Defense and Space

Iridium Communications declared its new Iridium Next satellite constellation operational following more than a decade of planning and a two-year launch program.

French and German industry have signed agreements on the next steps toward the development of a new European combat aircraft.

Managers and engineers from SpaceX and NASA plan to meet Feb. 22 to review progress and set a launch date for the first of SpaceX’s two Commercial Crew Program demo flights.

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) became House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee chairman in January, after serving as ranking member.

The USAF has hired an architect to lead its Advanced Battle Management System concept to evaluate the big picture of the warfighter’s mission and program requirements.

The Nigerian government has released the funding to acquire 12 Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack fighters.

Aerospace and defense supplier Arconic on Feb. 6 suddenly appointed new leadership, the second time in as many years, and will unveil a new business strategy.

For its first mission of the year, the Ariane 5 heavy rocket has placed two telecommunications satellites into geostationary orbit.

Last year was the fourth-warmest year on record globally since 1880, independent analyses from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show.

The Qatar Emiri Air Force took delivery of its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony Feb. 6 in France.

Ahead of Aero India, Lockheed’s Vivek Lall discusses the merits of the company’s proposal to make F-16 fighters in India and sell MH-60 helicopters there.

The U.S. Army says it has begun work to replace its fleet of Textron RQ-7 Shadow tactical unmanned air systems.

British Panavia Tornado combat aircraft have returned to the UK after 4 1/2 years of operations over Iraq and Syria.

ArianeGroup has completed the “definition review” of the Prometheus reusable engine demon and conducted the second test firing of Ariane 6’s strap-on booster.

Britain’s defense ministry is conducting studies that will ultimately influence the shape of the country’s future support helicopter fleet.

Russian S-300 missiles in Syria may be fully operational by March, according to Israelis who are following the air defense system’s preparations.

Draken International deployed four Aero Vodochody L-159s to Eglin AFB, Florida, in January to expand adversary air support to East Coast bases for the first time.

A DOD IG report of aerospace and defense provider TransDigm Group has found no wrongdoing, but the DOD wants the key supplier to pay back $16 million.

NASA’s Mars InSight lander has successfully added a protective thermal and wind cover to its first deployed surface sensor.

The U.S. Navy has awarded a $41.8 million contract to B.L. Harbert International to build a hangar for the MQ-25A carrier-based unmanned refueling tanker.

India has formally taken delivery of the first of 15 Chinook CH-47F heavy-lift transport helicopters from Boeing.

Kuala Lumpur seeks information on FA-50, Tejas and JF-17. For surveillance, it will consider Sea Guardian, Wing Loong II and Anka.

Vivek Lall is vice president of strategy and business development at Lockheed Martin, leading the company’s effort to sell the F-16 Block 60 to India.

With the Marine Corps CH-53K from Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky going into initial production, and some “strategic programs”—likely including the Air Force B-21 from Northrop Grumman—heating up, Spirit expects to continue growing its defense-related business.

India has allocated 3 trillion rupees ($43 billion) for its fiscal 2019-20 defense budget.