 12 for a shakedown flight, but still must have its mission systems installed, which will take place over the coming weeks.

Participants from small businesses and commercial startups with skills to address a range of technology challenges in the national security arena are encouraged to apply for the 12-week gathering.

While his nomination is being considered, Esper has officially ceased to be the acting defense secretary and is solely serving as Army secretary.

The European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency says the outage began at 01:50 UTC on July 12, following messages July 11 that warned of potential service degradation.

“Our position regarding the F-35 has not changed,” Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters July 12 at the Pentagon.

The management shakeup at NASA is intended to usher in a new way of doing business, Administrator Jim Bridenstine told Aerospace DAILY.

As The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 spacecraft prepares to demonstrate solar-sail propulsion in low Earth orbit (LEO), project manager Vestigo Aerospace has received a NASA grant to study use of drag-sail technology to deorbit LEO satellites.

Embraer executives have welcomed Portugal’s decision to purchase the KC-390 airlifter, describing the decision as “historic” for the program.

Turkey has taken delivery of the first components of an S-400 ground-based air defense system from Russia in a move that risks seriously impacting its relationship with the U.S. and NATO allies.

Philippines Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez said the aircraft should be received in 2020, but the manufacturer would not confirm when asked by Aerospace DAILY.

Boeing has selected a Raytheon radar to complete the supplier selection for the first of two major upgrades planned for the U.S. Air Force fleet of the nearly 60-year-old B-52H bombers.

Qatar has become the first announced customer for the Raytheon Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER), a surface-to-air missile.

Air Force scraps for missile-warning satellite funding; Fire Scout begins operations; Philippines to get Black Hawks in 2020; Germans use A400M for refueling.

The U.S. Air Force plans to start testing autonomy algorithms and artificial intelligence on a flying aircraft this summer, a spokeswoman confirmed on July 11.

Longtime NASA Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier has been replaced by Deputy Associate Administrator Ken Bowersox, an ex-astronaut.

Portugal looks to become the first export customer for the Embraer KC-390 after the government approved the purchase of five of the airlifters for €827 million ($930.5 million).

Germany’s Rheinland Air Service (RAS) has delivered a second heavily modified ATR-72 regional turboprop to the Pakistan Navy for maritime patrol duties.

“Approximately two minutes after liftoff, shortly after ignition of the Zefiro 23 second stage, a launcher anomaly occurred, leading to the premature end of the mission,” according to Arianespace, the launch operator.

Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft touched down on the asteroid Ryugu late July 10 for a second time within five months to obtain samples of the primitive Solar System body for return to Earth.

Over the past 100 years, GE Aviation has grown into a global leader in aerospace propulsion.

The final, unpowered flight test of Virgin Orbit's two-stage, liquid-fueled LauncherOne expendable rocket clears the way for a trial run to space possibly by late summer.

Applying sanctions on Turkey remains an option if the Russian S-400 air defense system is delivered, a State Department official said on July 10.