Defense and Space

The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire StandardAero, a leading MRO provider, from private equity owner Veritas Capital for an undisclosed amount.

An Anglo-French study to produce a next-generation anti-ship weapon and cruise missile is considering whether the weapon could also take on a long-range air defense suppression role.

Lockheed Martin has selected an internally sourced GPS receiver with an enhanced anti-jam capability on the F-35.

The British defense ministry says it will spend more on research and innovation for new technologies to keep ahead of potential adversaries.

Airbus Helicopters has carried out the first flight of the initial serial production H160 twin-engine medium helicopter.

Herman Claesen has been chosen to lead Eurofighter GmbH and will take the helm from Volker Paltzo on Jan. 1.

The F-35 fighter aircraft’s bid for market dominance faces looming milestones and revived interest in alternatives.

Britain wants to grow defense capabilities, but questions remain on what can be afforded, post-Brexit.

SpaceX scrubbed its first two GPS III satellite launch opportunities.

The aircraft has reached 250 kt. true airspeed and continues to expand the flight envelope in areas such as bank angle, load factor and low-speed agility.

Pentagon officials met with CFOs from small, medium and large companies to discuss progress and performance payments before the DOD proposes a new rule.

Boeing and Embraer have hammered out terms of their proposed commercial business merger.

The U.S. Navy has decided it is not feasible to recapitalize its MH-53 Sea Dragon fleet with a derivative of the CH-53K King Stallion.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has delivered 13 cubesats into orbit for NASA, fulfilling a $6.9 million-Venture Class Launch Service (VCLS) contract.

The USAF is seeking a prototype high-energy laser that can be tested on the ground and in the air to determine the tech readiness and operational viability of an LWS.

Airbus could undertake manufacturing of dynamic components for helicopters under new agreements signed with the Hungarian government.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will loft the first U.S. Air Force GPS III satellite “Vespucci” into space Dec. 18.

Will NASA Astronaut Nick Hague’s upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS) mark his first spaceflight, or his second?

India plans to launch two Indian Data Relay Satellite System spacecraft next year to expand the data relay and comm links with its Earth observation sats.

France is slated to receive new transports, tankers and intelligence-gathering aircraft as part of increased defense spending.

2019 will be a year of rebuilding the strained long-standing relationships between engine-makers and airframers.

Slovakian leaders say Block 70/72 buy shows commitment to NATO partners.

U.S. defense agencies are stepping up development of hypersonic weapons to keep pace with China and Russia.

For commercial aviation in 2019, though each major manufacturer has its own challenges, it’s all about executing on the production side.

The year ahead holds milestones in human space transport, airliner first flights and new launches and more, but it also promises significant uncertainty.